Sunday, January 24, 2016

Is the Mormon teaching of Eternal Progression Biblical?

Joseph Smith is often credited with the quotation "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become," however, it is not found in “The Book of Mormon.” Nevertheless this profession of faith is found in other declarations including “Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.” Doctrine and Covenants 132:20

The Mormon teaching of Eternal Progression, that a man can become a god, contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture that God has no beginning or end and that there is only one God.

Through His prophet Isaiah God makes the statement “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God,” Isaiah 44:6 and Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." God further states through the Psalmist, Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” There are many more passages detailing the uniqueness of God including Isaiah 43:10, 44:8, 45:5,14,21,22 and 46:9.

The doctrine of Eternal Progression is promoted through the twisting of specific scriptures such as John 10:34, “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” Jesus was quoting Psalm 82:6, “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” Digging a little deeper, Psalm 82:7, “But ye shall die like men, and fall (naphal) like one of the princes (sar).” The Hebrew verb naphal that is translated as "to fall" carries many meanings including cast down, cease and die, but in this context it means die. The Hebrew noun masculine sar that is translated as "princes" means a ruler of some kind such as an official, captain or prince.

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God “ contradicts The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, "In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God." Jesus, not the Gospel, is the Word. Jesus was and is with God and is not a created being of God. The noun masculine Logos that is translated as “Word” has many meaning including the most appropriate one “the Divine Expression (that is, Christ)” John 10:34 has incorrectly been taken out of context as proof of godhood. By changing John 1:1 Jesus is reduced to being created rather than God so indicating that man can become His equal.

The doctrine of Eternal Progression harkens back to the Garden and the serpent's deception of Eve as described in the Bible. Genesis 3:4-5 4, "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

Eternal Progression appeals to pride as evidenced in the fall of Lucifer, Isaiah 14:13-14, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" With great pride Lucifer falsely claims that he will be like the Most High and therefore be equivalent to God. As is was thousands of years ago so it is today, Eternal Progression appeals to human pride by promoting the same falsehood as in the Garden, that we can attain godhood.



The doctrine of Eternal Progression is convoluted. Spirit children are born to God and his goddess wife. After a war in heaven one third of the spirits become evil and have no chance of obtaining bodies. Those who merit it are born on earth. There are several biblical concepts that have been incorporated in the schematic. One third of the spirits are evil, there is a paradise and a Spirit prison Hell. A first resurrection followed by a millennium and a second resurrection leading to a judgment. There is a second death for the sons of perdition, Satan and his followers.

There are three kingdoms for those not deserving the second death. There is the Telestial kingdom for the wicked people of the world. There is the Terrestrial kingdom for honorable people who didn't accept Mormonism. And finally the Celestial kingdom for those who have reached godhood exultation and were married in the temple.

There are numerous websites providing instructions for achieving Eternal Progression including 2015 Lesson Manuals, Chapter 13: Preparing for Eternal Progression, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young. According to this lesson, “We are able to progress as we increase in knowledge and experience.”

The heavens cited in Eternal Progression have nothing in common God’s Word. The very humble Apostle Paul refers to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:4, “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Paul never claims to be the man caught up to paradise, actually Paul has a thorn in the flesh “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

The first heaven is Atmosphere and populated by Birds and clouds. The second heaven is the Celestial Heavens containing Stars, galaxies; the vastness of the universe. The third heaven is beyond Space-time and is where God dwells.

Determining the increase/ decrease in the number of practicing Mormons required compiling statistics from several sources. Mormons have a very active evangelical effort and have converts in a many countries. Often former members are kept on the roles after they resign or are excommunicated.

Richard Packham used the US government related to the census in reaching the conclusion that “Thus it appears that there are more ex-Mormons than there are Mormons. The Mormon Church leaders are using the Internet to maintain membership. An example is the video is “Top 5 Myths and Truths about Why Committed Mormons Leave the Church.”

The Mormon teaching of Eternal Progression is not Biblical and appeals to pride. There always was and is and always will be only one God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Twisting of Scripture either to elevate man or to denigrate Jesus as being only a creative being is false and is reminisce of Jesus' parable concerning building on shifting sands.

Jesus tells Christians to take up our cross and follow Him and Mormonism tells members that through the false teaching of Eternal Progression they can become gods. As Christian apologists we should be knowledgeable about this doctrine when talking with Mormons as this is something that they strongly believe in/ hope for. Being told one can become like god if they are “worthy” encourages a works dogma rather than justification by grace. It teaches prideful reliance on self rather than humility and dependence on God. By adhering to false doctrine Mormons are rushing through the wide gate that leads to destruction.

We need to pray for those captivated by the false doctrine of the Mormon Church. Teaching that men will become gods deceives not only current Mormons; it is being spread throughout the world by Mormon missionaries.

The LDS Scriptures include The King James Version of the Bible so there is common ground between Christians and Mormons. When talking with Mormons it is important that we bring out the Biblical truths found in the KJV that challenge the false teaching in their other scriptures. We must share with Mormons that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with the God of the Universe.

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