What Mormons Believe About: God, man, Jesus, salvation, Bible/authority, and the afterlife

What Mormons Believe About:

God, man, Jesus, salvation, Bible/authority, and the afterlife

By Rev. Wil R. Hoffmann

God: All members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church) will tell you they believe in God and Jesus and even point out that Jesus is in the name of their church. However, just because they say they believe and worship God and Jesus, they do not believe in the Trinity as the Bible defines it, and therefore do not believe in the same God as we do. So who is God, also known as Heavenly father or Elohim, in the teachings of the LDS church?

1. God is an exalted man. Joseph Smith taught that, “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!”1

This belief comes from the idea that Heavenly Father was once a man on another planet that followed the teachings of the LDS Church on his planet. After dying and going to the 3rd level of Heaven, he was given a planet to rein over by his god.

2. God is not Spirit but is a man of flesh and bone. Joseph Smith said, “That which is without body or parts is nothing. There is no God in heaven but that God who has flesh and bones.”2

3. Heavenly Father is the literal father of Jesus. President Joseph F. Smith (1838-1918) taught: “God the Eternal Father…is the literal parent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and of the spirits of the human race….We are God’s children.”3

This teaching is that god came down in the flesh and knew Mary to conceive Jesus.

Jesus: According to Mormon doctrine, both God and Jesus came to Joseph Smith to tell him that all denominations were false. This again points to the belief that God and Jesus are two different people. Although Jesus is in the name of the LDS church, their doctrine on Jesus is not found in the bible.

1. Jesus is not God but a god. Within the LDS church, Jesus was a man; however he became a god by his father bestowing it on him even before he came to earth. Jesus was the first-born child of Heavenly Father and one of his wives. When Heavenly Father decided to pick a savior for the people of earth, he had to choose between his first-born Jesus and his second-born Satan. Both brought their case for why they should be savior, and Heavenly Father picked Jesus.

“Christ attained Godhood while yet in pre-existence, he too stood as a God to the other spirits, but this relationship was not the same one of personal parenthood that prevailed between the Father and his offspring.”4

Because of this, Satan rebelled and left Heaven, and Jesus was sent to earth to be savior of the people.

2. Jesus needed to be saved by God. “Even Christ himself was not perfect at first; he received not a fulness [sic] at first, but he received grace for grace, and he continued to receive more and more until he received a fulness [sic]”5

3. Jesus is our Spirit brother and the brother of Satan. “The oldest child in our heavenly family was Jesus Christ. He is our oldest brother.”6

The teaching of the LDS Church is that all mankind are spirit children of Heavenly Father and his wives. Jesus was the first-born spirit child and Satan was the second-born spirit child. Through this understanding everyone is a spirit child of god and one of his wives. Therefore we are all spirit brother and sisters.

Man: Men and women are the spirit children of Heavenly Father and his wives. Man was once with God in heaven and then was sent to earth. If man follows the teachings of the LDS Church, then when he passes away he will be able to return to his heavenly father and mother.

1. Men can become gods. The understanding behind this is that man is the same species as God. Because of this, if men keep to the teachings of the LDS Church and meet the requirements established by the LDS Church, then they can be given their own planet by their Heavenly Father. “God and man are of the same race, differing only in their degrees of advancement.”7

Also, a point to note is that only men can reach godhood. Women are subject to the actions of their husbands, even to the point of their salvation.

2. Mankind was with God before they were on earth. “We lived before we came here and our birth into this world was the reward of having kept our first estate.”8 Within the LDS Church, it is commonly known that before we came to earth, we were with God in heaven. We just cannot remember that time. This is what is known as the preexistence and is historically understood that Heavenly Father conceived the people of the world with one of his many wives in heaven.

After some time in Heaven, we are picked to come to earth and forget our preexistence. Then man works his way back to God through the teachings of the LDS Church.

Bible/authority: When it comes to understand the Scriptures and authority of the LDS Church, one has to understand that the Mormon faith is, in a sense, is a living religion. Scripture and authority are always changing and can change at any time. Within the LDS Church there are four books of scripture (Holy Bible KJV, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price). With these books of scripture, the LDS Church also has a Living Prophet (Thomas S. Monson) that dictates their beliefs.

1. Members of the LDS church do use the King James Bible. To many members of the LDS Church, the Holy Bible in the King James Version is their first book of scripture. However, they believe “the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.”9

It was taught by Joseph Smith that he believed the Bible was correct when it was written by the original authors. But over time and bad translators, the Bible lost its true meaning and was corrupt and has led many astray.

So, today’s members of the LDS Church read the bible but understand it as told to them by the leadership of the Mormon Church.

2. Along with the King James Bible, the LDS Church has other scriptures. Most people know about the Book of Mormon and that it is known as “another testament of Jesus Christ.”“The Book of Mormon is a sacred record of some of the people who lived on the American continents between about 2000 B.C. and A.D. 400. It contains the fulness [sic] of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon tells of the visit Jesus Christ made to the people in the Americas soon after His Resurrection.”10

This is one of the most recognized items that Mormon missionaries will have and want to give you when they come to your door. However, the King James Bible and The Book of Mormon are only two of the four books of scriptures.

The other two books are Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.

Doctrine and Covenants contains “revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It also includes a few revelations given to other latter-day prophets. This book of scripture is unique because it is not a translation of ancient documents. It is a collection of revelations given by the Lord to His chosen prophets in the latter days.”11

The revelations given to the prophets are something that is still happening today. At any time the Prophet/ President of the LDS Church, Thomas Monson, can have a “revelation” that would be voted on at the LDS General Conference and then added to Doctrine and Covenants. (The last addition to Doctrine and Covenants took place on June 8, 1978, dealing with the subject of allowing all worthy males to hold the priesthood. This came because it was found out that there were no African American priesthood holders. This is because at one time it was believed that people with dark skin where not worthy to hold high positions in the church.)

The Pearl of Great Price contains the book of Moses, the book of Abraham, The Articles of Faith and some inspired writings of Joseph Smith. The inspired writings of Joseph Smith are his interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew and the History of Joseph Smith.

3. The most important authority of the LDS is the President. The Prophet, Seer, and Revelator are all names to describe the President and leader or the LDS Church. From the first Prophet Joseph Smith to the sixteenth and current Prophet Thomas S. Monson, there is no greater authority in the Mormon Church.

The trust of the leadership of the LDS Church is strong among the members. They truly believe that he is God’s called servant, and whatever is said by the Prophet through his teaching can be counted as the Word of God.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accepts four books as scripture: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These books are called the standard works of the Church. The inspired words of our living prophets are also accepted as scripture.”12

Salvation: Salvation in the LDS church is worked based. It focuses on the work that people do for their own spiritual growth, the LDS Church, and helping others in need. For salvation in a person’s life within the LDS church, three things must be involved: 1. Works of the person; 2. Jesus; and 3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

1. You’re saved by grace but you also need work. In the Book of Mormon it teaches that your works are a huge part of your salvation. 2 Nephi 25:23 says, “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” This points to the idea that the one doing most of the work is man and Jesus makes up the rest.

This belief points clearly that man has to keep the commands of God and the LDS Church to be saved. Jesus is not enough and this point is taught many times through the LDS Church.

“Many people think they need only confess that Jesus is the Christ and then they are saved by grace alone. We cannot be saved by grace alone, ‘for we know that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do.’”13

2. You have to be a member of the LDS Church to be saved. When Joseph Smith started this new religion in the 1800’s, he preached that all other churches are wrong and have become apostate. Joseph Smith taught that he restored the one true church that had been lost since the passing of the apostles.

“If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”14

This is a key reason why LDS missionaries, even if you tell them you go to church, will still evangelize to you at your door. This is because they believe that salvation is not found outside the LDS Church.

3. Salvation can be a family thing. One of the strongest aspects of the LDS Church and one of the main reasons people convert to the Mormon faith is because of their dedication to family. Family forever is the teaching that a family, through the father, can be sealed in an LDS temple and remain together forever. Boiled down, the salvation of the family relies on the father of the family.

This position even states that if a child of a sealed family at some point stops going to church and even states he is no longer a Mormon, the sealing of the family still allows that child/ person to be with his family in Heaven.

Afterlife: When you talk to Mormons about Heaven, they will always talk about “going to be where God is.” For most people this means Heaven, but for the members of the LDS Church this means the 3rd level or the highest level of Heaven. Within Mormon doctrine they teach that there are three levels of Heaven. The Celestial Kingdom (highest, where God is.), the Terrestrial Kingdom (Middle), and the Telestial Kingdom (lowest).

With three levels of Heaven, one would assume that there would be levels of Hell. However, the LDS Church does not believe in Hell as Christian’s understand it. They believe in a place known as outer darkness, described as “where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.”15 But it is just understood as a place of darkness, and only a handful of people are there.

1. God and Jesus are only in the highest level of Heaven. When it comes to the afterlife for a member of the LDS Church, they want to be where God is. Heavenly Father is only in the highest level of Heaven, the Celestial Kingdom.

The only way for a someone to reach this level of Heaven is by being a member of the Mormon Church, being allowed to enter the Temple, paying his tithes, being married and sealed to his wife/ family in the temple, and by holding the priesthood and doing works for the church.

2. The other two levels are for everyone else. Most people within an evangelical church will go to the Terrestrial Kingdom (middle or second level). This place is for those who are Christians but were not part of the LDS Church. The Terrestrial Kingdom is for almost everyone else.

3. Outer darkness only has a handful of people in it. “Outer Darkness. These are they who had testimonies of Jesus through the Holy Ghost and knew the power of the Lord but allowed Satan to overcome them. They denied the truth and defied the power of the Lord. There is no forgiveness for them, for they denied the Holy Spirit after having received it. They will not have a kingdom of glory. They will live in eternal darkness, torment, and misery with Satan and his angels forever.”16

When talking to any member of the LDS Church, they will tell you that this means only members of the LDS Church that have been given a testimony of Jesus Christ, yet have rejected that knowledge, are in outer darkness, and that number is only a handful.

Because of these statements, the realization that almost everyone is in a level of Heaven comes clear. No matter who you are or what you do, you will go to Heaven. However, Mormons work hard through their church events, outreach, and community clubs so that they may reach the 3rd level, the Celestial Kingdom where God is.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345.

2 Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church – Joseph Smith, p. 42.

3 Joseph F. Smith, “The Nature of the Godhead,” Ensign, January 2006, p. 51.

4 Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 323

5 Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 1986, p. 68.

6 Gospel Fundamentals, 2002, p. 5

7 John A. Widtsoe, Rational Theology, 1915, p. 61

8 George Albert Smith, Conference Reports, October 1926, p. 103. George Albert Smith was the 8th President of the LDS church.

9 Article Eight, Articles of Faith in the Pearl of Great Price

10 Gospel Principles, 2009, p. 46

11 True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference, 2004, p. 158

12 Gospel Principles, 2009, p. 45

13 James Faust, Ensign, November 2001, p. 18

14 Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 670

15 Doctrine and Covenants 101:91

16Gospel Principles, 2009, p. 273

An open letter to Glenn Beck…from a “monster”

Can be found on Mormonism Research Ministry (www.mrm.org) By Eric Johnson

An open letter to Glenn Beck…from a “monster”

By Eric Johnson

Note: On April 25^th, 2014, Glenn Beck addressed the student body at Liberty University (LU) at a tri-weekly gathering called “convocation.” (You can watch the talk here.) While each student must attend the service or face a $10 fine--it was no different for Beck's talk--the entire faculty and staff at Liberty were also required to attend, which doesn't always happen. (Because the arena was filled, they watched on cable television in other rooms.) Beck spoke on the history of the Bible, mentioned Joseph Smith and his “martyrdom,” and insinuated that the unique LDS teaching of preexistence is true. Later that morning, MRM published my response titled “What Glenn Beck Didn’t Explain at this Morning’s Convocation Talk.”

Within a day, we received five separate emails (four LU students and an LU professor), all saying they agreed with the article. (You can see the student posts listed at the bottom of the article linked above. In addition, a two-part blog will be published next week on Mormon Coffee that will respond to LU’s defense of the issue.) While one LU official personally told me that the university hoped this controversial issue would just fade away, Glenn Beck decided to revisit the topic in a scathing article published on May 20, 2014 titled “”A Land of Monsters’: Beck Fires Back at Those Attacking Liberty University for Inviting Him to Speak."  Instead of letting the issue die, Mr. Beck aims directly at those folks (like myself) who believed he should not have been allowed to speak on spiritual issues from a pulpit at a prestigious Christian university. With that as a background, allow me to respond as I reprint his entire article (underlined) followed by my response.

Dear Mr. Beck

I have read your May 20^th article titled ‘A Land of Monsters’: Beck Fires Back at Those Attacking Liberty University for Inviting Him to Speak.

Your staff member wrote, Glenn Beck was the featured convocation speaker at Liberty University on April 25, and it didn’t take long for critics to begin attacking the university for inviting him to speak. But Beck said on his radio program Tuesday that many of the attacks haven’t actually come from the left.

The words "attacks" and “attacking”. . . what exactly did your writer mean by that? Wouldn’t you consider these loaded words? Johnnie Moore, the senior vice president of LU who serves directly under President Jerry Falwell, Jr., told me that he received about 20 emails concerning your visit. Apparently all but one criticized Liberty's choice. (The only one who wrote to agree was written by an LDS student who attends LU--go figure!) Why was there such an uproar? I think this quote from your talk epitomized what the writers felt was wrong:

I share your faith. I am from a different denomination, and a denomination quite honestly that I'm sure can make many people at Liberty feel uncomfortable. I am a Mormon, but I share your faith in the atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ.

One of the writers shared her letter with me (her name is taken out, but otherwise it is intact):

Dear Johnnie Moore,

My name is ______________ and I am a former student of Liberty University. I still have many friends at LU and so I usually see the LU news on my facebook, the most recent being Glenn Beck's speech in convocation. With all due respect, Sir, leaving Mr. Beck's words without explanation is extremely detrimental to your students' faith and blurs the line between Christianity and Mormonism, which cannot be combined. Let me briefly explain:

I have grown up in a very Mormonized part of Idaho. I have worked in theatre companies that are almost exclusively Mormon. In my junior year I transferred to Liberty from a college where I was one of only six non-Mormons in the entire department (professors included). Friends at LU asked what a Mormon was and I was utterly shocked! The Mormon temple is less than two minutes from my house - “Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord” is written on its steeple while the angel Moroni stands blowing his golden trumpet at the peak. In short, I understand Mormonism. I speak Mormon. Sir, what is so deceptive about this particular religion is that it uses the same vocabulary as Christianity, but it has different definitions. When they say “Jesus,” it is not the same Jesus. When they say “salvation,” it is not the same salvation. When they say “heaven,” you must ask, “Which one?” (There are three heavens and you can't get to the top one unless you're married, either in this life or the afterlife.) At the risk of sounding harsh, Mormonism is a very sneaky and deceptive religion which hijacks Christianity in a very clever way: by masquerading as Christianity.

I remember Mormons animatedly insisting that they were NOT Christian - they were MORMON. Now the tide has turned, as it so often does in Mormonism. It is now the goal of Mormonism to be accepted as a mainstream Christian denomination. Glenn Beck, in his convo speech, included himself as part of a Christian denomination, and to uninformed LU students, it probably sounded like he was just that.

The message in Eric Johnson's article - "What Glenn Beck didn't explain at yesterday morning's convocation talk at Liberty University" - is exactly what myself and many other students tried to express to LU faculty last year before Mitt Romney gave the commencement speech - the closing cap at "the biggest Christian university in the world." Christians over here in the West spend much time trying to unravel Mormonism for Mormon people, many of whom don't even know the history of their own church. Please understand that when Liberty University – “the biggest Christian university in the world” - asks a Mormon leader to speak, knowing that his words sound dangerously Christian, it undoes everything Christians over here in the West (and even in the East) have tried to do. In Mormon eyes, it equates Mormonism and Christianity. To Mormons, when “the biggest Christian university in the world” accepts Mormon speakers (especially as a commencement speaker), it is an affirmation of Mormonism as Christianity.

