Faith
Throughout my life I have studied religion. My faith in God has become a pearl of great price to me. Jeremiah 29:13 “And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.” Religion to me is a life long journey of searching, experiencing and coming to know what faith in God is all about.
Below are some thoughts and scripture references I have used to answer or resolve concerns that I have encountered about the gospel of Jesus Christ, being a believer in God, and being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Other Resources for Apologetics
Websites
- http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/index.html
- http://www.shields-research.org/index.htm
- http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
- http://www.missionaryhelper.com/resources/
Books
- Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions by Joseph Fielding McConkie
- Missionary Pal Reference Guide for Missionaries and Teachers by Kieth Marston
- The Reason For God by Timothy Keller
Importance of Priesthood Authority – why your church when so many
- Hebrew 5:4 Priesthood is God given.
- Exodus 28:1 Aaron is called of God through a prophet (Moses)
- Num. 27:18-23 Method of ordination; laying on of hands
- 1 Tim 4:14 Laying on of hands continues in the New Testament
- 2 Tim 1:6 Paul laid his hands on Timothy
- Matt. 3:13-15 Priesthood required for baptism
- John 15:15-16 God chooses you…not you Him; you cannot take the honor upon yourself
- Acts 8:17-20 Man cannot purchase authority
- Luke 9:1 Priesthood given to Apostles
- Matt. 28:18 Christ has all power
- Acts 19:13-16 Priesthood is necessary to heal
- Mosiah 21:32-35 Baptism must be performed by one holding authority
- DC 84:19-21 Authority necessary to exercise the power of God
The Apostasy
- Amos 8:11-12 God will send a famine of hearing the words of the Lord
- Luke 11:49-50 Why God would allow a famine of His words “God did not leave us, we left God”
- Acts 20:28-30 Apostasy in the early church
- Gal 1:6-7 Saints begin to be “removed” from Christ
- 2 Thes 2:1-3 A falling away before Christ comes again
- 1 Tim 4:1-3 In the latter times, some will depart from the faith
- 2 Tim 3:1-7 Denying the power of God in the last days
- 2 Tim 4:3-4 Paul teaches that people will depart from the truth
- 2 Nep 28 Nephi prophesied about apostasy…false churches, doctrines, etc.
- Morm. 8:28,31-41 Book of Mormon brought forth when power of God will be denied
- 2 Pet 2:1-2 False teachers will bring damnable heresies
- 1 John 4:1-3 Spirit of anti-Christ already being manifest
Polygamy, Why did your church allow a man to have more than one wife?
- Gen 16:1-3 Abraham took Hagar to be his wife (already married to Sarai)
- Gen 25:6(1-6) Abraham had concubines
- 2 Sam 12:8 The Lord gave David his wives
- Jacob 2:27,30 Polygamy only allowed when commanded by God
- Isaiah 55:8-9 The Lord commands using wisdom higher than ours
- DC 132:34-40, 45 By revelation, plural marriage was practiced in the Old Testament times and In the early days of the restored church by direction of the prophet who held the priesthood keys
- DC OD 1 The church no longer practices polygamy
** At that time God would rather every one enjoy the blessings of marriage than live lonely life. At that time there were many more women than men in the church, crossing plains and living in this day of age alone was not as feasible as it is now. No one was forced into polygamy against their will, nor will they be in the future.
** Isaiah 55:8-9 Gods ways and thoughts are not our ways and thoughts, his thoughts are higher. Though our society may not accept certain things because of social norms, God lives and commands by a higher standard than our social norms. Our social norms often hold back God from commanding things that we be uncomfortable for us to live based on our social norms.
** Much like our society is not ready to live in a Zion society it appears that the Lord will not require us to live a law that is too out of synch or too uncomfortable for us base on the social norms of our time. Indeed there are cases when God commands us to do things that are not in line with society at the time, and certainly we are to be a peculiar people. So it is as if some commandments have an asterisk on them, which states “subject to change based on future needs, and conditions”. Again, God does not change, but peoples and societies change, and God will modify laws to best serve his purposes and the betterment of his children for the conditions at that time.
