Joseph Smith’s Gospel vs. the Biblical Gospel
The following simple comparisons will reveal whether or not Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Choose from the following statements those which are true.
Jesus established His church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. (Matt 16:18)
Christ’s church was removed from the earth due to a total apostasy. (Elbert A. Smith, The Angel Message Series)
Christ’s church has always remained on earth. (Eph 3:21)
Joseph Smith restored Christ’s church to the earth in 1830. (RLDS Church History, Vol. 1, p. 77)
Christ’s church, comprised of all born-again believers, is the only true church. (Eph 4)
Joseph Smith’s “restored church,” is the only true church on earth. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 1:5) (LDS Sec. 1:24-33)
The Bible is the only book of sacred scripture. (2 Tim 3:15-17)
The Book of Mormon is sacred scripture and contains the fullness of the gospel. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 26:2a) (LDS Sec. 27:5)
All Christians belong to the Royal Priesthood—the priesthood of all believers. (1 Peter 2:9)
The only priesthoods with authority are Joseph Smith’s Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 43:4) (LDS Sec. 43:15-16)
Christ is the only High Priest in the Christian Church today. (Heb 7:24)
Followers of Joseph Smith can hold the office of High Priest. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 17:16) (LDS Sec. 20:65-66)
There are two places people go in the afterlife—Heaven and Hell. (New Testament)
There are five places people go in the afterlife—Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial glories, Hell and the Lake of Fire. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 76) (LDS Sec. 76)
This life is the only opportunity for a person to accept Christ’s gift of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2)
There is an opportunity to receive Christ’s salvation after death. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 76) (LDS Sec. 76)
Every person is born with a sin nature. (Rom 3:23)
Children are born without sin. (Doc. & Cov. 28:13) (LDS Sec. 29:46-48)
Adam continued living in the middle-east after being cast out of the Garden of Eden. (Genesis)
Adam traveled to the American continent and blessed his posterity in present day Far West, Missouri. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 104:28) (LDS Sec. 107:53-55)
The New Jerusalem will come down from heaven when Christ returns. (Rev 21:1-2)
The New Jerusalem will be established in Independence, Missouri, before Christ returns. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 36:12) (LDS No corresponding section)
The Kingdom of God will not be visible until Christ returns to set up His Kingdom. (John 18:36, Luke 17: 21)
The Kingdom of God (Zion) will be a visible city—Independence, Missouri, being the Center Place of this Kingdom. (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 57:1) (LDS Sec. 57:1-5)
The fall of Adam and Eve caused sin and death to enter the world. (Rom 5:12)
The fall of Adam and Eve was a good thing. (2 Nephi, 1: 113) (LDS 2 Nephi 2:23)
Salvation is a free gift, given to those who accept Christ’s finished work on the cross. (Eph 2:8-9)
Salvation is obtained by baptism, laying on of hands and doing good works. (Moroni 8:29) (LDS Moroni 8:25-26)
Good works do not play a part in our salvation. (Eph 2:8-9)
Good works do play a part in our salvation. (Rom 4:16 Inspired Version)
The Holy Spirit is a person—He is God, the third person of the trinity. (Acts 5:3)
“The Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of God in the world.” (www.cofchrist.org/seek/beliefs.asp)
The cannon of scripture was closed when the Bible was completed. (Rev 22)
The cannon of Scripture is still open, and includes new revelations for our day. (Doc. & Cov.)
All the choices in the column labeled “Joseph Smith’s Gospel” are teachings of Joseph Smith and can be found in RLDS/CoC books of scripture and other publications. All of them contradict the Word of God as found in the Bible. Since the reliability of the Bible has been affirmed by history, science, archaeology and dramatically changed lives, it can be trusted. In contrast, history, science and archaeology do not affirm the claims of Joseph Smith. His “gospel,” which for the most part is still promoted by the Community of Christ, is clearly a different gospel and as such does not have the power to save.
We too, once were loyal, active, tithe-paying members of the RLDS Church. We believed, taught and defended Joseph Smith’s gospel until we were challenged to look at it objectively in the light of reality. We found that Joseph Smith’s teachings radically differed from the true Word of God as found in the Bible. Our prayer is that you too, may find the truth that sets one free. Why? Because the truth really does matter—it is the difference between life and death.
“Choose ye this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15)
