A leading evangelical says evangelicals have spread lies about LDS beliefs

For the first time in 105 years, non-Mormons mounted the pulpit at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on Nov. 14. The event, dubbed an "Evening of Friendship," was organized by Standing Together, a network of 100 evangelical churches trying to improve relations with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Historical animosity dating back to the founding of the LDS Church has heightened in recent years between the two groups, particularly in the 1990s, when high-profile evangelical leaders said that Mormons are not Christians and the Southern Baptist Convention held one of its annual meetings in Salt Lake City, partially with the goal of converting Mormons to evangelical Protestantism.

In what the Deseret News referred to as "stunningly candid" comments, Fuller Theological Seminary president and Beliefnet columnist Richard J. Mouw apologized to Mormons for evangelicals' tendency to distort the truth about Latter-day Saints' beliefs. "Let me state it clearly. We evangelicals have sinned against you," Mouw said. The speech is making the rounds among surprised and generally pleased evangelical and Mormon groups. We reprint the remarks below.

It is difficult for me to find adequate words to express how thrilled I am to be here this evening. Here we are, evangelical Protestants and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gathered together in this Salt Lake Tabernacle, for an event that is described as "An Evening of Friendship."

I am not being melodramatic when I say that this is surely an historic occasion. To be sure, there have long been friendships between some evangelicals and some LDS folks. But they have not appeared on the public radar screen. Our public relations between our two communities have been-to put it mildly-decidedly unfriendly. From the very beginning, when Joseph Smith organized his church in 1830, my evangelical forebears hurled angry accusations and vehement denunciations at the Mormon community-a practice that continues from some evangelical quarters even into this present day. And I think it is fair to say that some Mormons have on occasion responded in kind. Friendship with each other has not come easily for our two communities.

But in recent times things have begun to change. Evangelicals and Mormons have worked together on important matters of public morality. Here in Utah, the Standing Together ministry has been willing to take some considerable risks in countering the more aggressive and disruptive evangelical attacks against the LDS church. And Pastor Greg Johnson's well-attended dialogues with Professor Bob Millet have done much to model a new spirit of frank but friendly exchange about important faith topics. And now this evening we are experiencing the gracious hospitality of the LDS leadership, who have welcomed us all into this meeting place, which has played-and continues to play-such an important role in the life of the Mormon community.

On a personal level, over the past half-dozen years I have been a member of a small group of evangelical scholars who have been engaged in lengthy closed-door discussions about spiritual and theological matters with a small group of our LDS counterparts. We have not been afraid to argue strenuously with each other, but our arguments have been conducted in a sincere desire genuinely to understand each other-and in the process we have formed some deep bonds of friendship.

I know that I have learned much in this continuing dialogue, and I am now convinced that we evangelicals have often seriously misrepresented the beliefs and practices of the Mormon community. Indeed, let me state it bluntly to the LDS folks here this evening: we have sinned against you. The God of the Scriptures makes it clear that it is a terrible thing to bear false witness against our neighbors, and we have been guilty of that sort of transgression in things we have said about you. We have told you what you believe without making a sincere effort first of all to ask you what you believe.

We have made much of the need to provide you with a strong defense of traditional Christian convictions, regularly quoting the Apostle Peter's mandate that we present to people like you a reasoned account of the hope that lies with in us-but we have not been careful to follow the same Apostle's counsel that immediately follows that mandate, when he tells us that we must always make our case with "gentleness and reverence" toward those with whom we are speaking. Indeed, we have even on occasion demonized you, weaving conspiracy theories about what the LDS community is "really" trying to accomplish in the world. And even at our best, we have-and this is true of both of our communities-we have talked past each other, setting forth oversimplified and distorted accounts of what the other group believes. I have formed some wonderful friendships with Mormons in the past few years. These friends have helped me to see the ways in which I have often misinterpreted Mormon thought. To be sure, as a result of those conversations I also remained convinced that there are very real issues of disagreement between us-and that some of these issues are matters of eternal signficiance. But we can now discuss these topics as friends And tonight many more of our friends have come together in this place for a very public and large-scale "Evening of Friendship." God be praised!