Blacks and the priesthood – was your church racist
- 1 Cor 13:9-11
** Joseph Smith strongly advocated freeing slaves as part of his presidential platform
** There are many examples of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young taking in African Americans and supporting and welcoming them into the church. Under much scrutiny from their critics and society at the time the church offered education and equal rights for blacks in Nauvoo.
** So why weren’t they allowed the priesthood. We don’t know. But we have many quotes of prophets saying the time would come, but they just didn’t know why and when. To be clear, the Church does not say it is a punishment for Cain’s transgression. Apostle Legrand Richards makes this very clear in his interview just after the Church announcement in 1978.
** The best explanation for this is from the interview Apostle Legrand Richard gave just after the announcement. He explains that even Apostles and the Church. Find the interview here http://www.geocities.com/solmes.geo/aam-legrandrichards.html
“WALTERS: Is there still a tendency to feel that people are born with black skin because of some previous situation, or do we consider that black skin is no sign anymore of anything inferior in any sense of the word? RICHARDS: Well, we don’t want to get that as a doctrine. Think of it as you will. You know, Paul said (1 Cor 13:9-11) “Now we see in part and we know in part; we see through a glass darkly. When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away, then we will see as we are seen, and know as we are known.” Now the Church’s attitude today is to prefer to leave it until we know.”
** If Paul who lived in Christ’s time admits that they saw in part, and they prophesied in part, and that they “saw through a glass darkly”, then we should also expect to not be able to know and prophesy all things perfectly and right when they are suppose to be prophesied, for we also “see through a glass darkly.”
**Bruce R. McConkie talk at BYU – http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=11017
We have revelations that tell us that the gospel is to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people before the Second Coming of the Son of Man. And we have revelations which recite that when the Lord comes he will find those who speak every tongue and are members of every nation and kindred, who will be kings and priests, who will live and reign on earth with him a thousand years. That means, as you know, that people from all nations will have the blessings of the house of the Lord before the Second Coming.
We have read these passages and their associated passages for many years. We have seen what the words say and have said to ourselves, “Yes, it says that, but we must read out of it the taking of the gospel and the blessings of the temple to the Negro people, because they are denied certain things.” There are statements in our literature by the early Brethren which we have interpreted to mean that the Negroes would not receive the priesthood in mortality. I have said the same things, and people write me letters and say, “You said such and such, and how is it now that we do such and such?” And all I can say to that is that it is time disbelieving people repented and got in line and believed in a living, modern prophet. Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.
We get our truth and our light line upon line and precept upon precept. We have now had added a new flood of intelligence and light on this particular subject, and it erases all the darkness and all the views and all the thoughts of the past. They don’t matter any more.
** We do not yet have all revelation and more revelation will continue to come. Sometime our social norms stop revelation from coming. When we seek the Lord on a matter, with sufficient faith and devotion, he gives us an answer. You will recall that the Book of Mormon teaches that if the Apostles in Jerusalem had asked the Lord, he would have told them about the Nephites. But they didn’t ask, and they didn’t manifest that faith; and they didn’t get an answer.
** This appears to be partially similar to the issue surrounding polygamy, where societal norms and conditions affect the revelations.
** Black and Mormon, Never Racist. Article By: Marcus H. Martins, Ph.D. says, Religions are not necessarily racist. People carry in their minds cultural traits and shared beliefs of their larger societies. Unfortunately, instead of using their religious beliefs to refine their cultural beliefs, they try to use an interpretation of their religious beliefs to validate their culture. That’s how African slavery was supported for centuries by most of the religious establishment. As a sociologist I see as almost unavoidable the influence of cultural traits and social norms on religious life. Even the Church’s founder, Joseph Smith Jr., acknowledged that possibility by stating in 1835 that “… many, having a zeal not according to knowledge, and not understanding the pure principles of the doctrine of the Church, have, no doubt, in the heat of enthusiasm, taught and said many things which are derogatory to the genuine character and principles of the Church; and for these things we are heartily sorry, and would apologize, if apology would do any good.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.80)
I have already been baptized!!!
- Acts 19:1-6 People are re-baptized in Christ’s name
- Acts 10:44-48 Baptism for all
- Mosiah 18:8-10 Covenant of baptism set forth
- 3 Nep 11:23-27 Mode of baptism set forth
- DC 22 100 baptisms will not benefit anyone if not performed properly
- DC 68:27 The correct age of baptism set forth
- 1 Pet 3:20-21 Correct age of baptism is 8; read carefully…”the like figure”
The Restoration
- Isaiah 29:13-14 “A Marvelous Work and a Wonder”
- Daniel 2:44-45 God’s kingdom to be established in the last days, not to be left to other people (compare with Matt 21:43)
- Mal 3:1-3 John the Baptist to prepare the way for the second coming
- Mal 4:5-6 Elijah to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers…
- Acts 3:19-21 “Restitution of all things”
- Eph 1:9-10 All things gathered in the dispensation of the fullness of times
- Titus 2:13 Possible allusion to the first vision
- Rev 14:6-7 An angel (possibly Moroni) bringing the everlasting gospel
- 2 Nep 3:5-15 Prophecy of Joseph Smith and the restoration
- JSH 1:15-20 Joseph Smith sees God the Father and Jesus Christ
- DC 5:9-10 This generation shall have the word of God through Joseph Smith
- DC 1:30 The “only true and living church” established
Baptism for the dead
- Acts 10:34-35 Respecter of persons? All nations have a chance to accept Him.
- John 3:5 Man must be baptized to enter the Kingdom of Heaven
- 1 Cor 15:29 Baptisms for the dead in the early days
- John 5:25 The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God
- Isaiah 24:22 Dead shall be as prisoners until they are “visited”
- 1 Pet 3:18-19 Spirits were visited and taught in prison
- 1 Pet 4:6 Gospel preached unto them that were dead
- DC 131:6 It is impossible for man to be saved in ignorance
- DC 138:30-37 Those who die without a knowledge of truth shall be taught
- DC 124:29-32 Need for a temple to perform baptisms for the dead
- DC 127:5-9 A record to be kept on baptisms for the dead
Why pay a full tithe?
- Mal 3:8-11 Will a man rob God? Blessings promised for tithing (3 Nep 24:8-11)
- Luke 21:1-4 Parable of the widow’s mite
- John 3:27 Everything we have is God’s
- Mosiah 2:20-22 We are indebted to God.
- 3 Nep 13:33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God (Matt 6:33)
- Luke 11:42, Heb 7, DC 64:23
Why do I need to go to Church? Why not worship God where I feel closer to him, home, woods, etc..
- Rom 10:14 You need a preacher to learn
- Acts 8:30-31 You need someone to explain it to you, you need a teacher
- Moroni 6:5-6,9 God commands saints to gather together often to fast, pray, etc.
- Gal 1:11-12 The gospel doesn’t come by man, but by revelation
- Amos 3:7 Revelation comes from prophets
- Eph 4:11-14 Apostles and prophets teach saints knowledge about the Son of God
- Eph 2:19-20 No longer strangers…but a part of the Household of God
- 1 Cor 11:2 Paul reminds the saints to keep the ordinances he delivered to them
- DC 59:9-13 Sabbath day observance described.
** How can a person receive gospel knowledge from the apostles and prophets as well as all the necessary ordinances without attending church? Why would the Lord even establish a church if it was not necessary to attend?
** The church is not just for worship, it is for perfecting the saints. People are perfected when they interact and they are given opportunities to serve, grow, and learn from each other.
** The church acts as a vehicle to help provide opportunities to serve and grow
** Home Teaching is the Lord’s scalable way of keeping track of all the lost sheep. No man can do the journey alone
** While private worship of God has its place, so does church attendance – the Lord encourages both.
Word of Wisdom
- 1 Cor 3:16-17 Your body is a temple of God
- Isaiah 5:11, 22 Wo unto them who use strong drink
- Lev 10:9-11 Do not use wine or strong drink
- Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging”
- Luke 1:15 John was great in the sight of the Lord; did not use strong drink
- Gal 5:21 “Envyings, murderers, drunkenness…shall not inherit the Kingdom of God”
- DC 89 Guidelines for the Word of Wisdom
- Isaiah 28:7 People have erred through strong drink
- Prov 31:6 Give wine to those who want to die
** Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and many other members were known to have still drunk wine, and had chewing tobacco after the word of wisdom – but when the w of w first was revealed, it was “not by way of commandment.” So it was not a commandment, and was more a guidance to use them sparingly and in moderation. In John Taylor’s presidency it became stricter after a talk was given. This is similar to Jesus, who drank wine sparingly and in moderation. But in our day wine and tobacco have become more prevalently associated with excess and irreverence – which would make sense that our generation is required to more strictly abstain from those substances.
** Do you honestly think you could use these things in moderation? You may be able to, but better to avoid the risk of addiction altogether.
** God does not change, but society changes, so God will at times change commandments to match the vices of society at that time.
Hey Elders, where are the Gold Plates?
- Ether 12:6 No witness until after a trial of your faith
- 3 Nep 26:6-12 The Lord will use the Book of Mormon to test our faith
- JSH 1:60 Moroni takes the plates back
- Abr 3:25 We will prove them herewith. If we are to be proven that means God will very purposely arrange situations so as to try and test the faith of man. Too much factual evidence of gospel truths would not make for a trying experience.
** This is like looking for proof that God exists, do they have any proof that God either does or does not exist? Probably not. Tell them to read the book “The Reason for God,” by Timothy Keller – discusses all the proofs and takes a logical approach to believing in God’s existence. Talks about how science or religion can neither prove nor disprove God, because they have different premises on how to proof truth (religion=spirit, science=see then believe)
** Ultimately the argument is not that the Book of Mormon is true or false, it is whether or not the spirit can be used as evidence of truth. Secular thinkers will not accept the feeling of the spirit as evidence of truth, therefore you will never be able to convince someone that God exists, or the Book of Mormon, or even The Bible is true, unless they accept the premise that God reveals truth through the spirit. Until you convince them of that, you are wasting your time.
** Where are the 10 commandments, where are the original Bible scrolls, the arch and the covenant, Noah’s arch, etc. If you apply the same secular rigor to the Bible and its history it has many proof holes as well.
** The Book of Mormon is not on trial, we are on trial. It brings us closer to God and Christ
In Revelation 22:18-19, it says you cannot take away from or add to the Bible, so why the Book of Mormon:
- Deut 4:2 Don’t add or take away – this means we should probably toss out the New Testament.
- John 21:25 Other works of Christ – the whole world could not hold the books that could be written. The more we can learn of Christ the better.
- 2 Pet 1:21 God gives revelation, not man.
** God is no respecter of persons and visited all his sheep; we should listen or read what all people have to say.
** “Lost Books” in the Bible Dictionary. It is not like the Bible is part of the Godhead. If God meant it to be imperfect, complete and infallible, then why have there been so many interpretations, and churches come from it. In the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses shall every word be established.
Why organized religion
- Matt 18:20 Two or three gathered in his name
- 1 Cor 12:12-31 We need a church (comparing the offices of the church to body parts)
- Eph 2:20, ch 4 Organization of the church
- Moroni 6:5-6 Church did meet together often; sacrament, fellowship, pray, fast, etc.
- Rom 10:14 How shall they hear without a preacher.
- Acts 8:30-31 You need someone to explain it to you, you need a teacher
The Godhead – Three individuals
- Gen 1:26-27 “Let us make man in our image”
- Matt 3:16-17 Christ baptized; Holy Ghost descends; Voice of Father heard
- Matt 17:5 Voice of the Father is heard when Jesus is transfigured
- Matt 20:21-23 Jesus teaches the superiority of God
- Matt 26:39,49 Christ prays to His Father in Gethsemane
- John 8:17-18 Jesus is one witness, God is the other
- John 10:30 Unity of the Godhead
- John 17:11,20-22 The intercessory prayer of Christ
- John 20:17-21 Christ must first ascend to the Father
- Acts 7:55-56 Christ must first ascend to the Father
- Acts 7:55-56 Stephen see God and Christ side by side
- Hebrews 1:1-3 Jesus created the world under the direction of God
How can man see God?
- JSH 1:17 Joseph Smith sees God
- John 1:18 “No man hath seen God”
- John 6:46 Jesus clarifies, righteous saw God
- Acts 7:55-56 Stephen sees God and Christ standing side by side
- Exodus 33:11 Moses talks with God face to face
- Gen 32:30 Jacob saw God face to face
- Matt 5:8 The pure in heart will see God
- DC 76:22-23 Testimony of Joseph Smith and Sydney Rigdon
Why aren’t temples open to the public?
- Psalms 24:3-5 Only the worthy allowed in the temples
- Psalms 25:14 The Lord keeps sacred things secret
- Matt 7:6 Pearls before swine
- Matt 24:3 Jesus taught privately
- Luke 24:33-48 Jesus teaches the apostles privately
- 2 Cor 12:2-4 “Unspeakable words” are much like in the temple
Need for Prophets
- Amos 3:7 God reveals His secrets to the prophets
- Luke 1:70 Prophets have been since the world began
- Acts 11:27 Prophets existed after the time of Christ (see also Acts 13:1,15:32,21:10)
- Luke 7:28 John the Baptist was a prophet
- Eph 2:20 Church built upon the foundation of prophets and apostles
- Eph 4:11-14 Organization of church to remain until “unity of faith”
- Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same “yesterday, today, and forever”
- Mosiah 3:13 Prophets testify of Christ (also see Hel 8:19, 3Nep 20:24)
- DC 1:14 Give heed to the prophets or be cut off
- Prophet test Num 12:6 – will see God, Deut 18:22
** Once again God is no respecter of persons, why would he give one generation a prophet, but not a different generation.
Saved by Grace or works:
- Phil 2:12 work out your own salvation
- Eccl 12:14 God shall bring every work into judgment
- Matt 16:27 Man rewarded for his works
- Luke 10:30-37 Parable of the Good Samaritan
- Eph 2:8-10 Saved by grace: God ordained good works
The Grace of Christ
- Col 1:16-17 Christ is the creator
- Rom 5:9 Christ’s blood atoned for our sins
- Heb 5:9 Christ gave us the perfect gospel (author of our salvation)
**These things above we could not do by ourselves; so it is by His grace we are saved**
- 2 Nep 25:23 We are exalted by his grace after all that we can do
- James 2:17-26 Faith without works is dead.
- DC 25:15 Importance of keeping the commandments
- Rev 20:12-13 The dead will be judged according to their works
- John 14:2-3 Many mansions: exaltation vs. salvation(3 degrees of glory)
** Debating this topic makes no sense because Christ says by their fruits ye shall know them, so being converted should cause you to do good works
** New Testament scholars point out the strong contrast between James, Paul, and Peter on this topic. In some of these writings the apostles are actually debating this topic between each other. Paul – “we are saved by grace” James – “True religion is taking care of the widow”
Bible complete???…The Book of Mormon (also see “lost books” in the Bible Dictionary)
- Gen 49:22-26 Branches of Joseph to run all over the wall
- 2 Kings 21 Destruction of Jerusalem; beginning of the Book of Mormon
- Psalms 85:11 “Truth shall spring forth out of the Earth”
- Isaiah 29:3-4 Words of Nephites shall speak forth out of the ground unto the remnant of the Lamanites (2 Nep 26:14-19)
- Isaiah 29:11-12 prophecy of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon
- Ezek 37:15-20 Stick of Judah, Stick of Joseph
- John 10:16 Other sheep not of this fold
- John 21:25 Other works of Jesus – fill the world with books
- 2 Cor 13::1 In the mouths of two or three witnesses
- 1 Nep 13:20-41 Plain and precious parts of the Bible lost; latter-day scripture will teach the truth
- 2 Nep 3:12 Bible and the Book of Mormon (compare to Ezek 37)
- 2 Nep 29:2 Book of Mormon: A standard unto the House of Israel
- 2 Nep 29:8-13 Two witnesses needed; God can reveal truth as He pleases
- Morm 8:23-26 Saints of the Book of Mormon shall speak from the dust
Why does God allow men to suffer?
- Acts 14:22 Much tribulation to enter the Kingdom of God
** The best plan for us is to have Free Agency to choose our own path. It is impossible to have and allow free-agency without the side effects of free agency.
** Evil exists regardless of God just like good exists regardless of God. God is not the source of evil. Evil just is and we can’t get rid of it. 2 Nep 2:11 (Opposition in all things)
- Alma 14:10-11 Righteous slain as a judgment against the wicked
- Alma 60:13 Righteous slain as a judgment against the wicked
- Hel 12:3 Unless tribulation exists, people will not listen
- Ether 12:6,27 Weak things are made strong by faith and trials
- DC 136:31 People must be tried
- 2 Cor 4:17-18 Light affliction works for our better
- Isaiah 45:7 Problem of Evil
Pre-Existence – we believe in pre-existence, what scriptures show evidence of it
- Job 38:4-7 Sons of God shouted for joy during the creation
- Jeremiah 1:4-5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee”
- John 17:5 Jesus had glory with the Father before the world was
- 1 Pet 1:19-20 Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world
- Acts 17:28-29 We are the offspring of God
- Eph 1:3-4 Saints foreordained to receive the gospel
- Jude 1:6 Some angels did not keep their first estate
- Alma 13:1-4 high priests called from the foundation of the world
- DC 38:1 Christ looked upon the expanse of eternity before the world was
- DC 138:55-56 Holy prophets and others chosen before the world was
- Moses 3:5 All things created spiritually before they were created on the earth
- Moses 6:51 Man made before they were in the flesh
- Abraham 3:22-25 Organized spirits before the world was
- 2 Pet 2:4 God spared not the angels that sinned
Becoming Gods
- Gen 1:26-27 Man made in God’s image
- 1 Cor 11:7 Man is image and glory of God
- Matt 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father (3 Nep 12:48)
- Luke 6:40 Disciple that is perfect is not above but as his Master
- John 10:34 “Is it not written in your law that ye are all Gods?”
- Rom 8:16-18 Children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, “all that the father hath” to me this means all knowledge and capabilities
- Heb 12:9 Fathers of flesh and spirit with capabilities to be like both
- 1 John 3:1-3 When He shall appear, we shall be just like him
- Rev 3:21 he who overcomes will sit with Christ at His throne
- Rev 22:3-5 Saints shall reign forever and ever
- 3 Nep 9:17 Those who receive Christ become the sons of God
- Moroni 10:32-33 Perfection is accomplished through the grace of God
- DC 76:58 Exalted beings are gods, even the sons of God
- DC 132:19-20 Celestial marriage allows people to become God
The Sabbath/Lord’s Day
- Gen 2:2-3 God blessed the seventh day
- Deut 5:2-3,15 God establishes a covenant with Moses
- Gal 3:24 The Law of Moses was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ
- Hosea 2:11 prophecy that the Sabbath will cease
- Matt 5:17 Christ cam not to destroy, but to fulfill
- Mark 2:27-28 The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath
- Rev 1:10 John in the spirit on the Lord’s Day
- John 20:26 The apostles met again in eight days
- Col 2:16 Let no man judge you for the Sabbath Day (7th Day Adventist – which day is the Sabbath but it seems this is important to the Lord, just as long as one day is Sabbath the actual day is not important)
- Acts 20:7 Disciples broke bread on the first day of the week
- 1 Cor 16:1-2 Apostles took collection of the saints on the first day of the week
- DC 59:12-16 Saints commanded to remember the Lord’s Day
Jehovah of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ of the New Testament (clears up confusion with Jehovah Witnesses)
