From the Mailbag (3/8/11)

After relating his conversion-to-Mormonism story consisting of feelings, miracles, and other experiences, “Ben” concluded,

I had a lot of other spiritual experiences [on my mission] and over the years since then. I won’t take up any more of your time but I share them with you so that you can understand why I am a member of the church as well as many others. I really am not one for religion but I know this is the Savior’s restored church and he wanted me to join it. What else could I do?

It’s important to understand that for more than 180 years a lot of lies have been circulated about the church. It’s only to be expected that Satan would mount a campaign against it. If your information about the church comes from those sources then of course you will have a negative perspective. You seem like a fine person. I hope you will ask the Lord for guidance; I know He will give it to you. He is quick to hear the prayers of His daughters. You can be filled with that love that is precious beyond measure, be baptized and have all of your sins washed away, and marry your sweetheart forever in one of the church’s beautiful temples. And then when your turn to step into eternity comes you will be ready.

Hi Ben,

Thank you for sharing your story with me. It sounds like you have had some amazing spiritual experiences in your life, as have I. While I understand first-hand how powerful these experiences can be, I also know that they cannot be the arbiter of truth. All religions have miracles. Even the magicians in Egypt were able to deceive Pharaoh and his people by turning sticks into snakes. Pharaoh’s sorcerers and magicians duplicated one after another of God’s miracles, but there was one thing they could not do: reconcile sinful people to the all-holy God.

Jesus also talks about false miracles in Matthew 7. He warns that even if prophecies and miracles are attached to His name, they can be fraudulent. The result of being led astray by these deceitful workers will be the Lord saying at the last day, “Depart from me. I never knew you.”

Therefore, it’s important that we heed God’s Word and not trust our experiences or our feelings to determine what is true. God tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is deceitful above all things. We can actually be led away from truth by following our hearts.

When someone close to me began investigating (and eventually joined) the LDS Church, I went to the LDS bookstore and bought a triple combination and The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I prayerfully read them all and went back for more. I read Jesus the Christ, The Articles of Faith, The Doctrines of Salvation (vols 1-3), Mormon Doctrine, The Gospel Through the Ages, etc., etc. What I found, beyond a shadow of a doubt, was that Mormonism teaches people to worship and serve a different god than the God of the Bible. I had a choice to make: Follow my heart (that wanted desperately for Mormonism to be true), or remain loyal to God as He has revealed Himself and His instructions in His Word. On paper it looks very black and white, but you can imagine the turmoil I went through as I wrestled with the ramifications either choice would bring. In the end, I chose God over Mormonism. And though it cost me dearly, God has been faithful to me. And now, 20+ years later, He has even restored what I lost when I chose Him and His truth over what I wanted to be true.

When I began my investigation of Mormonism, reading these first books, I did ask the Lord for guidance (as you have suggested). Now and then, as I read, and as I heard the tender testimonies of Latter-day Saints, I would feel overwhelmed and would think, “Maybe this is the true Church. Maybe what I’ve been taught in my Christian faith is wrong.” But each time I would immediately sense God asking, “But who do they say that I am?” I always came back to that question, that extremely important question.

Ben, whatever eternal promises the LDS Church makes, if they are not rooted in the one true God, they are worthless–no matter how much we may want them to be true. For the one who follows a false god, there will be no forever family; there will be no cleansing from sin. Instead, this person will stand before Christ and be told, “Depart from me. I never knew you.”

My prayer for you, Ben, is that you will long to know God as He truly is; that you will pant for Christ as a dear pants for water; that you will seek Him with all of your being; and that you will love Him with all your heart, might, mind and strength.

“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15)

Praying you will choose the one true God,
Sharon

About Sharon Lindbloom

Sharon surrendered her life to the Lord Jesus Christ in 1979. Deeply passionate about Truth, Sharon loves serving as a full-time volunteer research associate with Mormonism Research Ministry. Sharon and her husband live in Minnesota.
This entry was posted in Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

125 Responses to From the Mailbag (3/8/11)

  1. f_melo says:

    "Tough luck?"

    Yes, Violet, it´s tough luck, and it´s very sad. What is funny is that, if Moses were to join the Mormon Church he would have to wait for a special permission from the first presidency because he was a murderer, and he could have been denied baptism. King David would have lost his temple recommend when he slept with Bathsheba, and he would have been excommunicated into the Telestial kingdom for killing her husband, never to be admitted again. Peter also would have been excommunicated, and Thomas would be getting lot´s of visits from his home teachers, Bishop, etc., for not believing Jesus was resurrected.

