Gabe Hughes: Mormonism & The American Religion

Gabe Hughes, pastor of Junction City First Southern Baptist Church, author, and creator of WWUTT returns for his second episode of Echo Zoe Radio. Gabe recently released a new book called â€œ40 Mormon Beliefs and What the Bible Says,â€ and the topic of our discussion this month is some of the things he found in his research for the book.

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Outline of the Discussion

While researching Mormonism for his latest book, Gabe noticed some eery similarities between Mormonism and what Lyndon Unger refers to as the Renewal Movement.
The book was the result of Gabe’s ministry in Junction City, Kansas. His hometown is home to Fort Riley Army base, and has more Mormons than Baptists.
Dr. James White refers to Mormonism as “THE American Religion.”
While we haven’t traced a direct link between Mormonism and the Renewal Movement, the similarities are striking. For example, Gabe noticed that Joseph Smiths King Follet Discourse reads like a typical Jesse Duplantis sermon.
Lyndon Unger coined the term “Renewal Movement” to describe Word-of-Faith, New Apostolic Reformation, Hyper Charismaticism, etc. and the Mormons claim to have the “Restored Gospel.”
Mormon teaching that man can become a god is similar to the Renewal little gods doctrine.
These doctrinal similarities shouldn’t be surprising; the further we get from the truths of Scripture, the closer we get to the original lie in The Garden that “you shall be like God.”
It’s built into the Mormon religion to distrust the Bible; they teach that the Bible was corrupted, and is not currently interpreted correctly. In their view, the “perfect” texts of scripture are: The Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.
Mormons use many of the same terms as Christians, but mean something different.
Mormonism builds in many teachings that are common among cults; such as damnation of “apostates” (but not the wicked who were never Mormons to begin with), special revelation that contradicts the Bible, etc.
Mormonism has a checkered past with plural marriage. The Book of Mormon forbids it, but Doctrine and Covenants (which came later) introduces the practice.
As Mormonism progressed in Joseph Smith’s life, doctrines changed to benefit him. This is similar to the doctrinal changes over the course of Mohammed’s life within Islam.
Mormonism also has a racist past, teaching dark skin being a curse and forbidding blacks from their priesthood.
Glenn Beck, perhaps one of the most famous Mormons today, has been leading political rallies, and seems to have a lot of Renewal folks involved with him.
Mormonism is the most polytheistic religion the world has ever seen; they teach an infinite number of gods.
The Book of Mormon builds toward the appearance of god the father and god the son appearing to Joseph Smith. This purportedly happened when he was about 14 years old.
Scripture tells us not to believe angels that make claims contrary to the Apostles’ teaching; and that Christ would not come again but in the clouds (don’t believe anyone who says they saw Christ in such-and-such a place).
Smith also claimed appearances of John the Baptist; Peter, James, & John; and others.