Mormons Quit Church in Mass Resignation Ceremony, Chicago Times

June 30, 2012|Jennifer Dobner | Reuters

(JEFFREY…)

"This feels awesome," said Alison Lucas, from West Jordan, Utah, who took part in the rally amid soaring temperatures. "I don't know if I would have had the courage except in a group."
The Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is known for its culture of obedience, and the mass ceremony was a seldom-seen act of collective revolt.
After gathering in the park, participants hiked a half-mile up nearby Ensign Peak, scaled in 1847 by church President Brigham Young to survey the spot where his Latter-day Saints would build a city.
At the top, those gathered gave three loud shouts of "Freedom," cheered, clapped and hugged.
"It's been a hard journey and this is a symbolic end," said event organizer Zilpha Larsen, of Lehi, Utah. "I just hope that it boosts people up and helps them feel more comfortable in their decision."
The church bills itself as the one "true" Christian faith, and its theology promises families eternal relationships among those who remain faithful, sealing those gifts through special religious rites.
Among the reasons cited by those resigning are the church's political activism against gay marriage and doctrinal teachings that conflict with scientific findings or are perceived as racist or sexist.
Others cite inconsistencies in the Mormons' explanation of its own history, including the practice of polygamy. The church renounced plural marriage over a century ago as Utah was seeking statehood.
Asked about the resignations, a church spokesman said the church loves and respects each member.
"People make their own decisions about the direction they will follow in life," spokesman Michael Purdy said in an email. "While there are very few who take this action, it is sad to see someone choose to leave. We wish them well."
The most recent figures show the Mormon church claims 14.4 million members worldwide. The number of those resigning from the church are not publicly reported.
Among prominent Mormons is Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee facing off against President Barack Obama in November. Should he win office, Romney would be the first Mormon elected to the White House.

'WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL'
Some leaving the church Saturday did so with trepidation, as Mormon culture often stigmatizes those who fall away, leaving some without social or business connections.
"It's hard, so we have to be very careful," said Robin Hansen, a participant who said she quit over a "culture of abuse" which she believes is cultivated by church teachings promoting obedience.
Hansen said her husband had not joined her in leaving the faith because he works in a church-related business and could lose his job if he doesn't maintain his membership.
To resign from the church, Mormons must submit a formal letter asking their names be removed from church rolls, a church instructional handbook for lay leaders published on the Internet in 2010 shows.
On Saturday, participants filled a basket with their letters for mailing by Larsen, who split with the church over doubts about the veracity of a translation of ancient Egyptian writings which are included in sacred Mormon texts.
A sixth-generation Mormon, Kris Fielding, 35, traveled from Phoenix for the resignation event in part to represent those who do not yet have the courage to do so, he said, including his wife, who worries about reaction from their families.
Married in a Mormon temple, Fielding said the couples shared disaffection from their faith is tied in part to their local church leader's response to questions Fielding had about polyandry and polygamy - taking multiple husbands and wives - in the early church.
"I went to him looking for a faithful perspective. He called my wife and told her she needed to find a new husband," Fielding said.
He said he felt relief after his decision.
"The monkey's off the back ... I don't feel like I have to explain myself or the positions of the church anymore."
(Editing by Tim Gaynor and Doina Chiacu)

Featured Articles

The Jewish Mormon, Glen Beck-He's At It Again!

Glenn Beck, the Jewish Mormon Out to Change the World With His Mormon Centered Truths

Ed Decker

September 2011

Ever since Glenn Beck stepped out from the daily limelight on FOX TV and stopped stunning the world with his amazing insights regarding often hidden secrets of our national history and the underside of our political process; as well as his constant and ever-increasing call to challenge the hidden spiritual depths of the American Christian mindset, I have been waiting for the proverbial "other shoe" to drop. It dropped when he turned his attention to Israel. His trip there was not a casually planned event. It had a purpose that will shock you.

First, understand that I have written and described the Glenn Beck/ Mitt Romney/ Every Mormon Priesthood holder's belief that the Constitution is as sacred as scripture and that the USA is the place where the Garden of Eden was, where Christ visited after his resurrection and where He will return.

This return of Christ will take place after the Constitution and government "hangs by a thread" and is saved by the elders of the Mormon Church. Then, the country will become a theocracy and after His temple is built in Missouri, Christ will return to reign for a thousand years. However, He will let the LDS Prophet and Brethren officiate over his earthly Kingdom of God.

For the details, send for your free copy of the report, The Mormon Plan for America and the Rise of Mitt Romney at ed@saintsalive.com

As an aside, Mormon leaders taught in the past that upon Christ's coming to His temple, the Ten Lost tribes will then march from their isolation behind the North Pole and come to the new temple and begin their own temple work. That theory died quietly when Airplanes began flying over the north pole and found no hidden paradise teeming with Jews.

Now, having said all that, I need to share "the rest of the story." Hidden away from the general public, is a secret that Glenn Beck has not dared share with his vast audiences.

It is a secret that reveals the reason Beck feels even more obligated to usher in his new spiritual world view to the Jews than he has been to bring the light of his new spiritual awakening to post-Christian America. The secret is that Glenn Beck is a Jew. Not just any Jew.

You see, Glenn Beck not only became a new Mormon when he was water baptized and had hands laid on his head for the "Gift of the Holy (Mormon) Ghost." His 'gentile' blood was supernaturally and wholly changed during that process to pure and unadulterated Jewish blood.

That's right. In an actual, holy, metaphysical miracle, without a single IV present, his blood and lineage was forever changed. He would later find out, during a prophetic blessing, that he was a Jew of the house of Ephriam.

In one of the most hidden, bizarre and rarely discussed Mormon doctrines, Mormons believe that they are the true Israel, not the Jews in Israel; that their blood is changed from gentile to Jewish blood at baptismal immersion. Beck was just visiting what he considers his 'birthright.' The Jews are interlopers as far as he and the LDS Church believes. In Utah, called Zion by the faithful in word and in hymns of the church, non-Mormons are openly called "Gentiles."

In my own case, after I was converted to the church at age 20 and when I went into the waters of baptism and immediately after, as I had priesthood hands laid upon me to "Receive the Holy Ghost", my "gentile" blood was literally and supernaturally changed to pure Jewish blood. I learned that later in my new church, I would be told during another once-in-a-lifetime blessing, the tribe in which I was now a blood member.

When I became a 'worthy' member, I personally received my "patriarchal blessing" was told that I was of the Israel house of Ephriam. Strange, I thought at the time, since I already was a Jew was born in the Levitical line. I was further perplexed that somehow, God changed my Jewish blood of the Levitical line to that of a lesser bloodline; that of a pompous slacker, Ephriam. When I tried to get an explanation from my Bishop, I was sharply rebuked and warned against looking into "the Mysteries."

Now, understanding the Hand of the Mormon god upon his true Chosen people, the Mormons, the real Jews, you can see the profound importance of Beck's trip to Israel, to set in place the spiritual foundation for the Mormons to take possession of their prophesied, self-ordained birthright, the Holy land of God.

Using his LDS Priesthood powers of authority, with Christ's own Melchizedek priesthood and the "Powers and Principalities" sealed on him the Mormon Temple Ritual, he was there to pray in the demons of Mormonism to begin to pry open the spiritual doors for the Mormon take-over.

The saddest part of this fool's errand was that supposedly godly Christian leaders like Dr. Mike Evans and John Hagee stood at his side, not having a clue that they were praying to a demonic spirit. God have mercy in them. The blind leading the blind into a ditch.

Beck wasn't there by accident. He was there to begin the spiritual preparation for the return of Christ to, first, the LDS Temple prepared for His coming, in Missouri and then to the LDS Temple, actually the Jewish 3^rd temple, in Jerusalem.

Wikipedia notes that:

Latter Day Saints believe that the Jews will build the Third Temple and after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Jews will accept Jesus as the Messiah and most Jews will convert to Mormonism. T

Then, it is believed, the Third Temple will become an LDS Temple and will be one of the two most important LDS Temples along with the New Jerusalem Temple that it is believed will be constructed on the Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri, United States.

One of our friends, Mick, emailed me today and asked, "Does this not sound like a connection to the second half of the Tribulation Period when the Temple is taken over by the Anti-Christ and all are forced to worship him and saying that he is God or possibly Jesus Christ."

