2 Thessalonians 2:9 ‘Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders’.
Some of the talks given this year seem to be reruns of the past, and those on the receiving end have once again gained nothing.
We’re highlighting 3-4 talk summaries of the Mormon General Authorities in each of our posts this week for the express purpose of bringing attention to the need of prayer from the body of Christ.
We feel that while these talks are still fresh in the minds of the Mormon people, we as Christians can use them as witnessing tools to share with the Mormons we know and love. We’ve pulled a few of the most important things from each talk. Here we go!
Talk #1
The first talk that stood out to me was delivered by Tad Christensen, LDS Sunday School General President. For more info, see God’s Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon.
Comments he made while defending the Book of Mormon didn’t make sense when I read this the first time, and they still don’t…sigh…here’s what he said –
‘…if it [the BoM] is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, regardless of any historical or other arguments to the contrary. For this reason, the critics are intent on disproving the Book of Mormon, but the obstacles they face are insurmountable, because this book is true. …
…how did he interweave scores of names, places, and events into a harmonious whole without inconsistencies? …Are we now to believe that Joseph Smith, on his own, dictated the entire Book of Mormon in a single draft with mainly minor grammatical changes made thereafter? …’
So if the BoM narrative contradicts historical facts it doesn’t matter? It sounds as if Mr. Christensen has dogmatically made up his mind, and it wouldn’t matter how many truths he’s presented, they’re all for naught.
The inconsistencies contained in the BoM are far too numerous to list here, suffice it to say, they go far beyond anyone’s reasonable expectations to demonstratively show how flawed Joe Smith’s literary work really is. A few of our pages demonstrate some of the falsehoods of Smith’s handiwork.
LDS Leaders Who Admit Mormonism Isn’t True
Book of Mormon Foundation Series
One can find other examples contradicting Mr. Christensen’s claim the BoM is an authentic work of God to keep them busy for a lifetime. The examples we’ve listed above are from just our website alone, so imagine what else is out there!
The real problem in this man’s statement is, well, the statement itself.
‘Because if it is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet and this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, regardless of any historical or other arguments to the contrary. For this reason, the critics are intent on disproving the Book of Mormon, but the obstacles they face are insurmountable, because this book is true. …’
What proof does this man have to back this claim? As Bible archaeologists have always said, ‘No one can prove the Bible is true. We can prove historical events mentioned in the Bible really happened, but we can’t prove the Bible is true. Only the work of God’s Holy Spirit can do that.’
Providing evidence the BoM is false is quite simple. Their own leaders have said as much, and as we mentioned last week, 100+ experts reported Smith plagiarized the Bible. BoM archaeologists have repeatedly stated there is no evidence. At all. Nothing.
Sadly, this man is grasping at straws and leading not a few people down a dark alley of lies. Just because someone states something is true, doesn’t make it so, no matter how hard you wish it to be.
Talk #2
This next talk was delivered by Dale Renlund, one of the newer LDS apostles. To read it in full see The Priesthood and the Savior’s Atoning Power.
Mr. Renlund’s main message was to remind male members of the Church that Jesus handed over a portion of His power to them so they can perform ordinances. In this manner they will then have authority to administer salvation to men just like Jesus.
‘To make His atoning power accessible, He has delegated a portion of His power and authority to men on earth.’
He emphasized how the power Jesus handed over is none other than the Melchizedek Priesthood. He went on to explain Jesus did this so they could help Him and the Heavenly Father, ‘bring about the salvation, and exaltation of God’s children’.
Mr. Renlund also said this was done so people ‘have the opportunity to receive the blessings of the Savior’s atoning power’.
Oh, so many flowery words, but in reality they’re clanging symbols…
1.God is autonomous. His names, elohim, Yahweh, etc., alone tell us He is self governed and self existent. If He’s self-existent why would He need help from those He created?
2.Jesus didn’t hand over any of His power! He alone carries the Melchizedek Priesthood because it’s unchangeable, and therefore, not passed down. Hebrews 7:1-4, 23-27.
‘Priesthood is essential because necessary ordinances and covenants on earth are administered only by its authority. …
To each man who receives the Melchizedek Priesthood, God affirms His covenant promises with an oath. … It is God who swears the oath, not the priesthood holder. …’
1.The Mormon priesthood is a satanic priestcraft, and has no business in the life of a true Christian.
2.Mormons swear oaths in the temple every single day by raising their right arm to the square, and repeating the designated chant, ‘Pay Lay Ale’. See 1990 Temple Oath Changes Placed Mormonism Under Curse of the Mormon God.
Talk #3
The last talk we’re looking at today was given by another General Authority, David F. Evans. For more info on his speech, see The Truth of All Things.
Mr. Evans also delivered his speech at the General Priesthood Session, just as Mr. Renlund did. He had a lot to say, however, this is the one thing that was downright scary to me.
‘Our search for truth should focus on “the best books” and the best sources. Among the very best are the scriptures and the words of living prophets.’
Oh, be still my heart!
Now, I’m going to make this real short, but very clear. Nothing will break my heart like this has done. Reading the words, ‘our search for truth’, is horrifying. I thought the Church had all the truth, so why are they still searching for it?
By joining Mormonism, haven’t you found the truth? Again, why are you still searching for it if the Church says they’re the answer to all things?
Tomorrow we’ll list a couple of other speeches, but in the meantime beloved, don’t forget to pray for these dear lost souls – and I mean that with all that I am. Now is a prime opportunity to reach out and share the truth with them!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle