E-mails!!

17 October

 E-mails October 16 2012

Here are some more e-mails to share with our readers what we’re seeing!  Remember to pray!

From: judy
Subject: question

I recently went to a Baptism in the Mormon church.  I am curious why everyone, and i mean everyone, folds their arms over their midsection during prayer.  I asked my brother and sister-in-law, but it was such a ridiculous answer, I just dismissed it.  It kind of looks like a self hug.

Thanks….judy

Dear Judy –

Hello & thanks for writing to us at Life After Ministries.  Please know we’ll be praying for your brother and his family as well as you.

Mormons believe that in order to be reverent in front of God they must fold their arms with heads bowed and eyes closed.

I’ve used this scenario in PSA’s I record and air for various radio stations and I always ask the same thing when talking about this. When someone comes to you in a conversation with their arms folded what’s your first reaction?

Wouldn’t you think they’re closing themselves off to you?

Imagine – this is how they approach God each and every time they pray.

Here’s the written format for one of the PSA’s comparing Mormonism to Christianity.

Hope this helps!

Prayers, Method of

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 1118; “…”In all our prayers, it is well to use the pronouns thee, thou, thy, and thine instead of you, your, and yours inasmuch as they have come to indicate respect”…Unnecessary repetition of God’s name is avoided, as are idle clichés. Prayers close by stating that the prayer is offered in the name of Jesus Christ, concluding with amen…When someone prays in behalf of a group, the members customarily repeat the final “amen” aloud…In private, the individual or family members kneel with bowed heads and closed eyes. In public, the one praying usually stands, but also observes behavior appropriate to prayer. A prayer’s length is determined somewhat by the occasion, but generally prayers are reasonably concise…”

Matthew 6:5-6; “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

We’ve used the KJV in all of our examples on the site, but honestly do you really believe this is the way to pray?  Why would you need to use 1611 English thrown in with modern day English?  Is God not able to recognize your vocabulary if you don’t speak in seventeenth century English?  What about all those who don’t even speak English?

This is yet another difference between Mormons and Christians in their prayer life.  The Christian churches actually have prayer meetings.  To the horror of what the Mormon must think sometimes Christian prayer gatherings can go on for hours.

From: Gme
Subject: To endless sorrow

Hidy,

I’m tickled for your site being available to share truth that is bibical.  Below I have sent my poem that might be a help in some way…  Gme

………………………………………….

To endless sorrow

Mormonism, has been lying to the world,

Joseph Smith used lies to cut in for the girls.

His bed of lies with brimstone suffer glow,

Total torment wherever he goes.

Mormonism, carry’s lies for me and you,

Lies cut up God’s Holy Word thru and thru.

True Christians follow not this whore scam,

To endless sorrow like Smith in Satan’s hand.

Mormon, what good do you think you do?

You want me to follow lies the same as you.

This counterfeiting evil your smiles are cold

You will never be god no matter what lies you’re told.

Mormonism, how you teach with hidden lust,

May your temple fall and return to the dust.

May all people see your lies of no good.

that all the world forget you ever stood,

Mormonism,

You worthless cemetery.

The following e-mail comes from a Mormon by the name of Lyn – her e-mails to us showed up in our last posts of Mormon e-mails.

From: lyn
Subject: Re: mormons powerful?

thanks for corresponding with me, but you obviously do not understand deeply the doctrines of the Mormon church.  You quote a lot of books rather than scripture and when you do quote scripture, it is mostly taken out of context.  I’m really sorry you gave away a great faith that you could be enjoying.  Good luck in your journeys,  may you someday find your way back.   Just be careful who you take with you.  You will find other people who like yourself did not study deeply enough to gain their own testimony and will be influenced, like yourself.    You may be accountable for their loss as well.   If you really are truthful when you say ‘ you would give everything you have to be wrong’,  maybe you should stop preaching against mormon beliefs and start learning about mormon beliefs.  Study the scriptures in depth, with a theologian and find out for sure what you are preaching against.  It may be embarrassing to lead people away from something that you later find out was true afterall.   That would be painful crow to eat.  May God bless you in your search.  I believe your intentions are good, just misled.   If you are tempted to answer me again, just refer back to my original email.  My question I put forth still stands.

From: Julia
Subject: Mormon Prayer

Hello!
There are these Mormons that have been coming to my house a lot and these Missionaires have these hard hearts. I am just brought to tears, thankful for Jesus passionately following me when I was at the end of my rope. And I told them that after they told me what made the book of Mormon “real” to them and it was nothing. And I was just brought to tears because here I am talking about God passionately a broken person and all they could say is they felt kinda light inside after their parents had them pray. I have studied a lt about Mormonism but I have no personal connections really with mormonism. Anyways I just want to know how to pray for them. I have been praying but since I don’t know what they are going through I wonder if there was a guide or some light that could be shed. I know that there is a lot of info on mormons. But I just want to know what a former mormon would want a Christian to pray, when they pray for another mormon.
Thank you!
Julia

PS
I am glad to hear that their are Christians seeking out Mormons. I feel that the church isn’t doing enough and that we shy away from them. Even in prayer.

Dear Julia –

Hello and thanks for contacting us!

I wanted to thank you for sharing your story with those Mormons Julia and this is why!

More than half the missionaries when they return home, leave the Mormon Church because of the Christians who spent enough time with them in sharing truth. Many of those are saved. Unfortunately the rest turn to Atheism or Witchcraft.

While you may not have seen a reaction coming from those boys I can assure you that your words didn’t bounce off deaf ears.  They’ll listen.  It may take years for your message to sink in or they’ll begin to process it when they return home but they will think about it and you.

Their situation is indeed dismal and I can understand your discouragement but don’t be dismayed! Jesus said He has overcome the world and Julia you are fighting from a position of victory – Jesus won!

We’ll continue to pray for you and them!

With Love in Christ;

Michelle Grim

—–Original Message—–

From: Chelsey

Subject: Blessings for LDS members?

Hi there my name is Chelsey and I have a sincere question for you.

If the core doctrine of LDS beliefs are false ( exaltation, eternal

families,,etc) then why do they seem to be the most blessed people I have ever met? I hear time and time again how their prayers have been answered, how living faithfully they have attained their hearts desires, and how the Lord has blessed them abundantly.

If the most taught beliefs of LDS doctrine are false and not of God, then why is this?

I truly would like your help…

thanks for your time,

chelsey

Dear Chelsey –

Hi and thank you for writing to us at Life After Ministries!

To answer your question all I can say is that Jesus has told us it rains on the just and the unjust in Matthew 5:45.  Good things can still happen to bad people and vice versa but it doesn’t mean that whatever comes their way is from the Lord.

And one more thing to keep in mind with this…not everyone is telling the truth when they say they’ve never been happier and God just keeps answering their prayers.  Many times it’s a façade they put on to make the Church look good. I’m not saying everyone has lied to you, but it’s not uncommon for ex-Mormons to confess they’ve not always been truthful when it comes to this subject.

I hope this helps answer your question and know that we’re praying for you and your Mormon friends.

With Love in Christ;

Michelle Grim

 

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7 Responses to “E-mails!!”

  1. Shane R. October 17, 2012 at 4:20 am #

    I was disappointed to see that you never addressed the email I sent to you earlier this week/last week, either here or via email.

  2. spawnorion October 17, 2012 at 4:23 am #

    I was disappointed that you did not address the email I sent to you late last week, either here or via email. Would you like to comment on why you thought you would never be able to get married in the temple? What sin did you commit that was so heinous that would have prevented this from happening?

