What Mormons Get Right

Although I completely disagree with the Theology and Doctrines of the LDS Church due to far too many reasons to recount here although the chief of them resides around the Person of Jesus Christ, the way of Salvation and the mountain of evidence, or lack of it regarding LDS claims.

However, I do see that there are many things about the LDS people that are certainly worth noting. For all my criticism about the Mormon church as an entity,.. they do not extend to the Mormon people as individuals. Here are some things that the Mormons not only get right, but things that Christians should aspire to as well.

FAMILY-They are deeply invested in the family- The LDS Church has worked hard to be a family friendly environment. More than that it is the backbone of the church. Few churches are as concerned with the importance of the family like the Mormons are. They set aside time weekly for Family Home Evenings to play games, talk, do devotions, etc. This is fantastic! As Christians, we should take note!

CHURCH-They are highly active in the church- Mormons are engaged in church life throughout the week. They devote significant time too all kinds of ministry- Most young men in the LDS church spend a 2 year stint in as missionaries in the church to share about their church and their beliefs. There are numerous opportunities to serve and become involved and it is expected, and although I don’t think the motivation the best, the outcome can be very positive.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION-The church begins teaching its children from an early age and it is consistent regardless of where you go. The Ward in California will be taught the same lessons and Doctrine as the Ward in Utah. As a teenager, youth are encouraged to attend “seminary” every day BEFORE School. They are classes at the local ward or stake center. They study the Book of Mormon, the Bible, church history, and doctrine and they are rotated over a four-year period. When an LDS teen graduates from high school they are fully immersed in a systematic overview of the faith’s basic beliefs.

EVANGELISM-They care enough about you and me to send people around town, and to our door to share what they sincerely believe is the true word of God. We may not agree with their doctrine, but I cannot fault their conviction! Christians should take note. They do it in part for their “after all they can do” good works beliefs, but they are doing it. Slammed doors, rejections and all! Tens of thousands of Mormon missionaries serve each year in pairs all over the world. I do not think that Christians need to be legalistic about this, however as Christians each of us should be active in sharing our faith. The world is our mission field? Is it being harvested?

TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN- The LDS Church is known to provide for their members in times of need and crisis. They have set up food pantries providing welfare for their members, especially when they lose a job or some other loss in their family. In turn, those receiving care volunteer time to others and are expected to continue to help when they get back on their feet.

RESPECT SUNDAYS - The practicing LDS family guards their time of worship. They are discouraged from allowing work, sports or other events from distracting them from their activities at church.

MORALITY- Generally speaking, LDS are well-known for having a high moral standard and staying away from a secular lifestyle. Members who keep a “Temple Recommend” (are in good standing with the LDS) do not to partake in drugs, alcohol, coffee or tobacco. They work to remain modest, live honest and fulfill the commandments to the quintessential LDS lifestyle.

More often than not you would be privileged to have a Mormon as a neighbor, boss, teacher, and friend. Again, the fact that I disagree with the theology and doctrine of the LDS Church does not mean that the people of the LDS Church are in any way bad, in fact they put many Christians to shame by the commitment to their works (which I believe is misplaced). Christian, we can learn a lot from the LDS People, they have a great love and commitment for God.

But it comes down to this,.. you are going to follow the Jesus of the Bible or the LDS Church. You will trust Jesus and Grace to save you or Law and Grace… you can’t have it both ways.

Here is what Joseph Smith claimed:

Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of

the last days. I can tell our beloved brother Christians who have slain the Prophets and butchered and

otherwise caused the death of thousands of Latter−day Saints, the priests who have thanked God in their

prayers and thanksgiving from the pulpit that we have been plundered, driven, and slain, and the deacons

under the pulpit, and their brethren and sisters in their closets, who have thanked God, thinking that the

Latter−day Saints were wasted away, something that no doubt will mortify them − something that, to say the

least, is a matter of deep regret to them − namely, that no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter

into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was

taken from the earth to the winding−up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of

Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are − I with you

and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last

dispensation − the keys to rule in the spirit−world; and he rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power

and a glorious victory over the power of Satan while he was yet in the flesh, and was a martyr to his religion

and to the name of Christ, which gives him a most perfect victory in the spirit−world. He reigns there as

supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will exclaim − “Oh, that is

very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!” But it is true.

JD 7:289, Brigham Young, October 9, 1859

This is what Jesus claimed:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Only one can be right! I know I am going with the guy who actually CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD!

And paid the price for me!

