Are
Mormons Christians?
Is Calvary Enough?
By
Is Calvary enough? To most evangelical
Christians, the answer is a resounding YES!
The Mormon answer would be, it
wasn’t Calvary at all! As we celebrate
the greatest day of the Christian calendar, Easter, or the resurrection of
our Lord, I thought it appropriate to dedicate this article to the Mormon
teaching 
on
Calvary.
First, Mormons teach it was Gethsemane, not Calvary where Christ’s blood was shed to atone for our sins. Note this quote from Doctrines of Salvation, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith Vol. I, compiled by Bruce R. McConkie (p. 130):
“Greatest Suffering Was in Gethsemane. We speak of the passion of Jesus Christ. A great many people have an idea that when He was on the cross, and nails were driven into His hands and feet, that was His great suffering. His great suffering was before He ever was placed upon the cross. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that the blood oozed from the pores of His body: ‘Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink.’
That was not when He was on the cross; that was in the garden.”
Thus Mormonism clearly teaches it was the blood sweated in Gethsemane, not the blood shed on Calvary that saves us. Mormons would also teach that it only saves us from Adam’s original sin, not personal sin. This would be universal salvation, or universal resurrection. We’ll have to save that discussion for another day; another article.
While researching for this article, I was reading Mormonism 101 by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson. They shared the following quote from Joseph Fielding Smith’s book, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:17-18:
“However, to bow down before a cross or to look upon it as an emblem to be revered because of the fact that our Savior died upon a cross is repugnant to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints …To many, like the writer, such a custom is repugnant and contrary to the true worship of our Redeemer. Why should we bow down before a cross or use it as a symbol? Because our Savior died on the cross, the wearing of crosses is to most Latter-day Saints in very poor taste and inconsistent to our worship…We may be definitely sure that if our Lord had been killed with a dagger or with a sword, it would have been very strange indeed if religious people of this day would have graced such a weapon by wearing it and adoring it because it was by such a means that our Lord was put to death.”
How can Mormon leaders claim to be Christian and teach that the very symbol of Christianity, the cross of Calvary, is “repugnant”? I would call it theological dishonesty at its worst, or biblical ignorance at its best!
Secondly, Mormons teach that the blood of Christ was not enough! Again note these quotes from Doctrines of Salvation, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith Vol. I, compiled by Bruce R. McConkie:
“But man may commit certain grievous sins – according to his light and knowledge – that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone – so far as in his power lies – for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail.” (p. 134)
“Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf. This is scriptural doctrine, and is taught in all the standard works of the Church.” (p. 135)
These two quotes clearly teach the Mormon doctrine of Blood Atonement. That is, there are sins “so grievous” that the blood of Christ is not enough, so men must shed their own blood to atone for their own sins.
Today, Mormons often deny they ever taught Blood Atonement, yet the law of the land in the State of Utah, from the early days of statehood, allowed for capital punishment by firing squad for this very purpose. Consider this citation, once again from Doctrines of Salvation, Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith Vol. I , compiled by Bruce R. McConkie (p. 136):
“…the founders of Utah incorporated in the laws of the Territory provisions for the capital punishment of those who willfully shed the blood of their fellow men. This law, which is now the law of the State granted unto the condemned murderer the privilege of choosing for himself whether he die by hanging, or whether he be shot, and thus have his blood shed in harmony with the law of God; and thus atone, so far as it is in his power to atone, for the death of his victim.”
For your own personal research, I would suggest reading Mormonism Mama & Me, by Thelma “Granny” Geer. Her book illustrates, with example after example, the Mormon teaching of Blood Atonement.
Was the blood of Calvary enough? The
Mormon answer is NO! They say the cross
of 
unless
your sin is too great for Christ’s atonement – then it is up to you!
It is so sad to me that many Mormons will claim Christianity, yet never
experience the joy of salvation – salvation that is FREE!
Romans 6:23 “But the wages of sin is death: but the GIFT of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
What was the gift? It was Christ.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (see also Ephesians chapter 2)
They don’t experience salvation that is complete – atonement that is complete in Christ!
Romans 5:8-11;15 “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. [15] But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”
Nor do they experience salvation that is available to all who ask to receive it.
Romans 10:9-10;13 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Mormons do not experience salvation that is through the blood of Calvary!
I Peter 2:22-24 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (see also Romans 5:6-10, I Peter 3:18, II Corinthians 5:21)
Witnessing
point: Ask your Mormon friends why their
Stakehouses (church buildings) don’t have crosses on them? Ask them to explain
This Easter, let us remember salvation was completed on Calvary and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hope of our salvation.
Douglas K. Hollen is a financial consultant and is attending Midwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary. God is in the
process of using Doug’s investment planning business to support and underwrite
his “eternity planning” business – serving our Lord…building His kingdom…taking
the Gospel of Christ to the front lines. He is available to speak at your
church or small Bible study group
about the dangers of Mormonism. Please
contact him at 314-691-5418 for scheduling.