Sir, as a recent Liberty student who understands the predicament of the West, I beg you to differentiate between these two religions. I love my Mormon friends - they are wonderful people - but to equate Mormonism and Christianity is to adopt heresy. Once more, it is heresy that uses the same vocabulary but different definitions – a wolf in sheep's clothing, if you will. Mormonism Research Ministry has graciously offered to speak on this very topic at no charge, and as a university that cites Mormonism as a cult in their theology courses, I think it would be a huge step in the right direction if Liberty were to take them up on that offer.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

__________________

Mr. Beck, how exactly should this woman's words be attributed as an “attack” on Liberty? It sounds to me that, while there certainly is a disagreement, this is anything but an “attack.” What this lady did is how civilized people let the leaders of an institution know when they disagree with their actions. Sending emails and letters along with making phone calls is a right we have. As a parent of a 2014 Liberty grad, I have this same right, as do those who don't have any connections at all with LU. The word “attack” should be reserved for the actions of lynch mobs or terrorists. Of course, I am not privy to the other correspondence sent to LU, but I would think that the letter above is very typical of the criticism communicated to the university. 

Perhaps you didn't intend to focus your barb at the lady above but rather were thinking more about Christian apologists like me. Please understand, my criticism was not aimed so much at you as it was the leadership of the school. You have every right to say what you want. You certainly took full advantage at Liberty’s last convocation to speak on a topic that was sure to rile the critics who take their Christianity seriously.  In fact, you admitted at the beginning of your talk that you had changed your message from what you origianlly planned to say.

According to the LU administration, what you said about your Mormonism surprised them. They claimed that they had no idea you would speak about Mormons belonging to a “different denomination,” the integrity of Joseph Smith, or the assumption that preexistence is true. After all, they don't require the speakers to submit an outline of their talks, so maybe they shouldn't have been surprised. However, I think you are well-versed in the differences between our faiths to know that most people wouldn’t catch the subtleties. When your company live-streamed your sermon and made it available for everyone in the world to see, you had to know that there would be some out there who would be better versed in Mormonism than the audience in that Liberty arena. Could it be that you knew your talk would generate controversy? It almost seems that way, which doesn't appear very thoughful if you really cared about the school and the leaders there who continue to speak so highly of you. The university, not you, has taken most of the flak. Until now.

You are right that the criticism originated from those in Christian circles who probably hold very similar values as you. For instance, politically, you and I are much closer than many, as I too am conservative. Socially, we would agree on issues like abortion and homosexual marriage. Spiritually, though, we are worlds apart. Just as you probably wouldn’t consider your disagreement with Obamacare, liberal legislation, and independent judicial rulings as “attacks,” please don’t label our disagreement with Liberty officials in the same way. You and I may not see eye-to-eye on certain issues, but as human beings and fellow Americans, may I please request that you have more respect by allowing for differences and dealing with these at a table of dialogue? It is you who seems to be on the "attack," as you begin your article by using "land of monsters," a negative remark about those with whom you disagree. Could we agree to avoid the ad hominem attacks in future dialogue so we can focus on the issues at hand? 

“Liberty University is being smeared, absolutely smeared, and they’re being smeared by religious people [who] claim to be followers of Christ,” Beck remarked. “Now, I’ve read the Bible several times, and I just can’t find the place where Jesus hates.”

I had to reread this several times  just to make sure I understood what you were trying to say. “Absolutely smeared”? You need to provide evidence that a “smear” campaign was attempted by “religious people." A more complete explanation combined with evidence to support your accusation is necessary to validate your claim.

Then you say that you've "read the Bible several times, and I just can’t find the place where Jesus hates.” Allow me to provide three passages--one from each Sypnotic Gospel writer--quoting Jesus who was dealing with the religious leaders of his day: 

Mark 12:38-42:

As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

Luke 11:37-52:

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. . . . “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”

Matthew 23:1ff

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. . . . 

“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ You blind fools! . . . “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. . . . You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. . . . “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?

I would agree that Jesus didn't use hate speech to put the Pharisees in their place. Yet how many liberals would consider Jesus’s mere disagreement and choice words as somehow hateful and even contradicting what He said in Matthew 7:1? Indeed Jesus was quite colorful in calling human beings—if Mormonism’s view of preexistence is true, they too are “children of God”— “blind guides,” “hypocrites,” “child(ren) of hell,” “fools,” “whitewashed tombs” “full of the bones of the dead,” “full of hypocrisy and wickedness,” “snakes,” “brood of vipers,” and ultimately people who are “condemned to hell." Reread the letter from the former student above and then look over Jesus’s words once more. Is it really fair to say that LU (or even you) has been “smeared”? Something tells me there is no comparison. The Jesus you picture, meek and mild, just doesn't hold water when the facts are entertained, even though this goes against the popular conception that the Savior would have never criticized anyone.

Beck said there’s a group of people who identify themselves as Christians, but always seem to “have a problem” with him and men like historian David Barton.

I’m not sure how Christian historian David Barton has anything to do with your speaking at LU. Yes, the critics of LU are Christians who are very concerned about Liberty's policy of allowing a Latter-day Saint using religious jargon and emotional language to make Mormonism sound the same as the Christianity taught by the Bible department at LU. You may still feel that the critics are without reason for their criticism. If so, allow me to use a passage from the Bible (2 John 7-11) to provide more detail: 

I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

Let’s dissect these verses. First of all, John warns against deceivers in the same way Jesus did in Matthew 7:15, which says:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

Jesus said we will know these false teachers by their fruit. And then, in 2 John 7, we see that wrong doctrine is “bad” fruit. You may read verse 7 and, with a smile, say, “But Mormons do believe that Jesus came in the flesh.” Literally, this is true, as your leaders have taught the Jesus came to this earth through the Virgin Birth, a direct result of a physical union between Elohim (Heavenly Father) and Mary. (For those doubting what I am saying, please see herefor more details.) Mormonism's view of Jesus is much different than what is taught at LU, which has been admitted by your leadership. For example, one of your former apostles had this to say about the differences:

“And virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal uncreated, immaterial and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 269).

Consider what fifteenth President Gordon B. Hinckley had to say:

“In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints ‘do not believe in the traditional Christ.’ ‘No, I don’t. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. He together with His Father, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in the year 1820, and when Joseph left the grove that day, he knew more of the nature of God than all the learned ministers of the gospel of the ages’” (“Crown of Gospel is Upon Our Heads, Church News, June 20, 1998, p. 7).

Four years later he said,

“As a church we have critics, many of them. They say we do not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity. There is some sub­stance to what they say” (“We look to Christ,” Ensign (Conference Edition), May 2002, p. 90).

I agree with your general authorities in saying that the Jesus of Mormonism is different than the Jesus worshipped by millions of Christians around the world. Because this is true, what is John’s advice? He said that those teaching such a false gospel should not be allowed in the "house." What does this mean? Should Christians invite the missionaries into their homes? The context of the day gives a different perspective. Because the Christians in those early days met in homes, very similar to our Sunday church services today, they were not supposed to let false teachers introduce heretical doctrines from the pulpits. Doing so, verse 11 says, is the same as “shar(ing) in their wicked work.” Thus, John is instructing the churches to keep the sheep (Christians) safe by not allowing any wolves to share their corrupt philosophies.

I realize that Liberty officials do not think their convocation is the same as a “chapel” or “worship” service. It is a place, Mr. Moore has written, that allows for a variety of viewpoints. Yet musical worship to God, combined with prayer before and after the talk, play major roles in all convocation services where the pulpit (although LU officials don’t like that term, I'll still use it) is given over to someone like you, Mr. Beck. You changed whatever message you originally were going to bring so you could present what turned out to be a confusing talk, leaving many students thinking that Mormonism and their Christianity were one and the same. Shame on Liberty's administrators for allowing students to possibly walk away convinced that your spiritual view is aligned with theirs. And shame on you for taking advantage of the situation.

