Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Becoming Gods/Chapter 7

Chapter 6

A FAIR Analysis of: Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st-Century Mormonism A work by author: Richard Abanes

Chapter 8

Claims made in "Chapter 7: After All We Can Do"

Page	Claim	Response	Author's sources
183	Latter-day Saints are claimed to reject the "Evangelical belief" that "Christ was born of the virgin Mary, who, when the Holy Ghost came upon her, miraculously conceived the promised messiah."	This claim is false. 1 Nephi 11꞉18-21 Jesus Christ's conception This claim is also made in One Nation Under Gods: p. 287, 575n38(PB)	Isaiah 7꞉14
184	"Until recently, the common belief clearly implied throughout the history of Mormonism...was that Jesus' conception occurred via sexual intercourse between Heavenly Father (Elohim) and Mary."	Misunderstanding regarding Jesus Christ's conception  [needs work]	Luke 1꞉35 1 Nephi 11꞉14 1 Nephi 11꞉16-18 1 Nephi 11꞉20 1 Nephi 11꞉24 1 Nephi 11꞉26-28 1 Nephi 11꞉32-33
185, 405n41	Early LDS leaders redefined "virgin" to mean a woman who has never known a mortal man, since Heavenly Father is immortal.	This is the author's conclusion. The author wants to talk about a "sexual union" again, but the statement he uses in his citation in the endnotes says nothing about redefining "virgin" to mean a woman who has never known a mortal man. It is certainly true that Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ to be the literal son of our Heavenly Father, but the author takes liberties in drawing his conclusions about the event. Jesus Christ's conception	Joseph F. Smith, Charles Penrose, "Message of the First Presidency," vol. 5, p. 34. "...his unique status in the flesh as the offspring of a mortal mother and of an immortal, or resurrected and glorified, Father"
187, 406n54-55	Latter-day Saints reject the idea that the death of Jesus on the cross was a significant part of the atonement.	The author's claim is false: Atonement not carried out on the cross	Cky J. Carrigan, "Did Jesus Christ Die on the Cross to Pay for Our Sins?: A Survey of Mormon Teachings on the Atonement of Christ," Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Ministries to New Religions, Biola University, Jan. 25, 2003.
201	The third and highest kingdom of glory has three levels, and only those who reach the highest level become gods.	Three degrees of glory Human deification/theosis	Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, "Those who obtain exaltation will gain all power and thus themselves be omnipotent...Godhood is to have the character, possess the attributes, and enjoy the perfections which the Father has. It is to do what he does, have the powers resident in him, and live as he lives."
201	The three heaven doctrine has no basis in the Bible, but is only based upon a vision of Joseph Smith.	The author's claim is false 2 Corinthians 12:2 1 Corinthians 15:40-41 Three degrees of glory not biblical	DC 76