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| | {{Resource Title|Answers to "50 Questions to Ask Mormons"}} | | {{Resource Title|Answers to "50 Questions to Ask Mormons"}} |
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| − | | + | ==Summary== |
| | Anti-Mormon literature tends to recycle the same themes. Some ministries are using a series of fifty questions, which they believe will help "cultists" like the Mormons. One ministry seems to suggest that such questions are a good way to deceive Latter-day Saints, since the questions "give...them hope that you are genuinely interested in learning more about their religion." | | Anti-Mormon literature tends to recycle the same themes. Some ministries are using a series of fifty questions, which they believe will help "cultists" like the Mormons. One ministry seems to suggest that such questions are a good way to deceive Latter-day Saints, since the questions "give...them hope that you are genuinely interested in learning more about their religion." |
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| | '''NOTE:''' It should be remembered that this particular list of questions was put together by an Evangelical Christian ministry. The answers provided here by FairMormon are directed to Christians of any denomination who might use such a list or to Mormon Christians who might be bothered by such a list. There are also secular critics of the Church who would not be bothered by or have any use for many of the questions on this list. We recognize that the answers provided here may not be satisfactory to such individuals; that is fine. If anyone knows of such critical lists produced by secularists or secular organizations, we would be interested to know about them and might consider them for similar treatment. | | '''NOTE:''' It should be remembered that this particular list of questions was put together by an Evangelical Christian ministry. The answers provided here by FairMormon are directed to Christians of any denomination who might use such a list or to Mormon Christians who might be bothered by such a list. There are also secular critics of the Church who would not be bothered by or have any use for many of the questions on this list. We recognize that the answers provided here may not be satisfactory to such individuals; that is fine. If anyone knows of such critical lists produced by secularists or secular organizations, we would be interested to know about them and might consider them for similar treatment. |
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| | + | ==Responses to "50 Questions to Ask Mormons== |
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| − | ==Questions About the Bible==
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| − | ==Response to claim: "28. If marriage is essential to achieve exaltation, why did Paul say that it is good for a man not to marry?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=28. If marriage is essential to achieve exaltation, why did Paul say that it is good for a man not to marry? ({{b|1|Corinthians|7|1}})
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *Paul does not say it is good not to marry, but quotes the ''Corinthian Saints''' comments in a previous letter to him. Paul is responding to this claim, and he critiques it.
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Paul says good not to marry?]]
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Response to claim: "29. Since the Word of Wisdom teaches us to abstain from alcohol, why did Paul encourage Timothy to drink wine for the stomach?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=29. Since the Word of Wisdom teaches us to abstain from alcohol, why did Paul encourage Timothy to drink wine for the stomach? ({{b|1|Timothy|5|23}})
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *In Timothy's day, water was often not safe to drink. (Historically, it is interesting that the temperance movement opposing alcohol only took off in the United States once relatively clean water supplies were available to most people—prior to that, alcohol mixed with water was a necessary way of keeping water drinkable.)
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| − | *The Word of Wisdom was given to modern saints as protection against "the designs of conspiring men in the last days." Certainly we don't have to look far to see such conspiracy against the health of customers at work today in tobacco companies or street drug dealers.
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| − | *This shows why modern revelation is so important—what was dangerous for us in the modern age (cigarette manufacturers, illicit drugs, alcohol marketing, etc.) may need different advice from God than that given 2000 years ago where dying from dysentery transmitted by contaminated water was a far bigger risk than dying of cirrhosis or stomach cancer.
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| − | *A related question which Christian critics ought to ask themselves might be, "Since we know now that alcohol—including wine—can cause gastritis, ulcers, or stomach bleeding why did Paul (a prophet!) tell Timothy to use it?"
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| − | *This is a lot like earlier questions about Joseph Smith or Brigham Young expressing a false, though popular, opinion about scientific matters. Paul isn't any less an apostle because he expressed a false idea about the benefits of alcohol on stomach problems.
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Wine for the stomach and the Word of Wisdom]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "30. If obeying the Word of Wisdom-which tells us to abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco—is important for our exaltation, why did Jesus say that there is nothing that can enter a man to make him defiled?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=30. If obeying the Word of Wisdom-which tells us to abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco—is important for our exaltation, why did Jesus say that there is nothing that can enter a man to make him defiled ({{b||Mark|7|15}})?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *The Word of Wisdom says nothing about such substances "defiling us." Members believe it is important to obey the Word of Wisdom because God has commanded us not to do something, and we have promised not to do it. We should keep our promises to God.
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| − | *The Jews promised not to eat pork, and so it was a sin for them to eat pork—not because pork contaminates or "defiles" them, but because disobedience (that which comes OUT of us, as Jesus said) shows we do not love and trust God. The underlying principle here is obedience to God, not the Word of Wisdom, ''per se.''
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Template:WoWWiki|Word of Wisdom]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "31. If Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament and Elohim is referred to as God in the Old Testament, can you explain Deuteronomy 6:4 to me "Hear, O Israel: the Lord (Jehovah) our God (Elohim) is one Lord (Jehovah)?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=31. If Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament and Elohim is referred to as God in the Old Testament, can you explain Deuteronomy 6:4 to me "Hear, O Israel: the Lord (Jehovah) our God (Elohim) is one Lord (Jehovah)?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *An alternate translation of the passage is "Hear, O Israel: The LORD [Jehovah] is our God [Elohim], the LORD alone" (ESV footnote). In this case, "Elohim" is used as a title meaning "God" while "Jehovah" is used as a proper name. This translation also would suggest the possibility of other gods for other non-Israelite nations as seen in Deuteronomy 32:8-9. Moreover, we must not make the mistake of thinking that the name-titles "Jehovah" and "Elohim" had those meanings anciently, or were always used that way in scripture—they did not, and were not.
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| − | *These titles as used in the LDS Church for the Father and the Son are modern (i.e., 20th century) and are used for clarity when distinguishing members of the Godhead. It is not to be expected that ancient writers used the terms always in the same way. The use of the term such as "Elohim" could mean, depending on the context and grammar, "God," "gods," or even what would be better termed "angels" or "heavenly beings."
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Elohim and Jehovah]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "32. Why does the Mormon Church teach that we can be married in heaven when Jesus said in Matthew 22:30 that in the resurrection man neither marry, nor are they given in marriage?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=32. Why does the Mormon Church teach that we can be married in heaven when Jesus said in {{b||Matthew|22|30}} that in the resurrection man neither marry, nor are they given in marriage?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{misinformation|Marriages persist after resurrection if done by proper authority; they are not ''entered into'' after the resurrection. Yet, the Bible teaches that men and women are not complete before God without each other (See {{b|1|Corinthians|11|11}}). The Church teaches that marriages need to be performed either in person or by proxy here on the earth. Thus all such marriages will be arranged either here or in the spirit world, and conducted either now or during the millennium on earth.
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| − | }}
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| − | {{:Question: Is marriage essential to achieve exaltation?}}
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| − | ==Response to claim: "33. How can worthy Mormon males become Gods in the afterlife when God already said that before him no God was formed, nor will there be any Gods formed after him?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=33. How can worthy Mormon males become Gods in the afterlife when God already said that before him no God was formed, nor will there be any Gods formed after him? ({{b||Isaiah|43|10}})
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *Critics often misunderstand the doctrine of [[Deification_of_man|''theosis'', or human deification]]. Yet, it is a doctrine shared by many early Christians and much of modern Eastern Christianity (e.g., Eastern Orthodox). However, the question asked here represents a misunderstanding of the Isaiah scripture in its ancient context when compared with the rest of the Bible.
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [["No God beside me"]]
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Response to claim: "34. If God had a father who was a God, how come Isaiah 44:8 says that he doesn't know him?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=34. If God had a father who was a God, how come Isaiah 44:8 says that he doesn't know him?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{misinformation|
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| − | *Again, the interpretation of this verse is mistaken.
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [["No God beside me"]]
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| − | * ''See also:'' [[Infinite regress of Gods?]]
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Response to claim: "35. If God was once just a man who progressed to becoming a God, how do you explain Psalm 90:2:…'even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God'"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=35. If God was once just a man who progressed to becoming a God, how do you explain Psalm 90:2:…"even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God"
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *The only aspect of this about which we are certain is that God the Father underwent a mortal experience like Christ did. Jesus was, however, God before He underwent His mortal experience, and the Father may have been too. We simply don't know.
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Unchanging Nature of God]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "36. How can God be an exalted man when Numbers 23:19 says that God is not a man?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=36. How can God be an exalted man when Numbers 23:19 says that God is not a man?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *The verse actually says (NET Bible version):
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? ({{B||Numbers|23|19}})
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | *Thus, the teaching here is that God is not a fallible mortal who will change his goals or say He will do something and then not do it. There is, by contrast, abundant Biblical evidence of God's physical form upon which man's body was patterned:
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Corporeality of God]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "37. Why does the Mormon Church teach that Elohim had sexual relations with Mary to produce Jesus when both Matthew and Luke teach she was a virgin?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=37. Why does the Mormon Church teach that Elohim had sexual relations with Mary to produce Jesus when both Matthew and Luke teach she was a virgin (''The Seer'', January 1853, p. 158)?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{disinformation|
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| − | *''The Seer'' was a publication that was [[The_Seer|officially disavowed]] by the First Presidency soon after it was published. So, this is not LDS doctrine, and it is not taught. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the virgin birth of Christ, but has no doctrine about ''how'' such a miracle occurred.
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| − | }}
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| − | {{:Question: Do Mormons believe that Mary was still a virgin when Jesus was born?}}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "38. Why does the LDS Church teach that Jesus paid for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane when 1 Peter 2:24 says that it was on the cross?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=38. Why does the LDS Church teach that Jesus paid for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane when {{b|1|Peter|2|24}} says that it was on the cross?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *The atoning sacrifice began in the Garden of Gethsemane and culminated on the cross. We can see from the Gospels that the suffering began in the Garden and went on until Jesus said on the cross "it is finished." Neither aspect was unimportant, and both involved suffering which we cannot fathom (see {{S||D&C|19|18}}). The LDS Church has no quarrel with this doctrine. This hostile question seems to be an attempt to suggest that Latter-day Saints do not value or appreciate Christ's saving death on the cross, but this is false.
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| − | *It may be that the Church sometimes emphasizes Gethsemane, because traditional Christianity has long focused on the cross in art, iconography, and ritual. Yet, Gethsemane must not be overlooked, where Christ "sweat...as it were great drops of blood" for the sins of all humanity ({{b||Luke|22|44}}; see also {{s||Alma|7|11}}, {{s||D&C|19|18}}).
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| − | *''To learn more:'' [[Was Jesus crucified on a cross?]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "39. Why did Bruce McConkie write that a man may commit a sin so grievous that it will place him beyond the atoning blood of Christ (''Mormon Doctrine'', 1979, p. 93) when the Bible says that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=39. Why did Bruce McConkie write that a man may commit a sin so grievous that it will place him beyond the atoning blood of Christ (''Mormon Doctrine'', 1979, p. 93) when the Bible says that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin? ({{b|1|John|1|7}})
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *"Mormon Doctrine" is not an [[Fallibility_of_prophets#Standard_of_doctrine_in_the_Church|official publication]] of the LDS Church.
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| − | *In this case, however, Elder McConkie is in good company since Jesus taught that there was an unforgivable sin:
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
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| − | : 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, '''it shall not be forgiven him''', neither in this world, neither in the world to come. ({{b||Matthew|12|31–32}}, emphasis added)
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | *Thus, it seems that 1 John is best interpreted as meaning that any forgivable sin is cleansed through—and only through—the blood of Christ. Latter-day Saints understand the "blasphemy against the Holy Ghost" to be rejecting the atonement of Christ when one has a perfect knowledge of it.
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| − | *John later qualifies his statement making clear there is a sin that is unforgivable.
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_jn/5/16#16 1 John 5:1].
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | *The counsel here is to pray for those who sin unless they have committed the "sin unto death" which cannot be forgiven. Obviously, if one rejects the atonement of Christ, one cannot be saved by it, and so one will not be forgiven for that sin.
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| − | * ''To learn more'': [[Unforgivable sin]]
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Response to claim: "40. Why does the LDS Church teach that man first existed as spirits in heaven when {{b|1|Corinthians|15|46}} says that the physical body comes before the spiritual?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=40. Why does the LDS Church teach that man first existed as spirits in heaven when {{b|1|Corinthians|15|46}} says that the physical body comes before the spiritual?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *1 Corinthians is not talking about the order of creation, but is talking about the regeneration of the wicked person into a spiritual, born again person. Thus, of course the physical (i.e., carnal) person comes first, and the spiritual (i.e., born again) person comes next when regenerated through Christ.
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| − | *Biblical statements indicate that God is the father of our spirits and we were known to him before our birth (e.g., {{b||Jeremiah|1|5}}).
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| − | * ''To learn more'': [[First Corinthians 15 and spirit bodies]]
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Response to claim: "41. Since Jesus statement, 'be ye therefore perfect' (Matthew 5:48) is in the present tense, are you perfect right now? Do you expect to be perfect soon?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=41. Since Jesus statement, "be ye therefore perfect" ({{b||Matthew|5|48}}) is in the present tense, are you perfect right now? Do you expect to be perfect soon? According to {{b||Hebrews|10|14}}, how are we made perfect?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *In this life, perfection is something that can only be achieved by God's grace and '''in Christ'''. His perfection becomes ours through our covenant relationship with Him.
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | Yea, come unto Christ, and be '''perfected in him''', and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be '''perfect in Christ'''; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are '''perfect in Christ''', and deny not his power, then are ye '''sanctified in Christ''' by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot. [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moro/10/32-33 Moroni 10:32-33]
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | *However, Matt. 5:48 suggests there will be a time when we will actually and independently be perfect like God. This, however, is not to be achieved in this life nor for a long time after death.
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| − | *''To learn more'': [[Deification of man|''Theosis''/deification of man]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "42. Why do Mormons say the sticks in Ezekiel 37 represent the Bible and the Book of Mormon when Ezekiel 37:20-22 tells us that the sticks represent two nations, not two books?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=42. Why do Mormons say the sticks in Ezekiel 37 represent the Bible and the Book of Mormon when Ezekiel 37:20-22 tells us that the sticks represent two nations, not two books?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *The two symbols are not exclusive. The sticks can be nations, and each nation has a witness of Christ which helps in restoring scattered Israel. The use of the Ezekiel passage is a modern one for Latter-day Saints. It does not mean that this is the only interpretation, or the use to which Ezekiel intended it to be put.
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Book of Mormon as the stick of Ephraim]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "43. Why does the LDS Church teach that Jesus and Lucifer are spirit brothers when both the first chapter of John and Colossians teach that Jesus is the Creator of all things, including Lucifer?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=43. Why does the LDS Church teach that Jesus and Lucifer are spirit brothers when both the first chapter of John and Colossians teach that Jesus is the Creator of all things, including Lucifer?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{propaganda|
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| − | This is another question intended more to sensationalize beliefs and polarize rather than lead to meaningful communication. Presumably, something akin to guilt by association is intended.
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| − | }}
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| − | {{:Question: Do Latter-day Saints consider Jesus to be the brother of Satan?}}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "44. Why do worthy Mormon males hold the Aaronic Priesthood since Hebrews 7:11-12 clearly teaches that it was changed and superseded by something better?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=44. Why do worthy Mormon males hold the Aaronic Priesthood since {{b||Hebrews|7|11-12}} clearly teaches that it was changed and superseded by something better?
