Posted on 10/23/2013 11:12:44 AM PDT by Colofornian
A former Brigham Young University professor is sharing the story of how she and her husband, along all of with her children, left Mormonism for Christianity through God’s work of grace in their life.
Lynn Wilder is the author of the book Unveiling Grace: The Story of How We Found Our Way out of the Mormon Church, released in late August of this year. Until March 16, 2008, Wilder was a professor at Brigham Young University and a dedicated member of the Latter-Day Saints.
In a recent article in the Daily Beast, Wilder provided a condensed overview of her personal testimony, which occurred over a two-year period as God worked in the hearts of her family members.
Wilder states that in 2006, she and her husband Mike decided to visit a Christian church, but were careful to choose a gathering two hours away where no one would recognize them.
“We were paranoid, worried that if someone from Brigham Young University saw me at a non-denominational Christian church, I would lose my ecclesiastical clearance and my job as a professor,” Wilder wrote. “Only at BYU would someone lose their academic position for finding salvation outside the Mormon church.”
During this same time, Wilder’s son Micah became a born-again Christian. He announced to his fellow Mormon missionaries that he did not believe that men are saved by the works that Mormons require, and was sent home as “unworthy” to be a missionary. Just days later, Micah began serving a Christian organization in missions instead.
In the time that followed, Lynn Wilder began searching the Scriptures for answers. She states that the word of God opened her eyes to the truth.
“I read my Bible, sometimes hours a day, and truly felt I was being washed,” Wilder explained. “In its pages, I met a Jesus who was able to save me from my life of working to be ‘good.’”
Writer Sharon Lindbloom of Mormonism Research Ministry also notes that Wilder’s was impacted when she read 2 Corinthians 11:4, which states, “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another Gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”
“Another Jesus!” Wilder said to herself. “That’s exactly what we have.”
The movie Luther, which focuses on the life Protestant reformer Martin Luther and his repudiation of the requirements imposed under the Roman Catholic religion, hit home for Wilder as well. She knew full well of following man-made requirements under Mormon rules.
“I was simply overwhelmed by the Spirit,” she said. “I went face down in surrender to Christ.”
The Brigham Young professor then set out to buy herself a cross necklace to show her love for Christ, but there was one problem—crosses were taboo at the university.
“Mormons don’t revere the cross. They see it as an instrument of death, not the place where Christ became the savior,” she stated. “[I]f I was caught, I would be called in by my superiors and lose the ecclesiastical clearance I needed to work there.”
So, Wilder hid it under her clothing with the hopes that no one saw.
Months later, Wilder requested a leave of absence and took another job in Florida. On March 16, 2008 (3/16/08), she submitted her resignation in honor of John 3:16. Both Wilder and her husband had renounced Mormonism and turned to Christ.
“We lost a religion, but we gained Christ,” Michael Wilder stated in the 2011 documentary Unveiling Grace. “And that’s a good trade.”
When word broke, Wilder says that she received a lot of criticism, but states that her joys outweigh her sufferings.
“I was stupid, a liar, an adulterer, a drug addict, and had committed gross sins,” she said. “Despite the rejection I faced from 30 years of friends, despite the fact that I lost status, position, money, might lose children and our home, I walked away and never feared again.”
Now, Wilder is sharing her story with the world in spoken word and pen, and several of her children are likewise sharing the Gospel through the music ministry Adam’s Road—including her son Micah.
“Words cannot describe the feeling of finally knowing the Lord Jesus Christ in a way that you’ve always wanted to,” he said, becoming tearful. “Reading His word for the very first time and being washed clean by that word and understanding what his Gospel really was–that’s what changed my life. … I’ll never be the same.”
No lds don't - they largely reject the bible because they claim all the plain and precious parts have been removed as well as question the 'translation'. So please spare us the bogus claim of using the bible as a 'guide'.
Anyone who knows Mormons either as friends or family, as I do, knows that they are good people, who raise good children, follow as best as possible Christian principles in their lives and love and obey God.
Jesus stated none are 'good'. Doing nice things won't qualify you for heaven or forgive your sins. None of the acts you cite will earn salvation.
Bigotry. You’re a bigot, a religious bigot and it is plain to all the world. Feel free to disagree, but your condemnation of the LDS condemns only you.
Yes, the shrill cry of one who is ignorant of the facts. Don't look behind the curtain, only 80,000 lds missionaries going around and trying to convince Christians that their church are in apostasy, that they don't provide salvation and that lds are the only true saved ones. Hypocrisy 1010 is owned by you on this 'bigot' issue.
“As you can read plainly and for yourself, Peter calls for us to be holy.
It is a call for action.
Actions take effort and effort is measured by work.
God the Father judges work.
Christ was chosen before the world began.
With utter clarity you can see that “through him [Jesus Christ} you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” God and Jesus Christ are distinct personages with distinct duties.
The situation for believers is dynamic: “22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
We must purify ourselves by obedience to the truth which leads to a sincere love and being born again via continuing revelation.
1st Peter is an excellent exposition, but it doesn’t certify a universal priesthood, quite the opposite.”
I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but nowhere in your argument did you actually prove that all Christians aren’t priests and kings in the sight of God. Except for the lame anti-Trinitarian arguments, you didn’t even make an argument here that disproves “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Pet 2:9).
You muttered something about the elect obeying, and said all sorts of things, but nothing I thought was in any way interesting or favorable for whatever position it is you are trying to promote.
For your education, the Elect are those who were chosen before the foundation of the world without regard for their merits (1 Ti 1:9). They did not choose Christ, Christ chose them, and ordained them for good works, which will abide forever (John 15:16). For it is God who works in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:13).
Exactly. I looked long & hard to decipher any kind of cogent response point as to what/why he was objecting to Peter's elaboration -- and saw none.
I would like to exit this thread, if you don't mind. I didn't say anything about LDS people other than that their religious beliefs diverge radically from historic Christianity ---- which the LDS faithful are the first to acknowledge, because they and their own clergy and scholars have always seen this as a plus, "historic Christianity" being, in their view, corrupt.. It's not as if it's any kind of secret, nor (from their point of view) particularly controversial. So be it.
Peace to you.
Jesus stated NONE are 'GOOD'. Doing nice things won't qualify you for heaven or forgive your sins. None of the acts you cite will earn salvation. [Godzilla]
“Teacher, what GOOD thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is GOOD?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is GOOD. [Jesus, Matthew 19:17]
ALL: Who are we to believe?
Jesus?
Or one stating contrasting opinions who aligns with all Mormon doctrines -- but refuses to readily identify himself as one?
AWESOME response!
And thanks for all the helpful charts and comments with links and such. Very informational.
Jesus Christ, the ONLY begotten Son of God, is my Lord and Savior.
Doesn’t prove LDS teaching of multiple gods.
Expect is not the same as required, nor do Christians renounce any of those things mentioned. Mormons reject basic Christian doctrine and do not believe the Bible. I have found the truth which is why I left the Mormon cult. I found the truth in the Bible.
Jesus is God incarnate. God the Father does not have a body (that is also in the Bible).
No the consensus is Mormons are NOT Christians. Pay attention
You have to admit, however, that it was a breathtaking example of eisegesis.
Odd that...
I’ve demonstrated that the LDS are Christians using the Bible.
Anyone who knows Mormons either as friends or family, as I do, knows that they are good people, who raise good children, follow as best as possible Christian principles in their lives and love and obey God.
Thank you for your thoughts, honesty, and integrity.
Those who accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and His atonement...who take His name upon them willingly as a matter of personal choice, and then seek to follow Him and take His image upon them as a result of their acceptance of His atonement and their love for Him...are Christians.
No double speak Jeff...
Can we have celestial glory without the LDS church? If not that means Joseph Smith trumps Christ and Christ died and resurrected in vain.
The LDS DO in fact place their own worthiness (required) and works and Joseph Smith over Jesus Christ and no amount of word tweaking will change that. Mormons claim Christ and then stomp on Him.
Sorry Reaganaut, you are simply mistaken.
I have been in the Church for over 40 years, 43 to be exact. The Church does not place personal worthiness or Joseph Smith above Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ and Him crucified...ie. His Aotnement...is the only thing that can allow anyone to return to the presence of God. One cannot be “personally worthy,” without it, therfore it rises above all other considerations.
No double speak, no word tweaking, it’s just as simple as that.
All the rest comes from that simple and awe inspiring truth and act of love.
But you know this is what I have consistantly said and lived over the years...and I expect you will continue to try and refute it.
I thank God in Heaven that in the end, He and His Son will be the ultimate judge, and that they know my heart, and that of all their children. As He says, “God looketh on the heart.”
My Witness for Christ
http://www.freewebs.com/jeffhead/jlhwitness.htm
Have a great evening.
“Those who accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and His atonement...who take His name upon them willingly as a matter of personal choice, and then seek to follow Him and take His image upon them as a result of their acceptance of His atonement and their love for Him...are Christians. “
False Mormonic Christ = false salvation = identity theft of Savior’s Name
I am not mistaken and you didn’t answer the question. I know LDS doctrine and salvation is by works, not grace.
Answer the question Jeff
I have given you my witness. That witness is there for all to read.
As I said before, have a good evening. God bless you for your own faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.
If you have more demands...because that is all they are, your demands...just refer back to this post and the one before it.
“I have given you my witness. That witness is there for all to read.”
This is a false witness that avoids telling the Celtic and uncomfortable teachings of Mormonism. As such, it is into truth telling.
Celtic = cultic ... Unless you are Irish and a Mormon
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