World Religions in a Nutshell (5 page)

^■
Keep the Commandments, follow
all
the laws and ordinances of the church, do good works, tithe to the church.

^■
Keep the “Word of Wisdom” by abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, and be found worthy.

^■
Then
they can earn a “temple recommend,” which is the only way they can enter a Mormon temple. There they need to fulfill their temple work: have a Celestial Marriage, do genealogical work, be baptized for the dead, go through a set of rituals, and learn secret handshakes to enable them to enter the third level of the celestial kingdom. For those who achieve this highest of heavens, exaltation awaits them. They can become a god!

This lifelong labor to earn salvation is the new “gospel” that the “angels” gave to Joseph Smith—a salvation by works
and not by faith alone. The Book of Mormon says, “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved,
after all we can do
”
(2 Nephi 25:23).

Yet the Bible makes it very clear that salvation has nothing to do with our works: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works
, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9). Titus wrote, “
Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). Salvation is a gift from God that we must receive by faith alone, because you cannot possibly do anything to earn it. But look at this quote by a Mormon prophet and church president:

“
One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation.” (Spencer W. Kimball,
Miracle of Forgiveness
, p. 206)

Mormon Customs

Mormons are well-known for their interest in genealogy. But do you know why? LDS members believe it is their responsibility to be baptized on behalf of the dead. If family members (or anyone) have died without accepting Mormonism, they can still make it to Heaven, if their names are taken to the Temple and someone is baptized on their behalf. Because they don’t have a body, the ordinance is done for them by proxy, giving the dead the opportunity to accept Mormonism in the spirit world.

They base the practice on 1 Corinthians 15:29: “Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?” But notice how Paul disassociates himself from the pagan practice by using the word “they,” not “we.”

Some Mormons are even married on behalf of the dead,
by going through the marriage ceremony in their place. This supposedly enables a dead person to make it out of “Spirit Prison” and into a higher level of Heaven.

The Mormon church has over 50,000 volunteer missionaries working throughout the world, performing community service and sharing the “gospel” of the LDS church. Missionaries are usually 19 to 21 years old, and serve for either 18 months or 2 years.

How to Reach a Mormon

We’ve just scratched the surface of Mormonism, but it should be very clear to you that even though Mormons use language that sounds Christian, it is not a Christian religion. It is a manmade religion invented by Joseph Smith, and it is heresy. A religion cannot teach that Jesus is the brother of Lucifer, that you and I can become gods, and that we’re saved by grace “after all we can do,” and still be labeled part of Christianity.

It is our responsibility to reach out to Mormons with the truth and love. If we care about them, we need to tell them there is a very real Hell and that the only way to be saved is not through the Church of Joseph Smith, but by God’s grace alone, through faith in Christ alone. So how do we do that?

There are several approaches you can take. If you have a good memory and a sharp mind, you can sword fight with Mormons using some of the information we’ve covered. Show them who God and Jesus really are according to the Bible, and how the Mormon “gospel” is “another gospel.” But be prepared. If you get into an argument about Joseph Smith, becoming a god, and Jesus being the brother of Satan, it can get heated pretty quickly, because you’re attacking the very things they—and more than likely their family and friends—believe.

There is another way to reach Mormons that is very simple and effective. Although Mormons may appear confident and self-assured on the outside, many are dealing with a great deal of stress because they are striving for perfection. That’s the goal of their religion: to “be perfect as their Father in Heaven is perfect.” They are taught that the only way God will bring them to Heaven is if they are “worthy.” Well, the obvious question in every Mormon’s mind is, “Am I worthy enough?”

What you can do is reinforce their predicament. Show them that they are not even close to being perfect or “worthy” through their efforts. The Bible says that even our good works are like filthy rags in the eyes of a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). Mormons are just like the rest of us—sinners, by nature children of wrath, separated from God because of our sins, and deserving of His terrible justice. No amount of good works can ever make anyone “perfect” or save them from eternal Hell.

You must show them that the leap they’re trying to make to Heaven is a thousand times wider than the Grand Canyon—it’s impossible. This is actually good news for the Mormons, because it strips them of their false hope and opens the door for you to explain the true gospel that can actually save them. Share with them the hope that is found only in the true Jesus: “For by one offering He has
perfected forever
those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).

Witnessing to a Mormon

You:
Hi, guys. Nice bikes.

Marvin:
Thanks.

You:
Where are you from?

Marvin:
Salt Lake City.

You:
Nice place. I love the mountains. My name is [your name
here].

Marvin:
I’m Marvin and this is Erik.

You:
Nice to meet you both.

Marvin:
Nice to meet you also.

You:
I have a question for you. What do you think happens after someone dies?

Marvin:
They go to be with Heavenly Father.

You:
Everybody?

Marvin:
No. Some go to a lower Heaven.

You:
Do you think you will go to be with Heavenly Father?

Marvin:
I hope so.

You:
Do you think that you are good enough to go there?

Marvin:
Yes, I believe so. I do my best.

You:
Have you kept the Ten Commandments?

Marvin:
I think I have.

[If he says that he has broken some of the Commandments, ask which ones. Still go through the Law. You need to personalize his sin, as Paul did in Romans 2:21–24.]

You:
Let’s go through a few of the Commandments to see how you do. How many lies do you think you have told in your whole life? I mean real lies, not just “white” lies.

[Remember to make a distinction between what he perceives as permissible lies and deceitfulness. Otherwise, he may trivialize his lying.]

Marvin:
I’ve told many lies in the past.

You:
How many? Ten? Hundreds?

Marvin:
Probably a hundred.

You:
What do you call someone who tells lies?

Marvin:
You would normally call them a “liar.” But I’ve repented.