The LDS Hamster wheel of works
Posted on 01/11/2010 3:54:09 PM PST by Colofornian
POCATELLO — One of the organizers of a media campaign that is using billboards in Pocatello and other cities seeking to convince Mormons of perceived errors in their faith says the group is not attacking members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"The reason we do this is that we really do have a love for the Mormon people,” says Mark Cares, president of the group that is organizing the campaign. “Our ministry is to reach out to the LDS people.”
He says while the campaign does question LDS doctrine, it is not meant to attack Mormons. LDS members see the campaign differently.
“We’re used to it. It happens a lot,” Roger Porter, an LDS spokesman for the Southeast Idaho area, says about anti-LDS campaigns. “It’s too bad it happens in the name of Christianity.”
The campaign includes two billboards in Pocatello (on Pole Line Road and Highway 30), two in Idaho Falls and one in Rexburg. The campaign will also include mass mailings.
The billboards, which show a woman in obvious emotional distress holding her head, ask the question, “Feeling worthy?” and direct people to the Web site, www.hishealingnow.com.
Though they’re subtle, the billboards are undoubtedly targeted toward LDS members, especially women.
“They’re not in-your-face, but if you’re an LDS member, it will be hard not to know they’re directed toward you,” Cares says.
The “Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons” campaign is organized by the Truth in Love Ministry of Nampa.
Cares says the central message of the campaign is that Mormonism is a religion of works.
“In Mormonism, you have to ... pull yourself up by your own bootstraps,” he says. “The emphasis of Christianity is what God has done and not what you have to do.”
“Mormonism is grace-plus,” he adds. “In Christianity, the message is grace alone. There are (major) differences between the messages of Christianity and Mormonism. In our experience, we have found this is a message many people in the LDS church need to hear.”
In response to questions about the campaign, an LDS media relations manager in Salt Lake City released a statement explaining the church’s doctrine on salvation.
The statement says the church does not believe people can gain salvation through their own unaided efforts.
“We must work to our limit and then rely upon the merits, mercy and grace of the Holy One of Israel to see us through the struggles of life and into life eternal,” the statement said, quoting from chapters of Nephi and Moroni in the Book of Mormon. “We believe that while human works are necessary — including exercising faith in Christ, repenting of our sins, receiving the sacraments or ordinances of salvation and rendering Christian service to our neighbors — they are not sufficient for salvation.”
Porter says it’s unfortunate that groups such as the Nampa church feel the need to attack Mormon doctrine, but LDS members aren’t offended because they’re used to those campaigns.
“We live in a free country and society and people can speak their minds and do what they want,” he says. “Our intent and objective is to get along with all people and work with (them) to accomplish good things for the community. If some people don’t want to do that, we just have to ... move on and do the things we’re trying to do to accomplish some good.
“We’re confident in the direction we’re going.”
Cares, who is also a pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Nampa, says his group is accused of being anti-Mormon all the time and the recent billboard campaign has been a topic of discussion on talk radio shows in the Boise area.
“If you’re driving down the road and you discover that around the curve the bridge is out, the loving thing to do is sound the warning,” he says. “If I truly believe the bridge is out, the loving thing to do is warn people.”
www.affirmation.org
MONK is that Evil Jeannie in that photoshop or Good Jeannie that cute I have admit is that Joseph Smith don’t tell me he was Jeannie first master
You just broke a legend of Jeannie he was Jeannie first Master oh Lordy
MONK is that Evil Jeannie in that photoshop or Good Jeannie that cute I have admit is that Joseph Smith don’t tell me he was Jeannie first master
You just broke a legend of Jeannie he was Jeannie first Master oh Lordy
OMG! You are too much. LOL
From the article: “We believe that while human works are necessary — including exercising faith in Christ, repenting of our sins, receiving the sacraments or ordinances of salvation and rendering Christian service to our neighbors — they are not sufficient for salvation.”
Notice that he does not mention which TYPE of salvation he is talking about (general, universal, or exaltation).
“After all you can do” is a lot in Mormonism.
“We live in a free country and society and people can speak their minds and do what they want,” he says. “Our intent and objective is to get along with all people and work with (them) to accomplish good things for the community. If some people don’t want to do that, we just have to ... move on and do the things we’re trying to do to accomplish some good.
