The roots Mormonism shares with Rome (part 3)

Finishing up our look at how Mormonism and Roman Catholicism are, basically, theological cousins. Maybe not first cousins, more like third cousins twice removed. But they both spring from the same tree, and they both have the same father (small-'f').

They both teach that the blood of Christ is not the only way to pay for our sins

--Catholicism teaches that the person must pay for some sins themselves in Purgatory.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), paragraphs 1030-1031--1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. 1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent...we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come."

--Mormonism teaches forgiveness beyond the grave

Gospel Principles (GP), 1997 ed., chapter 45, p. 292-293--"In the spirit prison are the spirits of those who have not yet received the gospel of Jesus Christ. These spirits have agency and may be enticed by both good and evil. If they accept the gospel and the ordinances performed for them in the temples, they may prepare themselves to leave the spirit prison and dwell in paradise. Also in the spirit prison are those who rejected the gospel after it was preached to them on earth or in the spirit prison...After suffering in full for their sins, they will be allowed to inherit the lowest degree of glory, which is the telestial kingdom."

--Early Mormon leaders also taught the doctrine of "Blood Atonement", which means that a person can commit a sin that can only be forgiven by them shedding their own blood. (PSSTT--Remember last week, we saw that in the Mormon church and the Roman Catholic church there are things that aren't "official doctrine" even though they are taught over and over and over again? This is one of them!)

Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses Volume 3 Page 247 (1856)--"Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins and be received into the kingdom of God."

Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1 Page 133--"But man may commit certain grievous sins...that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone—so far as in his power lies—for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail."

Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Pages 92-93, 1966 edition--"But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not [pay for], and the law of God is that men then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins."

You can read more words of Mormon leaders on "Blood Atonement" here.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

They both teach that one must honor their leader

--Catholicism teaches that one must honor the Pope.

CCC, paragraph 882, 889--"For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered...the People of God, under the guidance of the Church's living magisterium, unfailingly adheres to this faith."

Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam, 468, [quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 4, Chapter 4]--"If, therefore, the Greeks or others say that they are not committed to Peter and to his successors, they necessarily say that they are not of the sheep of Christ, since the Lord says that there is only one fold and one shepherd (Jn.10:16). Whoever, therefore, resists this authority, resists the command of God Himself."

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Christ July 18, 1870 Chapter 3--"[I]f anyone says that the Roman pontiff has merely an office of supervision and guidance, and not the full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the whole church...or that this power of his is not ordinary and immediate both over all and each of the churches and over all and each of the pastors and faithful let him he anathema."

Pope Leo XIII, Acts of Leo XIII, Satis Cognitum, Rome, Vatican Press, 1896--"[T]hose who refuse to asso­ciate in communion with the Chair of Peter belong to Antichrist, not to Christ. He who would separate himself from the Roman Pontiff has no further bond with Christ."

Fifth Lateran Council, session 11, On the abrogation of the Pragmatic Sanction, December 19, 1516--"[S]ubjection to the Roman pontiff is necessary for salvation for all Christ's faithful..."

Pope Pius XI Papal Teachings – The Church, Mystici Corporis, St Paul Editions 1962 para 1040-1041--"To be Christian, one must be Roman, governed by Christ's Vicar on earth. The Church does not rest on Christ alone, but also on Peter. That Christ and His Vicar constitute only one single Head is solemn teaching. Therefore, those who think they can ac­cept Christ as the Head of the Church without ad­hering faithfully to His Vicar on earth are in dan­gerous error."

To read more about the Roman Catholic teaching that if one does not honor the Pope they are Anathema, see here.

--Mormonism teaches that one must honor Joseph Smith in the same way they honor Christ.

Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses (7:289)--"From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are--I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent."

1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p.142--"If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]."

Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190--"[There is] no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., p.134; quoted in “Joseph Smith: Restorer of Truth,” Ensign, Dec 2003, 17--“The day will come – and it is not far distance, either – when the name of the Prophet Joseph Smith will be coupled with the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…”

James E. Faust, “Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Jan 1996, p. 2--"A person will never be truly on the road to conversion until he has at least a beginning witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. Further, members of this Church must accept, and its missionaries must teach, some absolutes. These absolutes are: (1) That Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and the Redeemer of all mankind through his atonement; (2) That through Joseph Smith, a prophet of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in its fulness."

