Jeremiah 14:8 “O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?”

Just a week ago, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a ‘worldwide youth devotional’ in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosting the grand event was none other than the LDS prophet and his wife, Russell and Wendy Nelson. For the full transcript, or to watch the video, see ‘Hope of Israel’.

If you’re familiar with Mormonism at all, you know there’s different levels of how awful their false doctrines can be. That said, I’ve seen my  fair share, and just when I think it can’t get any worse, I’m proven wrong again. This is one of those times.

Without belaboring this too much, I’ve pulled a few things to highlight some of the more egregious  lies Mrs. Nelson told in her time at the podium. They’re listed below followed by our comments.

The group of kids they were speaking to ranged in ages from 13 – 19, and the main theme seemed to focus on giving lists for multiple things the kids should remember to guide them in their young lives. The first thing noticed is when Mrs. Nelson told kids they could go directly to their heavenly father to receive personal revelation.

‘Now I plead with each of you to do as the teenaged Joseph did. Take your questions directly to your Heavenly Father in prayer. Ask Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, to guide you. You can learn for yourself—right now at your age—how to receive personal revelation. And nothing will make a bigger difference in your life than that!’

1.It puts it in perspective that a teenager who rejected the God of the Bible was the founder of this religion, and yet people bought into it anyway. The problem with her advice is that if your revelation doesn’t meet the requirements of the Church, then you have to reject your own thoughts/revelation.

‘The truth is that we are not as hopelessly flawed as we may think, and others are not as perfect as they may appear—all except, of course, our Savior, Jesus Christ.’

2.Why is it important to Mormons to point out Jesus was the only perfect man to live on earth? Outside of reminding Mormons they’re not perfect, I’ve yet to hear the logical follow through with this perpetual Mormon teaching.

‘The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if you could gaze into heaven for five minutes, you would know more on a topic than if you studied it all of your life. So just imagine if you could gaze for 10 minutes at your premortal life!’

3.Mrs. Nelson was referring to a random thought Smith tucked into one of his sermons in 1843 (TPJS, p. 324). Does it make sense you can learn more about God by staring at clouds than reading a book? What would their teacher say if the kids went to school with this theory?

‘Of course we realize that the Lord has wisely drawn a veil over those memories. But, just for a moment, imagine the effect on your life right now if you were permitted to watch 10 minutes of your premortal life. …you could see yourself living with your Heavenly Parents and with Jesus Christ … if you could see yourself courageously responding to attacks on truth and valiantly standing up for Jesus Christ, I believe that every one of you would have the increased power …A third thing to do while on earth: choose to follow Jesus Christ and stand up for Him, just as you did premortally.’

4.That’s convenient, isn’t it? God just randomly puts a veil over your thoughts? Where is that in  the Bible?

Moreover, what about people like me? I was taught I hadn’t been valiant in the pre-existence, and my dark skin here on earth was a sign of my poor behavior.

Mrs. Nelson also shared a story of when she and Mr. Nelson were in Russia. This is proof leaders of this church make things up as they go along…

‘When I stepped to the pulpit to speak, I found myself saying something I’d never anticipated. I said to the women: “I’d like to get to know you by lineage. Please stand as the tribe of Israel that represents the lineage declared in your patriarchal blessing is spoken.”’

5.Why would a Christian teach something like this? This is a shameful display of a false teacher!

First of all, ‘patriarchal blessings’ are nothing more than a prayer meeting with members that resembles a witchcraft setting. Someone prays over you to give a ‘blessing’ based on his feelings and/or thoughts that came to mind for their meeting. See Melissa’s article ‘Patriarchal Blessings’ for more info on what it was like when she went through this.

Living on this side of the cross doesn’t entail our need to know which tribe we supposedly belong to either. In fact the Bible says there’s neither Jew, nor Greek. It also tells us not to pay heed to endless genealogies.

Mrs. Nelson closed her talk with telling kids to sing the LDS hymn ‘Hope of Israel’ because, she said, this is all about them, and the Church is the ‘promised gathering of Israel’.

Why isn’t it about Jesus?!?

Please, pray for the kids in attendance, and Mormons who believed her lies. The ‘hope of Israel’ is a phrase found in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel to name a few. It’s the hope descendants, or believers, have in receiving an eternal citizenship in heaven.

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

1 Cor 1:18