As if cowtowing to Mormon bishop Mitt Romney during the last election wasn’t bad enough, Liberty University invited Glen Beck speak at its annual convocation ceremony. Beck disingenuously said “I share your faith” calling Mormonism a “different denomination” of Christianity and referred to Joseph Smith as a “martyr” . These statements are far from the truth. Beck does not “share the faith” of the Baptist student body. Mormonism is not a different denomination but a different religion. Islam is closer to Christian theology than polytheistic Mormonism. The canard that Mormonism is a Christian denomination is patently absurd. The god of Mormons is not the God of the Old and New Testaments but an exalted man. Joseph Smith was not a martyr for his faith. He was in jail for treason against the state of Illinois and destroying the printing press of a newspaper that criticized his polygamy. When an angry mob stormed the jail, Smith died in a shoot out in which he killed two men. The LDS website preserves the eyewitness testimony of John Taylor:
“I shall never forget the deep feeling of sympathy and regard manifested in the countenance of Brother Joseph as he drew nigh to Hyrum, and, leaning over him, exclaimed, ‘Oh! my poor, dear brother Hyrum!’ He, however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the six-shooter left by Brother Wheelock from his pocket, opened the door slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times. ….” (two men were killed by Smith)
No one participating in a gun fight in which they kill some of their opponents is considered “martyred.” Why is Liberty allowing Glen Beck to mislead their students about Mormonism and the false prophet Smith? Liberty is treading the Gospel under foot for political expediency. Liberty University’s status as an evangelical University should be questioned by parents and students. Apparently, Liberty now prefers to be categorized as politically conservative but religiously pluralist institution.
But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.(2 Corinthians 11:3–4)
