This post is a response to a comment left under the heading: "The Bible and The Book of Mormon - A Genealogy" contained within my blog. The statement goes as such:
"You stated that You believe the bible to be the Holy Inspired word of god with full truth and Righteousness, and yet Everyone knows that King James hired his scribes to rewrite the bible so that all the members of his kingdom can read it. When they rewrote it, they left out parts that makes the bible contradict itself. Do you not think God would know that this would happened to his book and set up a second witness to the teachings of Jesus Christ?"
First of all, thank you for the comment.
Second, the answer to your question.
That's right, I did say "Inspired" Word of God. The King James Version is just that-a version.
No, I do not think God had any intention to have more writings to be a witness to Jesus Christ. A second witness to the Christ is not necessary, due to the fact that all of the necessary witnesses to the Lord and Savior are in their fullness contained within the context of the Bible.
The Book of Mormon is a grave attempt to deceive people into thinking that God failed in the first book, therefore, a second book must come forward. Joseph Smith was a dreamer and a plagiarist. How so many people can be deceived by such a man shows that a lot of humans do not really want to know God.
God is spirit, life is spiritual, and the understanding of His Holy Word, the Bible, can only be known through the spiritual mind.
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14, NIV)
Besides, the Book of Mormon was supposed to have been written before King James' time. Like, 600 years before Christ! The Book of Mormon has undergone over 3,000 changes since Joseph Smith wrote it. The last revision was but just a year or so ago.
Here are a couple of questions for you; Why would the Book of Mormon be written in the style of King James if the language of the BOM was Reformed Egyptian? Does Reformed Egyptian translate into King James?
The Bible and The Book of Mormon - A Response
What You Need To Know
please click on each photo and read on....
I would like to thank Ed Decker for his consent to post this Quick Reference Guide on my blog. I have linked his web site "Saints Alive" in the heading. Please click on the heading and spend some time there. It it a very uplifting and informative web. Go to his bookstore and get a copy of this guide for your own library.
Warm Fuzzy Feelings!
The Mormon Test for Truthfulness
Mormons often challenge people to pray with sincerity concerning the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, citing a verse in its closing book:
- "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4).
Many sincere seekers fall for this ploy, being ignorant of the warnings set forth by the Bible. Nowhere does the Bible ever direct the believing Christian to take any religious book and pray about the truthfulness of its contents. While we are told to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5), the clear Biblical directive and pattern to follow includes more than this:
- "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).
- "If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1 Tim. 6:3-4).
- "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves" (2 Cor. 13:5).
- "you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false" (Rev. 2:2).
- "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21).
- The Apostle Paul knew the gospel he preached was true because Christ's resurrection was historically verifiable (1 Cor. 15:1-8). Is the Book of Mormon historically verifiable? No.
Why is this the better method? Because not every self-proclained prophet is from God; many present a false gospel:
- "You are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel... even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Gal. 1:6-8).
- "if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted... (2 Cor. 11:4).
- "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the LORD" (Jer. 23:16).
How can we determine if a prophet is speaking from God? First, the prophecy must be 100% accurate. Second, the Bible says to use God's previous revelation through Biblical authors as a standard of comparison, because no new revelation will contradict God's previous words:
- "If a prophet... arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, "Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them [i.e. contradicting the ten commandments],' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet ...but that prophet ... shall be put to death" (Deut 13:1-5).
- "When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has NOT spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously" (Deut 18:22).
- "If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1 Tim. 6:3-4).
- Paul commended the Bereans for objectively investigating the things he taught them: "Now these were more noble-minded...for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).
Even Mormon leaders advocate investigation:
- "convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments, or by the word of God, and we will be ever grateful for the information, and you will ever have the pleasing reflection that you have been instruments in the hands of God of redeeming your fellow beings from the darkness which you may see enveloping their minds." (Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 15-16, 1853).
Therefore, it is NOT BIBLICAL to pray about the Book of Mormon to determine its truthfulness; one must TEST what it has to say. If it contradicts what God has already revealed, it fails. If you have "gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon" by praying Moroni 10:4, then you must seriously question whether or not you have been deceived.
Why should subjective feelings be suspected? Because we are sinful creatures and can be swayed by our emotions and sinful desires:
- "The heart of man is desperately wicked and cannot be trusted" (Jeremiah 17:9).
- "There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end is death" (Proverbs 14:12).
Should you pray whether to commit adultery or steal? Of course not, because the Bible already speaks out against such sins. God has already revealed His will regarding such matters, and no amount of prayer will change that fact. No matter how sincerely you may believe otherwise, to claim that God gave you permission to steal, or commit adultery proves that you did not hear from God (1 Tim 6:3-4; Deut. 13:1-2; Deut. 18:20-22; Jer. 23:16, 30-36; Zech. 13:2-3).
To believe that something is true merely because you feel it to be so or because you are sincere in your belief does not make it true 11. Instead, the Bible warns that feelings can be deceptive and that the sincere truth-seeker must base decisions on more objective means. A standard Mormon response is to resort to the subjective. He insists that he knows the Book of Mormon is true because he has a 'burning in the bosom'. God, he claims, has proved it to him in his heart, so it can't be untrue. He may also claim that to challenge him in this way only makes him stronger in this faith. A "burning in the bosom," no matter how sincere, is no proof of historicity or authority. If evidence goes against the Book of Mormon to prove it false, then to ignore or avoid that evidence is not sincere faith but rather dishonesty and deceitfulness.
The test of Moroni 10:4 is a trick. When you are challenged, you must accept Book of Mormon as true or your integrity is placed under suspicion. If you accept the challenge (even though unbiblical) but conclude that the Book of Mormon is not from God, Mormons will say that you either did not have a sincere heart, real intent, or genuine faith; otherwise the test would have revealed positive results. According to Mormon thinking, it is not possible for their book to be wrong, so you must be wrong.
