Mormon Email October 2014 Part 1

21 October

mailbag1We received an e-mail from a less than honest and obviously angry Mormon whose name is ‘Geoff’.  He commented on our article ‘Mormon Temple Clothing and Other Rituals’.

We wanted to share his note and our response with our readers over on the blog so we can take advantage of a larger group of prayer warriors so here it is!

Geoff’s comments are in black and my response is in red.

BTW, Geoff wrote in twice so we’ll be addressing both his concerns here. One more thing – I’ve not corrected his spelling so if you’re a stickler on this, know that I didn’t let it go unchecked.

From Geoff;

First of all, I would like to make it clear that I am not LDS. I am just a ordinary man and a Christen. I have been to a lot of different websites that focus on the LDS religion and lifestyle, and frankly, ever single one has the exact same agenda, bitterness and hate.

Hi Geoff, 

My name is Michelle Grim and I thought I’d let you know we received your note and I’m responding to it via an article that will be posted on our blog and site. You can find my response as a reply to your concerns in our comment section.

Geoff, why is it that almost every time a Mormon writes to me they tell me they’re not LDS? One of the giveaways to the lie you’ve told is that you used the term ‘LDS’. I don’t know any non-Mormon that would use that phrase. 

Every single website that talks about Mormonism has the same agenda of bitterness and hate?

Really? 

I’m certain there are many out there that have this focus, however, there are many more that do not. Take this one for example. 

Where do you see hate or bitterness?  Please be specific. 

Comment after comment, everybody says the same thing. How they left the LDS faith because of their beliefs and rituals. Not once have I read however that one single person had a gun held to their head to join the religion in the first place.

Honestly Geoff do you really believe what you’ve written? Why would anyone hold a person at gunpoint and force them into joining Mormonism?

BTW, while there are many testimonies of converts listed on my site and blog, I personally was not a convert. I was a 6th generation Mormon from Utah and in the Church for 30 years. I left the Church because its doctrine is at total odds with biblical standards and the Church doesn’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible. They believe Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer and a created being. This isn’t biblical dogma. 

As per testimonies… 

If you have a problem with Christians talking about their experience with Jesus does that same standard hold true for those who give their testimonies on the ‘I’m a Mormon’ websites?

There have been many who claim they were tricked into joining, which to me sounds like an excuse of a small child, not an adult. If you don’t have the good sense it takes to not be tricked into something as seriously as joining a religion, I really don’t think you have the authority nor the education to speak out about religious docturin.

Your words here are another reason I believe you’re Mormon. I don’t know of a single convert that’s left the Church who has said they weren’t tricked or weren’t told everything about Mormonism before they joined.

Another reason I think you’re Mormon is because you said ‘I really don’t think you have the authority or the education to speak out…’ 

Authority?  Really?  That’s odd because here we are with yet another Mormon phrase.  As you’re well aware the Church stands on the theory they’re the only church with authority to speak for God. 

Perhaps you’re unaware of Jesus’ commandment to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20; 

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 ¶ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” 

This is where every single Christian on earth receives his/her authority to preach the gospel. Jesus. 

Education? And just what law or rule is there that someone must be an expert on religion? It’s odd you’d say the same thing many Mormons say to me (and by the way they’re usually male). I’ve been told numerous times that I’m an uneducated, illiterate, stupid idiot.  That’s sad because I am educated and I’m also literate.  The other names I’ve been called won’t be posted here, but if you troll through all of the 8,000+ comments on the site and blog you’ll find some not-so-Christian remarks. 

My question is this, what is worse in the eyes of God? To be a member of a church who doese many wonderful and great things for the people in the world or to be a bitter hater who spends all your free time not looking for any real spiritual answeres, but instead sitting in front of your computer creating websites to use as a platform to write vicious comments and lies about an entire group of people who never forced themselves into your lives?

And so now you’re God are you? The Bible says that only God knows the heart and mind of man. 

1 Corinthians 2:11; “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” 

As for me looking for spiritual answers… 

Whenever I have a question about a spiritual matter I go to God’s word. I already know where to look because I’ve devoted my entire life over to Him who saves.  I can do this without hesitation because unlike members of the Church, I believe every single word in the Bible. 

