Saturday, May 15, 2004

Do Anti-Mormons Really Think they are Christian?

I can't help but be amazed at the hypocrisy of anti-Mormons. They do not consider members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)as Christian because Mormons deny the post-Biblical heresy known as the Trinity, but rather believe in the Biblically based teaching promulgated by Christ and the other Biblical writers about the nature of the Godhead and its members.

Since Mormons actually BELIEVE in their doctrine, they also believe it important to share the doctrines of the LDS Church with the world, as they believe the knowledge of the restored Church and a correct understanding of the Godhead will bring joy in this life and salvation in the life to come, by obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The principles are simple, that through the grace and goodness of God, we come to have faith, repent of our sins, are baptized for a remission of our sins, receive the gift of the holy Ghost through the laying on of hands by those in authority to do so, and then we move on and obey the commandments and spiritual promptings of Christ. In the end, we inherit a nature like God's, though we do not replace him. See Acts 2:37-47; Acts 8:14-20; Romans 6:1-4, 12-23; Romans 8:14-21; 2 Peter 1:4; Revelations 3:20-21; Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:32-33; LDS Articles of Faith 1-4, 13. (Please note that I am trying to give some context for these passages, rather than the custom of anti-Mormons of ripping a word or phrase out of a passage with incorrect meaning.)

Mormons do not force anyone to listen to them, nor do they protest or mock the sincerely held beliefs of others with whom they disagree. This is the Biblically based and revealed pattern of demonstrating true love and respect of others. 1 Peter 3:15. Ironically, anti-Mormon protestors fulfill exactly what Peter warns of in his next verse, demonstrating that while Mormonism may not be correct, the faith of the protestors is certainly incorrect (1 Peter 3:16).

The only place in the Bible where it teaches to raise your voice like a trumpet to preach is to declare the sins of God's people.(Is 58:1-2). So, are Mormons God's people? Theologically, by covenant are we God's people? As a Mormon I say 'Yes', but I suspect the good Christian sign-holders have a different opinion. If that is the case, then go away. Read your scriptures more carefully. You don't yell at non-converts. You yell at converted backsliders. Big difference, at least in the Bible.

But that is the problem, in a nutshell. They don't really believe the Bible, just the cut and paste sections they like. Paul teaches you must have good works and faith to be saved, but they just like the faith part. Jesus says those who simply confess him will not be saved, but those that do his words. So they ignore that verse. (Matt 7:21-27)

Early Christians had a name for these kinds of people: heretics. And so they are. They are not Christian, neither are they Christ-like. And so they should be loved, but theologically ignored. They literally do not have a clue about God's love or His teachings. They are no different than the extremely young or mentally infirm. They know not what they do. They just keep on sinning to cover their sins and to massage the pride of their hearts.

We should be thankful for anti-Mormons. While some weak in the faith may be negatively impacted, yet thousands more are able to clearly distinguish between their false Christianity and the sincere attempts by members of the LDS faith to live their beliefs. Anti-Mormons can call black "white" all day long, but the pure in heart with the Spirit to guide them will see and hear, and feel the truth. While anti-Mormons have a pathetic, empty faith, lacking true love and direction for their lives, we invite them to set aside their pride, and seek God, not their own honor by men.

There is so much more in the Truth. It does make you free.

In the future, I will be posting on topical issues of our day in the debates anti-Mormons try to generate. But make no mistake, people who hold up signs outside Temple Square are almost universally empty, shallow and uninformed. Very few have any significant education, and the one or two I have spoken with who have some education are so proud they find it demeaning to actually have educated opinions disagree with them, and they mock those people. I know this first hand. So let's get this issues driven party moving, and have some fun.

1 comment:

Wayne The Writer said...

Loved your blogs! This is the first blog I am reading, and reading from the oldest to newest. I really love it!!