“I want to make it really, really super clear: there is no difference between the people who are currently trying to take down Liberty University because they’re ‘not Christian enough,’ or me because I’m ‘not a Christian,’ [and] the people who are trying to run other people out of the square.”

This is nothing more than rhetoric. How can our belief that you shouldn't have been allowed to taken the pulpit at LU be the same as running “people out of the square"? You have every right to talk about your political and spiritual views. (In fact, you have dedicated whole television shows to Book of Mormon issues.) Your platform is your “square" and you have every right to your beliefs. However, the administrators at the largest Christian university in the world had the right to (or not to) invite you to speak to their students. They chose to let you come, and it is my opinion that this was not a wise choice. Still, nobody is running you out of the "square."

Think about it this way, Mr. Beck. What are the possibilities that I could speak at your church’s next general conference? What do you mean that I would never be allowed? Isn't this discriminatory? Yes, it is, and your leaders have every right to discriminate! In the same way Liberty’s officials should have been more discriminatory in who they allow to speak at convocation on spiritual topics. And asking the university's officials to not allow someone from another religion to address the student body on spiritual issues is well within our (my) rights.

“This is why your churches are dwindling,” Beck continued. “You think you’re standing for something, when indeed, you’re standing for hate and bigotry. I think Jesus was hanging out with prostitutes and sinners, wasn’t he? You won’t even listen to a man who says … ‘I challenge you to know your faith, not my faith, your faith so well that you’re willing to die for it. Stand with one another.’ That frightens you so much? If it does, you might want to consider that you’re on the wrong side.”

Mr. Beck, you lose me when you trot out the “hate” card. For Pete’s sake, you sound more like a political liberal than the conservative you are supposed to be. Should I take your disagreement against me (and my position that Liberty shouldn’t have invited you to speak) as hateful? You can’t win with the hate card and I suggest hanging up this stale maneuver once and for all.

As far as Jesus “hanging out” with prostitutes and sinners, these were the folks who knew they were lost as they often beat their chests in seeking repentance. They understood that forgiveness could only come through a contrite heart and they recognized they were sinners. Forgiveness cannot come without the understanding that we have fallen way short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)

This brings me to a quote from Mr. Moore, as reported by the Religion News Service article published on Monday, May 19. He said that “many conservative evangelical leaders who are closer to Beck than me have told me that they believe Beck has had a born again experience recently. “

Mr. Beck, is this true? (You would know better than anyone else, right?) Do you believe that you have had a “born again” experience?  I would love to see you become a Christian, yet in your talk, you clearly stated that you remain a “Mormon.” To support this, you spoke highly of Mormonism's founder Joseph Smith--a man who repudiated the basic beliefs of the historic Christian faith--and you uphold the doctrine of the "first estate" (preexistence). Correct me if I’m wrong, but I am betting that you would fully agree with Smith who said that “being born again comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 162)

Let me ask a few other questions to get more clairty:

• Do you believe water baptism is necessary for salvation?
• Do you beleive that a person must get a temple recommend and get sealed for not only time but eternity?
• Do you think drinking tea or coffee should prohibit a person from going to the temple? 

If your answers are all affirmative, then what exactly do you think Mr. Moore means when he suggests you have had a recent “born again experience"? If you have left Mormonism and become a born again Christian, let us all know. If he's wrong, perhaps you might want to clarify this issue with him so he doesn't assume something that is not true. There are sins of commission, but there are also sins of ommission. 

Beck said America is “turning into a land of monsters.”

“I look at every single lover of light and truth as my ally, my friend, my brother,” he said. “I look at everyone who is my enemy as my brother. I don’t care what you say; I don’t care what you think your belief is; I don’t care what your lifestyle is — you’re not going to change me. And I invite you to join me, join others of multiple faiths — never asking anyone to change their faith — asking you to strengthen your faith, whatever it is.”

Do you believe President Obama is your brother? (I’ve heard your show before and you’ve said some pretty harsh things about our nation's President.) And if I were to ask Mr. Obama what he thought of you, would he call you a "monster"? Yes, it goes both ways. By calling your enemy a "brother," are you referring to nothing more than Mormoism's teaching that all people are spirit brothers and sisters going back to the preexistence? Or do you mean that as brothers we should all agree with one another? A little more clarity here would be appreciated in your response.

Beck said he wants “nothing to do with you” if your religion is telling you to “kill people, burn their books, shut them up, torture them, imprison them.”

Are you serious? How did my disagreement with Liberty's invitation to you create me into a “monster” who wants to “kill people, burn (your) books, shut (you) up, torture (you), imprison (you).” Sounds like the type of rhetoric offered by the Nazis in the early 1930s! See, this is what waving the hate card does to a person. If disagreement with someone leads to this type of accusation, then perhaps you need to look in the mirror yourself, Mr. Beck, when giving such a diatribe, as your words should also apply to you as well. As Matthew 19 as quoted above mentions, hypocrites are not favored by Jesus!

“[But] if your faith says: learn about love, learn about goodness, learn about the power of faith, learn about the miracles of God … I’d love to meet you,” he said. “And I’d love to be around you.”

Let’s have lunch, Mr. Beck, and discuss this in a civil manner. Let’s lay the differences on the table and, using good communication tactics, fairly explain why we disagree. Let's stay away from good cop, bad cop. Instead, let's determine the strength of our ideas based on the evidence we can provide. Meanwhile, stereotypes and flamboyant language should be left on the porch outside.

Liberty University has also stood by its decision to invite Beck to speak. An email from the office of Johnnie Moore, senior vice-president for communications and assistant to the president at Liberty University, was posted at Religion News Service.

“College is about learning,” the email read. “How can you defend what you believe if you don’t understand what others believe?  I believe our students are stronger in their faith because of our convocation speaker series and the wide diversity of views that they have been privileged to hear in person over the last few decades.”

As I wrote earlier, my response to this (and other quotes) given by Liberty University will be posted on Mormon Coffee in a two-part series beginning Monday, May 26.

As I close, I want to reiterate once more that I hold no animosity against you or Liberty University. Know that I don’t hate you, as I actually pray for your salvation. Until that day comes, though, I cannot accept nor endorse a policy that allows someone with heretical views to address my daughter and her fellow Christian students from a pulpit, especially when the backdrop reads "Training Champions for Christ." Because I believe that Mormonism is not the same as Christianity, I will continue to defend this idea as long as our nation upholds our First Amendment rights. After reading this, I hope you still don’t consider me to be a monster, just as I don't consider you to be one either. We just disagree.

Sincerely,

Eric Johnson

Mormonism Research Ministry

Glenn Beck and Liberty University

Donall and Conall Meet the Mormon Missionaries

My Time in Utah (Part 1)

Maybe I should start by telling a little about my draw I had to looking for a church to pastor in Utah. 

For the 7 years before I moved to Utah, I had been studying the Mormon faith or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints (LDS).  Mormonism was a very interesting belief system to me.  I say these young men walk by the pizza place I was working at, knocking on the many doors of the college apartments that where across the road.  It was the dead of Missouri Summer it St. Charles Missouri and here were these men in shirts and ties and long pants.  I really had respect for these men and still today I have respect for them for spending 2 years of their lives preaching what they believe. (You will not see a lot of Christians doing this.) 

When I first time I saw these missionaries, I was at bad time in my life.  I had lost a great paying job and gave up on my god complete.  See for year I was praying to a god of my own making and I had finally given up on it.  I planed to live for myself but one day I say two missionaries walking in the heat and I wanted someone to talk to. 

As I talked with those Mormons and they told me a very poor version of Jesus, I started to have questions.  (Now let me point out that when I say poor, I mean according to the Mormon I lived with and told this story to, they use the word poor. The Mormon missionaries gave a very poor “Missionary lesion”)

I started to look into faiths and soon became a born again Christian and joined a Southern Baptist Church.  Although I was now a Baptist I was still interested in the LDS faith.  So with studying the Bible, I also started to study Mormonism.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, END OF LINE…          

My Time in Utah

Starting in a few days I will start posting about my time in Utah.  My time working with Mormons and other Christians as well.  This is something I really want to write to let people know about how a Baptist Pastor went to Utah and worked and lived. 

