Mormon Kids Taught to Save Themselves

02 January

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

teachings-of-the-living-prophets-student-manualToday we’re looking at a teaching manual the Church uses in their young adult classes. The vocabulary is quite concerning, and hopefully, it will open the eyes of members (and Christians too) to see how they’ve tried to shift attention away from Jesus, to the leaders of the Church. Here we go!

In the TEACHINGS OF THE LIVING PROPHETS STUDENT MANUAL, there are two items of major concern. The first item says –

‘A careful study of this chapter will deepen your appreciation for the President of the Church and the priesthood keys of authority he holds and will help you understand how safety comes to those who choose to heed his counsel.’

Questions –

Why are they telling these kids they need to have a deeper appreciation for a man?

Why not teach them how to have a deeper appreciation for Jesus?

They’ve implied that people aren’t safe when they don’t heed the counsel of everything the prophet says. What harm will befall someone if they don’t obey? Is it physical, emotional, mental???

In our second item of concern, you’ll find the following statement by Ezra Taft Benson, the 13th Prophet/President of the Mormon Church. This quote comes from a very well known speech (14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet), made very popular throughout all of the Church, and is obviously still used today.

While all of this is concerning, the part we’re focused on today is highlighted below –

“Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet

1980 Devotional Speeches of the Year (1981), 26–30.

Not only is the Church growing in numbers today, it is growing in faithfulness and, even more important, our young generation, as a group, is even more faithful than the older generation. God has reserved you for the eleventh hour—the great and dreadful day of the Lord. It will be your responsibility not only to help bear off the kingdom of God triumphantly but to save your own soul and strive to save those of your family and to honor the principles of our inspired constitution.” – President Ezra Taft Benson

Questions –

Why is it the responsibility of children and young adults to save their own soul, as well as those of their family members?

Why aren’t they pointing to Jesus as the Savior of their souls?

Why are the placing such a heavy burden upon these kids? Jesus told us to take His yoke upon us. Matthew 11:29 reads –

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Furthermore, this directive contradicts their 2nd Article of Faith which says ‘man will be punished for his own sins and not Adam’s transgressions’. If this is true, then how could they be responsible for their parents’ salvation?

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