MORMONISM:The Elect of God

[Rescued One]

I'm going out on a limb. I'm afraid I willl be criticized for my post, but I'll try to meet the site's approval. I do not condone Mormonism. I don't feel it's necessary to tell people what the Reformed position is. I'm not a journalist and I've only had one college class.

Understand that every single blessing in Mormonism must be earned. They will deny this, but it is stated in their scriptures. All blessings come by obedience to law.

Doctrine and Covenants 130
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated---
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Doctrine and Covenants 29
7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;

The elect made themselves worthy of that status.

 

[Rescued One]

"The elect are those who love God with all their hearts and live lives that are pleasing to Him. Those who live such lives of discipleship will one day be selected by the Lord to be among His chosen children."

• Even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, D&C 33:6.
• Scriptures shall be given for the salvation of mine own elect, D&C 35:20–21.
• Those who magnify priesthood callings become the elect of God, D&C 84:33–34.

 

[Arial]

Doctrine and Covenants 130
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated---
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Note first that no Bible precedent was given by the Mormons. Perhaps they do and simply aren't quoted here. If they do give Bible references, refuting it would be easier as the direct quotes could be exegeted.

What is that law upon which all blessings are predicated? Where does the Bible state it from the beginning of "time" that all who came before Moses might know what to obey? What about the other side of that coin? The just judgement of God. Do Mormons have an answer to that? If so, where is the line drawn that the good outweighs the bad? Can sin be forgiven by the doing of greater or more good works of obedience? Are blessings the central issue with them or is salvation through faith in the persona and work of Jesus?

Rescued, I am not asking you these questions as a criticism of your post, I am inquiring as to how Mormons deal with these things.

 

[Arial]

Doctrine and Covenants 29
7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;

The elect made themselves worthy of that status.

This contradicts the Bible in its presumption that people can soften their own hearts and climb the ladder up to God by acts of obedience.

John 1:12-13 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Ez 18:26-27 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statures and be careful to obey my rules.

God does it all. If the "elect" makes themselves "elect" by obedience (works) then there is no grace in salvation. And the Bible clearly tells us over and over, that salvation is by grace, through faith, not of works lest any should boast. Therefore, Mormonism is no more Christian that Buddaism or Islam or New Age or the metaphysical religions.

 

[Arial]

"The elect are those who love God with all their hearts and live lives that are pleasing to Him. Those who live such lives of discipleship will one day be selected by the Lord to be among His chosen children."

• Even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, D&C 33:6.
• Scriptures shall be given for the salvation of mine own elect, D&C 35:20–21.
• Those who magnify priesthood callings become the elect of God, D&C 84:33–34.

Do they give scriptures to support this position?

 

[fastfredy0]

I listened to this summary of Mormonism by James White. It is enlightening and presents a chart to help on follow along.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1BLR4rufYA

 

[Rescued One]

Do they give scriptures to support this position?

Yes, they give Mormon "scriptures" which are more important to them than biblical ones.

“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.”
---Joseph Smith, Jr.
Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, Chapter 13
Nephi sees in vision the church of the devil set up among the Gentiles, the discovery and colonizing of America, the loss of many plain and precious parts of the Bible, the resultant state of gentile apostasy, the restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of latter-day scripture, and the building up of Zion. About 600–592 B.C.

 

[Rescued One]

Note first that no Bible precedent was given by the Mormons. Perhaps they do and simply aren't quoted here. If they do give Bible references, refuting it would be easier as the direct quotes could be exegeted.

What is that law upon which all blessings are predicated? Where does the Bible state it from the beginning of "time" that all who came before Moses might know what to obey? What about the other side of that coin? The just judgement of God. Do Mormons have an answer to that? If so, where is the line drawn that the good outweighs the bad? Can sin be forgiven by the doing of greater or more good works of obedience? Are blessings the central issue with them or is salvation through faith in the persona and work of Jesus?

Rescued, I am not asking you these questions as a criticism of your post, I am inquiring as to how Mormons deal with these things.

Salvation must be earned by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel (the gospel is Mormonism).

Our Bible teaches:

Galatians 1
8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

 

[Rescued One]

All non-Mormon churches are the church of the devil.

Nephi sees in vision the church of the devil set up among the Gentiles, the discovery and colonizing of America, the loss of many plain and precious parts of the Bible, the resultant state of gentile apostasy, the restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of latter-day scripture, and the building up of Zion. About 600–592 B.C.

Doctrine and Covenants 1
1–7, The voice of warning is to all people; 8–16, Apostasy and wickedness precede the Second Coming; 17–23, Joseph Smith is called to restore to earth the Lord’s truths and powers; 24–33, The Book of Mormon is brought forth and the true Church is established; 34–36, Peace will be taken from the earth; 37–39, Search these commandments.

 

[Rescued One]

Do they give scriptures to support this position?

Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Mormon, and Pearl of Great Price (Mormon "scriptures") are regarded as superior to the Bible.

 

[Arial]

Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Mormon, and Pearl of Great Price (Mormon "scriptures") are regarded as superior to the Bible.

That alone would make them not Christian since sola scriptura (and the other solas) are a foundation of Protestant Christianity, and unique to it. That and the Trinity.

 

[Arial]

All non-Mormon churches are the church of the devil.

Nephi sees in vision the church of the devil set up among the Gentiles, the discovery and colonizing of America, the loss of many plain and precious parts of the Bible, the resultant state of gentile apostasy, the restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of latter-day scripture, and the building up of Zion. About 600–592 B.C.

Doctrine and Covenants 1
1–7, The voice of warning is to all people; 8–16, Apostasy and wickedness precede the Second Coming; 17–23, Joseph Smith is called to restore to earth the Lord’s truths and powers; 24–33, The Book of Mormon is brought forth and the true Church is established; 34–36, Peace will be taken from the earth; 37–39, Search these commandments.

According to Mormonism all non-Mormon churches are the church of the devil.

 

[Hazelelponi]

the "elect" makes themselves "elect" by obedience (works) then there is no grace in salvation. A

More than that, there's no election at all. To elect is to choose.

Your not among the elect if you weren't elected in the first place by God. Just a logical point that. No election no Grace,

 

[Arial]

More than that, there's no election at all. To elect is to choose.

Your not among the elect if you weren't elected in the first place by God. Just a logical point that. No election no Grace,

Yes. Their position takes the meaning out of the word elect. So do most views of "free will". They say, or it has been said to me, by a number of free willies, that God elects them when they choose to believe. Which of course, is not election at all or grace.

 

[Rescued One]

More than that, there's no election at all. To elect is to choose.

Your not among the elect if you weren't elected in the first place by God. Just a logical point that. No election no Grace,

Mormon elect are chosen by their god based on their obedience.

 

[Rescued One]

Yes. Their position takes the meaning out of the word elect. So do most views of "free will". They say, or it has been said to me, by a number of free willies, that God elects them when they choose to believe. Which of course, is not election at all or grace.

In Mormonism, choosing to believe in their gods isn't enough. Obedience earns election and eternal life with father and son.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Mormon elect are chosen by their god based on their obedience.

I was just noting it's not according to the Bible - it's not a true teaching based on God's Word and/or just common sense logic.

 

[Rescued One]

I was just noting it's not according to the Bible - it's not a true teaching based on God's Word and/or just common sense logic.

True! That is partly what drove me away.