Journal of Discourses 21:296; “…If plurality of marriage is not true or in other words, if a man has no divine right to marry two wives or more in this world, then marriage for eternity is not true, and your faith is in vain, and all the sealing ordinances and powers pertaining to marriages for eternity are vain, worthless, good for nothing; for as sure as one is true the other also must be true.” – Orson Pratt, Salt Lake City, July 18, 1880
Posts Tagged ‘families are forever’
False Prophecies of Mormonism; No Polygamy, No Families are Forever
Posted in false Mormon apostles, False Prophecies of the Mormon Church, tagged bible, Christianity, false doctrines of Mormonism, families are forever, Jesus, Orson Pratt false prophet, salvation on 05/02/2013 | Leave a Comment »
Thought of the Day about Mormonism and Remarriage
Posted in Thought of the Day about Mormonism, tagged families are forever, marriage for eternity on 11/10/2012 | Leave a Comment »
Thought of the Day about Mormonism and Wives Remarrying
If Mormons are married for all time and eternity in the Church why isn’t it considered adultery for a wife to remarry for time when her husband dies?
Tip of the Day, October 27
Posted in October, Witnessing Tip of the Day, tagged faith, false doctrines, families are forever, grace vs. works, Jesus, mormonism, salvation, temple endowments on 10/27/2012 | Leave a Comment »
October 27 – John 14:6; “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Tip of the Day, September 15
Posted in false gospel, False Prophecies of Joseph Smith, false prophet Joseph Smith, September, Witnessing Tip of the Day, tagged Christianity, false doctrines of Mormonism, families are forever, Jesus, marriage in heaven on 09/15/2012 | Leave a Comment »
September 15 – Mark 12:23-25; “In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.”
Mormon Dilemma 373
Posted in false gospel, False Prophecies of Joseph Smith, false prophet Joseph Smith, false prophets, Mormon Dilemmas, tagged Christianity, false doctrines of Mormonism, families are forever, having kids for salvation, Jesus on 09/12/2012 | Leave a Comment »
Not Having Kids Means No True Salvation
Teachings of Harold B. Lee, pg 283; “There are those among us who think (if it can be called thinking) that having a large family of children is old-fashioned and an evidence of those who are unsophisticated and don’t know better. No more pernicious doctrine than that could hardly be imagined. Those who refuse to accept the obligations of parenthood are not living up to their greatest opportunities…Those who refuse as husbands and wives to have children are proving themselves already too small for the infinitude of God’s creative powers.”
Mormon Dilemma 329
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged Christianity, Ensign July 2011, false doctrines of Mormonism, families are forever, Isaiah 45:22, Jesus came to save souls, L. Tom Perry, marriage in heaven on 07/29/2012 | Leave a Comment »
Mormon Heritage vs. God
“The Strength of Our Heritage“, Liahona and Ensign, July 2012; “The prophets have warned us that the home is the place to save society. A proper home, of course, is not created automatically when a boy and girl fall in love and marry. It takes those same virtues that were taught in pioneer homes—faith, courage, discipline, and dedication—to make a marriage successful.” —L. Tom Perry http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/07/the-strength-of-our-heritage?lang=eng
Mormon Dilemma 264
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged bible, celestial kingdom, Christianity, false doctrines of Mormonism, families are forever, godhood and exaltation, humble, Luke 14:11 on 05/25/2012 | 3 Comments »
Exaltation
Companion to Your Study of the New Testament: The Four Gospels: pg 85; “Exaltation is a synonym for eternal life. Exaltation comes only to those who inherit the highest degree within the celestial kingdom. It is the power to have eternal increase after the resurrection; it consists in the continuation of the family unit throughout eternity; it is the type of life that is lived by our Heavenly Father.”
False Prophecies and Teachings of the Mormon Church
Posted in False Prophecies of the Mormon Church, tagged false doctrines, false prophecies, families are forever, God's Plan of Salvation, godhood, marriage for eternity, mormonism, Works for salvation on 03/06/2012 | Leave a Comment »
Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation for you
“Heavenly Father’s Plan – “Have you ever wondered why marriage is so important and why the family is central to Heavenly Father’s plan?” Elder Bednar asked. “A man and a woman are designed and intended to work together to progress eternally. That is part of the plan.””
Mormon Dilemma 129
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged exaltation, false doctrines, families are forever, Joseph Smith Translation, Mark 12:19-25, mormonism, no marriages in heaven, salvation, Temple Marriage on 12/31/2011 | Leave a Comment »
What is exaltation?
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 479; “It is available only in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom and is reserved for members of the Church of the Firstborn. This exalted status, called eternal life, is available to be received by a man and wife. It means not only living in God’s presence, but receiving power to do as God does, including the power to bear children after the resurrection (TPJS, pp. 300-301; D&C 132:19). Blessings and privileges of exaltation require unwavering faith, repentance, and complete obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Mormon Dilemma 104
Posted in Mormon Dilemmas, tagged bible, false doctrine, families are forever, Jesus, marriages in heaven, mormonism, polygamy, salvation on 11/20/2011 | 1 Comment »
What is the Meaning of “Families are Forever”?
Gospel Fundamentals, pg. 177; “God made it possible for families to be together forever. He has given the leaders of His Church the authority to bind families together forever. This binding together is called sealing. This sealing can take place only in a temple. Temples are sacred buildings where only faithful members of the Church may go. When a man and woman are sealed in the temple by someone who holds the priesthood and has special power to seal, their marriage will not end when they die. Their marriage will last forever if they keep the promises they made in the temple. This is called eternal marriage.
If a man and a woman are not sealed in the temple, the marriage ends when one of them dies. If we are sealed in the temple, and if we faithfully follow Jesus Christ to the end of our lives, our families can be together forever.”
Tip of the Day, September 15
Posted in September, Witnessing Tip of the Day, tagged bible, false doctrines, false gospel, families are forever, Jesus, marriages in heaven, mormonism, salvation, Temple Marriage, Witnessing tips for Mormons on 09/15/2011 | Leave a Comment »
September 15 – Mark 12:23-25; “In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.”
Tip of the Day, March 6
Posted in Witnessing Tip of the Day, tagged Acts of the Apostles, Alma, bible, body of Christ, Book of Mormon, Christian church, Christianity, Christians, church, false gospel, false prophecies, false prophet, families are forever, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, joseph smith, lds church, lies, Mormon Church, mormonism, mormons, resurrection, salvation, Savior, truth on 03/06/2011 | Leave a Comment »
March 6 –The first time the followers of Jesus were called Christians is recorded in Acts 11:26b; “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
_____
Sometimes as a Mormon, it’s difficult to keep things simple. Show them from the Bible that nowhere in the Old Testament is the word “Christian” ever mentioned.
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In Alma 46:16 we read the prophet Moroni was praying in 76 BC. “And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians and the freedom of the land might be favored”.
Tip of the Day, February 12
Posted in Witnessing Tip of the Day, tagged bible, Bruce McConkie, false doctrine, false prophet, false teacher, families are forever, freedom, godhood, grace, Jesus, joseph smith, lds church, Mormon doctrine, mormonism, polytheism, Redeemer, Savior, truth, works on 02/12/2011 | Leave a Comment »
February 12 – Are you sure you’re saved? “…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”. 2 Tim. 1:12b
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Your question to a Mormon today should be twofold. 1-Who exactly is Jesus Christ? 2-If you died today would you go to heaven? If a Mormon is to be completely honest, he won’t be able fulfill his obligations here on earth to attain full salvation.
_____
“This full salvation is obtained in and through the continuation of the family unit in eternity, and those who obtain it are gods.” MD, pg. 670.
The Great Debate
Posted in Great Debates, tagged blood of Jesus, crucifixion, false gospel, false prophet, families are forever, freedom, grace, Jesus, joseph smith, KGNW, lds church, mormonism, salvation, sealings in the temple, Seattle Radio Debate, Stake President, temple endowments, The Cross, truth, Works for salvation, works for the dead on 01/28/2011 | 2 Comments »
THE GREAT DEBATES
October 1988
October 2006
Late October 1988, Las Vegas, Nevada. It was there, that a small group of people stood over a hole in the ground, watching as the tiny white casket which held its precious cargo was lowered into its final resting place. The casket held a child of God that was serving a mission for the Lord and from the results of her funeral; many would come to know the saving power of Christ Jesus, His crucifixion and resurrection.
Of course the baby’s parents felt as bad as they looked on that cold autumn morning and the baby’s grandparents, a couple of uncles and a cousin stood by to support her grief-stricken mom and dad. Nothing anyone could say would make it better as far as her mom was concerned and as the sound of the bishop’s voice droned on, the thoughts of the childless new mother was not at her daughter’s graveside.
Within the first five minutes of the eulogy that cold morning Mallory’s mom frantically searched her memory bank of the Jesus she had heard about in her travels over the past six years. What very little she did know wasn’t even close to what that bishop was proclaiming.
At the end of the graveside service the wind picked up as everyone walked back to their vehicles and the heartbroken mom turned to catch one more glimpse of her baby’s casket. The mom and dad drove home in stunned silence for most of the twenty minute drive back to the apartment. Little things were spoken between the two; “she sure had a lot of black curly hair” and “her nose looked just like…” What was there to be said? There was no baby, no help, no hope, no God to reach to and find comfort. The only thing she left that graveyard with was the bishop’s voice telling her that she would never see her baby again because they hadn’t been married in the temple. God would give Mallory to another family who was worthy of her. That’s when the visual made its appearance and the bishop’s voice began to serve as noise in the background.
When he said the words “she’ll be given to another couple who is worthy of her because they have been married in the temple…” her mind instantly pictured a massive white building with little to no windows; the temple. On the other side of the picture there stood a cross with blood that had been dripping from its owner that made the dust that caught the blood Holy ground.
Back at the apartment the young woman walked in her little home to be greeted by her own mother. As they changed clothes and began making lunch the debate that had been at the tips of everyone’s tongues broke loose.
The younger mom said to the older mom; “…didn’t you hear what that guy said? He told me that I was going to hell!” The older mom shook her head and made a clicking noise with her tongue as she told her daughter that she had misunderstood the bishop. The young, defiant woman knew differently; yet sadly enough neither she nor her husband even discussed the funeral until four years later. However, for now the bishop’s quote of the Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith rang in her ears; “If parents are righteous, they will have their children after the resurrection. Little children who die, whose parents are not worthy of an exaltation, will be adopted into the families of those who are worthy.”
How was that to be misunderstood? It seemed rather dry and pretty straightforward to her. She wanted God, but didn’t know how to go about “getting” Him as she was too intimidated to visit another church. She also didn’t know that the Holy, Merciful God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would bless the couple with two more daughters within the next four years and the greatest gift of all; their salvation!
I never could have imagined that eighteen years later I would be praising a righteous Sovereign God for the gift of Mallory Elizabeth Grim and be involved in yet another debate. This time it would be in a Seattle Christian radio station with my husband and of course who else, but a couple of Mormons?!
The debate in that apartment has now lasted 18 years. I’ve never counted how many times I’ve “debated” with my mother about that day so long ago. She is just as convinced today that I misunderstood and I’m even more convinced I heard them correctly. The divide is wide indeed, but Jesus warned us of these days. He said there would be mothers against daughters and sons against fathers on account of His name.
It is almost surreal for me as I look back on that day in Vegas and think of what God has done for my family and for me too. I never would have imagined that this is what I would be doing; yet now I cannot imagine not doing this work! The debate at KGNW last week with Thor Tolo has blessed us beyond measure. We can’t thank everyone enough for their prayers that went up for the event! I’ve had people pray for me before when I speak or do a radio show, but in all honesty I have never experienced what I did this last week and the week prior to the taping of the show! It was very obvious to those in the studio and to Kirk and me that God was present among us!
I noticed the “misunderstandings” and topics between the debate last week and the debate 18 years ago were very similar. They both contained the following subjects: absence of the cross, no assurance of salvation and good works. The most striking similarity was the emptiness in my heart while I wondered why; both then and now. Why is it they won’t even stop to give it (the truth) the slightest of consideration? What bad thing could it bring upon you to just consider the possibility that there may be some truth in what we (non-Mormons; Christians) proclaim?
Mallory wasn’t the only “thing” I buried that day in 1988. Before I got up from my chair at that gravesite I recall looking down into the grave and picturing myself placing my heritage down there as well. I knew on that day my ignorant, misinformed perception of “my people” was over and done with.
One of the first things Thor asked me at the debate was to explain why I believe the Mormons are not Christians. I told him the main reason is because of the cross. In Mormonism there is no cross in the sense of it being the altar of God. Once again, it’s about the cross, or rather the lack thereof. The sign of the empty cross doesn’t just imply, but shouts out the good news of our salvation and resurrection! On the flip side you see the Mormon parents at their child’s funeral. All that is offered is the hope of going to the temple a year later to work for salvation of the child and the parent; no mention of a cross in that scenario.
When Thor asked Stake President Burnham if he had assurance of his salvation, he replied; “Well now you’re testing my humility”. Oh please. I knew he wouldn’t be able to proclaim any good news of rest for his own soul, assurance that the Shepherd is always with him to lead, console and keep watch over His flock. There is no hope when you are working all the time for your own life. How are you rejuvenated, fed, rested and refreshed? You can’t be if you are the one that is always in control. It took me years to disencumber myself of the filthy robe of self-sufficiency. I felt much like what the apostle Paul described in Romans chapter seven; “why do I do the things I don’t want to do but don’t do the things I want to do”? The only way my life got into order is when I got off the merry-go-round of doing good works for my salvation. Even to this day, how could I be sure if it (salvation) was based on my own worthiness? This week and last week I’ve worked pretty hard. Next week I might get distracted or maybe take it easy. How do I justify myself in God’s eyes with this type of spiritual battle going on inside my soul?
As mentioned earlier, we have been so blessed by seeing God at work in people’s lives. It’s been nothing short of an honor to watch His grace flow to those around us! We’re sending out this praise and prayer report so you can be blessed as well! Continue to pray won’t you that those who are struggling with their decision to either join or leave the Church would be made through the will of the true God of the Bible? And pray for us as we help the people in their decisions so that we would only be focused on Him and our reasons for doing this!
Mr. Burnham e-mailed Kirk and me a couple of days after the debate to let us know that he had researched our claim about the false prophecy of Oliver Granger. We’ll be posting that on the site this week. He wanted us to be sure to let everyone know that indeed the prophecy did come true. He (Burnham) found some letters that were written by Granger’s descendants describing their grandfather and what he had done for the Church. As we stated on the show, it didn’t come to pass. This brings us to a little project. We’re asking everyone to let us know; have you ever heard of Oliver Granger? We’ll be posting our findings on the site at the end of the month!
You can download and listen to the debate by clicking on the links below. Each file is approximately 9 MB. These take you to the website of KGNW and the Live From Seattle Show.
Hour 1:
http://boss.streamos.com/download/swn/miscellaneous/kgnw/lfs_special_hour_1.mp3
Hour 2: http://boss.streamos.com/download/swn/miscellaneous/kgnw/lfs_special_hour_2.mp3
Hour 3: http://boss.streamos.com/download/swn/miscellaneous/kgnw/lfs_special_hour_3.mp3
Praise! We cannot give too many details for privacy reasons, however, someone here in the Puget Sound Community, ex-Mormon, accepted the true Lord Jesus into “their” heart as Lord and Savior because of the debate! All we can say is “Praise God!”
We’ve been in touch several times with a very nice lady who listened to KGNW the Monday after the show (Thor actually had me do the program w/ him impromptu). I was able to pray for a woman whose daughter is thinking of joining the Church. Daughter’s name is Lauren, 18, freshman at University of Washington. Lauren needs to be introduced to good Christian kids on campus.
I (Michelle) received several e-mails from members of the Church who believe that I am totally wrong about my claims in regards to the lack of the cross and want for me to issue a public apology for my statements on KGNW. My answer…no.
Praise! An ex-Mormon Christian listening to the debate wrote in to volunteer to help us at the ministry!
Praise! We have a volunteer for translating our tracts from English into Spanish! Because the Lord provided so quickly and abundantly on this I’m going to be confident in asking my next request! If you speak a language other than English or Spanish and would like to see tracts printed in that language and would be willing to translate them for us, let us know!
Praise! We received many requests for mentoring packets. The new outlines are going to print this week, if you’re interested in an expanded, updated version (80 pgs.), don’t forget to send an e-mail to michelle@lifeafter.org to let me know! We’re requesting $3.00 for s+h for postage.
Prayer and Praise! A 40+ year old mentally disabled man contacted Life After about a week before the debate. He was a convert in the LDS Church and was active for approximately seven years. He felt the Lord tell him two months ago to leave the Church because they weren’t Christian. Ironically enough, Michael, ended up attending my church. He then was listening to the radio, heard the debate and called our ministry line. To make things even more confusing for him, Mr. Burnham (from the debate) is Michael’s Stake President. Various members of his ward are harassing him at the stores, etc., in the town they live. I am confident you’ll know how to pray! J This isn’t the first time I’ve had to deal with the Church and mentally impaired members who want out.
Jeff Burnham – Stake President at debate.
Doug Crandall – Jeff’s neighbor and fellow Mormon at debate.
We thank each and every one of you for praying for us and the ministry. We couldn’t do this without you! May God bless you and our warmest greetings go out to you as you celebrate this upcoming Thanksgiving!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle Grim
1 Cor. 1:18
Quote of the month from the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 156; “O ye Twelve! and all Saints! profit by this important Key—that in all your trials, troubles, temptations, afflictions, bonds, imprisonments and death, see to it, that you do not betray heaven; that you do not betray Jesus Christ; that you do not betray the brethren; that you do not betray the revelations of God, whether in Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and Covenants, or any other that ever was or ever will be given and revealed unto man in this world or that which is to come. Yea, in all your kicking and flounderings, see to it that you do not this thing, lest innocent blood be found upon your skirts, and you go down to hell. All other sins are not to be compared to sinning against the Holy Ghost, and proving a traitor to the brethren.”
Families are Forever
Posted in Families are Forever, tagged bible, Ensign, false gospel, false prophet, families are forever, freedom, grace, Jesus, mormonism, truth on 01/16/2011 | Leave a Comment »
ARE FAMILIES REALLY FOREVER?
I was reminded of a familiar phrase well known by church members this past week when I received my LDS-Gems e-mail of the day. The topic was about the Families are Forever plan the LDS Church promotes to its members.
While I have entertained many questions about this doctrine throughout the years, I was saddened and perplexed by the content of the message that had originated from an article in the November 1996 issue of the Ensign. The message was delivered by Robert D. Hales, one of the apostles for the LDS Church.
The very first line of the e-mail said the following: “While our individual salvation is based on our individual obedience, it is equally important that we understand that we are each an important and integral part of a family and the highest blessings can be received only within an eternal family.”
“Wow”, I thought to myself, “am I ever thankful this isn’t truth”! It reminded me of what it says in 2 Nephi 25:23; “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” Just those two teachings from the Church have me exhausted already! It is certainly all about mortal man and his obedience to perform good works and then if he got anything wrong, Jesus will be the sweep-up man “just in case”.
In contrast, here is what Paul said in Romans 2:12; “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law.”
If I am the one responsible for making sure I get to heaven then I am doomed from the get-go. I am unworthy to live under the Law of Moses. I do want to obey; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak – Matthew 26:41. I am unworthy because of my sin. I am absolutely certain I would not go to heaven if my salvation was dependent upon the Law.
The first thing that comes to mind is that I am without a temple to perform sacrifices unto God. The LDS temples we see dotting various landscapes throughout the world are not patterned after the specifications of what our Holy and Righteous God commanded the Israelites must build when He gave them the Law.
Next, I am without a proper sacrifice to offer to God. Now I could probably come up with enough money to purchase a sacrifice outside the walls of the temple from those who sell that commodity. But where am I going to find a temple? Would I even know which sacrifice to purchase to give to the priests inside the temple so they could sacrifice in my name? There are 613 laws in the Old Testament. If I am to live by obedience to get me into heaven, I have a lot of studying and behavior modification to take into consideration and get performing!
Then and only then, I see in 2nd Nephi that I have the privilege of looking to Jesus and honoring his name by knowing he died after I did all my duties to obey the Law of Moses. It reminds me of a friend of mine. She was expecting company to come in from out of town that she hadn’t seen in years. She wanted everything to be perfect for the visit so she invested almost $500 to have a cleaning brigade come in and help her in advance. Before they got there she spent an entire week bleaching walls, scrubbing floors and washing windows so no one would see the “real Janet”. I felt so badly for her. She was in a complete mess by the anticipated arrival of family members. They stayed for a few days, but most of their time was spent site-seeing and very little time was spent in her ultra-clean home.
To the members of the LDS Church: are you racing around like Janet trying to clean things up before Jesus’ arrival? I guarantee you; it’ll never be enough when you don’t believe your salvation is free! Hebrews 10:5-6 tells us that God isn’t interested in your sacrifices. “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.”
The other part of that first sentence in the e-mail I received gave me more things to think about as well. “…, it is equally important we understand that we are each an important and integral part of a family and the highest blessings can be received only within an eternal family.”
For those who are not intimately aware of what this really means, here’s the translation: If you do not go to the temple and take oaths to be sealed to your family for eternity you will not be going to the highest level of heaven, the Celestial Kingdom. For the Mormon, this is where “true salvation” is found.
The Teachings of Joseph Smith, pg. 300 says this; “Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant and be married for eternity, while in this probation, by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood, they will cease to increase when they die; that is, they will not have any children after the resurrection. But those who are married by the power and authority of the priesthood in this life, and continue without committing the sin against the Holy Ghost, will continue to increase and have children in the celestial glory.”
Here’s reality with the family I was born into – my parents are divorced – an eternity for them is being in the same room together for longer than five minutes. I am fully aware I am not the only person that has been Mormon with this situation.
