Posted on 12/19/2009 7:10:18 PM PST by delacoert
The Rise of Mormonism
If anyone doubts that the Mormonism is a growing concern, just consider these facts. The Mormon church has grown from 2 million members in 1963 to 9.7 million members today with "stakes" (as they call their congregations) in 160 different countries. In the United States alone there are approximately 5 million people who claim to be Mormons!
As we express our deep concerns about the anti-Christian nature of Mormonism, it is important that we recognize that many Mormons are fine people, with high moral values and deep devotion to their family. The sincerity of the Mormon people is beyond question. But, they are sincerely wrong--very wrong--about the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Mormonism is an anti-Christian cult that uses many of the same terms as Christianity, but gives them entirely different meanings. Mormonism bases its religion on the Book of Mormon and the "inspired" revelations of its leaders, rather than on the Holy Bible, which alone is the Word of God.
The Beginnings of Mormonism
Joseph Smith Jr. founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830. He claimed that he had received special revelations from God. He said that John the Baptist and angels visited him and led him to discover, in 1827, plates of gold upon which was engraved, in what he called "a reformed Egyptian language," the Book of Mormon. Smith gathered all his various documents together in 1833 into what Mormons today refer to as the Doctrine and Covenants (abbreviated D.C.). This is the source of their religion.
Unlike the Holy Scripture, there is not a single shred of verifiable, archeological evidence to support the Book of Mormon's fantastical claims of ancient civilizations and epic battles here in the Western Hemisphere. Even the claim of a "reformed Egyptian" language has been proven time and again to be a myth.
After Smith's death in 1844, the largest group of his followers accepted the leadership of Brigham Young and migrated to Salt Lake City, Utah, the present-day headquarters of the LDS.
Mormonism's Key Beliefs
"Restorationism" is the most important principle for the Mormon Church. It is their belief that the true church died with the first generation of apostles and was restored with Joseph Smith. The Mormons are experts at using terms familiar to Christians, but giving them different meanings. Let's take a moment now to examine a few key teachings of Mormonism.
The Holy Trinity
An official statement from the Mormon Church claims: "A paramount doctrine . . . is a belief in God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. The three make up the Godhead. They are one in purpose but separate in being." (LDS Internet site). This sounds very similar to Christianity, but a study of what Mormons mean when they use words like "godhead" is very revealing.
Mormonism rejects the Holy Trinity. The key to the Mormon doctrine of the Trinity is found in the words, "one in purpose but separate in being." Joseph Smith wrote, "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of spirit" (D.C., 130:22).
Mormonism explicitly denies the God revealed in the Holy Scripture and the God confessed by all true Christians through the ages. Matthew 28:19 reveals that the Triune God consists of three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Triune God is three persons, equal in their divinity, yet one God. They are not separate, but of the same divine essence.
Brigham Young, Smith's successor, wrote, "When our father Adam came into the Garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. . . . He [Adam] is our Father and our god and the only God with whom we have to do" (Journal of Discourses, 1:50). Mormons explain that Young was describing Adam's elevation to a special, unique position of head of the human race, presumably its "only god" in distinction from the deified heads of other races in the universe.
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
Brigham Young wrote this about Jesus: "He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who was His Father--He was the first of the human family, Adam. . . . Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in heaven" (Journal of Discourses, Vol. I, pp. 50, 51). Mormons teach that God the Father had sex with the Mother Goddess and gave Jesus, the Son, a spirit body.
Obviously, since Mormons do not believe in the Son of God as He is revealed to us in the Bible, they also reject what He has done for us, namely, paid for all sins with His death on the cross. It is therefore no coincidence that you rarely, if ever, see a Mormon painting of the death of Christ. The crucifix is particularly offensive to Mormons. Why? Because they believe that the blood of Jesus Christ did not atone for all of our sins.
