To start off with, if you’re new to Mormonism it’d be helpful to know the words used in the title of their article aren’t the standard Mormon way of phrasing things. Complicating things further, for years Mormons were told they could not have a personal relationship with Christ, and then they were told they could.
I was a 6th generation Utah Mormon, and in the 30 years I was a member I never heard the phrase ‘personal relationship’ unless it was referring to a loved one. Having a personal relationship with their heavenly father has been an on again, mostly off again event in the history of Mormonism.
Moreover, there’s a laundry list of rules they must observe when praying to their heavenly father. See Prayer Life of Mormons.
With our brief overview behind us, I’ve pulled some of the comments from Juan Uceda’s article to compare his comments with what our Lord has said in His word. To read the Liahona article in full see Liahona, ‘A Personal Relationship with Our Father in Heaven Through Prayer,’ February 2019 Juan A. Uceda. As an FYI, Mr. Uceda is a member of the Seventy.
Here we go –
“When I use a mobile phone to call my mother and father in New Jersey, USA, I can hear their voices clearly. I do not know how it is possible, without any cable or visible connection, that I can talk to them so far away. But I know it works!
Now, please do not ask me how it is possible that millions of people can pray at the same time, and in different languages, and our Father in Heaven is ready to listen and to answer at the same time. I cannot understand how that happens. But I know it works!
Just like a mobile phone, prayer works, even though we may not understand exactly how. But there are some things about prayer that we do understand.
Mr. Uceda could’ve told people the truth that Jesus is God and He knows the thoughts of men, but he chose not to do so – Matthew 9:4, Luke 6:8.
Instead, he chose to contradict what his church has always taught about their god. Talmage’s quote below is a classic example.
Articles of Faith, p. 42; “God is not omnipresent…cannot be physically present in more than one place at a time … If God possesses a form, that form is of necessity of definite proportions, and therefore of limited extension and space. It is impossible for Him to occupy at one time more than one space of such limits.” – James Talmage
Since their god can’t be in more than one place at a time, there’s no way he can answer the prayers of LDS members who cry out for help in time of need. This is the stark reality of true Mormonism, and it’s heartbreaking. This god is a reflection of Joe Smith’s refusal to accept the true God of the Bible who’s Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient.
Mr. Uceda went on to say the heavens are open to them in a world that calls evil good and good evil.
In a world where people “call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20), you need to know that the heavens are open to you.
We’re wondering if he knows his own scripture does this? Here’s what it says in the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 5:11 “And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.”
Don’t be fooled my friends, this man is deceiving his readers. More confusion was brought in when Mr. Uceda told members that the Holy Ghost resides inside of each believer. This is not the standard Mormon fare of beliefs!
The Savior said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). Believe that God the Father will listen to you. Believe that He “will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2). Believe that you—yes, you—can feel peace and comfort. Believe that you can receive spiritual power to overcome.
Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” – 1830
What he didn’t say is that 13 yrs later Smith’s god contradicted himself by stating the Holy Ghost wouldn’t always stay with the believer.
Doctrine and Covenants 130:22-23 “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. 23 A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him.” – 1843
In conclusion, the directives of this man were all over the board. There was nothing in his article that reflected true Mormonism. Alas, that’s probably the key. Their main goal has always been to throw people off with using bits of God’s word while they go about contradicting themselves. It makes for a dizzying experience trying to figure it out. You can just imagine how confusing it is for members who try to do what they’re told.
Don’t forget to pray! While this talk may seem relatively obscure, it serves as a great example of their church at work.
With Love in Christ;
Michelle