A. Theodore Tuttle, Joseph Smith re-established fullness of true gospel, Church, Church News, March 17, 2001, p.14--"Every man who has lived since the days of Joseph Smith is subject to accepting him as a prophet of God in order to enter into our Heavenly father’s presence."

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

They both teach that their leader (Pope, Prophet/President) is still giving new, authoritative revelations today.

--The Catholic Pope speaks ex cathedra

CCC, paragraph 891--"The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals...'The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium', above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed," and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself."

Vatican I, Session 4, chapter 4, paragraph 9--"Therefore, faithfully adhering to the tradition received from the beginning of the Christian religion, for the glory of God our Savior, for the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the salvation of the Christian people, with the approval of the sacred council, we teach and define that it is a divinely revealed dogma that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks "ex cathedra," i.e., when exercising his office as pastor and teacher of all Christians he defines, by his supreme apostolic authority, a doctrine of faith or morals which must be held by the universal Church, enjoys, through the divine assistance, that infallibility promised to him in blessed Peter...So then, should anyone have the temerity to reject this definition of ours: let him be anathema."

--Mormonism teaches strict adherence to the word of the Prophet/President

Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 132:54--"And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law."

Elaine Cannon, If We Want to Go Up, We Have to Get On, Ensign, Nov 1978, p.107--"Personal opinions may vary. Eternal principles never do. When the prophet speaks, sisters, the debate is over."

Elder Eldon Tanner references this quote in an later article (N. Eldon Tanner, 'The Debate Is Over', Ensign, Aug 1979, p.2)--Recently, at the Churchwide fireside meeting held for the women of the Church, Young Women President Elaine Cannon made the following statement: "When the Prophet speaks, sisters, the debate is over." I was impressed by that simple statement, which carries such deep spiritual meaning for all of us. Wherever I go, my message to the people is: Follow the prophet."

President Henry D. Moyle, “Beware of Temptation,” as quoted in Teachings of the Living Prophets, Religion 333 Student Manual, p. 19--“The older I get and the closer the contact I have with the President of the church, the more I realize that the greatest of all scriptures which we have in the world today is current scripture. What the mouthpiece of god says to His children is scripture. It is intended for all the children of god upon the earth. It is His word and His will and His law made manifest through His ordained and anointed servant to the world. What the President says is scripture, and I love it more than all other. It applies to me today specifically, and to you all.”

Teachings of the Living Prophets: Religion 333 Student Manual, p. 20--"Occasionally misinformed members of the Church will maintain that, although they accept the standard works as divinely inspired, they are reluctant to give equal credence to pronouncements of the living prophet. Such individuals are pursuing an inconsistent course and 'err, not knowing the scriptures' (Matthew 22:29), for the scriptures themselves plainly testify of the fact that we must give heed to the living prophets (see D&C 1:14, 38; 21:1, 4-5)."

For more quotes concerning the need to follow the living "Prophet" see here.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

So, in conclusion, we see that--
Catholics believe that indulgences can be made for the dead. Mormons believe that one can be baptized for the dead.
Catholics believe that the Pope and the Magisterium hold the "Keys of the Kingdom" and speak for God. Mormons believe their Prophet/President holds the "Keys of the Priesthood" and speaks for God.
Catholics believe that the Bible alone is not sufficiently authoritative--you need the Bible AND Tradition AND the Catechism to know the truth. Mormons believe that the Bible alone is not sufficiently authoritative--you need the Bible (so far as it is correctly translated) AND the Book of Mormon AND the Doctrine and Covenants AND the Pearl of Great Price AND the words of the living "Prophet" to know the truth.
Catholics believe we are saved by grace AND "good works". Mormons believe we are saved by grace "after all that we can do."
Catholics believe their church alone is the continuation of the church founded by Christ. Mormons believe that their church alone has restored the church founded by Christ.
Catholics believe wrongly about Mary (that she was born sinless, that we must believe rightly about her to be saved). Mormons believe wrongly about Mary (that she was impregnated by God the Father).
Catholics and Mormons both believe that some sins cannot be paid for by the blood of Christ, but may be (or may need to be) paid for by the person themselves (or by someone else on their behalf) after they die.
Catholics believe that if one does not honor the Pope properly, they are not saved. Mormons believe that if one does not honor Joseph Smith (as well as the living "Prophet") properly, they may not be saved.
Catholics believe that one must dogmatically accept the teachings of the Pope. Mormons believe that one must dogmatically accept the teachings of the living "Prophet."

