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WHO ARE WE?

WHY ARE WE HERE?

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Articles follow from the 1992 Encyclopedia on Mormonism. Following these articles is a Christian response to this plan. It includes some research that examines the Biblical evidence for a human pre-existence. It also includes a response to the Mormon after life.

PREMORTAL SPIRIT WORLD

COUNCIL IN HEAVEN

POSTMORTAL SPIRIT WORLD

DEGREES OF GLORY

DEIFICATION OF EXALTED MORMONS

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE HUMAN PREEXISTENCE

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE MORMON AFTERLIFE

“PLAN OF SALVATION”

The Encyclopedia on Mormonism in 1992 wrote, “Latter﷓day Saints believe that eons ago, God, in his infinite wisdom and never﷓ending mercy, formulated a plan whereby his children could experience a physical existence, including mortality, and then return to live in his presence in eternal felicity and glory. This plan, alternately called "the Plan of Salvation" (Jarom 1:2; Alma 42:5; Moses 6:62).”

TERM PLAN OF SALVATION

The Encyclopedia on Mormonism writes, “Eternal life is God's greatest gift to his children (D&C 6:13), and the Plan of Salvation is his way of making it available to them. Although the term "Plan of Salvation" is used repeatedly in latter﷓day scripture, it does not occur in the Bible, though the doctrines pertaining to it are discoverable in its pages.”

“The Father is the author of the Plan of Salvation; Jesus Christ is its chief advocate; the Holy Spirit helps carry it out, communicating God's will to men and helping them live properly.”

WHO ARE WE?

PREMORTAL SPIRIT WORLD

The Encyclopedia on Mormonism writes, “Latter-day Saints believe that all humans are spirit children of heavenly parents (see God the Father; Mother in Heaven), and they dwelt with them prior to birth on this earth (Heb. 12:9; cf. Jer. 1:5; Eph. 1:4). In that premortal life, or first estate, those spirit children could not progress fully. They needed a physical body in order to have a fulness of joy (D&C 93:33﷓34), and the spirits also needed to be placed in an environment where, by the exercise of agency, they could prove their willingness to keep God's commandments (Abr. 3:25). On the other hand, if they succumbed to temptation, they would be shut out from God's presence, for "no unclean thing can dwell with God" (1 Ne. 10:21; Eph. 5:5). To bring those who yielded to temptation back into God's presence, a plan of redemption had to be set in place, and this required a redeemer.”

COUNCIL IN HEAVEN

“A Council in Heaven was held of all the spirits, and two individuals volunteered to serve as the redeemer. One was Lucifer, a son of the morning (Isa. 14:12; D&C 76:26), who said he would "redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost," but they would have no choice in the matter. Their agency would be destroyed (Moses 4:1﷓3). Such a proposal was out of harmony with the plan of the Father, for the agency of mankind is an absolute prerequisite to progress. Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, had first stepped forward and volunteered to give his life as payment for all sins. He set no plan or conditions of his own, but said, "Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever" (Moses 4:2). He was selected by the Father.” LUCIFER AND THE PLAN. “When Lucifer would not accept the Father's choice, a war in heaven ensued, and he was cast out for rebellion (Moses 4:3; D&C 76:25), along with those who followed him, numbering about a third of the spirits (Rev. 12:4, D&C 29:36-38).”

WHY ARE WE HERE?

OBTAIN A PHYSICAL BODY LIKE GOD'S

“One of the purposes for creating this earth was for God's spirit children to obtain physical bodies and learn to walk by faith. Earth life is the second estate. The scriptures teach that by the power of his Only Begotten Son, the Father has created "worlds without number" (Moses 1:33; cf. John 1:3; Heb. 1:2), but the Lord has revealed to us detailed information only about this world (Moses 1:40).”