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Translation: “We are going to keep going door to door telling everyone that they are not REALLY Christians, but we reserve the right to be offended if they questions our beliefs and whether or not we are Christians.”
I really like these billboards. They take a gentle tone and give an important message.
They reach out to the broken in Mormonism. Having been there, under the weight of all the “works” required this is a message particularly LDS women need to hear.
Only Jesus can lift the burden. Only He can save us, not a single work can contribute.
I look forward to the day when the LDS will get off their “hamster wheel” of works and rely on the free gift of grace through Christ alone, not a church or ordinances or works for their salvation.
The LDS Hamster wheel of works
Oh now THAT is funny!
Reading this reminded me just how much the LDS misuse scripture and twist it towards their own ends. In the above verse, it uses the words of the Bible in reference to works and worthiness.
However, the phrase is taken directly from the Bible and has NOTHING to do with worthiness. It has to do with those whom Christ sent accepting hospitality while preaching.
Luke 10:7 - And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house
"Twistianity" strikes again.
From the article: “We believe that while human works are necessary — including exercising faith in Christ, repenting of our sins, receiving the sacraments or ordinances of salvation and rendering Christian service to our neighbors — they are not sufficient for salvation.”
They do not believe that faith in Jesus, or that His sacrifice is sufficient either.
Quite the conundrum for them...
Hog wash.
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And blasphemy.
I have watched a relative struggle with the conversion from mormonism over the past sixteen years. ... Mormon converts are ostracized unlike anything most will ever experience in a modern western society and without a safe place to land they can struggle...
I do not agree with mormonism in any manner and, while I think Protestants are well intentioned, I like my faith, but most importantly only the salvific blood of Christ really saves us or ameliorates our suffering.
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Sorry for the delay in posting. I didn’t want my response to be a “drive by”. :)
I cannot think of a protestant who would disagree with your statement: “only the salvific blood of Christ really saves us or ameliorates our suffering”
I am sorry to hear about your relative’s troubles. I know what she is going. I have been there. If she is online, there is a WONDERFUL support group for people who no longer believe the LDS but think Jesus may still be the answer. They will help answer her questions and relate to her struggles. It is a very “safe place to land”. I STRONGLY recommend this group for her, there are some men but there are far more many women on in the group.
the site is:
and the support group is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MIT-talk/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
I admire your desire to help, there are many broken LDS out there who need to know of Christ’s love.
Let me know if I can help in any way or steer you toward some resources or advice for your relative. Feel free to freepmail me.
Don’t forget the part about not being able to go to Mormon heaven unless your husband calls your secret name (that only he know)when you die.
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That is true. The same name is given for all temples across the world for any given day. There are also only a certain number of names, so they are reused at a fairly rapid rate.
I made a joke a few weeks ago while discussing this and how confusing it would be come the resurrection:
(voice crackling over the loud speaker)
“Rebekah5572 your party is waiting for you at the front gate of the Celestial Kingdom”
“Rebekah5572 your party is waiting....”
Bueller,Bueller, Bueller,
Anyone, Bueller. LOL
Wow! The Mormons around here drink Dr. Pepper and Pepsi now but they didn’t when I was growing up.
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There are two main interpretations of the LDS “word of wisdom”. The first is “hot drinks” which is only limited to coffee and tea (not hot cider or cocoa) but herbal teas are not allowed, neither is decaf coffee. Many LDS are in this camp. Several LDS will down Jolt cola or Mt. Dew like there is no tomorrow.
The other interpretation is no caffeine. That means decaf sodas only (7up, root beer and the like) and herbal tea may be permitted. I was in this second camp and drank Caffeine free Pepsi for years. lol.
Thing is, I don’t think they are as comfortable being Mormon as I am being Christian.
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Right there shows the difference between the LDS and Christians. They know ABOUT Christ but the do not really KNOW Him. They cannot. The “formality” of the LDS church distances them from God and they are told to avoid a “personal relationship” with Jesus Christ.
That makes the LDS more of an intellectual/magical philosophy and makes them uncomfortable, imo.
LOL. Ben Stein Rocks!!
IOW, you hit it right on the head!
Well, demons would certainly explain JS’s “vision”.
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