| Question |
I have a very specific question about the LDS beliefs, which has never been answered to my satisfaction.
In Galatians 1 : 6 - 8, Paul wrote about " turning to a different gospel - which is no gospel at all" He goes on to say that "if even an angel from Heaven should preach a
gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" While he is talking about theology which perverts the gospel of Christ, and confused the
Galatians with their teachings, I believe this relates well to Mormonism. Paul used the strongest possible Greek term "anathema" which means "under the divine curse",
when he spoke of eternal condemnation. Why do Mormons believe an alternative doctrine, when the Bible condemns this?
In Romans 10: 1-3 talks about zeal without knowledge. I can't help believing that Paul is again talking about those who are sincere in their desire to serve God, but ignore
the basics of God's word.
Can you shed some light on these age old questions in my mind?
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| Response |
You cited Gal. 1:6-8. You have chosen to believe that Paul spoke of the doctrine preached by the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. You asked why we believe in an alternative doctrine when the Bible condemns it. You went on to cite
Rom. 10:1-3, and said that those who have a sincere desire to serve God but ignore the basics of God’s word are going to
have a problem.
I’m confused as to what part of our doctrine bothers you, compared to that doctrine which was taught by Paul to the
Galatians, Romans, and all others who heard his word, which of course was the word of Christ preached through him. If you
have taken time to study the doctrine of our church, which is found on my website, you know that we believe in God the
Eternal Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. You have also read that we believe that our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ paid for our sins, that he bled from every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane, and that He finished that sacrifice
when He was crucified and hung on the cross. You also have read that we believe Christ rose from the tomb on the third
day, as a resurrected, glorified, and immortal being, and that when He had finished His work (as Paul said in Heb. 1:1-3), He
ascended to His Father in Heaven and "sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High."
You know from studying the Articles of Faith of our church that we believe in the very same organization that existed in
Christ’s original church when He was upon the earth in the meridian of time. That organization included prophets and
apostles, with Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. The name of our church is the Church of Jesus Christ. It is
differentiated from Christ’s original church by the words "of Latter-day Saints," since it was restored to the earth in these last
days.
You have suggested that we are teaching a gospel that is different than Christ and His apostles taught, and that we will be
condemned for so doing. You’re going to have to give me more information than the scriptural quotation; mainly, so that I
can better respond to the specific allegations that you believe we are teaching that is wrong. I look forward to hearing from
you.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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