Mormons may also say that the Book of Mormon is latter-day revelation from God that supercedes the authority of the Bible. This cannot be true because written, inerrant, authoritative revelation ended with Jesus and his apostles:
- The apostles spoke on God's behalf: "Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the scriptures..." (2 Peter 3:15-16). "You should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord by your apostles" (2 Peter 3:2).
- But the Apostle Paul warned the Galatian church: "if anyone should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8-9).
- "Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar" (Prov. 30:6).
- "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it" (Deut. 4:2).
- "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life" (Rev. 22:18-19).
This is the standard that must be used. If you investigate carefully the differences between Mormon doctrine and orthodox Christian doctrine, and compare Mormon 'scriptures' with the Bible, you will come to the conclusion that the Book of Mormon and Mormonism are not from God.
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Please click on the web site where I got this. Leadership U. A very good web. Check it out!!!!
And thank you Leadership U for letting me post this information.
More Obedience
Unquestioning Obedience a Virtue
"For us, to 'believe all things' means to believe the doctrine of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as well as the words of the Latterday prophets. It means to successfully erase our doubts and reservations. It means that in making spiritual commitments, we are prepared to hold nothing back. It means we are ready to consecrate our lives to the work of the kingdom."
"We are instructed to be like children, who are willing to be taught and then to act without first demanding full knowledge."
"Some members are constantly evaluating the gospel by the standards of the world. They may think, 'That is not how I think the Lord would want it done,' or, 'Based on my understanding of the scriptures, the Church position should have been . . .'"
"Some Church members may have reservations because of a physical appetite they are not quite willing to surrender."
"Other common reservations are flagged by words such as 'yes, but . . .' when scriptures or prophets are quoted. Or we may hear, 'I am not going to let the Church make my decisions for me.'"
"Obedience is a fundamental law of the gospel. It is not only the demonstration of our faith but also the foundation of our faith. But 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 or the words of modern prophets — to be worthy of obedience."
"One day there will be answers to all our questions, and they will be based on divine fairness and love. The Lord will not hold people accountable for factors over which they have no control." "Let us believe all things. Let us have unquestioning faith in all of the doctrines and truths of the restored gospel." "Helps for Family Home Evening: 1. Blindfold one family member. Have a parent guide him or her through a set of obstacles. Compare this activity to the doctrines presented in this article."- Elder Robert Oaks, "Believe All Things," Ensign, July 2005, page 30
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Blind faith, blind faith, blind faith..............Oh, yeah....Yes, Santa Clause, there is blind faith!!!!
The Empire of the Mormons
Click on the title which is linked with a web site that goes into great detail the economic power of the Mormon church. It shows how the Mormons are trying to take over every aspect of business and money. Spirit filled church this Mormon church?, NO!!!!!!! Greed is their god!!!!!
Washington DC Temple-The New Capital?
I remember as a teen the buzz around the house was the fact that the Americas were for the 'Latter-day Saints' and the temple is where the business of the nation will be conducted. Hard core evidence I don't have, but the rumor seems to be quite real. These papers give a great account of how the Mormon authorities plan on ruling this country and eventually the world.
Please click on each page and read the whole article. Very interesting. Long, but good!
If They Came To My Door...
I'd like to thank you for the comment in my last post. The topic of Mormon missionaries coming to your home and knocking on your door is a probability. There are so many young folk out there who are anxiously waiting for the possibility of baptisms under their belt before they go back home. Those baptisms mark the success or failure of the mission.
If they came to my door, however, I would tell them that I am a former Mormon and I don't want anything to do with the Mormon faith.
It is ok to let the Missionaries know that you don't want or need to hear their message. They will not take no for an answer, so they will try a harder sell. The MM's have extensive training in how to sell their message prior to arriving to their mission (wherever that is.) They are so brain washed into selling their product that they will not see through their program. Their hearts and minds are closed to the truth, unless they are willing to be objective enough to try to understand the person whose door they just knocked on, and who they are so desperately trying to win over. They most likely don't want to really listen to you and try to understand. They will hear you out, but that is very superficial. Nothing is really taken to heart, but they will want to know all about you so they can figure out how to win you over. The less you get personal to them the better.
I don't suggest you let them in the door. They will think that most the battle is won at that point. Think of a door-to-door sales man, the MM's strategy is not much different. If you want to debate point-by-point, well, that's pointless. They have set words, expressions, examples, scripture references, and many other ways to get you to want them to tell you more. If they just don't happen to know the answer, they will want to set up a meeting date for another day, just so they can keep coming back. Don't give them the satisfaction!!
Here are a couple of real good tracks that I would hand out to the MM's. I really can't guarantee that they will read them. Most times the MM's will take them from you just to be generous, but then they will just trow them away later. I've seen it done. I was a stake missionary for quite awhile, and they never want to take seriously what the convert prospect has to say that is against anything that the MM's want said. The whole thing is programed from the first second on.
Input
Hello Everyone,
To all those out there reading this blog. I am curious if the information I post on here is helping you see the truth in Mormonism. Also, is there any subject you would like me to cover? I would appreciate a little input from you all!
In Christ,
handmaiden
Born of Virgin Mary
This is very important for everyone to understand. Our Lord and Savior was born of a virgin. Not a virgin wanna be.
Go to Mormon Home Evening's web site. It is very informative.
Newsletter Time
PLEASE CLICK ON EACH PAGE AND READ.
MORMONS LIKE TO GIVE PRAISE TO JOSEPH SMITH----NOT JESUS.
A Plea To All Mormons
Daily Devotional Date: 01/29/08 - 675 days ago.
Category: EVIL
An Evil Tool of Satan Masquerading as a Godly Grandfather is Burning in Hell
(Galatians 1:6-12)
"An evil tool of satan masquerading as a Godly grandfather is buring in hell for all eternity! Gordon B. Hinckley, the leader of the satanic Mormon cult is dead at 97. Hinckley saw this cult grow from 9 million members to over 13 million members worldwide during his 12-year reign as its leader. While Hinckley is already being memorialized as a "great man of God," the fact is his life has been an instrument in the hands of satan to help lead the souls of men to hell by following the false theolgy of the Mormon cult.
