A past advertising campaign by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) alleged that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Advertisements in the TV Guide and commercials on television made this unsubstantiated and remarkable claim. When challenged to defend these assertions, however, the Mormon local district president responded but declined to defend the Book of Mormon. Also of note was the letter itself, which both misrepresented our correspondence and Mormon doctrine. Consider the following observations regarding a letter addressed to him and his reply.
(1) We did not challenge the Mormons to debate “the differences between our churches” (though we could have). We asked them to defend their public assertion that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. (2) Though the Mormons claim they do “not engage in public debates,” at one time they did (e.g., Gatewood-Farnsworth Debate). It is easy to make baseless assertions, and it is no wonder the Mormons refuse to defend their claims – because they are unable to do so. (3) The Mormons say they prefer to preach “the Gospel of Christ” instead of debate, yet they reject the Gospel (New Testament) in favor of the Book of Mormon. (4) The empty claims of Mormonism are directed only to those who “would listen and accept” Mormon “precepts.” Others who hedge or question blind surrender to Mormonism are refused an explanation. The apostle Peter, though, wrote that we should be ready with answers regarding the Christian faith. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15 NKJV). (5) In the final paragraph his response, the Mormon district president unwittingly surrendered his belief that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only church with which God is pleased. Further, he wished the churches of Christ “much success in bringing good news,” referred to us as the children of God and wished God’s blessings on us for all our “righteous endeavors.” It is doubtful the Mormon church hierarchy concedes that the churches of Christ are satisfactory with God.
Certainly, the general public needs to be made aware of the false claims of Mormonism (e.g., the Book of Mormon is not another testament of Jesus Christ). Too, Mormons need to be taught that there is one true church of the Bible, even as there is but one Gospel. However, neither the Mormon church nor the Book of Mormon qualify, respectively. “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