If you need to study this further and check things out in Mormon documents, I include a quick few of them for you. Want to look even deeper? Google Mormon Jewish Blood and count the pages of references.

The late LDS Apostle and doctrinal teacher, Bruce R. McConkie explained:

But if someone whose blood was wholly of Gentile lineage were converted, he would be adopted into the lineage of Abraham and Jacob and become the house of Israel. (Abraham 2:9-11.) That this action involves a literal change in the convert's blood was plainly taught by the Prophet [Joseph Smith] . . . "while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. . . ." (Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith, 149-150) (Mormon Doctrine, 390), (Journal of Discourses, 2:268)

"[A]s the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene… while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite." - Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, v. 3, p. 380

"[Joseph taught] that the Gentile blood was actually cleansed out of their veins, and the blood of Jacob made to circulate in them; and the revolution and change in the system were so great that it caused the beholder to think they were going into fits."
- Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 2, p. 269.

"This first Comforter… has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind… of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than one that is a Gentile…as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene…while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood..." Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 149-50

Contact me at ed@saintsalive.com

Distributed by www.worldviewweekend.com



Please click on the title above and go to Worldview Times' web site and read more. A wonderful site. God Bless.

A Joe Moment

The Prophets Answer to Sundry Questions

"Are the Mormons abolitionists?"
No, unless delivering the people from priestcraft, and the priests from the power of Satan, should be considered abolition. But we do not believe in setting the negroes free."
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Co., pgs 119 & 120)


The anti-slavery movement was in full swing when ole' Joe made this quote. The Northern states were helping those who wanted to be free, become so. Among those of the South, most believed it was Biblical to have slaves. Where Joe made this statement, I do not know, however, the state that he designated to be the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman loved their slaves. The Mormon church's official stance on slavery was mixed. Joe, he clearly put the official final word on the subject of the abolitionists within that time period. Joe Smith did not want any human, unless "white and delightfulsome", to be a part of the new movement called Mormonism.
The many 'prophets and quorums', since the time of Joe, have changed their official opinions on the abolishment of slavery many times [about as many as a baby's diaper change]. So, the final word in the present diaper is: Give me your colored human of any race, because I'm hungry for all the money I can get, no matter who is giving it to me...!

You Are Not Allowed to Talk About Jesus on Church Property

A good Christian friend of mine (whom I will call Allen) was at Temple Square with others, talking with whomever would stop to talk about Jesus. Mormonism was not the topic of discussion, but only Jesus. Temple grounds security guards stopped and told him, "You must leave immediately or be arrested." When Allen inquired what they had done to deserve such unprovoked hostility they said, "You are not allowed to talk about Jesus on Church property." As this was a bit shocking, coming from men who were supposed to be security guards for the 'Church of Jesus Christ,' he asked them why?

They just said, "This property belongs to us and we have every legal right to arrest you for trespass if you do not leave immediately." So Allen said, "Technically, if this truly is the Church of Jesus Christ the property belongs to Jesus and I am certain He would approve of us talking about His teachings on His property." At this point the guards made it clear that they were going to call the local Sheriff and have them arrested if they did not leave immediately.

Allen attempted to reason with them "Look, we don't want any trouble and we will leave your property but please, just take a minute to think about what you are doing - You are supposed to be representatives of the "Church of Jesus" and you are threatening to arrest Christians for talking about Jesus - does that make any sense?"

As one of the guards escorted Allen off the Plaza the guard asked what Allen would think if he (the guard) came to Allen's personal property or to his church to do what Allen and his friends were doing. Allen smiled and said, "You are invited to my personal property any time and trust me, you would be welcome to come to our church to discuss the teachings of Jesus. We would talk with you as long as you want to talk." The Guard just looked frustrated.

And, since that tactic didn't work, the guard said, "Well, you KNOW that Jesus would never have encouraged His disciples to break the law and you are breaking the law - you are trespassing!" Allen just said, "That is exactly why we are here... you do not know Jesus nor do you understand His teachings. When the Lord's disciples were arrested by the Temple Guards and thrown into jail, an angel sent from God set them free and told them to go right back to the temple and keep preaching. If you think your threats will stop us from being witnesses for Jesus you are dead wrong." This shocked the guard, and his face softened a bit as he said in a hushed voice, "Well, if you come back again within the next 24 hours I will have no choice but to arrest you." Allen responded, "Look, I know you are just doing your job, and I realize you have rules to follow, but think about it... you are hired by 'The Church of Jesus' to stop Christians from talking about Jesus - that's just not right."

Click on the heading.

Please go to Concerned Christians web. Take a look around. They are helping many Mormons who want to know the truth in Jesus!

The Mormon Challenge II

Reversing the LDS Pro-Life Stand

"the LDS church has reversed its almost militant pro-life position and LDS Bishops are now counseling young women to have abortions! Twenty years ago such counseling would have caused a Bishop to be immediately excommunicated from the church for such behavior."

"The LDS General Handbook now says that abortion is not murder, and is permissible in cases of rape, incest, or when the life or health of the woman is in danger, or the fetus is not likely to survive birth. But as recently as 1975, the LDS President said abortion is wrong, even in cases of rape. And Utah's Right-to-Life Director says she has received a lot of calls from girls who say their Bishops counsel them to have abortions." (The God Makers, Ed Decker & Dave Hunt, Harvest House Publishers, 1984, 1997, pgs. 9-10)

Please Click on the Title and go to Eds Web site!

More Thinking Has Been Done For Them

An article in the LDS Church News on January 09, 2010, titled: "Use Proper Sources" states in a lot of words that one should only use the resources that the Mormon church sees fit for its members. That means the GA's already did the thinking and the homework for you so all you have to do it quote it from their text books. How convenient for those poor brain dead people who just can't/aren't allowed, to think on their own. Oh, the web site is www.ldschurchnews.com

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.

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.

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

Mormons throw support behind gay-rights cause

By ERIC GORSKI (AP) – 2 days ago

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."

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.

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.

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)

Our Primary Colors

Maybe it's just the Mormon adults that don't have creeds. The wording has been changed and symbols are not necessary in a Christians walk with Jesus, young or old. Click on the image and get a closer view.

Are Mormon males called by God as Levitical priests just like Aaron was?

Please click on the title above to go the web site where I got this from. This ministry is a very good witness to Mormons who long to know the truth!

February 15, 2008

By Aaron Shafovaloff

Mormonism claims that most of its male members are Aaron/Levitical priests. How does this claim hold up?

Quoting Hal Hougey from “Latter-day Saints—Where Did You Get Your Authority?”:

1. Qualifications for the Aaronic Priesthood:
   1. Limited to Aaron and his sons only Ex 28:1; 29:9; 29:44; Num 18:1-7; Lev 6:19-23; Ex 28:43; Neh 7:61-65
      1. The Levites helped – Num 3:5-6, 9-10; Heb 7:5
      2. Punishment for non-Levites who tried to become priests:
         1. Dathan and Abiram Num 16: 1-35
         2. King Uzziah – 2 Chron 26:1-3, 16-21
         3. Jeroboam’s priests- I Kings 13:33-34
      3. But Joseph Smith, of English stock, was not a Jew, a Levite, or a son of Aaron
      4. The Aaronic priesthood was hereditary, but not so in the LDS church
   2. Physical qualifications – Lev 21:16-23
      1. LDS ignore these qualifications today
      2. Joseph Smith had a leg operation when he was young, in which part of the bone was removed. He was, therefore, physically disqualified to be a priest (Lucy Mack Smith: Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith and His Progenitors for Many Generations Liverpool: 1853, p. 65)
   3. Other qualifications which LDS ignore: Lev 21:1-15: Num 4:35
2. How Were the Aaronic Priests Ordained in the Bible? - Exodus 29; Lev. 8
   1. Were washed with water v. 4
   2. Were dressed in the priestly robes – v. 5-6 (These robes were for “glory and beauty”-Ex 28:2-but the holy garments of the LDS are neither glorious nor beautiful.)
   3. Were anointed with oilv. 7
   4. Laid hands on the head of a bullock – v. 10
   5. The bullock was killed, and its blood was poured out at the altar, while the fat and the kidneys were placed on the altar, and the rest was burned outside the camp, as a sin- offering v. 11-14
   6. Laid hands on the head of a ram V.I 5
   7. The ram was killed, its blood was sprinkled about the altar, and the body was offered as a burnt offering on the altar-v. 16-18
   8. Laid hands on the head of another ram v. 19
   9. This second ram was killed, and some of the blood was put on the tip of the right ear, right thumb, and right great toe of Aaron and his sons, while the rest of the blood was sprinkled upon the altar v. 20
   10. Some of the blood on the altar and some anointing oil was then sprinkled on the priests and their garments – v. 21
   11. Were given parts of the ram and three kinds of bread, and these were waved as a wave offering, then they were burnt on the altar – v. 22-25
   12. The breast of the ram was given to the one who ordained them v. 26
   13. The shoulder was given to them v. 27
   14. They were to eat of the ram and the bread, but no one else was allowed to do so-v. 30-33
   15. For the next seven days, one bullock and two lambs were offered daily v. 35-44
3. How Do LDS Ordain to the Aaronic Priesthood?
   1. They lay hands on the priests being ordained and speak the words that are specified by the LDS church to confer the priesthood
   2. Nowhere in the Bible account do we find hands laid on the priests hands were laid only on the bullock and the rams!
   3. The LDS ignore completely the Biblical method of ordaining Aaronic priests
   4. It will not do to say these ordinances do not apply today; if the Aaronic priesthood exists today, the method for ordaining priests into that priesthood apply today
   5. LDS often apply Hebrews 5:4, “. . .as was Aaron,” to refer to the ceremony by which one is ordained to the priesthood, but they do not follow that ceremony in any way

Under a subsequent section (”F. The Mormon Priesthood Is an Assumption – Not a Restoration”), Hougey goes on to say:

1. There Is No Biblical Authority for the Aaronic Priesthood Today
   1. The Aaronic priesthood was part of the religious system under the Law of Moses. This law and its ordinances came to an end when Christ died on the cross Gal. 3:19, 23-25; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 10:1-10.
   2. Christ’s will or testament came into effect after his death - Heb. 9:15-17
   3. There was a change in the priesthood; the Aaronic (Levitical) priesthood was taken away – Heb. 7: 1 1-12
   4. Even Christ could not be a priest of Aaron because he was of the wrong tribe Heb. 7:13-14. (How can non-Jewish LDS qualify if Christ could not qualify?
   5. If Christ were on earth he would not be a priest at all – Heb. 8:4
   6. There is no example of Aaronic priests in the church anywhere in the New Testament, amazing if such priesthood existed in the church. Rather, the New Testament teaches the universal priesthood of all believers I Peter 2:5, 9

As A (Young Wo-)man Thinketh

"Arise, raise your right hand to the square. Each of you do covenant and promise that you will obey the law of your husband...Each of you bow your head and say yes."

Every young Latter-day Saint female longs to enter the temple of her choice and be sealed for all time and eternity. The expectations run deep, deep to the very makeup of her soul. Each drop of blood that runs in her veins shivers at the thought of, "One day, one day soon, I too will be part of the elect. A member of the anointed ones that will carry the badge of honor, along with the awards and protection of the garments. The secrets of God-written heavenly knowledge will be forever burnt into my spirit, so when that great day of celestial pomp and circumstance comes, I will be able to arise in pure light and glory. I will spend the forever eternities with the god of my eternal offspring, continuously bringing forth favor for him. Soon I will be exalted as a goddess, a queen, a noble upright entity spending eternity on perpetual holiday and honeymoon with my love, my light, my strength, my fortress, my one-and-only, my husband.
Oh, the wondrous and joyful day when all my sweat-full tears of hard work and sacrifice will pay off. I labor at my goals. I persevere to get them all lined up in order and check them off after each signature is obtained by proper authority. I gather all of them together as a hen gathers her chicks and keep them protected in my precious 'Treasures of Truth' binder, never to let them fall by the wayside, least they be devoured by the evil one. All tidy and ready to go, my goals will pave the way to the pearly gates of holy ground, the entrance to a temple. Those gates display the keyhole to my salvation in which my husband holds the key to.
I long for and dream of the day I can hold the hands of my 'savior', across the eternal alter, who will rescue me from the depths of the grave and escort me through the veil to a celestial heaven. The highest of the most high. So..., I plan, I prepare, I study, I endure, I do; I keep on hoping, I keep on yearning, I keep on longing, I keep on doing..., and doing..., and enduring to the end..., and all cost."