² For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. ³ Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. ⁴ Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.Rom 10:2-4

Questions to ask Mormons Pt 6: How good is good enough?

Just how good do you have to be to be “Saved”, “After all we can do” according to the teachings of the LDS Church.

Way more than I can handle, and if you are honest, you might agree as well.

While Christians understand ‘Grace’ to be the undeserved free gift of God, Mormons expect no such free gift of Salvation. In fact ‘Grace’ is dependent upon your good works; you have to EARN it! In fact, ‘Grace’ won’t even BEGIN until you’ve exhausted yourself:

Please remember, these are LDS Leaders, Prophets etc, speaking,…

2 Nephi 25:23
For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. 

 “Grace is granted to men proportionately as they conform to the standards of personal righteousness that are part of the gospel plan.” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 339).

“As with all other doctrines of salvation, justification is available because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, but it becomes operative in the life of an individual only on conditions of personal righteousness” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 408).

“…one of the untrue doctrines found in modern Christendom is the concept that man can gain salvation (meaning in the kingdom of God) by grace alone and without obedience. This soul-destroying doctrine has the obvious effect of lessening the determination of an individual to conform to all of the laws and ordinances of the gospel, such conformity being essential if the sought reward is in reality to be gained.” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine p. 671)

“Certain saved-by-grace-alone fanatics flatter their followers into believing they can be saved through no act other than confessing Christ with their lips.” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 287).

“One of the most pernicious doctrines ever advocated by man, is the doctrine of ‘justification by faith alone’, which has entered into, the hearts of millions since the days of the so-called ‘reformation’” (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Restoration of All Things, p.192).

“One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation.” (Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 206-207).

Heber C. Kimball– “I have the power to save myself, and if I do not save myself, who will save me? All have that privilege, and naught can save us but obedience to the commandments of God.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p. 269.)

“Salvation comes by grace, faith and works. Unless a man will adhere to the doctrine and walk in faith, accepting the truth and observing the commandments as they have been given, it will be impossible for him to receive eternal life, no matter how much he may confess with his lips that Jesus is the Christ, or believe that his Father sent him into the world for the redemption of man… So it is necessary, not merely that we believe, but that we repent, and in faith perform good works until the end; and then shall we receive the reward of the faithful and a place in the celestial kingdom of God.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, 2:311).

None shall receive eternal life save it be those who keep the commandments of the Lord and are entitled thus to enter into his presence. ( Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Press, 1938), 346-47)

From the Articles of Faith

3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

“We accept Christ’s atonement by (1) repenting of our sins, (2) being baptized, (3) receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and (4) obeying all of the commandments. In this way we are cleansed from sin and become worthy to return and live forever with our heavenly Father…Christ’s atonement makes it possible to be saved from sin if we do our part.”

WOW #4 talks about following All Commandments

Are YOU good enough to do this? Do you have enough GOOD WORKS within you to live this way? Can you really TRY hard enough?
Are you GOOD ENOUGH?
I simply believe that LDS Salvation is not attainable. Although, you may just think “Hey I just won’t be part of the Celestial Kingdome, but I will still get in somewhere.” What if,… What if you are wrong and the LDS Jesus, half-brother of Lucifer is not the Jesus of the Bible? What if it is either one Heaven or one Hell? I cannot and would not ever force you into any decision. I just believe you need to have all the cards on the table to make an INFORMED OBJECTIVE decision.

PAUL  Stated said this:

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Rom. 11:6).

Grace and works are mutually exclusive when it comes to obtaining eternal life.

If you are a memeber of the LDS Church,.. I hope that you will think about just how IMPOSSIBLE it is to live the life they expect you to live.

Two Weeks In the Bible on Seeking after Christ

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What is a Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian? Well the logical place to look would be God’s word. This set of readings takes us through both the Old and New Testaments to give us an appreciation of the price Christ paid and the Grace that we are given. When we think about what God has done for us, we can see that our coming to salvation is not so much a bold move on our part, but rather an inspiring move on God’s part. If you are a believer I hope that these reading will encourage you to look at your salvation with fresh eyes, not taking what God has done for granted. If you are skeptical or considering the claims of Christ, read for yourself and see what you can discover in God’s word.