Words to Live By

"You want to know why there's so much darkness in this world? Could it be because a lot of folks don't see us loving one another?" - Fred Luter

Was Joseph Smith Really a Prophet from God?

From http://www.equip.org/perspectives/was-joseph-smith-really-a-prophet-from-god/

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A PROPHET?- Introduction
Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church, claimed to be a prophet of God.  Was he?

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A PROPHET?- Smith’s Vision
In determining whether Joseph Smith was a prophet of God we need first to look at Smith’s so-called “first vision,” in which God supposedly instructed the would-be prophet to start a new church — what was to become the Mormon church.  The evidence shows, however that Smith’s testimony suffers from a host of internal discrepancies.  For example, the earliest recorded account of Smith’s “first vision” makes mention only of Jesus Christ, whereas other accounts report the appearance of both Jesus and God the Father, or of an angel, or a group of angels.  Whatever the case may be, it’s clear to see that such conflicting reports only serve to cast doubt on the veracity of Smith’s testimony.  Keep in mind that several of these accounts came from the same man — Joseph Smith himself.

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A PROPHET?- Prophetic Accuracy
Turning now to prophetic accuracy, we find that Smith fares no better than he did in recounting his alleged encounter with God.  According to Deuteronomy 18:22, God’s prophets have a one hundred percent rate of accuracy — that is to say, their prophetic predictions never miss the mark.  Unfortunately for Smith, such standards proved too much for him.  We note, for example, that Smith predicted that a Mormon temple in Missouri would be constructed before all of the people living in 1832 pass away.  This did not occur.

WAS JOSEPH SMITH A PROPHET?- A Different god?
But even if Smith were flawless in all his predictions (which certainly was not the case), according to Deuteronomy 13:1-3 he would still not qualify as a prophet of God because he was speaking for a false god — a god other than the One revealed in Scripture.  The facts lead us to draw only one conclusion: that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet, but a false prophet.  And remember, the irony is that is was Joseph Smith who attacked Christianity by saying that all its teachers were corrupt.

On Joseph Smith and the question “Was Joseph Smith a Prophet?”, that’s the CRI Perspective.  I’m Hank Hanegraaff.

The Book of Abraham (Facsimile No.1)

 

Here above you see two pictures that can be find right before the first Chapter 1.  I have put two pictures up from two different years of Pearl of Great Price.  The 1st picture is from my 1973 copy and the 2nd is from my 2010 copy.  I have decided to write this post because of the upcoming 2013 changes to the BoM, D&C, and Pearl of Great Price. 

Now the stander work says;  “A Translation of some ancient Records, that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt.—The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. See History of the Church 2:235, 236, 348-35” (Introduction to Abraham 1).

And; “The book of Abraham is an evidence of the inspired calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It came forth at a time when the study of the ancient Egyptian language and culture was just beginning. The scholars of the 1800s had scarcely begun to explore the field of Egyptology, and yet, with no formal training in ancient languages and no knowledge of ancient Egypt (except his work with the Book of Mormon), Joseph Smith began his translation of the ancient manuscripts. His knowledge and ability came through the power and gift of God, together with his own determination and faith.” (Pearl of Great Price Student Manual Religion 327, 2000, p. 29).

The point I am trying to make is that if this is evidence of the inspired call of JS, then why are these explanation to the pictures above False.

At the time, Egyptian things were hot.  There was things being found all the time in Egypt and Americans had no idea what they said.  News had spread that a young man was able to translate Egyptian because of the claims he made about The Book of Mormon which was claimed to be written in Reformed Egyptian. 

JS claimed that this was a picture of Abraham being offering up as a sacrifice.

These pictures always bothered me and now they bug me even more because there are so clearly untrue but even on the LDS website, they still clam them as JS says.  Still today if you go to; http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/fac-1?lang=eng It shows the picture found in the PGP. 

 

Why is this major lie still be installed in the Mormon’s teachings. With the help with things like the Rosetta Stone and people who have taken the time to learn the Egyptian language, we have found what this papyrus is.   

 

In reality, this is "an embalming scene showing the deceased lying on a lion-couch.

When Egyptologists translated this piece of papyrus, they found that it contained absolutely nothing concerning Abraham. Instead, it turned out to be a pagan funerary text known as the "Book of Breathings," a work which actually evolved from the Egyptian Book of the Dead. The Book of Breathings did not come into existence until the later stages of Egyptian history—just a few centuries before the time of Christ. Like the Book of the Dead, it was buried with those who died in ancient Egypt. It is filled with magic and pagan gods. It was obviously written by a very superstitious people, and is quite different from the religion taught in the Bible. (http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/tract_fallofbookabraham.htm)

So with the clear understanding of what this actually is, will the LDS church come out and state that Joseph Smith was WRONG and lied to his followers.  If JS was wrong about this then how can we believe that he translated another Egyptian text?  It is clear with things like the Book of Abraham and the Kinderhook Plates that Joseph Smith lied about his “inspired” skills to translate. 

Its at this point that I know people will look at this and claim that I lie and am just hating the Mormon faith but I ask that you look into this yourself and look at Facsimile No. 1 yourself and see what it really say.  Ask yourself, “Should this lie be in one of my holy books?”  you decide?

END OF LINE…

What does it mean to be a Christian? A Mormon apostle explains.

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom from http://blog.mrm.org/2013/05/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-christian-a-mormon-apostle-explains/

In October 2012 Mormon Apostle Robert D. Hales spoke at the Mormon Church’s General Conference regarding what it means to be a Christian. He defined a Christian like this:

“A Christian has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the literal Son of God, sent by His Father to suffer for our sins in the supreme act of love we know as theAtonement.

“A Christian believes that through the grace of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, we can repent, forgive others, keep the commandments, and inherit eternal life.

“The word Christian denotes taking upon us the name of Christ. We do this by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those holding His priesthood authority.

“A Christian knows that throughout the ages, God’s prophets have always testified of Jesus Christ. This same Jesus, accompanied by Heavenly Father, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the year 1820 and restored the gospel and the organization of His original Church.

“Through the scriptures and the witness of Joseph Smith, we know that God, ourHeavenly Father, has a glorified and perfected body of flesh and bone. Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son in the flesh. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit whose work is to testify of the Father and the Son. The Godhead is three separate and distinct beings, unified in purpose.

“With these doctrines as the foundation of our faith, can there be any doubt or disputation that we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are Christian?” (Ensign, “Being a More Christian Christian,” November 2012, 90)

Indeed, if Mr. Hales’ definition of a Christian is used, not only are Mormons Christians, they are the onlyChristians. As Bill McKeever noted in the January-February 2013 issue of Mormonism Researched,summarized here,

• Mormonism teaches that Jesus is the literal offspring of Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother (while historic Christianity, though recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, has never believed Jesus is “literally” God’s Son);
• The Mormon Church claims to be the only church that holds God’s priesthood authority;
• Only Mormons believe Joseph Smith was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ;
• Mormon doctrine dictates that God the Father has a body of flesh and bone (while historic Christianity worships a God of spirit);
• Mormonism uniquely expands the biblical revelation of Christ as God’s only begotten Son by adding the qualifier “in the flesh,” something historic Christianity has never affirmed;
• Mormonism recognizes three Gods in the Godhead while orthodox Christianity has always been committed to the doctrine of only One True God (in Trinity).

Therefore, on the face of it, according to Mr. Hales definition only Mormons are Christians. Anyone who believes in the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, or chooses baptism in a different church, or dismisses Joseph Smith’s First Vision (etc.) is not a Christian.

Some have noted that this exclusionary list, presented by a Mormon Apostle, in an official Church setting, is a bit hypocritical in light of the usual insistence of Mormons and the Mormon Church alike that “Christian” must be verybroadly defined: “Anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Redeemer of the world is a Christian, regardless of differences in theology.”