  2. f_melo says:

    "Cain was a tiller of the ground, we ARE NOT SAVED BY ARE OWN WORKS."

    Rick, you´re forgetting about the firstfruits, in which the Jews would offer the first fruits of their harvest to God in the temple. What happened to Cain and Abel wasn´t a matter of who sacrificed what because we don´t know how exactly God commanded them to do so, but it was because of Cain´s ill will towards God.

    Genesis 4:"6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."

  3. Engkei says:

    F Melo,
    Thank you for taking your time with responses. I know I have many questions which sometimes goes off track for a topic. I find MC very interesting, and stimulating, enjoyable. Its interesting to see a fresh view of the Christian faith. I realize now that sometimes its not just LDS folks that have trouble with certain things which they think are important,but its not really stated in scripture.

    In any case, I am considering reading the NT by itself, as you suggested. I probably will do so as time permits. I have daily chores and studies I hope that doesn't interfere. I only have access to online copies and a Douye-Rheems catholic bible. Will that be ok?

  4. Ralph, Many people have told you about cover up after cover up, those issues aside how do you handle the fact that it is taught in LDS theology that "a man cannot be saved in ignorance". Then me and all most every person here can give you exact quotes and chapters on how your prophets cannot agree or how your scriptures cannot agree and so on. So this clearly shows their is a lot of ignorant unsaved people in the LDS church. I bet you would argue they are saved and not ignorant. I'm guessing you will redefine the word ignorant and how two prophets who cannot agree are not ignorant. I look forward to your response.

  5. F_melo,
    The First fruits were not just fruits in the sense of fruit, the first fruits were the First of anything and everything. But Again Cain and Able were not Jews and lets not confuse what God told the Jews to do with Gentiles, and to be more exact, Since Cain and Able were around before the Jews and the Gentiles, they were simply the Human Race.

    But I was and am partly wrong, and will admit as much. In Hebrews, we are told that by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, so the problem with Cain was that his was not of faith, whereas Abel's sacrifice was one of faith. That's the basic difference: one believing God and trusting God, the other not believing.

    Now I know the LDS will say they trust in God, I would disagree because first off the LDS god is not the God of the Bible, so your trusting in a false god. Second LDS admit the Bible is flawed and has precious parts missing and even JS "was told by God" To "Correct" it. So if it must be "corrected" Then how can you really trust God at His word if you fell it is/was corrupted?

  6. Kate says:

    Ralph,

    We have not been told how the spirit bodies are formed, just that it needs 2 parents. But think about it – it’s a spirit body and the parents have a physical body, there will be differences in how spirit children come about compared to how our physical children are conceived and born here on this earth.

    Isn't this already being done by your God? Why don't your prophets know the answer to this?

    I would recommend anyone to read any LDS material they can get their hands on when they are investigating or new members. Then tell them if they have questions to come and ask

    This is not what I asked you. I asked you if you would lay the ENTIRE LDS religion out for them to ponder and study. Give it to them all up front so they can make an informed decision whether or not they want to join or whether or not they would want to stay after learning it all.

    "If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if it's preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak."–George A. Smith, 1871(Journal of Discourses, Volume 14, page 216)

    "Let the truth remain, and let me know the truth; that is what I want-I will submit to it; and let every false theory and principle fall, to rise no more"–Brigham Young, 1860 (Journal of Discourses, Volume 8, page 132

    "I say to the whole world , receive the truth, not matter who presents it to you. Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the LDS with it and see if it will stand the test,"–Brigham Young, 1873 (Journal of Discourses, Volume 16, page 46

    Ralph, I ask you to take the challenge of Brigham Young and compare your doctrines and theories to the Bible and see if they don't line up.

  7. Kate says:

    Ralph,

    Hence, no crosses or crucifixes adorn our buildings.

    Nope, no crosses or crucifixes, just mythical golden angels, pagan symbols of the Free Masons, spires pointing to the exaltation of man and the most interesting symbol on either side of the LDS church office building….THE WORLD! Please tell me, where is Christ in ANY of that?

  8. Kate says:

    Engkei,

    "How was it supposed to be read?

    In context.

  9. RalphNWatts says:

    Fmelo,

    In chapter 2 of the Gospel Principles manual we read –

    Our Heavenly Father called a Grand Council to present His plan for our progression (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 209, 511). We learned that if we followed His plan, we would become like Him. We would be resurrected; we would have all power in heaven and on earth; we would become heavenly parents and have spirit children just as He does (see D&C 132:19–20).

    In chapter 47 under the title ‘Exaltation’ –

    What is exaltation?

    Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.

    What are some blessings that will be given to those who are exalted?

    Our Heavenly Father is perfect, and He glories in the fact that it is possible for His children to become like Him. His work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

    Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, “All things are theirs” (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:

    1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:62).

    2. They will become gods (see D&C 132:20–23).

    I don’t know how much plainer one can get as is written in chapter 47. So it’s not hidden nor kept secret from those investigating or from new members.

  10. Violet says:

    Ralph.
    But if a Christian took a mormon away from their friends and family, what would you say to that?
    I am sure there are many mormons who might be shown the light and become Christians, but it almost seems as if you could give someone a nervous breakdown. My friend has seven brothers and sisters, all married with children, parents, grandparents. She's in. Even if she knew the truth, she wouldn't believe it. She couldn't. She would have to sacrifice everyone. They would be devastated she left. Best case scenario, everything works out, but still she could not see her children marry, or 'be with them for all eternity.' Its a cult. That is what cults do. Pound members with guilt, the bible is wrong, a list of works, an elitist mentality, and us vs. them, we are the good guys, and if you leave, you are leaving your whole family. All your living and deceased, and eternal family. If that is not scare tactic. I don't know what is. Jesus said, 'Come to me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' He will give you rest. Not the mormon church, men on earth, men on other planets. Jesus.

  11. Violet says:

    Rick. That was your best post ever. That is the keeper.

  12. Violet says:

    F melo.
    I thought the mormon church needed to distance themselves from the Catholic Church so that was another reason they removed the crosses. To set themselves apart. Way apart.

  13. RalphNWatts says:

    Fmelo,

    Do you know what the difference between a cross and a crucifix is? I am asking because of your statement above where you draw attention to when I say "I draw the line at a crucifix", then you go on to discuss a cross. If you don't know the difference, a cross is just that – a cross; a crucifix is a cross with a statue/picture of Jesus on it.

    Now reread what I wrote – I don't mind my daughters wearing a cross, but not a crucifix.

  14. f_melo says:

    Well, i was wrong on that, thanks for correcting me.

    The cover up happens when someone is an investigator – those topics are hardly if ever touched upon – unless in cases like that when the person goes out and research by him/herself.
    After you become a member the cover up then is focused on historical facts such as seer stones, angels with flaming swords, etc.

  15. f_melo says:

    "a crucifix is a cross with a statue/picture of Jesus on it."

    Yes, Ralph, i know the difference. Paul did too, and he wasn´t talking about an empty cross. He was talking about the living God Himself there, hanging on that cross bleeding for our sins, the perfect and last sacrifice. I know it´s not a pretty picture, but that´s how Jesus paid for our sins. So, when i see the crucifix, i no longer repudiate it, i now understand the importance of it, even though it´s terrible to see our beloved God hanging like that, that´s what Paul and the others talked about, that was what the Old Testament talked about. I now have respect for it, and a sense of humility, reverence, gratitude and love come over me everytime i look at Jesus hanging on that cross. As a mormon i felt offended by that, now i truly understand what that means. After Jesus defeated death, and i celebrate both events one as important and meaningful as the other.

    Your rejection of the crucifix and focus almost exclusive on the resurrection is a reflexion of how you don´t want to face your sins and how terrible they are, that you´re only focused on becoming god.

  16. f_melo says:

    Violet,

    the irony of it is that they now want the opposite, they want to become another "Christian" denomination in the eyes of the public.
    Did you see their new website, look at the logos – http://www.studychristianity.org/

    They are the wolf in sheep´s clothing.

  17. f_melo says:

    Great response, Kate.

    That´s so true. They love that pagan symbology, but they are repulsed by the Cross… just like you concluded, there´s no Jesus in any of that, yet they get offended when we say they´re not Christian. Go figure.

