Mockers...

Job 21:3
Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

Jude 1:18
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jude 1:17-19 (in Context) Jude 1 (Whole Chapter)

Mat 20:19
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again. ( Even Christ was mocked)

Job 11:3
Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
Job 11:2-4 (in Context) Job 11 (Whole Chapter)

2 Chronicles 36:16
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
2 Chronicles 36:15-17 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 36 (Whole Chapter)

Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Galatians 6:6-8 (in Context) Galatians 6 (Whole Chapter)

anti-Mormons & Christ...

Why is it that anti-Mormons insist on spending time and money to judge the faith of others, instead of promoting Christianity and faith? Why are there so many anti-Mormon blogs, web sites, books, pamphlets, and videos dedicated to negative proselytizing? Why do the anti-Mormons promote ill feelings and mistrust with their negative feelings toward Mormons? This is unfortunate, especially in the United States, where religious freedoms encourages respect for individuals of all religious beliefs.

What makes the vicious attacks by the anti-Mormons so shocking is that they do it in the name of Christianity. Mormons could expect such an attack from an atheist or a non-Christian, but from someone who professes a belief in Jesus Christ? If one really wants to know what Mormons really believe in, ask a Mormon - not someone who is filled with hate against another Christian sect.

You will not find The Church of Jesus Christ wasting time and money tearing down someone else's religion - there are just to many sick, hungry, and poor in the world today to care for.

The Bible makes it clear that toleration, peacefulness, kindness, understanding, etc. are the true Christian standards. In Mark 9:38-42, we learn that even Christ was not concerned with doctrine or theological differences. The message in these verses are to let those who worship Him, worship Him, because those who are for Him are not against Him.

The anti-Mormons hold rallies, have booths at state fairs, and try to disrupt church services of the Mormons - all this in the name of Christianity. Jesus would be ashamed if He were here on earth today. That is what the Pharisees did against Jesus in his day. Not much has changed since the days of Christ.

Didn't Peter tell us in 1Peter 2:21-23 to follow in Christs footsteps, that when reviled, revile not again? Didn't Jesus say to turn the other cheek in Matthew 5:39? Didn't James say to be slow to wrath and that the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God? James 1:19-20 James also says that if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. James 3:2 If the anti-Mormons really believed in the New Testament, how do they justified their attacks on Mormons?

I have personally been to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints general conferences held in Salt Lake City and I have witnessed the biting, hateful, and ugly attacks on the Mormons that goes on there. Street corner after street corner is filled with the anti-Mormons yelling and holding up signs telling us that we are all liars and all going to hell. The police presence during this time is high due to the violence that has erupted in the past. I have personally witnessed the anti-Mormons taking the garments that Mormons hold sacred and rub them on their behinds or spit on them. I wonder if they would have the courage to walk down to the local Jewish synagogue and do the same with a Jewish yarmulke. I doubt it. I have never been asked by the LDS Church to go to another Christian church and hold a rally and speak hurtful and hateful things to them. Never.

Anti-Mormons are so busy spending time and money looking for faults in the faith of Mormons, that they don't have the time, evidently, to read their own Bibles. In Romans 2:1 we read ; " Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whoseoever thou art that judgest: for thou that judgest doest the same things".

One can never judge another religion righteously without hypocrisy. It is God's right to judge, not man's. The Bible tells us that the true followers of Christ is not to judge at all: no excuses. See the following: Matthew 7:1-2, Luke 19:22, John 8:15, 12:47, Corinthians 5:13, 1 Peter 2:23, James 2:13, and Revelation 16:7.

It is those who choose to ignore Christ and the Bible who execute their own personal judgements.

More on this topic on the next posting. IMHO

Enough is Enough................

The following was taken from this link:

http://www.soulcast.com/post/show/107785/I-May-Not-Be-Mormon%2C-But....%22Enough-Is-Enough%21%22..%2F%2FIn-Defense-Of-Truth

In Defense of Truth
A Candid Response to Anti-Mormon Criticism
Another Jewish Voice in Defense of Mormons « Two Sticks

Ever since the origin of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church members (Mormons) have experienced religious and physical persecution. Today's persecution comes from pseudointellectual attacks by "Christian scholars." Using media technology, they spread false claims about the LDS Church and its teachings to large audiences, in the same spirit and manner as anti-Semitic polemics of earlier times.

[Note: I am a democrat and will probably not vote for Mitt Romney (for purely political reasons), however, I have been appalled at the way he has been treated in media. I found Lawrence O’Connel’s recent rant on the McLaughlin group particularly outrageous. In any case, I have been pleased that a number of my fellow Jews have been writing in defense of Mitt and Mormonism and, as far as I know, none have been against him.]

In Iowa, at the end of Mitt Romney’s speech, he told a story from the early days of the First Continental Congress, whose members were meeting in Philadelphia in 1774: “With Boston occupied by British troops . . . and fears of an impending war . . . someone suggested they pray.” But because of the variety of religious denominations represented, there were objections. “Then Sam Adams rose and said he would hear a prayer from anyone of piety and good character, as long as they were a patriot.”

Were Adams alive today, he most certainly would hear a prayer from a Mormon. It is hard to imagine a group more patriotic than the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But there is reason to believe that voters in Iowa and elsewhere will not accept Mr. Romney’s invitation–put forward implicitly in his remarks at the George Bush Library–to ignore religious differences and embrace him simply as a man of character who loves his country.

Born Again Mormons...

Being "born again" is an area that the anti-Mormons like to center their attacks on, and it is very confusing as to why they do so. For Mormons, being born again is a highly desirable state to be in. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or affectionately known as the Mormons, being born again can not only relate and define the physical act of baptism by immersion, but it can also relate to a later spiritual experience as well. These two events don't necessarily take place at the same time, and often don't.

Quoting from the Book of Mormon, in Alma 5:14, we read: " And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

And quoting again from the Book of Mormon, in Mosiah 27:25-26 : " And the Lord said unto me: marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons, and daughters. And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God."

The above quotes certainly show that the Mormons do believe in being born again, and contrary to what the anti-Mormons proclaim, Mormon theology is closer to their own idea of being born again than they suspect. To a Mormon, being born again, requires a full submission to God and complete trust and acceptance of Christ. I can see no difference in the born again Evangelical or the born again Mormon. Anti-Mormons who insist that Mormons don't believe in being born again are at best uninformed, and at worst, deceitful.

The only difference in the anti-Mormon born again Christian, and the Mormon born again Christian, is that the anti-Mormons go around proclaiming in a loud voice that they are born again. How much is this like the Pharisee's of Jesus' time? Mormons show that they are born again Christians by example, by living their lives as Christ set the example on how to live- with kindness, goodness, and charity.

Next - anti-Mormons and Christ. IMHO

Faith & Grace...Part 2.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21 (see also Luke 6:46-49 )

A cry of faith to the Lord does not let the sinner into God's kingdom without doing the Lord's will. Jesus' words are precise, with no questions about what a true Christian must do.

In Matthew 25:40, we read: " And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Here, Christ was talking previously about giving meat to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and visiting those in prison. These are those who will inherit the kingdom of God. These are those who did good works. They are not the ones who say that they have faith alone. They are not the ones who say that they have been permanently saved. Jesus is telling us here tha those who omit good works from their lives will go into everlasting punishment, in spite of any faith they claim to have. Read Matthew 25: 31-46.

In Mark 12: 28-34, Jesus is asked what the first and greatest commandments are. He says that the first is to love the Lord God, and the second is to love our neighbor. then He adds: there is none other commandments greater than these. If faith alone were all that was necessary for salvation, Christ surely would have mentioned it here as one of the greatest commandments. To love God requires an action on our part, for He says if you love me, keep my commandments. To love our neighbor also requires action on our part - we must feed the hungry, care for the sick, etc - all a part of doing something.

James 1:22 says: "be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only." It is clear that James is saying that hearing of the word is not good enough - that we must also be doers of good works.

