Confusion is a Hallmark of False Religion

For the first sixty years of my life, I suffered under the dilemma of unending confusion. Now that I can look back over those years, I recognize that this discomfort came from belonging to a church that had become separate from the faithful remnant of true believers.¹ There was no lasting hope because closely held religious doctrines were as shifting sands and wind-blown waves.

As a new Christian, I believed Christianity was a beautifully united body of like-minded believers. I have become sadly aware of a reality that has haunted the Body of Christ since the beginning. Wolves in sheep’s clothing sow and have sown confusion into the church from the very first.

²⁹For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Acts 20:29-30, KJV

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 4, KJV

Christian churches everywhere are swinging to the far left. They bend to the pressures of society to become liberally WOKE. Confusion in the congregation is the logical result. We, as true believers, must vigilantly watch for and flee from every false god, gospel, and spirit.²

I have dear friends who were part of once-biblical churches. These wayward churches listened to the enticing words of grievous wolves and were led into forbidden paths.

Thankfully, God has promised always to preserve a remnant of true believers. Like the first who were called Christians at Antioch,³ others will cling to the truth. Consequently, my faithful friends left their old churches to honor God in fellowship with the remnant of believers.

¹I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. ²God didn’t reject his people, whom he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: ³“Lord, they have killed your prophets. They have broken down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life.” ⁴But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” ⁵Even so too at this present time also there is a remnant…

Romans 11:1-5a, WEB

Mormonism Moves to the Left

When I was still a believing Mormon, the church started donating money to a Salt Lake LGBT support group.⁴ At that time, I didn’t know if I opposed homosexuality because of what God said or because of a personal bias. So, I opened my Bible and learned that God said plenty in both Testaments. This resulted in confusion that ultimately played into my decision to leave Mormonism.

I first went to the Mormon temple in 1977 and continued going until I left the church in 2016. The first covenant of chastity, which I swore to, was changed in 1990 to read, “… each of you shall have no sexual relations except with your husband or wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded.” The current covenant of chastity, enacted in 2023, reads, “… God’s sons and God’s daughters shall have sexual relations only with those to whom they are legally and lawfully wedded …” The latest reading of the covenant is curiously LGBT-inclusive. Once again, this strange shift led me to confusion.

Later, the Mormon church supported a same-sex marriage bill.

Aaron Sherinian is the new managing director of Church Communication for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sherinian has openly and boldly championed the cause of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, and transgenderism.

The Family Proclamation to the World was published by the church in 1995. It begins with two key paragraphs,

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Family Proclimation to the World

The Family Proclamation currently hangs on the walls of most Mormon homes. Clearly, Sherinian and The Family Proclamation cannot coexist.

Deep Confusion Rests on Jacob Hanson and Half the Mormon People

I predict you will soon see homosexuality and same-sex marriage welcomed in the Mormon temple. Before you accuse me of being a hateful apostate who left the church but can’t leave it alone, perhaps you should hear from another. Maybe you should listen to one who has dedicated much time and energy to defending Mormonism.

Jacob Hanson is a well-known Mormon apologist with a YouTube channel, A Thoughtful Faith. His ongoing effort to defend and uphold Mormonism as the only true church on the face of the earth has been misguided but impressive nevertheless.

As a general rule, I’m afraid I have to disagree, in every respect, with his views on theology. However, in one aspect, I am fully aligned with him. My heart aches for Hanson. He is struggling with confusion while he watches the open and unashamed destruction of Mormonism as he understands it. I encourage you to hear his words and pray for him as he confesses deep confusion over the double-mindedness of the church he loves.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:8, KJV, emphasis added

Here is another video from two more deeply troubled Mormons.

So, I have an honest question. How far will you allow your church to move into WOKE madness before you say “enough“?

A zealous Mormon woman responded to this question. I will respond to her shortly, but first, let us check in with God to see what He has said regarding the LGBTQA+ anomaly.

The True God Has Spoken

Homosexuality

Many left-leaning churches claim that God never condemned homosexuality because Jesus never spoke directly about the matter in the four gospels. However, Jesus often quoted directly from the Old Testament. Consequently, we know Jesus places a high value on scripture that corrupt churches easily reject.

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Leviticus 18:22, KJV, emphasis added

¹³If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Leviticus 20:13, KJV, emphasis added

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Jude 7, KJV, emphasis added

²⁵who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ²⁶For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. ²⁷Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. ²⁸Even 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 1:25-28, WEB, emphasis added

Same-Sex Marriage

From the beginning, God established his acceptable pattern for marriage. All these years later, He has never wavered from the initial declaration.