  18. Violet says:

    f_melo
    Watching Jim Jones on history channel this morning. Jim Jones having 8 out of 10 traits of a narcisist, does not only want to be number 1, but wanted to 'bring down' his opposition. Reminded me of the mormon church, not only wanting to be number 1, but wanted to 'bring down' the catholic church and her protestant daughter, the ***** of babylon.

    And Jim Jones predicted the midwest would be blown up in a nuclear explosion, and that didn't come true, so wouldn't he be a false prophet. How did JS get away with predicting 'the temple would be built (in Kirkland?) but it never did and that is not false prophecy?

  19. Kate says:

    f-melo,

    You are right. David O. McKay gave a conference talk in the 50's. He told the LDS not to wear their cross jewelry because it is strictly Catholic. From what I understand, there had been a large increase in the Catholic population and he wanted to distance the mormons from the Catholics.

  20. Kate says:

    falcon,

    What I was referring to was Mormons who would come to a knowledge of the "angel with the sword" story and not be totally repulsed by it.

    Ooops! Well actually when I learned that, I was repulsed. It is interesting how one person can learn that and be sickened by it and see it for what it was, and someone else can read it and it confirms their faith. They think surely if an angel was going to strike Joseph dead if she didn't agree to marry him, he must be a true prophet! It's so mind boggling to me. I especially love the revelation given about Emma and how she was to accept it all! If that doesn't show people that he wasn't what he claimed to be then I'm not sure anything will.

  21. f_melo says:

    "How did JS get away with predicting 'the temple would be built (in Kirkland?) but it never did and that is not false prophecy?"

    Violet, it is because they worship Joseph Smith, he can do no wrong.

  22. f_melo says:

    " From what I understand, there had been a large increase in the Catholic population and he wanted to distance the mormons from the Catholics."

    And i guess that´s backfiring on them. The only reason why they won´t change that these days has nothing to do with popularity, but with Jesus. To tell members of the Church it´s ok to wear crucifixes would make members put too much focus on Jesus and not as much on their prophet. That would be bad for the power hungry Mormon Church.

  23. Engkei said

    If you read mormon writings carefully, you will find that there is definately an appeal made to believers already. There is also an underlying assumption that the truth is within and around the bible only. As if that was the only choice. For example Moronis promise, and the writings of JS in JS history. He prayed the prayer in the woods, to know which church is true. Never thinking that they were all false, or that perhaps there could have been any else.

    You said their is an appeal to believers. An appeal to what? A large portion of the BoM is copied word for word from the Bible. I have said to LDS before, If I were to remove all the Portions of the BoM that are word for word copies of the bible and then read the BoM their would be not much left and what was left would not help me in learning about Jesus at all. Then the Bible tells us to search the scriptures to know if these things are true, Acts 17:11.

    The Bible never says to pray to know the truth. The Bible also tells us that Satan can come in the form of an angel of light to device us. JS Claims he prayed for the truth in the woods, But what the LDS ALWAYS for get to tell people is, JS had 9 different first vision accounts that all were different and spanned years.

    So If I am to believe JS prayed about the truth, what Vision do I believe? And if it is not the First Vision then how can I trust any of the others ones to be truthful if they are supposed to be "First vision" Yet they fall into the 2 or 3rd or 4th "first" vision.

    Then the issue with Moronis promise is,Every time someone prays and comes back to an LDS member and says God told me LDS teachings are false, or God said your wrong or anything negative, Then the LDS members always puts it back on us as if we are not really sincere, Why is that? Then I have meet LDS members who claim to have prayed and say they never got a burning in the bosom or any answer period, yet they still believed. So there are many problems, it's just the LDS choose to live in spiritual darkness and avoid these issues.

  24. Ralph, You are clearly showing you have a bias to lies and darkness. If all we do and can do is work with what we have for the BoA and the papyrus then it alone proves JS was a fraud. Then lets add to that the Contradictions between the BoA and the Bible, and all the contradictions between the BoA and the BoA, that book alone contradicts it's self. Then the even bigger issue, There is NO SUCH LANGUAGE AS REFORMED EGYPTIAN. Zero, Nadda, None, zip. So if Any LDS member could provide some evidence it would seriously be a first. These problems dont bother you because it is you that has the bias, not me, or F_melo.

  25. Violet, I like to think all my posts are the best ever, or at the very least, Helpful.

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