Many people, even Christians will rail aginst me for being so unkind, but this only illustrates the problem we have. Even Believers don't take the eternal souls of men serious enough. As I state often, this is a battle for souls. Satan is not playing games and is serious about taking as many souls into the lake of fire with him as he can. I am saddened at how many Christians either don't understand, or don't want to think about the FACT that those who die without Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, will pass from this life into eternal punishment!
I know some people are outraged that I would be "so mean" to call Mormonism a satanic cult. I receive emails all the time talking about the great works they do. First, I have no doubt that most Mormons are fine people, good people, and do great works. But being a good person and doing good works does NOT get you into Heaven. Only faith in Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the Bible, will get you into Heaven. The Mormon cult spends tens of millions of dollars each year in public relations to portray themselves as "just another Christian church."
DO NOT LET THEIR ADS FOOL YOU. They are no more a Christian church than your local mosque is!
The lie of Mormonism that I expose is not a new problem. Paul, himself, had to deal with the issue of "cults"-those who perverted the Gospel-almost from the very beginning. He spoke of it often in his writings, as in today's anchor verses in his letter to the church at Galatia. This is nothing new.
Here are just a few of the theological issues that makes the satanic Mormon cult totally inconsistent with Biblical Christianity and why a Mormon is no more a Christian than a Muslim is. The god of the Mormon cult is NOT the God of the Bible. Their "god" is named Elohim and was once a man like you and I who came from another planet. Mormon theology teaches that men can eventually become a god and have their own planet. When a Mormon talks about "god," he is talking about this fictitious god of Mormonism and NOT the God of the Bible!
This holds true for Jesus. The jesus of Mormon theology is not God incarnate as the Bible teaches. The Mormon jesus was not supernaturally conceived by the Holy Ghost, but the natural offspring of their "god" Elohim who had sex with Mary, meaning he is a created being no different than you and I. Mormons also teach that their jesus had several wives and children, again, in compete contradiction to what the Bible teaches. The jesus of the Mormon cult is also the spirit brother of Lucifer and will return not to the Mt. Of Olives as the Bible teaches, but to Independence, Missouri to set up his earthly Kingdom.
When a Mormon talks about "jesus," he is NOT talking about the true Jesus of the Bible! What Jesus you put your faith in is so critical, since this is why anyone who puts their faith in the imaginary jesus of Joseph Smith and the satanic Mormon cult will die in their sins and their souls burn forever in the flames of hell!
What about the Bible and true Christian churches? Mormons love to use the Bible and quote from the Bible to support their deception that they are Christians. The trademark of all cults and false religions, even those who use the Bible, is that it is NOT their final authority. In the Mormon cult, their authority does not come from the Bible which they view as incomplete and not reliable, but the writings of Smith, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants. These are the writings that form the false theology of this cult.
Mormons believe that non-Mormons are "abominations." While they don't have the guts the Muslims do to publicly call a non-Muslim an infidel who should be put to death, a Mormon views a Biblical Christian as part of a "false religion" and void of all authority.
Like in all cults, the average member hasn't got a clue what their cult really believes. You only get to know everything after you have proven yourself to be a loyal and worthy member of the cult. That is true in the Mormon cult as well. Most Mormons go to their "church," sing many of the same hymns they sing at the Baptist church down the road, give their tithe, read a few passages out of the Bible, hear a message about being a "good person," and go home.
It is only when you get to become a "temple Mormon" that you really learn all of the deep, dark, beliefs of Mormonism. The Mormon temple rituals are actually little more than the temple rituals Smith copied from another cult, Freemasonry! Smith who was involved in the Masonic cult, simply copied and incorporated their chants, handshakes, and ceremonies when he started the Mormon cult. These are the same chants, handshakes, and ceremonies Romney participated in when he took his oath to the Mormon cult above anything else, INCLUDING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTION!
The average person has no idea that the ultimate goal of the Mormon cult is to establish a theocracy here in the United States. Joseph Smith, the cult's founder actually ran for the Presidency. So did Mitt Romney's father. This cult has the very real goal of establishing the "Kingdom of God," which means advancing the physical and earthly organization of the multi-billion dollar Mormon cult.
There is a special room in the Mormon Temple located in Washington, DC that has been prepared and in place for over 30 years, which will be the seat of power for the Mormon-led government which will supplant our current government. This was the vision Smith laid out less than 200 years ago, and Mitt Romney and those in the hierarchy and leadership of the Mormon cult see this as the time for that vision to become fulfilled!
I love you and care about you so much. Gordon B. Hinckley was NOT a great "man of God," but simply a tool of satan who used his life to lead millions to the false teachigns of the Mormon cult, meaning those poor souls died in their sins and are in hell for all eternity along with all who reject the Jesus of the Bible. He did not become a "god" upon his death as Mormons beleive. He didn't get his own planet full of women waitng to have sex with him. The moment he died, Hinckley stood before God and because he rejected Jesus and died in his sins, was immediately cast into hell for all eternity!
I have done my best in a limited amount of time to give you a brief overview of the false and satanic beliefs of the Mormon cult. I have just barely scratched the surface, but just in what I have shared with you today, NOBODY in their right mind could ever believe that a Mormon is a Christian. When you study Mormon theology and understand the wild beliefs of Smith and this cult, you need faith greater than I will ever hope to have to believe what they do. There is no logic to it and there is absolutely nothing they believe that has any basis in realty or can be proven.
Listen, God gave us free will, and men who live in rebellion to God since the very beginning have dreamed up the wildest and most ridiculous relgions, and sadly people who were spiritually void chose to believe their lies and will be lost for all eternity because of it. The danger of Mormonism is that they are deceptive (just look at their name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and will lie without conscience just like the father of lies, satan (John 8:44), to get people to join their cult.
