Mormons - How to preach to them?

[aherrera5]

I have never really met a Mormon and I am curious as to how we could begin preaching to them? I only know the basics about their doctrine (mostly the weird stuff about Jesus coming to America and preaching to Indians?) but definatly not enough to show them why they are wrong.

I wanted to know exactly what they believe about Jesus. Some have told me they believe he is the son of God while others have told me they believe in good deeds for salvation.

Thanks for any info

 

[Beckyy25]

I too am interested to know more about Mormons and their belief. The only thing I know is that Mormons and Jehova's Witnesses pretend to be Christians, while they are not considered to be, because their fundamental teachings go against Christianity. I do not know any details, so I can not really help you.

Here in Europe we have many Mormons, most of them are Americans who come as missionaries here. During my time at college we had a presentation from some Mormons. I don't remember what they told us but I remember they showed us photos from a baptism, they also get baptised when they decide themselves and not as little babies. Well, after the presentation finished, I went to them and asked what the difference between us is, if we do the same things? They asked what denomination I have, and when I said I'm a Baptist, they got confused, turned away and left! I was confused about their reaction.

So, good that you started this thread, good idea I'm looking forward to see the comments.

God bless you

 

[BereanTodd]

Mormon doctrine is basically polytheistic. Jesus is A God but not THE God the Father of the OT. There are in fact many Gods. God used to be a man like us, and we can one day be like Him and have our own little planet to 'rule'. Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers.

God the Father has a physical, flesh and bones body. To make Jesus he had sex with Mary (this is one of the more odd doctrines and one some mormons will not admit to, but it is there to be read).

This is just a sampling of their strange doctrines. They also teach that the 10 lost tribes of the Jews actually came to the western hemisphere and that the native americans of north and south america are their decendents - despite the fact that we can scientifically show that none of these native peoples are semitic in origin. Jesus of course came to this hemisphere to preach in the Americas.

The entire story of how Joseph Smith 'discovered' these truths is quite a story in itself.

To the original posters question of how to 'preach' to them, it is a difficult thing. Mormon outreach is not my specialty. But I will say that I know that in general it is (like reaching, say, muslims) a longer process you must take a view of, and you will in most cases need to do the work relationally.

They do not use our version of the Bible, theirs is called the New World Translation, and it is frought with errors in translation, most famously in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Unless you are well versed in the issues of the translation, and the original language in those areas though I would not bring this up, as they will argue.

 

[Yekcidmij]

I have never really met a Mormon and I am curious as to how we could begin preaching to them? I only know the basics about their doctrine (mostly the weird stuff about Jesus coming to America and preaching to Indians?) but definatly not enough to show them why they are wrong.

The basic idea behind the book of Mormon is that there was a group of Jews that left Jerusalem around 600 BC and came to the America's. After the resurrection, Jesus came and preached the gospel to them. Their records were written down and burried to later be found by Joseph Smith who dug them up and translated them.

I wanted to know exactly what they believe about Jesus.

I think someone said it already. They would say Jesus is a God who is the literal son of His father. That's right - literal. In fact, they would say we are all offspring of the father in heaven. So we are brothers of Jesus. Satan is also an offspring of the father. Making us brothers and sisters of Satan and Jesus. A lot of people find this objectionable. Jesus is "Jehovah" in the Old Testament and His father is named "Elohim". Jesus died and rose again on the third day. He atoned for our sins, though a lot of the atoning occured in the Garden of Gethsemane.


That's a really down and dirty and really inadequate. If you want to preach to Mormons, my suggestion is to learn your doctrine and know it cold, then learn what they believe, then go talk to them. Most people don't care to be preached at. Or you could always learn what they believe by talking to them and just asking questions. Or go preach to them, just know your stuff.

 

[Soondak]

Mormons - How to preach to them?

Prayer Prayer and more prayer only God can work in a persons heart.
Otherwise your talking to a dead man...

Also when you see them on the streets schedule an appointment for a week from that date so you have time to pray and read up.

Don't use intellectual arguments but appeal to the blood of Calvary the Jesus hung on a tree.

Above all do it in LOVE.

You don't need to know much about their doctrine.
I used to research their believes before I talked to them it torn by spirit in knots.
Just read your True Word (Bible) and ask them there about what there doctrine is.

Above all do it in love.
Praying for you.

 

[arunma]

Todd, with respect to the New World Translation, I think you may have Jehovah's Witnesses in mind. I know that Mormons have their own translation of Scripture as well, but I'm fairly certain that the NWT is published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which is associated with the Jehovah's Witnesses. Everything else you said about Mormons sounds familiar to me as well, though.

Anyway, if someone knows a good way to preach to Mormons, I'd like to know. I hav a Mormon friend at work. He's in a research group just down the hall from me, and we talk fairly often. Just the other day he asked me if I'd ever read the Book of Mormon, and I was hoping to get into a deeper discussion with him (sadly that didn't happen). I'm not really sure what the best way to preach the Gospel to him is. He uses a lot of Christian language, but I know that when he talks about "Christ Jesus" or "justification," he means something very different than me. It's a rather difficult nut to crack.

 

[Soondak]

Well I don't think there is any strategy that who help.
But with God the battle is won.
Let the Holy Spirit led you.

 

[aherrera5]

I didnt have a chance to reply earlier because I was without internet for a while. I would like to thank everyone who replied.

I know that they have their own "book of mormon" but i wanted to know what parts of the bible is in their book (if any) and are they altered in any way?

 

[arunma]

I didnt have a chance to reply earlier because I was without internet for a while. I would like to thank everyone who replied.

I know that they have their own "book of mormon" but i wanted to know what parts of the bible is in their book (if any) and are they altered in any way?

