Mormon Coffee

A talk given by Joel Groat of the Institute for Religious Research.

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Our webmaster Aaron decided to play a joke on April Fools Day (2008) that really had some people choking on their morning bowl of Cheerios. The almost-believable story posted on the Mormon Coffee blog site said LDS Church leaders had decided to ban Spencer Kimball’s book The Miracle of Forgiveness, a classic LDS work showing how salvation depends on a person’s own works. Trying is not good enough, Kimball actually wrote in his book, because the requirements are clear as well as do-able. Instead of just realizing that Christ’s followers are supposed to obey the commandments for their hoped-for salvation, Kimball explained that people needed to be successful in their efforts if they ever hoped to attain exaltation.

When reading the May 2008 issue of the Ensign magazine, I can only wonder if the Mormon leaders had read the gag blog. In fact, on April 5, 2008—only four days after the post—Apostle Russell M. Nelson stepped up to the General Conference podium to give a speech following the confirmation of new prophet Thomas Monson. In a clear tone, Nelson delivered a “get-to-work” address titled “Salvation and Exaltation” that left nothing to the imagination. It was brutally clear and to the point, as were many of the messages in this particular conference.

After explaining the difference between general salvation (something all humankind received thanks to the “Resurrection of Jesus Christ”) and individual exaltation (which includes “living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, and by serving Him”), Nelson stated, “The time to prepare for our eventual salvation and exaltation is now.” The endnote Nelson attached to that statement is Alma 34:32-33, which states,

“For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye no not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.”

Keep reading Nelson’s sermon and you’ll see Kimball’s philosophy everywhere. For instance, Nelson explained how “eternal life, or celestial glory or exaltation, is a conditional gift,” as attested by D&C 14:7. What must a person do? he asks. Faith, repentance, baptism, temple marriage, and “remaining faithful to the ordinances and covenants of the temple” are required. Indeed, this means one will never be able to “know” that he or she has eternal life, even though 1 John 5:13 says this is possible. Toward the end of sermon, Nelson taught that “the blessings of exaltation” are only given to those who are “worthy.”

Then, in a later conference speech titled “The Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Apostle L. Tom Perry quotes from former apostle Bruce R. McConkie’s book Mormon Doctrine:

“But only those who obey the fullness of the gospel law will inherit eternal life….It is ‘the greatest of all the gifts of God’…, for it is the kind, status, type, and quality of life that God himself enjoys….” (2nd ed. [1966], p. 237, ellipses his).

Obviously this is nothing close to the “justification by faith alone” doctrine taught by Reformation leader Martin Luther almost five centuries ago. As these conference speeches attest, the ideas found in Kimball’s The Miracle of Forgiveness continue to thrive in the current Mormon leadership. President Monson’s men continue to guide the LDS ship in the same direction as previous leaders, regardless of those claiming that Mormonism in recent years is moving in a biblical direction. I can only ask, “How?”

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How can I speak more boldly about Christ?

“You will indeed see but never perceive.” –Matthew 13:14

In March (2008) Boyd K. Packer, president of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke via satellite to Latter-day Saints gathered for a stake conference in Bolivia. Speaking of his love for the Book of Mormon, Mr. Packer related the difficulty he had as a young man as he tried to read the book cover to cover. LDS Church News reports,

“He [Mr. Packer] would begin with the account of Nephi, but then struggle to read past the chapters on the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. [He said,] ‘I would read the Book of Mormon and then, in due time, I ran into Isaiah again. And I would lose interest and start over.’

“Later, as a seminary teacher, he realized that many young people struggle with the chapters on Isaiah… ‘I decided I was going to read the Book of Mormon if all I did was look at the words, whether I understood them or not. And that time I got through. …

“So if you start the Book of Mormon, you young people…and if the Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah seem difficult to you, look at the words and turn the pages. If you think you’re not getting very much, maybe you’re not. But, in due time, you’ll move right on through and you’ll close the book and you have read the Book of Mormon.’” (Church News, week ending March 22, 2008, 3. First ellipsis in this quote is mine for brevity, subsequent ellipses are in the original report)

The Church News article doesn’t make it clear, but I wonder if this is the same advice Mr. Packer gave his seminary students. I find this approach to reading the Book of Mormon quite odd – and unfortunate. The “prophecies of Isaiah” contained in the Book of Mormon consist of whole chapters reproduced from the Bible (with some alterations). Eighteen out of 55 chapters in the first two books of the Book of Mormon (1 and 2 Nephi) are duplications of chapters from Isaiah in the Bible. It’s no small thing for Book of Mormon readers to skip over them.

Surely there is a better solution for young people (or any people) who are having difficulty understanding what they believe to be God’s Word. If they are in seminary classes, wouldn’t it be useful for them discuss their questions with their seminary teacher? Or perhaps ask their parents? Or their Bishop? Or maybe consult Church-produced student manuals? Or ask God for help?

Mr. Packer, an LDS apostle, provides no such practical guidance. He essentially tells Mormon kids that it’s more important to be able to say that they’ve read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover than it is to understand what the book actually teaches.

I don’t believe the Book of Mormon is scripture, but Mr. Packer and his LDS audience do. So the question naturally arises: What is the purpose of scripture? The biblical apostle John provides the answer:

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

Furthermore,

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Another question: What is the purpose of reading scripture? Psalm 119 explains,

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9)

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:15-16)

The psalmist talks about the power of God’s Word. He says it revives (v. 25), strengthens (v. 28), provides answers (v. 42), brings hope (v. 49), life (v. 50), comfort (v. 50), grace (v. 58), wisdom (v. 98), understanding (v. 104), joy (v. 111), truth (v. 142), peace (v. 165), and deliverance (v. 170). Why would anyone indifferently skip over a single word?

Mr. Packer places his emphasis on accomplishing a goal (completing the book) rather than on seeking to understand. I’m not sure just how to take Mr. Packer’s words to the LDS youth of Bolivia. Is it friendly counsel? Apostolic guidance? As one person told me, “Whatever it is, it’s bad advice.”

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Before you sip your morning Postum or break out any Mormon Coffee, I highly recommend making a habit of visiting the blog Of First Importance. If you’re savvy, try adding it to your Google Reader widget in iGoogle. Every morning you’ll wake up to quotes (one at a time) like:

“So completely was Jesus bent upon saving sinners by the sacrifice of Himself, He created the tree upon which He was to die, and nurtured from infancy the men who were to nail Him to the accursed wood.” - Octavius Winslow, The Foot of the Cross

“The Cross is not simply a lovely example of sacrificial love. Throwing your life away needlessly is not admirable — it is wrong. Jesus’ death was only a good example if it was more than an example, if it was something absolutely necessary to rescue us. And it was. Why did Jesus have to die in order to forgive us? There was a debt to be paid — God himself paid it. There was a penalty to be born — God himself bore it. Forgiveness is always a form of costly suffering.” - Timothy Keller, The Reason for God (New York, NY; Dutton, 2007), 193.

“The gospel of justifying faith means that while Christians are, in themselves still sinful and sinning, yet in Christ, in God’s sight, they are accepted and righteous. So we can say that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope — at the very same time. This creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth. It means that the more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God’s grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God’s grace and acceptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin.” - Timothy Keller, Paul’s Letter to the Galatians: Living in Line with the Truth of the Gospel (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2003), 2.

“When the New Testament speaks about the fullness of grace which we find in Christ, it does not mean only forgiveness, pardon and justification. Christ has done much more for us. He died for us, but he also lived for us. Now he has sent his own Spirit to us so that we might draw on his strength. He grew in grace, and when we draw on his power we shall likewise grow in grace.” - Sinclair B. Ferguson, Grow in Grace (Carlisle, Pa.: Banner of Truth Trust, 1989), 10.

On a journey with my fellow Christians, repeatedly needing a refocus on the simplicity of the gospel,

Aaron

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