I pray today for those 13 million souls alive today who are following the lies of this cult, to turn from those lies before they take their last breath and are lost for all eternity. There is only one Truth, and that is found in the book God wrote, the Bible. There is only one way to be saved, and that is through a personal relationship by faith with the Jesus of the Bible. May those lost in the lies of the Mormon cult denounce those lies and turn to God's Word alone and faith in Jesus and be saved so they don't end up buring in hell like Gordon B. Hinckley!!!"
Please go to the web site where I got this from, Live Prayer dot com. A wonderful site for global pray on many subjects. God Bless that ministry.
Early "Mormon" Christmas Message
"According to Mormon teaching, Jesus Christ's spirit, like ours, was pre-existent. Therefore, we are all literally brothers and sisters of Jesus and of each other. Jesus, though, is set apart since he was the first-born of the spirit-children of God. Doctrine and Covenants makes it clear in 93:21-23: 'And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn. Ye were also in the beginning with the Father.'
If all of us, including Jesus, were born spiritually in heaven before were born physically, what sets Jesus apart from us besides his being the first-born spirit? Mormons teach it is the manner of Jesus' physical birth that makes him different.
Matthew 1:18-20 says that Mary was pregnant and that the Holy Spirit was the cause of that pregnancy. The remaining verses in the chapter explain that Mary was a virgin and remained a virgin until Jesus' birth. Although Mormons claim to believe this, they persistently deny that Mary conceived through the Holy Spirit. Brigham Young stated, 'Now, remember from this time forth, and forever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost.'
Strangely enough, the Book of Mormon agrees with the Bible. In Alma 7:10 we read, 'And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be over shadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.' Yet despite the clear meaning of this verse, Joseph Fielding Smith, Tenth President of the Mormon Church, said, 'they tell us the Book of Mormon states that Jesus was begotten of The Holy Ghost. I challenge that statement. The Book of Mormon teaches no such thing! Neither does the Bible.'
According to Mormon theology, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three separate and distinct individuals. So Jesus could not be the Son of God if the Holy Spirit was responsible for his conception. In order to make Jesus the Son of God, Mormons teach that God was responsible for the physical as well as the spiritual birth of Jesus. Brigham Young explained it this way: "The birth of the Savior was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of a natural action. He partook of flesh and blood--was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers."
An early Mormon apostle, Orson Pratt, explained how God could have sexual relations with the wife of another man and not be considered sinful:
It was the personage of the Father who begat the body of Jesus; and for this reason Jesus is called "the Only Begotten of the Father;"...But God having created all men and women, had the most perfect right to do with His own creation, according to His holy will and pleasure: He had a lawful right to overshadow the Virgin Mary in the capacity of a husband, and beget a Son, although she was espoused to another; for the law which He gave to govern men and women was not intended to govern Himself, or to prescribe rules for his won conduct.
From these statements it is difficult to understand how the Mormons can refer to Jesus as having been born of a virgin. And it is easy to see why this entire line of reasoning makes Christians shudder. This supposed Christian theology smacks of ancient pagan mythology and in no way accords with the God revealed in the Bible." ( The Mormon Papers, Are the Mormon Scriptures Reliable?, Harry L. Ropp, InterVarsity Press, 1978, pp. 17-19)
I couldn't have said it better myself!!!!!
Pilgrims Were For The LDS?
"...this included the Pilgrim fathers and others who first settled America. These were great events in the unfolding of God's plans with respect to the dispensation of the fulness of times or the latter-day gospel dispensation, which fully justified the sending of the Spirit of God to move upon the minds and hearts of men in order to bring about the purposes of the Almighty. Such things have transpired through the ages to assist in achieving his purposes.
No doubt the reformers and those who gave us the Holy Bible were also inspired in preparation for the restoration of the gospel.
The knowledge of all these things, as the reader will note, does not come to us primarily through reading the Bible, but through the revelations of the Lord in these latter days. We use the Bible to show that these teachings are completely in accord therewith." (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, LeGrand Richards, Deseret Book Company, p. 128)
Selfish Mormons, now Thanksgiving will never be the same again.
Lets Cut Down Christianity & The Bible
"There is so much to be done that the Lord placed many leaders and officers in his church and divided the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods into many divisions, so that there would be a place suited to each man's capacity.
In the Aaronic Priesthood there are the following divisions: deacons, teachers, and priests. There are bishops when they are direct descendants of Aaron; otherwise they are chosen from among the high priests of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
In the Melchizedek Priesthood there are the following divisions and offices; elders, seventies, high priests, patriarchs (or evangelists), apostles, and prophets.
All of the above-named officers are mentioned in the New Testament in connection with the primitive church of Christ. However, only a few of them are now found in the existing branches of modern Christianity. It is our impression that if this complete organization were to be offered to the churches of today, they would not know what to do with it. They would not know the differences between the callings of an elder, a high priest, a deacon, a teacher, or a priest, nor the differences in their respective ministrations. Neither would they know how many of each are required to make a quorum nor how a quorum should be organized and governed. Neither would we know this if we were dependent upon the Bible only for this information. But we are not so dependent, for all of the knowledge we have received through the revelations of the Lord in connection with the restoration of the priesthood in this dispensation through the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D&C sections 13, 20, 84, 107, 121.)." (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, LeGrand Richards, Deseret Book Company, pp. 91, italics added)
Sounds like to me that the Mormon church doesn't think that the Christian churches of today are capable of organizing and governing much of anything. They say that Christian churches would not know what to do, nor would they know the difference. The Mormons need to take another look.
Christians Lie in Wait to Deceive?
"It surely appears as if the Christian world has been "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and the cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Who would say that it is not because they have done away with the officers whom God placed in his church to bring them to a unity of the faith? What more could be expected?" (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, LeGrand Richards, Deseret Book Company, pp.91-92)
Ephesians 4:14
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."
The scripture is speaking of maturity in Christ, not about the Christian world's doing away of the officers in His church.
It's a twisted perspective on the Mormons part.
