Page 404 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

MONEY CHANGERS - MORMONS

Possessions, Private Ownership of Property, Steal, returned to the angel after he had completed the
Stewardship, Tithe, Weights and Measures.] translation. Smith also claimed that the priesthood of
MONEY CHANGERS. Businessmen who served as Aaron was conferred upon him by a heavenly messenger
bankers in N.T. times, exchanging currency and he identified as John the Baptist, and that Peter, James,
sometimes taking deposits and making loans—with and John bestowed upon him the priesthood of
interest, which was contrary to the Mosaic Law. Many Melchizedek! [See Melchizedek.]
money changers did business in the outer court of the The Book of Mormon and two other books by Smith,
Temple. The rabbis decreed that Temple taxes and the A Pearl of Great Price and Doctrines and Covenants, are
price of sacrificial animals (De. 14:24-25) be paid in the Mormon holy books. While Mormons profess to
silver didrachmas or tetradrachmas (shekels of Tyre). believe and revere the Bible as well, they refuse to
Thus, worshipers were forced to change any of the accept its teachings, preferring instead to follow the
many coinages current in Palestine into “acceptable contradictory teachings of Smith’s writings and of the
money”—at a charge ranging from four to eight percent. later Mormon prophets and apostles.
Money changers often cheated their customers, and In spite of the fanciful nature of Joseph Smith’s story,
certain priestly families shared in the proceeds, a fact the Mormon church grew quickly. Soon they grew into a
established by first-century documents as well as by large settlement, and, because of opposition, traveled
Jesus’ charge that the money changers were making toward the western United States. In 1844 Joseph Smith
God’s house “a den of robbers” (Mt. 21:13). and his brother Hyrum were killed by an angry mob in
MONOTHEISM. The belief that there is only one Carthage, Illinois. The Mormons split into several
God. groups at that time. One group followed Joseph Smith,
MONSTER. Same Hebrew word as Dragon (La. 4:3). Jr., and founded the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ
[See Dragon.] of Latter Day Saints. This group claims roughly 238,000
MORASTHITE (native of a place named Moresheth). members today. The largest group remained intact and
Je. 26:18. accepted the leadership of Brigham Young. The
MORDECAI (taught of God). The hero who helped Mormons moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, arriving in
1847, enduring great hardships to establish a prospering
save the Jews during the times of Queen Esther community in the Salt Lake Valley. They built a huge
(Esther). church edifice called the Mormon Tabernacle. In 1877,
MORESHETHGATH (possession of Gath). Mi. 1:14). when Young died, there were already 140,000
MORIAH (high). The land in which was situated the Mormons. As of 1989 there were 4.5 million members
mount on which Abraham was told to offer his son Isaac in 98 countries and 24 territories. The membership
(Ge. 22:2). This was the same place upon which the increased by 60 percent in the 1980s (Handbook).
temple was built hundreds of years later (2 Ch. 3:1). The Mormons are very aggressive in promoting their
Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac typified the sacrifice of the beliefs. About one-third of young Mormon men dedicate
Lord Jesus Christ by God the Father for the sins of the 18 months to two years for missionary service. In 1989
world. [See Isaac, Jesus Christ, Type.] there were 35,000 Mormons serving as full-time
MORMONS. This false group started in America in missionaries throughout the world (Handbook).
the early 19th century. A man named Joseph Smith Some of the false Mormon beliefs are as follows: (1)
founded the group. In 1820 he claimed that God and Salvation is by faith in Christ plus the good works of the
Jesus Christ appeared to him and informed him that all Mormon Church. [See Gospel, Grace.] (2) Adam was
existing churches and denominations had become God who had come from heaven with one of his
apostate and that Smith had been chosen to reestablish heavenly wives, Eve. (3) The Book of Mormon and
the true church—hence the name Church of Jesus Christ other writings of Joseph Smith are as true and binding
of Latter Day Saints. He claimed that an angel then as the Bible. [See Inspiration.] (4) Men can become
described to him the location of a book written on gold gods by obedience to Mormon teachings. (5) Men have
plates. The angel, named Moroni, also told, supposedly, eternal pre-existence before being born into this world.
of a pair of special glasses which would enable Smith to (6) The Mormon Church is the only true church today.
translate the book. Smith claimed to have found these (7) God did not create the universe from nothing;
things and to have translated the writing. Called The matter has always existed. (8) Jesus was helped by
Book of Mormon, this supposed translation of the secret Adam and others in creating the world. (9) Adam’s sin
plates contains what is purported to be the account an was necessary for other men to be born and for men to
ancient civilization in America which descended from have joy. (10) Jesus was born as the result of a physical
the Hebrews and to whom Jesus Christ appeared after union between God the Father and Mary; Mormons
His resurrection. Smith claimed that the plates were believe God the Father has a body. (11) Jesus was

404 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity