The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints claims to be the only church on earth to contain the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Other churches are said to have a portion of truth but to be lacking in it’s fullness.  In an Ensign article Boyd K. Packer explained the Church’s position on this issue by comparing the gospel preached by non-Mormons to using a single key on a piano while the LDS Church is said to have the ability to play a symphony. 

“The gospel might be likened to the keyboard of a piano—a full keyboard with a selection of keys on which one who is trained can play a variety without limits; a ballad to express love, a march to rally, a melody to soothe, and a hymn to inspire; an endless variety to suit every mood and satisfy every need.  How shortsighted it is, then, to choose a single key and endlessly tap out the monotony of a single note, or even two or three notes, when the full keyboard of limitless harmony can be played.  How disappointing when the fullness of the gospel, the whole keyboard, is here upon the earth, that many churches tap on a single key. The note they stress may be essential to a complete harmony of religious experience, but it is, nonetheless, not all there is. It isn’t the fullness.”  Boyd K. Packer, “The Only True and Living Church,” Ensign, Dec 1971, 40

There are many doctrines unique to the LDS Faith – modern temple worship, sealings, eternal families and potential for godhood to name just a few.  Being the only church to hold these beliefs and believing they are central to God’s plan for mankind, it is easy to see why Mormons lay claim to the gospel’s fullness.  For example, Christians believe marriage is for this life only and does not exist in heaven.  A believing Mormon may look at this as an incomplete belief as they believe one can be married “for time and all eternity” in the Temple.  Thus making the marriage covenant carry on into Heaven.

While I understand the Mormon position, I find there are many problems with their claim.  For starters it is contradicted by their own scriptures.  The introduction to The Book of Mormon says it “contains, as does The Bible, the fullness of the everlasting Gospel.”  By their own admission The Bible contains the fullness of the gospel yet neither it nor The Book of Mormon contain any of the unique doctrines of the Mormon Church.  Virtually every single unique Mormon doctrine was introduced by Joseph Smith years after he published The Book of Mormon.  This provokes some puzzling questions and problems for the LDS Church.  If The Bible and The Book of Mormon contain the fullness of the gospel why are none of the unique Mormon doctrines contained in them?  Are these doctrines not part of the gospel’s fullness?  If so why do we need them and what is it that all other churches are missing which leave them lacking in fullness? Lastly, if I can lay hold to the gospel’s fullness from The Bible alone why do I even need the Mormon Church and why do they preach one must accept their gospel either in this life or vicariously in the spirit world to enter the Celestial Kingdom/Heaven?

While I disagree with many LDS doctrines, we do agree upon one thing… The Bible contains the fullness of the good news (Gospel) of Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us.. 

Jesus Christ is the one and only True God, our Savior.  He died for our sins, was resurrected on the third day and has ascended to His throne in Heaven.  He alone has provided reconciliation with God.  Once we accept Him as our Savior and enter into a relationship with Him we can approach the throne of grace with confidence realizing our salvation is assured.

We don’t need a man-made church to get to Heaven.  We have our way… Jesus Christ alone.  All praise be to Him.

Darrell