Perhaps the Mormon Church has recognized that Mr. Hales’ definition of a Christian tends to “dismiss or diminish the validity of other people’s religious experiences,” something the Church, on its website,claims it does not do. In the March 2013 issue of the Ensign, readers are encouraged to “review the October 2012 general conference,” specifically noting Mr. Hales’ address discussing, “What does it mean to be a Christian?” An edited quote from Mr. Hales’ talk is provided for Ensign readers:

1. A Christian has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. …
2. A Christian believes that through the grace of God … we can repent, forgive others, keep the commandments, and inherit eternal life.
3. The word Christian denotes taking upon us the name of Christ. We do this by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
4. A Christian knows that … God’s prophets have always testified of Jesus Christ. (Ensign, “October Conference Notebook,” March 2013, 9. Ellipses retained from the source cited.)

This edited list has lost every Mormon distinctive that is found in Mr. Hales’ original: No mention of Jesus being the “literal” Son of God; no mention of priesthood authority; no mention of Joseph Smith’s First Vision; no mention of a Father God of flesh and bone; no mention of Jesus being the only begotten “in the flesh”; no mention of the Godhead being comprised of three Gods.

The Mormon Church seems happy to recognize non-Mormons as Christian per the broader, more inclusive definition found online and in the March Ensign; but to be a Christian Christian – well, that appears to be another story altogether.

Who Created Everything???

As I think about the creation of the world, I think about all the things that God has done.  From the snow that lay on the ground now to the birds that sing and the air which we breath, God created it all. 

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  Gen 1:1 (ESV)

Like The Bible say; “God Created”.  But I look to the LDS religion to see what they believe in this area.  I remember that the LDS do clam to have the bible in there canon and even in the Articles of Faith is says; 

“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly…” (Article Eight, Articles of Faith).

So then I look at creation and I think to myself, “Is there some we can agree on?”  Well again there is no because we do not agree on creation because of all the LDS reading I have done, the LDS do not believe in creation as told in the Bible. 

I know, I know… the LDS clam to believe the Bible and where is say, “God Created” but that is not what is taught by LDS in there own works.  Let us look at what the teachers of LDS theology says;

“God never made something out of nothing; it is not in the economy or law by which the worlds were, are, or will exist. There is an eternity before us, and it is full of matter; and if we but understand enough of the Lord and his ways, we would say that he took of this matter and organized the earth from it. How long has been organized it is not for me to say, and I do not care anything about it” (Brigham Young, May 14, 1871, Journal of Discourses 14:116).

God never made?  But Genesis says He created. 

When Christians talk about God creating the Heavens and Earth, we believe He created all things.  And I mean ALL THINGS. 

“AND then the Lord said: Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth” (Abraham 4:1).

Again, Christians believe that God Created not organized and formed the world. 

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.  John 1:1-3 (HCSB)

The Gospel of John makes it clear that ALL THINGS were created through Jesus Christ.  Not formed and organized.

So was the earth created or just organized?  Do we believe the Bible (which the LDS clam they do) or believe man? 

Genius -The Movie

Published on Dec 5, 2012 by thewayofthemaster

Like Us? http://www.facebook.com/GeniusTheMovie
Follow Us: http://twitter.com/GeniusTheMovie
Genius Merchandise: http://www.LivingWaters.com/genius
If you think you know everything there is to know about John Lennon, think again. Genius will open your eyes.
From the Producers of "180" movie.

What Happens When A Mormon is Shown the Truth?

 

When the truth is shown to you, one should believe and not turn away because that’s how they were raised.  To many times I talk with people in the LDS faith and this is the type of things I hear.  Even when I show them facts for their own books, they are still clouded by the lies that they have been told all their lives.

I pray that the people in this video and other Mormons look more into the history of the LDS church and the writings of the early church leaders because as soon as you do, you will see that the begging LDS was total different then what it is today.   

END OF LINE…

Wretched: The Mormon Temple has pagan symbols.

Kinderhook Plates, Were they real?

Wretched: The Scary History of Mormonism

Converting Them Softly with Their Words

 

Article ID: JAF2341

By: Eric Johnson

This article first appeared in Christian Research Journal, volume 34, number 01 (2011). For further information or to subscribe to the Christian Research Journal go to: http://www.equip.org

---

SYNOPSIS

For many years, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have practiced what they call “friendshipping.” This coined word describes the attitude that Mormons are told to have in their relationships with less active members or those who have no connection whatsoever to the LDS Church. By going out of their way to do kind gestures, Mormons hope to present a positive image of their church and possibly entice friends and neighbors to enter into the missionary lessons. In addition, many Christians are pressured to join the LDS Church when they become involved in romantic relationships with Mormons. While Mormons apparently can date outside their faith as long as their partners are pure and wholesome, they are not supposed to marry nonmembers. Thus, the Christian boyfriend or girlfriend is typically required to join the LDS Church before the relationship can head to the next step, which could be a Mormon temple wedding ceremony. While Christians certainly can and should have friendships with those from other religions, including Mormons, they also need to understand the potential pitfalls when others are trying to convert them to their faith.

---

My friend and I backed the rented moving truck into the driveway of our family’s new home in Sandy, Utah, a short drive from the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Salt Lake City. It was 2:00 A.M. on a Sunday, much too late to begin unloading the twenty-seven-foot, packed-to-the-gills truck. We decided to get some sleep, knowing that some friends were scheduled to come by that afternoon to help.

Sunday is a sacred day for members of the LDS Church; Mormons are not supposed to work or recreate on the “Sabbath.” Since more than two-thirds of Utah’s population is LDS, many stores and restaurants throughout the state are closed on Sunday. Because our friends’ schedules did not allow for them to help later in the week and the truck was due back, we hoped our new Mormon neighbors (which, it turns out, includes almost everyone on the block) would understand why we had to work on Sunday.

That afternoon, as the back door to the truck rolled open and we began the backbreaking process of unloading, my next-door neighbor—sporting jeans and a T-shirt with a pair of work gloves on his hands—appeared from around the corner. “Need a hand?” he asked. I knew that he was a former Mormon bishop who had been very friendly to me during my purchase of the home. “Imagine,” I thought to myself, “this man is willing to forego his day of rest to help me move.” In one way, I was duly impressed. But I wondered if “friendshipping” was his main motivation. Regardless, he was one of the hardest workers of the afternoon, sweating profusely and refusing to take a break.

KIND ACTS AND GETTING A FOOT IN THE DOOR

In the 2005 LDS-genre movie Mobsters and Mormons, a New Jersey “goodfella” and his family are secretly relocated to Utah as part of the Witness Protection Program. The comedy comes as the rough-edged Italian informant—now with the assumed name of George Cheeseman—learns to adapt to the culture that feels to him like Disneyland on steroids. Soon after the Cheesemans move into their home, most of the Mormon families from the neighborhood bend over backwards to welcome the brash newcomers with visits and gifts of baked goods. In addition, it doesn’t take them long to invite this Catholic family to Mormon Church services and activities.

Louise, the local neighborhood gossip, decides she isn’t a fan of these uncouth people, so she warns Kate Jaynes, the wife of the local LDS Church leader, not to be so outgoing to them. “We are setting a standard,” Kate ends up sarcastically responding to her complaining neighbor. “We had the Cheesemans over for dinner. It’s called friendshipping. You know what? You should try it sometime.”

“Friendshipping” is an LDS-coined word that emphasizes the building of relationships with non-Mormon friends and neighbors. It is certainly not a strategy of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a group that is more likely to knock on our doors, but who will shun their own neighbors and refuse to participate in neighborhood social activities.

According to Sandra Tanner, the founder of the Utah Lighthouse Ministry in Salt Lake City, Mormons have found success through friendshipping. “The LDS Church has long realized that simply going door-to-door is one of the least efficient means of finding potential converts,” she said. “They try to involve the local church member in supplying names of friends and relatives for missionary contact. Often the church member will invite someone over for dinner, along with the LDS missionaries, as a means of introducing the person to Mormonism.”¹

Indeed, Mormon leaders encourage their members to go beyond the comfort of their own homes to engage with nonmembers. Many assume that the Mormon Church’s best tactics to entice potential converts are through direct contact with two of the church’s 52,000 missionaries as well as media campaigns. Yet the results of these two methods are less than impressive. Only two to three percent of those who initially became connected to the church through missionary efforts ever get baptized; just one to two percent of those contacted through a media campaign join the LDS Church. However, twenty to thirty percent of those whose first contact came through a relationship with current members end up getting baptized!²

While using friendships to try to make converts is certainly not new or unique to the Mormon Church, the current idea of Mormon friendshipping began in the 1970s when President Spencer W. Kimball encouraged LDS families to reach out to others in an evangelistic way. “With your family, prayerfully select one or two families to friendship,” he said. “Decide whom of your relatives or friends you will introduce to the Church. Perhaps you could plan a family home evening with them….Then, when these families show interest, arrange through your ward or branch mission leader to invite them and the missionaries into your home to share the message of the restoration. If you will follow this simple procedure, you will bring a number of fine families into the Church.”³

One church manual provides a four-step list to “sharing the Gospel effectively”: “1. Prayerfully select a family. 2. Friendship the family. 3. Introduce the family to the Church. 4. Invite the family to meet with the missionaries.”⁴ Under this final step, the manual gives a sample monologue on how to convince the neighbors to meet the missionaries: “One way of asking friends if they would like to know about the Church is to say: ‘We enjoy being your neighbors. Would you and your family join us in a family home evening tomorrow night at seven o’clock? Two young men from our Church will give a presentation on how our Church began.”⁵

The manual records one convert’s real-life story to prove the point: “Shortly after we moved to a new neighborhood, I was out working in my garden when one of my neighbors offered me a huge armful of tomatoes she had just picked. This was just the beginning of what was to be a forever friendship. In the months that followed, [our neighbors] proved to be the best friends….we had ever met. They were not afraid to be too friendly and took our family in just as though we were their own family.”⁶

The efforts proved to be successful. “We were always invited to Church activities but never pressured to go,” the convert continued. “When we did decide to go, our neighbors’ sweet, dependable daughter came over to babysit for us—and sometimes even refused to be paid for it. After I had had a hard day at home, my friend would ask me to come to Relief Society with her…we knew in our hearts that we wanted a more complete life like theirs.”⁷

This model has continued into the twenty-first century. President Gordon Hinckley told a gathering at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, “The process of bringing people into the Church is not the responsibility alone of the missionaries,” he said. “They succeed best when members become the source from which new investigators are found.”⁸ Speaking to a group of new mission presidents at the Provo Missionary Training Center, Apostle Dallin Oaks said: “Members simply must take a more active role in our missionary efforts at every stage: friendshipping those who are not of our faith; sharing Church materials; sharing feelings about the gospel; inviting friends to Church activities, service projects, and meetings; giving the missionaries referrals to visit our friends; inviting those friends to be taught the gospel in our homes; and fellowshipping and strengthening new converts.”⁹

Young Mormons are especially encouraged to make friends and then introduce the Mormon gospel to them. In one Mormon youth magazine, writer Pat Graham utilized an LDS scriptural verse¹⁰ to explain how to friendship: “President Spencer W. Kimball said that ‘usually we must warm our neighbors before we can warn them properly’ and that we should friendship and fellowship, ‘not scold and scare them.’ How can you show love to your nonmember friends and neighbors? Little kindnesses will help friends feel good about our Church. They will ‘warm’ up to the idea of learning more about the teachings of the Church.”¹¹

The idea of getting friends to become involved in church activities is continually promoted. The official LDS Church Web site includes a section for youth with an explanation of how friendshipping should take place: “Invite your nonmember friends to Church activities where they can learn about your standards and the principles of the gospel. Include them in your midweek activities and your Sunday meetings. Help them feel welcome and wanted. Many nonmembers have come into the Church through friends who have involved them in Church activities.”¹² In a Sunday school manual written specifically to LDS “young women,” the stated objective for one lesson reads: “Each young woman will extend friendship to young women of her own age and encourage them to take part in Church activities and meetings.” For the lesson application, the girls are instructed this way: “Invite the young women to choose a person that they, as a class, would like to reactivate or introduce to the gospel. Have them develop a plan to do this.”¹³

For those who move to a predominantly LDS community, friendshipping will not always look the same as it did in Mobsters and Mormons. Russ East, the director of Utah Partnerships for Christ, has lived in Utah for seven years. He says that he has excellent LDS neighbors; his wife regularly plays Bunco with the ladies in the neighborhood, and his daughter even babysits their children. While there is much interaction, he says, “I have not sensed much in their desire to send the missionaries our way or to get us into the LDS Church.”¹⁴ Bill McKeever, who is the head of Mormonism Research Ministry, hasn’t been friendshipped in his six years living in Utah but does not have any problem with the concept. “If the Mormons really believe they have truth and feel I am in error, I hope they would want to persuade me to their way of thinking.”¹⁵

Yet McKeever points out that Christians who have Mormon friends or neighbors should be grounded in the fundamentals of Christianity in order to understand the differences between the faiths. Since the terminology can be so very similar but with quite different meanings, this is often a difficult undertaking. It’s also hard to stand up for truth when personal relationships are at stake because nobody wants to look argumentative with friends or neighbors. If relationships hinge on a person having to join a church that rejects historic biblical teachings, however, then Christian believers need to take a stand.

Though some Christians in his neighborhood felt that Mormons practicing their “Welcome Neighbor” program were merely offering conditional friendships, Mormon author Darl Anderson believes it shouldn’t be this way. “I learned that our expressions of friendship need to show more sincerity and consistency if we want them to be correctly understood,” he wrote. “Many of our non-Mormon neighbors sincerely feel that every Mormon gesture toward them is devious…We need more communication as friends to know and do what they want for their benefit—not for our personal or selfish desires.”¹⁶

On the opposite end, while Christians ought to desire evangelistic opportunities, attempting to make friendships merely to win neighbors to Christ is also suspect. What will happen to this relationship if the other person continually rejects the Christian faith? Should this really be considered “friendship”?

THE MISSION FIELD OF DATING

Former LDS President Spencer W. Kimball was very clear in 1969 when he admonished his followers not to date nonmembers. He wrote, “Clearly, right marriage begins with right dating….Do not take the chance of dating nonmembers, or members who are untrained and faithless. A girl may say, ‘Oh, I do not intend to marry this person. It is just a ‘fun date.’ But one cannot afford to take a chance on falling in love with someone who may never accept the gospel.”¹⁷

Kimball told his members to not date until they were at least sixteen years old.¹⁸While this rule appears to be followed by most Mormon youth throughout the United States, the idea of dating only those in the church is no longer emphasized. Rather, it seems that high moral behavior is the main requirement. In an article titled “Dating FAQs” published recently in an LDS youth publication, the question was asked, “Should I date someone who is not LDS?” The answer? “Possibly, but don’t date anyone (LDS or not) who, because of low standards, will drag you down.”¹⁹

This idea is echoed on the official LDS Web site, which says Mormons should only date “those who have high standards, who respect your standards, and in whose company you can maintain the standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”²⁰ Speaking to youth, current LDS prophet Thomas S. Monson stated, “Begin to prepare for a temple marriage as well as for a mission. Proper dating is a part of that preparation….Because dating is a preparation for marriage, ‘date only those who have high standards.’”²¹

Many local LDS congregations host weekend dances and other social events where their young people are encouraged to invite nonmember friends. With hormones raging, many nonmembers end up becoming attracted to the wholesome Latter-day Saints whom they meet. In the past few months, I have counseled two former Christian high school teenage male students, each of whom had independently become romantically involved with Mormons. They both were encouraged to participate in the missionary lessons and join the LDS Church if they hoped to take their relationships to the next level. Granted, it was the choice of these young men to date outside their faith, but they ended up getting pressured to convert to Mormonism. Neither one had even thought about cajoling the girls to leave Mormonism for Christianity. Despite the fact that they both recognized the falsehoods of Mormonism, they desperately wanted to continue their relationships but didn’t know how, unless they became Mormons.

