MORMON NO MORE: Perseverance in Trials

"Consider it pure joy, my brother, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (JAMES 1:2-12) (italics added)

As a Christian, trials are a part of the walk towards Christian maturity. Trials are a way for God to test our faith in Him. If there is difficulty along the path of perseverance, God has given us a way to get His help. Usually it's the inability to understand what is going on at the time that causes a multitude of emotions and indecision. God tells us that if we lack the wisdom, or the practical insight, we are to go to Him in prayer in order for that wisdom to be made known. The catch is, doubt must not be in the Christian's heart and mind. You must believe whole heartedly that God will answer your petition. The answer may or may not be what you're after, but it's what God knows you need. He gives you the strength to get through the unpleasant hardships. We should not, however, think that we will receive anything from the Lord. We need to be humble and undeserving, yet believe and not doubt in the Lord. We will be blessed through our perseverance and receive the crown of life that has been promised us. Perseverance must finish its work first. Like James states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds...".

Every Mormon (or anyone else for that matter) who reads the passages in James chapter one needs to understand the full meaning of verse five. That particular verse is for Christians to pray to God for wisdom while persevering through their trials. This verse is not to be taken out of context and applied to the Book of Mormon. The Mormon missionaries like to present James 1:5 in their introduction to the Book of Mormon to non-Mormons. They encourage potential members to pray for the wisdom of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon (this particular verse is used out of its true meaning), and if they do not doubt, the non-Mormon will get the "truthfulness of the Book of Mormon." This passage of scripture is not to be applied to the Book of Mormon. The Bible does not teach us to pray for the "truthfulness of the Book of Mormon."

I encourage all Christians to study the scriptures, so when you are approached by the Mormon missionaries, you will show yourself approved in the wisdom of truth and error.

Handmaidens Creed

1.I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as one God without beginning or end.
2.I believe the Bible to be the Holy Inspired word of God with full truth and righteousness. No other writing is.
3.I believe that the work of the Lord comes first. Before any temporal thing or person.
4.I believe that grace is a gift and Christ gives that gift freely to all who believe.
5.I believe that the beauty of a woman is contained inside of her and not by what she looks like on the outside.
6.I believe that marriage is sacred and represents the Godhead on earth; two are one just as three are one.
7.I believe that love is more powerful than any other power. Remember, God is love.
8.I believe that tithing is not a part of God's new covenant, free will offerings are. And that doesn't mean just money.
9.I believe that the Aaronic, Levitical, and Melchizedek priesthoods are abolished and Christs Holy Priesthood whom Christ is the "Great High Priest" is eternal.
10.I believe that every believer is a priest in the "Priesthood of Believers".
11.I believe that when two are one, nobody is to separate the one.
12.I believe that Christ is the only way to heaven.
13.I believe that our bodies are temples, not man made buildings.
14.I believe that liars make fools out of others and the liar hates the fool.
15.I believe that all believers are in authority to preach the gospel.
16.I believe that the word 'organization' to describe Christs body is evil and has no place with God.
17.I believe the Americas are not the land of Zion and Christ will return to His origonal land-Israel in the Middle East.
18.I believe that God has set out correct ways of worshiping Him, not man.
19.I believe in holding to the truths of the Bible and not mans understanding of it.
20.I believe that the world is full of evil and Satan can easily gain control over the minds of those who do not profess Christ of the Bible to be their only Messiah.
21.I believe that Saints are those who know the real Savior, Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible speaks of; not the jesus of a cult.

4 comments:

Godhead September 23, 2010 at 9:27 PM: Three great verses I have for Mormon Pprophet missionaries.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Mat 24:11)

See the Bible really does speak of Joseph Smith.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!(Mat 6:23)

See in what condition they who are brainwashed by false dogma, are. They think that what they believe is the truth and yet they live in a deep darkness. Or as Jesus said, Terrible darkness. I quoted these verse, to two Missionaries and for an instant one of them seemed concerned, but his partner began to go through the motions and give me the precondition responses and the worry left him. Cult members are conditioned with the appropriate responses, which do not require any thought. Its the same with evolution.

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (Luk 6:39)

For all the promises they make, the ditch is where you will find yourself if you follow them. I thank you handmaiden for showing us here the deeper so called truths of the LDS. For at first they seem to be Christians as well, and do not share these deeper truths until you have become more committed to the church. I hung around them for a while, only so I could understand them more. They really thought that they had me hook line and sinker. Its a very systematic system of entrapment. They really got upset when I stood in the foyer of their temple after a meeting and called them all con artists. They were even using this really hot Mormon girl to encourage me which I felt was really underhanded. I find your Blog extremely enlightening and a pleasure to read. Thanks for all this effort and hard work. Its refreshing to say the least. By the way, I think that your writing is okay!
handmaiden September 25, 2010 at 11:41 AM: Godhead,
Thank you for your encouragement and truth that you see with this cult called, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." I never thought in a million years that the religion (if you can call it that) I cherished so much would be the biggest deceiver in American history, not only for North America, but for all of the world. My heart had been torn apart when the truth had been made known to me.
Trough all of this mess I call my past, I have been able to find peace with my God and with myself. My dedication to God is extremely great. It's all I ever wanted to do in the first place. I thought that I was serving God through Mormonism, when in fact, I was serving Satan and I didn't know it. It took loosing everything, that includes my children, in order for me to know I was headed to hell fast.
God bless you in your continued perseverance in the Lord.
handmaiden
handmaiden September 25, 2010 at 11:43 AM: Please excuse my miss spelled words! h
Godhead September 25, 2010 at 6:34 PM: Yes you once was lost but now are found. Jesus said that if any of his sheep are lost he will seek them out.

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.(Mat 18:12-14)

I believe in the doctrine of Election as explain by Calvin. That is you were chosen before time by God to be saved. So it doesn't really matter what circumstances we are in, God will save His elect. We are all lost and serving Satan until found by Christ. You were, I was. Wherever Jesus finds us, He brings us all into the same fold, His flock. I praise God for you sister. Be well and God bless you and your houshold.