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.
This was from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. A much different group.
I’ve had LDS coworkers and Muslim coworkers, liked ‘em all. There have been both in the military who have served with family, they liked them all. Germans too. And Irish. But the reality is both false religions kill souls, both have killed Christians. Both are growing rapidly. Both have economic heft. Beware, be awake.
“The Mormons and their teachings do worse than kill people by planes crashing into buildings. “
So if Mormons are worse than those Muslim radicals who kill Christians, would it not further God’s work if we good Christians could figure out a way to turn the Muslims on the Mormons? It would be an all-round win-win situation. The Mormons would be packed off the the Lake of Fire sooner, the Christians would have more peace, and the Muslims might come up a notch or too in God’s eyes.
There are more than one denomination of Lutherans in the USA.
ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) is the leftist, liberal denomination that you are referring to.
LC-MS (Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod) is conservative.
WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) is conservative.
There are other smaller synods and Lutheran denominations, most are conservative.
Mormonism is an anti-Christian cult that uses many of the same terms as Christianity, but gives them entirely different meanings.
........
same could be said for liberal christianity where the arian heresy has been ascendant for a century or two.
And your point is?
This thread is overly concerned about a faith that differs from yours on how to get to Heaven. Yet another denomination that has a similar name as yours (Lutheran) promotes a lifestyle that God (and people that stand for decency, including the Mormons) says is an abomination.
As mentioned in another post, I’m concerned about the religion of atheism, NOT the Mormons.
Since you appear to be the keeper of the gate, why don’t you show us the way instead of continually telling us which way not to go?
Sorry about not getting back sooner, but I was having fun reading Jim Robinson's post..., and a couple of thousand responses, too... :-)
12/11/2009 | Jim Robinson
Posted on December 11, 2009 7:57:16 PM CST by Jim Robinson
Free Republic is a fringe right-wing Christian fundamentalist site... or so they say... and they might even be right.
We don't go for any of that godless left-wing big government socialist malarkey. And we do put our faith and trust in God, not government. We are pro-God, pro-Life, pro-Family, pro-Country and pro-Liberty.
We do not believe that government or science knows what's best for us or our children. We will make our own decisions thank you very much.
Every once in a while some group of posters get together and try to bend Free Republic to their will. Now, we tend to be pretty free-wheeling around here and will take a lot of guff and a lot of obnoxious insults from a lot of people, but eventually a breaking point is reached.
For example, when a group of RINO lovers recently banded together to try to force FR to accept an abortionist/gay rights RINO as our presidential candidate, they soon found themselves on the outs.
And a few years ago a group of evolutionists tried to force FR over to their way of thinking and they soon found themselves on the outs.
FR is a pro-God, pro-Creator, pro-Life, pro-Liberty site.
And now we have yet another group of Darwinists trying to have their Darwinist way with us. Well, as I've said before what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger.
Darwin Central has again declared war on FR. They have ping lists and email lists and will try to pull away as many FReepers as they possibly can. So be it. Those who would rather go with Darwin, please go. I sure as hell won't try to stop you.
FR will remain a pro-God, pro-Life, pro-Liberty, pro-Creator conservative site.
We wholeheartedly believe that our unalienable rights are a gift from God our Creator not from man or government. And no man, no government will ever deprive us of same.
Keep your powder dry.
I can tell I'm going to be a while on this long thread, so I'll give you some good information on what you ask, after I finish. Look for it tomorrow and it will be what you ask for...
Yes, it is important to notice that. As it was written in the statement...
Maybe I’m thick, but I don’t understand why you posted all that to me.
My point was not to lump all Lutherans under your example of promoting homosexuality. You ought to want to be accurate when you actually say something.
What is the metric for deciding if concern has become over-concern?
Try not to be overly concerned.
It was such a wonderful post by Jim Robinson, I got carried away... LOL...
But, really, I thought everyone would be interested in it and happy to see it... :-)
In 1531, Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis and 2 million Roman Catholics left Holy Mother Church and fell into heresy.
Also, ironically, in 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a humble Indian, and 5 million pagans were washed clean with the blood of Jesus Christ and joined Holy Mother Church.
FINAL SCORE: Blessed Virgin Mary 5 million; Martin Luther 2 million. Film at 11.
I say this to you as one who was baptized Lutheran (Missouri Synod) and converted to the one true church of Jesus Christ, the Roman Catholic Church, at Our Lady Queen of Angels, Newport Beach, California at the Easter Vigil in 2002. (My first day of RCIA class was 9/11).
And if you are Missouri Synod Lutheran, you’re probably German and, I have to say, being part German myself, you’re missing the party since the Church has the first German Pope since Victor II in the 11th century.
Look at the outreach that the Vatican has made to Conservative Anglicans and to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Look at the recent high profile conversions: Newt Gingrich, Tony Blair, the shooter of Pope John Paul II., to name just a few.
This is an exciting time to be Roman Catholic!!!
My only hope is that the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod comes to its senses and makes its way home to Rome.
There is no future in Protestant heresy: You either come home to Rome or you go the way of all the sects and substitute the Church of man for the Church of God.
You must have experienced the ‘watering down’ of traditional Lutheran doctrine in your own church since childhood. Doesn’t that concern you?
‘Wide is the path that leads to destruction and narrow is the path which leads to life’.
‘Choose Life’!!
I just came back from Confession at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Rosemond (just down the street from Edwards AFB) and the church looked so beautiful this evening in anticipation of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that Our Lady Queen of Angels will shower you and your family with all of God’s blessings this Christmas season.
Merry Christmas!!
Is it implied that Mormons are not welcome at Free Republic because they are not Christians?
Merry Christmas :)
It appears you aren’t “overly concerned” about the religion of atheism, or you wouldn’t waste your time putting down the LDS’s.
Let me tell you about the reigion of atheism and their “churches”:
They meet in places like Planned Parenthood clinics where millions of unborn babies are murdered in the womb.
They meet in places like homosexual parades where sexual deviancy is applauded, and major institutions like marriage, the military, education, and youth mentor programs are scoffed at.
But then that’s of no concern to you, afterall, you’re just worried about the “afterlife” aren’t you?
Lighten up on the Mormons and clear the name of the Lutherans first.
Is it implied that Mormons are not welcome at Free Republic because they are not Christians?
Well, I know that Romney-ites are specifically invited to leave... LOL...
You are missing what I’m telling you. Not all Lutherans need their name cleared up. You lumping them all into one group when only one denomination is the one in your example is messed up.
It’s like asking Conservative Republicans to make amends for what the RINOs believe.
They do not crash planes into buildings and kill people in the name of their faith. That is good enough for me.
- - - - - - - - -
They put their members under a huge amount of guilt, pressure and stress in order to “work” their way to heaven. They place members in chains of bondage that keep them from a real, direct relationship with Jesus Christ.
Having been one, and having been freed from those chains by Jesus, it is NOT good enough for me.
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