So not only is it OK for Mormons to investigate their faith, but Mormon leaders actually encourage it, and almost demand it. So if you're a Mormon, you need to obey your leaders and investigate your faith to prove to the world that you're right.

Additionally, all Mormons agree that the Book of Mormon is the foundation of their religion and that if the Book of Mormon weren't true, there could be no Mormon religion. That's obvious, logical, and makes sense.

So let's take a look at the archeological and historical evidence and facts underlying the Book of Mormon:

The Origin of the Book of Mormon

There are 4 crops mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

• Barley (Moses 7:22, 9:9, Alma 11:7, 15)
• Figs (3 Nephi 14:16)
• Grapes (2 Nephi 15:2, 4, 3 Nephi 14:16)
• Wheat (Moses 9:9, 3 Nephi 18:18)

There is no independent (non-Mormon) archeological evidence that any of these existed in the area and time frame of the above references.

There are 16 animals and animal products mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

• Ass
• Bull
• Calf
• Cattle
• Cow
• Butter
• Elephants
• Milk
• Flocks
• Goat (The Nephites claimed to have found the domestic goat.)
• Herds
• Horse (The horse plays a major role in the Nephite and Lamanite societies.)
• Ox
• Sheep (This was a major animal in the Book of Mormon.)
• Sow
• Swine

The following metals, metal products, or metal manufacturing are mentioned in the Book of Mormon record. 

• Bellows
• Brass
• Breast Plates
• Chains
• Copper
• Iron
• Ore (mining)
• Plows
• Silver
• Swords (metal)
• Steel

The Book of Mormon contains King James Bible translation errors. For example, in 2 Nephi 14:5 which is the same as Isaiah 4:5, the correct translation of the Hebrew "Chuppah" is "canopy," not "defense." Another example is in 2 Nephi 15:25 (which is the same as Isaiah 5:25). The correct translation of the Hebrew "cuwchah" is "filth," not "torn." 

The gold plates are claimed to have been buried in 421 A.D. by Moroni. The King James Bible came out 1,190 years later. Thus the Book of Mormon couldn't be based on plates buried in 421 A.D. since the Book of Mormon contains translation errors that didn't occur until 1,190 years later. Additionally, the language of the King James Bible didn't exist in 421 A.D.

The broader question is: How could the Book of Mormon contain anything from the King James Bible? Please note that this is not a religious question. It's a comparison of two books and the freely available Hebrew original.

The 1830 edition calls Joseph Smith the "author and proprietor." Wasn't Moroni the author? Wasn't Joseph Smith the translator?

The theory that the American Indians are descendants of the Hebrews is genetically incorrect. No one questions this anymore due to the DNA testing available today which wasn't available in the 1800's.

There never was a reformed Egyptian language. And Hebrews didn't write in Egyptian.

Egyptians were pagans during the Old Testament era, so why would the Book of Mormon be based on pagan Egyptian writings?

There were no eye (as in physical eye, not spiritual eye) witnesses to the gold plates, based on later admissions by the witnesses.

The Book of Mormon places Jesus' birth in Jerusalem, not in Bethlehem as in the Bible.

There was no religious revival in 1820. The revival occurred from 1824 to 1825. Thus there was no basis in 1820 for Joseph Smith to be confused about religious revivals which would not occur until several years later.

There have been 3,913 changes made to the Book of Mormon since the original 1830 edition.

Not one piece of  independent, non-Mormon archeological evidence supports the Book of Mormon.

There are 9 versions of the First Vision. They significantly contradict each other on major issues. The last official version was published in Times and Seasons 20 years after the First Vision and contains information which was not in any contemporaneous diaries. This information should have been in numerous contemporaneous diaries due to its significance.

Old and new archeological discoveries support the Bible. There is zero independent archeological evidence supporting the Book of Mormon.

The Smithsonian Institution does not use the Book of Mormon for reference. Their statement on this matter is available for the asking.

Strong historical evidence points to the historical story line of the Book of Mormon being taken from a manuscript written by Solomon Spalding called Manuscript Found, which was missing from the printer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sidney Rigdon lived near Pittsburgh and knew the printer, J. Lambdin.

