BYU Devotional Slams Doubters

22 May

‘And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.’ Acts 17:11

 It goes without saying all of the doctrinal teachings put out by the LDS Church falls way short of biblical accuracy. Today’s example is no exception, and compounding their heresy is a devotional they produced in January 2019 at the BYU Hawaii Campus.

For the sake of time and space, we’re looking at excerpts from this devotional, given by LDS Apostle Dale Renlund and his wife, Ruth. To see the full video and transcript, see Worldwide Devotional, ‘Doubt Not, but Be Believing,’ January 2019.

The Renlunds began their devotional with portraying what it’d be like if you were stranded without a boat out in the ocean. Once rescued, they said, you realize the water your rescuers provided wasn’t the Perrier you prefer, nor did they have the upscale crackers to go along with your Perrier.

The segue was a stern reminder for young LDS adults to be careful of the resources from where they retrieve info when/if they have questions about the Church.

There were two issues that caught my attention in this devotional.

1.Mrs. Renlund paraphrased one of my favorite Christian authors, Elisabeth Elliot who in part said, ‘…digging up in doubt what he had planted in faith…’

Not only has Elisabeth Elliott been one of my favorite authors, she’s also the cousin of a good friend of mine. Thus, my attention to their devotional…

2.I’m not sure why, but I’m always shocked at how freely they utilize God’s word, and writings of Christians when it best suits them. They don’t seem to have a problem slamming the body of Christ or God’s precious word, but without skipping a beat praise their insight. Their use of scripture was quite prevalent, and it should give Mormons pause.

‘Church history whack-a-mole’

When discussing someone who was supposedly a member of the Church the Renlunds described the downward cycle a man found himself in with questions about church history. Instead of dealing with the legitimate issues, the Church decided to attack those who ask questions raised by outsiders, and at the same time used the writings of ‘outsiders’.

‘…Sadly, Stephen had chosen to be a perpetual doubter. For him, doubting pleased him more than knowing and he was digging up in doubt what he had planted in faith.10 … As time went on…He focused on the dents in the boat instead of on the capability of the boat to lead him to the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. What Stephen was doing is a form of “Church history whack-a-mole.”

Knowing Church History Won’t Help Doubt

‘While further intellectual information may temporarily resolve an intellectual concern, further information is not the complete solution because, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”… Faith in Jesus Christ and a witness borne of the Spirit are also needed.’

The ‘witness borne of the spirit’ is something that’s exclusive to the Mormon faith. If you don’t have the kind of faith they proscribe, you’re not trying hard enough.

Their faith consists of following the prophet at all costs, and that my friends means wearing blinders. You mustn’t question, nor should you ponder historical facts presented by any unauthorized servant of their god.

They continued on with reminding students of the well known Mormon phrase ‘You know enough to stay on the covenant path and keep My commandments’, which again is another paraphrase, albeit this time from their BoM prophet, Nephi.

Satan Destroys Doubters

‘In the Lectures on Faith, the differences between faith and doubt are explained: “Where doubt and uncertainty are … faith is not, nor can it be. … they will grow weary in their minds, and the adversary will have power over them and destroy them… This is what happened to Stephen. He let doubt and uncertainty occupy his mind. As time went on, he did not have the strength to confront the challenges that one faces as a member of the Church. He grew weary in his mind, and his faith disappeared.’

In other words, ‘Stephen’ wouldn’t swallow any more of the lies this church produces. I highly doubt this Stephen fellow is real, but he does serve as a good example of millions of people who leave the Church because they can’t subject themselves to the scam Mormonism represents. They obviously have a problem on their hands with dissenters. If this wasn’t the case, you’d never hear of this ‘Stephen’ guy…

I’m wondering…

Is this what was going through Russell Nelson’s thoughts as he met with New Zealand’s Prime Minister yesterday? Utah newspapers were quick to point out she’s a ‘former member’ of the Church. And since she is a former member, why pray tell, did Nelson feel pressed to give her a copy of the Book of Mormon?

Ask Question Expecting the Answer You Want to Hear

‘Sister Ruth L. Renlund: To have questions about the Church and its doctrines is normal and the root of gospel learning. Joseph Smith understood that when he read, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” To receive the kind of answer that Joseph Smith sought, to receive the kind of answer we crave, we need to approach God with a believing heart and a mind desiring that the things of God will become known to us.’

What they mean by this is that the answer you receive needs to be in alignment with their standards. If it deters at all from that, it’s not from their god.

Non-LDS Resources have No Value, or Worth

‘Elder Dale G. Renlund: We love a statement made by Elder John A. Widtsoe, an Apostle earlier in this dispensation. I will paraphrase what he said. Doubt, unless changed into inquiry from reliable, trustworthy sources, has no value or worth.’

There’s not much else that needs to be said with that. …

Growing Doubt is Evil

‘That doubt which feeds and grows upon itself, and breeds more doubt, is evil…’

The Snake Oil Salesman …

‘…Would you seek financial advice from someone who is broke and in debt? Elder Dale G. Renlund: Would you ask for medical advice from a charlatan snake oil salesman?’

Tennis advice from amateurs …

‘Sister Ruth L. Renlund: Who would you take advice from on how to improve your forehand in tennis—a weekend hack or Roger Federer?’

Doubters  are spiritually bankrupt …

‘Elder Dale G. Renlund: So why would you entrust your eternal welfare to those who are spiritually bankrupt because they have ripped up in doubt what they once planted in faith…’

The ever present out of context Mormon references …

‘…or who, as Jeremiah said, “have forsaken [Christ] the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water?”…These individuals have walked away from that fountain of living waters and want you to trust in something that doesn’t hold water…’

One thing is certain. The young men and women sitting in that devotional needs our prayers! We’re praying Jesus reminds them of what these false teacher declared, and compare it with what He has given to them and us in His word!

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

1 Cor 1:18

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