A Further Examination of Anti-"Mormon" Material Part 1

I have come across several sites that claim all these things that the church is supposed to be keeping a secret. It is entitled, "Things mormons won't tell you".

Much of it is half-truths, sensationalizing and plain nonsense. Yet I want to present how simple it is to answer these claims for any that are unsure.

I have split up the 33 claims into two sections to shorten the posts.

Here is what it presented _

1. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they believe your Church is wrong, your Christian creeds are an abomination to God, and your pastor or Priest is a hireling of Satan.

Firstly no truly Christian creed is an abomination to God nor its priests hired by Satan. The missionary discussions declare Christ's statement that the creeds professing Christ at the time of Joseph Smith were wrong, this isn't hidden. We taught this during the first principle in the first discussion when I was on my mission. Considering that anti-Mormons not long after this revelation (many of whom were church going "Christians") were raping, killing, bashing, burning and stealing in regard the Latter-Day Saints, and all this with the blessing and encouragement of Protestant ministers of the time, I don't see why that would be disputable. Christ saying this to Joseph Smith seems understandable to me. And certainly those churches weren't anything Christ would claim as "Christian." Today, while there are many Protestant people that are wonderful individuals, their church's doctrines contain many falsehoods. Some turning God into a monster in reality: Saving one lot above another purely by saying a name (or whatever simple method they include) turns God into a respecter of persons. Their God turns out to become an abomination. And this is only one of many false doctrines, sadly, being taught. However many good doctrines are still in the Bible and practised by genuine people from many different religions.

2. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that there is salvation only in their church - all others are wrong.

There are two statements here. In regard the first statement Christ came and saved all, who truly repent, from their past sins. This means they are saved from the suffering of hell. Christ also came and performed a salvation or "redemption" of the body by making the resurrection possible. Thus overcoming the transgression of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Doctrine and Covenants section 76 (part of our Standard Works of Scripture) explains that many truly repentant non-members are saved by the grace of Christ. In fact there will be far more non-members saved from their sins than true members. Only Telestials and Sons of Perdition will suffer hell. So that statement is false.

In regard the second statement. This is a bit of a blanket statement. It poses that all Protestant doctrines are false and implies that every doctrine being taught generally in the LDS church is the ultimate truth. Neither of those statements are correct. The church has more truths by having more Scripture and prophetic people. This obviously creates far more understanding than the Bible alone. Yet the Bible contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel on its own (as does the Book of Mormon). As Protestants are, hopefully, reading it, they will obtain these greatest of all teachings. so while many of the doctrines of Protestantism are incorrect, many are right. Great debate exists even within Protestantism as to what is right and what is wrong. As to the inference that the church is always correct, the church has gone through up and down periods, doctrinally, since the days of Adam, relative to the faithfulness of the members of the time. So it isn't correct to suppose its doctrines to be perfect until the members within it are all perfect. And even then this wouldn't allow for new members coming in to grow line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.

3. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that those who have been through their temples are wearing secret underwear to protect themselves from "evil". This "evil" includes non - Mormons like you.

Well, if we told people they wouldn't be secret underwear, would they?

In all seriousness, I have met members who believe this type of hocus pocus of a mysterious physical protection. And I don't doubt that those who have faith in Christ will benefit from a belief in his protecting hand. However neither the temple, nor the Scriptures nor reality support this idea. I was equally physically protected with or without a temple garment on. The temple garment provides an opportunity for a person undressing to consider their actions if they are about to commit adultery or fornication. This is a fair enough observation from that perspective. And obedience to the principles accepted as a wearer of the garment certainly will create spiritual protection from sin, because of their obedience to the commandments of God. Wearers are able to think upon these things whenever getting dressed.

4. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU about their secret temple rites at all. If they did, you would spot them as non Christians immediately.

Did this guy think about what he has written? He has said to a group of Protestants that they would realise a particular "Mormon" wasn't a Christian if he went around giving details of current temple ordinances. Thus implying that he would be a Christian by not giving such details out.

We don't actually keep their existence a secret, we keep the actual actions and words sacred.
The reason we keep them secret is because we regard them as sacred. We avoid casting pearls before those who may end up being the swine Christ referred to. And if these ordinances were untrue, as Protestantism presents, then what does it matter that we don't say what they are? That they feel they must attack them should send alarm bells into their heads. Satan makes them angry, and they are listening to him.

5. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they think "familiar spirits" are good, and that their Book of Mormon has a "familiar spirit". Leviticus 19:31 says familiar spirits defile one, and are to be avoided at all costs.

An example of what God commanded against is demonstrated in the Witch of En-dor situation with Samuel the prophet. The witch actually could see Samuel. Let me add that this "familiar spirit" is stated by the Bible to actually be Samuel the prophet. This Samuel prophesied in the name of the Lord and his prophesy occurred (1 Sam 28:5-20). Obviously God had sent him. So don't get too hung up on that as an absolute if God chooses to do otherwise. It was a commandment given to the Israelites to keep them from getting absorbed in speaking to the dead and evil spirits.

It must be remembered that if we are IN Christ then the Law given to Moses is fulfilled. If we are to continue to practice the Law given to Moses then if my brother dies and had no children I am to take his wife as my wife, in addition to my own, and produce a child for my brother. Apart from polygamy being illegal today, that isn't considered acceptable behavior in our society, and the church would want to excommunicate me for obedience to it.

Secondly Jesus Christ himself said he would send back this spirit (Holy Ghost) to be with any of his disciples as a constant gift to give them answers when standing before kings etc, prophesying, healing, praying etc. This spirit will lead them into more truth as they become ready to understand - a good "familiar spirit."

Jesus Christ said _
"I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. Though when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it to you. All things that the Father has are mine: therefore I said, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it to you."  John 16:12-15

Here Jesus Christ is saying that he will send back that "familiar spirit" ("the Spirit of truth") that has our poor friend confused into thinking we shouldn't listen to the Holy Ghost.

6. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that women receive salvation only through their Mormon husbands, and must remain pregnant for all eternity.

Firstly I must state, in all fairness to the multitude of members who believe in magical invention, that many members don't believe the pregnancy part.

There we are back with the "salvation" word being used wildly. Salvation from sins comes through the atonement of Jesus Christ to each person individually. A person doesn't need to be married to be saved from their sins. What he should have said was that we know that men and women can't enjoy the ultimate of God's plan without having a spouse. The first commandment given to Adam and Eve (while they were still perfect) was to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:27-28). Do you believe God's ways change? If not then it must still be his commandment and will remain so even when we are physically perfect again - after the resurrection.

In regard eternal pregnancy; we are talking about glorified and immortal women. We have a pregnant woman suffering neither morning sickness, back pains, cramps nor delivery pains? The challenge to women will be learning to be a perfect parent, not problems from painless pregnancies. Our happiness will come from service to others (these children). This is what Christ taught, and it doesn't change either.

7. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they intend to be gods themselves some day, and are helping to earn their exaltation to godhood by talking to you.

"Come follow me," said Jesus Christ. He taught and grew in stature and in favor with God and man (Lk 2:52). We do the same. Christ promises that if we do those things that he has taught we will reign upon the throne of the Father with him (Rev 3:21 - this is only one of many such Bible passages). Anyone telling you that we can't become a God is deceiving you, whether deliberately or in ignorance, as Christ has declared we can. This might sound glorious, but it is an eternity of blessings of happiness and joy that comes through constant hard work in service (Jn 5:16-17). God is our loving Father (Matt 7:9-11), not an egotistical ogre.

As to the reason I desire to help others, I do this out of love and concern for those individuals. I also do it out of love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, who love us enormously. It is true that I do realise that it is necessary for me to gain great love for me to become like my Father in Heaven, as he is full of an enormous love. And I know that through service to others and helping others to learn, I do gain love. But the latter is only a minor point to those two reasons first expressed in this paragraph.

8. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they intend to have many wives in heaven, carrying on multiple sex relations throughout eternity, until they have enough children to populate their own earth, so they can be "Heavenly Father" over their own planet!

Firstly, one reason I wouldn't say what he has said here would be in all fairness to the multitude of members who don't believe what his statement is based on. Secondly this is presenting some kind of endless sex - billions of times having sex for billions of children. Yet glorified women can store a huge collection of sperm without the sperm dying (unlike us mortals). What is more is that glorified men (like Heavenly Father) can produce far more sperm than the millions per sex session that us mortals produce. Obviously at least billions. Sorry people, no endless sex.

Can women enjoy the privilege of having children throughout eternity and bring such wonderful meaning to their existence? Can men have the honor of assisting women in this? The answer is a resounding YES.

I was raised a Protestant/Catholic with a possible best future of being in heaven playing harps and eating grapes, gardening or some other worthless pursuit. I'm glad to know that I wasn't just invented from thin air by a weird being that finally got bored one day(?) in the midst(?) of eternity and decided to make some toys. Fortunately this weird being happened to be all powerful relative to nothing (a total impossibility, as all power has to be relevant to something else - remembering that he was in the midst of nothing). What is more is that as he is omniscient the Protestant god knew long before that on that day(?) in the midst(?) of eternity he would suddenly get this urge through boredom. I'm happy to know the truth is that my eternity can be full of highly meaningful activity and that I'm here for a purpose, not for some strange being's entertainment.

9. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that you were once a spirit - child of their heavenly father, and one of his numerous wives before you were born on earth.

Once again we have 2 statements. One true. One false. We certainly were a child of Heavenly Father. And this is taught plainly in the missionary discussions. No secret. Yet females weren't their own mothers as this sad claim purports. In fact they weren't anyone's mothers until coming here to earth, getting a body and growing to adulthood.

The statement needs to have the comma after the word "father" removed and placed after the word "wives." Then it would be correct.

Even then I must, again, in all fairness to those members who don't accept this fact, state that it isn't a generally accepted doctrine that there was a need for parents. Many members have persisted with the Protestant idea of a magical God who just conjured up their inner being out of thin air.

10. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that the Virgin Mary really wasn't a virgin at all but had sex relations with their heavenly father to produce the Mormon version of Jesus Christ.

It would be unfair to the extremely large majority of Latter-Day Saints to teach this, as they don't believe it, in spite of the Bible teaching it. I know it to be true, but that is just my personal knowledge. She was a "virgin" from the worldly perspective, as she had not known mortal man. To the outside world there was no visible father.

The following is a conversation an angel had with Mary, from the book of Luke, in the New Testament.
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David...Then Mary said to the angel, How will this be seeing I have not known a man? And the angel answered and said to her ... the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God."  Luke 1:32 & 34-35

Mary has asked how she can have a child since she has not had sexual relations with a man. In answer to how she could have the child the angel said that God the Father would lie on top of her; and because of the action, additionally, the child shall be called the Son of God.

Mary has regarded that this has answered her question of the missing father to the child. Additionally it declares that this action would mean he is even called the Son of God. Note also that Mary answers an acceptance of this occurring as though it was a request requiring her consent.

"And Mary said, See the handmaid of the Lord [meaning herself]; let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her." Luke 1:38

In concluding let me again state that this fact is not accepted by the large majority of Latter-Day Saints. This is why it isn't taught.

11. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they believe Jesus had at least three wives and children while he was on this earth.

Firstly I must present that this was an opinion expressed by one LDS member only. I haven't heard any others present those 3 as being definitely his wives. I'm sure that a survey of members would disagree with it as a known fact, or anything like it. Thus, why would we teach it?

