In a meeting we had with Mormon Missionaries we were asked to put in writing some of the problems we have with the LDS religion. So we decided to write a letter. This letter is not intended to hurt or bash, for we have many, including yourself, who are beloved relatives and friends that are LDS. It is intended in love and to enlighten you on some of the truths we have discovered about this religion. Please remember this is not intended to hurt!
As Born-again Christians it is our obligation to share Christ with everyone. Because of our upbringing in the LDS church we feel it is God's calling that we share the True Jesus of the Bible with especially our loved ones. We know that the LDS feel they have Christ but the Christ taught in Mormon doctrine is very different from the Christ of the Bible.
It is our prayer that you will look at these things we are about to share with you with an open heart and mind. Pray about it, and study it. We would be happy to talk with you about any points or questions you may have about the material or sources of information contained in this letter. We have discovered this knowledge primarily from LDS publications, LDS Standard Works, and LDS books written by prophets and apostles.
VISION VERSIONS
David O. McKay, John Woodstoe and many more LDS leaders have stated that the first vision is the foundation of the church. Let's look at several versions of this vision and the differing points that are brought up in each of them.
The official version was adopted by the LDS leaders in 1880, some 60 years after it supposedly occurred. This version states that the vision occurred in 1820. Smith was 14 years old. This vision occurred in a grove of trees and the Father and Son appeared to Joseph Smith. In this version it states that a total apostasy has occurred "all the churches are wrong. . . you should join none of them." The Bible says there will be apostasy but not a total apostasy. (See Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 16:18) Luke 21:33 says "Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my words will not pass away."
Another version was published by Joseph Smith Jr., and Oliver Cowdery in The Messenger and Advocate (Sept. 1834, Vol. 1, pp. 78-79). In this version the first vision happened in 1823, Smith was 17 years old, it occurred in Smiths bedroom, and it was angels, not God and Jesus Christ, who visited him.
In another recorded account of the first vision documented in the Desert News, (May 29, 1852) Smith is quoted that angels visited him first. You must find the original article because this was changed in the book History of the Church by LDS leaders to read differently. The officials removed the word "angels" from the text.
And in yet another case of differing versions, in 1969, Paul R. Chessman, while researching his Masters' thesis on the first vision of Joseph Smith, found a diary handwritten by Smith. This diary was authenticated by Dean C. Jesse of the Church Historian Office and James B. Allen, also of the Church Historian Office. A photocopy is available from BYU Studies (Spring 1969, pp. 277-281). A copy of the diary is also printed in the Ensign (Dec. 1974, pp. 24-26 and Jan. 1985, pg. 11).
In Joseph's own handwriting he writes that he already knows that all churches are wrong before the vision took place. He was 16 years old. That Jesus Christ was the only being that visited him and Jesus was angry and coming soon.
There are other accounts by Smith we would be happy to discuss with you. Brigham Young also stated that in the first vision Joseph was visited by angels not God and his Son Jesus Christ. See Journal of Discourses (J of D), Vol. 2, pg. 171, 1855. Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, John Taylor, and George A. Smith all said that in Joseph Smith's first vision he was visited by angels. Heber C. Kimball said the first vision was St. Peter (J. of D. Vol. 6, pg. 29, 1857)
Joseph Smith also stated that the angel that visited him in later visions was Nephi, not Moroni. (Times and Seasons, Vol. 3, pg. 753, 1842). This was also stated in The Millennial Star (Vol. 3, pg. 53, 71, 1842). In the first edition of The Pearl of Great Price (1851), the angel Nephi is the visiting angel to Joseph. Again the story has changed as time goes by.
In the Bible we are warned in Galatians 1:8, "But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him by accursed." II Corinthians 11:15 says "and no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." There are other scriptures containing the same warning from God that we would be happy to discuss with you further if you desire.
JOSEPH'S PROPHECIES
God set the standard for prophets in the Old Testament. That standard was 100% accuracy or you need not fear them as prophets from God. Specifically, Deuteronomy 18:22 says "when a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; thou shalt not be afraid of him." (Also see Deuteronomy 13:1-5, Isaiah 9:13-16, Jeremiah 14:13-16, Ezekiel 13:1-9).
Now that we know what God's standard is, let's look at some of the prophecies that Joseph Smith gave that never did come to pass. In D & C 84:1-5, a temple as to be built in Zion, Missouri in this generation (Smith's generation). This has not happened. We've heard the argument "What is a generation?" The Book of Mormon says that a generation is 100 years. See 4 Nephi, chapters 18 and 22. This revelation was given in 1832. It is no 1996, well over 100 years later. It is documented that Brigham Young and other LDS leaders fully expected and believed that the temple would be built in their living generation, not some generation in the future. This falls in the category of false prophecy. Yet another false prophecy in the same Sec. 84:112-115 states that Newel K. Whitney will go to New York, Boston, etc. and if these areas reject the teachings of Mr. Whitney they will be utterly destroyed. This also did not occur as predicted.
D & C 97:19--Zion in Jackson County cannot fall or be moved. It did fall and was moved to Salt Lake City.
D & C 124:56-60--Nauvoo house will stay in the Smith family forever. It is now owned by the Reorganized Church.
D & C 111:1-11--Salem, Massachusetts would be given to Smith. All the gold and silver he was hunting for, in Salem, would be given to him. This did not happen!
There are more in the D & C but let's look at a couple of other sources. In a letter written to U.S. Judge Douglas, Joseph Smith wrote, "I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the saints in the State of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted; and there will not be so much as a potsherd left . . . " (The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith by Joseph Fielding Smith, pg. 302)
"President Smith then stated . . . it was the will of God that those who went to Zion, with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, should be ordained to the ministry, and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh, even fifty-six years should wind up the scene." (History of the Church, Vol. 2, pg. 182). We now know the Lord has not yet returned and it has been longer than fifty-six years since this statement was made by Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith even taught that there were men on the moon. He states that they are very tall, about six feet, dress in Quaker-style clothing and live to be about 1000 years old. (Journal of Oliver B. Huntington Vol. 2, pg. 166).
There are more false prophesies by Smith and we could also show you some given by Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow and others. The Bible also warns of false prophets in the last days --see Matthew 24:11 "and many false prophets shall rise and deceive many." Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders in so much that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect." Also see II Peter 2:1, Luke 2:8, I Corinthians 11:4 & 13, Colossians 2:18, I Timothy 6:3, II Timothy 4:3 & 4, and more we can look up together.
Joseph Smith was convicted of money digging and treasure hunting, using a Seer Stone and defrauding people. The trial was in 1826 and we have a copy of the trial record if you would like to see it for yourself.
A FEW CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN BOOK OF MORMON AND CHURCH DOCTRINE
Mormon doctrine teaches that God is a progressive God. "As man is God once was, as God is many may become." Let's look at what the Book of Mormon says about a progressive God. In Mormon 9:9,10 the scriptures read, "For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? And now if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles."
Moroni 8:18--"For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity." Also see Mormon 9:19, II Nephi 29:9, III Nephi 24:6, Mosiah 3:5, D & C 20:12,17. We strongly encourage you to look up these scriptures because they clearly show God is not an exalted man and He is not progressive. The doctrine of a progressive God has been taught since Joseph Smith. This is a serious problem when doctrine does not follow what scripture clearly teaches. A progressive god is a different god than that which is taught in the Bible. The God of Christianity is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Next we would like to look at the doctrine of plural Gods, and the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost). LDS doctrine teaches that there are "three Gods with one purpose" and that our Father in Heaven is the God of this planet and there are many gods in charge of many planets. That our God has a father and he has a father and so on and so on. Let's see what the Book of Mormon says about this teaching. III Nephi 11:27 says "And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father and the Son, and Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one." Alma 11:26-29 "And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God? And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God. Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? And he answered, No." Other LDS scripture that shows this concept of Trinity see II Nephi 31:21, Mosiah 15:1-5, Mosiah 16:15, D & C 20:28, Alma 11:38-39, Alma 11:44. The Book of Mormon clearly teaches One God. Not "one in purpose" not "of this world", but one God period. In the Bible we are taught that God is the God of the entire universe, not just this planet. A god of just this planet is a different god than the God of the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Some of these verses we just looked at also show the deity of Christ. LDS doctrine takes away the true nature of who Christ really is. LDS doctrine teaches that Christ is a created spirit child of our 'Heavenly Parents,' that he is the first-born of God in the 'pre-existence."The LDS doctrine says that Christ is the spirit brother of Satan and also the spirit brother of all of us, and that he progressed to becoming God. This is a direct contradiction not only of the Bible but also the Book of Mormon. Let's look at Mosiah 15:1-5 "And now Abinadi said unto them; I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son. The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son. And they are one god, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth. And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the tempation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people."