THE NEED FOR THE FALL OF ADAM

“An earth in a deathless and paradisiacal state did not fulfill conditions needed for the progression of God's children (see Purpose of Earth Life). The Book of Mormon gives some reasons why the Fall was part of the foreordained plan of God. Agency is of paramount importance in the proving process. Critical to agency are choices or alternatives. Lehi taught that "there must needs be an opposition in all things" (2 Ne. 2:11). But in the state in which Adam and Eve found themselves, there was no such opposition. They had physical bodies, but were in a state of innocence. There was no death, sin, sorrow, or pain. Furthermore, in that state they would have had no children (2 Ne. 2:22﷓23). It appears that a major reason Lucifer and his followers had access to those on earth is the necessity that everyone be enticed by both good and evil (2 Ne. 2:16).”

THE FALL

“Eve was beguiled by Satan to partake of the forbidden fruit, exercised her agency and did so. Adam also chose to partake, realizing that if he did not, Eve and he would be separated and the command to multiply and replenish the earth would be thwarted. Therefore, "Adam fell that men might be" (2 Ne. 2:25).”

“The Fall was part of God's plan for mankind and came as no surprise. "All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things" (2 Ne. 2:24). Latter﷓day Saints affirm that Adam and Eve were actual beings, the first parents, and that the Fall was a literal event both in time and place. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith explained, "If Adam did not fall, there was no Christ, because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is based on the Fall of Adam" (DS 1:120). Elder James E. Talmage wrote, "It has become a common practice with mankind to heap reproaches on the progenitors of the family, and to picture the supposedly blessed state in which we would be living but for the fall; whereas our first parents are entitled to our deepest gratitude for their legacy to posterity" (AF, p. 70).”

THE ATONEMENT

“The Atonement is the crowning phase of the Plan of Salvation, without which all else would have been without purpose and all would have been lost. Atonement literally means "at﷓one﷓ment" and carries the idea of reconciliation, or the reuniting, of the human family with Heavenly Father. Understanding reconciliation necessitates an examination of the operation of the laws of justice and mercy.”

“In the Atonement of Jesus Christ, justice and mercy are combined to bring about the plan of redemption. As the Only Begotten Son of a divine Father and a mortal mother (see Mary, Mother of Jesus), Jesus was subject to the effects of the Fall of Adam (mortality, temptation, pain, etc.), but had the power to live a perfect, sinless life (Heb. 3:15; D&C 45:4) and to lay down his life and take it up again (John 5:26; 10:17).”

“In LDS doctrine, the miraculous conception and virgin birth of Jesus Christ are accepted as literally true and absolutely essential to the working of the Plan of Salvation. Because of his sinless life, justice had no claim on him.”

“He atoned not only for the Fall of Adam but also for the individual sins of every person. He extends forgiveness to everyone upon the condition of repentance.”

GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE ATONEMENT

“God's great plan of redemption was implemented, and justice was not robbed by mercy, but rather was paid in full by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. This payment for everyone's sins is called the grace of Jesus Christ. Without it, all stand condemned to eternal damnation. Hence, Nephi1 declared, "It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Ne. 25:23). Paul also taught the doctrine of salvation by grace (Eph. 2:8﷓9)—that is, without Christ's Atonement, nothing any mortal could do would suffice.”

UNIVERSAL ASPECTS OF ATONEMENT

“Some aspects of Christ's Atonement are unconditional. All mortal beings will be resurrected and brought back into the presence of God for the judgment regardless of the kind of lives they have lived (1 Cor. 15:22; 2 Ne. 9:12﷓15; Hel. 14:16﷓17), thus redeeming all humankind from both the mortal and spiritual deaths occasioned by the Fall of Adam. Another unconditional aspect of Christ's mercy applies to young children who are not capable of understanding the difference between good and evil and therefore are not accountable. They cannot sin or be tempted of Satan (D&C 29:47; Moro. 8:8). "They are all alive in [Christ] because of his mercy" (Moro. 8:19; cf. D&C 29:46). LDS doctrine states that all children who die before the age of accountability (age eight) are saved in the Celestial Kingdom (D&C 137:10). Mercy extends also to those who through mental handicaps do not reach the mental age of eight, the level of accountability (D&C 29:50).”

