2 Timothy 2:15

Understanding Mormonism  Week 3

        As we conclude this study it is my desire that you are encouraged and challenged; encouraged by the truth of the gospel and challenged to speak the truth in love with whomever God would connect you with. We read in Acts 17 of how Paul went to Athens and “his spirit was provoked within him…” when he saw how the city was given over to false religion. He then chose to engage with the Athenians and declare the clear simple truth of the gospel. May God provoke our heart in the same manner that we would be His messengers in our homes, schools, workplace and community.

“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come they will not endure sound doctrine…  but you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:2,3,5

 
LDS teachings states that the church was totally apostate and God had to restore the church through Joseph Smith. Therefore only those who are a part of the fully restored church (LDS) can spend eternity in the very presence of God. All other churches, all non LDS, are apostate (having only pieces of truth and not the full gospel) and are in rebellion to God.

Before we look at the doctrine and teaching of the LDS in regards to who can be saved we must remember that although we may use the same words, the meaning is often quite a bit different as seen in our last study.
For this study here are a couple of examples of the definition dilemma. 

LDS beliefs are:

Bible teaches:

Let’s compare LDS teaching to what the Bible says concerning-

 
How can man be saved?

LDS-

To have “eternal life” you must

          a.   Obey the plan you received in your “pre-mortal” existence.

Bible-

Who can be saved?

LDS-

Only those in the LDS church:

          a.   “If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation” (Mormon Doctrine, pg 670)

 
B.   Those who obey the teachings of the LDS church:

          a.   “The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds the keys of salvation for all men now living because he is the only one by whose authorization the sealing power of the priesthood can be used to seal men up to salvation and exaltation in the kingdom of God” (Mormon Doctrine pg.411)

Respect- Jesus faced opposition from many different areas; religious, social, political, even resistance among His disciples (John 6:60-71). Consistently He spoke the truth without mocking or deriding the individual and He respected them enough to address difficult issues.

Sincerity- (Freedom from hypocrisy, disguise or false pretense). Effective witness requires a consistent, hypocrisy free witness. Share the gospel because you care for and love the people who are lost! Check your heart, if you are out to prove them wrong you will probably just argue.

Truth- Jesus said the “truth shall make you free… therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Don’t be drawn off track, stick with the important issues such as we have reviewed;  Who God is, Who Jesus is, How can I be saved, Who can be saved. 

 
The definition dilemma- Realize that in conversation you may be using the same words but they have different meanings. Ask questions, speak clearly, and define what you mean. Familiarize yourself with their definitions as much as possible.

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