The Book of Mormon contains some 27,000 words from the King James Bible, approximately 25,000 from the Old Testament and approximately 2,000 from the New Testament. If the King James Bible was published 1,190 years after Moroni buried the gold plates in 621, how did Moroni incorporate the 1611 King James Bible (including two Hebrew to English translation errors) into his gold plates? 

Joseph Smith predicted himself by adding to the King James Translation of the Bible at the end of Genesis (Genesis 50:26) and extending Genesis out to verse 33 in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.

1. No Book of Mormon cities have been located.

2. No Book of Mormon names have been found in New World inscriptions.

3. No genuine inscriptions have been found in Hebrew in America.

4. No genuine inscriptions have been found in America in Egyptian or anything similar to Egyptian, which could correspond to Joseph Smith's 'reformed Egyptian.'

5. No ancient copies of Book of Mormon scriptures have been found.

6. No ancient inscriptions of any kind in America which indicate that the ancient inhabitants had Hebrew or Christian beliefs have been found.

7. No mention of Book of Mormon persons, nations, or places have been found.

8. No artifacts of any kind which demonstrates the Book of Mormon is true has been found.

9. Rather than finding supportive evidence, Mormon scholars have been forced to retreat from traditional interpretations of Book of Mormon statements.

Archaeology and the Book of Mormon by Hal Hougey, p. 12

The above Ask Your Bishop questions were taken from a booklet entitled, Ask Your Bishop by Ira T. Ransom

All Mormons agree that the Book of Mormon is the foundation of the Mormon religion. 

All Mormons agree that without the Book of Mormon, there is no basis for the Mormon religion.

Based on the historical and archeological facts and evidence, it's clear that the Book of Mormon is a work of fiction, heavily plagiarized from books freely available at the time. In fact, it's simply a rework of a stolen manuscript (Manuscript Found) that was meant to be nothing more than a romantic fiction novel of the American Indians. 

The Book of Mormon is not the translation of an ancient document, regardless of any feelings, emotions, "burning in your bosom," or testimony. "Knowing" that it's true doesn't correlate with the historical and archeological facts and evidence. Wanting it to be true doesn't change the facts and evidence.

The Book of Mormon was not from God.

Again...

• "Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground." Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Page 188.

Let's see what Mormon leaders say about that...

"It is true that many of the Christian churches worship a different Jesus Christ than is worshipped by the Mormons or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." LDS Quorum of the Seventy member Bernard P. Brockbank, The Ensign, May 1977, p. 26

"In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints 'do not believe in the traditional Christ.' 'No, I don't. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. He together with His Father, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in the year 1820, and when Joseph left the grove that day, he knew more of the nature of God than all the learned ministers of the gospel of the ages.'" LDS Church News, June 20, 1998, p. 7

"Christ was not begotten of the Holy Ghost...He was not born without the aid of Man, and that Man was God." Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:18

"Now remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. ...If the Son was begotten by the Holy Ghost, it would be very dangerous to baptize and confirm females, and give the Holy Ghost to them, lest he should beget children to be palmed upon the Elders by the people bringing the Elders into great difficulties." Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 1:51

"The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based on polygamy, ...a belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think they were 'Mormons.'" Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 1:345-346

"The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this sprit-filled brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind." Milton R. Hunter, Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15

There are three major differences between the Jesus of the Bible and the Jesus of the Mormon church. Here's what Mormon's believe:

1. Instead of the eternal Jesus co-equal with the Father, the Mormon Jesus was once a man who achieved godhood by his own virtuousness during a preincarnate existence. His spirit was then impregnated into the virgin Mary by the "Eternal Father" who came from the planet Kolob for the physical union with her.

2. Mormonism teaches that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers who competed for the opportunity to become the savior of planet earth. Jesus' plan won approval and Lucifer rebelled and became the tempter and deceiver of planet Earth.

3. Mormonism teaches that Jesus is only one of many saviors who are each responsible for the salvation of the population of other planets like Earth. Mormon men are working with the promise that they, too, will eventually become gods and be given a planet of their own to populate. This will be accomplished by their intercourse with many wives who will bear millions of spirit children to inhabit the bodies of the people on their planet.

The Jesus of the Bible taught that salvation is a free gift anyone can receive by accepting Him as your personal Savior, not by works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 4:6 & 11:6; Philippians 3:9). The LDS Jesus taught that your level of exaltation was based on faith plus works determined by men. Thus, the Jesus of the Bible and the LDS Jesus can't be the same Jesus, as they taught mutually exclusive doctrine.

The Temple Endowment ceremony is simply a modified version of the Freemasonry ceremony which existed long before Joseph Smith was born. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were both active Masons. Many parts of the Temple Endowment Ceremony (verbiage, handgrips, arm positions, whispering in ear, fig-leaf apron, secret passwords, chanting, etc.) were plagiarized from Freemasonry ceremonies. Joseph Smith introduced the Mormon Temple ceremony within 2 months of becoming a Mason. There were Masons in the mob that killed Joseph as he had his arms raised in the Masonic distress call, "Oh Lord, my God! Is there no help for the poor widow's son?" when he was shot. They had a problem with him plagiarizing the Masonic ceremony in the Mormon Temple ceremony. Please note that neither the Freemasonry ceremony nor the Mormon Temple Endowment Ceremony are secret, as all details of both are in the public domain.

• Heber C. Kimball wrote to Parley P. Pratt: "We have organized a Lodge here of Masons ... near 200 have been made Masons. Brother Joseph and Sidney [Rigdon] were the first that were received into the Lodge. All of the twelve have become members except Orson P. [Pratt] ... Brother Joseph says Masonry was taken from the Priesthood, but has become degenerated .... We have the true Masonry." From an underground typewritten copy of Dr. Durham's talk carefully compared with a tape recording thereof and certified to be accurate by Mervin B. Hogan, Secretary of the Masonic Research Lodge of Utah in Salt Lake City, No Help For the Widow's Son, by Reed C. Durham, p. 25.

The story of carved golden plates in an arched stone vault is very similar to an older story from Freemasonry.

The Mormon term "Celestial Kingdom" is disturbingly similar to the older Freemasonry term "Celestial Lodge Above."

The Freemasonry ceremonies are not from Solomon's Temple.

Freemasonry is a religion:

• "Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion, and its teachings are instructions in ... the universal, eternal, immutable religion...." Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, by Albert Pike, Washington D.C., 1958, pp. 213, 219.
• "[Masonry is] ... the custodian and depository (since Enoch) of the great philosophical and religious truths, unknown to the world at large...." Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, by Albert Pike, Washington D.C., 1958, p. 210.
• "Without this religious element it would scarcely be worthy of cultivation by the wise and good...." An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, by Albert G. Mackey, 1921, pp. 618-619.

Freemasonry's god is a triune deity called JaoBulOn. It is a form of Baal. It's Lucifer worship. Note in the third quotation below that Freemasonry reverses the roles of  God and Satan. And remember that Joseph Smith embraced Freemasonry when he plagiarized it for the Mormon Temple ceremony.

• "Masonry, like all the religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be misled; to conceal the Truth, which it calls light, from them.... Truth is not for those that are unworthy...." Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, by Albert Pike, Washington D.C., 1958, p 104-105.
• "The Blue Degrees are but the outer court...of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the [lower] Initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them, but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them." Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, by Albert Pike, Washington D.C., 1958, p. 819.
• God is known as "the nameless one of a hundred names." Henry Wilson Coil, "A Comprehensive View of Freemasonry," Richmond: Macoy Publishing, 1973, p. 192.
• "God is equally present with the pious Hindu in the temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan in the mosque, and the Christian in the church." Albert Mackey, "Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry," Richmond: Macoy Publishing, 1966, 1:409-410.

Freemasonry is not Christian. If it's not Christian, but it is a religion (which Masons have confirmed above), then it by definition conflicts with Christianity. Thus one can't simultaneously be a Christian and a Mason.

• "Freemasonry is not Christianity ... it admits men of every creed within its hospitable bosom...."An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, by Albert G. Mackey, 1921, pp. 618-619.
• "[Masonry] ... sees in Moses ... in Confucius and Zoroaster, in Jesus of Nazareth, and in [Mohammed] great teachers of morality and eminent reformers...." Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, by Albert Pike, Washington D.C., 1958, pp. 277, 525.

