BEING A ITNESS TO A MORMON

Transcription

1 BEING A ITNESS TO A MORMON

2 ABOUT THE CROSS CURRENT The Cross Current is a local missions ministry and outreach broadcast bringing glory to God s Name by unifying His Church in His Gospel and helping pastors equip all Christians under their care to be Christ s witnesses everyday, everywhere, to everyone, as one body serving in accordance with the various gifts He has given each.

3 UNDERSTANDING MORMONISM At 14 years of age, Joseph Smith Jr. claimed that he was visited by God the Father and Jesus, who told him that Christianity had become corrupt. Three years later Smith was apparently visited by an angel named Moroni, who told him where to find some golden plates that would explain the true gospel. Supposedly, Smith miraculously translated these plates from Reformed Egyptian into English, resulting in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (curiously, the subtitle was not universally adopted until 1982). Mormonism began in the Palmyra, New York, in the 1820s. Joseph Smith said that God chose him to restore the true church in North America, and he officially launched the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).

4 UNDERSTANDING THEIR BELIEFS CONCEPT OF GOD Mormons are polytheistic, believing that the members of the Trinity are completely separate entities. They believe that the Father is flesh and blood, not spirit, and that he was once a man. Brigham Young taught that God the Father is Adam. SOURCES OF WRITTEN REVELATION The Bible (King James Version) as far as it is translated correctly, the Book of Mormon (BoM), Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price. The BoM is considered more reliable and without error, superior in its teaching. Published in 1830, supposedly from golden plates found in Palmyra, N.Y. JESUS CHRIST He is considered both Father and Son and Adam? (see above). He was a spiritual child of God the Father and a brother of Satan. The Atonement is thought to remove all sins of omission for all mankind.

5 SIN They define sin as breaking God s moral law. However, it is not sin unless the sinner knows it s wrong. Sin, then, becomes relative. REPENTANCE Water baptism and conferral of the Holy Ghost in a church ceremony are all considered part of repentance. FAITH The object of LDS faith is found in the church, and not in Christ. Faith in Christ alone is considered insufficient. SALVATION The Atonement makes it possible for Mormons to earn their salvation. Obedience to the Law is necessary, as is membership to the LDS church. AFTERLIFE There are three levels of heaven: telestial for the non-mormon, terrestrial for the honorable who have not followed all that LDS requires, and celestial for the dedicated Mormon. Hell is temporary; a place for people to expiate their guilt.

6 REFERENCING BIBLICAL PASSAGES DEUTERONOMY 18:20-22 The test of a true prophet is accuracy (cf. Mormon prophets and their accuracy). PSALM 96:5 There are really only two worldviews: idolatry (false) and Christianity (true). ISAIAH 43:10-11; 44:8 There are not multiple gods, only the God of the Bible. GALATIANS 1:8-9 A warning against preaching another gospel (even one preached by an angel). Does this describe Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism? MATTHEW 7:13-14 Not everyone will be saved, as the Mormons teach.

7 MATTHEW 16:18 How can there be a total apostasy of the church if Jesus promised that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it? LUKE 20:34-35 Jesus taught that there would be no marriage in heaven, which contradicts the Mormon teaching on Celestial Heaven. JOHN 4:23-24 God is Spirit, not flesh and blood. JOHN 20:30-31 Jesus promised that we have all we need to know for eternal life; therefore, we do not need the Book of Mormon. EPHESIANS 2:8-10 Good works are the result of grace, not something we do to achieve it.

8 BEING A WITNESS It is our responsibility to reach out to Mormons with the truth and love. Although Mormons may appear confident and self-assured, many are dealing with a great deal of stress because they are striving for perfection. That s the goal of their religion: to be perfect as their Father in Heaven is perfect. They are taught that the only way God will bring them to Heaven is if they are worthy. Well, the obvious question in every Mormon s mind is: Am I worthy enough? What you can do is reinforce their predicament. Begin by asking: What do you think happens after someone dies? They will likely say something about going to be with Heavenly Father. You can then use the Ten Commandments to show them that they are not even close to being perfect or worthy through their own efforts. The Bible says that even our good works are like filthy rags in the eyes of a holy God (Is. 64:6). Mormons are just like the rest of us sinners, by nature children of wrath, separated from God because of our sins, and deserving of His terrible justice. No amount of good works can ever make anyone perfect or save them from eternal Hell. You must show them that the leap they re trying to make to Heaven is a thousand times wider than the Grand

9 Canyon it s impossible. This is actually good news for the Mormons, because it strips them of their false hope and opens the door for you to explain the true gospel that can actually save them. Share with them the hope that is found only in the true Jesus: For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Heb. 10:14). At the cross, God satisfied His justice and demonstrated His love by sending His only Son to die for us while we were yet sinners.

10 CONVERSATION QUICK TIPS It s easy for Christians to become defensive and negative toward Mormons and their claims. However, God commands us to be gentle and respectful. It has been said, that if a Mormon continually agrees with you, either they do not know what their church teaches or you have not defined your terms. Clear definitions of terms are essential for good communication. An important skill in witnessing is asking probing and insightful questions. By asking the Mormon questions, you can first find out the details of his individual beliefs. Further, you can also help him arrive at his own conclusions rather than forcing yours upon him. Seek to understand Mormon culture: the importance of family, church authority, and personal perfection. It is important as you witness to Mormons that you seek to understand what they believe, why they believe it, and exactly how they believe it.

11 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES PRINT Tell the Truth by Will Metzger Biblical Apologetics by Clifford B. McManis The Creation Answers Book by Creation Ministries International WEB proofthatgodexists.org creation.org carm.org For more free Gospel resources and witnessing training, visit: thecrosscurrent.com/resources

12 KEEPING THE CROSS CURRENT IN OUR ULTURE