Mormons

We heard a lot about Mormons on our train trip as we were in northern Arizona and southeastern Utah.  The various pitches must have been written by the Mormons for they all made them look and sound normal and good.  There was repeated talk about they being persecuted and finally finding freedom to practice their religion the Salt Lake basin as those bad Methodists, Congregationalists, and Baptists back east were mean – persecuting the dear Mormon saints.  But, were they mean or was Mormon persecution for legitimate reason?  Some things that were said about Mormons in various talks on our trip:

1. “Mormons are only to drink liquor with meals.” “There are only a few liquor stores in Salt Lake City.”

From one of their sacred books, Doctrine and Covenants (their Word of Wisdom), Section 89:4-7, Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you:  In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation. That in as much as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.  And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vice, of your own make.  And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

Lovell, WY (where I pastored for 12 years) had about 2400 people with 75% being Mormons – so about 600 non-Mormons of which 100 attended church with us and 100 or so were underage or elderly leaving about 400 souls who were free to drink and they kept 6 bars open – humm??

2. “They are not to drink tea and coffee.”

D&C 89:9, And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. 

3. “Joseph Smith was murdered in Illinois.”

Why was he murdered?  He was in jail being accused of burning down the local newspaper office for writing harsh things about him such as his practice of polygamy.  He and his brother had guns in jail and they died in a gunfight while shooting others in the fight.  The Mormons claim he died “as a lamb to the slaughter.”  June 27, 1844 is a very important day to them for sacred blood was shed.

4. “They practice atonement in Jesus.”

They say that salvation is in Jesus but they deny the cross.  Joseph Smith said Jesus suffered more in Gethsemene than on the cross.  I walked the cemetery in Kanab and found only 3 crosses on tombstones (not looking at every stone, but many).

From D&C 89:18-21, And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faith. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel and not slay them. Amen.

Do you see salvation in the work of Jesus here?

5. “Mormons moved to Utah seeking freedom to practice their religion.”
   Yes, secret words and secret handshakes, polygamy, taxation tithing, secret temple ceremonies, and other.

Mormons are not Christian!  They use Christian terms and today desire to be thought of as Christian, but they deny the trinity of God, the authority of Scripture, the atonement found only in Jesus, the eternal wrath of God on rebels, and many other core Christian truths.

Mormonism gets good press and Christianity gets the silent treatment!  So sad!  AND so bad!