- Jesus is the Creator Isa 45:11-12, John 1:1,3, Col 1:16-17
- Jehovah is the Savior Hosea 13:4, Isa 12:2, Luke 2:11, Acts 4:10-12, 1 Pet 1:19-20
- Jehovah is the Redeemer Isa 43:14, Gal 3:13
- Jehovah will deliver men from death Hosea 13:14, 1 Cor 15:20-22
- Jehovah to be pierced Zech 12:10, John 19:34, 36-37
- Jesus followed Israelites during Exodus Exodus 13:21-22, 1 Cor 10:1-4
- Jehovah/Jesus…first and the last…Alpha and Omega Isa 44:6, Rev 1:8
- I AM that I AM Ex 3:14, John 8:58
For those who are persecuted
- Luke 6:25-26 Wo to those who laugh, who have good spoke of them
- Matt 10:35-36 Christ will divide households
- Luke 21:16-17 Ye shall be hated for my name’s sake
- Luke 21:12-13 Persecution shall turn to you for testimony
- John 15:18-21 If they don’t hate you, you are of the world. They hated me first.
- Acts 28:22 Everywhere spoken bad
- Matt 5:10-12 Blessed are the persecuted
- Acts 5:38-39 If of man it will come to naught, if of God it will continue. The church continues to grow. (2 Cor 11:10) also, by their fruits ye shall know them
- John 8:44-48 What antis are negative
- DC 121:16-20 Wo to those who cry against the anointed
- 2 Tim 3:12 All who live in Christ are persecuted
- Jer 3:14 One family two cities
Many Religions Not all ok
- 2 Cor 11:7-8,10 Paul preaches, other churches robbed
- 1 Cor 12:5-7 Possibly meaning different governments and nations
** In the end we respect all religions and believe all religions have truth. If you for whatever reason feel closer to God in some other religion, we respect chose, and believe God will reward all those who diligently seek him. Article of Faith “Let them worship, how, where, or what they may”
** Brigham Young quote – “But one may say, “I belong to the holy Catholic Church.” You have a right to belong to what Church you please. Another may say he believes in and worships a white dog, for he has lived with the nations who have a tradition teaching them to do so. It is all right; you are as welcome to worship a white dog as the God I do, if it is your wish. I am perfectly willing you should serve the kind of a god you choose, or no god at all and that you should enjoy all that is for you to enjoy.” – This doesn’t stop us though from trying to bring people the fullness of the gospel.
** There may in this life be too many influences on people for them to consider truth objectively. This is why God is the judge – he knows all the behind the scenes influences and factors in our lives, so it is only him who can judge fairly and righteously on what religion people choose, and how they lived their lives based on the knowledge they had. We do not know all the behind the scenes information so we should not look down on people when they are not interested in our message or reject our message – As Jesus said, “forgive them, for they know not what they do.” If they feel the spirit confirm truth then reject it, that may be more difficult for God to forgive, but even in this case the judgment lies with God who can judge perfectly with all knowledge of all the factors at play for the individual.
** Other churches help in the mission – we are not the only true church but the one church with fullness of gospel. “God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. The Latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.” Robert L. Millet “Men of Valor”
Idols – don’t worship idols
- Acts 17:29-30 God not gold and silver
3 days 3 nights after resurrection
- Matt 12:40 ? 3 Nep 8:23
Jesus of Nazareth
- Bible not complete, Matt 2:23 – Nowhere is it written in the Bible but in 1 Nep11:13
Scriptures that talk about not debating/bashing other religions
- 2 Pet 2:12
- Jude 1:10
- Jer 28:2
- 1 Cor 10:32
- 1 Cor 12:5-6