The LDS Temple Endowment ceremony has been changed many times (basically it's been toned down). (The Christian God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.)

Joseph and Hyrum's Freemasonry Lodge was becoming the largest Freemasonry Lodge in Illinois. The non-LDS Masons in the state felt threatened by the LDS takeover of Masonry. See Evidences and Reconciliations (first edition), by Apostle John A. Widstoe, volume 3, p. 358.

The Mormon garment (underwear) has pagan Freemasonry symbols sewn into it, such as the compass and the square.

Until recently being removed from the Mormon Temple ceremony, Temple patrons swore an oath to:

1. bind themselves to the penalty of having their throats cut from ear to ear

2. bind themselves to the penalty of having their hearts plucked out of their chests

3. bind themselves to the penalty of having their bodies disemboweled.

These three former-Mormon Temple Endowment ceremony oaths were copied directly from Freemasonry ceremonies.

There have been approximately 65,000 changes between the original Book of Commandments and the current version of it, Doctrine and Covenants.

It is well documented that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young taught the Adam/God Doctrine (that God and Adam were one and the same). Current leaders call it the Adam/God Theory, state that it was never a doctrine, and don't teach it anymore.

If the LDS God progressed from a man to God by works, as stated by many church leaders, then where did the first man come from? Or, conversely, if the LDS God created the first man, where did the first LDS God come from? (This is a classic circle argument.)

The Word of Wisdom in the Doctrine and Covenants forbids "hot drinks." Current Mormon leaders define hot drinks as coffee and tea. Why are hot chocolate and hot Postum OK? Why are iced coffee and iced tea forbidden? 

The Word of Wisdom also states that Mormons shouldn't eat meat except in times of winter or famine. Why do Mormons, including those with Temple Recommends, eat meat year round, including at church events?

The papyri from which Joseph Smith translated The Book of Abraham in The Pearl of Great Price has been determined by Egyptologists to be pagan Egyptian funerary text similar to that from the pagan Egyptian Book of Breathings.

• Brigham Young said that the "Christian God is the Mormon's Devil..." (Journal of Discourses, Volume 5, page 331).
• John Taylor said that Christianity was "hatched in hell" (Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, page 176) and "a perfect pack of nonsense...the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work..." (Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, page 167).
• Bruce R. McConkie said, "What is the church of the devil in our day, and where is the seat of her power?.... It is all of the systems, both Christian and non-Christian, that perverted the pure and perfect gospel.... It is communism; it is Islam; it is Buddhism; it is modern Christianity in all its parts. It is Germany under Hitler, Russia under Stalin, and Italy under Mussolini." (The Millennial Messiah, pp. 54-55.)

"We the undersigned [sixty-two (62) residents of Palmyra NY], have been acquainted with the Smith family, for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character, which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in diggings for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Senior, and his son, Joseph, were in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits." E.D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, Zanesville, Ohio, 1834, p. 261

There are no contemporaneous quotations supporting the character of Joseph Smith or his father.

The above Ask Your Bishop questions were taken from a booklet entitled, Ask Your Bishop by Ira T. Ransom

The Mormon church fulfills all 5 of these characteristics of a cult.

"When the prophet speaks, the thinking has been done. There is no need to think on it."  President George Smith

Galatians 1:6-12; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; Revelations 22:18; Deuteronomy 13:1-10

The Mormon church does not believe any of these 4 characteristics of orthodox Christianity.

Joseph Smith failed on all 7.

On Feb. 14, 1835 Joseph Smith said, "... go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the lord, which was nigh even fifty-six years should wind up the scene" (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 182).

"On the 14th of Feb. 1835, Joseph Smith said that God had revealed to him that the coming of Christ would be within 56 years, which added to 1835 shows that before 1891 and the 14th of Feb. the Savior of the world would make his appearance again upon the earth and the winding up scene take place" (Journal of Oliver Boardman Huntington, Vol. 2, pp. 128,129).

Joseph Smith said the moon's inhabitants were of uniform height (about 6 ft. tall), dressed like Quakers and lived nearly 1,000 years (Journal of Oliver B. Huntington, Vol. 3, p. 166 of typed copy at Utah State Historical Society and The Young Woman's Journal, pub. by the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations of Zion, 1892, Vol. 3, pp. 263,264.)