So, as you can see, as much as the early Mormon leaders decried the Romish church, they have more in common with Rome than they do with (small-'o') orthodox Christianity. And hopefully you can see, now, how deeply the roots of Mormonism and Catholicism are intertwined. After all, they grow from the same family tree.

Quotes concerning authority of the pope

Just a few quotes from Catholic teachers and authorities detailing how if we Protestants don't march in lock-step with the Great Harlot, we are anathema.

St. Peter Julian Eymard, Eucharistic Handbook, Article I--"We must honor the Pope as the visible Vicar of Jesus Christ. He is the Teacher of teachers, the Father of fathers, the Master of masters; that is why he wears the tiara, the triple crown of Jesus Christ. To the Sovereign Pontiff therefore we own sovereign honor and supreme respect; he is Jesus Christ in the divinity of His mission on earth.

Then to the Bishop, we owe high honor and profound respect; he is the hand, the heart, the mouthpiece of the Pope, and of Jesus Christ; he is a prince of the Church, seated on the steps of the pontifical throne and sharing in the spiritual royalty of the Sovereign Pontiff. To the pastors, to the priests, we owe religious respect and angelical honors; they are the angels of the New Testament, the ambassadors of heaven, the ministers of God. To despise the priest, to sin against him, would be to sin against Jesus Christ himself.

"He who despises you despises Me," said the Saviour. He has again said through the Prophet: "Lay no hand on them...servants anointed." A violation of this command calls for the most terrible chastisements. For he who sins against the priest strikes at the teacher, the mainstay, the channel of Catholic Faith; and he is himself justly punished by the weakening and loss of faith. And since, usually, there is no remission of sins without the priest, no Eucharist without the priesthood, and no charity without this fire which feeds it unceasingly, he who no longer believes in the priesthood is lost."

Pope Pius IX, Encyclical from April 8, 1862--"To the Bishops of the Eastern Churches. Venerable Brothers, Greetings and Apostolic Benediction.

Our most beloved Redeemer, Christ the Lord, willed as you well know, venerable brothers, to deliver all men from the captivity of the devil, free them from the yoke of sin, call them from darkness into his wonderful light and be their salvation. When he had blotted out the handwriting of the decree against us, fastening it to the cross, he formed and established the Catholic Church, won by his blood, as the one "Church of the living God,"[1] the one "kingdom of heaven,"[2] "the city set on a hill,"[3] "one flock,"[4] and "one body" steadfast and alive with "one Spirit,"[5] one faith, one hope, one love joined and firmly held together by the same bonds of sacraments, religion and doctrine. He further provided his Church with leaders whom he chose and called. In addition, he decreed that the Church will endure as long as the world, embrace all peoples and nations of the whole world, and that whoever accepts his divine religion and grace and perseveres to the end will attain the glory of eternal salvation.

2. To preserve forever in his Church the unity and doctrine of this faith, Christ chose one of his apostles, Peter, whom he appointed the Prince of his Apostles, his Vicar on earth, and impregnable foundation and head of his Church. Surpassing all others with every dignity of extraordinary authority, power and jurisdiction, he was to feed the Lord's flock, strengthen his brothers, rule and govern the universal Church. Christ not only desired that his Church remain as one and immaculate to the end of the world, and that its unity in faith, doctrine and form of government remain inviolate. He also willed that the fullness of dignity, power and jurisdiction, integrity and stability of faith given to Peter be handed down in its entirety to the Roman Pontiffs, the successors of this same Peter, who have been placed on this Chair of Peter in Rome, and to whom has been divinely committed the supreme care of the Lord's entire flock and the supreme rule of the Universal Church.

