Mormons

[Osage Bluestem]

Anyone know anything about Mormons?

I work with one. He talks about it all the time. He spent two years as a Mormon missionary. I told him about reformed theology an he has never heard of it.

 

[JM]

Anyone know anything about Mormons?

I work with one. He talks about it all the time. He spent two years as a Mormon missionary. I told him about reformed theology an he has never heard of it.

They believe Jesus had a brother...Satan.

 

[Iosias]

Try Talking with Mormons: An Invitation to Evangelicals and Mormonism 101 – Kevin DeYoung

 

[AmericanSamurai]

The Mormons preach another Jesus. The Apostle Paul warned of this.

 

[hedrick]

The Mormon church is a result of an additional revelation to their founder. So they have their own thing that supplements the Bible (the Book of Mormon. They also believe in continuing revelation, so new ideas aren't limited to the Book of Mormon. The more official of the new revelations were collected in the Doctrine and Covenants. Many of the more unusual ideas are there rather than the Book of Mormon.

They tend to see Father, Son and Holy Spirit as separate people, and they believe our destiny is to become gods for our own universe. A lot of it seems loony. But they do still see themselves as Jesus' followers, and thus share may things with us, although at times in unfamiliar forms. They're one of the few groups whose baptism PCUSA congregations typically do not accept, on the ground that their theology is so different that the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit don't seem like they're naming the same thing as we do.

One idea they're well known for is believing that Jesus appears in the Americas, and that some of Israel ended up here. Thus the Book of Mormon tells stories of those people. They believe that American Indians are (at least in part) descended from one of these groups.

This might leave the impression that they're nuts. In fact they tend to be fine people, who live in a way that most Christians would consider good.

 

[Osage Bluestem]

My Mormon friend told me he will join me at Church this Sunday. He's never been to a Presbyterian service before.

 

[JM]

My Mormon friend told me he will join me at Church this Sunday. He's never been to a Presbyterian service before.

Praying for you brother.

 

[MichaelNZ]

Here is an excellent resource on Mormonism: Mormonism, LDS, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

 

[hedrick]

It's generally better to let people speak for themselves. Here's an FAQ done for the old soc.religion.christian (of which I was moderator):

http://www.cs.rutgers.edu/pub/soc.religion.christian/faq/lds.faq.1
http://www.cs.rutgers.edu/pub/soc.religion.christian/faq/lds.faq.2

and a supplement I wrote:

http://www.cs.rutgers.edu/pub/soc.religion.christian/faq/mormon

 

[Rhamiel]

My Mormon friend told me he will join me at Church this Sunday. He's never been to a Presbyterian service before.

God bless you my dear brother in Christ
this is great news

 

[DanielRB]

In my opinion, the LDS Church is an excellent example where the re-definition of terms allows people to say the exact same thing and mean two wildly different things. Mormons will speak of Jesus, the Gospel, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, etc.--and they mean something completely different from what traditional Christians mean.

But of course, it's considered gauche to point this out in today's society, where it's considered intolerant to point out the Emperor indeed has no clothes.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

My Mormon friend told me he will join me at Church this Sunday. He's never been to a Presbyterian service before.

How did it go?

 

[Osage Bluestem]

How did it go?

Interesting. He stayed for the whole service. He said he liked the sermon and the music. He also has had some past interaction with one of our elders at the elders store. So that was interesting. Just praying for God to give him grace.

 

[Arete]

I spent hours each week for months going over beliefs with an LDS man. During that time I read nothing about the LDS not written by a Mormon in good standing with their church. I did not want my understanding to be tainted by former LDS with an axe to grind, nor any who were commenting from without.

We spent time clarifying terms and doctrines. It was very rewarding. He attended the church where I pastor for almost a year. Sadly, he has not come to saving faith.

However, his family and mine are quite close. We often talk of our beliefs without belittling the differences and yet remain good friends. I pray for him to be drawn to the gospel. He has told me that if I were to die, a member of his family would likely request to be baptized for me by proxy (a teaching of the LDS) which was as endearing as I believe it to be pointless.

I believe that time spent with your friend will not be fruitless. Even if God does not draw him, He will use your time to sharpen your beliefs and burden your heart for evangelism and develop your pity for those who are ensnared in false faiths.

 

[Pteriax]

My wife is a former Mormon, her family is still in the cult. I highly recommend the canswerstv youtube channel; they have an extensive playlist (hour long videos) on Mormonism, as well as some free materials they can send you.

Mormons are heavily into works for salvation in addition to the other issues, btw.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

I'd like to share a message given at Matthew's Orthodox Presbyterian Church by James Anderson: Worldview Apologetics, Lecture 6; Mormonism. The entire series is linked on my blog: James Anderson MP3′s with downloadable handouts.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

I spent hours each week for months going over beliefs with an LDS man. During that time I read nothing about the LDS not written by a Mormon in good standing with their church. I did not want my understanding to be tainted by former LDS with an axe to grind, nor any who were commenting from without.

While the type of research noted above is ideal, it is not suited for everyone. Personally, I have not the time or energy to spend countless hours devoted to researching (thousands of) cults with unorthodox heretical beliefs, and I do not think it is wise to do so (the same time can be spent in Scripture, prayer, and learning Reformed theology, Reformed apologetics, etc). Only in special circumstances can I see a purpose to it, and only if the person is firmly grounded in Scripture, theology, and philosophy, has prayed about it, and knows God is calling them to do it, could I begin to recommend or endorse it. Just saying for the readers.

 

[Osage Bluestem]

Thanks guys! Very helpful.

 

[Rhamiel]

 

[Arete]

While the type of research noted above is ideal, it is not suited for everyone. Personally, I have not the time or energy to spend countless hours devoted to researching (thousands of) cults with unorthodox heretical beliefs, and I do not think it is wise to do so (the same time can be spent in Scripture, prayer, and learning Reformed theology, Reformed apologetics, etc). Only in special circumstances can I see a purpose to it, and only if the person is firmly grounded in Scripture, theology, and philosophy, has prayed about it, and knows God is calling them to do it, could I begin to recommend or endorse it. Just saying for the readers.

I was not aware that I endorsed researching 1000s of cults. I

I was aware that I was endorsing that if I disagree with someone, I should be disagreeing with what they think or believe and not what someone else says they think or believe.

My LDS friend has said that we put many words in their mouth they never said. He has been right many times as I encounter ignorance masquerading as informed position.

I can agree that this is not for every person in every relationship. But my time was not wasted.

My friend is made in the image of God. His thoughts about God are the most valuable things he possesses even when he is wrong. I did what I did as an act of worship and obedience to evangelize and minister to a fellow image bearer.