We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Friday, May 27, 2016

Mormon Gospel Topics Essays


The second workshop we attended at the EMNR conference was taught by Bill McKeever of Mormonism Research Ministry.  The topic was about the recent essays published by the Mormon Church, and how they are affecting the membership.  While I’ve posted the information about this class on my “Anti-Mormon Blog” I thought it would be a good idea to post it on this blog also.

In 2013 the LDS church began posting a series of essays intended to show that they are being more “transparent” about their history and beliefs but, as usual for the LDS, they told mostly half-truths and even lies.  Even so, the information provided has been truthful enough that many Mormons have finally learned that sites like mine, which expose the LDS for what they are, have actually been telling the truth!  This becomes quite disconcerting for them, and many have left the LDS because of this.

The LDS has the following to say concerning the Gospel Topic Essays.
Recognizing that today so much information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be obtained from questionable and often inaccurate sources, officials of the Church began in 2013 to publish straightforward, in-depth essays on a number of topics. The purpose of these essays, which have been approved by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has been to gather accurate information from many different sources and publications and place it in the Gospel Topics section of LDS.org, where the material can more easily be accessed and studied by Church members and other interested parties.

Notice that sites like the Utah Lighthouse Ministry, Mormonism Research Ministry, et al (including my "anti-Mormon" blog) are considered “questionable and often inaccurate sources.”  Of course they’ve never demonstrated anything on these sites is ever inaccurate, but by saying so they hope to keep Mormons from learning the truth.

Mormonism Research Ministry has published responses to these essays so as to demonstrate where the LDS is not being as forthcoming as they claim.  Below are the topics of the LDS essays, the dates they were first posted, and the links to both the LDS article and the MRM commentary:

Are Mormons Christian?  (11/20/13)

Becoming Like God  (2/24/14)

Book of Mormon Translation (12/30/13)

Book of Mormon and DNA Studies (1/31/14)

First Vision Accounts (11/20/13)

Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women (10/23/15)

The Manifesto and the End of Plural Marriage (12/23/13)

Mother in Heaven (10/23/15)

Peace and Violence among 19th Century Latter-day Saints (5/13/14)

Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah (12/16/13)

Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo (10/22/14)

Race and the Priesthood (12/6/13)

Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham (5/13/14)


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