²¹And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; ²²And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. ²³And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. ²⁴Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 2:21-24, KJV, emphasis added

This ancient declaration on proper marriage was so important that Jesus quoted Genesis 2:21-24.

⁶But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. ⁷For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; ⁸And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. ⁹What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Mark 10:6-9, KJV; also quoted in Matthew 19:4-6

God could have filled the earth himself with anything He imagined. Instead, He created men and women and called on us to fill the earth. The fruit that fills and peoples the earth comes only from the union between one man and one woman. There is no other way! Same-sex marriage cannot produce this fruit. Consequently, same-sex marriage is an intentional refusal to follow one of God’s earliest commands.

Transgenderism

Some would argue that the Bible says nothing about the phenomenon of transgenderism that grips our world today. After all, no passage of scripture forbids the transition from one gender to another. But no verses talk explicitly about eating Tide pods, global warming, vaccines, or Pokemon Go.

When it comes to transgenderism, the Bible has a lot to say about gender and sexual identity. In short, the Bible teaches that God made each of us male or female, and no matter our own feelings, confusion, or fascination with this modern trend, we should act in accordance with the biological reality of God’s perfect design. Transgenderism falls short of the glory of God and separates all its proponents from Christ, now and for eternity.

My Response to the Mormon Lady Who Responded to My Question

For clarity, I will present this lady’s comments in blue text. I have taken the liberty of correcting her errors of punctuation, spelling, etc.

As for the new Director? I did some research. In some things, he’s too liberal as far as I’m concerned; in other things, I think he’s spot on.

Clearly, none of us are perfect. None of us are without sin. But I wonder, are there different types of sin where God considers one worse than another?

After speaking clearly about the evils of homosexuality, Paul openly condemns any who supports, upholds, and praises those who knowingly participate in sin.

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Romans 10:32, KJV, emphasis added

Under the old covenant, Levite priests entered the temple to offer sacrifices for the unintentional sins of the people. Intentional sins are a different matter. Intentional sins are open rebellion against God, and ancient burnt offerings were not applied to that class of sinner.

Ancient sacrifices point to the new covenant and the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross.

For clarity, I will present this lady’s comments in green text. I have taken the liberty of correcting her errors of punctuation, spelling, etc.

As for the new Director? I did some research. In some things, he’s too liberal as far as I’m concerned; in other things, I think he’s spot on.

Clearly, none of us are perfect. None of us are without sin. But I wonder, are there different types of sin where God considers one worse than another?

After speaking clearly about the evils of homosexuality, Paul openly condemns any who supports, upholds, and praises those who knowingly participate in sin.

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Romans 10:32, KJV, emphasis added

Under the old covenant, Levite priests entered the temple to offer sacrifices for the unintentional sins of the people. Intentional sins are a different matter. Intentional sins are open rebellion against God, and ancient burnt offerings were not applied to that class of sinner.

Ancient sacrifices point to the new covenant and the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross.

²⁶For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. ²⁹ How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 10:29-27 & 29, WEB, emphasis added

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• Considering the passages of scripture we have examined thus far, is it likely that Aaron Sherinian supports, endorses, and celebrates those who intentionally sin?
• God calls homosexuality an abomination. Aaron Sherinian describes it with adjectives such as pride and love. Is God or Sherinian correct?

Secondly, President Oaks has given the church position on why they supported the LGBQ bill… protection for everybody.

…don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4b, WEB

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• Does God, like Dallin Oaks, provide equal protection for everybody, or does He withhold his sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins from those who practice intentional sin?
• What right does Oaks have to normalize or legitimize, even in a small way, what God calls an abomination?

At the time of this writing, Dallin Oaks will be the next Mormon Prophet. Let us together be Bereans and test the words of this man.

I suggest that research is not the answer,

Dallin H. Oaks, devotional for young married couples in downtown Chicago, Illnesses, February 2, 2019

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• Please read Acts 17:11 and answer this one question: Is research the answer that makes good men noble?

Not everything that’s true is useful.

Dallin H. Oaks, http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/elder-oaks-interview-transcript-from-pbs-documentary

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• Jesus said of Himself; I am the truth, John 14:6. He said the truth will make you free, John 8:31-32. Did Jesus ever say some bits of absolute truth are not useful?

It’s wrong to criticize leaders of the Church, even if the criticism is true…

Dallin H. Oaks, http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/elder-oaks-interview-transcript-from-pbs-documentary

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• Considering the three Oaks quotes presented here, can you think of any reason to criticize him?

