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Institute for Religious Research Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)
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LDS Doctrine and the Bible
A range of popular and scholarly articles that compare and critique the distinctive teachings of the LDS Church in light of the Bible and historic Christianity.
No Group
Is Mormonism Christian?
A comparison of LDS and historic Christian beliefs. This article is also available as a tract in 30 different languages.
Analysis of LDS Scholar Stephen E. Robinson’s Arguments for Accepting Mormonism as Christian
Christian philosopher and theologian’s response to LDS New Testament scholar Robinson.
Mormon Belief: What the LDS Church Teaches
Start here for an objective, fair-minded overview of what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches, based on its current teaching publications.
Baptism
Ancient Gnostic Heretics and Baptism for the Dead
The LDS maintain that such baptism is endorsed by the Scriptures and was part of the original Christian faith as established two thousand years ago. However, a study of Christian antiquities reveals that baptism for the dead was not practiced by the first followers of Jesus and had a very different meaning from that given to it by Joseph Smith Jr.
Does the Bible Teach Salvation for the Dead?
This article provides a careful exposition of 1 Peter 3:19-22; 4:6 and Doctrine and Covenants 138 — the major passages cited in support of this unique Mormon doctrine.
Baptism for the Dead
Did Jesus Establish Baptism for the Dead?
This article provides a careful exposition of 1 Corinthians 15:29, the only mention of baptism for the dead in ancient Christian Scripture.
Family
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? This article carefully explores the LDS teaching related to their attractive claim that families are forever.
History
Where Does It Say That?
View scanned images of original Mormon documents, many from the 1800s, relating to key doctrinal and historical issues.
Scripture
A Tale of Two Scrolls: Jeremiah’s Replacement Scroll and Mormon “Restoration” of Scripture
This article answers the Mormon scholars and apologists who appeal to Jeremiah 36 to defend the way in which the LDS Church’s founding apostle and prophet, Joseph Smith, handled Scripture.
Temples
Are Mormon Temples an Extension of the Biblical Temple?
Explore the theology and function of the Biblical temple and decide for yourself.
The Joseph Smith Translation
The Book of Hebrews and the Joseph Smith Translation
Several changes to the book of Hebrews in Joseph Smith’s “translation” reflect Smith’s lack of understanding of the Bible.
The Restoration
Amos 8:11-12 and the LDS Doctrines of Apostasy and Restoration
This article looks at Amos 8:11-12 in its historical and biblical context and responds to the Mormon claim that this passage predicts a total apostasy.
Theology
God was once a man like us: Finessing an Off-Putting Mormon Doctrine
Evidence the Mormon Church is willing to mislead the general public and its potential converts.
Elohim and Jehovah (Yahweh)
If they are separate Gods, as the Mormon Church teaches, why are these two Hebrew words used interchangeably throughout the Old Testament?
Do you know how many Biblical passages explicitly teach there is only one God?
The answer may surprise you. Here's a complete list that you can read on screen, store to your hard drive, or print out.
Dodging and Dissembling Prophet: Hinckley's Time Magazine Interview - God Once a Man?
Is it possible that President Hinckley was not intimately aware of these distinctive doctrines of Mormonism that trace back all the way to Joseph Smith?
On Mike Huckabee’s Question : “Is the Mormon Jesus the Brother of Satan?”
Dr. Ron Huggins, Professor at Salt Lake Theological Seminary sheds light on the issue and the accusations by explaining Mormon teaching on the subject of Jesus and Satan as spirit brothers.
No Group
Failed Prophecies of Joseph Smith
Seven documented prophecies made in the name of the Lord and their results.
Mormonism and the Bible
Lost Books & Latter-day Revelation: A Response to Mormon Views of the New Testament Canon.
This paper, initially presented at the 1992 Chicago Sunstone Symposium, surveys the Biblical and historical evidence relevant to the LDS Church's teaching of a total apostasy and missing New Testament books.
Does Belief in a Closed Canon Elevate the Bible above God? How Mormon Apologists Misrepresent Floyd Filson
Robert M. Bowman Jr. examines the Filson quote cited by LDS apologists, and carefully and concisely puts it into its proper context, demonstrating how Mormon apologists misuse the quote and misrepresent the thrust of Filson’s arguments.
Temples
Are Mormon Temples Christian?
This article compares the purpose and rituals of Mormon temples with the biblical temple.