3 John 11 " He that does good is of God; he that does evil is not."

The Bible assures us salvation is not by faith alone. In fact, the word "faith" and "alone" are not found together in the Bible anywhere, so why would one put his trust in such an anti-biblical concept?

Now, if somebody is already saved, what is the need of a judgment? Judgment is not necessary if one is already saved - either you are saved, or you are not. No need of a judgment.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10

Revelation 2-26 teaches us " And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations."
If someone is permanently saved, there is obviously nothing to overcome, and this warning is in vain. There is no absolute biblical assurance of instant and permanent salvation. IMHO

Faith & Grace...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or sometimes affectionately referred to as Mormons, teaches that salvation is the gift of God, predicated on the atonement of Christ, and that man can do nothing of himself to earn it.

And Mormons, like most people, dislike having their beliefs deliberately misrepresented. Mormons do believe in salvation by grace, even salvation by grace alone. Mormons also believe in salvation by grace through faith, but not salvation by grace through faith alone.

Salvation is any sense is a free gift from God. Man can do nothing to earn it. We cannot save ourselves. But the anti-Mormons will continually berate Mormons on this concept, even though the Mormons have recent scripture that states: "And we know the justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true" D&C 20:30
Mormons take upon themselves the name of Christ, and are saved by grace through faith just as many other Christian religions believe.

But God's grace is conditional.....to receive God's grace is to live under the acceptance of that grace. God's grace must be fully accepted in order to be fully received. As with any gift given, it can be rejected. So therefore it must be fully accepted.

Faith is often viewed by anti-Mormons as nothing more than a belief that Jesus can do something about a person's problem with sin. Grace is a given, but Mormon's do not let it remain stagnant, and are encouraged to follow the path of grace instead of just standing still and celebrating. For faith to be real, it must bring forth good fruit, works, and obedience. This concept is clearly taught in the bible, see Acts 6:7, Luke 8:15.

I will address two concepts that the anti-Mormons adhere to that are not biblical, the first being, We are saved by grace alone, without works or obedience, and the second being, salvation is instant and permanent. The anti's believe in the concept of once saved, always saved.

Salvation by grace through faith alone is not a Bible teaching. This thought came about through the Reformation, and in particular, by Martin Luther. This concept was unknown until the sixteenth century among Christians, until Luther introduced this doctrine by inserting the word "alone" into Romans 3:28. So therefore, whenever the anti-Mormons see the words "faith" or "Grace" in the Bible, they also insert the word "alone" into their speech.

In James 2:14 we read: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?" . And again we read, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead; being alone." James 2:17 And one more in James 2:24: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only." What is amazing, is that the anti-Mormons love to preach literal translation of the Bible to suit their needs, but not when it contradicts their own teachings. Because, according to James, works and faith are inseparable for salvation, including justification.

The most popular scripture verse that the anti-Mormons love to cite is found in Ephesians 2:8-9 which reads : "For by grace are ye saved though faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Interestingly, Mormons do not have a problem with this verse. Mormons believe salvation is the gift of God predicated on the atonement of Christ, and that works will not save anyone. Grace becomes effective through active faith, as opposed to dead faith, and it is dependent on two things: continuing in the works of faith and continuing steadfastly in the faith of Christ.

Now if the anti-Mormons would read the next verse in Ephesians, they will read, " For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Thus we were created unto good works, and that we should walk in them, not maybe walk in them, or perhaps walk in them, or might walk in them, but should walk in them. It is amazing what one can learn when we don't lean on just one verse in the Bible, and not take things out of context, but believe in the Bible as a whole truth.

In 1 John 2:4 we read, " He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Faith is active and includes good works. Being saved instantly by faith makes a mockery of this verse. Giving lip service to faith and declaring that we are already saved because we have faith in Christ is not salvation. What we obey demonstrates our true faith.

I will continue with this discussion tomorrow. IMHO

The Infallible Bible....

One strong bias that the anti-Mormon authors of books, pamphlets, and videos have is their position that the scriptures known as the Bible is all God has ever declared to mankind. They claim that it is completely accurate, error less, and infallible. Some of them actually raise the status of the Bible equal to that of God, and actually worship it as such.

What does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, believe in? Mormons believe in the Bible, and treat it as the Word of God. The Mormons read it, study it, and accept it as Holy Scripture. But........Mormons believe that the scriptures were written by men, translated be men, and that we interpret them as men. The scriptures are a mixture of the divine and the human mind. Mormons do not believe that any scripture is perfect.....including the Book of Mormon.

Mormons are not alone in this belief. This belief is also shared by many non-Mormon, knowledgeable, Bible scholars. Something to "Google" on a rainy day ;-) .

What I find most interesting is the fact that there are, in the English language alone, over twenty (20) different versions of the Bible, there may be more, but that was all I could find. See this non-Mormon site:

http://www.biblegateway.com

Now if you look up a particular verse, you may get a number of changes found from Bible to Bible. So which Bible is correct? (And who said that it was the correct Bible? ;-) )

The following examples will show that the existing text of the Authorized Version of the Bible shows many errors, contradictions, and confusing statements:

2 Kings 8:26 -- Ahaziah began his reign at age 22
2 Chronicles 22:2 -- he began at age 42

Matthew 27:5 -- Judas died by hanging himself
Acts 1:18 -- He fell burst open, and his bowels hushed forth.

Mark 15:25 -- Jesus was crucified the third hour
Luke 3:23 -- He was still before Pilot the sixth hour

1 Kings 4:26 -- Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses
2 Chronicles 9:25 -- He had only 4,000 stalls of horses

Mark 16:14-19 -- The Ascension took place in a room
Luke 24:50-51 -- It took place outdoors

James 1:13 -- God tempts no man
Genesis 22:1 -- God tempted Abraham

These are but a few of the many, many, differences that can be found in just one version of the Bible. I shudder to think of all the differences in all the 20+ Bibles in the English language!
Is it unchristian to believe that the Bible is infallible?

The Gutenberg press was not invented until the mid 1400's, so all of the previous Bibles were written by hand and man, one book at a time. Doesn't logic tell you that perhaps someone at some time made an error in transposing from one book to another?

Martin Luther is called the father of the Reformation. This is what one web site says of his translation of the Bible: Luther's translation of the Bible into the German vernacular, making it more accessible to ordinary people, had a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture. The translation also furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation,^[5] and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible.

Does anyone really believe that Martin made NO mistakes in his translation? This is the same Martin Luther who took out some of the books in the Old Testament, because he didn't believe that they belonged. But is Martin Luther unchristian because he had strong feelings against certain books of the Bible that he thought weren't worthy of being in the canon of scripture? Is Martin Luther unchristian because, as a monk in the Catholic Church, he was ex-communicated and therefore went out and started his own church? Even Martin Luther, father of the Reformation and Lutheranism, didn't believe that the Bible was without error.

Nowhere does the Bible claim to be infallible. To say that the Bible is infallible, means that your interpretation of the Bible is infallible, which is very close to saying that you are infallible.

Today, many Christian churches have a different number of books in their canon, which says that the problem of canonical has not yet been solved.

The Bible itself lists several books that are not in the Bible today. Here is a short list of some of them - there are many more:

Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:7)
Book of Enoch (Jude 14)
Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)
Book of Statues (1 Samuel 10:25)
Book of Jasher ( Joshua 10:13 )

Interesting that both the Book of Jasher and the Book of Enoch have been found since our modern Bible was canonized. Simply "Google" Book of Jasher and Book of Enoch for some interesting reading.

Finally, the Bible never declares itself complete or infallible. Never. But if the Bible is as complete and infallible as the anti-Mormons claim it to be, why hasn't it lead to a oneness of mind, a oneness of religious beliefs?

What is your true object of worship? I don't believe that you can worship God and the Bible. Truth comes from one source, and I believe that one source to be God the Father.

The Bible does not have to be infallible to get its message across. IMHO

Next : Faith vs works.