Referring to Oliver Granger Joseph Smith said, "... his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord" (Doctrine & Covenants 117:12.). Why have most Mormons never heard of Oliver Granger?

On April 17, 1838, Joseph Smith prophesied that David W. Patten would perform a mission for him the next Spring. (Doctrine & Covenants 114:1). David Patten died before Spring came. (History of the Church, Vol. 3, p. 171, 10-25-38.)

"And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded..." (2 Nephi 3:14). Joseph Smith's enemies were not confounded, but successful when they killed Joseph Smith on June 27, 1844 in Carthage, Illinois.

Is a prophet allowed to make false prophesies? 

Deuteronomy 18:19-22 (New Living Translation):

19 I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf. 20 But any prophet who claims to give a message from another god or who falsely claims to speak for me must die.' 21 You may wonder, 'How will we know whether the prophecy is from the LORD or not?' 22 If the prophet predicts something in the LORD's name and it does not happen, the LORD did not give the message. That prophet has spoken on his own and need not be feared.

"I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet" (History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 408, 409).

Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

More Errors:

Described below is a summary of some of the gross errors of Mormonism as presented in the new book, Latter Days, by Coke Newell, a prominent church spokesman.

1. Tempting God.

From the beginning the Mormons have been taught to tempt God by their namesake Moroni. He tells potential proselytes to "Ask if these things (Mormom teachings) are true and He (God) will manifest the truth unto you by the Holy Spirit." The meaning is clear that God will confirm the veracity of these teachings. This outcome IS experienced by those who without repentance towards God and Christ ask, seeking a sign. They certainly do get a confirmation from the spirit world, but from the powers of darkness and not God as they think.

Now, hear what Jesus says to those who want to know where a doctrine (message) comes from, when He was questioned concerning His teachings "If any man will DO HIS WILL, he shall know of this doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." So it is by obedience that we come to know Him, hearing His voice and following Him. Then, when we obey and follow Him, we will not follow the voice of a stranger. Moroni is a stranger.

"You shall not tempt the Lord your God...you shall diligently KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS of the Lord your God (Deut. 616, 17).

2. No Original Sin

All one needs to do is read the 5th chapter of Romans and I Corinthians 1521-23. I do not know what others mean by "original sin" but as Mr. Newell explains, in Mormon doctrine there is complete denial of the heredity that Adam passed on to the world. He also points out that Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, changed the Bible considerably in his translation. So read a King James or Amplified translation of the above-mentioned scriptures to get their intended meaning.

3. Law is finished

In the Mormon testimony the law is spoken of as being finished. The law is not finished. Those who are the Lord's have the old man crucified who could not fulfill the law so that the new man created in Christ could. Jesus came not to do away with but to fulfill. The ceremonial law is finished, being a shadow of the work of Christ now come in the flesh. The Mormon doctrine does not distinguish at all; it just scraps the whole thing. How cavalier, how pompous and presumptuous. And the bolder men get in telling lies the more they are believed.

4. Jesus didn't preach to the wicked after the crucifixition.

He did. See 1 Peter 3.

5. Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three different beings.

The scriptures are very clear, there is only one God, Who is the Father of all, came in the flesh (the Son) and sent His Spirit (Holy Ghost) to indwell His people.

Seventeen Little Known Facts About the Mormon Religion:

The following facts represent teachings that are either openly taught in the Mormon Church today, or that have been taught by the highest authorities of the Mormon Church. All quotes given are from official LDS publications or the Bible. 

FACT #1. The Mormon Church teaches ALL other Churches are WRONG; ALL their creeds are an ABOMINATION in the sight of God; and ALL their teachers are CORRUPT. One of the Mormon Books of Scripture, The Pearl of Great Price, says this about non-LDS churches: "...they were ALL WRONG; and the Personage who addressed me said that ALL their creeds were an ABOMINATION in his sight; that those professors were ALL CORRUPT;. . ." (Joseph Smith, 2:19) 

FACT #2. Mormonism teaches there is no salvation outside the Mormon Church and no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. Apostle Bruce R. McConkie makes this statement: "If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Mormon Doctrine, p.670) The Bible, on the other hand, teaches salvation is in Jesus alone; "Neither is there salvation in any other [Jesus]: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) 