In just a month and a half we will greet the year 2005, which marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Smith. During this year there will be many occasions to pay special attention to Joseph's life and teachings, and I hope many in the evangelical community will take part in those events. But this evening we are not here to talk about Joseph Smith, but about the One whose birth we will celebrate again just before the bicentennial year of Joseph's birth makes its appearance. This is the One about whose birth we sing-in words, I should add, that many of us love to hear sung by that great choir that sings these words in this Tabernacle-"the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."

What a wonderful thing it is that we can meet together to talk about the Lord Jesus and about who he is and what he has done on our behalf. There is much here to talk about. I personally take great encouragement from words that Joseph Smith uttered on the occasion of the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April of 1830: "we know," Joseph said, "that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God." And then he added: "And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, and we know also that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength."

I greet you this evening in that spirit-as one who wants more than anything else to love and serve God with all my might, mind and strength, in the power made available by the amazing grace that sent the Lord Jesus to Bethlehem's manger, and to the Garden of Gethsemane, and to the Cross of Calvary, where he shed his blood to pay the debt of our sin-a debt that we could never pay on our own.

This is the spirit in which Ravi Zacharias is going to speak to us this evening-the spirit of devotion to the One whose name is above every name, the One who alone is mighty to save, and before whom someday every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord to the glory of the Father. May this wonderful "Evening of Friendship" point us all to that great day. Thank you and God bless you.

“Joe Smith is the antithesis of a ‘prophet’ He was a whackjob phoney ‘snake oil salesman’ at best.”

I used to believe that, too, until the Holy Spirit touched the eyes of my understanding. I used to say that Joseph Smith thought he was Jesus Christ. I said a lot of anti Mormon things out of ignorance and stupidity and meanness. I used to be an anti Mormon, too.

Then I opened my heart to the Missionaries and allowed the Holy Spirit to enlighten me to the Truth.

Saul of Tarsus used to persecute Christians unto death. He felt he was doing God a favor by persecuting Christians. You know the story.

“Joe Smith was simply a con man and a sheister who was shot escaping from jail. No martyr story; no nothing else. Just a guy who was in religion for the money; just a flagrant chump.”

He was persecuted since age 14 and to this very day. Just like the prophesy predicted - his name would be known for good and for evil. I am happy to say I know his name for good.

He was murdered in cold blood by a mob of evil men - no trial, no judge. Very sad indeed. Joseph Smith’s wonderful brother Hyram was shot in the face and killed that day, too.

It seems like you are happy about their murders. I am sorry for you.

I have read all the lies, distortions and twisted logic about my faith. A lot of people make their living that way, selling books, DVD’s, CD’s, pamphlets, tapes and on and on and on. It mattereth not.

I think it’s cool that no one in my Church gets paid. Kind of like Paul who worked for his living. My Bishop (”pastor”) is retired; my previous Bishop was a construction worker. We have no paid clergy. The Missionaries pay their own way, giving up two years to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Oh, and how ‘bout that Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Ronald Reagan called them, “America’s Choir.” Such wonderful artists - all volunteers.

I love my Church. Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq-Q22Pf1W8

"It seems like you are happy about their murders. I am sorry for you."

~ Oh boy! So you try and lay the guilt trip, huh?

Either you don't understand or you do not have the historical records. Joe Smith was a punk; a guy who ordered the Nauvoo newspaper printing press destroyed. That's why Joe was in jail in Nauvoo. Joe smuggled in pistols, hoping to escape. (They need to add that to Joe's record). Too bad for him. Bring'em Young perpetuated the Joe's Myth.

