Jehovahs Witnesses and the Concerns They Raise

#Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Concerns They Raise

#History of the Movement

This organization is the brain-child of Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) of Allegheny, Pennsylvania. In 1868, three years following the Civil War, the sixteen-yearold Russell concluded that the orthodox Calvinistic views of predestination and everlasting punishment of the wicked could not be reconciled with the New Testament description of a just and merciful God. He therefore withdrew from the Congregational Church. He then examined writings of biblical critics and subsequently labeled himself a “Christian skeptic.” He examined other Christian faiths. Like many other reformers, this conscientious seeker decided that none of the religions he investigated was God’s church. God’s religion, he eventually concluded, should be devoid of all human opinions and creedal expressions and should be built upon a single norm—the infallible Bible.

Russell recognized the problem of interpreting the word of God, and he sought companions who could help him unlock the mysteries—the real truths—of the scriptures. He contacted a group of “Adventists” who had organized a society in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Russell subsequently developed a keen interest in the chronology of biblical prophecy and in the Millennium. While associating with the Adventists, Russell also adopted an unusual explanation of the concept of Christ’s atonement or “ransom.” Christ’s ransom on the cross, he concluded, was not solely a guarantee that believers would be pardoned of their sins, but a promise that during the Millennium, nearly all men, believers and unbelievers, will come forth from their graves and be given the opportunity to start afresh. They will each have “full opportunity” to earn everlasting life.

The Adventists of Pittsburgh also contributed to Russell’s beliefs regarding the second coming of Christ. After setting an initial date for the Savior’s return and being disappointed, this small group of Protestants had reset the date of Christ’s return, declaring that the Savior would reappear in 1873 or 1874. After they had experienced a second disappointment, Russell informed the Adventists that Christ did return in 1874, but not physically as the Adventists had anticipated. Christ’s second coming had occurred, Russell alleged, as a sort of spiritual advent. Russell taught that Christ had come to earth and had begun a ministry during which he would be unseen but effective. He maintained that the separation of the “wheat” from the “tares” had commenced, and the gathering of God’s children would continue until 1914, the date when the Battle of Armageddon would inaugurate Christ’s millennial reign on earth which would begin about 1918.

Though the chronology of these events has subsequently been adjusted and readjusted, the idea that Christ’s “spiritual” second coming has already occurred persists even today. Witnesses believe that Jesus rules today on earth invisibly—that he is perceived only as a series of “signs.” They base this belief on a rendering of the Greek word parousia. This word is usually translated as “second coming” when referring to Christ. Another meaning, however, is “presence.” Playing on this second meaning, they believe that Jesus’s “second coming” refers less to a moment of arrival and more to his ruling invisibly on earth beginning in 1914 (the current proposed date) and continuing for an unknown duration.

In the 1870’s, Russell became an itinerant preacher. He recorded and published his interpretations of the scriptures. He issued his most famous publication, Zion’s Watch Tower. After organizing his followers, he authorized many to serve as missionaries. In order to finance their proselyting activities, Russell liberally spent money earned from a successful mercantile business he had developed during his quest for religious truth.

The work of organizing a religious society continued into the ensuing decade. In 1884, three years after organizing a Bible society, “Pastor” Russell secured a charter enabling him to establish the “Zion’s Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society,” a corporation designed to “spread the truth.” A few years later, Russell changed the title of the corporation to “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (or Corporation)” and moved the headquarters of this society from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Brooklyn, New York. Russell’s followers went by the name of “Bible Students.” He wasn’t trying to organize a church, only a Bible study society.

As the year 1914 approached, Russell sensed that he might have erred in his analysis of biblical prophecies and their chronology. He announced that a mistake on the precise date of the Battle of Armageddon would not invalidate his descriptions of other major themes of the scriptures. When World War I erupted and inaugurated an era of unprecedented death and destruction, however, Russell saw the conflict as representing a plausible Armageddon. He confidently proclaimed that death, anarchy, and revolution would continue until the thousand-year Millennium began. But Russell did not live to find out whether or not the Millennium would commence and a “new world” be created. In 1916, two years before the cessation of hostilities in Europe, the founder of this unusual religious corporation died, leaving no successor over an established society of then approximately 50,000 adherents.

A power struggle followed Russell’s death. An attorney who had served for many years as a member of the board, “Judge” Joseph F. Rutherford quickly took control of the Watch Tower Society through legal maneuvers that included the ouster of dissident board members. The subsequent changes in organization, policy, and doctrine were so drastic, and the number of defectors so large, that many scholars now consider the Jehovah’s Witnesses to be an offshoot of the original movement that Russell founded. By mid-1919, about one in seven Bible Students had left rather than accept Rutherford’s leadership.

Rutherford had served for a short time as a special judge in the Fourteenth Judicial District in Missouri. He had also been a legal counselor for “Pastor” Russell. He had demonstrated qualities of leadership in performing many assignments. Once Rutherford was firmly established as Russell’s successor, members of the Bible society were invited to participate in an “election” by contributing ten dollars for every vote they desired to cast. After 150,000 votes were counted, word was circulated that Joseph Rutherford had been unanimously elected president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Corporation.

Rutherford’s rise to power was aided by governmental persecution at the end of World War I. The Bible Students were conscientious objectors who refused military service, and they widely circulated literature urging others to do likewise. This was regarded as sedition by various Canadian and American officials. In May of 1918 warrants were issue for the arrest of Rutherford and seven of his aides for conspiring to promote draft evasion during a time of war. A month later they were sentenced to twenty years in prison. These convictions prompted violent mob actions in many American communities against many local Bible Students. A year later the convictions were overturned and subsequently dropped. However, this episode, in somewhat ironic fashion, made Rutherford a martyr, and greatly increased his prestige among the rank and file.

Significant changes in doctrine were made under Rutherford’s leadership. He introduced a new ex post facto explanation of the events that had transpired between 1874 and 1918. You will recall that Pastor Russell had announced that Christ’s spiritual advent had occurred in 1874. Christ would then, according to Russell, reign invisibly on earth until after Armageddon which would begin in 1914. Christ would begin his millennial reign on earth shortly thereafter. Revising Russell’s prior prediction, the “Judge” declared that the Battle of Armageddon had not been designated to erupt in 1914 after all. In that year, World War I had erupted. Rutherford ignored the “coming of Christ” in 1874 and announced that during 1914 Satan had been cast out of heaven and Jehovah—the Father—placed Christ upon his heavenly throne, authorizing him to be king. After commencing to rule in heaven in 1914, Rutherford added, Christ began to rule on earth in 1918. Then, for a few years, the King would permit Satan to continue his reign of terror until Armageddon and the onset of the Millennium. Rutherford began to set dates for the Millennium’s onset. He first committed to 1920, then later he would suggest 1925, and finally 1940.

At an international convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio in September 1922, a new emphasis was made on house-to-house preaching. From the start, the Witnesses have been literal and dedicated Adventists. That is, their main religious theme and message has been the imminent physical return of the Savior (his “advent”) following a major cleansing battle, Armageddon. Under Rutherford, they proselyted using the theme, “Millions now living will never die” to attempt to awaken the world to the rapid approach of the end of the world.

In 1931, at the convention of Bible Students in Columbus, Ohio, a resolution was passed adopting the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” based on Isaiah 43:10-12: ”Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen.” This name is applied to those who adhere to the doctrines held by the Watch Tower Corporation and differentiates the largest group of followers of Russell from other branches of this movement.

Many members became dissatisfied with Rutherford’s leadership. This resulted in the formation of various Bible Student groups independent of the Watch Tower Society. William Schnell, author and former Witness, has claimed that three quarters of the Bible Students under the leadership of Rutherford in 1921 had left by 1931.

In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of locally elected leaders (elders), and he introduced what he called a “theocratic” (literally, God-ruled) organizational system. Under this system, appointments in congregations worldwide were made from the Brooklyn headquarters.

By 1933, the timing of the beginning of Christ’s presence on earth (the parousia), his enthronement as king in heaven, and the start of the “last days” were each moved to 1914. Prior to 1932 the Witnesses had held that 144,000 “anointed” members from among their number would be eventually “reborn in the spirit” and live with God in heaven (in the spirit rather than with a physical body). They would help in the administration of God’s universe. In 1932, this quota of 144,000 was rapidly being filled. Hence, a separate class of Witnesses was identified who would be resurrected with physical bodies and live eternally in a paradise restored on earth. From 1935 (when the quota became completely filled), new converts to the movement were considered part of that class.

Rutherford was industrious and domineering. Instead of continuing to emphasize Russell’s interpretation of the “ransom” (the atonement), physical resurrection, and the nature of everlasting punishment (see below), “Judge” Rutherford introduced a new set of doctrinal themes. In the 1930s, he proclaimed that a central message of the Bible was the “vindication of Jehovah’s name.” This meant that eventually God would defeat Satan and restore conditions on earth to a state of original perfection. Thus equipped with another “vital message” to proclaim to mankind, the Bible students intensified their missionary labors. If people neglected to heed their message, militant missionaries reasoned, the unbelievers would be held accountable while they (the missionaries) would have accomplished the will of God.

