Is Mormonism Bringing You Closer to Christ?

02 December

Stay on PathOur question today isn’t rhetorical, rather, it stems from a comment made by LDS apostle Dieter Uchtdorf at the October 2015 General Conference.

Couched in a long sermon, Mr. Uchtdorf said all members would benefit from asking themselves a series of questions to evaluate where they are in life. This way, he said, they’d also be better prepared to answer questions from non-members.

We’re taking a look at the key parts of his speech, and then we’ll ask our own set of questions!

Ensign, ‘It Works Wonderfully!,’ November 2015; “Is the Gospel Working for You? … Sometimes the truth may just seem too straightforward, too plain, and too simple for us to fully appreciate its great value. So we set aside what we have experienced and know to be true in pursuit of more mysterious or complicated information. Hopefully we will learn that when we chase after shadows, we are pursuing matters that have little substance and value.

When it comes to spiritual truth, how can we know that we are on the right path?

One way is by asking the right questions—the kind that help us ponder our progress and evaluate how things are working for us. Questions like:

“Does my life have meaning?”

“Do I believe in God?”

“Do I believe that God knows and loves me?”

“Do I believe that God hears and answers my prayers?”

“Am I truly happy?”

“Are my efforts leading me to the highest spiritual goals and values in life?”

I wonder if we as Church members might also benefit from asking ourselves from time to time: “Is my experience in the Church working for me? Is it bringing me closer to Christ? Is it blessing me and my family with peace and joy as promised in the gospel?” …

…God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord. …Exaltation is our goal; discipleship is our journey.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

2 Corinthians 11:14; “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

1.Does extrapolating information outside of Mormonism constitute chasing after shadows?

2.By which gospel are we to measure our success and blessings?

If it’s the Mormon gospel, there’s a good chance your success rate won’t be all that great. If it’s through the gospel found in the Bible, then success is guaranteed!

3.Is your experience of going to the temple and performing works for the dead helping you to learn more about the Jesus of the Bible? If so, what did you learn?

4.Why did this apostle say ‘God will take you as you are at this very moment’ when true Mormonism doesn’t ascribe to this tenet? 2 Nephi 25:23 says that it’s up to us to do the work and then the Mormon  Jesus steps in with the clean up –

“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”

Also consider the following data we pulled that totally contradicts everything Mr. Uchtdorf stated at the General Conference!

Qualifying to Have Jesus

A collection of Mormon quotes on the numerous times they’ve preached we must be qualified to receive Jesus, or receive the Holy Ghost before we can be heard or helped by God.

And here’s a couple of other times the Church has disagreed with the statements made by Mr. Uchtdorf. Clearly, there’s either a disconnect here, or something more sinister is taking place…

Perfection is a Command

Ensign, November 2009, pg. 33; “The Lord does not expect that we do what we cannot achieve. The command to become perfect, as He is, encourages us to achieve the best of ourselves, to discover and develop the talents and attributes with which we are blessed by a loving Eternal Father, who invites us to realize our potential as children of God. He knows us; He knows of our capacities and our limitations. The invitation and challenge to become perfect, to achieve eternal life is for all mankind.” – Jorge F. Zeballos

Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple;

“A careful reading of the scriptures reveals that the Lord did not tell all things to all people. There were some qualifications set that were prerequisite to receiving sacred information. Temple ceremonies fall within this category.

We do not discuss the temple ordinances outside the temples. It was never intended that knowledge of these temple ceremonies would be limited to a select few who would be obliged to ensure that others never learn of them. It is quite the opposite, in fact. With great effort we urge every soul to qualify and prepare for the temple experience.”

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