As I was reading over the various threads on the Mormon discussion board of a popular Christian ministry site I noticed one titled “Just what’s so bad about the LDS Church anyway?”
In her opinion post she lists many attributes the church has, as well as the many benefits she believes comes from membership in the Mormon Church. I believe she gives a perfect example of the mindset many, if not all Mormons have about their religion, and is worthy of exploration. In this article I would like to take her comments one point at a time, and give an alternative point of view.
As I read over what she posted I couldn’t help but see myself not so long ago. Like a child I believed whole heartedly in the church. I believed I was feeling that “burning in the bosom” and trusted that everything the missionaries told me about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith was true. And if those things were true I reasoned in my mind that everything else about the religion had to be true as well. Little did I know back then I was using the wrong instrument to measure truth. Instead of using God’s word I was using my heart, and my feelings.
(Her comments are in black and mine are in red.)
“Just what’s so bad with the LDS Church anyway?
Membership in the LDS Church has fantastic benefits.”
Membership in a church isn’t like joining a gym; you don’t join because of the “fantastic benefits”. I never thought about joining a church based on the benefits I would receive from it. Recently my husband and I were looking for a place closer to home to worship. In our search for a new church I knew two things; first I wanted a church where I could serve the people and second, one where I could help share the gospel in my community. I wasn’t looking for how it could serve me, but how I could serve it.
“The so called “benefits” It has the Word of Wisdom, a wonderful health benefit both for our mind and our body.”
We’re no longer bound to dietary laws. Churches today have no biblical grounds to try to enforce food or drink restrictions on their members. I think we all can agree that taking care of your body through diet and exercise is a great thing, but this can be achieved without membership in the Mormon Church.
“Through its various monetary donations it teaches its members to have charity, empathy and compassion. It teaches financial reliance upon our Heavenly Father.”
I don’t know of any Christian church that doesn’t encourage giving. Every Christian knows that God loves a “cheerful giver”. He wants us to give because we want to please Him, and because we know our giving brings Him glory.
However Mormonism takes a different route when it comes to giving, especially when it comes to paying tithing. Paying their tithing is just part of the way Mormons earn their way to heaven. They believe to receive admittance into heaven they must have a temple recommend in their pocket, and to earn this golden ticket they must be a “full tithe payer”.
“Through its wonderful system of monthly after care, such as home teachers and visiting sisters, we can benefit from close fellowship and extra spiritual upliftment, as well as the benefit of priesthood blessings should they be necessary.”
I don’t know about anyone else but I don’t need or want someone to assign me best friends. If you’re part of a local body of believers you have your own support system right there, people who will visit you, help you and encourage you.
And when it comes to the priesthood, a relationship with Jesus Christ will do so much more for you and it far outweighs anything the Mormon priesthood has to offer.
“Through its various programmes, children and youth can benefit from extra instruction on righteous living, as well as benefit from the many social activities available to take part in.”
All Christian churches have programs for the youth and children. They encourage knowing and following Jesus Christ, and learning that it’s only through Him that they can become “righteous”.
“Through its temple ceremonies we can be families forever.”
Temple ceremonies are a farce; families can only be together forever through Jesus Christ and nothing else. If you’re a family who knows the Lord, who’s put their complete trust in Him for their salvation you can have the assurance that you will be reunited with your loved ones again in Heaven.
“Women can learn how to become good wives and mothers and take part in homemaking enrichment evenings, learning crafts and so forth.”
The same could be said about my Home Ec. class in junior high. There I learned homemaking, cooking, sewing and even babysitting skills. It’s true women can learn how to make the cutesiest little crafts in Relief Society, where they learn how to be a good wife and mom won’t come from a manual. For me it comes from observing the women around me, from praying and reading God’s Word.
“Through its fasting system we can draw closer to our Heavenly Father, whilst being a benefit to others financially.”
Christians fast as well, for many reasons but not because their religion demands it. If someone desires is to give and help others with food there are things they can do other than join the Mormon Church so they can write the church a check. Food Banks, outreaches in the community and through churches are a few excellent ways to give to those in need.
“We receive all the benefits that are contained within the priesthood authority. “
Again the Mormon priesthood is nonexistent and benefits no one. All our blessings flow from Jesus Christ and no one else.
“There is so much happening within the LDS Church that there is always something for everyone, both in the way of service and in activities.”
I can say the same for my church, as I’m sure other Christians can say the same for theirs. There’s always room and a place for you to serve within the body of Christ.
“Members benefit from being part of a close church family unit, that looks after its members.”
Again many of us could say the same thing about our churches. Despite the occasional cliques that crop up in any group setting, for the most part Christian Churches have a “family unit” feel to them and members know if they need anything the church members are there to help.
“Safety abounds within the Church.”
I’m not quite sure what she meant by “safety” but I’ve never felt unsafe in any Christian church I’ve been in.
“Spiritual blessings flow from active membership.”
For Christians any blessing flows from Jesus Christ and not from our membership in our church.
“The LDS Church has everything.”
Once again for the Christian it’s all about Jesus; He has everything and is everything to us.
“With such wonderful and wholesome benefits, just what’s so wrong with it?”
Such wonderful things come from Jesus Christ, from accepting Him and the precious work He did for us. Why do Mormons think it’s wrong to only trust in Him and not ourselves?
I’m really trying to not be too hard on her. Like I said I know where her words come from. She’s been taught to believe her religion is the best thing ever. She’s bought into the lie just like I did hook, line and sinker. I know her words come from a place in her heart where she wants people to be happy and know the happiness Mormonism has brought into her life. She wants to defend the church.
I on the other hand want people to know Jesus and know the joy he has brought into my life and can bring into theirs. I have a child-like faith too but not in my church. My faith is in Jesus, I trust Him for everything and in everything in my life. If you’re looking for “benefits” a relationship with Jesus has them all. Through Him you’ll receive safety, security, unwavering love and eternal life. Why more could you ask for?
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
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