Untitled Document

SCRIPTURE & DOCTRINAL REFERENCE GUIDE
comparison of mormon & christian doctrine mormon doctrine absent from book of mormon key passages in defense of biblical doctrine significant lds quotes annoted king follet discourse	bible passages used to support mormon doctrine contradictions within mormon scriptures bible & book of mormon contradictions same words, different meanings

Scripture Reference: Bible Passages Incorrectly Used to Support LDS Teachings Oftentimes Mormonism will refer to Bible passages to support some aspects of its doctrine; however, in nearly all cases, it represents an eisegetical use of the Bible--forcing a preconceived doctrinal position into the text, often by misinterpretation, extrapolation, and frequently taking things out of context. Biblical doctrine requires an exegetical approach--letting the text speak for itself, in its full context. Given here is a representation of some of the more common Bible passages that Mormons use to support their doctrine, that fail to use an exegetical approach.
LDS Doctrine / Teaching	Biblical Reference	Response
The "Burning in the Bosom"	Luke 24:32 ("our hearts burned within us"--the road to Emmaus reference)	Spurious; remember, the "hearts burning" follows a reasoned explanation of the Scriptures, not a subjective prayer. Furthermore, nothing in the text suggests that the "burning" was necessary for their acceptance of the truth of Jesus' words, and may have been a simple emotional response to what Jesus was saying to them.
Traditional Christianity is in complete apostasy.	Acts 20:30 2 Thess. 2:3 1 Timothy 4:1 Matthew 24:24 Mark 13:22	Incorrect applications; there is nothing to suggest that these verses speak of a universal apostacy, but rather, a limited falling away. Note also Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Salvation is (at least partially) by works.	James 2:17 et al., "faith without works is dead."	Incorrect application; this fails to take into account the overall context, not only of James but of the entirety of scriptures. (See Eph. 2:8-9). Works are an expression, a natural outpouring of true faith. Scriptures teach that works and obedience are important--and even evidence of faith. Scripture does not teach, however, that they are the basis of salvation.
The Book of Mormon is prophesied of in the Bible ("The Two Sticks" prophecy)	Ezekiel 37:16-17	Spurious; the prophecy is generally held to be a reference to the reunification of the tribes of Israel--and in fact this is the explanation that is indicated further on in the passage. There is no evidence suggesting a reference to any other book of scripture.
The other "sheep not of this fold" (claiming a reference to Jesus' visit to the Americas)	John 10:16	Spurious; the general understanding is that this is a reference to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and is backed up by the context of the New Testament story. See for example Acts 15; Ephesians 2:11 ff.
The Three Heavens of Mormonism	1 Corinthians 15:40-41 (heavenly bodies & earthly bodies) 2 Corinthians 12:2 (Paul's reference being caught up into "the third heaven")	Spurious; while the reference to the "third heaven" in 2 Corinthians is somewhat debated by biblical scholars, the general picture taken from the rest of scripture and the cosmology of the time, is the division of the atmosphere (first heaven); the sun, moon and stars (second heaven); and God's dwelling (third heaven). This fleeting and enigmatic reference is by no means a basis for the three heavens as understood by Mormonism, nor is there any other part of the Bible that substantiates the Mormon concept of a three-tiered heaven.
Baptism of the Dead	1 Corinthians 15:29 ("why do they baptize for the dead?")	Incorrect application; the context is not taken into account here. Paul does not seem to condone the activity (says "they" baptize for the dead, not "we"); his point is to defend the reality of the resurrection and appears to use the example of baptism of the dead as an ironic statement, concerning those who do not believe in the resurrection. No where else in scripture is there any reference to this practice.
Exaltation / Man becoming gods	1 John 3:2 ("we shall be like him"); Psalm 82:6 ("you are gods"); Matthew 5:48 ("be perfect as your Father is perfect") Leviticus 11:45 ("you will be holy for I am holy.") Revelation 3:21 ("sit with me on my throne")	Incorrect application, in both verses; 1 John passage indicates that we will be made immortal and perfected, not God; Psalm 82's reference to the "gods" is ironic when taken in the context of the passage; Verse 7 reads "but you will die like mere men." Other references to becoming perfect, becoming holy, or sitting on the throne cannot be extrapolated to mean achieving godhood. The Bible does teach that people who die in Christ will be changed and perfected, and that we have been given authority, but this is NOT the same as being made gods.
Pre-existence	Jeremiah 1:5	Incorrect application; the Jeremiah passage states that God "knew" Jeremiah before being formed in the womb. This is often interpreted by Mormons to mean that he existed prior to his birth. The concept most fitting the context is foreknowledge, that is, that God knew about and planned for Jeremiah's existence before he came to be. Together with a total lack of biblical support for the pre-existence as taught by Mormonism (linked with the doctrine of exaltation), and a number of passages that counter the idea entirely (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:46-47) there is no biblical means of supporting this doctrine.