August 16, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

This will be the first in a series of blogs on Mormonism.  This is to help believers think logically and biblically about what Mormons believe.  If you are a Mormon and have any questions, please email me at answers@youthteam.org .  I would love to answer any questions i can for you.

Who is God to Mormons? 

     “God himself was once as we are now…he was once a man like us;…” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, p.345-6)

     “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may be.” (Articles of Faith, Talmage p.430)

God isn’t anything special to the Mormons.  The only thing that is different about God is that He was born before we were, otherwise we would be where He is right now.  God cannot be ALL powerful to a Mormon because if God has ALL the power, then what is left for everyone else who becomes God?  There is no possible way to have 2 ALL powerful Gods.  Let’s say I ate ALL the Skittles.  What is there left for you to eat?  NONE.

God also had a beginning.  God must not be the Great I AM, as God Himself told Moses.  When God said, “I AM that I AM”, that basically means, “I exist because I exist”.  Nothing created Him.  He was not born.  He exists because He is God and has ALWAYS been God.  Mormons do not believe this about Him.

Is there only one God to Mormons?

     “As each of these persons [God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost] is a God…a plurality of Gods exists.  To us…these three are the only Gods we worship.” (Mormon Doctrine, pp.576-7 & 317-24)

This Doctrine seems to contradict even the Book of Mormon which actually argues for the trinity:

     “And Zeezrom [wicked judge] said unto him; Thou sayest there is a true and living God?  And Amulek [True Prophet] said: Yea, there is a true and living God.  Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?  And he answered, NO.” (Alma 11:26-29)

Mormons will tell you that it MEANS one in purpose. 

   “Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God,” (Alma 11:44)…this is almost quoted directly in 2 Nephi 31:21 and in the testimony of the three witnesses at the beginning of the Book of Mormon

Mormons will also tell you that these verses MEAN separate Gods, but one in purpose.  If God is not a God of confusion, don’t you think He would have made sure that the Amulek, the three witnesses, or 2 Nephi would have said “in purpose”?  AND if it says ONE God, wouldn’t it MEAN One God?

THE TRUTH:

Isaiah 44:6 - “Thus saith the Lord…I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

Our God is an all powerful, all present, all knowing, unchangeable, perfectly holy, loving, forgiving and ONLY God.  There is none like Him. 

Praise the Lord that He is God alone.

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August 1, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Often times, we hear this verse being used in the context of trying to accomplish some great feat.  “I can pull a bus 100ft. because God strengthens me.” or “I am really good at basketball because God strengthens me.”  or “I’m really buff because God strengthens me.”  It is true that you can do nothing without the grace of God and God is the one who allows you to excel in whatever area you apply yourself, but these are not the reasons He strengthens you.

Most of the time this is the favorite verse of someone who is involved in some type of competition where physical strength is needed.

Look at the verses that come before verse 13, starting in 11.
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”
 

The strength that God gives us is for the purpose of being content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in.  It is for the purpose of understanding that God has us right where He wants us to be.  It is not for the purpose of excelling in a sport.
 

It takes the strength of God to fully rely on God when things are going well in your life.
 

It takes the strength of God to be content and praise God when your world is falling apart.
 

You see, God gave Paul strength, not so that he might lead 20 more people to the Lord, but to help him be content in whatever circumstances he finds himself in.
 

How does God strengthen you?
 

What evidences have you seen of God strengthening you?
 

When have you been tempted to go it on your own instead of relying on God’s strength?
 

Do you thank God for strengthening you to make the right decision in times of trial?
 

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
 

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