After serving as president of the Bible society for twenty-five years, the autocratic Rutherford died in January 1942. The Witnesses stopped setting dates for the onset of the Millennium. However, during the late 1960s the belief that the end would come in 1975 began to circulate and soon gained wide-spread acceptance (although it was never made the official view). The failure of that date caused considerable disillusionment and damage to the Witness’s mission, but the damage eventually healed because the majority of today’s members were either very young at the time or had not yet joined. After 1975, the Witnesses did actually stop setting dates for good. The November 1995 issue of The Watchtower effectively removed any limit on the number of years that might elapse before the Lord’s second coming.

Five days after Rutherford’s death, on January 13, 1942, Nathan H. Knorr was elected by the Board of Directors as the third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Under Knorr’s competent direction, the Jehovah’s Witnesses grew in membership at an astonishing rate, increasing from approximately 100,000 in 1942 to about 1,000,000 in 1962.

Knorr commissioned a new translation of the Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the full version of which was finally released in 1961. Some Bible scholars have noted that the translation of certain texts in the New World Translation of the Bible are biased in favor of Witness practices and doctrines. On the whole, however, it is considered to be a satisfactory translation. Once particular source of criticism by some theologians has been that the word Jehovah has been inserted into the text of the New Testament of the New World Translation some 237 times in places where it does not appear in the extant Greek manuscripts. The King James version has “Lord” in these places—the translation of the Greek word kyrios.

Knorr organized large international assemblies, instituted new training programs for members, and expanded missionary activity and branch offices throughout the world. Knorr’s presidency was also marked by an increasing use of explicit instructions guiding Witnesses in their lifestyle and conduct, and a greater use of congregational judicial procedures to enforce strict moral codes.

Since Knorr’s death in 1977, the position of president has been occupied by Frederick Franz (1977–1992) and Milton Henschel (1992–2000), both members of the Governing Body (see a description of the function of the “Governing Body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses below), and since 2000 by Don A. Adams, not a member of the Governing Body.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have an active presence in most countries, though they do not form a large part of the population of any country. As of August 2009, Jehovah’s Witnesses have an average of some seven million “publishers,” the term they use for members actively involved in preaching. In 2009, their statistical reports indicated a total of over 1.5 billion hours spent in preaching and Bible study activity. Since the mid- 1990s, the number of peak publishers had increased from 4.5 million to 7.3 million. The worldwide growth rate of Jehovah’s Witnesses is currently 3.2% per year. Convention attendance is over 12 million, and annual Memorial attendance is over 18 million. There are more than 100,000 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. Congregations reflect the languages spoken in their communities. For example, by 2002, nearly 3,000 of the 10,000 congregations in the United States conducted meetings in 38 languages other than English.

The official published membership statistics include only those who submit reports for their personal ministry. Official statistics do not include “inactive” and disfellowshipped members or those who merely attend meetings. As a result, only about half of those who self-identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses in independent demographic studies are considered “active” by the faith itself.

#Witnesses’ Present-Day Government

The “faithful and discreet slave” is the term used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to describe the survivors or “remnant” of the collective body of the 144,000 “anointed” Christians selected prior to 1935 from among the Jehovah’s Witnesses. At death, these are anticipated to be “born again as spiritual sons of God” and live with God forever as spirits. They will assist Christ in ruling the universe. As of 1997 there were more than 10,000 of these individuals still living. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this group exercises teaching authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine and articles of faith. The “faithful and discreet slave” is described as a “class” of Christians that operates under the direct control of Jesus Christ and has been delegated the task of “feeding” Christians with scriptural instruction and exercising direction over their interests and affairs. The concept is a central doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ system of belief and is based on their interpretation of the parable of the wise steward in Matthew 24:45-47. Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus uses this group exclusively “to publish information on the fulfillment of Bible prophecies and to give timely direction on the application of Bible principles in daily life.” The “faithful and discreet slaves” are thought to be God’s only means of communicating his messages to humans. Hence, this body of men is referred to as God’s “prophet” and “channel.” The group is also said to appoint men to positions of responsibility within Jehovah’s Witnesses “through its Governing Body.”

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the ruling council of Jehovah’s Witnesses and is based in Brooklyn, New York. The body assumes responsibility for formulating policy and doctrines, producing material for publications and conventions, administering its worldwide branch office staff, and leading and directing the activities of all members of the religion. There is no election for membership in the Governing Body. New members are nominated and selected by the existing body. Once appointed to the Governing Body, almost all members have remained in the position until their death. The Governing Body is described as the “spokesman” for God’s “faithful and discreet slave class.” Members of the Governing Body say they are followers of Christ rather than religious leaders. The board’s size has varied, with as many as eighteen members from 1974 to 1980. Since June 2010 it has comprised eight members, who each claim to be of the “anointed” class with a hope of heavenly life. As mentioned, the “slave class” is represented by “a limited number” of anointed men on the Governing Body.

This doctrine of governance was actually originated by Watch Tower Society founder Charles Taze Russell, who in 1881 first applied it to the “church”—the “little flock” of 144,000 who would go to heaven. But five years later Russell explained that it was an individual who would act as a sole “channel” or agent for Christ, dispensing “food,” or new truths for God’s “household.” Russell’s followers identified him as that “servant” until that view was rejected in 1927.

Governing Body meetings are held weekly in closed session. Watch Tower Society publications provide no details of the agenda or discussion leading to decisions. Until 1975, decisions of the body were required to be unanimous. Since then, a twothirds majority of the full body has been sufficient to allow proposals to be carried, regardless of the number present.

In a major organizational overhaul in 1976, the power of the Watch Tower Society president was diminished, with authority for doctrinal and organizational decisions passed to the “Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower and Awake! magazines and other publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and at conventions and congregation meetings. As mentioned above, the most recent president of the corporation, Don A. Adams, is not a member of the Governing Body.

Each congregation has a body of appointed and unpaid male elders and ministerial servants. Elders maintain general responsibility for congregational governance, setting meeting times, selecting speakers, conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and creating “judicial committees” to investigate and decide disciplinary action for cases that are seen as breaching their doctrines. New elders are appointed by branch offices after recommendation by the existing body of elders. Ministerial servants are appointed in a similar manner to elders. They fulfill clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings. Witnesses do not use elder as a title to signify a formal clergy-laity division.

#Their Beliefs and Practices

The Witnesses’ doctrines have been and are established by the Governing Body, which assumes responsibility for interpreting and applying scripture. Watch Tower Society publications claim that doctrinal changes and refinements result from a process of progressive revelation, in which God gradually reveals his will and purposes. Watch Tower Society literature has suggested such enlightenment results from the application of reason and study, the guidance of the holy spirit (they don’t capitalize holy spirit), and direction from Jesus Christ and angels. Watch Tower publications say “responsible representatives” of the “faithful and discreet slave class” at the religion’s headquarters are helped by the holy spirit to discern “deep truths.” These truths are then considered by the entire Governing Body before it makes doctrinal decisions. Witness publications say the religion’s teachings are “not from men, but from Jehovah.” It is interesting to note that in spite of all of their explanations for the origin of their doctrines, they disclaim both divine inspiration and infallibility.

Most all of their beliefs and practices date back to Charles Taze Russell.

Members of this Bible society only obey laws that correspond to their interpretation of the Bible. They are basically a “millenarian,” “adventist, or “restorationist” Christian denomination distinct from mainstream orthodox Christianity. Their central belief is the imminent destruction of the present world order at Armageddon and the establishment of God’s millennial kingdom on earth, which they consider to be the only solution for all problems faced by humankind. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe their religion restores the doctrines of “true” Christianity.

Creation. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was Jehovah’s only direct creation, that everything else was created by means of Christ, and that the initial

unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God’s “only-begotten Son.” Jesus served as a redeemer and a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humankind. They believe Jesus died on a single upright torture stake rather than the traditional cross. They believe that references in the Bible to the Archangel Michael, to Apollyon, to Abaddon, and to the Word all refer to Jesus. It is, by the way, the LDS belief that Abaddon and Apollyon in the Bible refer to Satan.

Jesus is considered to be the only mediator between God and humankind, and he was appointed by God as the king and judge of his kingdom.

Satan. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Satan is a spirit creature who is the ruler of the world, and that he was originally a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship. Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to obey him rather than God, and humanity subsequently became participants in a challenge

involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty. Other angels who sided with Satan became demons. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven after October 1, 1914, at which point the end times began. Witnesses believe that the world is influenced by Satan and his demons, that they mislead people, and are the cause of human suffering. However, they do not believe that individual rulers or governments are under Satan’s direct

control.