FOUR PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL

“However, for those who are mentally accountable, part of their estrangement from God is the direct result of their own sins, in addition to Adam's transgression. Unless something is done in their behalf, they will not be allowed to return to the presence of God after their judgment, for no unclean thing can enter there (1 Ne. 10:21). The Lord has set in place certain principles and ordinances called the gospel, which must be followed to have Christ's full atoning power applied to one's own sins:

(1) faith in Jesus Christ,
(2) repentance,
(3) baptism by immersion for the remission of sins by one having authority, and
(4) the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (see Articles of Faith).

Paul and others emphasized that humans are saved by grace and not by their own works (Eph. 2:8). This is true because no mortals can work perfectly enough to save themselves. No mortals have, or can have, the power to overcome the effects of the Fall of Adam, or even their own sins. Everyone must depend on the atoning blood of the Savior for salvation.”

SALVATION DEPENDENT ON OBEDIENCE

“With equal clarity and firmness, the Savior and his servants have taught that how people live is a condition for bringing the power of the Atonement to bear in their own lives. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of the Father" (Matt. 5:21). "The hearers of the law are [not] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified" (Rom. 1:18; 2:13). "They which do [the works of the flesh] shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:21). "Behold, [Christ] offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered" (2 Ne. 2:7).”

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

POSTMORTAL SPIRIT WORLD

“When mortals complete their sojourn on earth and pass through the portal called death, they enter the postmortal spirit world. As part of the Plan of Salvation, the Lord set a time between death and the resurrection when men and women can continue their progression and further learn principles of perfection before they are brought to the final judgment (Alma 40:6﷓21). Jesus Christ went to the postmortal spirit world while his body lay in the tomb to preach the gospel to them (1 Pet. 3:19﷓20; 4:6; D&C 138:11﷓37) so that those spirits in the postmortal spirit world could hear and accept or reject the gospel.”

NEED FOR BAPTISM & TEMPLE WORK FOR THE DEAD

“Since baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, temple Endowment, and sealing are earthly ordinances, Latter﷓day Saints perform the ordinances vicariously for the dead in their temples (see Salvation for the Dead). Because individuals differ so widely in their obedience to God's commandments, LDS theology rejects the traditional Christian concepts of the single option of heaven or hell in explaining the final destiny of souls (see Soul).”

PARADISE AND SPIRIT PRISON

“It is apparent from the scriptures, however, that even though the spirit world is one world, there exists a division between righteous and disobedient spirits. Luke 16:22﷓26 indicates a division and also a gulf fixed between the place of the righteous (Abraham's bosom) and the place of the wicked (cf. 1 Ne. 15:28﷓29). Between his death and his resurrection, the Savior visited the spirit world (1 Pet. 3:18﷓20; 4:6; D&C 138) and bridged the gulf by giving righteous spirits authority to cross the gulf and carry the gospel to the spirits dwelling in darkness. This darkness is sometimes referred to as spirit prison, hell, or even "outer darkness" (Alma 40:13﷓14).”
“Paradise is a Persian word (para﷓daeza, meaning "enclosure") that came into Greek and meant a pleasant place, such as a park or garden. Later it came to refer generally in scripture to that place where righteous spirits go after death. The word "paradise" is not found in the Old Testament, but occurs three times in the New Testament: Luke 23:43, where the Savior on the cross says to the thief, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise"; 2 Corinthians 12:2﷓4, where Paul alludes to his vision of the third heaven and also to paradise; and Revelation 2:7, which describes the righteous who partake of the tree of life in the midst of God's paradise (cf. D&C 77:2, 5).”

WORK FOR THE DEAD
MISSIONARY WORK ~ BAPTISM ~ TEMPLE ENDOWMENTS

“As part of his redemptive mission, Jesus Christ visited the spirit world during the interlude between his own death and resurrection, and "from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness"—in other words, to the spirits in prison (D&C 138:30; cf. 1 Pet. 3:18﷓20; 4:6).” Unlike Jesus’ parable of Lazarus, The Encyclopedia on Mormonism teaches, “Repentance of imprisoned spirits opens the doors of the prison, enabling them to loose themselves from the spiritual darkness of unbelief, ignorance, and sin. As they accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and cast off their sins, the repentant are able to break the chains of hell and dwell with the righteous in paradise.”