The Organization
"It seems proper that we should first consider the organization of the church of Jesus Christ. Not all of the details in connection with the organization of the restored church were given by Peter, James, and John, but they did restore the keys and the authority of the priesthood so essential to the establishment of the kingdom. The organization was perfected through revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith as the membership of the Church increased, making such an organization possible and necessary." (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, LeGrand Richards, Deseret Book Company, p.130)
The "Church" is the body of believers, not an organization.
The "Kingdom" is not an establishment.
The term "Organization" should in no way be associated with Jesus Christ.
Our Lord and Savior is NOT an organization.
Light Of Christ
"The gift [baptism by fire] of the Holy Ghost, which members receive by laying on of hands, is very real and different than the spirit [light of Christ], which is given to all men, regardless of religious faith. This is known as the "Light of Christ" [conscience]. It is a light that when followed, will lead a man into the truth [Mormonism] of all things.
When that Truth [Mormonism] is received, and covenants made, then the Father, as taught in the Bible, will send the gift [baptism by fire] of the Holy Ghost, as a representative of the Son Himself. The gift [baptism by fire] of the Holy Ghosts' personal companionship, to an individual, is one of the greatest gifts that God can bestow on those, here upon the earth." (LDS Nana, Ask Mormon, Hubpages, brackets added, bold type added)
"The light of Christ [conscience] is a doctrine of the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that most people would call conscience. This doctrine teaches that the Holy Ghost itself is a divine personage and member of the Godhead. All people are able to feel the influence [spirit, light of Christ, conscience] of the Holy Ghost from time to time. But repeatedly going against the Light of Christ [conscience] will eventually make one "beyond feeling" the influence [spirit, light of Christ, conscience] of the Holy Ghost. The baptism of water spoken by Jesus to Nicodemus was a literal baptism as practiced in the church. The baptism by fire [gift] is to receive the Gift [baptism by fire] of the Holy Ghost, or the opportunity to always feel the Holy Ghosts' companionship, as long as one remains worthy of it." (www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Light_of_Christ, brackets added, bold type added)
Light of Christ does not appear in the Bible.
"Christ is" the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World." (D&C 93:2; John 1:9.) This enlightenment is administered to all men through the Spirit of Christ, or the Spirit of the Lord, or the Light of truth or the light of Christ [conscience] all of which expressions are synonymous. This spirit fills the immensity of space, is in all things, and is not to be confused with the Personage of Spirit as the Holy Ghost (or Spirit of the Lord.) (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 38-54) The light of Christ [conscience] is the Spirit of the Lord which leads men to accept the gospel [Mormonism] and join the Church [LDS] so that they may receive the gift [baptism by fire] of the Holy Ghost... Men are born again [converted to Mormonism] by following the light of Christ [conscience] to the actual enjoyment of the gift [baptism by fire] of the Holy Ghost. (Mosiah 27:24-31; Alma 36.) It is because of the light of Christ [conscience] that all men know good from evil and enjoy the guidance of what is called conscience [light of Christ]. (Moro. 7:12-19.) It gives life to all things, is the law by which they are governed, and the power of God is manifest through it. (D&C 88:6-13.) (Mormon Doctrine, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, Utah, Bruce R. McConkie, pp. 446-447)
"The phrase "Light of Christ" does not appear in the Bible, although the principles that apply to it are frequently mentioned therein. The precise phrase is found in Alma 28:14, Moro. 7:18, and D&C 88:7. Biblical phrases that are sometimes synonymous to the tern "Light of Christ" are "spirit of the Lord" and "light of life" (see, for example, John 1:4, John 8:18). The "spirit of the Lord," however, sometimes is used with reference to the Holy Ghost, and so must not be taken in every case as having reference to the light of Christ.
The light of Christ should not be confused with the personage of the Holy Ghost, for the light of Christ is not a personage at all. Its influence is preliminary to and preparatory to one's receiving the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ will lead the honest soul, who "hearkeneth to the voice" to find the true gospel [Mormonism] and the true church [LDS] and thereby receive the Holy Ghost (see D&C 84:46-48). (www.thefaithfuldissident.blogspot.com, bold type added, brackets added)
"Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Deseret Book Company, p.149)
According to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Non-Mormons have: The Light of Christ ONLY, and Mormons have: The Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit by GIFT. To qualify for that GIFT of the Holy Ghost, you must by baptized into the Mormon church and receive the Holy Ghost by those who are in authority via laying on of hands.
"...the Holy Ghost enlightens their minds and enables them to know the truth [Mormonism] when they have faith in Christ and seek sincerely in order that they may accept and obey the truth [Mormonism]. However, there is no promise that the Holy Ghost will remain as a comforter and companion with even such as they [non-Mormons], except upon their acceptance of the truth [Mormonism] and their obedience to its requirements. (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, LeGrand Richards, Deseret Book Company, 1978, p.119, bold type added, brackets added)
Mormonism teaches that it is the Holy Ghost who came on the Day of Pentecost, however, it was not the true Holy Ghost. It was merely the "Light of Christ." It states in the book, "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder" that the early apostles did not understand the scriptures, being without revelation, being without the priesthood of God, and they had to depend upon their own interpretation of the scriptures for their guidance. This book also states that they [meaning the early Christians] received the Holy Ghost [Light of Christ] to convince them of the truth as preached by Peter, nevertheless, they [meaning the early Christians] had not received the Holy Ghost as a gift [baptism by fire], in other words, laying on of hands by those in authority to receive such a gift.
Ask a Mormon about the Day of Pentecost, most likely, he/she will not fully know much about it.
Mormons Throw Support Behind Gay-Rights Cause
It looked like a stunning reversal: the same church that helped defeat gay marriage in California standing with gay-rights activists on an anti-discrimination law in its own backyard.
On Tuesday night, after a series of clandestine meetings between local gay-rights backers and Mormons in Salt Lake City, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced it would support proposed city laws that would prohibit discrimination against gays in housing and employment.
The ordinances passed and history was made: It marked the first time the Salt Lake City-based church had supported gay-rights legislation.
