James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
Today we’re looking at a few things from a talk given by one of the Church’s General Authorities, Michael John U Teh. The reason his talk caught our attention was because of the subject matter. Mr. Teh laid a heavy emphasis on knowing Jesus vs. knowing about Him, alas, his talk created more confusion than direction.
You can read his talk in full at General Conference, ‘Our Personal Savior’, April 2021.
We’ve listed his comment/s followed by our observations.
First, recognize “knowing the Savior is the most important pursuit of our lives. It should take priority over anything else.”
This is absolutely true. It’s tragic Mr. Teh along with all members of the Church don’t do this.
They’re worshiping a false Jesus. They’ve admitted many times over the Jesus of Mormonism is not the Jesus of the Bible.
Second, in coming to know the Savior, the words of the prophets and scripture passages will become more meaningful as we receive a witness from the Holy Ghost.
This is also true. If you’re worshiping the God of the Bible, it means His Spirit resides inside of you, giving you discernment to detect truth from lies.
Unfortunately, Mormons believe the Holy Ghost is just an influence you can feel on occasion if you live righteously. Doctrine and Covenants 130:23.
Third, recognizing and understanding how the Atonement applies personally and individually can help us know Him.
My handy-dandy sidekick Melissa Grimes wrote an article about applying the atonement to your life. She said it reminded her of someone applying an ointment or itch cream when needed.
“The Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite and eternal and all-encompassing in its breadth and depth but wholly personal and individual in its effects.”
If you’re LDS his statement would be a tough pill to swallow. Joe Smith’s god said he was pleased with the church as a whole but not individually. How could someone take comfort in knowing their god isn’t speaking to them individually?
Doctrine and Covenants 1:30 “And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—”.
In coming to know the Savior, “I am realizing that how intimately I know the Savior significantly influences my ability to hear Him, as well as how I respond.” — Michael John U Teh
Hebrews 1:1-2 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds”.
John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
It grieves my heart knowing Mr. Teh is chasing after a false Christ who preaches a false gospel. He may get to know his Jesus better but it’s all for naught.
Pray for Mormons who live in and outside of Utah who listened to this man’s speech. While his flowery words sounded great, we know they were filled with empty promises.
You can read the summary of his talk via ChurchNews.com, or in full at the link provided above. As an observation this man spoke a lot about knowing Jesus personally, however, he spent more time repeating what others said about Jesus and not anything he personally learned about Him.
With Love in Christ —
Michelle
[…] Conference Quote: Knowing v. Knowing About Jesus General Authorities, Michael John U Teh […]
Every revelation that Joe Smith (allegedly) received from God(?), somehow benefited him, personally, financially or (sexually). Joe was known to have sent members (Orson Hyde, George Harris and others) on missions and then while they were away, marrying their wives. Joe was a bit of a playboy. He used his status (claim) as the “Worlds Only Living Prophet” to support his playboy lifestyle. Hugh Hefner had nothing on Joe Smith.
Well SoldierMP – that’s putting it mildly!
His shenanigans were well known to those both in, and out of the Church.
Ironically, the Church has never seen a problem with his behavior and made sure everything he did was made available for public consumption thru their own books, newspapers, and periodicals.
As they say, truth is stranger than fiction…
Exactly right and the church hides those little tidbits of information about Joe and Brigham’s life as a sexual predators, by encouraging members to only read material(s) sanctioned by the church. Members are told that if the church doesn’t approve of the material or, if a General Authority has not spoken specifically about a certain subject, then that particular subject should be avoided and considered as blasphemous.
A couple of young male missionaries came by a couple of years ago. We had a nice chat. When I mentioned the character, etc., of Joe Smith, they responded that all the Biblical prophets were fallen men, too. Wow. I also told them what I know about the BoM, none of it good. Evenso, they asked if they could leave a BoM with me???? Do they get points for the # of books they leave per door-knocks?