DEGREES OF GLORY “Through a vision given to the Prophet Joseph Smith (D&C 76), the Lord has shown, as he also revealed to Paul, that there are several degrees of glory in mankind's eternal reward (D&C 76; cf. 1 Cor. 15:42).”

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter﷓day Saints has an optimistic view of the eternal rewards awaiting mankind in the hereafter. Members of the Church believe that there are "many mansions" (John 14:2) and that Christ's Atonement and resurrection will save all mankind from death, and eventually will reclaim from hell all except the sons of perdition (D&C 76:43﷓44).”

TELESTIAL [LOWEST] DEGREE OF GLORY

“The Doctrine and Covenants is the only known scriptural source for the word "telestial" (see D&C 76:88, 98, 109; 88:21). Paul spoke of the differing glories, comparing them to the differences in light we see from the sun, moon, and stars (1 Cor. 15:40﷓42), mentioning the celestial and terrestrial by name. Although the term "telestial" does not occur in biblical accounts, latter﷓day revelation cites telestial as the kingdom of glory typified by the lesser light we perceive from the stars (D&C 76:98). The Celestial Kingdom and Terrestrial Kingdom are typified by the light we perceive from the sun and moon, respectively.” Eldred G. Smith said, “The Lord has told us of three degrees of glory. There are three "heavens," as it is often referred to. We call them the telestial, terrestrial, and the celestial. I cannot for a minute conceive the telestial being hell, either, because it is considered a heaven, a glory. The Prophet Joseph Smith told us that if we could get one little glimpse into the telestial glory even, the glory is so great that we would be tempted to commit suicide to get there.”

TERRESTRIAL DEGREE OF GLORY

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter﷓day Saints teaches of three degrees of glory or kingdoms of heaven in the afterlife: the Celestial Kingdom, Terrestrial Kingdom, and Telestial Kingdom. Paul likened these kingdoms to the relative radiance of the sun, moon, and stars (1 Cor 15:40﷓41; cf. D&C 76:50﷓98). Further evidence of a heaven with multiple kingdoms is found in Jesus' statement, "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). On February 16, 1832, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw in vision the three degrees of glory, identifying the glory of the Terrestrial Kingdom as typical "of the moon [which] differs from the sun in the firmament" (D&C 76:71).”

“The terrestrial glory is for those who lived honorable lives on the earth but "were blinded by the craftiness of men" and were "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus." Those who did not receive a testimony of Jesus while on earth, but who could have done so except for their neglect, are also heirs to the Terrestrial Kingdom (D&C 76:72﷓74, 79). They obtain not "the crown over the kingdom of our God" (D&C 76:79) and remain without exaltation in their saved condition (D&C 132:17). They "receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father," and their kingdom differs from the celestial "as the moon differs from the sun" (D&C 76:77﷓78).”

CELESTIAL KINGDOM OF GLORY

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter﷓day Saints teaches of three degrees of glory in the afterlife—the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial. Jesus alluded to these when he said, "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). Paul likened them to the sun, moon, and stars, with the highest or celestial being typical of the sun (1 Cor. 15:40﷓41; cf. D&C 76:50﷓98). The Celestial Kingdom was seen in vision by John the Revelator, Paul, and the Prophet Joseph Smith (Rev. 4:6; 2 Cor. 12:2; Tpjs, pp. 106﷓107). This earth in its "sanctified, immortal, and eternal state" will become a celestial sphere (D&C 88:19﷓20; 130:9).”

