Pastor Jeff McCullough has just posted his latest video critical of Latter-day Saints doctrines, beliefs, and teachings (although it was evidently recorded quite some time ago). There are two main doctrinal issues that he brings up in this video that I am going to respond to. The first relates to how Latter-day Saints understand the doctrine of “angels”. At about 6:55 minutes into the video he says the following:
“So as the story goes in the Book of Mormon, Moroni, the messenger who appeared to Joseph Smith, wasn’t just an angel; according to the Book of Mormon, he was actually an ancient prophet and warrior, and his father was named Mormon; and the revelation that he received and passed on to his son, that he then inscribed on the gold plates, were deposited on the hill Cumorah. And this sort of highlights a teaching that is unique, that is different from the rest of Christianity. You are not going to find taught in the rest of Christianity or in the Bible, the idea of a man becoming an angel. So that is something that is pretty unique, and pretty different.”
That only proves that he doesn’t know his Bible very well. In the Bible, whenever angels have appeared to men, they have always appeared as men. There are several instances of angels appearing to men, in both the Old and New Testaments; and they have always appeared as men. Here are some examples:
Genesis 18:
18 And the Lord appeared unto him [Abraham] in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
Here the angels that appeared to Abraham appeared as men. Two of those were the angels who later on went to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and rescued Lot; and they appeared to them as men (Genesis 19:1-22). We also have these examples from the New Testament:
Luke 24:
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Acts 1:
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
The word “angel” literally means a messenger, or somebody who does somebody else’s bidding. In the Old Testament, the same Hebrew word (מַלְאָךְ mal'ak meaning ‘Angel’ or ‘messenger,’ Strong’s Hebrew 4397) is used to refer to divine as well as human messengers (e.g. of kings, rulers etc.); but translated into English with two different words—as “angel” when referring to divine messengers, and as “messenger” when referring to human messengers. But the original Hebrew word used is the same for both. The same phenomenon also occurs in the New Testament. The same Greek word (ἄγγελος aggelos meaning ‘angel’ or ‘messenger,’ Strong’s Greek 32) is used in the original text to refer to both human as well as divine messengers, but translated into English using two different English words, depending on whether it refers to divine or human messengers. Anybody who does what somebody else tells him to do, is that person’s “angel” or “messenger”. Even the devil has his own “angels” (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:9). Anybody who does what the devil tells him to do, becomes the devil’s angel; if he does what God tells him to do, becomes God’s angel. In the book of Revelation, the Christian ministers who were in charge of the various “churches” being addressed, are referred to as “angels” (Rev. 2:1; 2:8; 2:12; 2:18; 3:1; 3:7; 3:14). So what happens to those people when they die, and go to heaven? Do they stop being “angels” when they arrive in heaven? They are “angels” here on earth, but not in heaven? How does that work? If they are still serving God, doing God’s will in heaven, as they did on earth, they are still God’s “angels” in heaven, as they were on earth. If they are doing the devil’s work, then they are the devil’s angels. In Hebrews 12:23, angels are identified as “the spirits of just men made perfect”. Anybody who is in direct communion with God, and does what God tells him to do, is by definition an “angel” (messenger, emissary) of God—whether it is on earth or in heaven. And angels don’t have “wings!” That is probably what he has been thinking of. It looks like he draws his theology from Christian mythology and folklore, rather than from sound biblical teachings.
The next point he brings up refers to the Deity of Jesus Christ. At around 12:29 minutes into the video he says the following (emphasis added):
“Why are there so many different Christian denominations? There is a lot of different ways that I can answer that question, but the short answer is that there is still differences in opinion on different worship practices, how things should be taught, different expressions of the church; but we all generally agree on certain fundamental truths: For example that there is one God, and that Jesus in a Trinitarian form is God; and when Jesus came to earth, it was God made flesh. Now that is something that is really unique, from what I learned today about what Joseph Smith experienced; and I hope that as I say this, you trust that I am not trying to stir up a spirit of contention, but maybe for LDS Church members, helping you understand why a lot of the other Christian denominations have a difficult time saying that the LDS Church is a valid Christian denomination, because Joseph said in the Sacred Grove, that when Heavenly Father came to him with Jesus, that they were two separate persons, they were two separate people, and that Jesus isn’t necessarily God, that they are different Persons, and that is vastly different from what the Bible teaches. In fact the Bible teaches in John chapter 1, that in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God; and we know that the Word that John is referring to is Jesus, because a few verses later it says the Word became flesh, and dwelt among men. So when Joseph Smith is receiving a revelation, a separate revelation that actually doesn’t talk about Jesus as being God, the rest of Christianity is gonna have a very difficult time saying that that is a valid revelation, because it disagrees with the Bible.”
That of course is the typical false and slanderous accusations of the enemies of the Church, which he is pandering to. The doctrine of the Deity of Jesus Christ is taught more affirmatively, unambiguously, and explicitly in the Book of Mormon (and in other modern scriptures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) than it is in the Bible. Here are some references (punctuation revised):
Book of Mormon Title Page:
… And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.
1 Nephi 19:
10 And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him; yea the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man into the hands of wicked men, …
2 Nephi 10:
3 Wherefore as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.
4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations, they would repent, and know that he be their God. (c.f. Matt. 11:20–24; 12:41–42; Luke 10:13–14; 11:31–32; John 15:24)
2 Nephi 11:
7 For if there be no Christ, there be no God; and if there be no God, we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ; and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.
2 Nephi 26:
12 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God;
Mosiah 3:
5 For behold the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, …
Mosiah 7:
27 And because he said unto them that Christ was the God, the Father of all things; and said that he should take upon him the image of man, and it should be the image after which man was created in the beginning; or in other words, he said that man was created after the image of God, and that God should come down among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and blood, and go forth upon the face of the earth—
Mosiah 16:
15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen.
Mosiah 27:
31 Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; …
Alma 11:
39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he [Jesus] is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;
3 Nephi 11:
14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.
Ether 3:
17 And now as I, Moroni, said I could not make a full account of these things which are written; therefore it sufficeth me to say that Jesus showed himself unto this man in the spirit, even after the manner and in the likeness of the same body even as he showed himself unto the Nephites;
18 And he ministered unto him even as he ministered unto the Nephites; and all this that this man might know that he was God, because of the many great works which the Lord had showed unto him.
Doctrine and Covenants 1:
24 Behold I am God, and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.
Doctrine and Covenants 19:
18 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—
Doctrine and Covenants 35:
1 Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever.
2 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, …
• • •
8 For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.
Doctrine and Covenants 38:
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven before the world was made;
2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes.
3 I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.
Doctrine and Covenants 39:
1 Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I Am, even Jesus Christ—
2 The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not;
Doctrine and Covenants 63:
6 Wherefore verily I say, let the wicked take heed, and let the rebellious fear and tremble, and let the unbelieving hold their lips; for the day of wrath shall come upon them as a whirlwind, and all flesh shall know that I am God.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:
1 Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior.
2 Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out.
3 His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand.
4 From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:
16 Therefore let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion, for all flesh is in mine hands. Be still and know that I am God.
The Book of Mormon affirms, confirms, and attests to the divinity of Jesus Christ far more clearly, comprehensively, unambiguously, and compellingly than the Bible does. Nowhere in the Bible is the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ taught more explicitly and affirmatively than it is in the Book of Mormon (and in other Latter-day Saint scriptures). Likewise the mystery of the Trinity unfolds in the Book of Mormon (and in other modern scriptures of the Church) more meaningfully than it does in the Bible. Here are some quotes (punctuation revised):
2 Nephi 31:
21 … And now behold, this is the doctrine of Christ; and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost which is one God, without end. Amen.
Alma 11:
44 … and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit which is one Eternal God, …
Mosiah 15:
1 And now Abinadi said unto them, I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.
2 And because he dwelleth in the flesh he shall be called the Son of God, having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son—
3 The Father because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and the Son—
4 And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.
5 And thus the flesh becoming subject to the spirit or [in other words] the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation and yieldeth not to temptation, …
Mosiah 16:
15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father.
3 Nephi 1:
13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
14 Behold, I come unto my own to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world; and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son: of the Father because of me [in the spirit], and of the Son because of my flesh.
3 Nephi 11:
27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.
• • •
36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me, for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.
3 Nephi 20:
35 … and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Father; and the Father and I are one.
3 Nephi 28:
10 … and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father, and the Father and I are one;
Mormon 9:
12 And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son.
Mormon 7:
7 … to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above; unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost which are one God; in a state of happiness which hath no end.
Ether 3:
14 Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have light, and that eternally.
Ether 4:
12 … and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father. I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:
28 Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end.
Doctrine and Covenants 93:
2 And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
3 And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—
4 The Father because he gave me [in the spirit] of his fulness; and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.…
• • •
14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first [i.e. in the flesh].
JST Luke 10:
23 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth that the Son is the Father, and the Father is the Son, but him to whom the Son will reveal it. (c.f. Luke 10:22)
It is the Bible in fact that describes Jesus as a created being:
Colossians 1:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Revelation 3:
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
And also teaches the subordination of the Son to the Father, and the Deity of the Father over the Son, not only in time but also in eternity (John 14:28; 20:17; Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 11:31; Eph. 1:2-3, 17; 5:20; Col. 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:3).
The doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ, and his eternal nature, is far more clearly taught in the Book of Mormon than it is in the Bible. So my advice to him is that if he wants to retain any credibility at all among Latter-day Saints, he had better stop spreading falsehoods and lies about their beliefs, doctrines, theology, and teachings; and to apologize for the falsehoods that he has already spread. That is what he will do if he has any integrity left at all.
And the reason why “a lot of the other Christian denominations have a difficult time saying that the LDS Church is a valid Christian denomination” (his words, not mine!) is because they are apostate, and apostate churches and religions have always fought against and opposed God’s only and true restored religion throughout history (because it destroys their craft). That is nothing new. And eventually, they have always come to an unhappy end.
