This detailed diorama was part of a traveling exhibit at this year’s Fort Walla Walla days. There was even running water in the model’s river!

For the past few weeks, I’ve been receiving visits from our local Mormon missionaries. We’ve had some interesting conversations, and we’ve been able to establish some good ground rules for the discussion. Mostly, I’ve just been trying to determine exactly what it is that they want me to believe. They recently asked me to read Alma 42, a chapter of their scripture, suggesting that it would open my eyes to the superiority of Mormonism. Here are my thoughts.

The goal of Alma 42 is to explain the relationship between God’s mercy and justice. The missionaries alluded to this fact, assuming that this was a new concept found nowhere in the Old or New Testaments. However, this is no new revelation to the Bible-believing Christian:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

As our atonement, Christ paid the penalty for our sins. As a result, God’s wrath was satisfied and we have the gift of His mercy. The Mormons promised that their scripture provided special, exclusive insights into God that can’t be found anywhere else. This was their flagship example, and it left me unimpressed with their claim.

Perhaps they can point me toward a better example, but there are some more interesting things to note. First of all, Alma 42 mentions that mortality is “a probationary time” for mankind on the earth. Verse 10 states, “this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.” The idea is that humans need to turn from evil and obey God to earn their salvation. Just as an ex-convict is monitored by a probation officer, Mormons are always a few short steps away from “being cut off from the presence of the Lord.” This contradicts what the Bible teaches.

“I [Jesus] give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28

“…he [God] who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Both of these verses clearly state that a believer can never lose his or her salvation. They directly refute the Mormon view.

I’ll just address one more issue for now. Christians believe that God is the creator of the universe; He is all-powerful and He answers to no one.

“The LORD has established his throne in heaven, 
and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power 
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, 
for everything in heaven and earth is yours. 
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; 
you are exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11

However, Alma 42 is inconsistent with this view of God’s sovereignty. In this chapter, the Almighty is characterized as subject to Justice and Mercy. Verse 13 claims that “God would cease to be God” if justice was not satisfied. He is obliged to “appease the demands of justice” in verse 15. Both justice and mercy are personified in verse 24, portrayed as higher authorities than God Himself. The Old and New Testaments plainly show that God defines justice and mercy. He is not defined by them.

I can’t say that reading Alma 42 provided me with any kind of radical spiritual enlightenment. However, it did help me understand a little more of Mormon theology, and it gave me some good questions to ask the missionaries during their next visit. I pray that God will be glorified as I speak to them, and that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts.