October 2012

The countdown to the Mormons biannual General Conference has begun. In a couple of days Mormons everywhere will be gathered around their TV’s in anticipation and awe of hearing from their current prophet and church leaders. On The Mormon Channel’s Facebook page there’s a quote by Quentin L. Cook which reads –

“We may not avoid every storm of life, but following the counsel of living prophets will help us ride out the storm.”

As a former Mormon and follower of Jesus Christ I can’t help but feel sad by this statement, and to be honest a little irritated. I just want to scream “WHAT ABOUT JESUS?” doesn’t His “counsel” mean anything to them?

As born again believers we know that once we’ve repented, and put our trust in Jesus alone the Holy Spirit takes up “permanent residents” in our hearts. We then have direct communication with the Father and Son, and through the Holy Spirit we can rely on their counsel when times get rough.

In Psalms 32:8 God tells us-

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”

Mormons say they believe the Bible is the Word of God yet their leaders don’t do a very good job of teaching them what God has said about trusting in Him alone.

Proverbs 3:5 reads –

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding”.

Jeremiah warns against about turning our trust over to men instead of placing it in God where it belongs.

“Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:5)

Instead of looking to mortal men for comfort and counsel in the storms of life Mormons should be looking to the one who will always be there for them. In an odd way Mr. Cook’s comment reminds me of a song by Casting Crowns.

 And I’ll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I’ve cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

The difference between the two is that one gives us the proper place where we can go to seek counsel in a storm, the other does not. One is a solid foundation capable of standing strong no matter how hard the wind blows. The other is sinking sand that give away to the tide and pull you out into the water setting you adrift.

In Christ,

Melissa Grimes

melissa@lifeafter.org