Importance of the Bible. The Witnesses believe that the Bible is infallible and inerrant. When Jehovah’s Witnesses testify that the Bible is free from error, they do not mean that it is free from alterations of the original text. The Holy Scriptures, they claim, were written by individuals who recorded accurately the messages dictated by God. But recognizing that scribes marred the writings of the prophets, Witnesses have published the New World Translation of the Scriptures (1961), a work based upon various

translations from which are chosen the “select” or “preferred” texts.

Since Witnesses do not classify their society as a church, but as an organization of Bible students, they emphasize that all members should become intimately acquainted with the scriptures. To assist individuals in their studies, the Watch Tower Corporation has issued a guide entitled Studies in the Scriptures, and, more recently, Reasoning from the Scriptures, which contain selections from the Old and New Testaments arranged in topical sequence. The corporation also publishes works informing members of the proper procedures in preparing and delivering spiritual messages. The society trains public speakers who in turn instruct other members in weekly class studies and drills.

The religion makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings, and all Witnesses must abide by its doctrines and organizational requirements. The Watch Tower Society discourages Witnesses from Bible research or study independent of its publications and meetings.

Concept of the Godhead. Witnesses do not believe in the concept of the “Trinity,” in fact sometimes they argue that the term Trinity originated with Satan. They vehemently deny that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are of one essence, are coeternal, and co-equal. They believe that God and Jesus are two distinct personages. They also state that the holy ghost (note the absence of capital letters) is not a separate “person,” but rather God’s energizing spirit or force. Jesus himself is not God, but rather God’s only begotten Son. They preach that Jehovah is the “God of the Old Testament” and is the Father, the eternal God.

They teach that there was a time when Jesus did not exist. The Almighty God— the Father—referred to by the prophets as the great Jehovah was once alone in the universe. After initiating the creation, Jehovah brought forth a son who was called Michael in his pre-mortal existence and Jesus during his journey on earth. Michael, the only pre-mortal being who has been born on earth, God’s favorite and beloved son, was not given all of God’s power and authority. Although Jehovah’s Witnesses endorse the belief that Christ was born of a virgin and lived a perfect life devoid of sin, they deny that Jesus was a God while residing on earth. The mission of the Messiah was to provide a ransom. They preach that “the justice of God would not permit that Jesus . . . be more than a perfect man; and certainly not be the supreme God Almighty in the flesh.”

Witnesses deny that Jesus was resurrected with a body of flesh and bone. They state that even though Jesus rose from the grave and appeared as a man, his true resurrected form is the same as that of the Almighty God’s—a spirit that is neither earthly, human, nor confined to a particular form. They acknowledge Luke 24:36-39: “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” But they explain those verses away by claiming that it was necessary, for some reason, for Jesus to appear to his disciples in a temporary “materialized form.”

In summary, they believe Jesus is a later and lesser God who is inferior to Jehovah, and that both are immaterial, all-pervading “spirits” in their present state, with separate identities. Thus, the Jehovah’s Witnesses take emphatic issue with the LDS understanding of the nature and purpose of the members of the Godhead.

The fall, atonement, and means of salvation. Watch Tower Society publications teach that humanity is in a sinful state, from which release is only possible by means of Jesus’ shed blood as a payment, or atonement, for the sins of humankind. Witnesses continue to preach the concept of the fall and atonement as described by Russell, insisting that since the fallen Adam transmitted sin and death to his posterity, an atonement was necessary. Christ laid down his life, they teach, not only to cancel the sins of believing men but to free them from death’s condemnation by a guarantee that almost everyone will receive full opportunity during the millennium to embrace the gospel.

In order to be elected to everlasting life, Jehovah’s Witnesses instruct others that they must learn to conform to the will of the Father. Those who are dedicated, and are begotten of the holy spirit, and who serve God shall be resurrected and exalted to positions in the heavenly kingdom.

Death and resurrection. Jehovah’s Witnesses consider the soul to be a life or a living body that can die. They believe death is a state of non-existence with no consciousness. There is no hell of fiery torment. Hades and Sheol are understood by them to refer to the condition of death—termed the “common grave.” They teach that the human soul (spirit), at death, “sleeps”—actually ceases to be—until the resurrection.

Most, but not all will be resurrected during the Millennium. The millennial earth will be inhabited by resurrected beings undergoing their final trial prior to their final judgment. Their hope for eternal life after death involves being physically resurrected by God to a cleansed earth after Armageddon. For the limited number of 144,000, they will be resurrected to heaven, assume the character of spirits (like the Father and the Son) and assist in heaven for all eternity. Those physically resurrected to earth are referred to as the “other sheep.”

Not everyone will be judged at the same time, Witnesses declare. Many who have lived an unrighteous life on this earth and have sinned against the Holy Spirit have already been judged. These are beyond reform and correction. They will not be resurrected and stand before Christ on the day of judgment but, following their mortal deaths, will remain “asleep”—actually non-existent—forever. Notable individuals who fit into this category include those killed in the Flood at the time of Noah, Judas Iscariot, and even Adam. The “lake which burneth with fire and brimstone,” they say, does not really imply a life of eternal torment. It is a scriptural expression that refers to the “second death”—total and permanent annihilation.

At the end of Christ’s thousand-year reign on earth, all resurrected beings will gather for one last test. Satan will then be released from his prison and will cunningly strive to turn men from God. Individuals who succumb to the temptation will be annihilated forever with Satan and his demons. All who remain loyal to God during this last trial will be blessed with eternal life on a paradisiacal earth. These obedient souls will be freed from sickness, sorrow, confusion, and pain and will be warmed by the pure love of God.

More about the destinations of those resurrected. The hope for the righteous is resurrection. Witnesses believe there are two destinations for those resurrected or saved by God. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that only they meet scriptural requirements for surviving Armageddon, although God is the final judge. During the millennium, most other people who died since the time of Abel and prior to Armageddon will be resurrected with the prospect of living forever. They will be taught the proper way to worship God in order for them to be ready for their final test before the end of the Millennium. There will be two classes of people in the resurrection, an earthly class and a heavenly class:

1. The earthly class—the “other sheep.” The greater number of those who are saved will be resurrected with healthy, perfected physical bodies (bodies of flesh, bones, and blood) and will inhabit this earth after the world has been restored to a paradisiacal state. The earth will be restored to a state of Edenic paradise and will be the place of abode for the righteous. Those people “who will fit in with Jehovah’s purpose for a beautified, inhabited earth may live on it forever” (Official Statement of belief).

2. The heavenly class. Witnesses interpret Revelation 14:1-5 to mean that the number of Christians going to heaven is limited to exactly 144,000, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth. These elite “anointed ones,” selected from among the Jehovah’s Witnesses, will be “born again as spiritual sons of God” and live with God forever as spirits. They will assist Christ in ruling the universe. The Witnesses quote John 3:5 which, they feel, refers only to their heavenly class of 144,000. In this verse Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Their heavenly class are the only ones who they feel are “born again.” Those in the earthly class, described previously, are said to be “saved,” but not born again.

One scripture the Witnesses cite to support their idea of the “heavenly class” of 144,000 is Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Witnesses believe that this “little flock” of 144,000 have already been chosen from among the Jehovah’s Witnesses. By about 1935, the quota was full, therefore no additional Witnesses have been anointed to be among the heavenly class since that year. As of the year of this writing (2010) the only living Witnesses who have had their special anointing are obviously all very elderly.

Witness publications teach that God’s Kingdom is a literal government in heaven, ruled by Jesus Christ and the 144,000 Christians drawn from the earth. The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth, transforming earth into a paradise without sickness or death. The kingdom is said to have been the focal point of Jesus’ ministry on earth, and it was established in heaven in 1914. They believe 1914 marks the restoration of God’s rule over earth after being halted for 2520 years since 607 BC, the date they uniquely assign to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

Armageggon. A central teaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses is that the current world era, or “system of things,” entered the “last days” in 1914 and faces imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God acceptably. Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus Christ began to rule in heaven as king of God’s Kingdom in October 1914, and that Satan was subsequently ousted from heaven to the earth, resulting in “woe” to mankind.

Witnesses consider all other present-day religions to be false, identifying them with “Babylon the Great,” or the “harlot,” of Revelation 17 and believe that they will soon be destroyed. This development will mark the beginning of the great tribulation. Satan will subsequently attack Jehovah’s Witnesses, an action that will prompt God to begin the war of Armageddon, during which all forms of government and all people not counted as Christ’s “sheep,” or true followers, will be destroyed. After Armageddon, God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth. Earth will be transformed into a paradise similar to the Garden of Eden. After Armageddon, most of those who had died prior to God’s intervention will gradually be resurrected to a “day of judgment” lasting for a thousand years. This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection, not on past deeds. At the end of the thousand years, a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead perfect mankind. The end result will be a fully tested, glorified human race. Christ will then hand all authority back to God.