FACT #3. Mormons are taught to doubt the reliability of the Bible and their leaders have consistently attacked its accuracy. Joseph Smith claimed: "... it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of men, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.10) The Bible answers this attack: "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8) 

FACT #4. A basic tenant in Mormonism today is that Jesus Christ is the brother of Satan. Milton R. Hunter explains it like this: "The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer,. . .this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind." (The Gospel Through The Ages, p.15) Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that Lucifer attempted to become the Savior: In fact, Jesus created Satan, so they can't be brothers. Colossians 1:16 indicates that Jesus created "all things," whether "in heaven," or "in earth, visible or invisible." 

FACT #5. Mormonism continues to teach that God the Father is a glorified, resurrected Man, and men and women may become Gods and Goddesses. Apostle Bruce R. McConkie makes this claim: "God himself, the Father of us all, is a glorified, exalted, immortal, resurrected Man!" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 643) Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism taught: "...you have to learn how to be Gods ourselves...the same as all Gods have done before you,..." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 346) The Lord Himself answers this teachings by pronouncing: "...I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6) 

FACT #6. Mormons consider Polygamy a righteous principle which will be practiced in heaven. Although there is nothing in the Bible that will support this thinking, current Mormon Scripture has this to say: "...if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no adultery. . . . And if he have TEN VIRGINS given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery. . . ." (Doctrine and Covenants 132:61,62) 

FACT #7. Mormons today believe God the Father is married and past leaders have taught both God the Father and Jesus Christ are polygamists. Apostle Orson Pratt makes these unbelievable statements: "...the great Messiah who was the founder of the Christian religion, was a Polygamist. . . .the Messiah chose to take upon himself his seed; and by marrying many honorable wives himself, show to all future generations that he approbated the plurality of Wives under the Christian dispensation. . . .God the Father had a plurality of wives....the Son followed the example of his Father....both God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ inherit their wives in eternity as well as in time;..." (The Seer, p. 172) Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that God the Father and Jesus Christ are married or polygamists. 

FACT #8. The majority of the activity in the Mormon Temples is work done in behalf of the DEAD. Joseph Smith offers this explanation: "The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our DEAD." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 356). Although many Mormons are attempting to save their dead relatives, the Bible indicates: "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." (Psalms 49:7) 

FACT #9. To the Mormon, the ultimate test that Mormonism is true is an "inner feeling." Mormons often refer to this feeling as a "burning in the bosom." They believe their scripture (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8) gives the best test for determining truth. This test reads: ". . .study it out in your mind; then you must ask me [the Lord] if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall FEEL that it is right." The Bible, on the other hand, tell us: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15) 

FACT #10. Mormon leaders demand total obedience regardless whether they are right or wrong. The ward teacher's message for June, 1945, stated: "When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan -- it is God's plan." (Improvement Era, June 1945, p. 354) Herber C. Kimball, First Councilor to Brigham Young, clarifies further: "But if you are told by your leader to do a thing, do it. None of your business whether it is right or wrong." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p.32) The Bible warns us in I John 4:1: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 

FACT #11. Mormon leaders have consistently attacked the Biblical doctrine of Salvation by God's Grace through Faith alone. In Apostle James Talmage's book, The Articles of Faith, twice he refers to justification by Faith alone as a "pernicious doctrine," and further declares: "The Sectarian Dogma of Justification by Faith Alone has exercised an influence for evil." (pp. 107,480) The Bible responds: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

FACT #12. Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie has warned his people against a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. McConkie made these shocking statements at a speech given at BYU. "...gaining a special, personal relationship with Christ that is both improper and perilous. . . . Now, I know that some may be offended and the counsel that they should not strive for a special and personal relationship with Christ. . . .But you been warned, and you have heard the true doctrine taught." (Church News, week ending March 20, 1982, p.5) In opposition to this, Jesus gives us a personal invitation: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) 

FACT #13. Joseph Smith founder of the Mormon Church, boasted of doing a greater "work" than the Lord Jesus. Joseph Smith made this incredible boast: "I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet." (History of the Church, Volume 6, Chapter 19, Page 408) No true Prophet of God ever spoke such words as these. 