I’m in the temple every week, and actually, the verbiage has changed to protect the sanctity of marriage “according to God’s law,”… Which is, of course, a man and a woman.

The current covenant of chastity replaces a prohibition of sexual relations with anyone other than a person’s husband or wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded with a prohibition of sexual relations except with those to whom they are legally and lawfully wedded.

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• How does the new covenant of chastity not weaken God’s marriage pattern between one man and one woman?
• How does the elimination of “husband or wife” not make the covenant more inclusive to LGBTQA+ people?

The new Director takes his marching orders from the first presidency and 12 apostles. My position is that I will take what I see on social media with a grain of salt. And most importantly… I will hang onto the iron rod (Jesus), and I will believe what is in the scriptures and what is spoken from the pulpit.

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• Dallin Oaks is a member of the first presidency who often speaks from the pulpit. Have we not exposed him enough?
• From the Mormon pulpit, we learned that none can be exalted who do not practice polygamy, the Adam/God doctrine, that Jesus was formed when the Mormon Heavenly Father had sex with Mary, that blacks will not receive the priesthood or temple blessings until all the other sons of God receive these things, that God is eternal, that God is not eternal, that God changes, that God is unchangeable, that men will be saved by obedience to laws, that you must be perfect, and that you will never be perfect. Is there reason to doubt what is heard from the Mormon pulpit?

My Plea to Jacob Hanson and Every Confused Mormon

From the beginning, there has been one God and one gospel. Jesus is the Rock upon which true believers build their faith. His promises are the assurance and firm foundation upon which Christians have come to know they have eternal life.⁵

My dear Mormon friends, the faithful remnant is still on the earth. I am a part of it. Never have our doctrines changed. Never has our God vacillated when the pressures of society combine. We have remained true. Some have died for this faith and in defense of our Lord. Many have been persecuted. Many, including me, have lost family, friends, and earthly belongings since choosing Jesus over Joseph Smith.

I have been criminally charged by the church and threatened with six months of incarceration. I applied the promise of Matthew 10:17-20. In the end, all charges were dismissed.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent ten police officers to arrest or drive me away. These attempts at persecution have never been successful because I honor, obey, and sustain the law. The police arrive, and after a cordial conversation, they learn I am not the problem. The church thinks it is sending officers to shut my mouth. The wonder is this: each 911 call summons LDS officers with whom I share the gospel. God does work in mysterious ways.

⁸Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Philippians 3:8-9, WEB, emphasis added

Freedom

While driving to church, I talked with my sweet Grace about freedom.

We discussed how daunting and earth-shattering it would be to wake up as Mormons and face these new realities. We remembered our many years in the Mormon church and how changes in doctrine, policy, and scripture shook us. We never faced anything so daunting as this new Mormon reality.

We reflected on the struggles we once had in the Mormon church and how they made us feel trapped. When the Mormon church goes off the rails, the people have no freedom to think or do. Lifelong indoctrination compels them to believe that theirs is the only true church and that living prophets lead them. Under that grip of control, there is no right or remedy with which they might challenge an obvious wrong. These strongly held beliefs rob them of the freedom to act when their church becomes foreign and unrecognizable.

We attend a solid bible believing church for which we are most thankful. As we drove along, we talked about what we would do if, suddenly, our church began to embrace the world.

For us, the answer is simple. We would begin the hunt for another church that honors God and believes His word. We took it a step further and asked, what if we were unable to find such a church? Again, the answer is simple: we would continue to honor God in our home.

God promised that He would always preserve a remnant of true believers. It seems unlikely that Grace and I would be the only ones left. While unlikely, it is conceivable. In this unlikely and sad reality, we would continue in Christ, undaunted. We would feed daily on His Word and praise God for His love and grace. We would follow the pattern of the first-century Christians and invite as many as possible to our church house.

Thankfully, Grace and I have not been part of a Christian church that surrendered to the pressures of the world. We do, however, have dear friends who have. They speak of a time when the church they once loved no longer felt like their church. They talked of the sorrow of leaving congregation and friends behind. Yet, in Christ, they had the freedom to do just that.

³¹Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; ³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:31-32, KJV

To this day, our dear friends in Christ continue in the Word of God. They are His disciples indeed, and they are examples to me. Above all, they have been made free and preserved in the freedom of Christ our King.

1. Acts 11:26
2. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
3. Acts 11:26
4. Ben Winslow, For the first time ever, the LDS Church has given a donation to the Utah Pride Center, www.fox13now.com/, 1 July 2015
5. 1 John 5:13