“Celestial glory comes to those "who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial,…and who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true" (D&C 76:51﷓53). Within the celestial glory are three levels, and to obtain the highest requires a temple marriage or sealing. Inhabitants of the highest celestial degree inherit "thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers," and dwell with God and Jesus Christ forever (D&C 76:54﷓70; 132:19﷓20).”

DEIFICATION OF EXALTED MORMONS

“To Latter﷓day Saints, exaltation is a state that a person can attain in becoming like God—salvation in the ultimate sense (D&C 132:17). Latter﷓day Saints believe that all mankind (except the sons of perdition) will receive varying degrees of glory in the afterlife. Exaltation is the greatest of all the gifts and attainments possible. It is available only in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom and is reserved for members of the Church of the Firstborn. This exalted status, called eternal life, is available to be received by a man and wife. It means not only living in God's presence, but receiving power to do as God does, including the power to bear children after the resurrection (TPJS, pp. 300﷓301; D&C 132:19). Blessings and privileges of exaltation require unwavering faith, repentance, and complete obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“All Church ordinances lead to exaltation, and the essential crowning ordinances are the Endowment and the eternal marriage covenant of the temple (D&C 131:1﷓4, 132).”

“Logically and naturally, the ultimate desire of a loving Supreme Being is to help his children enjoy all that he enjoys. For Latter﷓day Saints, the term "godhood" denotes the attainment of such a state—one of having all divine attributes and doing as God does and being as God is. Such a state is to be enjoyed by all exalted, embodied, intelligent beings (see Deification; Eternal Progression; Exaltation; God; Perfection).” The Lorenzo Snow couplet that LDS youth memorize reads, “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be.”

Mormon view of the Celestial Kingdom is from their Encyclopedia on Mormonism, “The Celestial Kingdom is reserved for those who receive a testimony of Jesus and fully embrace the gospel; that is, they have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, are baptized by immersion by one having authority, receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and endure in righteousness. All who attain this kingdom "shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever" (D&C 76:62). There are, however, different privileges and powers within this kingdom. "In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood (meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage); and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase" (D&C 131:1﷓4). "Increase" in this instance means the bearing of spirit children after mortal life (see Eternal Lives). Joseph Smith explained, "Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant and be married for eternity…by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood, they will cease to increase when they die; that is, they will not have any children after the resurrection" (TPJS, pp. 300﷓301). Latter﷓day Saints believe that those who attain the highest level in the Celestial Kingdom become gods, receive exaltation, and are joint heirs with Christ of all that the Father has (cf. Rom. 8:14-17; D&C 76:50-70; 84:33-39; 132:19-25).”

MORMON BELIEFS ABOUT EXALTATION

“A husband and wife who are married in the new and everlasting covenant and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise under the proper priesthood authority are promised that they shall inherit "thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers," and their "glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever" (D&C 132:19). They are likened to gods, having no end. They share in the promises of eternal posterity made to Abraham and Sarah: "Both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars" (D&C 132:30).”

MORMON VIEWS ON HOW HUMANITY IS TO BE SAVED

“The gospel of Jesus Christ comprises fundamental principles and ordinances that must be followed to obtain a fulness of salvation. The first steps are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands by one who is in authority for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Additional ordinances are administered in the temple. And finally, "he only is saved who endureth unto the end" (D&C 53:7).” Those who are not baptized by one having proper authority have a second opportunity after death. This is only made possible if authorized Mormons are baptized for and in behalf of that person though dead. Their only justification for that belief and practice is found in 1 Cor. 15:29 which mentions baptism for the dead.

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO THE MORMON PLAN OF SALVATION

THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF HUMANS

A survey of both the Old and New Testaments does not reveal compelling evidence to support this Mormon belief. For the most part, as we study the history of the development of this doctrine, we do not see it being the result of careful exegesis of the Old and New Testament. Instead, this belief is the result of Mormon revelation. Then Mormons typically go to their Bible to proof text what they already know and believe.

