Here's a few "FUN" ways to teach the little ones how to 'follow the prophet' so they will have 'unquestioning obedience' when they grow to an age where "Testing the Spirits" is essential to their very own salvation.
This little carousel is a real nice way for children to learn how to follow prophets instead of Jesus.
Here is another:
MAZE: Pathway to Heaven
"See if you can follow the teaching of President Bordon B. Hinkley that will lead you through the maze to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Color the correct pathway, then cut out the page and hang it in your bedroom to remind you of some of the things the prophet has counseled us to do so that one day we can return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ." (http://library.lds.org)
It's so sad to see these brain washing techniques. I used to have fun learning about following the prophet while in Primary. Although these "activities" are fun, they are deadly to the soul.
Teach Then While They Are Young
Unquestioning Obedience
"The philosophical standard of the world holds that unquestioning obedience equals blind obedience, and blind obedience is mindless obedience. This is simply not true. Unquestioning obedience to the Lord indicates that a person has developed faith and trust in Him to the point where he or she considers all inspired instruction-whether it be recorded scripture, the words of modern prophets, direct inspiration through the Holy Ghost-to be worthy of obedience." (Believe All Things, Ensign, July 2005, pg. 30)
This is a poor excuse for "Unquestioning Obedience." The writer was clearly trying to find a way out for this one.
Here is what the Bible says about this:
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." ( 1 John 4:1)
"Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
These quotes from the Bible are real clear. As far as I can see, "Unquestioning Obedience" is evil, therefore, it must be avoided.
ROMANS 10:4
"Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."
The Thinking has Been Done
As a former Mormon, I need to address the topic of Mormons, particularly female Mormons, being able to think for themselves, their freedom to question Mormon doctrine, and to have access of their leaders activities.
"I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether or not they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind 'self-security'. ....Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path of the Lord dictates, or not.' (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], pg.135) In this manner no one need be deceived.
The quote from Brigham Young sounds good and straight, but it isn't what the Mormon church really teaches. All good upstanding Mormons are supposed to make sure that they cling to every word that comes out of the mouthpiece of God (the Mormon prophet) and all God's Mormon authorities. It doesn't matter what the subject is, as long as the member obeys the words of the prophet(s), he/she will be moving closer to their own salvation. Mormons have no understanding of the true Holy Spirit.
The controversy started with a 'Ward Teaching Message' in the Improvement Era of 1945. This is the closing statement:
"When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan--it is God's plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost ones faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God."
The Mormon authorities quickly rejected this posted message as a "...statement supposedly written by a minor church functionary."
There are many similar instructions from various Mormon leaders and church authorities on this same topic to all of their Mormon members.
Here's a few:
"Always keep your eye on the President of the church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, even if it is wrong, and you do it, the lord will bless you for it but you don't need to worry. The lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray." (LDS President Marion G. Romney [of the first presidency], quoting LDS President Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1960, pg. 78)
"The Lord Almighty leads this Church, and he will never suffer you to be led astray if you are found doing your duty. You may go home and sleep as sweetly as a babe in its mother's arms, as to any danger of your leaders leading you astray, for if they should try to do so the Lord would quickly sweep them from the earth." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, pg. 289, 1862)
"When the Prophet speaks the debate is over." (N. Eldon Tanner, August Ensign 1979, pg. 2,3)
"Follow your leaders who have been duly ordained and have been publicly sustained, and you will not be led astray." (Boyd K. Packer, General Conference, Oct. 1992, Ensign, Nov. 1992)
"The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray." (President Wilford Woodruff, considered scripture as it is canonized at the end of the D&C)
For Mormons the whole of their salvation is based on how well they obey the commandments, principles, and ordinances that are set in front of them by their prophets and general authorities.
"Man's love of God is measured in terms of obedience and service."
"And since man has been created and redeemed by the Lord, that holy being is certainly entitled to expect his own handiwork to abide by the counsels which he gives from time to time." (Mormon Doctrine, Bookcraft, Bruce R. McConkie, pg. 540)
"...And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people." (3 Nephi 20:23)
Take heed Mormons--If you don't blindly follow your prophet, you'll be cut off!!!
Now here's an interesting video. This guy went to school? He didn't learn much did he. If he was learned and solid in his beliefs, he would be firm on the truth about Mormonism. He isn't very convincing. He talks as if he doesn't want to break the egg shells under his feet.
In the Garden
The season is approaching where everyone who believes in Jesus will focus on how He suffered, bled, died, and was resurrected.
There is a fundamental difference between Christians and Mormons on Christs atonement for our sins. Mormons believe that it was in the Garden of Gethsemane where the atonement took place. They also say that it was in the garden where the original sin was wiped out and where Christ suffered so much that His sweat was blood. The garden was a place of prayer and solitude for our Savior. He communed with the Father there often. It was the logical destination for the most agonizing plea for help from our Savior to the Father.
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*Mormon quotes are in black and Christian quotes are in red.
"In Gethsemane the best among us vicariously became the worst among us and suffered the very depths of hell. And as one who was guilty, the Savior experienced for the first time in his life the loss of the Spirit of God and of communion with his Father.
There was for him no support, no help-neither from his friends who slept through his agony, nor from the Spirit of God, which departed from him. No one has ever been as alone as Christ in the Garden." (Believing Christ, Deseret Book, Stephen E. Robinson, pg. 119)
Christ was not alone in the Garden for long---"An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." (Luke 22:43)
"...Jesus took upon himself the infinite weight of the sins and sorrows of the world and was pressed with that tremendous load until the blood flowed through his skin. Just as olives and grapes are squeezed in the press, so Jesus, the true vine, was squeezed on Gethsemane, "the press," until his richness, his juice, his oil, his blood, was shed for humanity. No wonder that the wine of the Last Supper and of the Christian sacrament is such a fitting symbol for the blood of Christ [Mormons don't use wine.] -they are obtained by the same process. (Believing Christ, Deseret Book, Stephen E. Robinson, pg. 119&120, emphasis and brackets added)
"Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit-and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink-" (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18)
The sweat was "as if" it was blood, not real blood. "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:44, emphasis added)
The LDS believe that the death of Jesus made it possible for all persons to be resurrected. They believe that wiping out the sin, or transgression, as they prefer to say, of Adam and that through grace all men will be resurrected, were the only purposes for Christ on this earth. The LDS do not believe that Jesus Christ can give grace freely for any other reason.
"...one of the untrue doctrines found in modern Christendom is the concept that man can gain salvation (meaning the kingdom of God) by grace alone and without obedience." (Gospel Doctrine, Bookcraft, Bruce R. McConkie, pg. 671)
"and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:24)
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The Garden of Gethsemane, in truth, was where Christ communed with the Father. Jesus knew that His time had come to redeem and become a ransom for the sin that entered into the world. It was the time at the cross where Christ finished His work. He even said so. The blood of Jesus was spilled out as a sacrificial lamb. No animal or human could do what Christ did. It was at the cross, not at the garden, where the laws and ordnances were fulfilled. "...He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:13-15)
The Mormons who think that their "Savior" has the same role as the "Savior" of the Bible need to study the Bible again. Please don't study the Bible that Joseph Smith put together. That's not an accurate account. Get one that is approved by the Christian faith. Read it carefully so you can make a clear, knowledgeable decision as to what the truth is.
