1 Corinthians 2:5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the Power of God.”
Today we’re doing things a little differently – woo-hoo!
A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a good friend, Melissa Brown, who’s participated in comments on our blog. Her heart was burdened with the news she read about the late Ravi Zacharias and wanted to know if she could say something about it on the blog.
Melissa had two major concerns about the news she read –
1.Christians should be warned about the lifestyle he lied about and hid for numerous years.
2.Mr. Zacharias’ lifestyle was a close reflection of Joseph Smith’s. In light of how the Church welcomed Ravi into the SL Tabernacle, Mormons should also be alerted to the wily ways of these two men.
After prayer and our exchanges, I’ve no doubt her article will prove valuable to those who read what she has to say!
With Love in Christ –—
Michelle
From Melissa Brown —
As I read the Open Letter from Ravi Zacharias International Ministry (RZIM), regarding Ravi Zacharias’ long time, illicit and perverted double life, I wondered…Why does Joseph Smith get a free pass? Why is his behavior okay?
Unlike the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Church), RZIM has not defended, covered up, lied or minimized Mr. Zacharias’s abuse of power and RZIM’s funds.
Dictionary.com defines predator as “a person, group, business that exploits, victimizes, or preys on others”.
Joseph Smith by definition was also a predator, both spiritual and sexual.
Joseph Smith often told victims their salvation was dependent on those secret marriages.
“After which he said to me if you will take this step, it will ensure your eternal salvation and exaltation”. – BYU Religious Studies Center “A Subject Can Bear Investigation”.
Many were told by Joseph Smith to keep those arrangements a secret.
“Participants in these early plural marriages pledged to keep their involvement confidential” – LDS.org Essays
Victims were also told by Joseph Smith his life was in jeopardy if they didn’t comply.
“The angel came with a drawn sword, threatening Joseph with destruction unless he went forward and obeyed the commandment fully”. – LDS.org Essays
Joseph Smith preyed on victims as young as 14 years old (Helen Mar Kimball). As well as women who were married to other men (Marinda Hyde), how is that okay?
These are just a few of many examples of coercion and abuse of power.
In 1842 Joseph Smith wrote what is now known, and often quoted, by the General Authorities as “The Happiness Letter”, to a 19-year-old Nancy Rigdon, in order to convince her to marry him. You can read the “Letter” in the above link, to get an understanding of the manipulation tactics he used.
Like Ravi Zacharias, Joseph Smith used his self-proclaimed authority to coerce his victims.
Please understand, this isn’t a matter of whose behavior is more despicable, or who had more victims. It’s actually a matter of taking accountability, and doing the right thing. This kind of behavior is not from God and cannot be defended.
2 Peter 2:13 says “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not”.
Again, God’s Word reminds us in the above passage 1 Corinthians 2:5, not to get caught up in the wisdom of men and warns us to put our trust in Him alone.
Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.”
Melissa Brown
[…] JOSEPH SMITH AND RAVI ZACHARIAS: AN ABUSE OF POWER […]
Thank you Melissa
Thanks Kirk👍… your wife is sneaky 😀
God is so amazing…..warning us that Ravi and Joe were on the horizon (and many others). Stay in the WORD to avoid charlatans and evil doers.
Jim Jones, David Berg, David Koresh, Warren Jeffs, and recently Keith Raniere…And many others indeed. Thank you Sandra 🙂