By Scott S. Mitchell In a previous essay, I laid out the evidence demonstrating why Shem and the ancient high priest Melchizedek couldn't have been the same person, contrary to popular Mormon belief. See Why Melchizedek wasn’t Shem, and Why it Does and Doesn’t Matter, elsewhere on this website. By reading further information on this subject, … Continue reading How We Know Shem Wasn’t Melchizedek, Part II, and What it Means for Christianity
Doctrinal Errors
Forgiving When We Shouldn’t
Scott S. Mitchell Readers of this essay might find the arguments presented surprising, perhaps even unsettling. My purpose in writing is to help righteous people feel better about themselves when the scriptures demonstrate they deserve to feel that way, and to help them avoid feeling guilt when the scriptures indicate they shouldn't be feeling it. … Continue reading Forgiving When We Shouldn’t
The Empty Carton
(This entry is made By Hal Mitchell, who is a frequent contributor to LAMP.) I remember when I was 17 I worked on a farm in southern Utah for a summer job. I had a brother on a mission and in the middle of the summer, my next oldest brother was leaving on his mission. My … Continue reading The Empty Carton
The Restoration of the Priesthoods: True or Revisionist History?
In other essays on this website, we have argued that Mormonism's teachings were in error in teaching that the only true church had to be run by high priests holding the priesthood of Melchizedek, in that this doctrine is completely at odds with Bible and Book of Mormon teachings. Some of those essays can be … Continue reading The Restoration of the Priesthoods: True or Revisionist History?
Ignoring the Book of Mormon in General Conference Talks and LDS Instruction
In his October 2016 LDS General Conference address "If Ye Had Known Me," Church apostle David E. Bednar began his address by citing to an example in the scriptures wherein Joseph Smith had supposedly corrected erroneous language in the King James Version (hereafter "KJV") of the Bible. The scripture Bednar accepted as mistranslated was Matthew … Continue reading Ignoring the Book of Mormon in General Conference Talks and LDS Instruction
Baptism for the Dead: True Christian Doctrine and Practice, or LDS Construction?
Note: The following essay was contributed by frequent contributor Scott S. Mitchell. In the one of the most enigmatic scriptures in the entire Bible, the apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthians about the universality of the resurrection, said these words: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the … Continue reading Baptism for the Dead: True Christian Doctrine and Practice, or LDS Construction?
The Most Fundamental Christian Doctrine
(The following article was written by Hal Mitchell, 1957-2019, a contributor and original co-founder of the LAMP website.) "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the contrite spirit." (Psalms 34:18) In Hebrew, “the broken heart” is translated to nishbar lev. Per the website Hebrew for Christians, the author, John Parsons describes the Hebrew meaning behind … Continue reading The Most Fundamental Christian Doctrine
Jesus’s Failure to Endorse Eternal Marriage in the Bible and Book of Mormon
The title of this essay will be offensive and/or threatening to many Mormon readers. As discussed fully in the essay "Jesus's Doctrine and Gospel versus Mormonism's Teachings of Temple Priesthood Ordinances and Exaltation," found elsewhere on this website, Mormons believe that in order to attain the highest degree of eternal glory and become a god, … Continue reading Jesus’s Failure to Endorse Eternal Marriage in the Bible and Book of Mormon
The Righteous Offering of the Sons of Levi–2000 Years Ago, but not in the Future
Note: The following essay was authored by Scott S. Mitchell, a principle contributor to this website. Mormons believe that on May 15, 1829, John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood. According to Joseph Smith, the angel declared that this priesthood, which Mormons teach is the authority to act … Continue reading The Righteous Offering of the Sons of Levi–2000 Years Ago, but not in the Future
Eve’s Supposed Dilemma in the Garden of Eden: a Notion Lacking a Scriptural Basis
This last Sunday, our Gospel Doctrine class discussed again the dilemma that Eve supposedly faced in the Garden of Eden. This dilemma is discussed ad nauseum in LDS church meetings throughout the year, even if the course of study for the year isn't Old Testament. Mormons teach that Adam and Eve had been commanded to … Continue reading Eve’s Supposed Dilemma in the Garden of Eden: a Notion Lacking a Scriptural Basis
