Even if an angel from Heaven brought the Mormon gospel, Paul warns us not to believe it. At this point, gently ask them if they know the gospel Paul preached. If they don’t, share the true gospel of salvation—Ephesians 2:8-9.

I want to make a promise to you. After reading this, you’ll be prepared to show Mormon missionaries that the Bible disagrees with Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS Church or Mormonism).

Before we get to this simple witnessing technique, there are two things you need to understand about Mormonism.

First, Mormons have four books they consider scripture: the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and the King James Bible. These books aren’t equally authoritative to Mormons, though. The Bible is considered the least important of the four. Here’s why.

In Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith lists thirteen articles of faith. The eighth article says, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.” In Joseph Smith’s opinion, though, much of the Bible was lost or corrupted in translation after the death of the apostles.

Because of this alleged corruption, Mormons give priority to reading the “more important” Mormon holy books, which means they often aren’t familiar with what the Bible says. Despite their belief that the Bible has the least authority, Mormons still respect the Bible and will take seriously the verses you show them.

Second, Mormons mean two different things when they use the word “salvation.” In Doctrines of Salvation, Joseph Fielding Smith, the tenth LDS president, said, “Salvation is twofold: General—that which comes to all men irrespective of a belief (in this life) in Christ—and, Individual—that which man merits through his own acts through life and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel” (emphasis added).

Notice, general salvation isn’t based on any particular belief. The LDS Church teaches that all human beings are saved and will enter one of the three levels of Heaven. This benefit was secured for all mankind by Jesus’ death on the cross. Belief or faith in Jesus is not needed for general salvation.

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