Views on the Millennium. Members of this religious society also teach a unique view regarding events that will transpire immediately preceding the Millennium. The period of time extending from 607 BC, the date the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, to 1914 is referred to as the “times of the Gentiles.” During these centuries, Satan ruled the world without God’s interference. In 1914, they add, war erupted in heaven between Christ (known as Michael) and Satan. After his defeat, the “Dragon” was cast out of heaven and down to earth, and Christ commenced ruling in heaven as King. During the time period in which we live (called the “time of the end” of this world or the “last days”), Witnesses militantly proclaim that the gospel will be carried to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, and the wicked will be separated from God’s people. Witnesses also insist that one of their primary responsibilities is to inform others of the drama described in the Bible, including the birth of God’s kingdom, the imminent and final defeat of Satan, and the creation of a new earth. Moreover, members of this Bible society dogmatically predict that billions “who are now living will never die,” but will live beyond the end of Satan’s rule. They will see the destruction of the present wicked world and will reside in a state of peace and happiness on a cleansed earth—”Jehovah’s righteous new world.” This claim has been made for many years and seems to be heard less frequently now.

The transition between the present earth and the “new earth” will be cataclysmic rather than evolutionary and is anticipated to be brought about by a great war— Armageddon. As noted above, there have been several specific prophecies made within the Witnesses organization regarding the time of occurrence of Armageddon. The passage of time has introduced increasing complexity and awkwardness into the Witnesses’ paradigm of the “last days.”

Each Witness is a “publisher of God’s word.” Jehovah’s Witnesses are perhaps best known for their efforts to spread their beliefs, most notably by visiting people from house to house. Free home Bible studies are offered to people who show interest in their beliefs. They present these with the aid of books, brochures and magazines, including The Watchtower. Some literature is available in more than 500 languages. Witnesses are told they are under a biblical command to engage in public preaching. They are instructed to devote as much time as possible to their ministry and are required to submit an individual monthly “Field Service Report.” Baptized members who fail to submit a report every month are referred to as “irregular” and may be counseled by elders. Those who do not submit a report for six consecutive months are referred to as “inactive.”

In order to remain a witness in good standing, one must be an active missionary and spread the Witnesses’ version of “truth.” The Witnesses’ consider themselves to be “in the truth.” Witnesses are further distinguished by their voluminous publication and prolific distribution of Bibles, books, tracts, and journals. All baptized members, male and female, are identified as ministers and are given the responsibility of serving as fulltime or part-time missionaries. Although the vast majority of these ministers receive from the society no monetary remuneration, Witnesses conscientiously devote many hours each month to missionary labors. According to their 1964 records, 1,075,523 ministers reported 162,808,312 hours of preaching (an average of almost 13 hours each month for every member) and distributed 17,735,153 books and 127,055,165 magazines, door-to-door in the homes of people residing in 194 countries.

Their worship. Meetings for worship and study are held at “Kingdom Halls” which are typically functional in character and do not contain religious symbols. Witnesses are assigned to a congregation in whose “territory” they reside and attend weekly services they refer to as “meetings” as scheduled by congregation elders. The meetings are largely devoted to study of Watch Tower Society literature and the Bible. The format of the meetings is established by the religion’s Brooklyn headquarters, and the subject matter for most meetings is identical worldwide. Congregations meet for two sessions each week comprising five distinct meetings that total about three-and-a-half hours, typically gathering mid-week (three meetings) and on the weekend (two meetings). Gatherings are opened and closed with kingdom songs and brief prayers. Each year, Witnesses from a number of congregations that form a “circuit” gather for a one-day and a two-day assembly. Several circuits meet once a year for a three-day “district convention,” usually at rented stadiums or auditoriums. Their most important and solemn event is the commemoration of the “Lord’s Evening Meal,” or “Memorial of Christ’s Death.” This generally falls on the same date as the Jewish Passover. See more about this commemoration below.

Position regarding baptism and the sacrament. According to the Witnesses, everyone who accepts Jehovah as the Almighty God and agrees to serve him should indicate this dedication by being baptized by immersion. Individuals undergoing baptism must affirm publicly that dedication and baptism identify them “as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization.” Though Witness publications say baptism is “a personal dedication to God and not to a work or organization.” Watch Tower publications emphasize the need for members to be obedient and loyal to Jehovah and to “his organization,” stating that individuals must remain part of it to receive God’s favor and to survive Armageddon. Witness publications state that acceptable service to God can be rendered only through the organization and that members should remain submissive to the religion’s leaders and to local congregational elders.

Since baptismal fonts are not built in their meeting houses, known as “kingdom halls,” the rite is generally performed in lakes, rivers, oceans, municipal baths, or in tanks especially installed for the occasion. Any God-fearing Witness is authorized to perform the ordinance—baptizing candidates “in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Witnesses believe that in the days of John the Baptist, baptism was for the remission of sins, but during Christ’s ministry and subsequently, baptism is only a pledge of dedication, and not for the remission of sins. They feel that forgiveness of sins is achieved through continued faith in Jesus and through prayer and calling upon his name. Then a person is declared righteous through the undeserved kindness of God and not through repentance or baptism. Apparently this erroneous doctrine results from an error in the New World Translation in the translation of Acts 22:16. Their Bible renders this verse, “. . . wash away your sins by your calling upon his name.” This is a good example of how, in a church of men, an erroneous doctrine can be propagated by an error in translation of their scripture. All other Bible versions indicate, in this verse, that it is through baptism that sins are remitted, not through prayer or “calling upon his name.” The King James Bible renders this verse: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Peter taught, “Repent and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (New World Translation—Acts 2:38). Also we know that we are forgiven through our repentance and through the regular renewing of our covenant of baptism as we partake of the sacrament. More than simply “calling upon his name” is required. Again, from their own New World Translation: “And the dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. And the sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Hades gave up those dead in them and they were judged individually according to their deeds” (Revelation 20:12-13).

The Witnesses’ views of the sacrament are very different from the position held by members of other major Protestant denominations in this country. According to the Witnesses, individuals who are classified among the 144,000, the “anointed ones,” should partake of the bread and wine once a year as a symbol of the death of Christ and of their dedication to God. All Witnesses may attend this important meeting and all are served the emblems of the sacrament. But only those numbered among the 144,000 partake. They further believe that the celebration of the Memorial of Christ’s death should take place on the day corresponding to Nisan 14 of the Jewish calendar (occurring sometime in March or April).

They are known as conscientious objectors. Witnesses do not work in industries associated with the military. They must not serve in the military, salute the flag, or sing any patriotic songs or national anthems. The latter is regarded as unchristian image worship. They must not vote or hold political office.

Their determined refusal to salute any nation’s flag or serve in its military have been a constant source of conflict and persecution. Since the prosecution of Rutherford and his associates during World War I, the American courts have heard innumerable cases involving the Witnesses. Between 1938 and 1955, the Witnesses were involved in forty-five cases before the United States Supreme Court and have been forced into court battles repeatedly since then. During World War II, Witnesses were prosecuted for their refusal to serve in the armed forces. In the United States thousands of male Witnesses spent World War II in federal prisons, and it is a matter of public record that American judges gave them longer sentences than they did to conscientious objectors of other religions. Similar prosecution of Witnesses took place in Canada and Australia.

Surprisingly, hundreds of male Witnesses were sent to prison in neutral Sweden for refusing to serve. Since Swedish law provided for only relatively short sentences, the government drafted the Witnesses again and again, and re-sentenced them each time. Prosecution of Witnesses for draft evasion continued in Sweden long after the end of the war. Finally, in 1964, the Swedish government exempted the Witnesses from military service, but not by recognizing them as pacifists. Instead, the Swedish government declared them “unfit” for service according to the same rules as are applied to certain alcoholics or asocial individuals.

Things were much worse in Nazi Germany where a few German Witnesses were confined to mental hospitals, and as many as 12,000 were sent to concentration camps, such as Dachau where they were identified by purple triangles. As many as 5,000 died in the camps, presumably right along with the Jews. More than 200 Witnesses were executed at the orders of German war courts for their pacifism. In the former Soviet Union, about 9,300 Jehovah’s Witness families were deported to Siberia as part of “Operation North” in April 1951. Their religious activities are currently banned or restricted in some countries, including China, Vietnam, and some Islamic states.

