I'm not trying to be malicious here in any way. I'm simply pointing out the general flaws in the Mormon religion. If you disagree, please don't email me and attempt to start a huge argument because honestly, I believe that I am right, and in no way will you change my opinion on the matter. Below are the basic principles and history of Mormonism, taken from mormons.org. My rebuttals follow each individual point.
The Mormon religion began in the early 1800s in America and was pioneered by a man named Joseph Smith. An uneducated farm boy, his main source of learning was the Bible itself. Smith claimed that an angel of G-d named "Moroni" appeared to him with a "new revelation" in 1823. "An angel appeared and instructed him about a sacred record of an ancient people. This angel, Moroni, told Joseph that he was to obtain the record, written on gold plates, and translate it. He also told him that God's covenant with ancient Israel was about to be fulfilled, that preparation for the second coming of Christ was about to commence, and that the gospel was to be preached to all nations to prepare a people for Christ's millennial reign. In a vision Joseph saw the hill near his home where the plates were buried. When he went the next day to get the plates, the angel stopped him. He was told that he must wait four years to obtain the plates and that, until then, he was to return each year for instructions. On September 22, 1827, he obtained the plates from which he translated the Book of Mormon."
A tiny comment....
A sacred record of an ancient people buried in his backyard? Written on gold? Firstly ancient peoples rarely, if ever wrote on gold. It was too precious. Secondly, ancient peoples of North America, specifically the northeast where Smith lived, did not own, use, write or do anything involving gold. Consider it: if American Indians had gold, don't you think they would've charged more than a few beads for Manhattan?
From these mystical plates, once Smith uncovered them, came the Book of Mormon, "the new scripture" which constitutes the basic separation of Mormons from other branches of Christianity.
another comment...
"New scripture." How can Mormons claim to be believers in Christ when they have a "new scripture", the concept of which is completely Biblically inaccurate?
Time passed and with the growth of the Mormon religion came increasing controversy. Retreating to the American west, they set up camp in what now is known as the state of Utah. Finding solitary-induced peace, the group was once again struck with an attack in 1852 when their practice of polygamy became public news. An 1890 statement made by then Church President Wilford Woodruff officially abolished polygamy as a practice of the Mormons.
note...
However, it should be known that while polygamy isn't an "official" practice of the church, it is still something that is practiced by many Mormons to this day.
Mormonism, officially The Church of the Latter Day Saints, is now a world-wide religion with over 10 million members, half of them in the US alone. Their mission is to convert all peoples to Latter Day Sainthood. One of the requirements of the church is a missionary period most people complete in their 20s in which they are sent door-to-door to witness to people about Smith's experience. Latter Day Saints also claim their own college in Utah~ Brigham Young University.
Now I will go on to the main brunt of my argument; that of the theology of the Mormons. While I am admittedly not a scholar of the Latter Day Sainthood and have not spent years researching and studying it, I have skimmed the main points of the religion and will outline and argue as such.
Comment: This is obvious human theology with no Biblical base. Firstly, there are no such entities as "Heavenly Mother" or "spirit children". Secondly, "all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of G-d", therefore ALL people need salvation, not just 'the bad ones'.
Comment: Wrong. This is basically someone's convoluted bad dream. Lucifer, it is directly stated in the Bible, was the angel of music who decided he wanted G-d's power and subsequently fell to earth, taking a third of the angels with him. This happened before Adam and Eve, the first people, were even around. Lucifer never volunteered to be the Messiah. Secondly, Yeshua (Jesus) was planned to be the sacrificial lamb from the beginning of time; He was prophecied of in the Old Covenant (yes, it still counts). There was no sudden "volunteering" in the matter. He came to earth for the salvation of first the Jewish people and secondly the gentiles so that all may be saved; not so the "spirit children" could return to frolicking in G-d's heavenly garden.
Comment: Salvation comes through the acceptance of Yeshua (Jesus) as one's personal Savior. It does not come through following laws of any kind. While the Biblical Laws set up in the Old Covenant (in the portion known as the Torah) were designed for Israel's (and subsequently all those who follow Yeshua since He is the Jewish Messiah and number one proponent of Biblical Judaism and they, by following Him are grafted into Israel (Romans 9-11)) protection, they were not designed as a means of salvation.
Comment: Wrong. Granted, faith without works is dead, but works do not grant forgiveness. Just because you're being really nice to Bob since you broke his bike doesn't mean you don't have to say "I'm sorry."
Comment: All but Jews are converted. Jews don't convert. Yeshua (Jesus) is the Jewish Messiah; how then could Jews convert to a belief that is already a part of their heritage?
Comment: No where is it Biblically recorded that there is a post-mortal spirit world where one may get extra time to get on G-d's good side. The battle for salvation is here on earth; once dead you've Biblically got two options- heaven or hell. No study hall to brush up before the final exam.
Comment: See above.
Comment: Biblically you've got heaven and hell. Two paths, one choice. Choose wisely.
Comment: There was never a 'Church' in the Bible. It's not there. Not the word, not the idea. There was a congregation; in fact there were many congregations of Messianic Jewish believers who worshipped Yeshua (Jesus) and followed the "Laws of Moses" or the "Torah" given by G-d to Moses in the Old Covenant. These laws were the same as those outlined by Yeshua in the New Covenant and these Biblical laws, the same yesterday, today and forever are the only ones to be followed by believers (with the exception of local, state and national laws, etc.). G-d never gave any other laws; G-d doesn't change. Therefore whatever "laws" outlined in the Book of Mormon are not of G-d.
Comment: This is a direct misquotation of scripture. Matthew 22:37-39 states, "He told him, 'You are to love Adonai your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.' This is the greatest and most important commandment. And a second is similar to it, 'You are to love your neighbor as yourself'." Yeshua NEVER added anything about serving G-d in the name of Christ OR reiterated the commandments not to steal, commit adultery or kill. This is a direct misquotation and manipulation of scripture.
Comment: Obedience to the Law is honoring G-d; it won't get you into Heaven, it won't get you "on His good side". It's your priveledge as a believer to follow the Law, but it won't give you an ounce of perfection.
Comment: Yeshua (Jesus) specifically states that He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. In no way does the coming of Yeshua cancel out Torah- it fulfills it.
Those arguments above are only the tip of the iceberg concerning the ills of Mormonism. Don't take my word for it though; seek G-d with a true heart, examine His Word (The Bible) and find out for yourself what His truth is, because no one can convict your faith except yourself.