“You have not only the numbers but the spiritual power to change the world. I have watched you doing just that during this pandemic.”
He then gives them three principles to help them navigate the current situation the world is in now.
As I read this quote a couple thoughts came into my mind. I asked myself – What “spiritual power’ is he referring to, and where are these powers coming from?
When I hear Mormons use phrases like this it tends to give me an uneasy feeling. The religion has always had a New Age vibe to it and always embraced, and incorporated aspects of the spiritual realm into their teachings.
This becomes noticeably clear when you get into the “deeper doctrines” of the religion and their temple ceremonies.
His first principle, Create Places of Security gives a possible glimpse into the power he is referring to.
“The temple—the house of the Lord—is a place of security unlike any other. There, you sisters are endowed with priesthood power through the sacred priesthood covenants you make.”
Reading this quote made me think of the film shown in the Temple Endowment ceremony where Satan shows Adam and Eve his apron and tells them it represents his priesthood and power.
After the two eat of the fruit God forbid them not to, they make aprons for themselves. Those who are watching the film are instructed by the narrator of the film to put on their own aprons which bear a striking resemblance to the one Satan had on.
From a Christian point of view, we know that God can and does give us power/strength to do things according to His will.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Psalm 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: The God of Israel is he That giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
In his second principle, Prepare Your Mind to be Faithful to God he says –
“Further, few things build faith more than does regular immersion in the Book of Mormon……. The Book of Mormon is our latter-day survival guide.”
(Notice no mention of the Bible there.)
What does God tell us to use as a “guide”?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Why do Mormons bother carrying around the Bible if it’s of no use to them? Could it be because if people knew God’s Word and mediated on it, they would see the errors in Mormonism?
In the third principle Never Stop Preparing he states –
“The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing! The more self-reliant we are—temporally, emotionally, and spiritually—the more prepared we are to thwart Satan’s relentless assaults.”
How are they to prepare? Through temple attendance, and reading the Book of Mormon? They are told to “never stop preparing”. Think about that for a minute.
This is the constant drum beat in Mormonism, they are to never stop trying to check all the boxes, and never stop trying to live up to the expectations of a works righteous system.
I can tell you from experience this way of life is exhausting. You never feel that you’ve done enough and will never be good enough. My heart truly breaks for them.
I wish they could know the peace a relationship with Jesus Christ brings. It’s a life that is lived by desiring to please God, not man.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
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