Just Truth

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of all the beliefs out there, why do you accept the one you accept? Mormons, why do you accept Mormonism, and not traditional Christianity? Same for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Christian Science, why do you lean the way you do? and Islam, why do you accept your beliefs?

I desperately want to know if there is one thing that leads you to your belief, or several. If someone were to approach you with hard evidence that your beliefs were wrong, would you stop believing? if not what would it take to make you change your mind, and switch to a different belief,or thought system?

feel free to leave comments, I look forward to them!

what about now?

Mormonism – to tackle this we need to understand a few things. Firstly, a “Mormon” is a person too, no different than you and I. secondly, they love who they think is Jesus, and worship him. Thirdly, and most concerning is the terminology they use is eerily similar to Christianity; however, it is has vastly different meanings. Before moving forward please take a look at these “common” terms used in the belief, and note the differences between them and the “Christian” view. (Definitions here)

Without getting into a deep theological discussion on Mormonism, or touching on the history, I want to focus on their version of Jesus, who their own “President Hinckley” claimed was a “Different” Jesus

“In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints ‘do not believe in the traditional Christ. ‘No, I don’t. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times’” (June 20, 1998 in a speech to LDS in France)

The “apostle” Bruce McConkie stated “virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal, uncreated, immaterial, and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 269).

Lets just, as Christians sit and read that… “Mythical throne, of a mythical Christ” Here the “apostle” McConkie denies Christ, who he is, as well as God and the Holy Spirit.. (in denying the trinity)

As stated before, we must have a standard of truth. For this I will use the Holy Bible, I believe this is the inspired, infallible word of God, and as such is the benchmark for truth. I do recognize the claim that the LDS “Church” has other “testaments” such as the book of Mormon, and while I am certain there is contained therein wisdom, and some morality, I see no evidence that these were divinely inspired. Since the LDS church teaches from these and other books, though, I will refer back to them to show where their heretical teachings lie.

We see that they believe Jesus is different, yet, when talking to a LDS person they will claim they know Christ, and often the same Christ. Here is the who/what of Jesus according to a Mormon doctrine. (only a few examples)

1. He [Jesus] is created, a spirit child of God – he became smarter than all of us, and elevated himself to being “equal” with God. During a council to decide how to deal with our sin, Jesus and Lucifer (who were brothers) both presented plans, and the counsel (Multiple gods??) Chose the plan of Jesus, so he was chosen to become the savior of the human race.

· Bruce McConkie states: “Christ the Word, the Firstborn, had of course attained unto the status of Godhood while yet in pre-existence” (What Mormons Think of Christ, p.36).

· Bruce McConkie continues: “He is the Firstborn of the Father. By obedience and devotion to the truth he attained that pinnacle of intelligence which ranked him as a God, as the Lord Omnipotent, while yet in his pre-existent state” (Mormon Doctrine, 1966, pg. 129).

· Orson Pratt: “God the Father had a plurality of wives, one or more being in eternity, by whom He begat our spirits as well as the spirit of Jesus His First Born” (The Seer, p. 172).

· “Jesus Christ is not the Father of the spirits who have taken or yet shall take bodies upon this earth, for He is one of them. He is The Son, as they are sons and daughters of Elohim.” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol.4, Appendix 4).

2. he [Jesus] was not conceived spiritually, but physically through an intimate physical relationship between “Elohim” (God) and Mary.

· Brigham Young taught: “The birth of the Savior was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood—was begotten of his Father as we were of our fathers” (Journal of Discourses vol.8, p.115); and “when the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness [flesh and blood]. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost” (Journal of Discourses, vol.1, p.50).

· Brigham Young insisted: “I will say that I was naturally begotten; so was my father, and also my Savior Jesus Christ…he is the first begotten of his father in the flesh, and there was nothing unnatural about it” (Journal of Discourses vol.8, p.211); “Now remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost” (Journal of Discourses, vol.1, p.51).

· Orson Pratt (LDS apostle) taught: “the Father and Mother of Jesus, according to the flesh, must have been associated together in the capacity of Husband and Wife…as God was the first husband to her, it may be that He only gave her to be the wife of Joseph while in this mortal state, and that He intended after the resurrection to again take her as one of his own wives to raise up immortal spirits in eternity” (The Seer. p.158, 1853).

· Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “The birth of the Savior was a natural occurrence unattended by any degree of mysticism, and the Father God was the literal parent of Jesus in the flesh as well as in the spirit” (Religious Truths Defined, p.44).

3. he [Jesus] was married, and had several children. In the book of John at the wedding at Cana, that was (in their opinion) his wedding

· Apostle Orson Hyde: “…Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee… Mary, Martha, and others were his wives … he begat children” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p.210).

· Jedediah M. Grant: “Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee, and he told them what to do… Now there was actually a marriage; and if Jesus was not the bridegroom on that occasion, please tell who was. If any man can show this, and prove that it was not the Savior of the world, then I will acknowledge I am in error. We say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into the relation whereby he could see his seed, before he was crucified” (Journal of Discourses, vol.2, p.82).

· Orson Hyde: “It will be borne in mind that once on a time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and on a careful reading of that transaction, it will be discovered that no less a person than Jesus Christ was married on that occasion. If he was never married, his intimacy with Mary and Martha, and the other Mary also whom Jesus loved, must have been highly unbecoming and improper to say the best of it” (Journal of Discourses, vol.4, p.259).

· Orson Pratt: “We have now clearly shown that God the Father had a plurality of wives, one or more being in eternity, by whom He begat our spirits as well as the spirit of Jesus His First Born… We have also proved most clearly that the Son followed the example of his Father, and became the great Bridegroom to whom kings’ daughters and many honorable wives are to be married” (The Seer, p. 172).

4. his [Jesus’] atonement was only unto resurrection, the rest needs to be earned.

· The Book of Mormon says of salvation: “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all that we can do” (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23).

· The Third Article of Faith states: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel” (Pearl of Great Price: Articles of Faith).

· Joseph Fielding Smith explains what that last phrase means: “that which man merits through his own acts through life and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel” (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.134).

· Spencer W. Kimball stated: “living all the commandments guarantees total forgiveness of sinstrying is not sufficient. Nor is repentance when one merely tries to abandon sin” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p.164-165, 354-355). and assures one of exaltation…

We can see the “Mormon” version of Jesus is a created, spirit child of Elohim and one of his many wives, who advanced in intelligence that he was made as a god. However, being a god, Jesus (according to this doctrine) was married to multiple wives, and bore many children. In doing all this, this version of Jesus has only been able, though he were a god, to save us partially. Salvation is only available to those who can keep the commandments. If this were possible, why would Jesus have come at all?

The Holy Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was our savior, the Old Testament points to Him, the New Testament tells of Him. Here we will see how the Jesus if the Bible truly is a different, and far superior Christ.

1. (The Claim He was a created “spirit being”)He is, and was, and always will be. To break down that Jesus was not a created being, and certainly not “brothers” with Lucifer, we need to look at several passages.
• Col. 1:16 – For in Him [Jesus] all things were created, both in the heavens and the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him [Jesus] and for Him [Jesus]”

· If agree that Lucifer was created ((Ez. 28:13,15,17) we can see that from the above there is no way he could be a brother to Jesus, would the above not then make Jesus above Lucifer? Make Jesus a “father” as opposed to brother?

• John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”

· Clearly speaking of the Lord Jesus, “in the beginning” (some definitions of “Beginning” are

· beginning, origin

· the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader

· that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause

· This should leave no question that Jesus was not created, and was not a “spirit child” . John shows us the “in the beginning” Jesus was…

2. (The claim He was conceived physically) There was a physical conception? There is no evidence in the bible to support this.

· Luke 1:26 – 1:37:

26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[c] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God.”

· Luke 1:37 “for nothing is impossible with God” why was it necessary to say this? Unless the conception was miraculous.

