As I entered a large shopping center, I noticed seven Mormon Missionaries at two adjoining tables eating Costco Pizza. There were eight available seats and only seven missionaries, so I rightly assumed the empty seat was saved for me.

The Gospel

I approached and said, “may I ask a question regarding the gospel?” These young men seemed happy for the opportunity to share their message’. I sat in the empty chair and began a conversation with the three missionaries at that table. It must have seemed like a gift for them to find one so willing as myself.

Their happy demeanor quickly faded when I queried, “do you know where the gospel is defined in scripture?” They had no idea where to find such a basic and essential part of Christian doctrine. Tragically, they are not alone. I cannot begin to number the Mormons who have heard this question and responded with stares as void and lifeless as those I saw in the eyes of seven young men. They instead responded with a sad mix of pathetic ignorance and pious, religious arrogance.

So, I quoted John as best I could without a Bible in hand.

¹Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Together, we agreed that this is wonderful news, great news, and really, the best news of all. So I explained that we see this as amazing and wonderful news, but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is of a differing opinion.

In its fulness, the gospel includes all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants necessary for us to be exalted in the celestial kingdom.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, True to the Faith(Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2004) p. 76 & The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Gospel”, www.churchofjesuschrist.org

This gospel definition can only be good news if a person can understand the length and breadth of its demands and actually live them. So I asked if they would take a moment and write a list of every doctrine, principle, law, ordinance, and covenant necessary under the Mormon gospel. Again I saw vacant, empty eyes while each young man searched for an unsearchable answer.

From the depths of consternation, one missionary from the other table, a senior companion I assume, rose to his feet, hurled a few personal attacks, and said, “we gotta go”. He and the three from my table made a hasty exit.

I looked over at the three who were left at that table. Noting an empty chair, I moved to it and sat.

You’re Not Worth It

Looking at one young man, I asked, can you name every doctrine, principle, law, ordinance, and covenant necessary under the Mormon gospel. He answered, “You’re not worth it! “You”, I replied, “a representative of the Lord Jesu Christ, and you say I am not worth it. I prompted him to show where Jesus ever told a truth-seeking man that he was not worth it.

I’m Eating Here

I turned my attention to the second of the remaining missionaries and asked the same question. Even though I asked the question repeatedly, his answer remained the same, “I’m just trying to eat my lunch!” “You”, I replied, “a representative of the Lord Jesu Christ, and you suggest that your lunch is more important than your salvation and mine. I asked him to please search his memory and tell me of a time believers came to Jesus, and He barked, “I’m eating here!”

Full Retreat

With that, the last three rose from their chairs and followed the others who had retreated earlier. I watched their backs as they walked away and said a little prayer. Please, Lord, help these good young men remember this day when they were unable to defend their faith. Let that memory be a weight, a pebble in their shoe, let it be a swelling seed that will not be ignored.

The Making of Mormon Missionaries

The Mormon church sends thousands of young missionaries into the world with a few canned scripts, limited but intensive indoctrination, and a built-in disdain for the Bible. This is a terrible and abusive disservice to these good young people. They are used as an unwitting but zealous sales force to recruit new members by the thousands who will also lack the ability to defend their faith. Paul perfectly described them as follows:

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Romans 10:2, KJV

In this episode, we examine and expose the hidden truth about what a Mormon Missionary is. We will discover that they are unable and unwilling to have an informed discussion with any but the biblically ignorant. We will find that they will revert to the pride and arrogance of the Pharisees when sound doctrine challenges their church. Consequently, they cannot see or accept the truth when it is placed before them. Paul perfectly describes their sad condition:

Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Romans 1:23, WEB

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

2 Thessalonians 2:11, KJV

Finally, they shrink when their foundations begin to crumble. They ignore the message, attack the messenger and run like scalded pups. It is all so tragic.

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This is the place where you can hear a high-level Mormon leader confess that guards have been placed at the church house doors to stop me, Lance Earl, from entering and using violence to harm small Mormon children, as referenced in the above podcast.