The Mormon Cult

By Mark Swarbrick

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The Mormon cult is not simply the story of pioneers and hardship, as is often portrayed; it is also a record of deception, failed prophecy, and abuse of power. Its origins trace back to Joseph Smith, who claimed visions and revelations but whose leadership became marked by secrecy, trickery, polygamy, and political control. Smith had already escaped from jail in Missouri, where lawmen still sought to bring him to trial for ordering the attempted assassination of the governor. Later, while incarcerated in Carthage Jail in Illinois, he was arrested again—this time for illegally ordering the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor, a newspaper that exposed his adultery and polygamy. His violent death in a gunfight there was the consequence of his own actions, not the persecution of a prophet.

Contrary to the popular tale of a prophet martyred by a wild mob, the truth is far different. It was not a mob that came to Carthage Jail, but an organized militia from Missouri who sought to bring Smith to justice. Smith, however, was armed with a smuggled pistol. Smith fired repeatedly upon the militia in the hallway, wounding several and killing two men. Only then did they return fire. After emptying his pisol, he attempted to leap from a window,  at which point Smith was struck down in the exchange of gunfire. His death was the direct result of his lawlessness, violence, and immorality—not persecution for righteousness’ sake. True Christian martyrs die for their faith in Christ; Joseph Smith died because of his rebellion against lawful authority and his immoral actions.

Doctrines of the Mormon Cult

What makes Mormonism a cult is not only its bizarre history but also its teachings. The Mormon cult teaches that the Bible is corrupted and unreliable, and in its place they have introduced a new scripture—the Book of Mormon—along with other writings such as Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. This rejection of the Bible’s sufficiency and substitution of new revelations is a classic mark of a cult. On this false foundation, Mormonism promotes polytheism, teaching that men may become gods. It presents a different Jesus than the one revealed in Scripture, describing Him as the spirit brother of Lucifer rather than the eternal Son of God. It downplays the cross and replaces grace with allegiance to an earthly organization. By adding new scriptures and exalting human leaders, Mormonism departs from the true gospel and places its followers in spiritual bondage.

Escaping Mormonism

The good news is that those trapped in the Mormon cult can find freedom through the real Jesus Christ of the Holy Bible. Salvation does not come through church membership, ordinances, or obedience to leaders, but through a personal relationship with Christ by grace through faith. The Bible—not the Book of Mormon or any latter-day revelation—is the final authority for truth. Those who leave behind the errors of Mormonism can experience the joy of forgiveness and eternal life in the one true Savior.

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