Should We Critique Mormonism?

Written by John Divito

When critiquing Mormonism, I have found that it is not uncommon for Mormons to ask: "Why do you want to spend your time attacking another religion? Why don't you just share with others what you believe?" I hear questions like these so frequently that I have given a lot of thought to my response. Here are the reasons I usually give:

1) Proclaiming the truth inherently includes denying error. As Ravi Zacharias (who recently gave a series of lectures on truth in Salt Lake City, including a message at the Historic Tabernacle on Temple Square) has said, "If truth does not exclude, then no assertion of a truth claim is being made; it's just an opinion that is being stated. Any time you make a truth claim, you mean something contrary to it is false. Truth excludes its opposite" (Zacharias quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case for Faith, 150-151). Simply put, when a person claims that something is true, he or she is also automatically implying that its opposite is false. If I argue for monotheism, I am also necessarily arguing against polytheism. Therefore, it is impossible to just share with others what I believe. By doing so, I am at the same time sharing with them what I do not believe. If I believe that historic Christianity is true, then I also must believe that Mormonism is false. As a result, my faith requires me to demonstrate why this is so. We cannot separate telling the truth from exposing error.

2) The exclusivity of the gospel demands it. Jesus Christ said, "...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). The Apostle Paul maintained, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8-9). Elsewhere he warned against following those who preach another Jesus, receiving another spirit, or receiving another gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). It is only through God, His redemptive work, and His gospel that we gain eternal life. Since historic Christians and Mormons believe in different Jesuses and trust in different gospels, I must seek to show the true Christ and the true gospel.

3) Mormon claims require a response. Mormonism asserts that our churches are false and that our beliefs (as summarized in our creeds) are an abomination to God. Why shouldn't we respond to these charges? The Apostle Peter instructs us: "…and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15). I must defend the historic doctrine of the Trinity against Mormon counterclaims. I must defend the good news - full salvation (eternal life) is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. I must defend the inspiration, inerrancy, and sufficiency of the Bible as God's complete and accurate revelation to us. Occasionally, I will hear Mormons suggest: "We do not argue against your beliefs." This is simply untrue. Mormonism is built upon a denial of historic Christianity's fundamental beliefs. Anytime a Mormon shares their faith, they are also telling others how historic Christianity is wrong (see my first point). Even Joseph Fielding McConkie mistakenly says,

As to how we as Latter-day Saints view those not of our faith and as to how we determine who in this world is “Christian” and who is not, may I suggest that though many in the Christian world are anxious to draw a circle and exclude us. We choose to draw a very large and inclusive circle. We will pray with any man who is willing to do so. Our bookstores do not contain anti-anybody literature, we do not attack those of other faiths in our missionary lesson plan, nor do we do so in our church services or in any class sponsored by the Church. We do not give out warnings against those of other faiths nor do we ever forbid our membership from listening to or talking to anyone they desire.

(By the way, I highly recommend reading McConkie's entire message, "The First Vision and Religious Tolerance," available in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2)

Apparently, McConkie has forgotten about a book he co-authored with Robert Millet, "Sustaining and Defending the Faith." This work is a direct attack against the historic Christian faith. Additionally, entire LDS ministries exist to argue against our beliefs. The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (at Brigham Young University, a school run by the LDS church), the Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research, and many others write against the beliefs of those who hold to the historic Christian faith.

It is clearly incorrect to maintain that the LDS church does not seek to refute historic Christian doctrine. In light of this reality, I must give an answer in response.

4) Love. This reason is the most important of all. If God's truth inherently denies error, if the gospel is the one and only hope for eternal life, and if Mormonism denies God, His truth, and His gospel, then I must show that Mormonism is wrong. I do this out of love, desiring for God and His good news to be understood and believed. I care about humanity and each individual's relationship with God. I also recognize that Mormonism cannot reconcile us with our Creator. Love compels me to proclaim the hope God has given us in Jesus Christ. I pray that we may all trust in Him and in His redemptive work alone for our eternal life.

John Divito is a former Mormon who is currently a graduate student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also volunteers with Mormonism Research Ministry and has been accepted to serve as a missionary with the Centers for Apologetics Research.

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