Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Becoming Gods/Index/Chapter 7

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Chapter 6

A FAIR Analysis of: Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st-Century Mormonism A work by author: Richard Abanes Claims made in "Chapter 7: After All We Can Do"

Chapter 8

Note: This is a review of claims and/or responses to misrepresentations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found in this work. The inclusion of an author's work here does not imply that he or she is "anti-Mormon," or that none of his or her works have value. Those who do not wish to examine the claims contained in what some would consider an "anti-Mormon" work are advised to proceed no further.

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Claim
Latter-day Saints are claimed to reject the "Evangelical belief" that "Christ was born of the virgin Mary, who, when the Holy Ghost came upon her, miraculously conceived the promised messiah."

Author's source(s)

• Isaiah 7:14

Response

• This claim is false.
• 1 Nephi 11:18-21
• Jesus Christ/Conception
• This claim is also made in One Nation Under Gods: p. 287, 575n38(PB)

Claim
"Until recently, the common belief clearly implied throughout the history of Mormonism...was that Jesus' conception occurred via sexual intercourse between Heavenly Father (Elohim) and Mary."

Author's source(s)

• Luke 1:35
• 1 Nephi 11:14
• 1 Nephi 11:16-18
• 1 Nephi 11:20
• 1 Nephi 11:24
• 1 Nephi 11:26-28
• 1 Nephi 11:32-33

Response

• Misunderstanding regarding Jesus Christ's conception  ^{[needs work]}

Claim
Early LDS leaders redefined "virgin" to mean a woman who has never known a mortal man, since Heavenly Father is immortal.

Author's source(s)

• Joseph F. Smith, Charles Penrose, "Message of the First Presidency," vol. 5, p. 34. "...his unique status in the flesh as the offspring of a mortal mother and of an immortal, or resurrected and glorified, Father"

Response

• This is the author's conclusion. The author wants to talk about a "sexual union" again, but the statement he uses in his citation in the endnotes says nothing about redefining "virgin" to mean a woman who has never known a mortal man. It is certainly true that Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ to be the literal son of our Heavenly Father, but the author takes liberties in drawing his conclusions about the event.
• Jesus Christ/Conception

Claim
Latter-day Saints reject the idea that the death of Jesus on the cross was a significant part of the atonement.

Author's source(s)

• Cky J. Carrigan, "Did Jesus Christ Die on the Cross to Pay for Our Sins?: A Survey of Mormon Teachings on the Atonement of Christ," Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Ministries to New Religions, Biola University, Jan. 25, 2003.

Response

•  The claim is false: Jesus Christ/Atonement/The garden and the cross

Claim
The third and highest kingdom of glory has three levels, and only those who reach the highest level become gods.

Author's source(s)

• Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, "Those who obtain exaltation will gain all power and thus themselves be omnipotent...Godhood is to have the character, possess the attributes, and enjoy the perfections which the Father has. It is to do what he does, have the powers resident in him, and live as he lives."

Response

• Plan of salvation/Three degrees of glory
• Human deification/theosis

Claim
The three heaven doctrine has no basis in the Bible, but is only based upon a vision of Joseph Smith.

Author's source(s)

• DC 76:

Response

•  The claim is false
  • 2 Corinthians 12:2
  • 1 Corinthians 15:40-41
• Plan of salvation/Three degrees of glory/Not biblical