Even today, the Witnesses continue to face restrictions and government opposition in many nations. As of 1995 the Witnesses reported that they were banned outright (but carried on underground) in twenty-six nations. These no longer include the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe. However, the Witnesses remain illegal throughout most of the Islamic world. Even where the Witnesses have gained the right to exist, they continue to have trouble, some of it quite serious. For example, in Zambia, the nation with the highest Witness membership rate in the world, it is illegal for them to go house-to-house or to proselytize anyone whom they do not know personally. Only recently did Belgium lift a government-imposed ban against transporting Witness publications, including Bibles, via the postal and rail systems. For decades the police in Portugal routinely confiscated Bibles and tracts from the Witnesses, and often beat them severely as well. Lisbon’s newspaper Diario Popular greeted their recent legalization with the admission that until that time “To be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses . . . was dangerous and even subversive. But times have changed. Now it is possible not only to be a Witness in Portugal but also to assemble in public” (quoted in Yearbook, 1983: 235). However legal it may now be to assemble in Portugal, Portuguese Witnesses still fear mob violence. On August 12, 1993, the government of Malawi revoked its twenty-year ban on the movement, thus freeing thousands of Witnesses from refugee camps across the border in Mozambique (Yearbook, 1995: 43).

Less serious, but representative of the chronic bureaucratic interference the Witnesses face, on May 16, 1991, after many appeals, the Witnesses finally received permission from the government of France to print religious materials in color, rather than only in black-and-white (Yearbook, 1992, 15). M. James Penton (Yearbook, 1985: 41) summed up the human side of all this persecution: “In many parts of the world, they have been assaulted, mobbed, beaten, tarred, and feathered, castrated, raped, and murdered. . . . Few long-time Witnesses of Jehovah have escaped threats to their persons with clubs, knives, guns, or fists; and many have had boiling water, offal, or stones thrown at them. Others have had dogs turned on them, and almost all have been subjected to verbal abuse.” Viewed globally, this persecution has been so persistent and of such an intensity that it would not be inaccurate to regard Jehovah’s witnesses as the most persecuted religion of the twentieth century.

Many cases involving Jehovah’s Witnesses have been heard by Supreme Courts throughout the world. Their persistent legal challenges have helped to widen the definition of civil liberties in many countries. The cases generally relate to the right to practice their religion, displays of patriotism and military service, and blood transfusions.

Marriage and divorce. The family structure is patriarchal. The husband is considered the final authority on family decisions, but is encouraged to solicit his wife’s thoughts and feelings, as well as those of his children. Marriages are required to be monogamous. Divorce is permissible only for adultery. Such a divorce is referred to as “a scriptural divorce.” If a divorce is obtained for any other reason, remarriage is considered adultery while the previous spouse is still alive and has not begun another sexual relationship. Extreme physical abuse, willful non-support of one’s family, and what the religion terms “absolute endangerment of spirituality” are considered grounds for legal separation.

Church discipline. Formal discipline is administered by congregation elders. Counseling and shepherding are emphasized as primary roles of these local leaders. When an allegation of “serious sin” is made concerning a baptized member, a “judicial committee” is formed to determine guilt, provide help and possibly administer discipline. Disfellowshipping, a form of shunning, is the strongest form of discipline administered. Contact with disfellowshipped individuals is limited to direct family members living in the same home, and with congregation elders who may invite disfellowshipped persons to apply for reinstatement. Formal business dealings may continue with the disfellowshipped if contractually or financially obliged. By avoiding social and spiritual interaction with disfellowshipped individuals, Witnesses state that the congregation is kept free from immoral influence and wrong-doers may be shamed into repentance. The threat of shunning also serves to deter other members from dissident behavior. Members who voluntarily leave the religion and formally disassociate themselves are also shunned. “Reproof” is given formally by a judicial committee to a baptized Witness who is considered repentant of “serious sin.” The reproved person temporarily loses conspicuous privileges of service, but suffers no restriction of social or spiritual fellowship. “Marking” is practiced if a baptized adherent persists in a course of action regarded as a violation of Bible principles but not a “serious sin.” The individual is “marked.”

Theirs is the one true church. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible condemns the mixing of religions, on the basis that there can only be one truth from God. Thus, Witnesses reject interfaith and ecumenical movements. They believe that only their religion represents true Christianity, and that other religions fail to meet all the requirements set by God and will soon be destroyed. Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that it is vital to remain “separate from the world.” Watch Tower Society publications define the “world” as “the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah’s approved servants” and teach that it is ruled by Satan and a place of danger and moral contamination. Jehovah’s Witnesses consider secular society to be morally corrupt and under the influence of Satan, and limit their social interaction with non-Witnesses. They perceive dangers from “worldly” associations. They minimize their social contacts to better maintain their own standards of morality.

They refuse blood transfusions. Since they believe the Bible forbids man to eat blood (Leviticus 17:10; Acts 15:20, 29), they regard bloods transfusions as a violation of God’s injunction. Since 1961 the willing acceptance of a blood transfusion by an unrepentant member has been grounds for expulsion from the religion. Watch Tower Society literature directs Witnesses to refuse blood transfusions, even in “a lifeor-death situation.” Jehovah’s Witnesses accept non-blood alternatives and other medical procedures in lieu of blood transfusions.

Though Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions, they may accept some blood plasma fractions at their own discretion. The Watch Tower Society provides pre-formatted Power of Attorney documents prohibiting major components, in which members can specify which allowable fractions and treatments they will personally accept. Jehovah’s Witnesses have established Hospital Liaison Committees as a cooperative arrangement between individual Jehovah’s Witnesses and medical professionals and hospitals.

Is their leadership overly autocratic? Critics have described the religion’s leadership as autocratic and totalitarian because of Watch Tower Society requirements for loyalty and obedience by Witnesses, intolerance of dissent or open discussion of doctrines and practices, and the practice of shunning members who cannot conscientiously agree with all the religion’s teachings. Sociologist Andrew Holden says those who choose to leave the religion “are seldom allowed a dignified exit” (“Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave,” The Watch Tower, April 1, 2007, 24). Sociologist Rodney Stark, however, states that while Jehovah’s Witness leaders are “not always very democratic” and members are expected to conform to “rather strict standards,” enforcement tends to be informal, sustained by close bonds of friendship and that Jehovah’s Witnesses see themselves as “part of the power structure rather than subject to it” (Journal of Contemporary Religion, 1997, 142-43). Critics charge that Jehovah’s Witnesses disparage “independent thinking,” such as questioning the counsel it provides, and have accused the Watch Tower Society of using elements of mind control by exercising “intellectual dominance” over Witnesses, controlling information, and creating “mental isolation.” In a case involving Jehovah’s Witnesses’ activities in Russia, the European Court of Human Rights stated that the religion’s requirements “are not fundamentally different from similar limitations that other religions impose on their followers’ private lives” and that charges of “mind control” were “based on conjecture and uncorroborated by fact” (European Court of Human Rights, Point 130, 118).

Other beliefs and practices. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe their highest allegiance belongs to God’s kingdom, which is viewed as an actual government in heaven, with Christ as king. They remain politically neutral, do not seek public office, and are discouraged from voting, though individual members may participate in uncontroversial community improvement issues. They abstain from celebrating religious holidays and birthdays and reject many customs they believe have pagan origins and are not compatible with Christianity. They actually celebrate no holidays. College education is discouraged.

Jehovah’s Witnesses see themselves as a worldwide brotherhood that transcends national boundaries and ethnic loyalties.

They are also assiduous opponents of the evolutionary theory of man.

Above all, they are to remain faithful to the authority of the Watch Tower Society which, except at its highest levels, is a lay organization that employs no clergy and relies entirely upon volunteer labor and leadership.

There is no tithing or collection. Funding for all activities of the organization is provided by voluntary contributions, primarily from members.

Their view of morality reflects conservative Christian values. All sexual relations outside of marriage are grounds for expulsion (disfellowshipment) if the individual is not deemed repentant. Abortion is considered murder. Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasized. Gambling, drunkenness, illegal drugs, and tobacco use are forbidden. Drinking of alcoholic beverages is permitted in moderation.

As recently as 2007, some critics have accused Jehovah’s Witnesses of employing organizational policies that make the reporting of sexual abuse difficult for members. Some victims of sexual abuse have asserted that they were ordered by local elders to maintain silence so as to avoid embarrassment to both the accused and the organization. Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain that they have no policy of silence, and that elders are directed to report abuse to authorities when there is clear evidence. In 1997, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Office of Public Information published their policy for elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by law to do so, even if there was only one witness. Any person known to have sexually abused a child is prohibited from holding any responsibility inside the organization. Unless considered by the congregation elders to demonstrate repentance, such a person is typically disfellowshipped.

Sociologists studying the Jehovah’s Witnesses have noted a high rate of membership turnover and have attributed it to

1. The Witnesses’ authoritarianism (rigid presentation of regulations without the opportunity for criticism)

2. Extremism (rejection of certain secular requirements and medical treatments). 3. Each Witness exists in a state of tension with the wider society and with their leaders.

4. The leaders impose tests of merit on members and would-be members. 5. The leaders exercise stern discipline, regulate the declared beliefs and the life habits of members and prescribe and operate sanctions for those who deviate, including the possibility of expulsion.

