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WHY I AM NOT A MORMON

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MORMONS ARE NOT CHRISTIANS

Mormons

Compiled byKenBlue

Mormons are not Christians

A Christian is one who has accepted the gospel as presented by Paul in I Cor. 15. He has no other rule for faith and practice. Mormons believe no such thing. They call themselves Latter Day Saints. What they mean by that is that the early church went into total apostasy and that there was no gospel preached until Joseph Smith received his angelic revelation on some golden plates he found under a tree in early 1800. He also needed a special pair of spectacles, provided by the angel, before he could read the plates. The plates contained another Bible, another church, another Jesus, another god, and another plan of salvation. Thus, began the Latter Day Saints.

This is exactly how Islam was founded. An angel revealed the new religion to Mohamed 600 years after the death ofChrist. Mormons also hold in common with Islam the doctrine of multiple wives in this life and in the life to come. Islam has the advantage. The women awaiting them will be 70 brown-eyed virgins. Thus, neither religion is Christian.

“The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is typically divided into three broad time periods: (1) the early history during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, Jr. which is in common with all Latter Day Saint movement churches, (2) a “pioneer era” under the leadership of Brigham Young and his 19th Century successors, and (3) a modern era beginning around the turn of the 20th century as the practice of polygamy was discontinued.

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traces its origins to western New York, where Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement was born and raised. Joseph Smith gained a small following in the late 1820s as he was dictating the Book of Mormon, which he said was a translation of words found on a set of golden plates that had been buried near his home in western New York by an indigenous American prophet. On April 6, 1830, in western New York, Smith organized the religion’s first legal church entity, the Church of Christ. The church rapidly gained a following, who viewed Smith as their prophet. The main body of the church moved first to Kirtland, Ohio in the early 1830s, then to Missouri in 1838, where the 1838 Mormon War with other Missouri settlers ensued, culminating in adherents being expelled from the state under Missouri Executive Order 44 signed by the governor of Missouri. After Missouri, Smith built the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, near which Smith was assassinated. After Smith’s death, a succession crisis ensued, and the majority voted to accept the Quorum of the Twelve, led by Brigham Young, as the church’s leading body.”

 Paul said, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1:6-9. According to Paul, all Mormons are under God’s curse.

 Mormons do not believe any Bible is inerrant or infallible

The Church has 4 Standard Works that are authoritative:  The Bible (in so far as it is translated correctly), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.  Speeches and writings of the current president of the church are also authoritative. 

Mormons do not believe there is only one God

There are many Gods. Brigham Young-Journal of Discourses 7:333 “How many Gods there are, I do not know.  But there never was a time when there were not Gods.

Mormons do not believe Jesus is God

One of the main fundamentals of orthodox Christianity is belief in the virgin birth of the Savior.  Statements from the LDS church leaders show that they have a different view of Christ.  Bruce McConkie, a Mormon Apostle, teaches in his book, Mormon Doctrine, “Christ was begotten by an immortal father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers.”  (p. 547)  Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth President and Prophet of the Mormon Church claimed, “Christ not begotten of Holy Ghost…He was not born without the aid of Man and that Man was God!”  (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:18).  By worshipping such a being the Mormons fall under the condemnation of Romans one by changing “the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man” (1:23).

Mormons do not believe you can know for sure your are saved

The Bible is full of verses proclaiming the saving power of Christ’s blood that was shed for us on the cross.  Despite all the verses forcefully declaring the importance of Christ’s blood, the Mormon pamphlet found in almost every LDS visitors centers titled, What the Mormons think of Christ, refutes the saving grace of Christ’s sacrifice.  On page 22 we find this written, “Christians speak often of the blood of Christ and it’s cleansing power.  Much that is believed and taught on this subject is such utter nonsense and so palpably false that to believe it is to lose one’s salvation.  For instance, many believe or pretend to believe that if we confess Christ with our lips and avow that we accept Him as our personal savior we are thereby saved.  They say His blood, without any other act than mere belief makes us clean.”