These verses clearly show that Christ is God. Not the spirit child of God, not the spirit brother of Satan, Christ is truly God Himself. Mosiah 16:15 reads "Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen." This is also clearly stated in II Nephi 11:7--"For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fullness of his own time." And again in Alma 11:38,39 we read, "Now Zeezrom saith again unto him; Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? and Amulek said unto him; Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end and the last." Also see Mosiah 5:15, 7:27, and 13:34. We can show you other scriptures in your standard works that are teaching that Christ and God are the same. We were unable to find where the scripture said one in purpose. This is a clear example of LDS doctrine adding meaning to what the scriptures are teaching. These scriptures also show that the Jesus of the Book of Mormon is different than the Jesus that is taught at your church meetings and in your church writings.
In the Bible the name Immanuel means "God with us." In John 1:1 "The Word was God . . . " and man, many other verses show Christ and the Father are one. We fear the Jesus that the LDS people are putting their trust in is different than the Jesus of the Bible and we4 feel this is a serious problem and could very well affect your salvation. The Bible has many warnings about being fooled; see Mark 13:22, II Corinthians 11:13-14, I Timothy 1:1-3.
LDS Doctrine teaches that God the Father has a physical body. Yet in the Book of Mormon we read in Alma 18:26-28 and 22:8-10 that God is spirit. The Bible clearly teaches us that our Father in Heaven is a Spirit. There is a distinct warning in Romans 1:22,23 &25, about changing who God is. It says "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man . . . Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the3 creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
The few contradictions (and there are more) that we have shown you leaves us confused about the ever changing doctrine of this church, yet I Corinthians 14:33 says that "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."
STRANGE UNBIBLICAL TEACHINGS
The LDS teach that Jesus was begotten by a physical act of a physical God to Mary. (See Brigham Young, J of D Vol. 1, pg. 50 and Vol. 8, pg. 115. Orson Pratt, The Seer, pg. 158, and Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pg. 546 and 547, Promised Messiah, pg. 467 and 468.) We feel this is heresy. Thus would make God and Mary guilty of adultery because Mary was espoused to Joseph. It would make Jesus illegitimate. It would make the Bible prophesies of a virgin birth false. The Jesus of Mormonism is not the same as the Jesus in the Bible. II Peter 1;1-2 says, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
Brigham Young's taught the Adam-God Doctrine (Adam is our Father in Heaven). (See J of D Vol. 1, pg. 50-51; Vol. 2, pg. 6, 143; Vol. 3, pg. 319; Vol. 4, pg. 271; Vol. 5, pg. 331; vol. 6, pg. 275,285; vol. 8, pg. 53, 208; vol. 12, pg. 97.) This doctrine was also taught and believed by Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Hosea Stout, William Clayton and others. Spencer Kimball pronounced this a false doctrine in October 1976.
LDS leaders have taught that Jesus is a polygamist. "Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives and that he begat children." (Apostle Orson Hyde, J of D vol. 2, pg. 80 and 84. Apostle Orson Pratt, The Seer, pg. 172 and the Second Counselor to Brigham Young, Jedadiah Grant, J. of D., Vol. 1, pg. 346.) There are many other strange and unbiblical teachings within LDS doctrine. We have just mentioned a few.
Another problem we have is the censorship and suppression that goes on within the church leadership and the historical documents. There are over 4,000 changes in the Book of Mormon from the first edition to the present edition. Some of the changes are grammatical but many are doctrinal changes that are actually changing the meaning of the original writing. The original Book of Commandments is very different from the present day Doctrine & Covenants. Yet, the LDS believe that the Standard Works are more accurate than the Bible. In church vaults there are many letters and journals not available to the public or even to BYU scholars. The leadership suppresses this material because they feel it might damage the image of the Church. We find this to be very disturbing indeed.