WEEK ONE

Day 1, Genesis 3: The first sin creates a need

Day 2, Isaiah 52: Salvation prophesied

Day 3, Isaiah 53: The role of the suffering servant

Day 4, Luke 15: Three stories about God’s love

Day 5, John 3: Jesus explains “born again”

Day 6, John 10: The good shepherd

Day 7, Acts 8: Conversions spread outside the Jews

WEEK TWO

Day 8, Acts 26: Paul testifies of his conversion before a king

Day 9, Romans 3: God’s provision for sin

Day 10, Romans 5: Peace with God

Day 11, Galatians 3: Salvation unavailable by obeying the law

Day 12, Ephesians 2: New life in Christ

Day 13, 1 Peter 1: Future rewards of salvation

Day 14, 2 Peter 1: Making your salvation sure

Two Weeks In the Bible on Prayer

Image by C Jill Reed via Flickr

Prayer at times can seem to be a complicated thing. There seems to be many ways, styles and methods. I think that each of us has an intense longing to talk to God, and in the end, that is all that prayer truly is, talking to God. However, I think that our difficulty when we want to pray and we have no real relationship with God.  This set of readings take us through various prayers through the Old and New Testaments that demonstrate faith, longing, pain, hope, remorse, praise, and thanks displayed through RELATIONSHIP.  I hope you will see role that faith and relationship play in prayer!

WEEK ONE

Day 1, Genesis 18: Abraham’s plea for Sodom

Day 2, Exodus 15: Moses’ song to the Lord

Day 3, Exodus 33: Moses meets with God

Day 4, 2 Samuel 7: David’s response to God’s promises

Day 5, 1 Kings 8: Solomon’s dedication of the temple

Day 6, 2 Chronicles 20: Jehoshaphat prays for victory

Day 7, Ezra 9: Ezra’s prayer for the people’s sins

WEEK TWO

Day 8, Psalm 22: A cry to God for help

Day 9, Psalm 104: A prayer of praise

Day 10, Daniel 9: Daniel’s prayer for the salvation of Jerusalem

Day 11, Habakkuk 3: A prophet’s prayer of acceptance

Day 12, Matthew 6: The Lord’s prayer

Day 13, John 17: Jesus’ prayer for his disciples

Day 14, Colossians 1: Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving

Two Weeks on the Old Testament

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The Old Testament tells the story of God’s chosen  people, the Hebrews, who were later known as Israelites or Jews. God made a promise with a man named Abram. He told him that he would make his descendants a great nation. In time, his descendants moved to Egypt to escape a famine in their own land. After many generations they had greatly increased their numbers but had become enslaved to the Egyptians.God sent a great leader named Moses, to lead the Hebrews out of captivity and into the Promised Land of Israel. It was during this time that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments which are still considered the basis for a moral life by both Jews, Christians and much of the world.

God intended for the Israelites to live according to His commandments and to show the truth of God to all the world (Genesis 12:1-3). However, the Israelites forgot their mission and God, falling into idolatry.

When they walked away, God called prophets, such as Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, Jonah, Isaiah, Micah and many others, to turn the Holy one of Israel.

Ultimately, the culmination of the Old Testament is to prepare the way for Christ. He is present all throughout the Old Testament. He is the Messiah (meaning “anointed one”). These reading will give you a very brief highlight of the Old Testament.

WEEK ONE

Day 1, Genesis 1: The story of creation

Day 2, Genesis 3: The origin of sin

Day 3, Genesis 22: Abraham and Isaac

Day 4, Exodus 3: Moses’ encounter with God

Day 5, Exodus 20: The gift of the Ten Commandments

Day 6, 1 Samuel 17: David and Goliath

Day 7, 2 Samuel 11: David and Bathsheba

 

WEEK TWO

Day 8, 2 Samuel 12: Nathan’s rebuke of the king

Day 9, 1 Kings 18: Elijah and the prophets of Baal

Day 10, Job 38: God’s answer to Job

Day 11, Psalm 51: A classic confession

Day 12, Isaiah 40: Words of comfort from God

Day 13, Daniel 6: Daniel and the lions

Day 14, Amos 4: A prophet’s stern warning

(Again,.. I will not take credit for the “Readings Plan” I found them on the net and added a bit to it!)

Two Weeks on the Life and Teachings of Paul

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Paul led an amazing life that followed truth and his convictions. This set of readings leads you from his early days to his work in the early church as an evangelist. During his life he had great joy and great suffering as well. Paul wrote most of the New Testament to instruct the church (and us) as well as spent his life preaching and sharing Christ with all he came in contact with. After you finish reading this set of readings whether as a devotional, historically or otherwise, you will have a great perspective on the life of Paul and his mission.