Brigham Young wrote in his Journal of Discourses, p. 247, "There is not a man or woman who violates covenants made with their God that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out. Your own blood must atone for it. Every man and woman will have to atone for breaking covenants." This is, of course, completely contrary to what Holy Scripture reveals, "The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
Salvation
Holy Scripture teaches clearly that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, apart from works (Rom. 3:28; Eph. 2:8-11). In contrast to Christianity, Mormonism teaches that salvation is not a free gift of God, but something to be earned. A person may earn this salvation by believing in God, by receiving baptism by immersion, and then by fulfilling required works. Mormonism expressly rejects the doctrine of justification by faith alone. One of their "apostles," James Talmage wrote, "The sectarian dogma of justification by faith alone has exercised an influence for evil since the early days of Christianity" (Articles of Faith, 1909, p. 120).
How does a Mormon believe a person is saved? A Mormon theologian puts it this way: "Without the Book of Mormon and other latter-day revelation, Christians are left without a full understanding of . . . Jesus Christ. This same Jesus Christ, God of the Old Testament and Redeemer of all, has once again benefited humankind by restoring the same teachings, principles, ordinances, and organization that he first brought to the world two thousand years ago" (Rex Lee, What Mormons Believe, p. 24-25).
Mormonism teaches its followers that they must do certain things to gain heaven. Since they reject the true Son of God, Jesus Christ, they can never have the assurance that they are saved by the love of God, revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Mormon church officially states: "The Purpose of Life" is the following: "All have the potential of eternal life, conditional upon individual worthiness and obedience to the Savior's ordinances and teachings." How tragic!
How Can We Reach Out to Mormons?
We need to approach this challenge with the attitude that it is God alone who converts a person to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. We are merely God's instruments and our calling is to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:14). We know from God's Word that we are to be prepared to "give an answer" to everyone who asks about the hope we have in Christ (1 Pet. 3:15).
Based on the observations of those who have spent many years living and working among Mormons, here are some practical suggestions for witnessing to Mormons. It is important not to get into arguments with Mormons. As we defend our faith, we must always do so lovingly and with compassion, never merely for the sake of scoring debating points.
When we witness to Mormons, we need to be careful that we base our understandings of Mormonism on reliable sources. An excellent resource is available from Concordia Publishing House. I highly recommend the helpful booklet, How to Respond to . . . The Latter-day Saints, by Pastor Edgar P. Kaiser. You may obtain a copy from CPH by calling 800-325-3040.
The best thing we can do is to share with Mormons God's love and grace in Jesus Christ. We need to emphasize the powerful comfort we have knowing that God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to provide, totally and completely, for our salvation. We do not have to look to our own efforts for our salvation. The Mormon Gospel is only a new law. The true Gospel is the good news of God's work in Jesus Christ, which atones for all sin. The bottom line in witnessing to Mormons is to be aware of the fact that our job is to witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the one who converts a Mormon through God's Word. Finally, pray that the Lord would bless your words as you present the hope that is within you.
Pray too for the Mormon with whom you are speaking, asking that the Lord would break through the fog of error that clouds his mind so that he may come to know who God really is and what His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is really all about.
“Look at Delmar here.”
“Yeah; look at me!”
“I, on the other hand, remain unaffiliated.”
I rest my case!
What is a Smithian?
When I vote I look at positions and track record. I don’t check for magic underwear. But if you like doing so, be my guest. :-)
>>I’ve been Wesleyan since ‘81 and have NEVER heard this in my church.
I’ve never heard it from the pulpit. It was a three-week discussion in Sunday School a short time ago. Most people were fascinated by the discussion and the differences in philosophy, but a few hardened Methodists thought that TULIP was just crazy and became quite agitated. I enjoyed the discussion because we used a Presbyterian study guide for the class, so it was extremely critical of Arminianism, but we were still able to prove (at least to our satisfaction) that Wesley was more correct, but not absolutely correct.
And that’s why I chose Wesley’s church over others (despite the liberal upper leadership), because we all like a good argument even on the basic doctrine of the denomination.
We’re both needed Elsie. God needs you to congregate with fellow women and children and pray for the individual salvation of sinners.
God needs men that aren’t afraid to face evil and go out and defeat it.
