8/21/2010  Chapter 16 - Church Organization and Apostasy (for study August 22)

Contrary to popular misunderstanding, Jesus Christ did not establish an organization. He founded his church (Matthew 16:18), but the church is not an organization. Jesus created no organizational hierarchy, instituted no organizational structure, and left no organizational blueprint for others to follow. He gave the church no official name (referring to it simply as “my church”). The church is instead a covenant community—an association of people who publicly gather together under the terms of the “new covenant” that Jesus Christ made between God and humanity through his sacrificial death on the cross.  Despite LDS insistence to the contrary, there was no total apostasy of Christ's church.

 

7/6/2010 Joseph Smith and the Restoration of Animal Sacrifice

Latter-day Saints and orthodox Christians alike generally affirm that Christ's sacrifice made the offering of animal sacrifices obsolete. However, in 1840, Joseph Smith argued that sacrifices would continue to be offered through the priesthood even after the time of Christ.

6/24/2010 Mormon Families Forever: Too Good to be True?

Is it possible within the LDS religion to have parents and their children be together as a family for all eternity? Is the Mormon concept of families being together simply a myth? This article carefully explores the LDS teaching related to their attractive claim that families are forever.

 

6/18/2010 Amos 8:11-12 and the LDS Doctrines of Apostasy and Restoration

Does the prophecy in Amos 8:11-12 predict the "Great Apostasy" from AD 100 to 1830 when Joseph Smith founded the LDS Church? This article compares the LDS interpretation of this passage of scripture with an interpretation that looks at the passage in its historical and Biblical context within the book of Amos.

 

The Bible vs. Joseph Smith

In this unique documentary, produced entirely in Israel, a Christian and a Mormon sit down to dialogue about one of the most important questions of faith: How do we know if a prophet is speaking the truth? Listen in on the discussion and follow along as they travel throughout the Holy Land in search of the facts. They will put Biblical prophets, book of Mormon prophets, and Joseph Smith to the test in order to find out if their predictions actually took place in history.

 

Gospel Principles Scripture Study Guide

Mormons around the world are studying the newest edition (2009) of the LDS manual, Gospel Principles. This page provides links to the LDS manual as well as a chapter-by-chapter study guide for understanding the subjects covered in light of the Bible.  It also features other resources that directly relate to the LDS Gospel Principles manual.

 

Joseph Smith's First Vision

Examining the evidence related to the official version of the First Vision where Joseph Smith claims to have seen the Father and Son. A compilation of all IRR's documentation of the accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision
 

“Did Not Our Heart Burn within Us?” Luke 24:32 and the Mormon Testimony

Is the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus a model of knowing something is true on the basis of a “burning” feeling in your heart? Rob Bowman explains why this is not the case by examining Luke 24:32 in context.

 

 Truth, Salvation and the Mormon Testimony: Does Having a Testimony Make it True?

In an adaptation of By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus, Chuck Larson makes and backs up the claim that although a Mormon has a testimony that is indeed sincere, one should carefully consider whether or not it is true, since sincerity does not guarantee being right.

 

The Alternative: Biblical Christianity

In an excerpt from his book, Charles M. Larson relates a story of a conversation, and the relating discussion on Mormonism's status as a "Christian" faith, and a discussion of Christian denominations and basic doctrine.

 

Mormons and the "Burning in the Bosom" (D&C 9:8)

A look at how this LDS Scripture is used out of context to justify using feelings to know truth.

 

Breathing Life Into Broken Relationships

Joel Groat delves into the critical topic of original sin, and looks at some of the detrimental effects that it has on our relationships. He then offers a redemptive solution, pointing to the work of Christ on our behalf.

 

Did the Young Joseph Smith Study the Bible?

Robert M. Bowman discusses the appearance of large sections of the King James Version of the Bible in the Book of Mormon, and how much of the Bible Joseph Smith may have memorized.

 

Joseph Smith's Missouri Temple Prophecy

Robert M. Bowman, Jr. examines eleven Mormon explanations for Joseph Smith’s failed prophecy that a temple would be built in Independence, Missouri, before the people living in 1832 had all died.