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Scripture Reference:
Bible Passages Incorrectly Used to Support LDS Teachings
Oftentimes Mormonism will refer to Bible passages to support some aspects of its doctrine; however, in nearly all cases, it represents an eisegetical use of the Bible--forcing a preconceived doctrinal position into the text, often by misinterpretation, extrapolation, and frequently taking things out of context.
Biblical doctrine requires an exegetical approach--letting the text speak for itself, in its full context. Given here is a representation of some of the more common Bible passages that Mormons use to support their doctrine, that fail to use an exegetical approach. |
LDS Doctrine / Teaching |
Biblical Reference |
Response |
| The "Burning in the Bosom" |
Luke 24:32
("our hearts burned within us"--the road to Emmaus reference) |
Spurious; the "hearts burning" follows a reasoned explanation of the Scriptures by Jesus himself; it was not in response to a prayer.
Furthermore, nothing in the text suggests that the "burning" was necessary for their acceptance of the truth of Jesus' words, and may have been a simple emotional response to what Jesus was saying to them. |
| Traditional Christianity is in complete apostasy. |
Acts 20:30
2 Thess. 2:3
1 Timothy 4:1
Matthew 24:24
Mark 13:22
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There is absolutely nothing to suggest that these verses speak of a universal apostacy, but rather, a limited falling away. Note also Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." |
| Salvation is (at least partially) by works. |
James 2:17 et al., "faith without works is dead." |
Mormons incorrectly presume that the James passage teaches salvation by works (and thereby contradicts biblical Christianity's doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith.) This also goes hand in hand with the Mormon presumption that a doctrine of salvation by grace alone provides Christians a license to live as they please; this idea is also rejected by biblical teaching.
Biblical Christianity understands that works are an expression, a natural outpouring of true faith, and this passage teaches that works are evidence of faith (and a lack of works is therefore evidence of lack of faith). Scripture does not teach, however, that works are the basis or requirement for salvation. |
| The Book of Mormon is prophesied of in the Bible ("The Two Sticks" prophecy) |
Ezekiel 37:16-17 |
Spurious; the prophecy refers to the reunification of the tribes of Israel--and in fact this is the explanation that is indicated further on in the passage. There is no evidence suggesting a reference to any other book of scripture. |
| The other "sheep not of this fold" (claiming a reference to Jesus' visit to the Americas) |
John 10:16 |
Spurious; context dictates that the prophecy clearly is in reference to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and is backed up by the unfolding of the New Testament story. See for example Acts 15; Ephesians 2:11 ff. |
| The Three Heavens of Mormonism |
1 Corinthians 15:40-41 (heavenly bodies & earthly bodies)
2 Corinthians 12:2 (Paul's reference being caught up into "the third heaven")
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While the reference to the "third heaven" in 2 Corinthians is somewhat debated by biblical scholars, the general picture taken from the rest of scripture and the cosmology of the time, is the division of the atmosphere (first heaven); the sun, moon and stars (second heaven); and God's dwelling place (third heaven). This fleeting and enigmatic reference is by no means a basis for the three heavens as understood by Mormonism, nor is there any other part of the Bible that substantiates the Mormon concept of a three-tiered heaven. |
| Baptism of the Dead |
1 Corinthians 15:29 ("why do they baptize for the dead?") |
Paul does not condone the activity or encourage its practice (he says "they" baptize for the dead, not "we"); his point is to defend the reality of the resurrection and appears to use the example of baptism of the dead as an ironic statement, concerning those who do not believe in the resurrection. No where else in scripture is there any reference to this practice. |
| Exaltation / Man becoming gods |
1 John 3:2 ("we shall be like him");
Psalm 82:6 ("you are gods");
Matthew 5:48 ("be perfect as your Father is perfect")
Leviticus 11:45 ("you will be holy for I am holy.")
Revelation 3:21 ("sit with me on my throne") |
1 John passage indicates that we will be made immortal and perfected, not God;
Psalm 82's reference to the "gods" is ironic when taken in the context of the passage; Verse 7 reads "but you will die like mere men."
Other references to becoming perfect, becoming holy, or sitting on the throne cannot be extrapolated to mean achieving godhood. The Bible does teach that people who die in Christ will be changed and perfected, but no where does God say he shares his divinity. |
| Pre-existence |
Jeremiah 1:5 |
Incorrect application; the Jeremiah passage states that God "knew" Jeremiah before being formed in the womb. This is often interpreted by Mormons to mean that he existed prior to his birth. The concept most fitting the context is foreknowledge, that is, that God knew about and planned for Jeremiah's existence before he came to be. Together with a total lack of biblical support for the pre-existence as taught by Mormonism (linked with the doctrine of exaltation), and a number of passages that counter the idea entirely (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:46-47) there is no biblical means of supporting this doctrine. |
