Another Gospel of Galatians

What is Galatians 1:8 from a Mormon perspective?

In my near 50 years associating with the LDS Church, I have seen this verse thrust forward as an argument against it. I always thought that this is a useless attack used in isolation from the rest of the epistle in which it is found.

Galatians 1:8 ....any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you....

The simple response is that “We teach the same Gospel Paul preached”. Where do you go from there? The only steps to follow is to show where the Gospel the LDSaints teach is different from the one Paul taught. And off we go!

That is why the verse in isolation, as the main tool of attack, is weak sauce. Indeed, I always assumed that anyone who tried to make something of it probably got it from some silly anti-mormon book and so they would be easy to deal with, not having thought deeply on their own. In a debate, they were clearly unprepared. This is especially true because any LDSaint has been confronted with this verse and has a ready response. An attacker would, sadly, find themselves on ground familiar to the one he was attacking and would be almost immediately embarrassed.

Not without Value

Of course, the verse is not without value. It must and can be used in conjunction with other verses in the epistle to demonstrate that, in fact, the LDSaints teach “another Gospel” then the one Paul preached, even to the Galatians and even within the epistle itself! For example,

Galatians 5

19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 6

7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

The LDSaints believe that the folks described above will, in fact, enter the Kingdom of God and be able to select a place among the mansions of the Father, be glorified and be happy beyond comprehension. LDSaints will tell you even those who reject Jesus and the prophets in this life and in their “Spirit School” between death and the resurrection will be glorified! Those who live by no standard of righteousness will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Clearly they teach a different Gospel then the one that Paul and Jesus taught. They even are contradicted in this regard by the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and covenants (early revelations) and the Pearl of Great Price. Every time you hear their living Oracles tell you that God saves all the works of His hands”, you know you are hearing “another gospel”.

Leadership

LDSaints have high regard for their leaders and organization. Anyone familiar with Galatians will get the sense that Paul goes out of his way to minimize those early leaders.

Justified by the Law

LDSaints believe they will find themselves rewarded according to the Law that they can “abide”. If you can handle the Law of the Celestial Kingdom in this life, you get a Celestial reward. Your eternity depends on your obedience to the Laws of various Kingdoms and Glories. Paul taught in his gospel teaching that if some law could be given and followed that could make someone righteous, Christ died in vain.

Just Don’t Do It

LDSaints are fine with people living with sinful urges of the flesh as long as they don’t follow those urges. Paul, rather, taught that it is important to overcome sinful urges. His gospel was one that purified the outside of the vessel and the inside. In other words, a thief can be a thief even if he isn’t stealing! That is why Paul taught, Galatians 5:24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. LDSaints are fine with sinful attractions as long as one does not act.

The Cross

LDSaints will tell you, despite all of the testimony of their standard works, that the Atonement, the payment for our sins, took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. They shun the cross almost as much as Dracula does! but Paul’s preaching was quite different. They will tell you that they “worship a living Christ”, not a dead one. Whereas Paul clearly portrayed Jesus as crucified, LDSaints will emphasize the resurrection.

Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Revelation 5:12 ....Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

3 Nephi 11:14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

Nobody was slain in the Garden.

Conclusion

although one may use Galatians 1:8 when teaching LDSaints, the verse must be used in conjunction with other verses in Galatians to demonstrate the Gospel Paul taught and contrast it with another Gospel taught by the Living Oracles. The more one becomes familiar with the spirit of Galatians in conjunction with its sister epistle (Romans), the easier one will be able to distinguish the Gospel that Paul and the Prophets and Apostle taught and the thing the LDSaints have concocted.

Final Challenge to “Anti-Mormons”

Seeing that this verse is generally used to attack the Book of Mormon and my brother in Christ Moroni, I defy you to find anything in the Book of Mormon that contradicts the Gospel Paul taught. People assuming, reasonably, that the “unique” doctrine of the LDSaints are derived from Book of Mormon make a grievous error. Indeed, I believe the writings of Paul because I know the Book of Mormon is true. I reject the LDS Church on the same basis.