Mormon E-mails November 2013

14 November

mailbag2Below are a couple of the e-mails we’ve received this week.  The 2nd e-mail is actually part of an ongoing conversation with what looks like an LDS missionary. It’s not often we receive e-mails from LDS men referring to themselves as “elder” if they’re not a missionary.  It could be this gentleman isn’t one, but we doubt it. We’re asking everyone to continue praying for those who write in. We know simply from our own lives that He can and does save!  Thank You Jesus!

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

From: Aya tsukima
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 3:51 PM
To: info@lifeafter.org
Subject: mormonism

Hi Aya –

First of all I wanted to say that we appreciate the note you sent to us here at Life After Ministries and let you know we’re praying for you.

I wanted to make sure I respond to each of your concerns in context so scroll down – my answers are in red font –

Hello, yes i have a few questions

The creators of this website, are indeed christian, yes?

Yes, we are indeed Christians!

If so, then this website isn’t very Christ like at all.

How are we not Christ-like?

Mormons are wrong? Ok, so what?

Well it’s a very big deal Aya – the Bible tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His Only Son to die for us so we can have eternal life with Him.  It’s not good for us as Christians to not tell the truth and warn people, thus, the ministry God called us into.  2 Corinthians 4:1.

Everyone is so keen on destroying the Mormon church, for what reason? Because they don’t believe the same things as every other christian? This is bad how? Does it matter if what Mormons preach is wrong? If they want to believe it, then who are you to make a website meant to shake their faith and confuse them.

Well I don’t know about “everyone” else, but I don’t do this to “destroy” Mormonism.  I do this to warn people about the dangerous false teachings of Mormonism. The reason I do this is because of my deep concern and empathy I have for my people.

I was a Mormon for 30 years and every single member of my family for six generations has been LDS.  I have a vested interest in wanting them to see the truth.  That truth is right there in the Bible Aya – the Jesus of the Bible isn’t the same Jesus of Mormonism.

Salvation in the Bible is through Jesus Christ because He died on the cross for our sins. Salvation in Mormonism might happen if you work long and hard enough and then Jesus’ work might be able to cover what you missed.

This whole ideology is totally the opposite of what God says and completely contradicts everything God has told us for thousands of years.

This website makes many doubt their faith, doubt themselves, doubt God.

God has told us to tell the truth and there’s nothing on my website or blog that encourages people to doubt God.

Mormons are Christians, to be considered a Christian is to believe in God and Jesus Christ. You can’t tell me they arn’t, considering their name is The church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints.

Every Mormon I’ve ever met uses the same phrase you did here Aya.  Having Jesus’ name in the Church doesn’t make someone a Christian anymore than me saying I’m a car makes me a car.

To be a Christian means you believe in Jesus.  The Jesus of the Bible is not a created being.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is God incarnate who came here on earth to die for our sins. He is fully God and fully man.

John 1:1, 12-14; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Exodus 3:14; “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

John 8:57-58; “Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Colossians 1:15-18; “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Mormonism teaches that God and one of his goddess wives sexually begat Jesus, Lucifer, you, me, and every single person that’s ever lived or has yet to live on this earth. This is not what the Bible teaches.  

The way of Christ is to teach others his ways and enlighten, your website doesn’t do this. What your website does do is make people confused and full of doubt, this is what Satan does.

You’re right – Satan causes confusion. Where do we confuse people?

My sites point out the contradictory teachings of Mormonism.  If there’s any confusion it’s from the Church’s teachings.

For example, why does the Book of Mormon teach that the Father and Jesus is the Eternal God?

Mosiah 16:15; “Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen.”

Do you believe Jesus is the Eternal Father?

Why did Joseph Smith prophesy they were separate and distinct individuals in D&C 130:22?

“The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.”

Do you believe salvation comes through Christ alone?

2 Nephi 25:23 says you’re saved by grace AFTER all YOU can do.  But God says it is through the unmerited grace that we’re saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

2 Nephi 25:23; “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.”

He finds ways to confuse those who have a testimony of Jesus Christ and God. They believe in God and Jesus so why are you trying to confuse them so much? Why aren’t you saying anything about other religions, like Muslim or Baptists?

Baptists?  Do you think the Baptists teach that Jesus was a polygamist?  We do have a couple of articles on how Islam and Mormonism reflect each other in their teachings if you’re concerned about that religion. You can find those in our look at Mormonism and World Religions here

Why only Mormons? Why so much hate towards the Mormon church, they do so much to help others, and they have such strong faith…I just don’t understand the purpose of creating a website dedicated to leading them away from their faith.

Where on our site do we express hatred towards Mormons?  Clearly, we disagree with the teachings of Mormonism, but our love and concern for the people is far from hatred!

No one that works alongside me in this ministry holds any animosity whatsoever towards the Mormon people.  If we weren’t absolutely heartbroken for the Mormon people we wouldn’t be doing what we do. Personally, I don’t have the time, energy or desire to engage in such a thing!