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles illustrated the doctrine clearly:
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | Since all priesthood is Melchizedek, the Aaronic Priesthood being a portion of it, one does not lose the Aaronic Priesthood when he is ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood [...]
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | *The Church uses the Aaronic priesthood as a "preparatory" priesthood, but has no disagreement with the idea that the Melchizedek priesthood contains greater power and authority, and is vital to the government of the Church of Christ.
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| − | *It should be noted that all priesthood was not equivalent in the New Testament Church either. For example, many members had been baptized with water (an ordinance of the Aaronic priesthood) but had not yet received the Holy Ghost until one of the apostles laid hands upon them (a Melchizedek priesthood function). (See [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/acts/8/15-19#15 Acts 8:15–19], [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/acts/19/2-6#2 Acts 19:2–6]).
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Hebrews 7 and the Aaronic Priesthood]]
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| − | }}
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| − |
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| − | ==Response to claim: "45. If your leaders are correct about the complete falling away of the true church on earth, was Jesus in error when he said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it?"==
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| − | {{IndexClaimItemShort
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| − | |claim=45. If your leaders are correct about the complete falling away of the true church on earth, was Jesus in error when he said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it? ({{b||Matthew|16|18}})
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| − | }}
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| − | {{triage|
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| − | *The critics again make a mistake by misunderstanding the original Greek text. In this case, "hell" is not a reference to the powers or evil, or Satan.
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| − | *The word translated as "hell" in the KJV is actually ''Hades'', the dwelling place of all departed spirits. For the gates of Hades to not prevail against the church could mean that the gates would not be able to stop the church from entering therein. (By comparison, in ''The Gospel of Nicodemus'' the "gates" mentioned in Psalm 24 refer to the gates of Hades and the attempt made there to keep out Jesus in the period between his death and resurrection. [See ''The Gospel of Nicodemus'', Part II, 6 in ANF 8:436-437.]) In other words, Christ’s Church, his disciples, would preach the gospel not only among the living, but also among the dead—not even the gates of Hades could keep them out.
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| − | *Another interpretation is that "prevail" has reference to keeping inhabitants inside. In this thought, gates could only prevail against something that is already inside of them and not external to them. This interpretation would be that Christ was saying that His Church would soon be inside the gates of the spirit world alone because of apostasy on earth, but that the Church would later come out from the world of the dead and back to earth—that His Church would shortly be confined to the spirit world, held back by its gates, but that later, members of Christ's Ancient Church (such as Peter, James, and John) would come, by revelation, out from behind the gates of Hades to restore the gospel to the earth.
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| − | *Both of the above readings are distinct possibilities. Both reconcile all the Biblical data.
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| − | * ''To learn more:'' [[Apostasy and the "gates of hell"]]
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| − | }}
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| | | | |
| | ==Miscellaneous / General Questions== | | ==Miscellaneous / General Questions== |
Anti-Mormon literature tends to recycle the same themes. Some ministries are using a series of fifty questions, which they believe will help "cultists" like the Mormons. One ministry seems to suggest that such questions are a good way to deceive Latter-day Saints, since the questions "give...them hope that you are genuinely interested in learning more about their religion."
This ministry tells its readers what their real intent should be with their Mormon friend: "to get them thinking about things they may have never thought about and researching into the false teachings of their church." Thus, the questions are not sincere attempts to understand what the Latter-day Saints believe, but are a smokescreen or diversionary tactic to introduce anti-Mormon material.[1]
The questions are not difficult to answer, nor are they new. This page provides links to answers to the questions. It should be noted that the questions virtually all do at least one of the following:
This is obviously a leading question—entirely hypothetical and intended to be negatively emotive. The general principle, however, is that each member always has the responsibility to determine if new policies are from God, and then to act accordingly. This has always been so. People had to decide whether to listen to Moses when he told them what the Lord wanted them to do. People had to decide whether to listen to Samuel, David, or Elijah when they told them what the Lord wanted. They had to decide whether to heed Jesus Himself who, when many chose to stop following Him, asked the apostles, "Will ye also go away?" (