    • lifeafterministry October 17, 2012 at 4:50 am #

      Shane

      This will be the last time i address this issue. I’ve explained to you why I left the Church. I don’t know how else I can explain why. They told me at my daughter’s funeral I would NEVER see her again. I am not going to suppose that you understand the biblical Jesus because it’s obvious I’m hitting a brick wall with you on this point.
      I know I can get married in the temple Shane. All I have to do is sign on the dotted line and hand over 10% of my husband’s paycheck. I understand only too well what this entails.
      The point is that I DON’T WANT TO GET MARRIED IN THE TEMPLE.
      I WANT to follow Jesus and Him alone.
      I do NOT WANT to follow the dictates of Joseph Smith and company anymore.
      I WANT to follow Jesus and His teachings.
      Shane, open your Bible. Open your heart to the Lord and I’m not talking about feelings Shane. I’m talking about intellectual honesty here. You seem to be a bright guy so open the Bible, read it in original Greek and Hebrew and find out the truth for yourself. I GUARANTEE you that Jesus will show you the truth Shane.
      My husband Kirk and I went home, studied the references that bishop gave us at our daughter’s funeral and came to see that the doctrines of the Church are wrong and unbiblical. That is why we left. He didn’t hurt our feelings. No one hurt our feelings. The church’s teachings hurt our heart and we repented and told Jesus we were in need of a Savior. That’s it. It’s just that simple.
      Michelle

    • spawnorion October 17, 2012 at 5:21 am #

      I have opened up my Bible. I have prayed about it. I received my answer. Have you?

      As to your response to my question, you are the one who seems to be going in circles, justifying your leaving the church on the basis that a bishop told you that you would not see your daughter in heaven because you wouldn’t get married in the temple, then saying you wouldn’t get married in the temple, in part, because you didn’t want to turn over 10% of your husband’s paycheck. You made the decision based on your own desires. You were told what the result would be. You have chosen to pout like a little child and throw a temper tantrum.

      Regarding tithing, that is your choice. Tithing is a biblical concept, yet you seem to believe that it is too much to be expected of you.

      I pray that you will see the truth before it is too late, that your pride will not be your downfall.

    • lifeafterministry October 17, 2012 at 4:49 pm #

      Oh Shane I feel badly for you. I don’t mean that condescendingly, I mean it with all sincerity.

      As for your e-mail you sent me – I did not block you from posting on this site…yet. That will be left up to you and your demeanor. Calling me names (a little child) will set you on the road of being blocked. I thought you were into computers and would’ve known this.
      While I’m at my desk quite a bit I’m not here 24/7 and if your post doesn’t show up it’s because I haven’t approved it yet. That isn’t me, it’s WordPress.

      Secondly –

      My decision to leave wasn’t based solely on what happened at my daughter’s funeral. One of the main reasons I left was because of the race issue. I’m not exactly light and delightsome. And if you tell me that other churches were like that then I’d have to say you’re right and wrong. Not all churches and Christians were like that. The Bible says nothing about me being cursed and therefore I’m black or dark.

      Thirdly –

      Another deciding factor was because the church does not follow the Bible. It’s not that I don’t want to tithe. I do that now. It is not biblical to tell people they have to tithe for salvation. You cannot attain a true salvation in Mormonism if you don’t go to temple. There’s nothing in the Bible that says you don’t go to heaven unless you’ve cut a check to God.

      Fourth –

      I am praying you reconsider your position with the body of Christ. You told me you left Christianity because someone hurt your feelings.

      Fifth –

      I ask you Shane, how do you reconcile the inconsistencies and outright contradictions in the Book of Mormon?

      Know that we’re praying for you Shane and hope you come to know the real Jesus of the Bible.
      Michelle

  3. spawnorion October 21, 2012 at 2:19 am #

    I reconcile the inconsistencies and outright contradictions of the Book of Mormon the same way I do with the Holy Bible’s inconsistencies and outright contradictions (especially in light of scientific facts). I pray, recognize that I will not have all of the answers to the questions I have when I expect them but that I will have them someday. Should I start questioning the Bible in the same way that you want me to question the Book of Mormon? I have been an agnostic/atheist before…

  4. camdenc October 24, 2012 at 5:30 pm #

    Shane – You can know, today, everything you need to know… Jesus was born of a virigin by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was tempted, but sinned not. He showed us the way to salvation (believe and follow Him), offered Himself up as a once and final sacrifice, took on the sins of all mankind (past, present, and future) on that Roman cross, was buried, raised Himself on the 3rd day, and ascended back to Heaven.

    He told us that the 2 greatest commandments were Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself…
    He told us to Love and pray for our enemies…
    He told us to receive the Kingdom like a little child…
    He told us that the works of God was to believe in the One that God had sent…
    He told us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life…
    He told us to take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Him…
    He told us that if we denied Him in front of man, He would deny us to the Father…

    What else is there to know?

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