6. The church demands sustained and total commitment from its members, and the subordination, and perhaps even the exclusion of all other interests.

#The Concerns They Raise

#Who is Jehovah?

Witnesses’ view. Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Eternal Father, not the Son. The Jehovah’s Witnesses cite the following scriptures as biblical evidence for their stand that Jehovah is the Father:

Isaiah 26:4: “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”

Isaiah 42:8: “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” They interpret the word LORD (in all caps) to be Jehovah, the Father.

Exodus 6:3: “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Psalm 83:18: “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”

None of these individual scriptural verses seems to offer compelling evidence that Jehovah is the Father.

LDS view. Let us first firmly establish from the Bible that Jehovah of the Old Testament is Christ of the New Testament. The biblical evidence for this truth is abundant and compelling.

Consider the several New Testament scriptural references that all speak of Jesus Christ and clearly demonstrate that he is our Savior and his is the only name by which we may be saved:

Acts 4:12 speaks of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and says: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” This verse makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the Savior, the God of our salvation.

Matthew 1:21: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Luke 2:11: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Acts 5:31: “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

Acts 13:23: “Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.”

1 John 4:14-15: “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

We have demonstrated clearly from these New Testament verses that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and beside him there is no Savior. Now consider several Old Testament verses which indicate that Jehovah is the Savior, and beside him there is no Savior:

Isaiah 12:1-2: “And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” These verses inform us that the LORD JEHOVAH is Isaiah’s strength and his song, indeed, his salvation. The God of Isaiah’s salvation and, indeed, of our salvation is the Lord Jehovah.

Isaiah 43:11: “I am Jehovah and beside me there is no Saviour” (New World Translation).

Isaiah 45:21: “Is it not I, Jehovah, besides whom there is no other God, a righteous God and a Saviour? There being none excepting me” (New World Translation).

Hosea 13:4: “But I am Jehovah your God from the land of Egypt, and there was no God except me that you used to know: And there was no Saviour but me.”

We have seen from these scriptures, both New Testament and Old Testament, that Christ is the Savior and his is the only name by which we may be saved. Also Jehovah is the Savior and beside him there is no other Savior. The conclusion, therefore is inescapable: Jesus Christ is Jehovah.

We have not yet come close to exhausting the biblical evidence that Jehovah is Jesus Christ. Consider also:

Zechariah 12:10. The Lord Jehovah is speaking. He says: “and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced.” Who was it that was pierced? The answer is found in John 19:37. John is describing Jesus on the cross and seems to refer to the verse in Zechariah. “And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”

Exodus 3:14-15. Here the God of Moses speaks to Moses and gives his name as “I Am” – “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” And just who is this “I Am?” The next verse tells us that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” So “I Am” is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But is he the Father or the Son? The answer is found in John 8:58 where Jesus proclaims: “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus identifies himself with “I am.” The term “I am” used here in the Greek is identical with the Septuagint usage in Exodus 3:14 which identifies Jehovah.

Now let us turn again to the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ own Bible, the New World Translation. We read in Revelation 22:12-13: “Look, I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Verse 16 tells us who was “coming quickly”—Jesus Christ. Therefore we learn that Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Now let us turn to Revelation 1:8 in the New World Translation. It reads, “I am the Alpha and Omega, says Jehovah God, the one who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.” Thus Alpha and Omega is Jehovah is Jesus Christ. If you still have any question about this, start at Revelation 1:8 and read carefully until you come to verses 17 and 18—”Do not be fearful. I am the First and the Last [the meaning of “Alpha and Omega”], and the living one; and I became dead, but look: I am living forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”

Now, we’re not through yet. By a similar logic and by quoting Old Testament scriptures from the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ own New World Translation, we can demonstrate beyond doubt that Jehovah is the Redeemer or “Repurchaser” (this is a term peculiar to the New World Translation and means Redeemer). See Psalm 49:15; Isaiah 41:13-14; Isaiah 43:14-15; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 59:20; and Isaiah 54:5. Using New Testament scriptures from the same Bible version we may show that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer or “Repurchaser.” See 1 Peter 1:18-19; Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:4- 5; Revelation 5:9; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:31-31; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14. Hence, we conclude again that Jehovah is the Redeemer and the Redeemer is Jesus Christ; therefore Jehovah is Jesus Christ.

Let us continue. Jehovah is the “Holy One” (see Isaiah 43:15). Also Jesus Christ is the Holy One of Israel (see Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34).

Again using only the New World Translation, we may show that Jehovah is the judge at the last day (see Psalm 50:6; Psalm 9:7; Psalm 96:13; 1 Chronicles 16:33). And Jesus Christ is the judge of the last day (see Matthew 16:27; John 5:22; Acts 10:42; Romans 14:10; Jude 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1).

Now let us consider John the Baptist. He was a forerunner. But for whom? Christ? Jehovah? Again, let us use only the New World Translation. The Baptist was the forerunner for Jehovah: Mark 1:3; Luke 1:76; Luke 3:15-16; John 1:23, 26, 29. These verses must be read in the Witnesses’ own Bible to make the point clear that John was the forerunner for Jehovah. The New World Translation also makes it clear that John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus and that Jesus was to baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost. Jesus came to John and, mentioning Jesus by name, John says: “This is he of whom I said . . .” (Matthew 3:3; 11:10; Luke 7:27; John 1:30-31). Can there be any misunderstanding? The Baptist is the forerunner for Jehovah, and he is the forerunner for Jesus Christ. Therefore Jehovah is Jesus Christ.

And finally: Let’s stay with the New World Translation. Jehovah is the Creator (Genesis 1:5, 8, 9). Jesus Christ is the Creator (John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2; John 1:10).

#Acts 3:13

Witnesses’ view. The Jehovah’s Witnesses use Acts 3:13 as evidence for their contention that Jehovah is the Father and not the Son. That verse reads: “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.” This verse states that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the Father of Christ. Then they add Exodus 6:13: “And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.” This verse, then suggests that Jehovah (the LORD) is the God of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). Using these two verses together they then reason: Jehovah is the God of Abraham Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 6:13). And the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the Father (Acts 3:13). Hence, Jehovah is the Father.

LDS view. We readily acknowledge that in Acts 3:13, the expressions “God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob” and “God of our fathers” both refer to the Father. The key to understanding here is that in scripture the Father, as well as the Son, may be referred to as the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” The Father is the Father of the spirits of men (Hebrews 12:9). And what about the Son? How is the Son the Father or Creator of men? Clearly referring to the Son, Paul taught: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Thus, the Son is the Father or Creator of the bodies of men.

Thus, we learn that both the Father and the Son are the Gods of “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”—but one is the Father of spirits, and the other the Father or Creator of our bodies. As we have stated, and abundantly supported, we contend that Jehovah in the Old Testament is Jesus Christ.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have another ploy for demonstrating that Jehovah is the Father. They acknowledge that the Father is the Father of our spirits. They then make the point that “breath” and “spirit” are two terms in the scriptures that are virtually synonymous. They then point to Genesis 2:7 which says: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” They claim that what is happening here is the spirit creation of man. Since breath and spirit are synonyms, Jehovah (the LORD) breathed into man’s nostrils the breath or spirit of life. They contend that this makes Jehovah the Father or the spirits of men. Jehovah was the responsible for the spirit creation, and thus, is the Father.

The simplest rejoinder here is that just because Christ placed the spirit in man, that doesn’t make him the Creator of that spirit. Also, we know that the terms spirit and breath also have distinct meanings in many places in scripture (see Isaiah 42:5). We would not, for example, say “Blessed are the poor in breath, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven” or “God is a breath and they that worship him must worship him in breath and in truth.”

#Psalm 110:1-2

Witnesses’ view. The Jehovah’s Witnesses will sometimes raise Psalm 110:1-2 as evidence for their concept of the Godhead: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.”

They argue that the first LORD (in all caps) signifies Jehovah. the Father. They thus interpret this as meaning that Jehovah is speaking to Christ and asking the Son to sit down on his right hand as in Acts 7:55-56 where the Son was seen by Timothy to be standing on the right hand of the Father. In this verse they suggest that the Father is the one who subdues all the enemies of Christ and makes those enemies the footstool of Christ.

LDS view. We know, of course, that Jesus Christ of the New Testament is Jehovah (or LORD) of the Old Testament. I will demonstrate that it is Christ and not the Father who will subdue all of the enemies of the Father and the Son.

Consider 1 Corinthians 15:24-25. In these verses Paul is referring to Christ: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” This verse clearly explains that it is the Son, Jesus Christ, who puts all his enemies under his feet and delivers up his earthly kingdom to God the Father.

Thus, in Psalm 110:1-2, the LORD (upper case) is indeed Jehovah, Jesus Christ, who subdues his own enemies and makes them the footstool of the Father. In those verses the “Lord” (in lower case) is the Father as in Acts 3:19-20: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.”