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE FOR THE BOOK OF MORMON
There is yet to be discovered one piece of evidence here in the Americas to prove the accuracy of the Book of Mormon. In fact archaeologists have discovered evidence that disputes the accuracy of this record. There is NO evidence that the metals mentioned in the Book of Mormon or the animals like horses, elephants, camels, pigs, domestic cattle etc., were here in America until after Columbus arrived. We have a letter written by the Smithsonian Institute that clears up these issues and any rumors about the Book of Mormon being used by modern day archaeologists working in the Americas.
The American Indian has been genetically linked to Asian descent because of the blue Mongoloid spot found at the base of the spine. Hebrew descendants do not have this genetically-occurring phenomenon.
There is yet to be discovered one city described in the Book of Mormon. Yet, even non-believing archaeologists use the Bible to work with, over in Israel and the surrounding countries. Literally thousands of discoveries have been made using the Bible. Don't you have to ask yourself if God wrote both the Bible and the Book of Mormon would he not provide proof of the truth in both areas of the world. The scientific evidence clearly puts into question the historical account that Joseph Smith wrote about here in America.
The original papyrus scrolls that Joseph Smith translated the book of Abraham from have been discovered and they are actually a writing describing the way the Egyptians mummified people after their death. It is called the "Book of Breathings." The Book of Abraham is located in the Pearl of Great Price.
Another big concern we have are the changes in practices and beliefs because of pressure put on by government officials or society. The EVERLASTING COVENANT of plural marriage being dropped, the black men being denied the priesthood and all of a sudden it is given to them. . . It sounds like God changes his mind, yet, we read in Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I CHANGE NOT." Our God does not change his mind and take back revelations He has given, because the directions and ways he has taught us stand forever. We encourage you to think this over.
USE OF THE BIBLE FOR PROOF OF MORMONISM
Mormons use Ezekiel 37:16-17 to prove the Book of Mormon is written about in the Bible. They say the stick for Joseph is the Book of Mormon; however, they ignore the next 5 verses, which is an explanation of 16 & 17. Ezekiel 37:16-22 reads. "Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions; then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand."
"And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: . . . " When the 12 tribes left Egypt each had its own territory. After Solomon's death they split into two nations. The southern portion consisted of Judah and Benjamin, the northern was the sons of Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh). The stick for Joseph represented the northern kingdom. The stick for Judah represented the southern kingdom. God had Ezekiel join the two sticks together to visually demonstrate his promise to make them one nation.
Another scripture used is Rev. 14:6 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." If we continue reading the next verses the angel says to fear God for his hour of judgment has come. Which is then followed by another angel which says Babylon has fallen and by the third angel that talks about worshipping the beast (anti-christ). This verse is not only taken out of context within the chapter but is taken out of context of what is written in the entire book of Revelation. At this point in the book, over half the population of the world has been killed. There has been mass devastation of the earth. The temple in Jerusalem has been rebuilt and the anti-christ has entered the temple declaring himself as God. This is a prophecy yet to happen, not the occurrence of the angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith.
John 10:16--"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." Mormons claim the other sheep are the Nephites in America. Traditional Christian interpretation of this verse is that the other sheep are the Gentiles. This view is backed up by Matthew 12:18 & 21, Acts 9:15, 28:28. We understand the Mormon view on this verse, because this verse is copied word for word in III Nephi 15:17, 21 and is discussed in chapters 15 and 16 of III Nephi. We find it interesting that Greek and Reformed Egyptian would translate out word for word into 16th Century English. It would be interesting to know the odds of that happening. There are many other Bible scriptures taken out of context or strange interpretations added which the Mormons use as proof text. We would be happy to look at any of these with you.
The LDS use Isaiah 2:2 and say this is a prophecy of the Salt Lake Temple. However, in Isaiah 2:1 we read "The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem." This prophecy about a temple in the mountains is clearly about the Jews in Jerusalem, not the Mormons in Salt Lake. (Note this Chapter and following chapters of Isaiah are copied in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 12 and following.)