Marriage itself however was compulsory for any leader of the people by God's commandments to Moses. Particularly in the case of Christ he would also fit with the charge of marriage given to the absolute leader of the people. They had to have demonstrated an ability to keep a marriage together. Paul further presented this idea in regard Bishops and Deacons. He also presented that they must have the ability to have their children in subjection. They furthermore had to be 30 years old or over. Christ also fulfilled this requirement. The Jews would not have accepted Christ as a teacher had he not fulfilled all God's law's requirements, including marriage.

12. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that the "heavenly father" they ask you to pray to with them, is really an exalted man that lives on a planet near the star base Kolob, and is not the Heavenly Father of the Bible at all.

Yes, I won't tell you that he is "not the Heavenly Father of the Bible," because he is.

What is the Heavenly Father of the Bible? He is an individual that has his special Son, Jesus Christ, SITTING on his RIGHT hand side (Acts 7:55). Genesis tells us that he looks like us as a mirror would see. And that he is as like us in the things we can't see also (Gen 1:26). His intelligence fills the universe. He sees and hears all the things we do. He perceives our thoughts and the intention of our hearts. Does the Protestant know where heaven actually is geographically? No. So Abraham was informed it is on a planet. Does the Bible oppose that idea? To the contrary, the Bible talks of the meek inheriting the earth (Matt 5:5) (a planet) and Christ sitting upon it in the midst of the righteous, with Heavenly Father there also (Rev 3:21).

13. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that Jesus was really Lucifer's brother in the spirit world, and it was only due to a "heavenly council" vote that Jesus became our redeemer instead of Satan!!

This is a little twisted. Additionally it is false that we don't teach the actual facts behind this distortion. We tell investigators that we were ALL one another's brothers and sisters. This, therefore, includes Jesus Christ and poor Lucifer [Satan]. The "heavenly council" was a discussion in which Jesus Christ presented that he was willing to perform the necessary function of a Savior, in order that we could be saved from our sins and move ahead to perfection. This is the only way that it could be done. Lucifer presented a plan of his own, which was impossible, as we must always have free choice or we cease to exist. But being the crack-pot he is this was beyond his comprehension. Satan never could have been our redeemer instead of Christ. If Heavenly Father could have come up with an alternate plan that would bring all to exultation he would have gladly embraced it, regardless of who got the glory. God IS love, not an egotistical nutcase.

Everybody "voted" in the sense that we all chose whether to follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ or to follow Satan. No one but Jesus Christ (Jehovah) could have been the Savior as it required perfect living, which is completely opposite to Satan's ways of viewing things. Jesus Christ was the only one who followed Heavenly Father perfectly in the pre-existence (that we are aware of). So he was the only one that God knew would follow him perfectly here.

14. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that there are over one hundred divisions in Mormonism. They conveniently "forget" this while criticizing the many denominations within the body of Christ

In regard the first statement, I have mentioned this many times in my discussions with non-members. This is only par for the course. But the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is by far the largest. It also had the majority of the twelve apostles within it when most splits occurred just after Joseph Smith's death. The Baptist church (for example) has at least tens of thousands of divisions within it. And so? The question still becomes which church is true? And the addition of 100 other churches doesn't change the simplicity of finding the truth by study, asking God and opening your hearts to the truth. As to the second part, we don't expose any church's doctrines that teach the true Christ, has his authority and practises the ordinances in the way he wants them practised.

15. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that all their so- called scriptures such as the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and even their official "Mormon Doctrine" statements contradict each other on MAJOR doctrinal points. The King James Bible is likewise contradicted.

Firstly "Mormon Doctrine" isn't part of our "Standard Works" and has NOT been sustained as Scripture by the general church membership. Thus its opinion is not that accepted by all church members. i.e. forget it as a standard of doctrines accepted as Scripture. It wouldn't matter if all the church authorities thought it was the most wonderful book in the world (which they don't). The other 4 books mentioned - Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price are the ONLY Scriptures officially sustained by members as Scripture every conference.