This “missionary dating” tactic is common. Sandra Tanner believes the problem is especially prevalent with those attending college. “I often get calls from Christian parents who are deeply concerned about their son or daughter because they have started to date a Mormon at college and have gotten involved in the LDS college social group,” she said. “Often the person has joined the LDS Church without even telling the parents, informing them on their next school break. By that time, the person is often in a serious relationship that will lead to a temple wedding, which the parents will not be allowed to witness.”²² Bill McKeever adds, “I have seen far too many cases of Christian young people rejecting their faith in order to win the ‘love’ of a Mormon.”²³

At a recent talk that we gave at a Christian church, two families—one LDS, the other Christian—attended together. Their twenty-year-old college-aged children—the girl is LDS, the boy a Christian—had been dating for several years and were getting more serious in their relationship. In fact, the only college that the boy had applied and been accepted to was LDS Church-owned Brigham Young University. The Christian parents were distraught with their boy’s choices, as it certainly appeared that he was moving much closer to Mormonism than she was to evangelical Christianity. Going to one meeting on the topic of Mormonism probably wasn’t going to change the way things were already headed.

It would appear that the advice that Spencer Kimball gave to his people more than four decades ago remains wise. “Mixed faith” marriages are a recipe for disaster, to both the couple and the children. Utilizing the concept of 2 Corinthians 6:14 when speaking to Christian missions teams visiting Utah, Russ East says, “I always send home the message that God does not approve when two oxen are unequally yoked.”²⁴

With the dynamics that can occur between a boy and a girl, this is probably the most dangerous of situations. Love can be very emotional, and when the differences between the two religions are minimized (“We’re ‘Christian’ too!” many Mormons will argue) and ignorant young lovers become confused, the results can be disastrous. Rarely do we hear stories of Mormons becoming Christians in order to save a relationship. Instead, we hear far too often how Christians are becoming Mormons because their relationship with another human means more to them than their relationship with God.

In addition, “missionary dating” is neither biblical nor ethical and should not be a practice of faithful Christians. While the Bible does say that believers should be “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves,” using “love” in an attempt to change the faith of those they’re dating is certainly a wrong application of this passage. The end does not justify the means. As Bill McKeever puts it, “A Christian who manipulates a Mormon’s emotions for the sole purpose of conversion places his integrity in a precarious situation.”²⁵

It is self-centered as well. If dating is to be considered the first step to courtship, which leads to engagement and ultimately marriage, then a biblically sound Christian has no business getting romantically involved with an unbeliever, even if it’s “just” dating. The risk is high and the fallout ultimately will end up hurting both parties.

THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF NEIGHBORLINESS

In the short time that my family has resided in Utah, our neighbor is turning out to be one of the best we’ve ever had. He has encouraged my wife in her new business venture. He made sure that we were welcomed to the neighborhood’s Fourth of July party.²⁶ He spent three hours with me one sultry July morning fixing my house’s swamp cooler and helped me repair a lawnmower. And, though he knows I’m not LDS, he has not yet mentioned Mormonism or asked about having my family meet the missionaries.

Have we been targeted for “friendshipping”? An invitation to a local Mormon ward’s barbeque was taped to our front door just two days after moving in. Perhaps he put it there, though I don’t think so. Either way, I’m sure he would love to see our family become members of his church. At the same time, wouldn’t I like to see his family come to know the true Jesus as described in the Bible? Christians certainly should be cautious when entering into friendships with those from other religions. Still, I will do my part to continue this relationship and pray that I, in turn, will “love (my) neighbor as (my)self,” as Jesus said in Matthew 22:39, and be the best neighbor this man has ever known.

Eric Johnson now lives in Utah and works full-time with Mormonism Research Ministry (www.mrm.org). He also teaches college classes and is an associate editor for the Apologetics Study Bible for Students (Holman, 2010).

---

NOTES

1. Personal e-mail, July 21, 2010.
2. Ensign, March 2003, 54.
3. Sharing the Gospel through Priesthood Missionary Service filmstrip, 1975.
4. Lesson 9, Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part B, 1996, 81–85.
5. Ibid, 85.
6. Ibid, 79.
7. Ibid.
8. “Feed the Lambs, Feed the Sheep,” Ensign, May 1999, 104. From a satellite broadcast given at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on February 21, 1999.
9. “The Role of Members in Conversion,” Ensign, March 2003, 55, based on his talk on June 20, 2000.
10. Doctrines and Covenants 88:81 says, “It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.”
11. “Sharing Time: Friendshipping with Love,” Friend, February 1986, 42.
12. http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,30-1-7-4,00.html.
13. Young Women Manual 1 Lesson 20, http://www.lds-youngwomen.com/taxonomy/term/6763/friendshipping.
14. Personal e-mail, July 21, 2010.
15. Ibid.
16. Soft Answers to Hard Feelings (Orem, UT: Granite Publishing, 1998), 80.
17. The Miracle of Forgiveness (Salt Lake City: Publisher’s Press, 1986), 241–42.
18. “The Marriage Decision,” Ensign, February 1975, 2–6.
19. “Dating FAQs,” New Era, April 2010, 20–32.
20. http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,30-1-7-4,00.html.
21. “Preparation Brings Blessings,” Liahona, May 2010, 64.
22. Personal e-mail, July 21, 2010.
23. Ibid.
24. Ibid.
25. Personal e-mail, July 22, 2010.
26. Because July 4, 2010, landed on a Sunday, this year’s festivities were actually held on July 3. Most secular holidays in the state of Utah are celebrated on Saturdays when they land on Sundays.

Is Mormonism Christian?

From: http://www.equip.org/bible_answers/is-mormonism-christian-/

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was birthed in 1820 by an alleged vision in which two celestial personages appeared to Joseph Smith claiming all existing churches were wrong, all their creeds were an abomination, and all their professors were corrupt. According to these personages, Smith had been chosen to restore—not reform—a church that had disappeared from the face of the earth. The Mormon doctrines that evolved from this vision compromise, confuse, or contradict the nature of God, the authority of Scripture, and the way of salvation.

First, while Christians believe that God is spirit (John 4:24), Joseph Smith taught, “God Himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!” Mormonism also holds to a plurality of gods and contends that “as man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” Additionally, the Latter-day Saints compromise the nature of the God-man, Jesus Christ. In Christianity, Jesus is the self-existent creator of all things (Colossians 1:15–20). In Mormonism, he is the spirit brother of Lucifer who was conceived in heaven by a celestial Mother and came in flesh as the result of the Father having sex with the Virgin Mary. Doctrinal perversions exclude Mormonism from rightly being called Christian.

Furthermore, in sharp distinction to orthodox Christian theology, Mormons do not believe that the Bible is the infallible repository for redemptive revelation (2 Timothy 3:16). In their view, the Book of Mormon is “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.” Two further revelations complete the Mormon quad, namely Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of divine revelations that includes the doctrine of polygamy. Not until threatened by the Federal government did Mormon president Wilford Woodruff receive a revelation relegating polygamy to the afterlife. The Pearl of Great Price is no less troubling; this extra-biblical revelation was used by Mormonism to prevent African-Americans from entering the priesthood and from being exalted to godhood.

Finally, while Christians believe that they will stand before God dressed in the spotless robes of Christ’s righteousness (Romans 3:21–22; Philippians 3:9), Mormons contend that they will appear before Heavenly Father dressed in fig-leaf aprons holding good works in their hands. According to the Latter-day Saints, virtually everyone qualifies for heaven. Murderers, unrepentant whoremongers, and the world’s vilest people make it into the Telestial heaven; lukewarm Mormons, religious people, and those who accept the Mormon gospel in the spirit world typically enter the Terrestrial heaven; and temple Mormons make it to the Celestial heaven. Only those who are sealed in secret temple rituals, however, will make it to the third level of the Celestial kingdom and become gods of their own planets.

These and many other doctrinal perversions exclude Mormonism from rightly being called Christian.

For further study, see Richard Abanes, One Nation Under Gods (New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 2003); and James R. White, Is the Mormon My Brother? (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1997).

Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me and understand
that I am he. Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.”