2 Timothy 1:12; “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 

2 Timothy 3:15-16; “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”.

Doing good things in life for others isn’t what gets someone into heaven. The Church could give 100% of its gross income and still be a non-Christian church. Jesus said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ – John 14:6. 

Everybody has a God given right to their own opion, but hate is a feeling not an opion, so please keep all that crap to yourselves. They say that misery loves company and that’s all these websites are for. A place where sad, lonely misguided people can get together and see who can outdo the next person with story after story, each one based on nothing but hate.

Wow. Feelings eh? Since you brought this subject up let’s go there. 

Many times when someone uses the word ‘but’ it tells the reader to disregard everything previously said or written. 

Now if it’s my ‘God given right’ to express my opinion why should I keep it all to myself?

Furthermore…

If feelings aren’t opinions then why is the Church’s platform built upon feelings? Why does the Church govern itself on such a principle? 

Why would God tell people that a ‘burning in the bosom’ is a sign of righteousness? 

Moroni 10:3-5; “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” 

D&C 9:7-9; “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. 8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. 9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.” 

Now that we have some definitive LDS teachings in our heads, let’s take a look at what God has to say about trusting your own heart/feelings – 

Ezekiel 13:2-4; “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD; 3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!  4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.”

Jeremiah 17:5, 9; “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD… The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” 

Proverbs 28:26; “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” 

1 Timothy 5:6; “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.” 

Genesis 8:21; “…for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.” 

Clearly, the Lord warns us repeatedly that feelings aren’t to be trusted. Why does the Church’s teachings contradict what the Bible says? 

Everybody thinks that because they can create an website or a blog they are suddenly educated Pulitzer prize writing authors, when in reality they are simply using the privledge of technology and the Internet to publish a bunch of garbage that would never have a chance passing a publishers desk. People make videos for YouTube that get millions of hits but that will never make them Merryl Streep.

Not everyone thinks this. 

And for the record, I was writing, publishing and educating people about Mormonism before the internet was invented. 

I agree with your Youtube statement. The Church just released a Youtube video on Mormon garments and we’re still wondering why they’d do such a thing.

I just wanted to let you know that while you may think your little site is going to change the world and ultimately bring a major Religion to its knees is never going to happen. For every one person that believes what they read, I can guerentee their are fifty who read it and if they even make it past the first paragraph simply laugh and move on.

I don’t count how many people come to know the Lord through our ministry as its none of my business – that belongs to the Lord. And as for me expecting any such thing, I pray that I glorify the Lord in all that I do, but I’d never be so arrogant to think that I’m the one that saves people – again, that job belongs to the Lord as well. 

Your words make my heart sad for you Geoff. Too much animosity and hate is in them and my heart grieves for such a thing. Your stats of how many will turn away are just empty words my friend and we’re praying you’ll come to know the Jesus of the Bible sooner rather than later. 

I hope that you can one day just put all this behind you and move on. Study simple Christen beliefs and then start living the lifestyle.

One more thing on the spelling issue. I don’t know of a single Christian who spells the word ‘Christian’ in the manner you do.  Strange…mind you, I don’t say this mockingly, rather as an observation of how dear the word ‘Christian’ is to those who believe. Christians are usually more mindful of such things and Christians don’t chastise other Christians for sharing the gospel. 

Use your time and efforts to do more than making yourself another Internet joke.

I can promise you that this site is not going to be your life’s legacy, and if in your heart you believe it is or really want it to be, then how sad that is.
With love and best wishes…..Geoff

I pray that after I’m gone people will say ‘And she loved the Lord with all her heart and mind’. 

Here’s Geoff’s 2nd comment for the same article: 

Oops, I didn’t even notice that this site hasn’t been updated since April. Looks like its already debunked. My bad.

Sorry to disappoint you Geoff – we’re still here and publish articles regularly. 

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

There are many articles on our site and blog that give definitive explanations of who Jesus is and how He differs from the Jesus of Mormonism. I invite you to read and investigate them!

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

1 Cor 1:18

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