The Mormon church — which continues to suffer a backlash over its support last year of Proposition 8, the measure banning gay marriage in California — emphasized that its latest position in no way contradicts its teachings on homosexuality.
But the action is one of the strongest signs yet that even conservative religious groups that oppose same-sex marriage might be willing to support legal protections for gays that fall short of that.
At the same time, the church's position has angered some of its conservative allies on social issues, prompted questions about whether public relations is its real motivation, and put the church on the spot over how far it will go on similar legislation on the state and federal level.
"This is a very good public relations response that has the additional benefit of actually representing the way the current church leadership thinks," said Armand Mauss, a retired professor at Washington State University and scholar of Mormonism.
Some of the church's conservative allies in the gay marriage battles, however, call it a setback. The two new ordinances make it illegal to fire or evict someone for being gay, bisexual or transgender.
Such legislation robs employers and landlords of their rights and gives legal ammunition to judges sympathetic to gay marriage, said Peter Sprigg, senior fellow for policy studies at the conservative Family Research Council.
"It's disappointing and I'm fearful that it reflects in part a reaction to the attacks they came under after Proposition 8 — an effort to bend over backwards to exhibit tolerance toward homosexuals in some way," Sprigg said.
Michael Otterson, director of public affairs for the Mormon church, said Wednesday that church leaders were able to support the ordinance because it doesn't carve out special rights for gays.
Supporting "basic civil values," Otterson said, does not compromise the church's religious belief that homosexuality is a sin and that same-sex marriage poses a threat to traditional marriage.
"There are going to be gay advocates who don't think we've gone nearly far enough, and people very conservative who think we've gone too far," Otterson said. "The vast majority of people are between those polar extremes and we think that's going to resonate with people on the basis of fair-mindedness."
The position is not a reversal, Otterson said. In August 2008 the church issued a statement saying it supports gay rights related to hospitalization, medical care, employment, housing or probate as long as they "do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches."
Church officials say the city ordinances were not discussed in the recent meetings between church staff and gay rights leaders, and that it was the mayor who put the proposals on the table.
Harry Knox, director of the religion and faith program at the gay-rights group Human Rights Campaign, said the Mormon church's stand on the Salt Lake City ordinances could help alter the debate over gay rights.
"The church deserves credit, but that credit really comes because people have been pushing for it," Knox said. "It's not something thing they arrived at on their own and out of the goodness of their hearts."
The church's action is the latest sign of a softening among some conservative Christians toward offering some legal protections to gays.
Activists are trying to garner support from evangelicals for a federal employment anti-discrimination law that would cover gays. However, religious reaction was largely negative to a federal hate crimes act protecting homosexuals that President Barack Obama recently signed into law. Several conservative Christian groups argued that preaching against homosexuality could be deemed a hate crime under the legislation.
The Mormon church has not taken a stance on either piece of federal legislation.
Otterson, the church spokesman, said that in the case of the Salt Lake City ordinances, Mormon leaders weighed in because they were responding to a request for feedback on specific legislation.
Asked whether the church would take a stand on similar state or federal legislation, Otterson said: "The church leadership is not inclined to offer free advice where it's not being requested."
FARMS Says Joseph Smith Had Sex With More Than One Woman!
Click on the title above and go to Signature Books' web page and read all about it!
Christ: Is The Fullness Of Times
The various contributions that aided in bringing in the fullness of times.
"Environment
Political Contributions of Romans
1.Developed a sense of the unity of mankind under a universal law.
2.The extension of Roman imperial power during the period of empire building a period of peaceful development occurred in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean.
3.Developed an excellent system of roads radiating out from the golden milestone in the Roman forum to all parts of the empire.
4.The role of the Roman army in the development of the ideal of a universal organization and in the spread of the gospel
5.Roman conquests led to a loss of belief by many peoples in their gods because the gods had not been able to keep them from defeat by the Romans.
The conclusion that the Roman Empire provided a political environment favorable to the spread of Christianity in the days of its infancy.
Intellectual contributions of Greeks
1.The universal gospel was in need of a universal language if it was to make maximum impact on the world.
2.Greek philosophy prepared for the coming of Christianity by destroying the older religions.
3.The Greek people also contributed in a religious way to making the world ready to accept the new Christian religion when it appeared.
Both the Greek and Roman systems of philosophy and religion thus made a contribution to the coming of Christianity by destroying the old polytheistic religions and by showing the inability of human reason to reach God. The mystery religions, to which many turned, accustomed the people to think in terms of sin and redemption. This when Christianity appeared, people within the Roman Empire were more receptive to a religion that seemed to offer a spiritual approach to life.
Religious contributions of the Jews
Religious contributions to the "fullness of the time" include those of the Greek and Roman as well as those of the Jew. But however great may have been the contributions of Athens and Rome to Christianity by way of environment, the contributions of the Jew stand forth as the heredity of Christianity. Christianity may have developed in the political milieu of Rome and may have had to face the intellectual environmental created by the Greek mind, but its relationship to Judaism was much more intimate. Judaism may be thought of as the stalk on which the rose of Christianity was to bloom.
The Jewish people, in contrast to the Greeks, did not seek to discover God by processes of human reason. They assumed His existence and readily granted to Him the worship that they felt was His due. They were influenced toward this course by the fact that God sought them and revealed Himself to them in history by His appearances to Abraham and the other great leaders of the race. Jerusalem became the symbol of a positive religious preparation for the coming of Christianity.
Salvation was to by, indeed, "of the Jews," as Christ told the Woman at the well (John 4:22). From this tiny captive nation, situated on the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, a Savior was to come. Judaism provided the heredity of Christianity and, for a time, even gave the infant religion shelter.
A.Monotheism=Judaism existed in striking contrast to the generality of pagan religions by its emphasis on a sound spiritual monotheism.
B.Messianic Hope=The Jews offered to the world the hope of a coming Messiah who would bring righteousness to the earth.
C.Ethical System=In the moral part of the Jewish law, Judaism also offered to the world the purest ethical system in existence.
D.Old Testament Scriptures=The Jewish people still further prepared the way for the coming of Christianity by providing the infant church with its message, the Old Testament.
E.Philosophy of History=The Jews made possible a philosophy of history by insisting that history had meaning.
F.The Synagogue=The Jews also provided an institution that was most useful in the rise and development of early Christianity.
The matters that have been discussed show how favored Christianity was, both as to time and region, in the period of its emergence. At no other time in the world's history before the coming of Christ was such a large region under one law and government. The Mediterranean world also had one culture, centering in Rome.
One universal language made it possible to give the gospel to mast of the people of the empire in a tongue common to them and to the new religion, had a strategic location in this world. Paul was right in emphasizing that Christianity was not something "done in a corner"(Acts 26:26), because Palestine was an important crossroads linking the continents of Asia and Africa with Europe by a land route. Many of the most important battles of ancient history were fought for possession of this strategic area. In the period of Christianity's birth and during the first three centuries of its existence, conditions were more favorable for its spread throughout the Mediterranean world than at any other time in the ancient or medieval eras--Such is also the opinion of the worlds leading scholar of missions.
Throughout the contribution of the Greek and Roman environment and through the heritage of Judaism, the world was prepared for "the fullness of the time" when God sent forth His Son to bring redemption to a war-torn and sin-weary humanity. It is significant that of all the religions practiced in the Roman Empire at the time of Christ's birth, only Judaism and Christianity have been successful in surviving the changing course of human history." (Christianity Through the Centuries, A History of the Christian Church, Earle E. Cairns, Zondervan Publishing House, Chapter One, pp.35-43)
The Fullness of Times has been here for a very long time, even prior to the claim of Joseph Smith, Jr, who by his own thoughts, conceived the notion of a restoration during his time. The long quote above shows how Christ, our Savior IS "The Fullness of Times."
Christ became 'the fullness of the time" and is still, and always will be, "the fullness of times." For He is the beginning and the end, alpha and omega, Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13.
How do You Tell a Bad Angel from a Good Angel?
"There have also been ministering angels in the Church which were of Satan appearing as an angel of light. A sister in the state of New York had a vision, who said it was told her that if she would go to a certain place in the woods, an angel would appear to her. She went at the appointed time, and saw a glorious personage descending, arrayed in white, with sandy colored hair; he commenced and told her to fear God, and said that her husband was called to do great things, but that he must not go more than one hundred miles from home, or he would not return; whereas God had called him to go to the ends of the earth, and he has since been more than one thousand miles from home, and is yet alive. Many true things were spoken by this personage, and many things that were false. How, it may be asked, was this known to be a bad angel? By the color of his hair; that is one of the signs that he can be known by, and by his contradicting a former revelation." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Company, 1976, pp. 215-216, italics added)
Well, here is another good one. JS says that a person can know the difference between a good angel from a bad angel. It's by the color of the angels hair. Strange though, the angel that JS saw, as depicted in the picture, has sandy colored hair too.
(Click on the picture to get a better look.)
So, does this mean that Joseph Smith's angel, as seen in the picture, a bad angel too? I think so.
Face to Face
"The simple story told by the Prophet Joseph Smith of his interview with the Father and the Son makes it easy to understand the teachings of the Bible relating to this important matter. It must be remembered, however, that this knowledge was not obtained by the Prophet through a study of the Bible. We take the Bible merely to prove that his [God's] story harmonizes fully with the teachings thereof [of Joseph Smith's story]. Some of which we shall now consider.
See: Genesis 1:26-27 and Genesis 5:3
Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. (Exodus 24:9-10)
And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord walked with Moses. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshiped, every man in his tent door. And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend...(Exodus 33:9-11)
Could any historian be expected to describe this event any more clearly than to say that the Lord and Moses talked with each other "face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend"? Does anyone need to be told how a man speaks to his friend? The Father and the Son spoke with Joseph Smith "face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." There is only one thing that made this possible, and that is the fact that God did create man in his own image and likeness.
Insert
Exodus 33:20-But, "he said," you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.
"Sometimes in the Old Testament people are said to have seen God (e.g., Ex4:9-11). But we are also told that no one can see God and live (Ex 33:20). Therefore, since no human being can see God as he really is, those who saw God [in the OT] saw him in a form he took on himself temporarily for the occasion. [e.g. burning bush]." (The Holy Bible, the NIV Study Bible, footnotes, pg.1590)
This true knowledge of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ, has come again to the world in this dispensation, not through a study of the Bible, but through the actual appearance of these heavenly personages to the young Joseph Smith, as he has so eloquently testified." (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, LeGrand Richards, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, pg. 23, italics added, Insert added)
It is impossible for a man to look upon God and live. Joseph Smith did not see God the Father and Jesus Christ. He saw something that was of the devil-appearing as light.
Saints Alive-Newsletter Fall 2009
Click on the photos of the latest news letter from Saints Alive in Jesus, Tacoma chapter. Very informative.
False Gods-Christians?
Mormons Teach: Christianity Worships False Gods.
'"And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." (Deuteronomy 4:28) Then Moses promised then that "in the latter days" when they were in tribulation if they would seek after the Lord their God with all their hearts and with all their souls, they would find him. (See Deuteronomy 4:29-30)
Could the gods made by the hands of man, taught and worshiped by the Christian churches of the world at the time of Joseph Smith received his glorious vision, see or hear or eat or smell?
The Strange Gods of Christendom
A few quotations will indicate the general beliefs in Christendom during the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The God of the Catholic church was described as follows:
"Q.What is God?
A.God is a spirit, eternal, independent, infinite and immutable, who is present everywhere, who seeth all things and governs the universe.
Q.Why do you say that he is a spirit?
A.Because he is a supreme intelligence, who has neither body, nor figure, nor color, and who cannot fall under the senses."
(Rev. P. Collat, Doctrine and Scriptural Catechism of the Catholic Church, published in Montreal and quoted in Liahona: The Elder's Journal, December 29, 1925, p.268.)
