Friend, ‘Hello From New Zealand,’ November 2019 “…The Māori people, the first people in New Zealand, came in boats from far away. Today they remember their ancestors through dancing and art…”
Isaiah 43:10-11 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, And my servant whom I have chosen: That ye may know and believe me, And understand that I am he: Before me there was no God formed, Neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord; And beside me there is no saviour.”
A recent issue of the Friend Magazine caught our attention because of the graphics in their article. To read the article in full, see link above.
The Church has instituted an FYI type series about local culture at the location of temples for Mormon kids. In November they focused on New Zealand. Front and center in the graphic is a large image of a mask depicting a mythical Maori god.
While info provided isn’t meant to get too deep because of the ages of the target audience, we’re wondering why they’d include it at all.
Not surprisingly, but most unfortunately, the info they provided alongside the image made it sound as if this god was something to be praised. If you’re unaware, the Maori culture is filled with ancestor worship, displayed in folklore dance, and people wearing masks depicting a god they’ve carved from surrounding local trees.
It’s very sad the Church had to throw in an image of a false god when they could’ve spent the time teaching truth about the One True God of the Bible.
Their article was nothing more than a shameless display of exploitation. They’ve simply traded one god for another in the godless practice of ancestor worship.
Pray for the kids who are subjected to these horrific lies, both in, and out of New Zealand!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
This might have simply been an oversight, but you are right, it is troublesome that a depiction of this (Maori god) should be displayed. The Mormon God worships a false God. The fact that they showed this image of another false God, is not big deal to Mormon leaders.
“Hear O my son, and receive my saying s and the years of thy life will be many.. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in the right path. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straightened,and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.take fast hold of instruction , and not let her go, for she is thy life, Enter not into the path of the wicked , avoid it, pass it by, FOR THEY SLEEP NOT UNLESS THEY CAUSE MISCHIEF AND THEIR SLEEP IS TAKEN AWAY UNLESS THEY CAUSE OTHERS TO FALL.” (Proverbs 4:10-14)
In other words Mormon leaders have always wanted to lead people astray because they can’t feel fulfilled and happy unless they do.