However, the following teachings of Mormon leaders represent a long history of criticism directed at those outside the Mormon faith.
Beginning with the very founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, the first prophet, claimed to have learned in a vision in 1820 that all Christian churches (sects) were wrong, all their creeds (doctrines or beliefs) were an abomination before God, and all people who professed those beliefs were corrupt.1 This is the alleged reason the Mormon Church was founded and the same message Mormon missionaries carry door to door today.
Brigham Young, the second prophet, claimed the smartest and most intelligent ministers in America knew nothing about God, heaven or hell. Young said the Christian world was "seeking after mischievous, muttering spirits." Affirming a statement made by another LDS leader, Young said Christianity was hatched in hell, the eggs having been laid on its borders and kicked onto the earth. It is no wonder he taught that Christians could not be saved without the Mormons.2
Daniel H. Wells, second counselor to Brigham Young, agreed Christians were ignorant, and added his opinion that the clergy of non-Mormon faiths were "selling men's souls…for filthy lucre's sake." He echoed Brigham Young when he said "Mormonism" was the only way to be saved.3
Heber C. Kimball, first counselor to Brigham Young, made the startling statement that those baptized by Methodist priests would be damned along with the priest who performed the rite.4
John Taylor, the man who became the third LDS prophet, said ministers of other faiths were trying to lead people to heaven without God. In fact, he claimed the God of Christianity was but an idol, which he described as a "loathsome, filthy, debauched, degraded monster." Taylor proclaimed Martin Luther and the other reformers did not have the true Gospel. Taylor also said Christianity was a "perfect pack of nonsense" and "the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work."5
Erastus Snow, an early LDS Apostle, named disunity among "the Methodists, the Presbyterians, the Baptists, and all the prominent denominations of America" as the cause for the Civil War. He claimed this was proof that they were not true disciples of Christ.6
Orson Pratt, one of the original Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church, said the sects of Christendom had lost all authority, having merely a dead form left. He claimed Protestants, Methodists, Baptists, Campbellites, Church of England members, and Roman Catholics would all be damned if they did not accept Mormonism. Not one to mince words, Pratt said, "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than 'the whore of Babylon'" who "corrupts all the earth by their fornications and wickedness."7
The late Bruce R. McConkie, a twentieth century General Authority who later became an LDS Apostle, reaffirmed Apostle Pratt's condemnation of Christianity. He claimed modern Christians worship with a false concept of God. He said Christendom would be more properly termed "apostate Christendom" and "a perverted Christianity holds sway among [these] so-called Christians." Defining modern Christian churches as "unorganized spiritual vagary," McConkie claimed clergymen only suppose they have been ordained to the ministry.8
In an earlier edition of his book Mormon Doctrine, Elder McConkie wrote plain and powerful words about the Catholic Church. He identified it as the "great and abominable church" prophesied of in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi 13:1-10). He said the Catholic Church was a "satanic organization," the "whore of all the earth," and the "mother of harlots." McConkie then broadened his criticism to include the Protestant churches which he designated as "harlot daughters."9
Mark E. Petersen, an LDS Apostle, stated in a pamphlet published by the Mormon Church in 1974 that non-Mormon churches, though they may accomplish much good, are merely man-made, without divine authority or approved ministry.10
Joseph Fielding Smith, an LDS Apostle for 60 years and later the tenth prophet of the Church, had much to say about the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). This group, who refused to follow Brigham Young after the death of Joseph Smith, formed their own Church with Smith's son as their prophet leader. Joseph Fielding Smith said the founders of the RLDS Church "bowed the knee to Baal." He claimed the RLDS Church itself was counterfeit, without divine authority, and fraudulent, and that the members flounder in unbelief and ignorance. Though Smith said the group would dissolve and disappear, the RLDS Church remains the second largest religion of those which claim Joseph Smith as founder.11
Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth prophet of the LDS Church, wanted to be sure the non-LDS high-ranking religious leaders in Denmark understood they had no power or authority from God. While visiting that country Kimball turned to a local LDS leader and commanded, "I want you to tell every prelate in Denmark that they do NOT hold the keys [of the kingdom of God]! I HOLD THE KEYS!"12
Ezra Taft Benson, the thirteenth prophet, said of the LDS Church: "This is not just one of a family of Christian churches. This is the Church and kingdom of God, the only true Church upon the face of the earth…"13
Joseph Smith taught in 1843 that Christians were "ripening for the damnation of hell" and the hope of salvation which inspired Christians was the "smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil."14 Smith's criticism of Christianity has been repeated and restated throughout the entire history of Mormonism. Not only do LDS leaders persist in proclaiming the apostate condition of all non-Mormon faiths, the Book of Mormon denounces Christianity as well. This book says there are two churches only: the church of the Lamb of God [LDS]15 and the church of the devil. Anyone who does not belong to the church of the Lamb of God belongs to the other church, which is the "mother of abominations." This same book, which is LDS scripture, ridicules Christians for believing the Bible is sufficient and that it contains all things pertaining unto life and godliness. The Book of Mormon labels all who trust in the Bible alone as "fools."16
Christians are often accused of unchristian behavior when openly evaluating Mormonism in light of history and the Bible. Many Mormons are unaware of the strong indictments their own leaders have flung at all non-Mormon religions and also fail to understand the critical content of their latter-day scriptures.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has thrown down the gauntlet in sending missionaries around the world with the message that all Christianity is wrong and Mormonism alone is pleasing to God. Christians must respond to this challenge as Jude 3 commands: "…earnestly contend for the faith…" We proclaim without apology, "But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts."17