PROBLEM 1

MORMONS BELIEVE GOD, CHRIST, THE HOLY SPIRIT, ANGELS, ALL HUMANS, AND SATAN ARE OF THE SAME CLASS OF BEING
This is confusing. As I began my research, I discovered that God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels and Satan all existed prior to the creation of human beings. In this sense we could agree they pre-existed. But as I studied the Biblical record more completely I noted some distinct differences.

As I studied the earliest mention of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, I saw them living outside of space, time and matter. The evidence shows them as being infinitely eternal. The evidence also presents them as busy creating space, time, and matter as well as all life outside of their own complex being.

EARLY vs. LATE CREATIONS

The early living things God created included angels, and Satan who seem to have been created before human beings. The Psalmist mentions the creation of angels as being the work of Yahweh in Psalm 148:5 "for He commanded and they were created." When we look at Satan, there are two important aspects. First he was a created being who was good in the day he was created.

"You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you" [Ezek 28:15]. Isaiah records the way Satan chose to fall, "How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! "But you said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north" [Isa 14:12-13]. When man and woman were in the Garden of Eden, we see Satan already working as a temptor which suggests his fall predated even the creation of human beings.

As I examined the record of the creation of human beings, I saw no evidence to show human beings existed prior to their creation in Genesis 1:26 through the early parts of Genesis two. W. E. Vine says the verb used in v. 26 is `asah which means creation from nothing in this context since it is used as a synonym for bara'. The text reads, "Let us make [`asah] man in our image, after our likeness.... So God created [bara'] man in his own image...." [Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words].

MAN WAS ONE OF THE FINAL CREATIONS

Man was an earthy creation into which God breathed his Spirit which brought life into the inner man. "Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" [Gen 2:7]. God here for the first time introduces himself as the Potter who carefully formed his clay human over which he is Sovereign. We see that theme cropping up throughout Scripture. Yahweh lovingly formed man from the earthy clay. Jeremiah used this same picture hundreds of years later,

"Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter {does?} "declares the LORD. "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel" [Jer 18:3-6].

Paul used this same connection in the New Testament [1 Cor 15:47-49]. Paul uses this connection to contrast the two creations. First we were born in the flesh and now in the Holy Spirit. But as we examine all of these passages for evidence of anyone ever clearly saying man lived before he was created we see the Biblical record as being silent.

THE MORMON ARGUMENT

Since the Biblical record is silent about a pre-existence for humans, Mormons have historically taken passages pointing to other types of beings who clearly did pre-exist the creation of humans and interpret them in ways they say point to a human pre-existence.

ARGUMENT 1

CHRIST HAD A PRE-EXISTENCE
A main passage Mormons like to quote is [Jn 17:4-5].

Another passage is when "the Apostle Peter said that Jesus was “foreordained” as the Savior “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20)."

ANSWER 1

CHRIST WAS THE ONLY HUMAN TO COME FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH
"No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man" John 3:13

John the Baptist agreed with Jesus own testimony when he said, "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all" [John 3:31].

ARGUMENT 2

ANGELS AND SATAN HAD A PRE-EXISTENCE
Mormons use these passages to show Michael (Rev. 12:6-9.) the angel, and Satan (Rev. 12:4) as both having a pre-existence (Isaiah 14:12, 13.). Here are other passages they like to quote which they say place angels existing before humans (Jude 6), (2 Peter 2:4).

ARGUMENT 3

MORMONS USE PASSAGES CALLING GOD OUR FATHER AS EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTENCE
"Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (Hebrews 12:9.)

"Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device." (Acts 17:29)

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. (Romans 8:17.)

ANSWER 3

Both the Old and New Testament speak of God as being Father and as his people as being his children. In other ways we see God often saying he is like our husband and we are like his bride. These are figurative terms. Nowhere do we see a premortal life spelled out where God fathers all angels and human beings. It is never taught and yet the Mormon Church has a major foundational doctrine based on this belief. Not only is it not taught, we see several passages which say Jesus was the only human to come from heaven.

ARGUMENT 4

MORMONS USE PASSAGES WHICH SPEAK OF GOD PREKNOWING HIS PEOPLE AS EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTENCE

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jer. 1:5.)

