Why Mormons Should Read Anti-Mormon Material

Note to our readers. I’ve included a ton of materials for you to use when witnessing to Mormons.

When you’re a new convert to the Mormon church, or even before you dip your toe into the baptismal font you’re sternly warned about the dangers of readinganti-Mormon material. These “critical” resources come in all forms from print to online; even a individuals can be considered anti-Mormon if they openly question the church.

Upon becoming a Mormon I was advised to stay away from resources that were not so kind to the church, its history or doctrines. I was told cautionary-hypothetical tales of how people who look at anti-Mormon materials could lose their faith completely and be set adrift becoming bitter and angry with the church, and never to find happiness again.

It sounds a little dramatic I know, but that’s pretty much the mind set of any Mormon in the church. This will sound a little contradictory once you learn that they’re told to study things out in their minds (D&C 9:8), to think and ponder about things, and then pray about them. But somehow this teaching doesn’t apply when talking about anti-Mormon materials. Why?

Every answer to all the questions surrounding Mormonism has a presupposed answer; from praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true to whether or not you should have your ears pierced for a second time. When all the thinking has been done for you, and you’re told to stay away from anything that doesn’t validate your faith why wouldn’t you be willing to submit and obey?

While they try to avoid what they perceive as negative materials online, in books, and in movies or TV there’s a huge anti-Mormon resource right under their nose they seem to have missed. They read it, study it, reference it and even carry it to church every Sunday. You know what it is?

It’s their Bible.

The Bible is the most revealing, contradictory and damaging thing to the Mormon religion. You won’t find anything in the Bible that supports the doctrines of Mormonism or their belief system. If I were to recommend an anti-Mormonresource it would be the Bible.

Here are just a few reasons why:

Through the Bible they will learn that they are saved by grace after nothing they do.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Through the Bible they will learn that the “works” spoken of occur after one is saved and the Holy Spirit has taken permanent residence inside their hearts.

These “works” are the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, they bring glory and honor to the Father, and aren’t stepping stones for the Mormon to achieve godhood.

Ephesians 1:13 – In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Through the Bible they will learn we are no longer bound by dietary laws, such as the Word of Wisdom.

Matthew 15:10-11 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Through the Bible they will learn that Jesus is our high-priest, and His priesthood goes on forever. This negates any need for a mortal high-priest who is flawed, and sinful.

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Through the Bible they will learn that Jesus paid the price of our sins on the cross, not the garden. The Bible speaks of the cross and how Jesus would die beginning in the Old Testament and continues throughout the New Testament.

Deuteronomy 21:23 – His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

1 Peter 2:24- Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we , being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed .

Through the Bible they will learn that God doesn’t dwell in buildings made with the hands of men, but in the hearts of the believers.

Acts 7:48-50 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,  dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

This is expressed clearly with the veil in the temple that was torn in two at the crucifixion of Jesus. This was a visible sign that because of His sacrifice all could freely come to God. Because of sin the people were separated from God, but Jesus made it possible for people to pass into the holy of holies and have direct access to God.

Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But by your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Hebrews 10:19-20 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath * consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Matthew 27:50-51 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the host. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Through the Bible they’ll learn there was no pre-existence, at least not for us. Jesus is the only person who had a pre-earth life.

Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

1 Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Through the Bible they’ll learn there has been and forever will be only one God.

Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

Hoses 13:4 “Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.”

Through the Bible they’ll learn Jesus and Lucifer where never “spirit-brothers”, not only that Jesus isn’t our elder “spirit-brother”. And that He is God.

The verses below tell us that Jesus is the creator of all things, therefore couldn’t be Satan’s or our “spirit-brother”.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:15-16 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

I close by encouraging the Mormons to please read your Bibles. Many people have come to the truth, and traded a relationship with Mormonism for a relationship with Jesus Christ just by reading their Bible. You’re so concerned about books and websites revealing the less than admirable characteristics of your past leaders or the shady history of your religion that you’ve overlooked the Bible.

Instead of mishandling the Bible as you’ve been taught to in the past I pray that you will dig deep, look at it with fresh eyes, and truly learn what God has to say about who He is, about who you are to Him and what He has done to save you. If you’re ready to begin I recommend starting with the book of John it will change your life.

In Christ,

Melissa Grimes

melissa@lifeafter.org