Mormons do not believe one can be saved without accepting Joseph Smith as God’s Prophet. (Sounds like Islam, doesn’t it?)

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the only giver of salvation and that no man cometh unto the Father but by Him (John 3:16 & John 17:6).  The Jesus of Mormonism claims no such authority.  Mormonism teaches that in order to be saved on must believe in Joseph Smith, their founder, as well as believe in their Jesus.  In his book Doctrines of Salvation, 1:189, Joseph Fielding Smith proclaims, “NO SALVATION WITHOUT ACCEPTING JOSEPH SMITH”.  Brigham Young said, “From the day the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, Junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are.”  He also said, “No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of god without the consent of Joseph Smith” (Journal of Discourses, 7:289).

Mormons do not believe non-Mormons are saved

Orson Pratt (Mormon Apostle)–“..all other churches are entirely destitute of all authority from God; and any person who receives baptism of the Lord’s supper from their hands highly offend God, for he looks upon them as the most corrupt of all people” (The Seer, pg 255)

I could give a dozen other reasons why I am not a Mormon. Need more proof? Let me know. Most of these answers are provided by others.

675 PAKISTAN ‘HONOUR KILLING’ VICTIMS:

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675 PAKISTAN ‘HONOUR KILLING’ VICTIMS: COMMISSION
AFP – Tue, Dec 20, 2011

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(NOTE: The following story will be the fate of all women if, and when Islam becomes the accepted religion in any nation. Don’t be fooled into believing that Islam will or can coexist with any free culture.)
“Pakistani Muslim women offer Eid prayers at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore in November …
At least 675 Pakistani women and girls were murdered during the first nine months of the year for allegedly defaming their family’s honour, a leading human rights group said Tuesday.
The statistics highlight the scale of violence suffered by many women in conservative Muslim Pakistan, where they are frequently treated as second-class citizens and there is no law against domestic violence.
Despite some progress on better protecting women’s rights, activists say the government needs to do far more to prosecute murderers in cases largely dismissed by police as private, family affairs.
“A total of 675 women and girls were killed in the name of honour across Pakistan from January to September,” a senior official in the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan told AFP.
They included at least 71 victims under the age of 18.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is unauthorised to speak to the media, said figures were still being compiled from October to December, and that a full report would be released in February.
The Commission reported 791 honour killings in 2010 and there was no discernible decrease this year, the official added.
Around 450 of the women killed from January to September were accused of having “illicit relations” and 129 of marrying without permission.
Some victims were raped or gangraped before being killed, he said. At least 19 were killed by their sons, 49 by their fathers and 169 by their husbands.
Rights groups say the government should do more to ensure that women subject to violence, harassment and discrimination have effective access to justice.
Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan director at Human Rights Watch, told AFP that the state’s inability to enforce rule of law, leaving matters in the hands of tribesmen and local elders, was a major factor.
“We have a system in Pakistan where the state and judicial recourse are absent and the vacuum is filled by local elders,” he said.
“A combination of legal reforms, exercise of administrative authority and social awareness can greatly help check the honour killings,” he added.
Earlier this month, a Belgian court sentenced four members of a Pakistani family to prison for the murder of their daughter and sister, who defied them by living with a Belgian man and refusing an arranged marriage.”

little IMPERFECTIONS MAKE HUGE IMPRESSIONS #2

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A few days ago, I wrote of three things that are very important to a churches’ success, but usually overlooked by the pastor and people. Those three dealt with externals. They were the direction signs, parking, and parking lot greeters. Every pastor should consider these, and then ask himself of their church could improve in these areas.

Once we move inside the build, there are far more matters to consider, but they are just as vital.
One of these is the seating arrangement and procedures. A major mistake, I have witnessed, is having the pews to close together. In a soul winning church where you give an invitation for people to come forward, it is sometimes easier to jump over the pews than to get past others.

Another problem I see is having a center aisle. The exception would be if the building is small and there is room for only one aisle. Those who want center aisles, are usually following tradition, or think the church exists for weddings. The church does not exist for weddings. It exists for the preaching of the gospel. A pastor should not be preaching to an empty aisle, but the people in front of him.

