Join this course to learn the origins and teachings of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. You’ll also learn the Catholic response and how to charitably address the Mormon missionary at your front door.
Total class meetings: 8
Duration of each class: 55 minutes
Prerequisite: The student should have completed MS Beginning Apologetics and/or at least one High School level apologetics course.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: 2/3 semester Theology or Apologetics
Instructor: Gary Michuta
Instructor Email: gmichuta@hotmail.com
Course description: This course looks at one of the fastest-growing coercive cults in the United States known as the Church of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormonism. Mormonism is growing because most people aren't aware of its history, its doctrines, and that it is a pseudo-Christian religion that uses terminology to make it sound like a historic Christian sect. In this course, we will take a critical look at the history of Mormonism, its founder Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the beliefs it teaches.
Course outline:
Class One: Denominationalism, Mormonism, and the Restoration Movement
Class Two: History of Joseph Smith Jr. and his claims to have discovered the Book of Mormon
Class Three: Problems with the Book of Mormon
Class Four: More problems with the Book of Mormon and the Claims of Mormonism
Class Five: The "Great Apostasy" and the "Restoration"
Class Six: Egypt mania and the translation of the "Book of Abraham"
Class Seven: Peculiar Teachings of Mormonism (polytheism, plural marriage, etc.)
Class Eight: Mind control - Helping Mormons to Break Free
Course materials: Recommended reading: No Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie (https://amzn.to/3j3NX6V) and/or 20 Answers: Mormonism by Trent Horn (https://amzn.to/3uYapBq).
Homework: Reading and daily quizzes to reinforce learning. Quizzes are automated for immediate feedback.
- Teacher: Gary Michuta