Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 19
May 11, 1967
NUMBER 2, PAGE 3,5b

The Bible Vs. Reorganized Mormonism

Marshall Norman

(A brief look at the: Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at Independence, Missouri.)

For a number of years we have read articles concerning the LDS or the Mormons of Salt Lake City, Utah. But no one has presented a look at the R. L. D. S. of Independence, Missouri. It is our concern that, we do so. With all love and compassion for those in error and hoping to present some truths for all we hereby present the following article, Overview of the content of the Book of Mormon (RLDS). Affirmation: "The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth and the keynote of our religion. A man will live nearer to God by abiding by its principles than by any other book." From: The Doctrinal Message of the Book of Mormon, by Arthur A. Oakman. RLDS. pg.11. Now I ask you dear reader, does this correspond with what the Bible teaches? Let us see: Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ (not the B. of M. ) for it (not the B. of M.) is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

How near to God can we live? Well according to Mr. Oakman we live nearer to God by the B. of M. Let us see how Mr. Oakman could deal with the following. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. " This sounds as if the Bible allows a man to live near to God. 1 Peter 4:11 "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God."

Rev.20:4 "And I saw souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God. (not the B. of M.) Yes, it is the keynote of the RLDS religion, but not the keynote of Christianity.

Affirmation: "Jesus Christ did visit the ancient Americans. Of that event the Book of Mormon bears ample witness." Arthur A. Oakman, Op. Cit, page 11.

Did Jesus visit the ancient Americans? On this story hinges the value of the B. of M. If He did, when, where and why? Did the Holy Spirit know of such a visit? Let us see:

Acts 2:5 "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." Now everyone knows this is the story of the Day of Pentecost. So let us ask ourselves this question. If the Bible says devout men out of every nation under heaven, would not the Holy Spirit have told concerning the ancient Americans? John 16:13-15 affirms the fact that the Holy Spirit was to guide the apostles unto all truths.

1. All the nations under heaven where devout Jews lived were represented at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

2. But there were no Jews from the American continent.

3. Therefore no devout Jew lived on the American continent. On the day of Pentecost, ten days after the ascension of Jesus, and inspired Peter said "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:33. Note, the Holy Spirit did not know that Jesus was over here in America among the Nephrites. And of course the appearance to Saul was all for show; for he could stand eight to ten hours at a time and let the Nephite people thrust their hands into his side. So much for the hinging of the B. of M. Looks as though the hinges have come loose.

Affirmation: The claims of the Reorganized Church: "The 'Reorganized Church' claims to be the true successor of the 'Restored' church established in 1830. It holds that the several factions departed from the teachings and practice of the early, church. Two lines of differences between the RLDS and the LDS are made clear. (1) with respect to doctrine, and (2) with respect to prophetic succession and administration. The Reorganized contends that the doctrines of 'celestial marriage, polygamy, sealings, Adam as God' were not tenets of the original church. It further holds that the western church erred in the selection of leaders, without regards for divine designation. In Doctrine and Covenants 43:2 is a revelation stating that Joseph Smith was to appoint his successor. The Reorganized asserts that the Prophet blessed his son, setting him apart for that work. They further hold that the Reorganization took place at Narahemla, Wisconsin, in 1853 and hold steady to the title 'Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. "taken from: Relation of our Church to other Churches: by Roy A. Cheville. pg. 26,27.

Now reader it is easy to see that they claim that the true church erred in doctrine and teachings. Yet we find that Joseph Smith appointed his son to carry on the work of the 'true' church. What a medley. First, the dates are wrong: the 'true' church was established at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost 33 A.D. Luke 24:47 and Acts 2:1-47. Now forgiveness of sins is preached through Jesus' name and not Joseph Smith or his son. Acts 4:12. For the name. RLDS: Where do we find such a name?

Acts 11:26 "And the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch" 1 Peter 4:16 "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but, let him glorify God on this behalf." (or in this name) Nowhere do I find the name RLDS in the Book of the Bible and even through closely looking I do not find the name RLDS in the B. of M. (as used by the group at Independence, Mo.)

Concerning the Lord's supper: "For whether it be on the first Lord's day of every month, or upon the Lord's day of every week, it shall be administered with purity of purpose:" Doctrine and Covenants, page 321, Section 119:5b.

What is a Lord's day of every month? Acts 20:7 says "upon the first day of the week, the disciples met together to break bread." This is agreed by all to be the communion of the saints or the Lord's supper. How often does the first day of the week come, every week 52 times a year.

Concerning music: "And that the worship in the house of the Lord may be complete and wholly acceptable, let them who shall be moved thereto by a desire and the gift to sing take upon them the burden and care of the service, and use therein instruments of the reed and of the string, or instruments of brass in congregations that are large, and as wisdom and choice may direct."

Doctrine and Covenants, page 321, Section 119: 6c. Eph. 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Col. 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Does this sound like instrumental music? Does this sound like wisdom and choice? The Bible does not teach that the New Testament church ever had instrumental music in the worship of the Lord. We have no authority, wisdom or choice in the matter, God has spoken. No musical instrumental music in the worship of God.

In this brief short article we have tried to present some brief teachings of the RLDS. We realize there are many more teachings that we have not touched, yet we have given enough that we hope that you will investigate and 'contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.'

-P. O. Box 472 Excelsior Springs, Missouri 64024