Church Names Three New Apostles

05 October

LDS Apostles Named at General ConferenceThe LDS Church has three new apostles, bringing the total count of Mormon apostles in their 185 year history to a staggering number of 100. Think about this for a moment…

Can you just imagine Jesus putting His stamp of approval on such a thing? I, for one, cannot!

Today we’re looking at the Church’s official announcement I read on their front page because quite frankly, I was appalled at the blatant lies, and utter confusion they wear like an orange field jacket out in the wild. They’ve made themselves to be a spectacle – pray that members will see this for what it is. It’s nothing but more of the same with more lies piled on to the pyramid scheme they have built.

Here we go –

 “Elder Ronald A. Rasband was serving as the senior president in the Presidency of the Seventy at the time of his call to the Twelve. He became a general authority of the Church in April of 2000.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson had been serving as the presiding bishop of the Church since March 2012 and previously served in the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he was called in 2008. Elder Stevenson will continue in his position as presiding bishop for what is expected to be a short period until his replacement is named.

Elder Dale G. Renlund had served in the First Quorum of the Seventy since April 2009 prior to being named to the Quorum of the Twelve.

Like the apostles in ancient times, the men who hold that title today come from a variety of fields, including law, business, medicine, academia and the judiciary, and they too put aside their respective professions to serve full-time as witnesses of Christ.”

The first thing that struck me was the sheer amount of admin positions these men have been in over the years. Clearly, this is a prime example of how this church is a business organization, and not a member in the body of Christ.

This fact reveals one of the lies they’ve told at the end of their statement – more on that in a minute.

Here’s the next concern we have…

“The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest presiding body in the government of the Church. In addition to their primary responsibility to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout the world, apostles have administrative responsibilities as they oversee the programs and development of the global Church.”

Joseph Smith stated God needed him to restore the original church because the old ways weren’t a true picture of God’s expectations, but there’s no sign of the original church government in the LDS Church today. The Holman Bible Dictionary defines apostle this way –

“In Acts “Apostles” is an important concept in Acts. Jesus chose the apostles through the Holy Spirit and instructed them concerning their missionary mission which the Holy Spirit would empower them to carry out (1:2-8).

…They were eyewitnesses of the ascension (1:9) and heard the angelic promise of His future return (1:11). … Qualifications for an apostle were clear: participation in Jesus’ earthly ministry beginning with His baptism and a witness of the resurrection (1:21-22).

…The apostles did signs and wonders 2:43; 5:12 … They both preached the gospel (4:33) and directed social ministry to the poor (4:35) … The apostle reacted with rejoicing at the opportunity to suffer for Christ (5:41) and continued to preach (5:42).

The twelve led in the selection of the first deacons to minister to the needy (6:2 … The apostles prayed and laid their hands on these newly selected servants of the church (6:6). … They taught Simon, one of the Samaritans, that apostolic power could not be purchased with money (8:20). …”

It’s clear from the Holman Dictionary and the LDS Church’s definition of apostle, they aren’t the same at all! The apostles weren’t in charge of the daily government of the Church. We read in Acts chapters 2 & 6 how deacons were chosen to fulfill these roles so the apostles could serve in the position Jesus had called them into.

One thing that stands out like a bleating beacon is the monetary issue. These men bought their way into their positions by making sure they always paid their 10% to be viewed as faithful servants. We don’t see any resemblance of this monetary exchange going on in the Bible.

The LDS Church went on to explain their apostles are inspired of God –

Church members look to them for inspired teaching and see and hear their messages in worldwide, regional and local meetings as well as in Church publications and productions, including print, video and social media.”

How did they suddenly become inspired of God when they weren’t endowed with this quality before it was their turn to be an apostle?

“A replacement in the Quorum of the Twelve is called by the President of the Church, who seeks and receives inspiration in extending the call. The new member of the Twelve may be called from the general authorities who are senior leaders in the Church or from the general Church membership around the world.”

Herein is the lie they’ve told that we spoke about earlier. In Acts 1:2, 8 we read –

“Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Who called them into this position?

Was it Jesus, or the president of the Church? Historically speaking, the Church has maintained the position of apostles and presidents are awarded to those who’ve served the longest.

This isn’t biblical at all, rather, this is a man-made institution of what works for them and their business organization.

Pray for those who are attending the conference this weekend! We’re praying they heed the warnings from the original apostles and Jesus’ words in John 14:6 –

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

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