SALVATION
We feel the most serious problem with Mormonism is the concept of salvation. The 3rd Article of Faith states, "We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel." The Biblical teaching of salvation is so stated: Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and all short of the glory of God." This means that we have all come short of God's standard of perfection. In thoughts, words, and deeds, we have not been perfect. Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death." The Bible says we have earned death by sinning. That means we deserve to die and be separated from God forever, But Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." In Ephesians 2:8-9, we read, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The Bible clearly teaches that you cannot earn your way to heaven and be in the presence of God himself. We ask you to look up more scriptures we are listing in order to understand this teaching more fully. Romans 3:20, 28, 5:1, 11:6; Galatians 2:21, and when the Lord was asked about what good works must we do he answered in John 6:28-29 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." In Galatians 2:16 we again read, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." We fear that the LDS people rely on their good works to earn their way to heaven. The Bible clearly shows that the only way to heaven is the finished work Christ did on the cross! There are many other scriptures in the Bible that show God's plan for salvation. We would be happy to share them with you.
PRIESTHOOD AUTHORITY?
There is an interesting problem with the LDS priesthood authority. All Mormons from Joseph Smith to the present claim to be from the tribe of Ephraim. But according to Mormon scriptures, that tribe descended from Ham and is under a curse that states that tribe cannot hold the priesthood. This curse is found in the Pearl of Great Price in the Book of Abraham, 1:20-27:
"Behold, Potiphar's Hill was in the land of Ur, of Chaldea. And the Lord broke down the altar of Eikenah, and of the gods of the land, and utterly destroyed them, and smote the priest that he died; and there was great mourning in Chaldea, and also in the court of Pharaoh; which Pharaoh signifies king by royal blood.
"Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham, and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. From this descent sprang all Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land. . .
"Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generation, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood.
"Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham; therefore my father was led away by their idolatry;. . . "
If we read from the Bible Genesis 41:45-52 we see that Ephraim and Manasseh were born to Joseph and Asenath an Egyptian woman, and therefore it would appear that the tribes of Epohraim and Manasseh would be cursed as to holding the priesthood because the sons were half Egyptian. Therefore, Lehi and the nations established here in America through the line of Manasseh would be unable to hold the priesthood and Joseph Smith and all Mormons claiming to be from the tribe of Ephraim would be unable to hold the priesthood.
The LDS claim that Peter, James and John visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and passed on the Melchizedek Priesthood and this included the authority to restore the Church of Jesus Christ here on earth. The LDS church uses 2 scripture references to prove this, John 15:16 and Hebrews 5:4. Yet, nowhere can it be found in these scriptures or any place in the Bible where Jesus passed the Melchizedek priesthood on to anyone. In fact Hebrews 7:1-3, and 26 list the qualifications for this priesthood. Verse 3 "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. . . For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens." Do you fulfill these requirements? Did Joseph Smith fulfill them? Of course not. No one but Jesus himself could fulfill these requirements. Hebrews 7:24 tells us that Jesus," . . .because he continueth ever, has an unchangeable priesthood." Jesus is still holding this priesthood because He is still alive!
Hebrews 7:11-18 shows us that the Aaronic priesthood was changed, or abolished, when Christ came and died on the Cross and rose again to pay the complete penalty for our sins. During the Old Testament times (before Christ died on the Cross) there was only one High Priest at a time and that High Priest had to be a direct descendant of Aaron. The LDS have many High Priests and again Mormons claim to be from the tribe of Ephraim. How can this be? This is not a restoration of the church because it has been changed by the LDS church. So where does a Christian's authority come from? John 1:12 tells us that He gave us power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. The entire Book of Acts gives example after example of all the apostles teaching, preaching and healing in the name of Jesus. We find in I Peter 2:5,9 that those who have by faith trusted in Christ are a Holy Priesthood and verse 9 reads: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." This is the power and authority for those who believe in Christ.
We have found more problems than those we have presented here. We would be happy to share them with you if you are interested.
OUR TESTIMONIES
We would like to close this letter sharing each of our testimonies.
Janice's testimony:
I was raised Mormon in Salt Lake City, Utah, by a loving active Mormon mother. I quit attending the LDS church after high school and started studying and believing in Spiritualism and New Age beliefs (all or most roads lead to God). In 1990, I was introduced to a group here in Salt Lake that were channeling spirits from beyond our visual realm. These spirits taught us about life and we should live. The people involved with this group were good people and they were living good lives with high moral standards.