As to contradictions in Scripture, there is always a degree of that when faced with people and limited understanding. For example Christ said that "the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgement to the Son" (John 5:22). Christ also said that he won't be the judge (John 12:47). It also says, the Saints shall judge everybody in the world (1 Cor 6:2). So we have Christ performing ALL judgement, but the Saints performing judgement of everyone, yet Christ not judging anyone because his words are all that is required.

Use of the Holy Ghost makes these types of apparent disagreements plain, where there isn't an error made through ignorance or deliberate intension, by transcribing or alterations. Yet it looks like contradictions in the Bible. The more Scripture you have the more such apparent contradictions arise. Thus by us having 3 additional sets of Scripture there is obviously more apparent contradictions.

16. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that the reason the Book of Mormon has no maps is because there is not one scrap of archaeological evidence to support it!

LOL. At the beginning of the book there is a statement in regard what the book is. It says that it was "translated" by Joseph Smith. It used to have to say "written" by Joseph Smith. But because it was proven in a court of law to be an authentic history of the ancient Americas it can now declare itself as a translation. This was because of the overwhelming collection of archaeological and other evidence for it. This was opposed by Protestantism, and the LDS church won. The Protestants appealed and lost the appeal. The evidence for this can now be seen in the title page of any copy of the Book of Mormon, in that it is declared a translation.

The reason there are no maps is because the church would have to convince every single member that it had chosen the right places to make such an official map. The church, unlike Protestant churches, is a Theocratic Democracy ([Theocratic] - The Church of Jesus Christ [Democracy] - of Latter-Day Saints) , not a dictatorship with one group saying what all will believe.

17. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that the state of Utah, which is predominately Mormon, has a higher than the national average of wife-beating, child abuse, and teenage suicide.

In regard suicides the percentage of Mormons to non-Mormons in Utah has been decreasing over several decades (due to increases in people coming to Utah for work) while the numbers of suicides have increased. So that doesn't look good for those trying to blame members for this statistic.

The same can also be said of child abuse cases. Again showing a significant percentage rise in Utah, while the percentage of numbers of LDS to non-members in Utah is on the decrease.

The same applies to wife/partner physical abuse.

Also it should be noted that of the statistics for women, having their first baby, that claimed abuse occurring before pregnancy, the numbers were significantly higher in those unmarried couples. Only 2.1% of married women claimed abuse. While 9.2% of unmarried women claimed abuse by partners. This statistic again demonstrates that Mormons (who are far more likely to be married) aren't the perpetrators of this statistic.

Considering the great blessings that God has poured out on the LDS in Utah, many people come to Utah for work. It is most likely that many of the people coming to Utah for work are already in financial difficulties. This weighs heavily in spouse arguments, violence and suicide.

A Further Examination of Anti-"Mormon" Material Part 2

I came across a site that claimed all these things that the church is supposed to be keeping a secret. It is entitled, "Things mormons won't tell you". Almost all of it is half-truths, sensationalizing or plain nonsense. Yet I want to present how simple it is to answer these claims for any that are unsure.

I'm starting with Part 2 and will put Part 1 on next, so that it will read in order when both posts are done.

18. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that their prophet Joseph Smith was heavily involved in the occult when he founded Mormonism.

Claims about people when they are dead are meaningless. Piles of people say he was a great guy, and piles of people say he wasn't. As we weren't there to make our own judgement it is futile discussion. Many people were paid enormous sums of money, for the time, to write testimonies against Joseph Smith. This is not denied by either side. Half of them probably never even met him.

19. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they encourage visitations from dead relatives from the "spirit world", a practice forbidden in the Bible. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12.)

Nonsense. Some members mention isolated experiences of such. But it isn't a promoted idea or to be done on a regular basis. And therefore it doesn't fit under the command made in Deuteronomy, which involves a habit of communication. I have never communicated nor sort to communicate with any of my dead relatives.

20. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that there are many accounts of Joseph Smith's first vision besides the one they present to you, and all are different

There are 4 accounts he made. The fact that all are different is evidence of them being authentic, not visa-versa. If I tell people of a past experience, some person who may have heard it before can sometimes say that I didn't mention that last time. Joseph Smith could only say the same thing if it was rehearsed.

21. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that their secret temple oaths are based on the Scottish Rite Masons.

He means there is a relationship between ALL masonic rites and some of the ceremony done in the temple; not just some Scottish ones. The masons claim that their rites come from Solomon's temple and have been handed down in perfect order. Thus it is only obvious that the Old Testament parts of our temple ordinances are similar in places.

22. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that before 1978 they considered the Negro race inferior, and even one drop of Negro blood prevented a person from entering their priesthood.

Those spirits which became Negros chose not to have the priesthood in the pre-existence, because having it would put them in a position to be able to become Sons of Perdition (the worst of worst eternal ends). However they became members through baptism and received the Holy Ghost. If they choose to move in a different direction after death this is their decision also. The spirits who chose this have all come to earth, and so this doesn't pertain to those born now.

In regard claiming we don't tell investigators; obviously negro investigators of the time were informed. It wasn't relevant to anyone else; and there is far enough to teach investigators without getting on to things that aren't necessary for baptismal commitment.

As to us considering Negros inferior I will quote the book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price (translated by Joseph Smith) in regard a Negro named Pharaoh.

"Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, ... and also of Noah, his father [in the sense that he descended from him], who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom ..." (Abraham 1:26)

A wise, righteous, just and blessed negro.

23. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they expect Christ to return to their temple in Missouri, but they haven't built the temple He's supposed to return to, because they don't own the property. (It is owned by the "Temple Lot Mormons" who have plans of their own, and won't let the Salt Lake City group buy it).

Once again, in all fairness to those members who feel that the promise in regard Missouri has passed because the Saints failed to live up to God's laws, this is only accepted by some members as still to happen.

Yet for the defence of those members who continue to believe this I would say, so Christ won't be having his second coming tomorrow? Oh, and I was so looking forward to it. Are we serious? Things change.

While I, personally, feel that the Missouri promise may still stand, I'm uncertain.

24. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they consider the Bible to be untrustworthy and full of errors.

"Full of errors" is a ridiculous exaggeration. If we believed that it wouldn't be part of our Scriptures. However we do tell investigators that errors do exist due to transcribing errors and deliberate changes made by Catholic priests in the ancient texts. Also debate exists in regard translation from one language to another. These things are well established facts, known to all Biblical scholars of all faiths.

25. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that Jesus' death on the cross only partially saves the believer.

Actually we do teach this. Christ suffered far more in the garden of Gethsemane, where his sweat was great drops of blood, than on the cross. An observation of the Old Testament sacrifices show that there was to be 2 sacrifices done by the Savior. One (sacrifice for each person's sins separately) was to be done outside the temple but inside Jerusalem (the Garden of Gethsemane) and the other was to be made for all Israel outside Jerusalem (the cross).

In regard Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Bible tells us _

"And there appeared an angel to him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:43-44

Here, in the Garden of Gethsemane, we find that Christ required an angel to come down and strengthen him. We note that it goes on to say that Christ was in "agony" in the garden. In spite of the enormous agony of dying on a cross Christ didn't require an angel to strengthen him. Nor did Christ suffer so much upon the cross that he sweat blood.

In the Garden of Gethsemane Christ suffered for sins. As his body was a mess after suffering for our sins, it was time for him to die and become resurrected. So he, effectively, paid the price of death for our sins upon the cross. This made the resurrection possible for all others also.

26. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that according to Anton Lavey's Satanic Bible, the demon god of the living dead is called "Mormo". Is it just a coincidence that the Mormons are so concerned with the dead?

One reason why I haven't told anyone is that I don't read the Satanic Bible to know. Now you mention it I have noticed that the Bible talks of the "Anti-Christ." Well.... I'm shocked! The word Anti-Christ includes the word "Christ." And the name Saul, the King of Israel whom God cursed, was the former name of the apostle Paul and still sounds similar to Paul. What will we all do????

