The Gospel According to Joseph Smith: A Christian Response to Mormon Teaching

by Ethan E. Harris

Book Overview

An encounter with a Mormon in the Army National Guard launched Ethan E. Harris on this study and analysis of Mormon theology. Extensive contact with members of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints since then has exposed him to many Mormon claims and arguments, some of which have not been dealt with in other Christian books on the subject. To expound LDS views, Harris restricts himself to primary sources, seeking to avoid setting up straw men. He intends...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875521800
• ISBN13: 9780875521800
• Release Date: December 2001
• Publisher: P & R Publishing
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Falsehood book.

This book is a wowser. The perfect best that is much better than those books by Dr. Quinn, such as the one on fairy tales and mormonism, which I believe. An asset to any libray opn Moronism.

Clear distinctions between Mormonism and Christianity

This book is an excellent introduction to Mormonism in that it presents the Mormon doctrines from the source. The reader will see exactly what Mormons teach and how their teachings are in direct conflict with the Bible. For Christians wishing to know more about the LDS or who wish to witness to Mormon friends or relatives, this book provides material that would be difficult to put together. Ethan Harris has done a commendable job and is to be congratulated for bringing to light these sources and presenting them to the public.

Helpful, logical, a "must read", valuable

Harris has obviously done much research in order to present a clear, concise and organized approach to presenting the differences between the Bible vs. the teachings of Mormonism. The nuances are presented and the reader comes to realize how beguiling Mormonism is. Some Mormon teachings are so *close* to the Bible as to cause the reader to pause and determine the differences. Some radical teachings, such as Adam being our father and the ability for us to become gods (as opposed to God-like) may be unfamiliar to Mormon believers.I enjoyed the inclusion of letters from former Mormon believers. Most of all, I came to respect Harris's testimony as given in the last chapter.This book should be on every Bible student's reference shelf.

A brand new argument unlike other books on the LDS!

One of the key points of this book is to demonstrate that if a religious or philosophical system has, as its foundation, a god who was once a man (as the LDS system does), that system cannot support absolutes in philosophy, theology or personal living. The author begins by demonstrating that the official LDS position, citing only LDS "prophets" and the "Standard Works," is that the Christian God was actually once a man as you and I. The author then proceeds to point out other doctrines which spring from this rather odd LDS doctrine. In a later chapter, it is all tied together to show that "God's moral laws are not eternally binding if He is growing in knowledge [as the LDS claim]. If God came to a time when He was more complete than He was in the past, He is not perfect in learning. What is the level to which He must come in order to say of Him, 'He knows all things'?...If the god of the Book of Mormon is still progressing to some degree or another, there may be morality issues that he has not resolved [as the author shows the LDS have a problem with] or even learned." So the god of the LDS Church cannot give morally binding laws. Interesting thesis although there is much more in this book to comment on, I like this chapter the best...

Strong work!

An excellent book that clearly and logically lays out the the issues with Mormonism. Whether you're learning about the LDS doctrine of God, baptism of the dead (which doesn't even appear in the Book of Mormon), contradictions between the LDS Prophets and the BoM and the Doctrine and Covenants, everything is easy to follow and quite thought-provoking. A must read for those with Mormon friends, relatives, etc.