Pray for the latter, it’s gonna be a bloody war.
Is the Lutheran collection plate running dry? I marvel at the different denominations that argue “No, my way is the only way to heaven!”.
You’re picking the wrong battle. Does God have a special place in heaven for those that convert others from different denominations?
I happen to believe that character, as in what are core beliefs, counts more than "positions and track record"...but...be my guest.
Let’s just clarify.
You do understand that there is a massive split in factions of the Lutheran Church over this issue don’t you?
That sounds like an excellent question for the leaders of the mormon church and their 60,000+ missionaries who are out there every year trying to convert Christians from other denominations.
Elder Boyd K. Packer stated, "In the Church we are not neutral. We are one-sided. There is a war going on, and we are engaged in it." (Brigham Young University Studies, Summer 1981) He goes on to basically call objective, impartial, and scholarly writings the evil that should be fought in this 'war'. On another occasion he claims that scholars and intellectuals are a danger to the church.
What is it you say...."I marvel at the different denominations that argue “No, my way is the only way to heaven!”.
It appears that the Mormons saw another danger to the church (and civilized society). They were largely responsible for the defeat of homosexual marriage in CA. (Prop 8), resulting in death threats to members of the Mormon religion, as well as property damage done to their temples.
Ahem, where were the Lutherans during this critical time in American history? I know, they were sitting back and judging the Mormons!
I'm SURE you can provide links and proof of these "death threats" and "property damage".
I imagine the Lutherans were "sitting back" and watching the mormons take all the public credit for defeating Prop8 along with all the other churches and groups who ALSO worked to defeat it.
MORMONism is not a 'denomination', so the answer is no.
Uh... yeah...
I try not to write anything that I can’t back up with proof.
“Mormons were particularly and systematically targeted for supporting Prop 8. One leading gay-rights activist in West Hollywood said, “The main finger we are pointing is at the Mormon church’”[57] Joe Solmonese, head of the Human Rights Campaign, echoed this sentiment on the Dr. Phil show when, in response to a question from a Mormon audience member asking why his church was being targeted, he reportedly declared, “We are going to go after your church every day for the next two years unless and until Prop 8 is overturned.”
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/bg2328.cfm
(If this makes you feel better: “Someone used a heavy object wrapped with a Yes on 8 sign to smash the window of a pastor’s office at Messiah Lutheran Church in Downey.”[26]).
Fellow Christians are NOT our enemy! On that note, Merry Christmas and long live our republic!
“MORMONism is not a ‘denomination’”...
Then you best set the people at Wikipedia.org straight: (Let em know that the Lutheran belief is the ONLY way to heaven!).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations
Merry Christmas Ms. Elsie!
Sorry, general whining does not constitute proof of any “death threats” or property damage....as a matter of fact, I found a death threat against Gloria Nieto, the volunteer political director for San Jose’s Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center who received them via email.
Just checking.
Being that this post is all about Lutheran’s whiiiiiiining about the Mormons, I guess you would be an expert on that subject.
“In Fresno, the town mayor received a death threat for supporting Prop 8. The threat stated, “Hey Bubba, you really acted like a real idiot at the Yes of [sic] Prop 8 Rally this past weekend. Consider yourself lucky. If I had a gun I would have gunned you down along with each and every other supporter.”[76] The threat also mentioned a “little surprise” for a local pastor who supported Prop 8 and “his congregation of lowlife’s” [sic]. “Keep letting him preach hate and he’ll be sorry,” the perpetrator threatened. “He will be meeting his maker sooner than expected.”[77] The threat also stated that anyone in Fresno displaying a Yes on Prop 8 yard sign or bumper sticker was “in danger of being shot or firebombed.”[78] Police took the threat seriously, launching a criminal investigation and taking extra steps to protect the mayor and pastor.[79]
What part of those statements do you not acknowledge as being death threats?
Your HATRED of the Mormons is blinding you greyfoxx39 (I’m starting to wonder if you’re actually a sodomite supporter in “sheep’s clothing”).
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