The Cross Newsletter
February 2024
WITNESS TO MORMONS
From Our Warehouse of Literature
A Third Book for Understanding Mormonism
This informative book was developed after Concerned Christians was founded in 1979. WITNESS TO MORMONS was selected as the title. At that time of publication there was no problem referring to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Mormons. However, the current President/Prophet is requiring the membership ONLY to use the whole formal name of the organization, discarding the titles MORMON and LDS.
Over time this publication has been our best, most requested book for teaching the uninitiated learner about the details of Mormonism.
WITNESS TO MORMONS
From Our Warehouse of Literature
A Third Book for Understanding Mormonism
This informative book was developed after Concerned Christians was founded in 1979. WITNESS TO MORMONS was selected as the title. At that time of publication there was no problem referring to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Mormons. However, the current President/Prophet is requiring the membership ONLY to use the whole formal name of the organization, discarding the titles MORMON and LDS.
Over time this publication has been our best, most requested book for teaching the uninitiated learner about the details of Mormonism.
The introduction page contains a list of contributors and staff who were involved in preparing this informative book. Although the LDS Corporation has been making big efforts to appear to be mainstream Christian, their theology has not changed.
Pages 1-5 are informative basics you should know to understand your Mormon friend. This includes a picture describing the Mormon tri-level afterlife.
Pages 6-29 you will find a three-column comparison describing;
THE MORMON DOCTRINE says,
MORMON SCRIPTURE says,
THE BIBLE says.
Pages 30-41 equip you with more detailed knowledge of other Mormon documents of faith and function. A comparison of Joseph Smith’s teaching and Jesus’ Biblical words completes your crash-course for understanding what your Mormon friend believes.
The LDS Corporation is moving their organization forward in an attempt to be a ‘denomination of Christianity’. They are teaching Christian thoughts about Jesus, faith, and grace, as if they believe the Scripture. However, when the context of their teaching is examined, they have not left their Joseph Smith belief system.
Witness to Mormons will help you be prepared to evaluate the new LDS Corporation public approach.
Contact Concerned Christians for your personal copy. Call Gary at 480.209.8279 or email [email protected].
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
CULT OR CULTIC?
I read a publication recently by Sharon Lindbloom, writing for the Mormonism Researched periodical. She was evaluating a book named UNSAFE SECTS Understanding Religious Cults (yes, it is a play on words) written by Roger E. Olson, professor emeritus at Baylor University. The professor contends that the use of the word CULT is too broad a term, preferring CULTIC. He proposes that any group being examined should be weighed by tendencies or characteristics which help describe a group and their cultic tendencies. Using the word CULT to describe particular groups is similar to painting with a wide paint brush. It is better to deal with smaller practices of any group than using terms or titles that carry a negative reaction from its members.
I will list 10 characteristics which describe cult-like behaviors. These 10 characteristics parallel those listed by Sharon Lindbloom. After reading them I will leave it up to you to draw conclusions. However, calling anyone in a particular group a CULT usually has negative reactions. Hence, I would stay away from using the term.
- Belief that only members of the group are true Christians, excluding any others. They alone hold the direction to spiritual completeness.
- Aggressive evangelization of followers adhering to a different religious belief system.
- Teaching radically new concepts for redemption from which their original host faith teaches.
- Intentional deceptive teachings departing from the historic teachings of the original religion or faith.
- Leadership structured for authoritarian control of the followers with intimidation meant to eliminate challenges.
- Cryptic higher level belief system known only to the upper-level believers after proceeding through special initiation requirements.
- Restricted boundaries between the believers and the mainstream world. Separation from family and friends who are not believers is extremely important.
- Total rejection of former believers who have left the group. Spiritual benefits of the group are totally lost.
- Extreme demand and total day-by-day planning for followers without ‘free time’ for external personal enjoyment is practiced.
- Authority of leadership is emphasized by personal control of follower’s daily activities.
As you read through the list you probably made mental connections with people you love who are in a religious belief system fitting some or all of these characteristics.
I would suggest that you stay away from the CULT word. It tends to divide immediately.
On the positive side, I recommend you become familiar with their religious thoughts. In the newsletter this month we have featured WITNESS TO MORMONS. This is an excellent publication for expanding your understanding of LDS Corporation beliefs.
Your Mormon friends need you right now. Their organization is tenaciously hanging on to the belief system taught by Joseph Smith. However, it is under attack by truth in its home state of Utah. If you want to follow this more closely, subscribe to the Salt Lake City Tribune online. You will receive the daily newspaper on your computer.
It is time for all Christians to be prepared for helping our friends and neighbors who have been in this belief system.
Gary Keating
| Current News from Utah |
Dateline February 19, 2024 The LDS CHURCH is allowing some of its often empty ward houses and meeting houses to be used as ‘community learning centers’. SALT LAKE CITY TRIBUNE |
Our tax donation forms had an incorrect date, 2024, which should have been 2023. Also one posting of checks was never done. Please check your totals.
Concerned Christians have contracted to support MICHAEL and LYNN WILDER on radio 1360 AM in the Phoenix area, Friday at 4-4:30pm. The show will air thru May.
If you would like to help with this venture please mark your donation “Wilder Podcast”
We at Concerned Christians meet every MONDAY evening for an hour of prayer at 6:30 p.m. If you are not local, please set that time aside to voice your concerns from your prayer space. If you are local and would like to attend, we ask you to call 480-833-2537 for directions. We truly look forward to meeting and praying with you in the War Room. We ask that you add Concerned Christians to your prayer list along with any other Mormon witnessing group you are familiar. The importance of intercessory prayer cannot be stressed enough. We have seen God grant many blessings to us over the years. If you have a ministry related request please send us a short email. [email protected]
“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”
I Thessalonians 1:2
We pray for opportunities to speak with Christians because we firmly believe “It is easier to keep them out than to get them out.”
If you would be interested in sharing your testimony of being delivered from the LDS Corporation into the family of the triune God, please send it to i[email protected] Please include contact information.
Your faith must be defensible with your mind and based on the word of God. Can you find those verses? How difficult is it for you to talk about your faith to a believer? To an unbeliever? Where might you improve? Do you have a devotion time that includes reading your Bible? Think on these things.
Paulette
Gary and Sandie Keating will be teaching at
Strawberry Chapel in Pine/Strawberry, AZ.
8579 Fossil Creek Rd, Pine.
They will have a former LDS member with them.
If you can’t attend, please pray.
If you prefer to pen a check please mail it to:
PO BOX 18, Mesa, AZ 85211
Concerned Christians is a Non-Profit 501 (C) (3) organization and donations are tax deductible. We thank you for your support.
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