· How could Mary remain a “virgin” if there was physical interaction?

· In all honesty this seems as an attempt to limit God to our understanding, and saying that because we cannot do this, He cannot either. (Just my opinion)

3. (the claim He was married) Mormons say He was married. Jesus married? Again no evidence to support this.
• Mormons claim the wedding at Cana was the wedding of Jesus. Honestly this is simply impossible, because if we read the Scripture (John 2:1) 1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

· Why would the text specify Jesus and his disciples were invited, if this was HIS OWN wedding?

· This Scripture was obviously provided to show the first Miracle of Jesus, for no other reason.

· This is obviously not a document of Jesus’ wedding.

4. (The claim His work on the cross was insufficient) Mormonism claims Jesus’ work on the cross was only unto resurrection, but that more needed to be in order to attain “salvation”
• Just looking at Joseph smith JR’s comment Ephesians 2:8 – 9 comes to mind.

· 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

· In my honest opinion what else needs to be said? Do these two verses not utterly destroy the works by merit that Joseph Smith claims?

· Spencer Kimball said “trying is not sufficient, nor is repentance” (when one merely tries to abandon sin) Hmm, so how then can we be saved?

Quite obviously the Jesus of the Bible is, has, and always will be God. He is the second person in the trinity, never created, but has always been. The Jesus of the Bible, since he was not created, but is creator, is father of all things, great and small, spiritual, and physical. Though He was at the wedding in Cana, this was not His wedding, as He was not married. He had no wives. The Jesus of the Bible being free of sin, is able to save to the uttermost. This is not something we can do, but a free gift from God. Who is able to stand before the Lord, and beat his chest and say “I have earned my way here!” – no one, all of our ways are filthy rags before a holy and mighty God.

I invite comments on this post please remain civil. (Thanks!) There are hundreds of more false claims from Black people are a curse, to Quakers living on the moon (and SUN!) these are only a few to point out the obvious differences between the real Jesus and the mormon version of Christ.

I invite anyone with further questions, anyone interested in hearing more about the real Christ, or with questions concerning Mormonism, or Christianity to e-mail me at info@justtruth.net

Sources

Book of Mormon

http://www.leaderu.com/offices/michaeldavis/docs/mormonism/jesus-refs.html – (most of the quotes came from this site)

http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm

Mormonwiki.org

The Holy Bible

what is it that makes an Atheist (or even some Christians) believe in “Evolution”. Recently I’ve been really thinking, how can some people, supposedly brilliant people accept evolution. I’ve listened to people like Kent Hovind (on creation), and read stuff about evolution, and I just do not see why some people accept this as fact.

Darwinism, or evolution is based on genetic mutations developing one life form into another life form. (e.g. monkey to man) in order to survive, or thrive in any given environment. Grasping at straws evolutionists claim stuff like “Australopithecus Afrensis” which is basically a big monkey.. they claim it’s the missing link. However there is no hard evidence of this. So why is it accepted as fact?

Numerous tests have been done ever since this ridiculous “theory” began, and as early as the late 1800′s a monk/botanist (Gregor Mendel) proved the theory to be basically invalid. Mutations can not be passed down through generations. Other than that ALL OBSERVED mutations have only caused destruction or weakness in the organism, which in natural selection would have caused the demise of the affected organism, thus eliminating it from the gene pool (again, if these mutations were able to be passed along)

Darwin supposed that to support his theory there would have had to have been countless “transitional” forms leading to the organism we see today, however in the hundred + years since we’ve been digging up bones NOT ONE SINGLE FOSSIL has been found to suport this theory. Yet it’s taught in our schools, it’s accepted as fact and to think of creation as an option leads to ridicule. All life seems to have appeared in it’s original form “all of the sudden” on the planet.

I’ve posted a video on YouTube asking what leads you to believe in Evolution, and would very much love to hear what you have to say. At this point I am not going to debate things, I simply want to hear what convinced you that this theory of evolution is fact?