Aya, we pray that you’ll take an honest look at what the Mormon Church really teaches and compare those things with what our Heavenly Father says in the Bible.  Take a look at the teachings of the Church and what they think of Jesus alone.  Here’s a short list of some of those teachings herehttp://lifeafterministry.com/2011/03/30/mormon-jesus/

Know that we’re praying for you and hope to hear from you soon.

With Love in Christ;

Michelle Grim

1 Corinthians 1:18

Mr. Whitted;

I’ve always found it disheartening to see when we dialogue with Mormons it usually results in name calling on the part of the Mormons.  Why is that?  Why must those in the Church start throwing insults at others?

Jesus said that what goes into a man isn’t important, but what comes out is.  The vocabulary we hear from many calling themselves a Mormon is telling.

I want to be sure we/I address each of your concerns so scroll down and you’ll find our response in red font.

Thanks for the laugh Michelle and Melissa. I’ve talked to many people like you before, but never someone quite as perniciously subtle as you, save your friend, and this blog.

Like I said…

Im impressed with its scope of topics, from “False prophecies of the Mormon church” (oh, but its not “to bash or ridicule”, no worries) to the New General Women’s Meeting (What? seriously?) in which you with your amazing powers of discernment determine how all 7.5 million LDS women will feel about it.

Did Melissa say she was speaking for all Mormon women?  She asked questions based on her experience as a Mormon who by the way was a temple worthy, active member of the Church for more than 13 years.

Its all very clever, for that I salute you and for that you should definitely be proud. Thank you for the thin veil of charity you put over your doubt-mongering and worldly philosophies.

It makes us sad that your heart is so angry. I remember being that mad.  I was always ready to accuse and doubt the words of outsiders and ready to attack the questions they had for me as a Mormon.  It was a difficult road to hoe.  I knew I was angry but didn’t know why and I knew I wanted to defend the Church while still hiding behind my own questions of contradictory LDS teachings.  It was exhausting work.

It makes me happy to know that you are praying for me. While you are, I might suggest praying about the Book of Mormon, after of course you humble yourself to the point where you can go at it with a sincere heart and real intent. If you do, I can give you the time tested promise that you will receive an answer affirming its divinity.

For some reason I doubt the sincerity in your statement.

As a former Mormon I can assure you that I’ve prayed about the BoM more times than I’d care to remember.  With that being said I have to say that the Bible tells us to not trust our feelings so why is it you’re telling someone to do just the opposite?

Jeremiah 17:9; “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Millions have accepted this invitation and millions have received the same witness: that the Book is the word of God, and hand in hand with the Bible, we have the fullness of the gospel in its entirety.

If the BoM is the word of God and goes hand in hand with the Bible why does it say we need more than just the Bible?  The BoM can’t be the word of God when it doesn’t contain the teaching of polygamy for salvation as D&C 132 does; there’s nothing in the BoM about the pre-existence or that a temple marriage is needed for salvation…the list goes on and on.  You can read more of the things missing in an article on our site here.http://lifeafterministry.com/2011/04/01/book-of-mormon-fullness-of-the-gospel-2/

If you were a member beforehand, convert or not, whatever you have done, whoever or whatever you allowed offend you, the sweet comfort of the spirit which comes with forgiveness is always open to you, and you will feel the still small voice of the spirit welcome you back.

What offended me is that the Jesus of the Bible couldn’t be found in the Jesus of Mormonism. I understand you’re trying hard and I appreciate what you’re saying, but I’m also asking that you compare the Jesus of the Bible with the Jesus of Mormonism. 

The existence of this blog is just another testimony to me of how true this gospel is. If this church were all you claimed it is: a false church lead by false leaders, no one would pay it any mind. the world would deem it as harmless, and it would sink forgotten into the annals of history.

Paul told us that even Satan can appear as an angel of light – 2 Cor 11:4, “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

Why is it Moroni is referred to as an angel of light?  Does this cause you any concern?

But it is true. And as long as there is true religion, the world will fight against it. You are a fulfillment of prophecy. The Jews did the same to Jesus: questioned his lineage as a descendant of David, attempted to catch him in his words, and conspired to condemn and ultimately kill him. He has overcome them, and He will overcome you.

Where have I questioned Jesus’ lineage?  Joseph Smith is the one that attacked the authenticity of Jesus’ birth.  Why does the Church teach that God came to earth and had sex with Mary to conceive Jesus?   Jesus the Christ, pg 8 is a good place to begin.

Again, the happiness to be found in the restored gospel is open to all. I hope one day that you will put aside your weapons of hate and calumny, and enjoy the completeness and beauty of Christs gospel, and the nature-changing power of his atonement.

What part of Mormonism was taught in the early church? For something to be restored it needs to have existed previously, right? So what part of Mormonism existed in the early church and where can we find this documentation stating as much?

I wish I had the time and means to continue this discussion, I’d love to see what you and your friend come up with in response to this, but I am called to share the gospel with those who are ready to receive it.
God be with you ’till we meet again
Elder Whitted

Perhaps you’ll take the time to look at your church’s teachings – we’re going to pray this happens for you Mr. Whitted.  We’re also praying the hymns you will sing are those about the blood of Christ and not just the empty words of the LDS song you mentioned at your closing here. 

With Love in Christ;

Michelle Grim

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