THE CROSS NEWSLETTER – Concerned Christians

April 2023

Over the past four years I have been writing most of the newsletter articles. Beginning this issue, we will have selected guest writers. Most of these will have former experience with Mormonism.

Kristine Nelson is a former Mormon who began leaving the LDS organization in 1996. By 1999 she had fully embraced Christ Jesus. Kristine has three adult children. Helping others has been her calling as a certified educator and athletic coach. Kristine has been an active volunteer at Concerned Christians for more than 20 years. She has shared her remarkable personal testimony in classes provided by Concerned Christians.

Gary Keating

Becoming a Woman of Christ

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

2 Corinthians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Ephesians 1:11-14

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

What does God want? He wants your total surrender…in every area of your life.

In all my growing up years, I never once heard that Jesus Christ died for all my sins on the cross. As an LDS child, my focus was centered on being worthy, perfecting my talents, and leading by example. I led a performance driven life. As a young LDS member, I knew that I had to do all I could to become ‘Christ-like’ in order to go to the celestial kingdom and even then, I may not even be good enough. That was a false tower to build. It only lead to failure. And I failed and punished myself with guilt and shame. I knew nothing of the true message of the Cross.

But the biblical Jesus came into my life years ago during a dark time. Now I know, when life falls apart, there’s always a pillar of peace. It will always be the Cross. It always comes back to the Cross and what Christ did for me there.

I am a risk-taker. I like to walk close to the edge. This risk-taking quality has served me well in many areas of my life when I’ve been met with hardship or challenges. It has helped me work hard and think creatively in order to achieve my goals. Yet because of this nature, I’ve put myself in situations that many might never enter. I’ve learned that inevitably, if the situation has characteristics that are not from God’s Word, I inevitably fall off that cliff into self-destruction. In my past, I tested this time and time again, but it always led to pain and hurt. Now I’ve learned to stay close to God’s Word, to seek His Will, to always use His Word and Godly counsel to guide me.

I don’t know about you, but I want to finish life strong in Christ. I want to be free—free from guilt, shame, and emotional strife. I want to experience peace and have no regrets. I want to live out the purpose Christ has set for me gracefully seeking his perfect will knowing my salvation is secure. Today I’ve found comfort knowing that with each decision I make, big or small, I can lift all the details up to God. I can rest in His guidance, compassion, and unending love for me. And my salvation is sure.

Kristine Nelson

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

**Beware of Twisted Truth**

Would the missionaries really tell you a lie when they come visit?

A former missionary says they will and he did. He was instructed at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) along with the other missionaries in the class to do just that.
If a candidate were to ask “Is it true I can become a god?” You must tell them NO. Tell them you are to try to be perfect like God is but you are not trying to be a god. Because, if they reject Mormonism you have caused them to lose their salvation and their blood is on your head. Yes, that is so deceitful because it is still taught in the temple. It is figured that after they were baptized they could be taught the truth later. By then they would more likely accept that truth. It is ‘milk before meat’ and you would not jeopardize your own salvation for them. That is a case of ‘lying for the Lord’ and is acceptable. Because christians are big on ‘free salvation’ missionaries would say they believe that too. What they mean is resurrection only. A mormon knows true salvation is actually earned, right up to the Celestial Kingdom. These are the reasons why we need to be out there telling churchs about the true teachings. Yes, know your Bible but even Moses and King David sent out spys to know their enemy. The best thing we can do when speaking with a Mormon is to preach Jesus to them. Tell how every sin was nailed to the cross with him, yours, mine, ALL the sins of the world. Tell them what Jesus means to you, who he is to you, what he has done for you. Don’t tell them all the things wrong with Mormonism because most often it will strengthen their testimony and the door will close. I learned this the hard way.
The majority of this information was gleaned from an interview of Duane Stromeyer by the late Andy Poland.

Paulette

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 [email protected]. Please include contact information.

Know what you believe and where to find it but never be afraid to say that you don’t know but will find out and get back with them.

Have you ever read the entire Bible or have you completed a topical study? There are many books and guidelines out there to help you with that. The purchase of a good Study Bible is always money well spent. I would also encourage you to cruise the book section at your local thrift store. Many gems have been found on their shelves.

If you are not part of a Bible study I would urge you to become a part of one very soon.

We pray for growth in Christ for you.

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