ANSWER 4

PRE-KNOWING OF JEREMIAH
This passage in Jeremiah is a difficult one because this passage seems to indicate to Mormons that Jeremiah lived in a pre-existence. But a careful reading of this passage reveals that the Lord had an intimate relationship with Jeremiah while he was in the womb. Don't we see similar cases of both Jesus and John the Baptist seemingly recognizing each other before birth? But, while Christ had an eternal pre-existence before Bethlehem, John the Baptist did not.

PROBLEM 5

MORMONS USE THE FACT OF GOD PRE-KNOWING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH AS EVIDENCE FOR A PRE-EXISTENCE
Mormons next use this passage, "Paul wrote that God “hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:4-5; italics added)."

ANSWERING PROBLEM 5

Evidence from studying this passage presents the way God had already decided who he would adopt as a child through Jesus Christ before creation. For God to know someone, does not necessarily mean they must already be alive. He "foreknew" which is something only God can do. Paul made a fuller teaching about this in his letter to Rome.

NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING
PRE-KNOWING AND PRE-CHOOSING

Rom 8:29-30
"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."

This passage shows a link between who God foreknowing and forechose to be fully conformed into his Son. God presents himself in this passage as fully sovereign. He is simply saying he will not be surprised when we all get to heaven at that first roll call.

PROBLEM 6

MORMONS USE LANGUAGE FROM JOB 38 LITERALLY
The next passage Mormons love to use is from Job, "in the book of Job, God spoke of laying the “foundations of the earth” whereupon “all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:4, 7)."

Here we see in chapter 38 of Job some figurative language being used by God.

ANSWERING PROBLEM 6

The next passage Mormons love to use is from Job, "in the book of Job, God spoke of laying the “foundations of the earth” whereupon “all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:4, 7)."

Here we see in chapter 38 of Job some figurative language being used by God.

LANGUAGE FROM JOB 38 IS FIGURATIVE

Job 38:1-3
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? "Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct me! (NAU)

The first three verses are being spoken out of a whirlwind. After a very long buildup we see God finally taking charge of the remainder of the dialogue. He is asking Job who do you think you are dealing with? When you match your knowledge with mine, you know nothing. God asks, would you like to instruct me? It is in this context that we see the next couple of verses Mormons quote are v. 4 and v. 7.

God is asking almost sarcastically, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?" [Job 38:4].

Again, in a repeat phrase God asks, "When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?" [Job 38:7].

God is reminding Job who Job is and who God is. Job was not around at creation to see the foundations of the earth being laid or to hear angels singing their first verse in joy.

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO MORMON AFTERLIFE

One reason Mormons are so confused about their future afterlife is because they do not believe their salvation is realized in the present tense as well as the future tense. A careful examiniation of all these terms when they are explained by Mormon leaders is that they always include the phrase enduring to the end as a prerequisite for salvation. This opposes the substitutional nature of Christ’s finished work on the cross. Instead Mormons believe they will enjoy an afterlife made possible by an unbroken chain of patriarchs from Adam to each modern man.

Just as there are no genuine evidence for man having a pre-existence, there also is no evidence the Bible teaches three degrees of glory or exaltation. When we come to Christ there is an immediate change of residence spiritually that Mormons miss in their studies. Jesus taught, “I came that they may have life, and have {it} abundantly” [John 10:10]. John recorded a present, active subjunctive grammar that determines he wanted us to experience salvation right now. Paul wrote to Ephesus, “even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved, and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” [Eph 2:5-6]. This grammar also gives us hope that our salvation is now. We know there is also a future content to our salvation after death. Our salvation however is forever linked with Christ. We will forever be co-dependant on him. This is what Jesus had in mind before his ascension into heaven, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. "And you know the way where I am going" [John 14:3-4]. The author of Hebrews agreed in presenting this hope, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” [Heb 9:27]. There is also no evidence in the Bible for a salvation based on a “second chance” theology. This is a foreign idea that is biblically strange.