First Presidency Message, “Testimony and Conversion,” February 2015; “We need a change in our hearts, as described in the book of Alma: “And they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil” (Alma 19:33; see also Mosiah 5:2).
The Lord taught us that when we are truly converted to His gospel, our hearts will be turned from selfish concerns and turned toward service to lift others as they move upward to eternal life. To obtain that conversion, we can pray and work in faith to become the new creature made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” – Henry Eyring, First Counselor in the Presidency
Acts 8:9-12; “But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”
The lofty titles mankind bestows upon himself can serve as a red flag for intended recipients. Jerusalem’s residents found this out soon enough when Simon the sorcerer decided to make his appearance not long after Jesus’ resurrection.
His false teachings were leading people away from God, just as Mr. Eyring’s false gospel is doing today. The fancy title he bestowed upon himself is nothing but a remake of the magic tricks in Simon’s day. The focus is all about their lies and demonic power, not the Lord’s righteous and holy, redemptive powers.
What other miracle could supersede what the Israelites had witnessed with their own eyes? Yet, here we see some charlatan entering the scene who tried to impress people with his magic tricks. God incarnate died for them and was raised from the grave. What more is there?
This is what Justin Martyr had to say about Simon Magus –
“…he would be worshipped as prōton theon-the chief god. He gave out himself to be the Son of God, the Messiah, so some think; or to be an angel, or a prophet. Perhaps he was uncertain within himself what title of honour to pretend to; but he would be thought some great one. Pride, ambition, and an affectation of grandeur, have always been the cause of abundance of mischief both to the world and to the church.
Secondly, The people ascribed to him what he pleased.
They all gave heed to him, from the least to the greatest, both young and old, both poor and rich, both governors and governed. To him they had regard (v. 10,11), and perhaps the more because the time fixed for the coming of the Messiah had now expired, which had raised a general expectation of the appearing of some great one about this time. Probably he was a native of their country, and therefore they embraced him the more cheerfully, that by giving honour to him they might reflect it upon themselves…’ – Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
Hmmm…that sounds eerily familiar!
What other miracle is needed for us today that’s greater than Jesus’ church still being in existence more than 2,000 years later? And this is just one example of the miracles He’s performed!
The story in Alma sounds comforting does it not? Everyone believed and no one had a selfish thought in their head…yeah, okay…
We can know the story in Alma is false for a number of reasons, but one of those reasons is chronological.
The story of Alma tells us the Nephites cried out to Jesus to save them circa BC 90.
How could Jesus save them if He hadn’t been born yet and how did they know His name?
Lastly, the agenda of every Mormon teaching/doctrine is always self-serving so don’t be fooled! They do good works to earn their way into heaven, they do works for the dead in temples for the very same thing. How is this not self-serving?
For Christians, serving God means you do something for others without any thought of it benefitting you personally. You do things because someone is in need – it’s about them, not you.
This man’s testimony will lead people to the conversion of performing dead works for a false god. His encouragement for others to do likewise is a sham.
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