I am often troubled by the aggressive way some Christians reach out to the Mormon people.

God’s Way, Faith Comes by Hearing

The tendency is to attack the faith, the people, the doctrine, and church leaders. I am sorry to say that I have been guilty of this. When we learn that we were victims and victimized by what we once took in faith, it is natural to react in anger. That is man’s way of doing things, but is it God’s way?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17, KJV, emphasis added

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude 3, KJV, emphasis added

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1 Peter 3:15, KJV, emphasis added

I see three keys in these passages. First, we will bring no man to faith except by God’s way. God’s way always comes through His Word. Second, we must earnestly and boldly contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. Third, earnestly does not mean with malice. We must wield the sword of truth, the Word of God, with meekness and much love.

Instead of putting my finger in the eye of a Mormon, I have concluded it is better to use my finger to direct Mormon eyes to the Word of God.

A Real World Example

May I illustrate an event that occurred over these past few days? It all started a few days after the Mormon General Conference when I posted the following to Facebook:

When I was a New Testament Gospel Doctrine instructor for the Mormon church, I knew nothing of the Bereans. After being saved, I wondered why and checked my Mormon instructor’s manual. I discovered that it skipped over Acts 17:11 and never once mentioned why the Bereans were called more noble.

After learning of the Bereans. I asked most of my Mormon family and friends and discovered they also didn’t know. Because the Mormon people don’t know of those the Bible calls more noble, they quickly believe a lie.

Oh, my people, wake from your stupor.

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• According to Elder Haynie, do the words of the living Mormon prophet trump Moroni, Nephi, Moses, Isaiah, and the rest?
• If all past prophets spoke for God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, how can the words of the living prophet not be in perfect harmony with the words of dead prophets?
• Is your living prophet a potential Moroni Buster?

A Mormon Response

A man, an ordained Mormon High Priest, responded,

O Lance, I spent the weekend soaking in the spirit as I listened to living prophets, apostles, and leaders teach of Jesus Christ. O how I love my savior. Hope everyone has a great day.

An ordained Mormon High Priest

Planning A Godly Response

Now, before I share my response, I ask that you examine it for evidence of the three keys described above.

• I made no assertions without the support of the Bible. However, I did not quote or cite any specific passages. Remember, faith comes by hearing the Word of God. I ensured he heard the Word of God and provided enough clues so this man would know where to find the relevant passages in the Bible. I did this to drive him to the Word, even if only to prove me wrong. I did this because the Word of God has the power to change minds and hearts; in the Word, we find Jesus, who has the power to save.
• I earnestly contended for the points of the true faith that this man challenged.
• I contended for the truth without attacking this man or his faith. I simply spoke the Word and asked relevant questions.

With this approach, I move cautiously toward one of two possible outcomes.

The desired outcome is that the recipient will come to a knowledge of his sin and total surrender to Jesus.

The second outcome is not desired, but it must be carefully considered. If the recipient does not come or begin to come to Christ, he will likely take offense.

Such were the men who took offense and killed Jesus. Such men hated, persecuted, and even killed the apostles and other followers of Jesus. Men like these are among us even today.

We must strive endlessly to ensure our bad deeds do not cause offense in an unbeliever’s heart. When we are guilty of personal offenses, we push the lost further from light and deeper into the abyss. Unintentionally, we may find ourselves in league with the devil.

My words to this Mormon gentleman were an attempt to be bold, biblical, and free of personal offense. My endless prayer is that I will always act this way toward the lost.

A Christian Apologia

This is My Response to the Mormon Gentleman

The Bereans, who Elder Allen Haynie attacked and you ignored, are called more noble in Acts 17. 

They are more noble because they received Paul’s teachings and opened the scriptures daily to test him. They checked to see if Paul opposed what God had previously revealed about Himself. Paul, who was a real apostle,¹ encouraged the people to test every word he said. He is very clear about the importance of testing in Galatians 1. In 1 John 4, we are told to test everything. Likewise, Moses emphasized the importance of testing in the first few verses of Deuteronomy 13 and the last few in Deuteronomy 18.

This Savior you love is quoted in Matthew and Luke saying that there were prophets until John the Baptist.

Hebrews goes on to say that the prophets were types of the Messiah, pointing to Jesus, and after Jesus’ coming, He alone will lead His people. Jesus clearly teaches that there will be no more prophets after His coming.

These prophets, apostles, and teachers you mentioned, do they hold the office of High Priest? Do you as well?

From Leviticus to the end of the gospels, there was never more than one High Priest at any time. For over 400 years, this singular High Priest went into the temple with a sin offering for all the Israelites.

The book of Hebrews confirms this history and gives us a job description for the High Priest. It says he must offer gifts and sacrifices for the people.

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• How many Mormon High Priests do you know who offer gifts and sacrifices for all the people?

Hebrews goes on to teach that Jesus is our last and lasting High Priest because he will never die. He fulfilled the job requirements of his office when he offered himself as a gift and sacrifice for all.

When Jesus became our final High Priest, the job description was updated. Hebrews teaches that this final High Priest (Jesus) will have the power to save us to the uttermost.

Questions for Mormon Bishops

• Do you know a Mormon High Priest who has the power to save all people to the uttermost?

I believe my greatest offense against God was taking the title of High Priest for myself. In this, I tried to rob Jesus of his title, authority, and power. In this, I was guilty of heresy!

If you truly love Jesus, my brother, please be a Berean!

1. Acts 1:21-22