Is the Mormon My Brother?: Discerning the Differences Between Mormonism and Evangelical Christianity

Is the Mormon my Brother essentially answers the question of whether Mormons are Christians? Answer NO This book asks a question and then answers it with facts from the bible which Christians exclusively use versus facts from the more evolved books than the bible which the Mormons exclusively use such as the Doctrine and Covenants, Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, etc. 1. Is There More Than One True God? The Bible teaches and ALL Christians (Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic, etc) believe there is only one True and Living God who is an eternal unchanging God -single Creator of all things and apart from Him there are no other Gods. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:21,22; 46:9; Mark 12:29-34). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Jesus is just one of many Gods. (Book of Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302). In chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Abraham, Joseph Smith translates his found Egyptian documents saying PLURAL GODS organized and formed the heavens and earth and that THEY (GODS) said Let there be light. Gods (plural) is mentioned well over 40 times and each time the word Gods is capitalized. Essentially it is a rewrite of the Old Testaments Genesis using plural gods. 2. Is The Bible The Unique and Final Word of God? The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the Bible is the unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God's providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many "plain and precious parts" and does not contain the fullness of the Gospel (Book of Mormon -- 1 Nephi 13:26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 190-191). The Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham and especially the Doctrine and Covenants are more evolved than the bible. The Book of Abraham contained in The Pearl of Great Price (Joseph Smith translated piece) rewrites the genesis portion of the bible Old Testament. 3. Was God Once a Man Like Us? The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15,16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God -- all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:28; Luke 1:37). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants

During the Last decade or so, the LDS Church has been engaged in a campaign to convince the evangelical community that it is orthodox expression of Christianity. "Is the Mormon My Brother" is an honest analysis of this claim---and the answer to this question is a gentle, respectful, but firm "no." One of the toughest problems that White tackles is getting Mormons to clearly explain the LDS doctrine of God and goodhood. Many Christians who have with dialogued with Mormons know that a Mormon will agree with just about anything about God that an evangelical has to say. The oneness of God, the eternality of God, and the Trinity. In fact, it is very difficult, in a normal conversation to bring out any differences that set Christianity and Mormonism apart. However, if the Christian researchs a bit more, and asks more pointed questions, one soons discovers that LDS doctrine, in spite of the "agreements" that have been expressed over the Doctine of God, one find out that Man can become a God, and God, was one a man, and that there are actually an infinite number of gods in the universe and that every person can become a god. White's book is perhaps one of the best resources available to bring these differences out.White does a great job of bringing this out, and he does so with extensive use of Mormon primary sources---everything from the Standards Works and early and modern publications from LDS Church authorities such as LDS prophets, and the general assemblies.Moreover, he also addresses the issues brought about the book "How Wide the Divide" by Blomberg and Robinson, and the use of the Church Fathers (the doctrine of Theosis )by Mormon apologists to argue that the Early Church taught man can become a god.However, it is important to keep in mind that the book is narrow in scope---the issue of monotheism vs. polytheism. It does not (and does not pretend to) deal with other issues that are also important (Such as the Historicity of the Book of Mormons). However, the book is very complete because it explains its purpose and it fulfills it. It is great if read along with Books such as "Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons" by Ron Rhodes and Marian Bodine and "Mormonism" by Kurt Van Gorden. Thus "Is the Mormon my Brother" is a must for anyone interesting to witnessing to Mormons.

James White provides a scholarly look at the fundamental issues dividing Biblical Christianity and Mormonism. White accurately contends that the essential division between Biblical Christianity and the LDS faith is the difference between monotheism and polytheism. In addition, White points out that insofar as LDS teaching denies the eternality and immutability of God it cannot be understood to be Biblical Christianity. Bravo to White for being a Berean and "searching the Scriptures to see if these things are so". White also encourages all people, LDS and non-LDS alike, to be Bereans as well. Furthermore, White's scholarship is commendable, as he establishes the validity of his sources early in the book. A must for any student of Mormonism honestly seeking the truth from a Biblical perspective.

It's interesting to me how easy it is to tell which of the people who commented on this book at this site have actually read it, by the one line, one star comments, that include NO reasons as to why the book would recieve one star other than vaguely saying "it isnt good" (or the like), you have to know there's some out there simply criticizing this book with one star simply because they know it criticizes the LDS church. Regardless of the opinions below, pick it up, read it, and ask if it doesn't really hit the CORE issue on the question "Are Mormons Christians?", which is: Are Mormons Monotheists or Polytheists?

The fundamental difference between Mormonism and Christianity hinges upon WHO is the God they worship? Mormons- by their own admssion and their own documents, worship a God who once was only a man and became 'exalted' over time. The God of the Bible has ALWAYS been God. Mormonism is not Christianity- from its' very foundation- Theology Proper (the Doctrine of God) it differs from historic and Biblical Christianity. Joseph Smith didn't 'restore' anything- he created a new religion, with a new 'god' and adopted Christian terminology. This is the primary focus of White's book and he goes thru great detail to dcument ACCURATELY what Mormonism teaches. The LDS, although some very nice folks and very sincere in their beliefs (I do have several Mormon friends) are worshipping a false god. Nothing White presents is faulty or misleading- from a doctrinal standpoint and what the Bible alone teaches, I cannot call the Mormon my brother.