Jerry is a past Mormon who authored this book and web site to help Christians find a bridge of ministry to Mormons.
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I was a Mormon for forty years. Part of my activity included my ordination by current president of the LDS Church, Gordon B. Hinckley. After coming to the Lord on October 14, 1985, I found many Christians asking to help them understand confusing Mormon issues.
The information included here is different from other apologetic sites. Instead of using small quotations from key LDS leaders, I present entire articles [including footnotes and bibliographies] to give a fair and balanced presentation. Also I use the most current sources available. Most will not be surprised to learn that the result of my research and experience have led me to acknowledge that Joseph Smith abdicated biblical authority in such an extreme way that it raised questions about the whole integrity of his church.
If you are LDS and you are looking at my site, there is a larger gap than you realize between your experience as a Mormon and that of your Christian friends or neighbors. If you listened to all the messages at the last General Conference of the Church it will demonstrate my point. The current message of the Church is filled with the latest level of this world's wisdom. It is historically centered around pop psychology, and success-motivating inspirational stories. These feature the central LDS value that humanity was created for their own happiness.
This is very different from the values and purposes communicated in the Bible. "For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible … everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him" [Col. 1:16 Message Version].
"Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end. Attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious life" [Rom 8:6 Message Version]. We can never discover our life's meaning by exploring the popular books on the shelves currently being written by LDS leaders because they generally miss this theme. The Bible says, "it is God who directs the lives of His creatures; everyone's life is in His power" [Job 12:10 TEV].
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone" [Eph 1:11 Message Version].
Please consider turning your heart and life over to Jesus Christ. Jesus brought me safely out of the confusion and guilt associated with leaving a religion like Mormonism. In place of my relationship with a religion, I found a wonderful relationship with the Living Christ.
Every choice or idea has a consequence. Read my testimony and ask Jesus Christ into your heart and life. What do you have to loose? That same loving Christ from the Gospels is standing outside the door to your heart and life right now. Billions have discovered He is still healing and restoring His people as in the past. He is a safe Foundation on which to build your life.
If you are a Christian reading this page you may be confused about Mormonism. But if God has brought a Mormon across your path please share with them what Christ has done for you. Mormons carry the burden of a works religion. Share with them about how your relationship with Christ has set you free. Jesus said Feed My Sheep so please be bold and share Christ.
If you get an opportunity to share with a Mormon click over on my Mormon Message Area first to see how their message is changing. Many are reporting big changes in the way Mormons are responding. They seem far less confrontational. Tell them about your new birth and offer Jesus Christ.
Recent Supreme Court Cases assure that one citizen can share a message with a neighbor citizen without getting permission from any local governing agency. We are free to share Jesus Christ in America as one citizen sharing a concerned message to another free citizen.
Get acquainted with the values of some our founding fathers. Values of Our Founding Fathers.
Check out some recent articles as well as read the source document from the Supreme Court in 2002. News articles on your freedom to share.
Source material from the Supreme Court itself.
If you click on the "Our Shop" Amazon image it will take you to our page at Amazon. There I have several helpful categories of books about specific interests in Mormonism. This can help make locating hard to find books on Mormonism easier. If you click on the other Amazon image it will allow you search for new and used books in many categories. If you purchase through this site, they forward part of that purchase price to us. This will help us go on carrying on our ministry to Mormons. Thank you for your desire to help and pray in a practical way for our ministry. God Bless You.
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Acts 26:18
"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
UNDERSTANDING THE MORMON MESSAGE
SOURCES FOR TRUTH WE CAN TRUST
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Joseph Smith's first published revelation came in his 1833 Book of Commandments. This was changed and expanded into his 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. Later revelations added polytheism and polygamy in the 1844 edition. Because the Reorganized church rejected both these beliefs their future Doctrine and Covenants did not canonize much of that later work.
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RELIGIONS IN THE NEWS ~ Truth in the NewsSee spiritual reasons behind many headlines. Read articles showing Christian Longo's past as a Jehovah Witness. See the importance of Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper as a polygamist. Included is the complete language of Brian Mitchell's revelations titled, The Book Of Immanuel David Isaiah. Have you asked yourself why didn't Elizabeth just escape?This page also updates DNA news which is one of the smoking guns in Mormonism. It covers the possible excommunication of an LDS scholar who published his findings as they related to the Book of Mormon. It also has Mormon legal news presenting the case of the two Baptists arrested for merely handing out tracts in Salt Lake City after General Conference sessions in April 2002. It also updates and gives some background for the controversial Plaza in Salt Lake. This page has a religious news ticker with updates on current news.
MISSIONS UTAH ~ A call to evangelize UtahThis page gives the purpose and vision of Missions Utah at home and in the field. It has activities and message outlined which will focus on the new birth.
WITNESSING TO MORMONS ~ Opening the Mormon MindThis page offers some ways to overcome curious changes in terminology and culture that have many confused. It includes a quick survey one can do to help understand your Mormon friend or loved one. It then uses the new birth as a strategy.
THE NEW BIRTH ~ Are Mormons Really Born Again As They Claim?Since so many are confused about the new birth as it relates to Mormons this page begins by exploring the Biblical claims. It starts in the Old Testament and works through the history and development of the new birth. This page includes full articles on the subject from the Mormon side including their own bibliographies. It concludes with a Christian response.
GLOSSARY OF MORMON TERMS ~ Encyclopedia on MormonismMany are confused about what Mormons believe because of the way Mormons have changed their dictionary. This page has the full article from the Encyclopedia on Mormonism titled Latter-day Saint Vocabulary. This is followed by the full and untouched Glossary from the Appendix of that work which is linked to other areas where fuller explanations are offered. This research page closes with a list of past and present Mormon periodicals which are often quoted in Mormon reference works.
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This research paper examines the changing theology presented in the Book of Mormon. It also examines the importance of witnesses in Mormon theology and how flawed those associated with the Book of Mormon are. It then examines the evidence behind the claim that the Book of Mormon is complimentary to the Bible. The problematic Isaiah inclusions are researched examining the way this important book changes within the Book of Mormon. Because of this confusion most Mormons skip these Isaiah passages when they read the Book of Mormon. Finally this research covers the problems associated with finding wonderful Isaiah scrolls in 1948 as part of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Next this page reviews the linguistic claims being made by the Book of Mormon itself. It uses statements from Book of Mormon scholars from the 1960's through recent times who examined evidence they believe supports the Book of Mormon. This section highlights research by Hugh Nibley, BYU and other FARMS scholars. It includes claims from a long article and bibliography from FARMS evidencing Native Americans languages being linked to Hebrew and Egyptian. Finally there is an entire research paper from Stanford University demonstrating the "First Americans" came from Siberia using linguistic evidence. This also includes works from the University of California Berkley and the Smithsonian. As I worked through this evidence I was impressed with the way the work of linguistic scholars is in agreement with those studying DNA evidence.
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IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORMONISM |
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This research page includes a Biblical response to this changing book. It gets into specific problematic revelations using charts. Finally, this study includes a "Countdown to Zion" which looks at the chronology of certain specific failed promises made to early Mormons. This is helpful when we examine the dates many leaders chose to leave the church.
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Millions of modern Mormons "believe" polygamy is an eternal principle. Many important Mormon figures are “in denial” about the depth of the problem. As recently as October 2003 Senator Orrin Hatch said, "All I can say is, I know people in Hildale who are polygamists who are very fine people. You come and show me evidence of children being abused there and I'll get involved. Bring the evidence to me." Hatch said he would not "sit here and judge anybody just because they live differently than me." [Associated Press (USA), Oct. 27, 2003 http://tv.ksl.com] In spite of this public denial, many young girls and ladies are suffering in the Southwest in ways similar to Taliban wives and daughters.
My research page on the LDS Fundamentalist Movement outlines its history and development from Joseph Smith. It has the complete 1886 revelation from President John Taylor who has energized modern Fundamentalists. It then has the complete current version of the canonical revelation on polygamy [D&C 132]. Following this is the complete 1954 Deseret Press Commentary on this section. This is followed by the 1890 Manifesto banning polygamy. It also includes the complete article on Fundamentalists from the 1992 Encyclopedia on Mormonism.
Ideas have consequences. The next complete article is the full text of Brian Mitchell's ”Revelation” giving him “permission from his god” to kidnap and rape Elizabeth Smart. His revelation is lengthy and he calls it The Book of Immanuel David Isaiah. In it we see Joseph Smith mentioned regularly. Finally other current news stories about Fundamentalist polygamists who have been energized by Joseph Smith's revelation.
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DR. Scott Woodward is an important BYU Biologist. He speaks on the issue of DNA and tbe Book of Mormon. Also available is an audio file of his time on the radio in December 2002. Also included is a debate by LDS biologists who do not agree on what this evidence means as far as their faith is concerned.
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Compare the naturalistic worldview to that of various theories of creationism.
Darwin, Marx and Freud were naturalists searching for answers in their fields. The Communist Manifesto as well as both Humanist Manifestos from 1933 and 1973 are included in this research. It also offers Pascal's Wager. Pascal was an important scientist whose Christianity has caused many Naturalists to consider Christ.
The most visible form of Naturalism is the Workers of the World Party. Today they are organizing, funding and directing current turmoil against America. Click on their pages and read some of their own language from their own founder and current leaders. They include a list of supporters and a call for people to get involved in spreading their ideas.
Darwin’s famous voyage that he said evidenced his theory of evolution was called the Voyage of the Beagle. That research can still be read and is available online, in libraries and in book stores globally. Many today believe life first came from Mars to earth. On Christmas Day 2003, the European states together funded a second Beagle 2 project to Mars.
Today there are is no shortage of theories about the origin of human beings. One theory presented by Christians has God doing the creation with an old earth with long creation days. Examine a page that studies the first chapter of Genesis.
Encyclopedia on Philosophy Article on Postmodern Leaders
Postmodern Apologetics
Postmodern Glossary
Postmodern QUADRUPLE THINK
Today there is a great debate among Christians as to whether we should take the Gospel of Jesus Christ into Iraq as President Bush has declared a "free speech zone" among aid givers in the country. See different sides of the issue. The page has news articles from Christianity Today, Baptist Press and other conservative sources. Then it has several from the New York Times giving their perspective. Articles from Islamic News sources follow with a final long article with an interview between clerics on Hamas and the future of Palestine. ISLAM & CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. Click here if you would like to study source material on Islam as the full text of the Quran is included for your study. FULL TEXT OF THE QURAN.
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SOURCES FOR TRUTH WE CAN TRUST
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Deut 13:14
Then you shall investigate and search out and inquire thoroughly. If it is true and the matter established ….
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
1 Pet 3:15
But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
2 Tim 3:16-4:4
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but {wanting} to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Acts 26:18
"Open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
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Religion News Blog This web log highlights news items, articles and web site