The Methodist Church worships this kind of God.
"There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness, the maker and preserver of all things, visible and invisible; and in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power and eternity the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." (Methodist Discipline, published in Toronto, 1886; quoted in Liahona, op. cit., p.269)
Let us examine the description of the God of the Presbyterian church:
"There is but one living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his immutable and righteous will, for his own glory; most living, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and with all most just and terrible in his judgement; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty." (Presbyterian Church Confession of Faith, chap. 2, art.1, quoted from Liahona, op. cit., p.269)
These are but typical examples of the gods worshiped by the Christian churches during the nineteenth century. Here are the gods that Moses told Israel they would encounter as they were scattered among the nations-gods "which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." How could a God without body, parts, or passions be expected either to see, hear, eat, or smell? How could any child of God be expected to understand, much less to love and be loved by, such an incomprehensible God as the above tenets would lead him to worship?" (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, LeGrand Richards, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, pp.12-13)
Lets set the scene at the time of Moses; verses 28-30 of chapter 4 in Deuteronomy tell only part of the story. Moses was talking to the people of Israel he was telling them that he would not be going into the land of their inheritance, rather they were to go alone. He was warning them not to worship idols. For those man made idols cannot see, hear, eat or smell. The people of Israel (back then, not now) were to seek the Lord (not idols) with all their heart and soul.
It is very self centered thinking of the Mormon church to think that Moses was talking about them.
Oh yea, this "gods" thing stated in the quote above, isn't three separate gods, like the Mormon church teaches. Catholics, Methodist and Presbyterian all worship the same God. The one-and-only true God of the Bible. Not the "gods" of Mormonism.
Q."How could a God without body, parts, or passions be expected to either see, hear, eat, or smell?"
A.First of all, you shouldn't expect anything from God. God doesn't need to do any of those things that you stated in your question. It's very naive to think God has to do those things. God is God. He does whatever He wants at His pleasure, not ours.
Q."How could any child of God be expected to understand, much less to love and be loved by such an incomprehensible God as the above tenets would lead him to worship? "
A.We are not expected to understand, that's where faith comes in. God is love, so he that knows not God, knows not love, and if you can't love God, you can't love your brother either. Incomprehensible? I think not.
Veil of Stupidity-A Joe Moment
"For some length of time I have been carefully viewing the state of things, as it now appears, throughout our Christian land; and have looked at it with feelings of the most painful anxiety. While upon one hand I behold the manifest withdrawal of God's Holy Spirit, and the veil of stupidity which seems to be drawn over the hearts of the people...." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Books, Joseph F. Smith, 1989, pg. 13)
Well, there it is, Joseph Smith thinks that the Christian heart is stupid.
A PROCLAMATION
The chart below shows a narrative of Biblical scriptures Mormons use to declare the need for a restoration. After some research, what I found was all of these Biblical scriptures are of a totally different meaning. They are not of what the Mormons say they are, rather they are about the sin of the Jews and the events prior to Christs coming. Not a restoration. I found a profound message for Mormon and non-Mormon alike at the end of my study. Here is what I found:
SCRIPTURE-------------------------TRUE MEANING
Isaiah 24:1-6---------------------------------Deals with judgment and blessing in the
-------------------------------------------------last days
Isaiah 29:13----------------------------------The condition of the people in the City of
-------------------------------------------------David
Amos 8:11-12--------------------------------The consequence of Israels sin
Micah 3:5-7, 11------------------------------Part of a rebuke to the Leaders and
-------------------------------------------------Prophets of Israel
Matthew 24:10-12--------------------------Signs of the End of the Age
Mark 13:22-----------------------------------A warning of false Christs and Prophets
Acts 20:29-30-------------------------------The rise of some who turn away from the
-------------------------------------------------truth
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4----------------------An active rebellion against Christ's church
1 Timothy 4:1--------------------------------The nature of heresy
2 Timothy 3:1-5, 4:3-4---------------------Godlessness in the last days
Revelation 13:7------------------------------Make war against the Saints
Revelation 14:6-7---------------------------The proclamation of the eternal gospel is
-------------------------------------------------to fear God
CONSOLIDATION OF THE MEANINGS--except one
*LAST DAYS
*SINFUL NATIONS
*REBUKE LEADERS and PROPHETS
*END OF THE AGE
*FALSE CHRISTS and PROPHETS
*TURNING AWAY FROM THE TRUTH
*ACTIVE REBELLION
*HERESY
*GODLESSNESS
*MAKE WAR
Put the consolidated meanings together into a sentence and see the Word of the Lord at work:
In the last days there will be sinful nations, and a rebuking of Leaders and Prophets. At the end of the age there will be false Christs and Prophets that turn away from the truth. There will be active rebellion, heresy, godlessness; all out to make war. At the end of all this is a proclamation of the eternal gospel: FEAR GOD.
Mormons Believe They WILL be Gods!!!!
"19. And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths--then shall it be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.
20. Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them." D&C 132
""Here, then, is eternal life--to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power....
[Such persons are] heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it? To inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a god, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before." (Teachings, pp.345-347)
Again: "Every man who reigns in celestial glory is a god to his dominions." (Teachings, p.374)
(Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McMonkie, Bookcraft, 1979, 321-322)
""Mormons believe that they can become gods and rule over their own planets." This is a mischaracterization of LDS belief. This is a scared topic that we do not speak of lightly. It is not something that can be explained in short sound bytes. It is not an established doctrine of the Church, but it is a common belief held by the majority of the members that we participate in the creation process and become as God." (Mormon FAQ/Myths and Questions, http:/www.fairmormon.org)
Fairmormon says that people are to become AS gods. It also says that the topic of becoming a god is not doctrine. The Mormon Doctrine and Covenants says that people who obey the laws will become gods. (See D&C 132:19-20) I think they need to read their own scriptures. Their own authorities have written about the subject as well. (See above quote)