The "book of mormon"? LOL. There is NOTHING archaeologically or anthropologically in ANY MANNER that can prove anything that snakeoil Joe said.
He was a clown of the most magnificent lower-level. A flagrant chump. Anyone who reads history realizes that. Trouble is, mormons, who in their own cult don't like to question history or read anything of their own so-called "church".

Poor Joe. Have you ever read about Joe's convoluted dreams of 'divining rod' or 'seer' stories? LOL?

Meanwhile, there were some VERY wise folks who printed stuff on Joe. Joe got miffed; upset ya' know. Full on truth of Joe's sexual daliances ( he married over 30 women, many who were already married, ya know). Here is the FIRST and only copy of the Nauvoo press. (Very wise former mormons who wrote this).

"We are earnestly seeking to explode the vicious principles of Joseph Smith, and those who practice the same abominations and whoredoms; which we verily know are not accordant and consonant with the principles of Jesus Christ and the Apostles; and for that purpose, and with that end in view, with an eye single to the glory of God, we have dared to gird on the armor, and with god at our head, we most solemnly and sincerely declare that the sword of truth shall not depart from the thigh, nor the buckler from the arm, until we can enjoy those glorious privileges which nature's God and our country's laws have guarantied to us--freedom of speech, the liberty of the press, and the right to worship God as seemeth us good."
(quoted from here: )

Snakoil Joe got off easy......can you imagine what the husbands of Joe's polygamy harem would have done to him?

Pathetic chump, 'ol Joe.

"I will grant you, though; we are a peculiar people."

I have friends in mormonism and have read a LOT of writings of the folks that have broken-free from the mormon cult. You say "peculiar"? Only in that mormons call themselves "Christian". They are the furthest folks from "Christian" that I have ever witnessed. Why? because you believe in some other kind of Jesus besides the Jesus of the Bible. It's not your fault, entirely, it's Joe's Myth. (laughable). Mormons are not "Christian"; they are some bizarre cult, is all. Very sad.

Me, too (raised Catholic). If you were brought up/educated like me, you didn’t learn the significance of God’s Word. I learned the importance of the Bible about 14 years ago. If you believe any of the Bible, you must believe all of it. God’s word, written 2000 years ago, applies to life today just as it did when it was written (just like our Constitution which I also think was God inspired). Otherwise, how do you decide what to believe and not believe? If it’s in the Bible, believe it. Otherwise, pray that the Holy Spirit descends upon you and that your faith in our Lord Jesus Chris will grow. If you have questions, ask them—I would suggest a non-denominational Christian Church. Just remember, dogma is accepted by all Christians (Trinity, Virgin Birth, etc). Different interpretations of specific points may occur, but the basics are the same. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that Catholics are not Christians. They are Christians if they believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Once you accept that, seek him out and you will begin to notice a change in your spiritual life and a desire for your faith to grow. Also remember that you have direct contact with the Lord—there is no need to pray through “saints” or a priest. Email me if you have questions. If I do not know the answer, I know plenty who do and can help you. May the Lord reveal himself to you in your everyday life; may he encourage you to turn to him FOR EVERY NEED; and may he put others in your path who will help you in your walk with Him. Blessings upon you!

Jesus Christ is everything to us. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and Soon Coming King, and we love Him with all our Hearts. We thank Heavenly Father for giving His Son to save humanity from our sins. And the Holy Ghost seals this in our hearts with power and authority.

We have that in common. That, and a lot more.

I will grant you, though; we are a peculiar people.

You say peculiar, I say crazy. Its ok, America's a big place and heaven's bigger.

I believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, like Moses and Noah. To this very day, they make fun of, and tell lies about, Moses and Noah.

Ok, so some people tell lies about them. I don't.

I've read and studied the facts about JS, Moses, and Noah. I know based on common sense the bible, the BOM, and the POGP do not jive.

I won't sit here and disparage you because you believe Joseph Smith was a prophet, but if you are ever the slight bit interested in why I came to my conclusions about the cult which is Mormonism, I'd be happy to share my thoughts and the facts with you.

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