Thus in Psalm 110:1-2 the Son says to the Father, “Sit down at my right hand until I subdue all my enemies and deliver them up to you and make them your footstool.”

#Jesus Is a Later and Lesser God

Witnesses’ view. Jesus Christ is a later and a lesser God compared with the Father. Jesus was not given all of the Father’s power and authority.

LDS view. We do acknowledge that the Father is the God of our universe and that the Son rules as God under the direction of and by the authority of his Father. Let us note a few scriptures, however, indicating that God made Christ, for all purposes pertinent to man and equal with him—contrary to the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Again, let us stay exclusively with the New World Translation.

John 16:15 “All things that the Father has are mine.”

John 17:10 “And all my things are yours and yours are mine.”

Matthew 11:27 “All things have been delivered to me by my Father.”

Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” Repeatedly the Savior taught that “My Father and I are one,” and the Witnesses will agree that those words do not mean physically. Then, if they are one in other things, specifically for instance, in jointly holding all power in heaven and earth—are they not alike in power and authority and prestige and honor and glory? The New World Translation indicates they are.

It is unfortunate that the Witnesses’ Bible puts in lower case the statement that Jesus or “the Word” is “a god” in John 1. Of course he is a God, equal with his Father, and he certainly deserves a capital “G,” not a lower case one as the New World Translation has it.

#Man Ceases to Exist at Death

Witnesses’ view. The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the human soul (spirit) of every man ceases to exist at death. To support this they cite such verses as Ezekiel 18:4: “All souls are mine . . . the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 reads “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Psalm 6:5: “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” Psalm 146:4: “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” In this condition of “sleep” after death, they believe that all await their resurrection—either to a tangible perfect body to live forever on the earth, or, for a select few, to a spirit body to live in heaven and administer in God’s heavenly kingdom.

LDS view. The doctrine of the spirit’s leaving the body at the time of death is clearly taught in the scriptures, as we will demonstrate. The scriptures that the Witnesses use to support the idea of the spirit’s ceasing to exist at the time of death speak only of our physical bodies which we believe will “return to the earth” and that in the grave the physical bodies of man will not know anything nor have wisdom. This is because our spirit will not be in the grave with our bodies, but will “have returned unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Matthew 17:3 tells of Christ’s taking three of his apostles up onto a high mountain where Moses and Elias appeared to them. “And, look! there appeared to them Moses and Elias conversing with him” (New World Translation). Deuteronomy 34:5-6 teaches us that “Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.” This means that Moses had been dead for hundreds of years. We also know that Christ was “the first fruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Moses, therefore, could not have been resurrected, so how did Moses make this appearance to Christ and his apostles? He was obviously able to talk and think and was a being living with a body of spirit!

While on the cross Christ told the thief that, “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43, New World Translation). It is notable that only the Witnesses own translation has changed the punctuation of this statement of the Savior’s. By putting the comma after the word today, they have changed the meaning. All other translations omit this comma and therefore clearly state the meaning as “today thou shalt be with me in Paradise.” And where did Christ and the thief go that day? The New World Translation provides the account. “Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous (person) for unrighteous ones, that he might lead you to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit. In this (state) also he went his way and preached to the spirits in prison who had once been disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in Noah’s days, while the ark was being constructed, in which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water” (1 Peter 3:18-20).

The eternal truth is that those who “sleep” in death still exist and live in the spirit. 1 Peter 4:6 states: “In fact, for this purpose the good news was declared also to the dead, that they might be judged as to the flesh from the standpoint of men but might live as to the spirit from the standpoint of God” (New World Translation). While the body of Christ lay in the tomb, he was “made alive in the spirit” and in this state he went his way and preached to the spirits in prison who had once been disobedient in Noah’s day. How could they be preached to if they did not exist? Obviously they were given the opportunity to repent in that realm of the dead. Only mentally alert people can receive the gospel, repent, and adjust their lives to fit Christian standards. And these spirits did it after they died in the Flood. They did it while they were yet spirits of the departed dead. They were intelligent, alert, alive, teachable, repentant, believing—all in the spirit world—after death.

The Jehovah’s Witness may respond that Peter was not speaking about the spirits of dead persons in 1 Peter 4:6. They may contend that since the physically dead are “conscious of nothing at all,” the dead mentioned here are the same “dead” Jesus referred to when he said: “Let the dead bury their dead.” We have already demonstrated that the spirit lives on when the body returns to the dust, and it is the physical body that is “conscious of nothing at all.” Certainly the word dead may refer to those spiritually dead, but word dead in 1 Peter 4:6 from its context means what it says—dead. The word dead in 1 Peter 4:6 is a translation of the Greek word nekros meaning “corpse.”

Luke 16:19-31 relates the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. This parable deals with life between death and the resurrection. Would Christ have based his parable on a false premise?

#The Holy Ghost is Not a Person

Witnesses’ view. The holy ghost (note lower case “h” and “g”) is not a person and not a member of the Godhead. Instead the holy ghost is a divine influence or active force, emanating from God and motivating men to serve their Creator.

LDS view. We declare that the Holy Ghost is a divine man and that he serves as a member of the Godhead with the Father and the Son. Let us consider a few scriptures from the New World Translation and then ask ourselves, is the Holy Ghost an individual God and a member of the Godhead, or is the Holy Ghost only a “divine influence”?

Luke 4:1: “Now Jesus, full of holy spirit, turned away from Jordan, and he was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness.”

Matthew 28:19: “ . . . baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 3:16-17: The Holy Spirit appeared at the baptism of Christ as a separate individual.

Acts 13:2-3: “As they were publicly ministering to Jehovah and fasting the Holy Spirit said: Of all persons, set Barnabas and Saul apart for me for the work to which I have called them.”

#Only 144,000 Will get to Heaven

Witnesses’ view. Only 144,000 will reach Heaven, the heavenly class. One scripture the Witnesses cite to support their idea of the “heavenly class” of 144,000 is Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Witnesses believe that this “little flock” of 144,000 have already been chosen from among the Jehovah’s Witnesses. By about 1935, the quota was full, therefore no additional Witnesses have been anointed to be among the heavenly class since that year.

LDS view. Who are the one hundred and forty-four thousand mentioned by John in the book of Revelation (7:4-8)?

First, the number need not be taken literally. In some ancient writings numbers are significant and symbolic. The book of Revelation is a good example of this. The number twelve represents the priesthood. Biblical people squared a number to amplify its symbolic meaning. Thus, 144 suggests a fulness of priesthood authority. But John is not satisfied with that. He gives the image a superlative quality by multiplying by 1,000, representing completeness. In this way he shows the strength and breadth of the priesthood in the latter days—in this dispensation—the dispensation of the fulness of times. During this period that complete priesthood authority will operate.

The Doctrine and Covenants identifies these one hundred and forty-four thousand. It describes them thus: “Those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn” (77:11). Note that this scripture does not specify a number. Instead it notes that the group is composed of high priests who have a special calling “to administer the everlasting gospel” and “to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.”

Joseph Smith associated them with the temple (HC, 6:365). The attachment to the temple fits perfectly since only there can one receive the fulness of the priesthood (D&C 124:25-30). Elder McConkie states that the 144,000 are kings and priests “converted, baptized, endowed, married for eternity, and finally sealed up unto eternal life” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:491). Their mission is not merely to bring people into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It goes beyond that. They will have “general authority” status. Their special assignment centers in getting people sealed into the church of the Firstborn through the administration of the fulness of the endowment (on the church of the Firstborn, see D&C 76:50-70; 93:21-23).

John indicates that the 144,000 will be those sealed from all the tribes of Israel. President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:

We do not believe that these are the only ones saved in heaven. If you will read all of Chapter 7 in Revelation you will learn that in addition to these one hundred and forty-four thousand there was a great multitude out of all nations which no man could number who likewise received salvation, and they, too, “stood before the throne of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Note particularly these verses: “After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried out with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. . . . And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them” (Revelation 7:9-10, 13-15).

All mortals shall be resurrected, but only those who merit celestial glory shall stand before the throne of God (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 volumes, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957-1966, 3: 185).

#We Don’t Need Priesthood Authority—We have the Bible

Witnesses’ view. We don’t need priesthood authority to baptize, we have the Bible.

LDS view. See chapter , The Need for Authority.

#Your Book of Mormon Teaches that Polygamy Is Condemned

Witnesses’ view. Witnesses like to point out what they think is a discrepancy or contradiction they believe they’ve found in our scriptures regarding the doctrine of polygamy: Jacob 2:24-27 says, “Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none.” This verse of scripture seems to condemn the practice of polygamy under any circumstances.

LDS view. D&C 132:39, on the other hand, seems to indicate that under some circumstances, polygamy is allowed by the Lord: “David’s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord.”

See chapter , Plural Marriage.

