One might wonder how and why such a seemingly good religion could be so deceptive and popular.Permit an opinion. Mormonism's scriptures are inspirational for some simply because they are convincing replicas of Biblical style and of some Biblical truths. But know also that they are deadly to the extent that any major Biblical truth has been altered.
I believe the deception has been believed by so many because Satan has an interest in and role in the LDS church's growth. Why? The LDS plan of salvation has been changed from the Biblical plan. Interestingly, one can document that the LDS church started out on the right foot… for its original statement of faith made its plan of salvation simply faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. (One could be saved in a very short period of time under such a plan.) But later, after Smith went through Masonic rituals and incorporated them into the church, it was realized that the initial plan of salvation did not include the temple rituals, so the statement of faith was CHANGED to reflect the concept that MORE WAS REQUIRED beyond faith, repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. Now it states that those are simply the FIRST PRINCIPLES of the gospel… not the whole gospel, and LDS are involved in a life-long process obeying all the rules in order to become worthy of eternal life (Biblically, the equivalent of salvation). But I John 5:13 says one can know they have eternal life (NOW!).
Romans 6:14 explains the difference between true salvation and the LDS version of salvation. It says, “For we are not under law, but under grace.” Permit a paraphrase: True Christians are not saved by obeying laws but by accepting God's free gift of forgiveness through faith. Contrast this to the Mormon plan which now states that one is saved by “obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.” There is a major problem with that statement: the gospel as defined in the Bible has no laws and ordinances in it to obey. I Corinthians 15:1-4 indicates that the gospel is simply the message that Christ died and was buried and resurrected for our sins. Note there is no list of do's and don'ts in that message. We are simply to believe it applies to OUR sins.
John 20:31 indicates that the book of John was written to tell us how to gain eternal life. Dozens of times in that book we read that it is by FAITH in Christ. (see John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, for example) Good works? Once we are saved, God gives us a desire to please Him and do good works BECAUSE we have been saved. But the truth is we are saved by what Christ did for us on the cross, not by what level of obedience we attain. Eph. 2:8-10 indicates that by grace (literal verb forms) you have been and now stand permanently as saved through faith. You receive permanent forgiveness at the time you believe. The word grace refers to receiving something you do NOT deserve...grace is for those who are unworthy, not the worthy ones. (Be honest...we are all unworthy in the sight of a holy, holy, holy God—we never will be perfect in this life! — that's why we need grace as the means of forgiveness). (Also study these salvation verses: Acts 10:43, Romans 4:16, 5:19-21, Titus 3:5, Heb. 10:14.)
Article continued here: http://www.mormonsinshock.com/DNABOM.htm