WEEK ONE

Day 1, Acts 9: The conversion of Saul

Day 2, Acts 16: Paul’s Macedonian call and a jailbreak

Day 3, Acts 17: Scenes from Paul’s missionary journey

Day 4, Acts 26: Paul tells his life story to a king

Day 5, Acts 27: Shipwreck on the way to Rome

Day 6, Acts 28: Paul’s arrival in Rome

Day 7, Romans 3: Paul’s theology in a nutshell

WEEK TWO

Day 8, Romans 7: Struggle with sin

Day 9, Romans 8: Life in the Spirit

Day 10, 1 Corinthians 13: Paul’s description of love

Day 11, 1 Corinthians 15: Thoughts on the afterlife

Day 12, Galatians 5: Freedom in Christ

Day 13, Ephesians 3: Paul’s summary of his mission

Day 14, Philippians 2: Imitating Christ

The G.O.S.P.E.L. Truth

What is the Gospel? It’s the good news.

But what does that mean? Good news  about what? Well if you don’t know the whole story, you may not know how good things were in the beginning and how things have gone down hill by comparison since creation! It is nice to be able to share the God’s Story and our part in it in  a quick and memorable way, and this is not the only way, but it is a great way. It comes from Dare 2 Share and Greg Stier, you can find it at http://www.dare2share.org

If you are not a Christian, considering the claims of Christianity or
are a Christian, the following will help you wherever you are to
understand the big picture of what God has done for us!

God Created us to be with Him (Genesis 1-2) Psalm 100:3

Our Sins Separate us from God (Genesis 3) Rom 3:23

Sins cannot be removed by Good Deeds (Genesis 4-Malachi 4) Isaiah 64:6

Paying the Price for Sin, Jesus Died and rose again (Matthew – Luke) Rom 5:8

Everyone who Trusts in Him Alone will Have Eternal Life (John) John 3:16

Life with Jesus Starts now and Lasts Forever (Acts-Revelation) John 10:28

If you want to ask give up the surrender your life and ask Jesus to take over you can use this as an example:

“Dear Father, I know that I’m a sinner.  I realize that my good deeds will never get me into heaven. Right now I believe that Jesu died in my place for my sins. I trust in him alone to forgive me for all my sins. Thank you for this free gift of Eternal life!”

Two Weeks on Women of the Bible

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I know that sometimes we can have a great motivation to read the Bible. These Bible reading sets I will post are only two weeks,.you can hang on that long right? I found these on the net somewhere and do not claim them as my own, although you could probably put together a couple of weeks worth of readings on a topic with the right tools. As they say,.. Ladies First.

WEEK ONE

Day 1, Genesis 2: Eve, the first woman

Day 2, Genesis 18: Sarah laughs at God’s promise

Day 3, Genesis 24: Rebekah’s marriage to Isaac

Day 4, Genesis 27: Rebekah, the manipulative mother

Day 5, Judges 4: Deborah’s leadership frees her people

Day 6, Ruth 1: Ruth and Naomi’s deep friendship

Day 7, 1 Samuel 1: Hannah prays for a son

WEEK TWO

Day 8, 1 Kings 17: A poor widow and the prophet Elijah

Day 9, 1 Kings 21: Jezebel, an emblem of wickedness

Day 10, Esther 2: Esther is chosen as queen

Day 11, Esther 4: Esther’s courage at the risk of death

Day 12, Luke 1: Mary and Elizabeth receive great news

Day 13, Luke 2: Mary gives birth to Jesus

Day 14, John 11: Mary and Martha and their brother’s death

Old Testament Stories-30 Tales You May Find Unusual and Instructional

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DAY                                                THEME                                             PASSAGE