The Book of Mormon is a separate Mormon scripture in addition to the Bible. They claim to use the King James Version of the Bible, but a Mormon once explained to me that they have their own version of that translation, which I would assume is altered in some way. Altered or otherwise, all 66 books of the Bible are in the Mormon bible. Besides this bible, they use the Book of Mormon, and another text called Doctrine and Covenants. They also have twelve apostles and a prophet (who also acts as president of the church), and they believe that they can receive new revelation from these people.

Here's an example of the absurd "revelation" they've received. The LDS church used to be racist, and thus did not admit black priests. They claimed that black people were cursed with the Mark of Cain. Then, around the time of the civil rights movement, they claimed that God had removed the curse from blacks, and removed racial barriers in their qualifications for priests. It would seem that the Mormon god is rather arbitrary and capricious.

Anyway, I applaud your efforts to preach to Mormons, and I too desire their salvation. Let me know if there are specific things I can pray for.

 

[Beckyy25]

I just remebered that I have a book at home called "The Kingdom of the Cults" by Walter Martin. This book contains a section about Mormons, but
I didn't read this section yet, otherwise I would tell you what I've read. So maybe you can find it somewhere and read it. I'm sure it will be helpful. Here are 2 links I found, which will hopefully help you to purchase the book: Book Review - The Kingdom of the Cults & Walter Martin

 

[sk8Joyful]

What you said below, is fairly accurate about the Mormon-church; particularly
their GOD-doctrines: "As man now is, GOD once was. As GOD is, man may become"

I actually know ALOT about the Mormon-church, but don't ask me how

Mormon doctrine is basically polytheistic. Jesus is A God but not THE God the Father of the OT. There are in fact many Gods. God used to be a man like us, and we can one day be like Him and have our own little planet to 'rule'. Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers.

God the Father has a physical, flesh and bones body. To make Jesus he had sex with Mary (this is one of the more odd doctrines and one some mormons will not admit to, but it is there to be read).

This is just a sampling of their strange doctrines. They also teach that the 10 lost tribes of the Jews actually came to the western hemisphere and that the native americans of north and south america are their decendents - despite the fact that we can scientifically show that none of these native peoples are semitic in origin. Jesus of course came to this hemisphere to preach in the Americas.

The entire story of how Joseph Smith 'discovered' these truths is quite a story in itself.

To the original posters question of how to 'preach' to them, it is a difficult thing. Mormon outreach is not my specialty. But I will say that I know that in general it is (like reaching, say, muslims) a longer process you must take a view of, and you will in most cases need to do the work relationally.

They do not use our version of the Bible, theirs is called the New World Translation, and it is frought with errors in translation, most famously in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Unless you are well versed in the issues of the translation, and the original language in those areas though I would not bring this up, as they will argue.

 

[mlqurgw]

I usually approach them from the bondage issue. Theirs is a religion of absolute bondage. There are so many things they can't do and so many that they must do. It is really no different than preaching to a Jew or a Muslim or any other false religion. All of them are based on works and tend to bondage. The Gospel is about freedom from bondage. Preach Christ to them as you would any other. Don't allow them to distract you from the message of Christ with questions or arguments. Simply tell them about Him, who He is and what He has done, and leave it up to the Spirit to convince them. You will never argue, as in debate, a single soul into the Kingdom of God. If you give them a convincing argument their faith isn't in Christ but in your argument. 1Cor. 2:1-5

 

[FreeinChrist]

I found this site to be helpful: http://www.utlm.org/

I have found that once you knw your own doctrine well, you can educate those who come to proselytize.

 

[sablehalloway]

no idea

 

[TimRout]

YouTube - The LDS Eternal Law of Progression

You might find this helpful.

 

[edie19]

If I may, I'd like to invite a non-Baptist to this thread. I think she'd be able to answer some of your questions as she's very familiar with the LDS

 

[grreeneiz]

I think only this can come with prayer and planting a seed.

We live in Salt Lake City Utah, LDS is a very VERY common religion. Churches on every corner. Anyway, we have missionaries come ALL the time to the house. They are more then willing and sometimes a little too aggressive when it comes to their faith. But when you take a "Real" second to tell them how many flaws LDS faith has they will never show up at your doorstep again.

We will never see them again. But we do say our prayers for them, and hope some seed has been planted.

 

[grreeneiz]

lol, I wanted to post a link but looks like I have to have 50 posts or greater.

I was going to give a link that we took a class understanding mormonism. Maybe you could search on your search engine, "Dennis and Rauni" or search "H.I.S. Ministries International"

=)

 

[LiturgyInDMinor]

My position is this:
Firstly, don't preach to anyone cause it gets you nowhere fast.
If a mormon were to come up to me and ask me about my faith? I would tell them.
If they wanted to debate I would tell them that there is no debate and they are incorrect. I would use the bible and only the bible to prove my points and then be done.
The Great Commission tells us that firstly we should help the person who has never had the chance to hear the Word of God. To me a mormon is not an unbeliever, but is a mixed up believer. I am not saying that they are saved, but the Great Commission does not tell us whatsoever to worry about people's salvation, that is for God alone and He doesn't worry.
To be blunt again...it's not our commission to convert people or is it to argue points to others about the Word of God....we do enough of that to each other(orthodox christianity)!!!
Why would I waste the time trying to convince a Mormon that they are wrong about things when I can be teaching a person who's never heard of Jesus what He's all about?


thanks for listening.

 

[MrJG]

If I may, I would like to recommend the ministry of a family friend.

It is called Baptist World Cult Evangelism (BWCE).

There web site is BAPTIST WORLD CULT EVANGELISM

Dave Weeks, the founder, deals with Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Muslims.

This page specifically deals with Mormons:
Mormon Facts