I was convinced that these spirits were sent to us from God to give us the truth and understanding of why we are here and how we need to live our lives. A Book called The Urantia Book, was published in 1960. This book was written by a person who would channel the spirit's words through his mind and then write down the words. Kind of like as picture or the words would appear in his head so he could write it out. The spiritual being would speak to the person through inspiration. It is hard to explain.
We were told that The Urantia Book was the most accurate word of God on earth today. In this book were answers to questions like, where do we come from? Where are we going? How do we get there?> These spiritual beings visited with me personally at my home and are very real. But, the teachings they were sharing took away the authority of the Bible and the Bible's truths. We were instructed that the Bible was not accurate and had outlived its validity and worth. I had a burning in my bosom about the truth of the Urantia Book and that this was truly the work of God. I felt I had something special that no everyone out there could understand or be part of. I had psychic abilities that made me unique and I thought that I was one of God's special chosen people.
A friend of mine from Washington who was also involved with this group asked me if I had tested the spirits like the Bible commands us to do. At first, I thought this was unnecessary because the spirits demonstrated such love, caring and light. They must be from God because they said they were. I was praying to God that I wanted to do his will in my life. I was convinced through the loving guidance of my friend to read 1 John 4:1-3 and pray about the spirits running my life. God kept his promise and revealed to me the true nature of these spirits. They were not form God but from Satan. Their demonic nature came through. I was for a time under severe demonic attack.. They are now out of my life and through this experience I came to know the true nature of God and I have a personal relationship with Christ.
I asked God to help me to be able to discern truth from lies and was lead to the truth of the accurate Word of God found in the Bible. When I asked for and accepted the Lord into my life he changed me. I still fall very short from God's expectations in my life and I thank him every day for his saving grace. He forgives me over and over again for my sin nature. I praise him for rescuing me from that cult and I will pray he will rescue you from Mormonism.
Kenny's testimony:
At the age of 14, I left the Mormon church because I realized I could not live up to the standards of the church. "Later from the Bible I learned no one can, "for all have sinned and fall short.") So I went on with my life without God, feeling I was okay because I was honest with people, didn't cheat on my wife, was good to my kids, and did more good things than bad. I guess in my own mind my salvation was okay because the good outweighed the bad. Life went on. I knew God was there but had no relationship with him.
I've heard that sometimes God will break a man to get his attention. This is what happened to me. I had some problems that brought me close to a mental breakdown. With no place else to turn, and from a suggestion from my wife, I turned to God for help. Immediately I felt a calm come over my troubled mind. This was my turning point. After this I started to seek God, and Janice read to me from Revelation, "I stand at the door and know," and I realized the Lord was knocking on my door and all I had to do was let him in. So, I started reading the Bible, studying and praying and gained a knowledge of God and his plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. Even though I had this knowledge I had not yet received it! I continued with just a head knowledge until one Sunday afternoon, December 3, 1995, I met with the pastor of the church we are attending. He explained to me that knowledge was not enough, that I had to receive Christ. So, on my knees. I confessed to God I fall short, that I needed his provision of salvation. I invited Jesus Christ into my heart and received the holy spirit. This prayer changed my whole life. I now know I am going to heaven because Christ died for me! I do my best to keep his commandments out of appreciation for what he did, not earn my own salvation. In II Corinthians 5:17 we read "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." I am living proof of this scripture. Those of you who know me can testify to this.
At the age of eight my father put his hands on my head and told me to receive the Holy Ghost; 30 years later I invited Christ in to my life and OH BOY did I receive the Holy Ghost. Because of my upbringing I struggled about Mormonism. I prayed and prayed about it and God lead me to the Bible, not Mormonism. The Bible warns that our feelings will deceive us. I pray that none of us be deceived. I pray we look at facts as well as feelings. We need both! There are over 200 million born-again Christians in the world. I am one. We believe it does not matter what denomination you belo9ng to but that you trust in Christ's finished work on the cross. I Corinthians, "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
It is my prayer that you will put your trust in Christ and not in a church. In Christ's name. Amen.
Mail to: Kenny & Janice
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