Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow

Reviewed by Eric Johnson

During 2013, LDS members will be studying the latest manual published by their church, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow. We will evaluate this book regularly, chapter by chapter, by showing interesting quotes and providing an Evangelical Christian take on this manual.

EMNR statement on Richard Mouw

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In April 2013, the leaders at the Evangelical Ministries to New Religions (EMNR) put together an offiical statement regarding Fuller Seminary President Richard Mouw. The statement is located here along with the official link.

The Plan of Salvation: A Review

The Plan of Salvation booklet was produced in 2008 and is apparently used by Mormon
 missionaries to explain the three questions that potential converts commonly ask: Where did I come from? What is my purpose in life? And where am I going? This 24-page booklet (measuring 5x7 inches) includes 8 pages of pictures, taking up one-third of the space, and is meant to be an easy read for a layperson. Since this is printed by the LDS Church (with the church's official emblem on the back cover), we will quote the booklet word-for-word, providing commentary from an Evangelical Christian perspective. What you will discover is that the doctrines of the Mormon Church when it comes to the "plan of salvation" are not in line with the teachings from the Bible.

"Love Jesus But Not Joseph"

Are you someone who belongs (or used to belong) to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Would you say that you are in a place where you love Jesus but not Joseph (Smith)? We are planning a meeting for May in Sandy, Utah to find out if there is interest in a support group. If you would like more information, please contact us: [email protected] 

Book Review: Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith

Emma Smith (1804-1879) may not be as well-known as her husband, Joseph Smith, Jr.Cover for NEWELL: Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith but understanding this woman is important for anyone who desires a more complete picture to the Mormon story. In this 1994 book, two female historical researchers—Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippets Avery—tackled the life of the first wife to the founder of the Mormon religion. This review takes a closer look at the book and sheds an interesting light on the woman whose deepest conflict with her husband involved his plural marriages to many of her friends and their daughters.

Review: "The Restoration and Early Christian Teachings"

LDS Church apologist Michael Ash wrote an article in the April 2013 church magazine Ensign ("The Restoration and Early Christian Teachings," pp. 60-65). His article explains that teachings such as premortality, work on behalf of the dead, and exaltation can be found in the writings of the Early Church Fathers. There are several problems with this view, including the fact that Mormonism teaches in a "Great Apostasy" that surely took place before these men ever wrote on these topics. In addition, the author pulls quotes from obscure sources to support his view that Mormonism must be true because it restored these lost teachings via the life of Joseph Smith and other prophets. 

 

The Martyrdom of Joseph Smith

SYNOPSIS

Critics and supporters agree that the veracity of Mormonism hinges on Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844), the founder and first prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS or Mormon Church). Smith began his own church with just six people and saw it grow and thrive, despite the many persecutions it endured. He and his brother Hyrum Smith were murdered on June 27, 1844, by an armed mob, an event that has prompted Mormons to classify them as martyrs. It has caused others, however, to raise the question whether someone who dies in a gun battle fighting against his enemies can be considered to be a martyr. A close examination of the term reveals that one must meet specific requirements to be considered a martyr, which involve, for example, the reasons why one is put to death and the way one faces such a death. An investigation of the reasons why Smith was murdered and the actions he took to avoid this fate inevitably makes it difficult to maintain that Smith was “like a lamb led to the slaughter.”

Upcoming Compassionate Boldness Symposium Dates

Learn about basic Mormon theology in a FREE seminar!

This is an incredible morning of PowerPoint presentations on a variety of topics. Symposium I deals with issues such as the Book of Mormon (lift the gold plates!), the Godhead and salvation. Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, authors of Mormonism 101 (Baker: 2000) and Answering Mormons' Questions (Kregel: 2012) and hosts of the Viewpoint on Mormonism daily radio program, will keep this fast-paced PowerPoint teaching interesting! You will be shown tactics that you can use in a loving and kind way with your LDS friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. A complete set of symposium notes is also provided. The event is sponsored by different churches across the country and is presented to individuals FREE OF CHARGE. A love offering to help cover the day's expenses will be taken. You do not have to belong to the church in order to attend!

El Cajon, CA. Symposium I. Saturday, June 1. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Foothills Christian Church, 365 W. Bradley Ave., El Cajon, CA. Draper, UT.

Draper, UT. Symposium I. Saturday, July 27. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Adventure Church, 352 W. 12300 S, Draper, UT.

Boulder City, NV. Symposium II. Saturday, September 14 9 a.m. - 1 p..m Calvary Chapel Boulder City. 1000 Nevada Way, Ste. 207, Boulder City, NV 89005. 702-454-4003 Includes a special Friday night service on 9/13 (TBA), and Bill will speak at the Sunday Services.)

Would you like to have your church host us for a Saturday morning or perhaps for a complete weekend? Let your pastor know about this opportunity or contact Eric ([email protected]) for more information.

The Mormon View of Salvation: A Gospel that is Truly Impossible (Witnessing with Six Verses)

The following article was printed in the Christian Research Journal, Vol. 34, No. 04, 2011, 6-7

A doorstep encounter with missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) may allow only a brief moment to hopefully make a lasting impression, so we must weigh our words carefully. Too many Christians make the mistake of introducing peripheral topics that can sometimes head the discussion toward an agonizing dead end.

Do I not understand your religion?

One complaint often made against Christians who are critical of Mormonism is that they just don’t “understand” Mormonism. It’s almost as if the Mormon is assuming that a person must be a Latter-day Saint in order to be accurate in any assessement of the religion. When the Mormon makes a statement saying "you just don't (or can't) understand," it might be wise to ask if you could, in three minutes, quickly list some of what you know. If you are in a face-to-face discussion, ask the Mormon to not interrupt as you go through this list. The following are 21 possible points that a Christian could make:

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