What had this guy been smoking?

27. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that on their Salt Lake City Temple they prominently display an upside-down star which is a Satanic symbol known as the Goat's head. Why?

Mormons don't tell you because almost all members wouldn't know that Satan had stolen it.

Satan is constantly setting up things that mimic what God does, but are negative versions. Note that God set up sacrifices on alters. And Satan mimicked it with human sacrifices on alters. This didn't make God a follower of Satan. God said his firstborn would be the sacrifice and that's what the Israelites put into the fires of Molech. God set up a priesthood and Satan got pagans to make a priesthood. These sorts of things are to be anticipated.

28. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they believe the Archangel Michael came down to earth with several of his celestial wives, and became Adam in the garden of Eden.

Firstly this statement is false. Adam didn't come down with several wives. There was just, initially, Adam and Eve. What Brigham Young said (and this was his personal opinion, not Scripture) was that Adam came down with Eve, who was one of his Celestial wives. If I now owned a candy store, I could say that when I was little I came to my shop often. No one concludes that I mean it was my shop when I was little. Nor was Eve one of Adam's Celestial wives at the time of him coming down. They didn't even know the difference between good and evil. She was one of the women who eventually became one of his Celestial wives, was what Brigham was implying.

29. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that they believe the angel Gabriel came down to earth and became Noah in the days of the flood.

Overall, who cares? Why would we bother putting this in the missionary discussions? Its just information that is trivial. It obviously interested Joseph, so he was informed and concluded that someone else may wish to know. Obviously Gabriel came down to earth as somebody, as we all do.

30. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that their Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied falsely many times. For example, he foretold the second coming of Christ for 1891. The Bible teaches that one false prophecy puts the prophet under death sentence. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).

The assumption that Joseph Smith made from his prophesy was incorrect. But the prophesy itself hasn't been shown to be incorrect because he didn't live to that age. The proviso given was "IF" he lived to be that age.

The same could be said of the prophesy by Caiaphas in the New Testament. He prophesied in regard Christ dying for that nation. And then he went out to have him killed. This didn't make Caiaphas a false prophet. John clearly states in regard Caiaphas, "being high priest at that time, prophesied." Yet Caiaphas's conclusion was that he was to kill Christ for the good of all (John 11:49-53).

31. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that their Prophet Joseph Smith did not die as a martyr as they claim, but was killed during a gun battle in which he himself killed two men and wounded a third.

It is not a pre-requisite for a martyr that he didn't try to defend himself. A martyr is someone who dies for his cause. Those men came for the purpose of killing Joseph Smith because of his religious affiliation. Had he not taught the things he did they would not have come to kill him. And so he died a martyr.

32. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU about the Mountain Meadows Massacre in which they brutally murdered an innocent wagon train of settlers, of over one hundred men, women, and most of the children, traveling through Utah.

Actually I've mentioned this to investigators many times. That way I can give both sides of the argument rather than just this distorted one.

This situation is a classic example of why I'm against position worship within the church. It seems a particular bishop got over zealous and fearful in regard some former Missourians (who were involved in killing, raping and pillaging the members when in Missouri) travelling through Utah in a wagon train which included others. In order to keep them from attacking his area he had his members dress up as Indians and attack the wagon train. It seems that he became fearful of discovery and decided to kill all witnesses. But some of those involved later confessed their actions.

It does stand as a sad action performed by some church members and a warning not to just follow any church authority blindly.

33. MORMONS WON'T TELL YOU that Joseph Smith taught that there were inhabitants on the moon, and Brigham Young taught there were inhabitants on the sun as well!

These ideas came from a scientist of the time. Isaiah may have believed that the earth was flat. That doesn't make him a false prophet either. Being a prophet doesn't make a person know everything. Human errors will still exist.