FACT #14. In 1835 Joseph Smith prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord. At a meeting called by Joseph Smith he instructed the Latter day Saints that it was "the will of God" to go forth and "prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh even fifty six years should wind up the scene." (History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 182) Eight years later he reinforced this by stating: "I prophesy in the name of the Lord God, and let it be written; the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty five years old." (History of the Church, vol.5, p. 336) 

FACT #15. Mormons are taught to "shake hands" with a messenger to determine if he is from God or if he is the devil. The following information is found in Mormon scripture: "When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you. If he be an angle he will do so, and you will feel his hand. . . .If it be the devil as an angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him." (Doctrine and Covenants 129:4,5,8) Rather that trusting in "feelings" the Bible commands us to "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 

FACT #16. Brigham Young claimed that these who leave the Mormon Church would turn "wrinkled" and "black." The following curse was pronounced by Brigham Young: ". . .but let them apostatize, and they will become gray-haired, wrinkled, and black, just like the Devil." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 332) There have been tens of thousands of people leave the Mormon Church -- Where are the "black and wrinkled" ones? 

FACT #17. Joseph Smith taught the moon was inhabited by people who dressed like Quakers and lived to be about 1000 years old. In the Mormon publication, The Young Woman's Journal, pp. 263 & 264, O.B. Huntington gives this interesting information: "As far back as 1837, I know that he [Joseph Smith] said the moon was inhabited by men and women the the same as this earth, and that they lived to a greater age than we do -- that they live generally to near the age of 1000 years. He [Smith] described the men as averaging near six feet in height, and dressing quite uniformly in something near the Quaker style." Now that man has walked on the Moon, there can be no doubt that there aren't any 6 foot tall Quakers roaming its surface.

Mormons believe that God had sex with Mary:

"Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon? The Spalding Enigma." This is an 1128 page book which documents the story-line of the Book of Mormon as being plagiarized from Solomon Spalding's "Manuscript Found." http://thedigitalvoice.com/enigma/ It's in Adobe Acrobat format on a CD. The price with shipping is $54.95 which is a bargain considering the massive research involved. I consider this the premier work for Mormon researchers to read. Note that this is not "Manuscript Found" per se, but a book about it.

The Prophet Joseph Smith's Failed and Forged Prophecies. Discover that only 5 out of 65 prophecies were fulfilled: http://www.exmormon.org/prophet.htm

Book of Mormon Studies: www.mormonstudies.com

MormonsSuck.com - The Truth Behind the Cult: www.mormonssuck.com

What the Mormon Missionaries Won't Tell You: http://www.spiritwatch.org/whamowon.htm

Mormon Scholar May Face Excommunication: www.whatismormonism.com/ThomasMurphyArticle.html

Blacks & Mormonism: http://www.helpingmormons.org/african.htm

Dr. Shades' Mormonism Page: http://www.fiber.net/users/drshades/mormon.htm

Mormon No More: http://www.geocities.com/mormonnomore/

Keynote address at the fifth annual Exmormon convention, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, the weekend of February 24, 2001 http://www.teleport.com/~packham/x2001.htm

Real Audio: The 1990 Endowment Ceremony:

http://www.helpingmormons.org/1990temple.ram 

Real Audio: Interview with "Christy", a prostitute that personally serviced Gordon B. Hinckley in the Hotel Utah:

http://www.helpingmormons.org/Christy.ram

Satanic Symbols On and Around the Salt Lake Temple:

http://www.helpingmormons.org/salt_lake_satanic_symbols.htm

24 Hour Recorded Message: 770-271-4992 The Mormon Chronicles Speak (new message weekly)

Orthodox America OnLine: Mormonism: http://www.roca.org/oa/89/89m.htm

Mormon Holy Ghost vs. Mormon Holy Spirit: http://www.spotlightministries.org.uk/ldsholyspirit.htm

Everything you wanted to know about the LDS Church but were afraid to laugh: http://exmormon.8m.com/ 

The Anti-Mormon Preservation Society: http://antimormon.8m.com/index.html 

The Insight for research on various religions: http://www.the-insight.com/religion/ 

Freemasonry vs. Christianity: http://www.whatismormonism.com/freemasonry