In December of 2002 the Mormon and Jewish leaders met in New York City to discuss the Mormon Church's apparent breach of its agreement not to posthumously baptize Holocaust victims and other deceased Jews.

Mormons believe proxy baptisms give those in the afterlife the option of joining the religion. It's primarily intended to offer salvation to the ancestors of Mormons, but many others are included.

Baptisms for the dead are performed inside Mormon temples, with a church member immersed in water in place of the deceased person. Names of the deceased are gathered by church members from genealogy records as well as death and governmental documents from around the world.

This is but one example some of the major doctrinal misunderstandings of Mormons and Bible. Here are the text to meet these challenges.

1.    The Bible is mistranslated

(See 2 Tim. 3:15, 16; Jn. 17:17; 5:39; Ps. 12:6; 2 Pet. 1:21; Matt. 4:4.)

2.   Baptism for the dead: A belief based on a misunderstanding of 1 Cor. 15:29. In the New Testament baptism is always a personal decision indicating belief in Christ, repentance form sin, and acceptance of Jesus teachings.(See Acts 2:38-41; Mk. 16:16; Matt. 28:19, 20.)

In the New Testament salvation is based on a personal choice. No one can provide that opportunity for another. (See Rev. 22:17; Ps. 49:7.)

In 1 Cor. 15:29 the apostle Paul is arguing in favor of the resurrection. He thus raises a question. If the dead are not raised at all, why then are you baptized for (Greek translation in behalf of, or because of)? When Christ returns the dead in Christ will be resurrected and the righteous living caught up with them to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). To be baptized in behalf of or because of the dead means to be baptized as a result of their godly influence and Christian lives and thus prepare to meet them in eternity. (See Heb. 11:39, 40.)

3.    Immortality of the soul: The belief that each individual has an immortal, indestructible soul distinct from the body but which leaves the body at death destined for heaven or hell.

(See 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 12:7; Job 27:3; Ps. 146:4; 6:5; 115:17; Jn. 11:11-14). Remember the Bible uses the word “soul” 1,600 times and never once says “immortal soul.” The Bible calls death a sleep 53 times.

The Mormon Question

Major Doctrinal Misunderstandings

Doctrinal Difference About Jesus