The fellows at your door can’t be much more than 20. So when they introduce themselves as “elders,” your surprise can hardly be hidden. These young men are neatly dressed in shirt and tie. They’re more polite than politicians at election time. It’s very clear that they’re from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They’re Mormons and they’d like to speak with you about some things.

The Prophet⤒🔗

The Mormon church does not have a long history. Less than 200 years ago, sometime in the 1820s, a young man named Joseph Smith claimed to receive a vision from God. He was distraught because he didn’t know which church he should join. He claims to have gone to a wooded area near his home in New York State to pray and it was there that God supposedly appeared to him and told him that none of the churches were right. Not only that, but all the churches and their creeds were abominations. A short time after that, Smith said that he received a visit from an angel named Moroni. This angel prepared him to receive a set of gold plates. Joseph Smith claimed to have received these gold plates in 1827. Smith allegedly translated these plates (originally written in “Reformed Egyptian”) as the Book of Mormon. This was published for the first time in 1830 and thus also begins the Mormon Church.

The Mormon church, later known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, experienced tumultuous times right from its inception. From New York State, the Mormons were slowly forced westward – this was due to troubles in every place they settled. These troubles culminated in the violent shooting death of Joseph Smith himself – at which point Brigham Young became president and lead the Mormons to Salt Lake City, Utah. This took place in 1846-47. In the following years, the Mormon church experienced explosive growth and it continues to grow to this day. The church has not only grown in terms of numbers, but also in terms of doctrine.

As with the Jehovah’s Witnesses it is very difficult to obtain a firm grasp on the entire body of Mormon teachings. There are several books available which give a good overview and much helpful advice (see the end of this article). There are so many different things which you could discuss with a Mormon. However, here in this brief article, I’d like to cover just four important points that will give you a good foundation at least with which to get started in witnessing to Mormons at your door.

The Prophet?←⤒🔗

The first point concerns Joseph Smith. The Mormons consider Joseph Smith to be a prophet and he himself claims to have been so. Moreover, they not only consider him a prophet, but an infallible one at that. Everything that Joseph Smith wrote and said, they claim, is without error or fault. Thus one of his later followers would write the following:

Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground.¹

As it turns out, Joseph Smith was one of the biggest frauds the world has ever seen. He was also one of the most arrogant. Concerning himself he said the following:

. . . I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet^.2

More such bluster can easily be found in the writings of the “prophet.”

Our question should be whether Joseph Smith matches up to what the Bible tells us to look for in a prophet. Of course, the classic texts in this regard are in Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:21-22. From these texts we learn that a true prophet according to the Scriptures will: 1) Give completely accurate prophecy, his words always hold true. 2) He will not lead the people astray from the true worship of Jahweh. With both these standards, Joseph Smith does not stand up to scrutiny.

Countless examples can be brought forward where Smith made predictions that did not come to pass. One will suffice. Smith predicted in 1838 that a certain Mormon elder, David W.Patten, would go on a mission in the following spring.³ However, Patten died in October of 1838. Smith was clearly wrong.

Second, the Scriptures teach very clearly that a true prophet will not lead people astray from the one true God. However, Smith and his followers believe that there is more than one God. In fact, they believe there are infinite numbers of gods and that Mormons themselves are destined to become gods. There is more behind this, but you get the picture. Joseph Smith fails the prophet test here as well.

With respect to this point we should also note what we read in Hebrews 1:1-2, “God, who at sundry times and in various manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” We are not to expect any more prophets who bring inspired revelation from God. Anyone who comes claiming to be prophet in this day and age is a liar and a fraud. Such was Joseph Smith.

The Mormons at your door need to be shown this truth as clearly, convincingly and lovingly as possible.

Nothing More Than Feelings←⤒🔗

Already by this point I’ve mentioned several Scripture verses. I’ve done that with the implicit assumption that Scripture is meaningful and authoritative both for yourself and the one at the door. And that is a true assumption. However, there is a difference between you and the Mormon missionary. The difference is that for you Scripture is the highest and only authority and everything else comes secondary. For the Mormon, Scripture is only one of a number of authorities and it does not even rank very high on the list.

Instead of appealing to Scripture, when first coming to your door Mormon missionaries may give you their testimony. They’ll tell you about the good feeling they have telling them the Mormon church is true and good. Then they may ask you to pray about the Book of Mormon so that you’ll have the same feelings. You must point out to the Mormons that feelings are not the standard by which to evaluate truth.

You are a Christian and the only standard for Christians is God’s Word.

You may also appeal to them on the basis of Scripture. You can do that because the Mormon church does recognize the authority of the Bible, at least on paper. Brigham Young, one of the earlier leaders of the Mormon church said, “Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test.”⁴Thus on the point of authority, all our discussions must be grounded on the Bible. Do not allow a Mormon missionary to move the ground away from the Bible to personal feelings, much less to the authority of Mormon Scriptures of any sort.

Salvation: How?←⤒🔗

At the top of a list of items to discuss with your Mormon visitors should be salvation. How are we saved? The first thing we have to note here is that Mormons do not even understand the term “salvation” in the same way that we do. For Mormons, full salvation means exaltation to become a God.

This comes about through performance of various ceremonies and other works. For this reason, you must phrase your questions and statements carefully. You should still ask the basic question though: “How are you right with God? What has been done about your sin? If you were to die right now, would you spend eternity with God?”

If you ask these questions, it right away becomes excruciatingly evident that the Mormon concept of “salvation” is totally dependent on man. To reach the point of exaltation, Mormons must keep a whole series of requirements. Mormonism is from beginning to end a law religion. There is no true grace in Mormonism. Grace is mentioned in the book of Mormon, but notice what it says: “. . . for we know that is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23). Jesus Christ only comes into the picture after the Mormons have kept all the requirements. Thus we come to the final point.

Salvation: How Can You Know?←⤒🔗

If it depends on us, how can we know for sure that we will be exalted? How can we be sure of receiving anything from God, especially since the Scriptures are clear that we are utterly stained with sin? This will drive the point home since many Mormons are not sure where they will spend eternity.

There is very little, if any, assurance in Mormonism. This is precisely where the Scriptures speak so strongly against Mormonism. Scripture is so wonderfully clear that we can know with absolute certainty where we will spend eternity. Think only of John 5:24, “He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation. . . .” Your personal appropriation of these words will be a strong testimony to the Mormon missionaries at your door.

Witnessing to Mormons is by no means easy. This article is meant only as an introduction. If you have the opportunity to spend some time with Mormons, I highly recommend further study and preparation. Above all, be motivated by love for your neighbour and an earnest desire for his salvation.

Do not argue for the sake of arguing, but contend earnestly for the faith with godly motivations borne out of love. Then may the LORD God be pleased to use you as an instrument by which some are plucked out of the fire.