1 Fire and Birds: God Lays Down the Law Numbers 11

2 Miriam: Leprous as Snow Numbers 12

3 Korah,Dathan and Abiran: Gulp! Numbers 16

4 Aaron:A Budding Leader Numbers 17

5 Moses Strikes Out Numbers 20:1–13

6 Afraid of Snakes? Numbers 21:4–9

7 Balaam’s…er, Donkey Numbers 22

8 Balaam’s…er, Donkey Day (2) Numbers 23–24

9 Laws for a Special People in a Special Time Deuteronomy 21

10 Moses: End of an Era Deuteronomy 31

11 Moses: End of an Era  Day (2) Deuteronomy 32:44–52; 34

12 Solar Stand Still Joshua 10:1–15

13 Ehud: Left Handed Wonder Judges 3:12–30

14 Deborah and Jael: Girls Power  Judges 4

15 Jephthah: A Hero’s Vow Judges 11

16 A Levite: The Wickedness of Israel Judges 19

17 David and Abigail: The Good Guy Wins 1 Samuel 25

18 Mephibosheth: Rags to Riches 2 Samuel 9

19 Elisha: Miracle Man 2 Kings 2:23–25; 4:8–37

20 Elisha: Miracle Man Day (2) 2 Kings 6:1–23

21 Asa: But if You Forsake Him . . .  2 Chronicles 15

22 Asa: But if You Forsake Him . . .Day (2) 2 Chronicles 16

23 Joash: Kindness Forgotten 2 Chronicles 22:10—23:21

24 Joash: Kindness Forgotten Day (2) Chronicles 24

25 Josiah: Youthful Ruler 2 Chronicles 34

26 Josiah: Youthful Ruler Day (2) 2 Chronicles 35

27 Nehemiah: Homesickness Nehemiah 1

28 Nehemiah: Homesickness Day (2) Nehemiah 2

29 Jerusalem Falls: Judgment Arrives Jeremiah 52

30 The Writing on the Wall Daniel 5

Questions to Ask Mormons pt 4: Which Jesus do you follow?

MORMON PROPHET ADMITS HE BELIVES IN ANOTHER CHRIST

http://www.watchman.org/lds/gbhjesus.htm

Mormon Prophet Admits He Believes in Another Christ – Not the Traditional  James K. Walker (Chart and notes by Timothy Oliver)
Paris, France – In a surprising admission during last month’s three nation European speaking trip, Mormon president Gordon B. Hinckley stated that the Christ he believes in is not the same Christ as the one followed by those outside the LDS Church.Hinckley quoted unnamed critics of the LDS Church who claim that Mormons do not believe in the traditional Christ and then he agreed with them.The LDS Church News reported: “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 [sic] 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.’” (LDS Church News Week ending June 20, 1998, p. 7).“ (June 20, 1998, http://www.desnews.com/cgi-bin/libstory_church?dn98&9806210091). Despite this major difference on a pivotal doctrine of the Christian faith, Hinckley maintains that he is a Christian. “Am I Christian?” Hinckley asked rhetorically, “Of course I am. I believe in Christ. I talk of Christ. I pray through Christ. I’m trying to follow Him and live His gospel in my life” (Ibid.).

In Mormonism, Jesus is a creation, the product of relations between god and his goddess wife who used to be people from another world (McConkie, Bruce, Mormon Doctrine, p. 192, 321, 516, 589). Jesus is the literal spirit brother of the devil and of you and I (McConkie, p. 192, 589). Also, in Mormon theology, God has a body of flesh and bones (Doctrine & Covenants 130:22) as does his wife and together they produce spirit offspring in heaven who inhabit human bodies on earth.

Very few, if any, of the ‘different’ Mormon doctrines are found in their Standard Works: the Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Rather, they are taught by Mormons of high standing: prophets, apostles, members of the 70 Quorum. McConkie, for example, was a member of the 70′s Quorum, a very high-ranking Mormon and wrote the book, Mormon Doctrine, from which much of the documentation for this is taken.

President Hinkley, the prophet and revelator of the Mormon church, has publicly declared that the Jesus of Mormonism and traditional Christianity are not the same.

Christians need to ask Mormons, “Which Jesus do you follow?”

The Bible warns of false teachers who promote “another Jesus whom we have not preached” (2 Corinthians 11:4). The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians not to believe everyone who preached “Jesus.” The true Jesus was based on the tradition of apostolic preaching – the Jesus “we preached.” Paul compared the preaching another Christ outside of that tradition with the deception of the serpent in the Garden of Eden (2 Corinthians 11:4, Genesis 3 1:4-5). In the same context, Paul warned the Church to beware of “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13).

If you asked Gordon B. Hinckley, the last Prophet of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this is what he would tell you!

Unlike the traditional Christian view of Jesus based solely on the Bible, Hinckley’s Christ is based to a large extent on extra-biblical revelation. It is not surprising then to find significant differences.

Hinckley notes this important distinction: “For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this, the Dispensation of the Fulness [sic] 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” (LDS Church News).

The LDS are offended to hear someone say they are not Christians. After all, “JESUS CHRIST” is emphasized in the name of their church. The first Article of Faith reads, “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” But is this the Jesus of the Bible?