#No Man Hath Seen God

Witnesses’ view. The scriptures say, “No man hath seen God” (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12). Yet you say that Joseph Smith saw God.

LDS view. See chapter , First Vision—No Man Hath Seen God.

#Book of Mormon and Ezekiel 37

Witnesses’ view. There is no biblical backing for the Book of Mormon. You Mormons misinterpret Ezekiel 37:16-17: “Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand” (Ezekiel 37:16-17).

Using the following scriptures, their line of criticism logic goes something like this: The scripture at Ezekiel 37:16-17 is used by Mormons to prove their contention that a complementary relationship between the Bible and the Book of Mormon was foretold in prophecy. The Mormons claim that the two sticks about which the prophet Ezekiel speaks represent these two books. But the sticks in Ezekiel’s prophecy have no reference to books, and this is indicated by Ezekiel himself. He designated one stick for Judah and the other one for Ephraim, “the stick of Ephraim.” The tribe of Ephraim descended from Joseph and became the head of the ten tribes that broke away in the days of King Rehoboam. Because of this headship the name Ephraim came to be applied to the ten-tribe kingdom. After the release of the Israelites from captivity to Babylon, the ten tribes were reunited with the other two tribes and the Levites. This reunion of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel was what Ezekiel foretold when he spoke of the two sticks’ becoming one stick. So the Bible lends no support to the claim that some other religious book is of equal authority to it.

LDS view. See chapter , Book of Mormon and Ezekiel 37.

#Death Dissolves the Marriage Bonds—Eternal Marriage Does Not Exist

Witnesses’ view. The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that death terminates the marriage bond. They always cite Romans 7:2: “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband” and Matthew 22:30: “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”

LDS view. Romans 7:2 simply describes the tenet in the law of Moses that applied to civil marriage. Let us consider carefully the discussion between Jesus and his Sadducean detractors in Matthew 22:23-30. Just previously Jesus had clearly taught the principle of eternal marriage to the Pharisees: “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery (Matthew 19:4-9).

The Lord explained to the Pharisees that the Israelites had not been able to live the higher law of eternal marriage, therefore “because of the hardness of your hearts” they were given the lesser law or the law of Moses which included a provision for divorces for certain few transgressions including that of fornication.

We know that marriage is an eternal principle. Paul wrote: “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:11). Ecclesiastes 3:14 declares: “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever.”

Now, back to Matthew 22:23-30:

The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven (Matthew 22:23-30).

In this interchange, Jesus was being confronted by the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection and were challenging the Savior on that point. It is apparent from the context of these verses that the Jewish nation in general believed that marriage was eternal. That fact is assumed by the Sadducees who were present. It is apparent from the text that the Sadducees knew that marriage after death was a commonly held belief among the Jews. Without doubt, Jesus, the apostles, the seventies, and the disciples generally had discussed this doctrine. The Sadducees, in order to challenge the concept of resurrection, concocted a preposterous scenario and presented it as a question to Jesus. Not wanting to cast pearls before swine, Jesus did not answer as if he had been asked a sincere question by one who was genuinely seeking the truth. He also did not deny the prevailing belief in marriage after the resurrection. Rather, he told them that for people like them, there would be no marriage in the life to come.

The Lord said very much the same thing to Joseph Smith in this dispensation: Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world. Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever (D&C 132:15-17).

Thus, in the resurrection, the unmarried remain everlastingly as angels or servants, but the married gain exaltation and godhood. This latter group consists of those who enter into that “order of the priesthood” named “the new and everlasting covenant of marriage,” and who then keep the terms and conditions of that eternal covenant (D&C 131:1-4)” (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 volumes, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-1973, 1: 607).

#Book of Mormon and Anachronisms

Witnesses’ view. The Jehovah’s Witnesses delight in pointing out what they call “anachronisms” in the Book of Mormon. An anachronism is an error in chronology in which a person, object, or event is assigned a date or period other than the correct one. The material to which the Witnesses have reference are specific prophecies of the Savior’s birth, mortal life, atonement, and resurrection. They are considered anachronisms by the Witnesses because there are no corresponding prophecies in the Bible, and the Witnesses don’t believe that specific events of the Savior’s life were ever prophesied. They feel that these Book of Mormon prophecies must have been written after the Savior’s mortal sojourn.

LDS view. We rejoice in the sacred truth that every prophet since Adam existed to prophesy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (see also the resource article “All Prophets Taught of Christ” in chapter , Prophets). The Apostle Peter knew also of this truth when he wrote: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:19-21). Also: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). See also Jacob 4:4; Moses 6:51-68; 7:55; 8:24; JST, Genesis 15:11-12; Jacob 7:11; Mosiah 13:33; 3 Nephi 20:24; Helaman 8:17-19; John 8:56.

Witnesses’ view. Another objection the Witnesses raise against the Book of Mormon is related to anachronisms. This objection is made explicit in the following statement from the Witnesses’ anti-Mormon propaganda collection: “As might be expected when events are talked about out of time-order, The Book of Mormon occasionally slips and refers to them in the past tense instead of in the future tense.” They then give examples of Book of Mormon prophecies of Christ written centuries before his mortal birth that are written in the past tense. Consider for example 2 Nephi 33:6: “I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.” The Witnesses then betray their ignorance by asking the question, “How can a person supposedly living long before Christ made his sacrifice say that Christ had redeemed him?

LDS view. In the language of the Hebrew prophets, it is common and well understood usage to speak of future events, seen in prophecy, as if they had already happened. This has been called the “prophetic perfect” verb tense. For example, referring to the Babylonian captivity, which culminated in 587 BC, Isaiah, writing in 720- 740 BC, said, “Therefore my people are gone into captivity” (Isaiah 5:13). Speaking of Christ’s mortal ministry, Isaiah said, “People that walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Prophesying of the birth of Christ, Isaiah wrote, “For unto us a child is born.” A more literal translation is “for a child has been born unto us” (Isaiah 9:6). What the Witnesses consider an error in the Book of Mormon is actually a testimony of the authenticity of the book.

The Witnesses also betray their lack of understanding of the infinite nature and timelessness of the Savior’s atonement by criticizing Mosiah 4:2: “O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.” They say of this verse: “How can a people cry for forgiveness of sins by the atoning blood of Christ long before that blood was shed?” For a discussion of the infinite nature of Christ’s atonement, please see Consequences of the Savior’s Atonement in chapter 2 of volume 2 of Ye Shall Know of the Doctrine. See the section titled, “The Infinite Nature of Christ’s Atonement.”

#Though Christ Had a Premortal Existence, Man Did Not

Witnesses’ view. While there is evidence in the Bible of the premortal existence of Jesus Christ, there is no such scriptural evidence of the premortal life of all mankind.

LDS view. See chapter , The Premortal Existence of All Men.

#The Wicked (Including Adam) Will Never Be Resurrected

Witnesses’ view. Some individuals—the wicked—will never be resurrected. To support this erroneous belief they cite Isaiah 26:14: “They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.” Also, Proverbs 10:7: “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” And, Psalm 9:5: “Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.” Matthew 25:41-46 reads: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels . . . And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Finally, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

LDS view. There can be no question from the scriptures, that all will be resurrected. Paul taught, “For just as in Adam all are dying so also in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22, New World Translation). Paul also wrote, “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:15). Also, John 5:28-29: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

#Conclusion

It seems clear that those who have led the people now called Jehovah’s Witnesses, beginning with their founder Charles Taze Russell, have been, strong, energetic, dedicated, disciplined, and sincere. Their motives have been pure. Each leader has truly yearned for an acceptable conformity of their members to their version of the commandments of the gospel. The set of rules or commandments to which they adhere have been developed over the years by their leaders. They are based upon their distinctive interpretations of the scriptures. They sincerely consider their version of the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ to be only true version. I believe these same leaders have been inspired of God. They have had the blessings and guidance of the Spirit of God in attempting to lead their followers along righteous paths of wholesome righteousness. Many will be better off in the eternities because they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are a “lesser” or “terrestrial church” as described in chapter , Are We Really the Only True Church? As in all lesser churches, some of their members will be exalted at the moment of the partial judgment. See “The Partial Judgment” in The Spirit World, volume 2, chapter 13 of Ye Shall Know of the Doctrine.

Witnesses do not, however, possess the fulness of the gospel. They teach some doctrinal principles that are not true. And they lack many important spiritual truths including some of most fundamental and spiritually satisfying. For example, they have no notion of the true nature of the Godhead and the relationship of those in the Godhead to each child of God. They fail to understand the concept of spiritual growth and the capacity of man to become like God. They teach a frightening and incomplete concept of death, resurrection and the eternal hereafter.

They also lack divine authority or priesthood. They claim no revelation from heaven and are, in fact, not guided by a prophet of God. They have assumed the title Jehovah’s Witnesses without divine appointment or authorization.