Collisions
Collisions
Together, we have established several points of unity with the biblical gospel. At this point, we should agree that this gospel is very good news. Are you aware that there is another gospel definition?
The First Mormon Gospel
13Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. 14And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— 15And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
3 Nephi 27:13-15, emphasis added
If all men must be lifted up to answer for their sins as Jesus was lifted up on the cross, the following questions must be answered.
Was Jesus’ atonement for sin in some way insufficient?
Can any man be saved since we have all fallen short of the glory of God?
Is Jesus atonement for sin only effective when we add our personal atonement to His work on the cross?
The Updated Mormon Gospel
Ezra Taft Benson was the Mormon prophet from November 10, 1985, until his death on May 30, 1994. In 1980 he delivered an address, Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet. In it, he described how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints establishes policy and doctrine.
Second:The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works… Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet…
Ezra Taft Benson, Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, February 26, 1980
In LDS lingo, standard works is a term used to describe all canonized Mormon scripture. In keeping with the pattern described by Benson, LDS leaders created a new definition of the gospel. With it, they overrode the description described by the prophet Nephi as translated by the prophet Joseph Smith in the Book of Mormon. Additionally, this new description replaced the gospel definition delivered by God through Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
In its fulness, the gospel includes all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants necessary for us to be exalted in the celestial kingdom.
True to the Faith, p 76 and churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/gospel
Let Him Be Accursed
The biblical gospel is all about what Jesus did for us. LDS gospels focuses on what Mormons must do to save themselves.
6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But 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. 9As 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 1:6-9, KJV, emphasis added
Once again, it is time to pause for a moment and think deeply.
When you contrast the biblical gospel with LDS variants, is there unity or do you detect differences?
If I give you paper and pen, can you list all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants that make up the Mormon gospel?
Consider your answer to the last question with care. For it to be correct, you must itemize every law and commandment of God. That is a huge undertaking when most people struggle to name all Ten Commandments. Your answer must also include each additional commandment and principle issued by the Mormon church. Finally, a correct answer must itemize each Mormon ordinance and covenant, in and out of the temple.
In closing, I ask that you consider two final questions.
If the gospel is a list of doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants so long that you can’t list them, how can you know you are living the gospel?
If the gospel is a list of doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants so long that you can’t write them down or know you are living them, how is that good news?