Who Is Jesus?
The identity of Jesus Christ for Christians is based on two key things. Revelation and History. These do however overlap a bit in the Bible which we believe to be inspired thus revelation and history, that being eyewitness testimony as well as the facts scientific evidence has brough us via archeology. Suffice it to say that the point of this blog entry is not to go over who Jesus is,.. you can do that, by reading the Gospels, as the New Testament has 27,000 copies in varying languages substantiating their authenticity and reliability. You will see who Jesus says he is and not who Joseph Smith says, or what the Book of Mormon or other Mormon works.

Wonder if the Bible is reliable? Check out Please Convince Me. COM

reliability of the New Testament Here! —http://www.pleaseconvinceme.com/index/pg79640 and

Has it been faithfuly handed down? http://www.pleaseconvinceme.com/index/The_New_Testament_Has_Been_Faithfully_Transmitted

Who is Jesus Christ of the LDS?

LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie taught that Christians have “a mythical Christ” (Mormon Doctrine, p.269). That means we must decide which faith has the real Christ because somebody clearly has a mythical Christ. Do these faiths have the same Jesus? No, if you read the LDS Ensign. It says Christian Churches worship a different Jesus (May 1977, p.26).

Let’s take a look at the difference between the Mormon Jesus and the one of Traditional Christianity:

The Mormon Jesus

The Christian Jesus

The literal son of god and his goddess wife begotten in  the pre-existence. The brother of all spirits born in heaven in the premortal  existence. Became God One of Potentially Billions of Gods One of 3 gods in the godhead. The Trinity is three separate gods. First one to receive a spirit body. Atoned for sin on the cross and in the garden of Gethsemane by sweating blood. Married with Children Salvation of the Ungoldly by Grace AFTER all that they can do. The Created Spirit Brother of Lucifer Born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10)

Not the literal son of god and his goddess wife. Not the brother of all spirits born in heaven in a  premortal existence. Eternally God God Alone Not one of 3 gods in the godhead. The Trinity is 3 persons in one God. Was always spirit from eternity. Atoned for sin on the cross alone. Not Married Salvation of the Ungodly through Grace The Creator of All things Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1)

This brief comparison should help you see the difference between the two. Jesus cannot be both the literal son of god and his goddess wife and not the literal begotten son. He cannot be both one of 3 gods, and not one of 3 gods. They are different. In  fact, it would be a lot easier if the Mormons called him by a different name. For example, Bolok would be good. Bolok is one of  three gods, but Jesus is not. etc. That way, it would be a lot easier to tell them apart.

Mormonism definitely does not teach the same Jesus as Christianity.

Other Comments of a Different Jesus

Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, of the First Quorum of the Seventy, speaking from the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City during General Conference quotes a June 18, 1976 London Times article that states in part, “In fact, there is good reason for regarding them as a new religion rather than as another variety of Christianity.. the Christ followed by the Mormons is not the Christ followed by traditional Christianity.”

Elder Brockbank then adds a very frank admission: “It is true that many of the Christian churches worship a different Jesus Christ than is worshipped by the Mormons or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For example from the Church of England’s Articles of Religion, article one, I quote: ‘There is but one living God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions..’ We cannot obtain salvation and eternal life by worshipping fake Christs. The belief that God has no body parts, and passions is not a doctrine of Jesus Christ or a doctrine of the holy scriptures but is a doctrine of men, and to worship such a God is in vain” (“The Living Christ,” Ensign, May, 1977, pp. 26-7).

Today one is more likely to hear Mormons say that they believe in Jesus “too” – but have some additional information. They may point out a few historical differences (such as Christ’s visit to America recorded in the Book of Mormon) but ignore big differences – the fundamental issue of Christ’s very nature and essential attributes.

Honest Mormons will admit this,… the Question is will they then admit that they are not Christians? If so who are they saved by? Are they saved at all? If they do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible, then they have some thinking to do. This is an opporturnity to love them and walk with them through this time of decision.  If they are a “Missionary” you can bet if they tell another Elder they will be mysteriously removed. The reason is that you have brought some truth into their life and they are thinking for themselves and that is not a good thing. The best you can do is pray for them. If it is a neighbor, take time to have them over, keep the relationship without pressure, share from the Bible and PRAY hard.

If you are a Mormon and you read all of this,.. I will ask you,.. WHICH Jesus do you follow? The Jesus or Mormonism is NOT the Jesus of Christianity. And since he is not,… what have you pur you faith and trust in?

Retrieved and adapted  from: http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=274374

and

http://carm.org/religious-movements/mormonism/hinckley-says-mormons-believe-different-jesus

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