So – if I were still a member of the LDS Church, with whom would I be spending eternity with? My father isn’t active and my step-mother is; while my mother is very active, but my step-father isn’t active at all. Let’s complicate the matter a little further by imagining that my husband and I were active, as well as his parents. Do we live with his family or mine? What if our kids get married and have a family – if they decide not to reside with us wouldn’t that negate the phrase “Families are Forever”?
Tired yet? I know I am and I also know that this must be what goes on in the minds of many Mormons. Just think of all the time wasted on the “I wonder if’s” in life instead of the one sure thing – that being Christ Jesus! 2 Cor. 10:5 tells us to hold all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. Philippians 4:8 says whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good repute and worthy of praise; these are the things that we are to have our minds dwell upon. Does the scenario of possibilities with my family exemplify these admonitions from Paul?
When I presented my mother with her reality, she told me it wasn’t for her to worry about here on earth; she’ll be getting all those answers after she dies. I’ve no doubt she will and it’s what makes me so sad for her.
As we read further into the “Gem” of the day we see the following:
“It is not enough just to save ourselves. It is equally important that parents, brothers, and sisters are saved in our families. If we return home alone to our Heavenly Father, we will be asked, ‘Where is the rest of the family?’ This is why we teach that families are forever. The eternal nature of an individual becomes the eternal nature of the family.””
Again, all I can say is “wow” as I shake my head in bewilderment. If you choose to believe you must work your way to heaven, so be it. I’d never say that I agree with your precepts; however you’re free to worship as you see fit. The issue I have is with the doctrines of the LDS Church. They are in exact opposition to the most basic teachings of historical Judeo-Christian theology.
My heart is sad all over again not just for my mother, but for all Mormons as well when I read statements like the one made by Mr. Hales, the LDS apostle. What a burden it must be for the Mormon believing they are responsible for the salvation of those in their family as well as for themselves. Talk about a guilt trip!
In the Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith’s Teachings it says; “The question is frequently asked “Can we not be saved without going through with all those ordinances, &c.?” I would answer, No, not the fullness of salvation. Jesus said, “There are many mansions in my Father’s house, and I will go and prepare a place for you.” House here named should have been translated kingdom; and any person who is exalted to the highest mansion has to abide a celestial law, and the whole law too. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 6:184).”
To show that I am not taking things out of context let’s take a look at yet another doctrine of the LDS Church. It’s fascinating, the more I read about the necessity of being sealed to family members, the more incredible the story becomes.
The Doctrines of Salvation 2:173-5 says; “When everything gets finished, we will all be one family…And we will all be subject to our first progenitor, Adam, Michael, the archangel, who has been appointed and given authority under Jesus Christ to stand at the head and preside over all his posterity….There will be cases where some of our ancestors will not be worthy and will drop out, but the links will have to be joined without them…And, therefore, when the Prophet says we cannot be exalted without them, he is thinking of the family connections-generation to generation. And if we are going to sit down and do nothing…we are just setting ourselves off on the side.”
Let’s take a good look at what God says in the Bible about works and our salvation. Galatians 2:20-1 says; “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
It wouldn’t matter where you turn in Mormonism, the message is pretty clear. Sure, they say that they believe Jesus is the Son of God; why yes, they also say He was crucified for man’s sin and then resurrected on the third day so that we can live forever with Him.
Tell me though my friend, where in the above LDS teachings did you see anything said about the cross? I saw they exalted Adam and named him as Michael the archangel, which of course isn’t true either. They exalted man, a created being, and tried lowering the status of Jesus. His blood means nothing according to what Paul says if living by righteousness is needed.
There’s something else that needs attention to this matter. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 22:23-29; “The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
Obviously the Sadducees had a few issues and Jesus answered them plainly letting everyone know the ways of the Lord God in heaven. Isn’t it interesting that when we have our minds set on earthly things we cannot, or will not, believe there are other things possible that man cannot imagine?
This is another example of what happens when man exalts himself and chooses to de-glorify Christ Jesus. How much of a “coincidence” do you think it is that this passage of scripture is in the Bible? It’s just like what Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10; “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.”
The real New and Everlasting Covenant is Christ Jesus, God’s perfect Sacrificial Lamb provided for you. You can read about it in the book of Hebrews chapters 7-10; Jesus is the only one who holds the priesthood now. The New and Everlasting Covenant is not that of marriage in the LDS temple. You’ve been lied to my friend and we are praying that you know the truth because we are convinced that in your hearts you truly want to know and love the Jesus of the Bible!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle Grim
1 Cor, 1:18
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