If the building looks empty, space the seating and place some greenery around in the building. Constantly work at getting your members to sit forward. That way your guest aren’t marched up the aisle and put on the front row. Don’t underestimate the importance of properly arranged seating. Many churches at replacing their old pews with chairs, I think this would be a smart move for some churches.

A second vital in church is the lighting. I believe there should be lots of light in a church. It should be evenly balanced so there are no dark areas, such as under, or in balconies. Make the building so bright it will be difficult for people to sleep. Make sure you don’t have spotlights that blind people. If you need to, have a lighting coordinator come in and make suggestions.

A third area that is a constant problem, and must be monitored is the heating. There is nothing worse than for people to show up, and someone forgot to set the heat at a right setting.

The heat should be under the control of one person and that person under the control of the pastor. If this is not done, whoever is in charge, will give in to his wife, and her command will be his orders. No church can survive this kind of confusion. No matter who is in charge, the blame will always come back to the pastor. Therefore, he should see that it is done right, and stays that way.

It is better for a building to slightly cooler than slightly too warm. The building tempura will rise as it fills with people. Also, it is more difficult to sleep in a cold building. When the tempura goes up, people go to sleep. There will always be some dear ladies who are too warm and will use the bulletin as a fan. Remember, most of these ladies would be fanning if they were sitting on an iceberg.

None of these are not a joke. They are very serious to the health of your church. Pay attention to these little things, and the bigger things will take care of themselves.

LOVING HIM IS EASY

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By Ken Blue

 

 

 

 

Loving Him is easy if His voice you’ve heard
Loving Him is easy if you feed on His Word
Loving Him is easy if you know His grace
Loving Him is easy if you give Him first place

Loving Him is easy; He meets my every need
Loving Him is easy; He fathers each kind deed
Loving Him is easy; He comforts in each sorrow
Loving Him is easy: He’s my hope for tomorrow

Loving Him is easy if His forgiveness you’ve received
Loving Him is easy if His Word you’ve believed
Loving Him is easy if you’ve seen Him on the cross
Loving Him is easy as you see Him pay your cost

Loving Him is easy when yourself you see
Loving Him is easy when you know where you should be
Loving Him is easy, and loving Him we must
Loving Him is easy because He first love us!

LITTLE IMPERFECTIONS MAKE HUGE IMPRESSIONS

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IMPRESSIONS are very important

 

by Ken Blue

“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.” Proverbs 6:10-11

 Lord willing, I intend to write three or four articles on the above title. Dr. Jack Hyles said, “Perfection is the result of paying attention to trifles, and perfection is no trifle.” It is the little things in church that cry for attention. Church members fail to see them, but to your guest, they scream so loudly they can’t ignore them. These are the things that form impressions about your church.

One of these “little things” is the failure to see that clear directions are made available. These should start with the parking lot. Exits and entrances’ should be clearly marked so people will not be confused. Signs strategically located will leave nothing to guesswork. All classrooms, nurseries, bathrooms, children ministries and the auditorium should be indicated. In fact, a map that gives a layout of the property, and all buildings is one to the “little things” that leaves an impression. Every church should research and implement a map of directions for the building.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Greeters should be well trained and aggressive.[/pullquote]

Special parking should also be provide for guest, and the handicapped. These should be the best spots, clearly marked, and left vacant by church members. Remember, some spots should be adequate for vans to unload wheelchairs. Your faith will dictate how many guest parking spots you should have. Make sure you have an adequate number for all your guest.

Another mark of professionalism is to have a staff of parking lot greeters. These should be well trained and aggressive. They must be in the right place, at the right time, and have proper training. They should open doors for the ladies, and seek to assist in any way needed. Your guest will be impressed if this is done correctly. This going the extra mile, is just one of the “little things” that will make a difference in how people view your church. It is the Pastor’s job to make sure these are done. It is his mark of professionalism.