3. You above all, venerable brothers, have known how this dogma of our religion has been unanimously and unceasingly declared, defended and insisted upon in synods by the Fathers of the Church. Indeed, they have never stopped teaching that 'God is one, Christ is one, the Church established upon Peter by the voice of the Lord is one;'"

Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos, quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 4, Chapter 4--"No one is found in the one Church of Christ, and no one perseveres in it, unless he acknowledges and accepts obediently the supreme authority of St. Peter and his legitimate successors."

Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam, quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 4, Chapter 4--"If, therefore, the Greeks or others say that they are not committed to Peter and to his successors, they necessarily say that they are not of the sheep of Christ, since the Lord says that there is only one fold and one shepherd (Jn.10:16). Whoever, therefore, resists this authority, resists the command of God Himself. "

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 85--"The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 119--"For, of course, all that has been said about the manner of interpreting Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgment of the Church which exercises the divinely conferred commission and ministry of watching over and interpreting the Word of God."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 882--"For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 889--"In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith handed on by the apostles, Christ who is Truth willed to confer on her a share in his own infallibility. By a supernatural sense of faith the People of God, under the guidance of the Church's living magisterium, unfailingly adheres to this faith."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 891--"The Roman Pontiff... enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith - he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals... This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself."

Code of Canon Law, Canon 747--"The Supreme Pontiff, in virtue of his office, possesses infallible teaching authority when ... he proclaims with a definitive act that a doctrine of faith or morals is to be held as such."

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Christ July 18, 1870 Chapter 3--"[The] jurisdictional power of the Roman pontiff is both episcopal and immediate...This is the teaching of the catholic truth, and no one can depart from it without endangering his faith and salvation...if anyone says that the Roman pontiff has merely an office of supervision and guidance, and not the full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the whole church...or that this power of his is not ordinary and immediate both over all and each of the churches and over all and each of the pastors and faithful let him he anathema.

Satis Cognitum, Pope Leo XIII, Acts of Leo XIII, Rome, Vatican Press, 1896--Remember and understand well that where Peter is, there is the Church; that those who refuse to asso­ciate in communion with the Chair of Peter belong to Antichrist, not to Christ. He who would separate himself from the Roman Pontiff has no further bond with Christ.

Fifth Lateran Council, session 11, On the abrogation of the Pragmatic Sanction, December 19, 1516--"It is necessary for salvation that all the faithful of Christ be subject to the Roman Pontiff."

Pope Pius XII, Orientalis Ecclesiae, Acta Apostolicae Sedis 36:129, Rome, Vatican Press--"It is absolutely necessary that the Christian com­munity be subject in all things to the Sovereign Pontiff if it wishes to be a part of the divinely-established society founded by our Redeemer."

Pope Pius XI, Papal Teachings – The Church, Mortalium Animos, St Paul Editions, 1962 para 873--"No one is found in the one Church of Christ, and no one perseveres in it, unless he acknowledges and ac­cepts obediently the supreme authority of St. Peter and his legitimate successors."

St. Cyprian, Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, Vol III, Pt. 1 p. 207--"It is an error to believe that a man is in the Church if he abandons the See of Peter, the foundation of the Church."

Pope Pius XI, Papal Teachings – The Church, Mystici Corporis, St Paul Editions, 1962 para 1040 &41--"To be Christian, one must be Roman, governed by Christ's Vicar on earth. The Church does not rest on Christ alone, but also on Peter. That Christ and His Vicar constitute only one single Head is solemn teaching. Therefore, those who think they can ac­cept Christ as the Head of the Church without ad­hering faithfully to His Vicar on earth are in dan­gerous error."

Pope Clement VI, Super Quibusdam--"No man outside obedience to the Pope of Rome can ultimately be saved. All who have raised themselves against the faith of the Roman Church and died in fi­nal impenitence have been damned, and gone down into Hell."

Pope Leo XIII, Papal Teachings – The Church, Satis Cognitum, St Paul Editions, 1962 para 484--"It is an absolute necessity to submit to the Supreme Pastor, to whom it is absolutely necessary for salva­tion to remain subject."

Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam--"We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is ab­solutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff."