Showing posts with label Mormonism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mormonism. Show all posts
Friday, September 6, 2013
I'm Staying Put In The Church Firm To The End
An open letter to ex-mormons, critics of the church, or otherwise to those who have had no desire to unite with the LDS church but would like to sway me to think after their manner of thinking but for one reason or another, then this letter is for you.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the laws or commandments given to us by the Lord are time tested and have been proved over the centuries. This is why I believe what I do and why I live the gospel. I have put Malachi 3: 8-10 to the test. I have seen the windows of heaven open themselves up to me hence this and many other things I have participated in as a member of this church has brought me peace, in my life. I have witnessed too much of the hand of the Lord in my life by obedience to the Laws and Ordinances of the gospel to now return and doubt. I have been 'born again' and snatched from an awful hell.
For any man or any one to come to me to then suggest I depart from or turn away from this and do so based on a 'quote I heard somewhere' or 'aren't Mormons just a bit too weird because of this or that' just isn't going to phase me. One have better luck prying a Jewish man from a quarter he found on the ground than one would have at successfully luring me outside the church to then find, as they suggest, the correct Jesus.
(Finding Jesus would then mean to get me to agree with their assessment of what Mormons really believe and then transition over to some form of Christianity or over to their church because it's "Jesus should be enough. Mormons teach you that his atonement isn't powerful enough to save you! Here, read this verse! "...then his grace is sufficient for you." but we know that in Ephesians, it says... etc" - SEE, the BIBLE disagrees with the Book of Mormon. Only a real idiot couldn't tell you the difference. Down with the impossible gospel of the Mormons!" or whatever they happen to say, using their own words of course... (sigh) - I testify to you and all who read this, that they make quitting sound so easy and so worth your time.
Call me a 'go against the current' kind of guy but that still, inviting water may not always be that still and safe, for long. Something turbulent may be awaiting. You may think you're trying to do me a favor by ensuring me that the water was supposed to be fine and that I should hop in, but I've made my choice. If it so be that there is safety zones ahead, then so be it. I'll stay on the shore where at all possible.
I trust and know myself only so much. So no, you'll find me on the shore over there. If you want, I'll wave at you all as I see you pass by. I have a life preserver tied to a rope in case you want one...for this is my charge, my privilege, my sacred duty. I am FAR from perfect at what the Lord would have me do. I have already missed many opportunities and in my weakness, I have failed to help several others along on the path.
I can only hope that in God's great plan of happiness, that there is enough mercy that can be applied to me, his unworthy and slothful servant. I can only pray for mercy at this great, last day, and hope that the little that I have done may multiply into great blessings and that the great things I have done may have been accounted for righteousness' sake and to glorify he who sent them.
Do not think or suppose that a mis-quoted thought or word from a prior leader in my church is going to dictate how I feel about them based on someone else's assessment of that event or statement.
Do not suppose for a second that even if someone's decades of scripture study will trump what I have discovered through humble prayer and personal study.
It will have all been worth it if I can some day be responsible for helping MANY find that source to where they can receive peace so that THEY and myself may ALL receive that exaltation in the Lord's kingdom. This is my prayer, in his name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Christians Are Coached on How to Talk To Mormons!
Well I never thought I would ever get to see this! I always suspected that the evangelicals may have had a pamphlet on "How to talk with Mormons" but I never thought I would ever get to see it in my lifetime! Here's just a fun "tongue in cheek" display of this message. (No commentary. I'll let you read and get a good laugh out of it regardless if you're a Mormon or not!)
QUESTIONS TO ASK MORMON MISSIONARIES
A Step-by-Step Guide for Christians Witnessing to Mormons at the Door
WHO ARE MORMON MISSIONARIES?
Mormon missionaries are representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church). While Mormons claim to be “Christians,” their denial of key Christian beliefs such as God the Father being a Spirit, not an exalted man, the Son being an eternal and uncreated God, not Lucifer’s spirit-brother, man’s goal being to worship God, not become a “god” himself, and eternal hell for unbelievers who reject Christ with no second chance after death has caused many Christians to denounce this group as a heretical movement. 1. In addition to the King James Version of the Bible, Mormons regard as “Scripture” three other books produced by Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. These books are: The Book of Mormon (a translation of gold plates that allegedly contained the record of ancient inhabitants of America), The Doctrine and Covenants (a transcription of prophecies and revelations that Joseph Smith claimed to have received from God), and The Pearl of Great Price (a translation of an ancient Egyptian ‘Book of Breathings’ papyrus that Smith claimed contained the writings of the biblical patriarch Abraham).
Although every person is expected to serve the Church through various church “callings,” there are two types of missionaries within the Mormon Church: Proselytizing missionaries and Church Service missionaries. Most missionaries are proselytizing missionaries and they are usually single young men or women between the ages of 19 to 24. Typically, Mormon missionaries visit urban neighborhoods on bicycles and rural areas in cars. Men dress in black and white suits and are called “Elders,” while the women wear various colored skirt and dress outfits and are called “Sisters.” Many come from LDS homes, and are financially supported by their personal savings and gifts from friends and family members.
When a young LDS person commits to serve a “mission” for the Mormon Church, he or she is sent away from home to serve outside their home state in the U.S. or in a foreign country. During the first few weeks of training at an LDS “Missionary Training Center,” the young person studies the basic “missionary lessons” that are used to proselytize prospective converts into the Church. For those who are called to foreign countries, they are also taught the language and cultural skills of the country to which they are being sent. Each proselytizing missionary commits to serve a two-year mission for the Church and is assigned a “companion” partner of the same gender to serve together, two-by-two, at all times. For the first two to three months of a new missionary’s assignment, he or she is assigned a “trainer” for on the job support. Periodically, missionaries are transferred to other areas within their mission and teamed with new companions for new experiences.
Most Mormon missionaries are dedicated young people who know only what the Mormon Church has allowed them to know of its history and beliefs. Information is highly controlled in the mission. Missionaries are only allowed to call home once a year and correspond by mail or email once a week. At no time are missionaries allowed to be away from their “companions,” and they run a tight daily schedule from 6:30 AM to 10:30PM consisting of exercise, study, prayer, journaling, door-to-door proselytizing, meeting with prospective converts, and community service. During the mission, young missionaries learn for the first time how to teach and defend the deep doctrines of the Church, and they learn creative ways to cloak deep Mormon doctrines to prevent prospective converts from being turned away from some of the strange teachings of Mormonism.
HOW TO WITNESS TO LDS MISSIONARIES AT THE DOOR:
Mormon missionaries are constantly under stress to perform to the expectations of their leaders. If you are prepared and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, you can be used in a powerful way to bring the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to light in their hearts. We suggest three ways you can respond with love and truth to the missionaries who knock on your door:
1. IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO TALK…
If you don’t have time to talk, you can hand Mormon Missionaries copies of our business card tracts. Because Mormons are warned against reading “anti-Mormon” literature, these small tracts are perfect for planting seeds of truth in a way that is less threatening than a full-size, three-fold tract or pamphlet. Due to the size of these cards and the photos that look like Mormon images, the questions and Scriptures on the cards can be read before the missionary knows what he is reading. Even if he discards the card after reading it, the seeds of truth from God’s Word have already been planted in his mind. On the backside of the cards, we list the evangelistic www.4mormon.org website that is easy to remember and provides a source for more research once the missionary leaves his mission. These cards are great to place in your purse or wallet to have on hand when they visit your home or when you see them out in public. You can view and print the cards free from our website at the following link, or order pre-printed copies:
QUESTION CARD TRACTS FOR MORMONS (www.4mormon.org)
How to present the card tracts to Mormon Missionaries:
When you encounter Mormon missionaries with a goal of giving them our tracts, we suggest that you hand one missionary the card entitled, “Is the Mormon Jesus the same Jesus of the Bible?” along with two or three different cards and hand the second missionary the card called, “Is Jesus a Separate God from the Father?” along with a different set of two or three cards that are not the same ones that you gave to the first missionary. This way, when they see that each received different cards, curiosity will encourage them to read all of the cards and more seeds will be planted that way. Be prepared for the following sample dialogue that may occur when you hand them the cards:
CHRISTIAN: “Hi! Are you missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?”
MORMON: “Yes, we are. Are you LDS?”
CHRISTIAN: “No. I’m a Christian and I love talking about Jesus Christ. I wish I had time to talk, but I really must go. Here are my cards about the Gospel. I hope you like them.”
MORMON: “Thanks... Is this Anti-Mormon literature?”
CHRISTIAN: “Not exactly. These cards are faith-promoting messages from the Scriptures to help you become better missionaries for the REAL Jesus Christ. I hope you find them encouraging.”
MORMON: “The ‘REAL Jesus Christ’? What do you mean by that statement?”
CHRISTIAN: “Haven’t you heard about the other Jesus that the Apostle Paul talked about at 2 Corinthians 11:4? There is ‘another’ Jesus and we need to be careful that we are only preaching about the right one. I would love to talk more about my faith in Jesus Christ with you, but I really need to go. I hope you have a good day.”
If the Mormon asks you if your cards are “anti-Mormon,” he is trying to follow the LDS Church’s advice not to read anything that is critical of Mormon beliefs. When you respond by saying that the cards are “faith-promoting messages from the Scriptures,” you are letting him know that these cards do not “bash” his faith in Jesus Christ or the Scriptures and you are identifying with his desire to be a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus.
2. IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO LEARN HOW TO DEFEND YOUR BELIEFS…
If you desire to share your faith one-on-one with Mormon missionaries, but you do not have time to prepare for an in-depth discussion on the differences between Mormon and Christian beliefs, you may try inviting them in to watch a film that you have on Mormonism. If presented tactfully, you may be successful in getting them to commit to an hour of video time and another hour afterward to discuss your concerns about the film. Since they may be hesitant to watch the video because they will see it as an “anti-Mormon” film, you will need to tactfully explain why you need their “help” in correcting any “errors” or “lies” that you believe about Mormonism from the film. For advice on how to present a film to Mormon missionaries, see the following article:
HOW CAN I SHARE MY FAITH WITH MORMONS WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ARGUMENT?
3. IF YOU WANT TO DIALOGUE EFFECTIVELY…
The best way to present the Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ to Mormon missionaries is to invite them into your home for a friendly conversation on the differences between Biblical Christianity and Mormonism. If you want to dialogue effectively, you will want to ask them difficult questions that will challenge their beliefs in a gentle and loving way as they present their ideas to you. Since it is not uncommon for Mormon missionaries to fail to show for a meeting after being challenged on their beliefs at a prior meeting, it is important that you obtain their names and phone numbers at your FIRST meeting, so that you can call them if they fail to show for any subsequent appointment.
How to start a meaningful conversation with Mormon missionaries:
To be effective in witnessing, you must first recognize that they are not interested in debating or arguing with you about your beliefs. Since, they believe that conventional Christians do not have the fullness of the Gospel nor the “authority” to act in the name of God, they believe that you have nothing to offer them. They are trained to avoid people who know a lot about Mormonism and who attempt to get them to leave the Mormon Church. So, if you come across as too knowledgeable, they will immediately reject anything you have to say and mark their records so that you will not receive any more visits. Since arguing about beliefs is rarely profitable, we suggest that you ask questions to get them to think about the irrationality of their beliefs instead of telling them what you believe and arguing with a number of Scriptures that they are wrong. Your goal is to help them come to their own conclusions that Mormonism is wrong through the questions you are asking.
Do not assume that every Mormon you meet believes the same doctrines of Mormonism. In fact, many of the strange doctrines of the LDS Church (like blood atonement, Jesus having many wives, Jesus being produced through a procreative act between God the Father and Mary, etc.) have been de-emphasized in recent years. It is possible to meet a young Mormon missionary who has never heard of these doctrines or the fact that they have been taught by prominent LDS leaders in the past. So, do not tell Mormons what they believe. Rather, preface any discussion about the differences between Christianity and Mormonism with a question like:
“I’ve heard that the Mormon Church teaches… Is this what you believe?”
What to say if Mormon missionaries question your motives for talking to them:
When Mormon missionaries sense that you are strong in your Christian faith and that you are not going to convert to their beliefs, they may object to continuing their conversation with you by questioning your motives for talking to them. They may say something like this:
“I sense a spirit of contention here. You are not really interested in Mormonism, are you? Why did you invite us to meet with you in the first place? Are you trying to convert us to your beliefs?”
To answer this objection, we suggest that you reply with something like the following:
“You are right. I am comfortable in my faith and will likely not join the LDS Church. However, I invited you to talk to me because I want to learn more about what you believe. I have discovered that a person stops learning truth the moment he thinks he can’t learn anything from others. We both are learning from each other, aren’t we?”
By answering in this way, you have put the LDS missionary in a tough position. If he answers “no” to your question about learning from each other, he has just admitted that he doesn’t want to learn more truth. If he answers “yes” to your question, he has to then agree to allow you to share your position on your beliefs as well.
QUESTIONS TO ASK MORMON MISSIONARIES:
The Mormon Church realizes that many of the deep doctrines of Mormonism (such as the belief that men can become gods) are strange to most non-Mormons and Christians alike. The Church knows that if these doctrines were revealed right away to prospective converts, especially those who come from a Christian background, they would immediately be rejected. Thus, they train their missionaries with the principle of “milk before meat.” This principle warns missionaries not to discuss deep doctrines with you until you have accepted the basic doctrines of the LDS Church. To prevent Mormon missionaries from revealing doctrines too soon, the Church produced a systematic training manual called, Preach My Gospel. In chapter 3 of this guide, it details the essential doctrines that LDS missionaries are expected to teach to prospective converts. They may change the order of these doctrines to fit the needs of each individual, but if you agree to meet with them, you can be sure that at least one of the following topics will be discussed.
To prepare you to become an effective witness to them, we have briefly summarized each missionary lesson below and provided you with a series of questions that you can ask to plant seeds of truth as you engage in meaningful dialogue during the lessons. After the suggested questions, we have also provided additional links to relevant website articles for you to study and learn more about each topic.
Each time that you meet, we suggest that you only ask one or two of the series of questions we suggest, because you don’t want to make them feel like you are debating your beliefs with them. If you ask them only one or two series of questions that they are not able to answer, these questions will stay in the back of their minds for the Holy Spirit to use at the right time. However, if you barrage them with a LOT of questions, they will immediately shut down their thinking capacities and write you off in their minds as an anti-Mormon who is opposed to their beliefs and not really interested in the truth.
Remember that your goal is to win the person, not the argument. Don’t expect them to change their beliefs and accept yours right away. They are representatives for their Church, so even if they want to change their beliefs, they can’t without leaving their mission assignment and the LDS Church altogether. Your goal is just to plant seeds. If they understand the point you made (whether they agree with you or not), you have accomplished your goal. When you ask them some of the tough questions we are suggesting below, they may not be able to answer you right away, but you must allow let them save face. Don’t pressure them into a corner by forcing them to say that you are right. Remember they can’t do so as long as they are representing their Church. So, if they can’t answer your question, just humbly acknowledge their struggle and let the issue rest. The same is true for your response if they ask you a tough question that you can’t answer right away. Just say: “That’s a good question. I never thought of it that way before. I would like to do some research on this subject this week and the next time we get together, can we talk about this?” They will almost never say, “No” to your request. By giving each other the opportunity to save face in this way, you will be able to keep the discussion from turning into a debate.
One word of caution as you engage in dialogue with LDS missionaries: Stay on the topic that the missionaries want to discuss with you. Do not change subjects or try to divert them so that they can’t make their points with you. For example, if they’re talking about the “apostasy” and “restoration,” do not bring up Joseph Smith’s 34 wives and expect them to discuss the subject of Mormon polygamy with you.
Changing topics from what the missionaries want to discuss with you is the quickest way to convince them that you are not really interested in listening to them. If you expect LDS missionaries to listen to you without interruption, then you must give them the decency and respect to hear them out as well.
QUESTIONS TO ASK MORMON MISSIONARIES
A Step-by-Step Guide for Christians Witnessing to Mormons at the Door
WHO ARE MORMON MISSIONARIES?
Mormon missionaries are representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church). While Mormons claim to be “Christians,” their denial of key Christian beliefs such as God the Father being a Spirit, not an exalted man, the Son being an eternal and uncreated God, not Lucifer’s spirit-brother, man’s goal being to worship God, not become a “god” himself, and eternal hell for unbelievers who reject Christ with no second chance after death has caused many Christians to denounce this group as a heretical movement. 1. In addition to the King James Version of the Bible, Mormons regard as “Scripture” three other books produced by Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. These books are: The Book of Mormon (a translation of gold plates that allegedly contained the record of ancient inhabitants of America), The Doctrine and Covenants (a transcription of prophecies and revelations that Joseph Smith claimed to have received from God), and The Pearl of Great Price (a translation of an ancient Egyptian ‘Book of Breathings’ papyrus that Smith claimed contained the writings of the biblical patriarch Abraham).
Although every person is expected to serve the Church through various church “callings,” there are two types of missionaries within the Mormon Church: Proselytizing missionaries and Church Service missionaries. Most missionaries are proselytizing missionaries and they are usually single young men or women between the ages of 19 to 24. Typically, Mormon missionaries visit urban neighborhoods on bicycles and rural areas in cars. Men dress in black and white suits and are called “Elders,” while the women wear various colored skirt and dress outfits and are called “Sisters.” Many come from LDS homes, and are financially supported by their personal savings and gifts from friends and family members.
When a young LDS person commits to serve a “mission” for the Mormon Church, he or she is sent away from home to serve outside their home state in the U.S. or in a foreign country. During the first few weeks of training at an LDS “Missionary Training Center,” the young person studies the basic “missionary lessons” that are used to proselytize prospective converts into the Church. For those who are called to foreign countries, they are also taught the language and cultural skills of the country to which they are being sent. Each proselytizing missionary commits to serve a two-year mission for the Church and is assigned a “companion” partner of the same gender to serve together, two-by-two, at all times. For the first two to three months of a new missionary’s assignment, he or she is assigned a “trainer” for on the job support. Periodically, missionaries are transferred to other areas within their mission and teamed with new companions for new experiences.
Most Mormon missionaries are dedicated young people who know only what the Mormon Church has allowed them to know of its history and beliefs. Information is highly controlled in the mission. Missionaries are only allowed to call home once a year and correspond by mail or email once a week. At no time are missionaries allowed to be away from their “companions,” and they run a tight daily schedule from 6:30 AM to 10:30PM consisting of exercise, study, prayer, journaling, door-to-door proselytizing, meeting with prospective converts, and community service. During the mission, young missionaries learn for the first time how to teach and defend the deep doctrines of the Church, and they learn creative ways to cloak deep Mormon doctrines to prevent prospective converts from being turned away from some of the strange teachings of Mormonism.
HOW TO WITNESS TO LDS MISSIONARIES AT THE DOOR:
Mormon missionaries are constantly under stress to perform to the expectations of their leaders. If you are prepared and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, you can be used in a powerful way to bring the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to light in their hearts. We suggest three ways you can respond with love and truth to the missionaries who knock on your door:
1. IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO TALK…
If you don’t have time to talk, you can hand Mormon Missionaries copies of our business card tracts. Because Mormons are warned against reading “anti-Mormon” literature, these small tracts are perfect for planting seeds of truth in a way that is less threatening than a full-size, three-fold tract or pamphlet. Due to the size of these cards and the photos that look like Mormon images, the questions and Scriptures on the cards can be read before the missionary knows what he is reading. Even if he discards the card after reading it, the seeds of truth from God’s Word have already been planted in his mind. On the backside of the cards, we list the evangelistic www.4mormon.org website that is easy to remember and provides a source for more research once the missionary leaves his mission. These cards are great to place in your purse or wallet to have on hand when they visit your home or when you see them out in public. You can view and print the cards free from our website at the following link, or order pre-printed copies:
QUESTION CARD TRACTS FOR MORMONS (www.4mormon.org)
How to present the card tracts to Mormon Missionaries:
When you encounter Mormon missionaries with a goal of giving them our tracts, we suggest that you hand one missionary the card entitled, “Is the Mormon Jesus the same Jesus of the Bible?” along with two or three different cards and hand the second missionary the card called, “Is Jesus a Separate God from the Father?” along with a different set of two or three cards that are not the same ones that you gave to the first missionary. This way, when they see that each received different cards, curiosity will encourage them to read all of the cards and more seeds will be planted that way. Be prepared for the following sample dialogue that may occur when you hand them the cards:
CHRISTIAN: “Hi! Are you missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?”
MORMON: “Yes, we are. Are you LDS?”
CHRISTIAN: “No. I’m a Christian and I love talking about Jesus Christ. I wish I had time to talk, but I really must go. Here are my cards about the Gospel. I hope you like them.”
MORMON: “Thanks... Is this Anti-Mormon literature?”
CHRISTIAN: “Not exactly. These cards are faith-promoting messages from the Scriptures to help you become better missionaries for the REAL Jesus Christ. I hope you find them encouraging.”
MORMON: “The ‘REAL Jesus Christ’? What do you mean by that statement?”
CHRISTIAN: “Haven’t you heard about the other Jesus that the Apostle Paul talked about at 2 Corinthians 11:4? There is ‘another’ Jesus and we need to be careful that we are only preaching about the right one. I would love to talk more about my faith in Jesus Christ with you, but I really need to go. I hope you have a good day.”
If the Mormon asks you if your cards are “anti-Mormon,” he is trying to follow the LDS Church’s advice not to read anything that is critical of Mormon beliefs. When you respond by saying that the cards are “faith-promoting messages from the Scriptures,” you are letting him know that these cards do not “bash” his faith in Jesus Christ or the Scriptures and you are identifying with his desire to be a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus.
2. IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO LEARN HOW TO DEFEND YOUR BELIEFS…
If you desire to share your faith one-on-one with Mormon missionaries, but you do not have time to prepare for an in-depth discussion on the differences between Mormon and Christian beliefs, you may try inviting them in to watch a film that you have on Mormonism. If presented tactfully, you may be successful in getting them to commit to an hour of video time and another hour afterward to discuss your concerns about the film. Since they may be hesitant to watch the video because they will see it as an “anti-Mormon” film, you will need to tactfully explain why you need their “help” in correcting any “errors” or “lies” that you believe about Mormonism from the film. For advice on how to present a film to Mormon missionaries, see the following article:
HOW CAN I SHARE MY FAITH WITH MORMONS WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ARGUMENT?
3. IF YOU WANT TO DIALOGUE EFFECTIVELY…
The best way to present the Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ to Mormon missionaries is to invite them into your home for a friendly conversation on the differences between Biblical Christianity and Mormonism. If you want to dialogue effectively, you will want to ask them difficult questions that will challenge their beliefs in a gentle and loving way as they present their ideas to you. Since it is not uncommon for Mormon missionaries to fail to show for a meeting after being challenged on their beliefs at a prior meeting, it is important that you obtain their names and phone numbers at your FIRST meeting, so that you can call them if they fail to show for any subsequent appointment.
How to start a meaningful conversation with Mormon missionaries:
To be effective in witnessing, you must first recognize that they are not interested in debating or arguing with you about your beliefs. Since, they believe that conventional Christians do not have the fullness of the Gospel nor the “authority” to act in the name of God, they believe that you have nothing to offer them. They are trained to avoid people who know a lot about Mormonism and who attempt to get them to leave the Mormon Church. So, if you come across as too knowledgeable, they will immediately reject anything you have to say and mark their records so that you will not receive any more visits. Since arguing about beliefs is rarely profitable, we suggest that you ask questions to get them to think about the irrationality of their beliefs instead of telling them what you believe and arguing with a number of Scriptures that they are wrong. Your goal is to help them come to their own conclusions that Mormonism is wrong through the questions you are asking.
Do not assume that every Mormon you meet believes the same doctrines of Mormonism. In fact, many of the strange doctrines of the LDS Church (like blood atonement, Jesus having many wives, Jesus being produced through a procreative act between God the Father and Mary, etc.) have been de-emphasized in recent years. It is possible to meet a young Mormon missionary who has never heard of these doctrines or the fact that they have been taught by prominent LDS leaders in the past. So, do not tell Mormons what they believe. Rather, preface any discussion about the differences between Christianity and Mormonism with a question like:
“I’ve heard that the Mormon Church teaches… Is this what you believe?”
What to say if Mormon missionaries question your motives for talking to them:
When Mormon missionaries sense that you are strong in your Christian faith and that you are not going to convert to their beliefs, they may object to continuing their conversation with you by questioning your motives for talking to them. They may say something like this:
“I sense a spirit of contention here. You are not really interested in Mormonism, are you? Why did you invite us to meet with you in the first place? Are you trying to convert us to your beliefs?”
To answer this objection, we suggest that you reply with something like the following:
“You are right. I am comfortable in my faith and will likely not join the LDS Church. However, I invited you to talk to me because I want to learn more about what you believe. I have discovered that a person stops learning truth the moment he thinks he can’t learn anything from others. We both are learning from each other, aren’t we?”
By answering in this way, you have put the LDS missionary in a tough position. If he answers “no” to your question about learning from each other, he has just admitted that he doesn’t want to learn more truth. If he answers “yes” to your question, he has to then agree to allow you to share your position on your beliefs as well.
QUESTIONS TO ASK MORMON MISSIONARIES:
The Mormon Church realizes that many of the deep doctrines of Mormonism (such as the belief that men can become gods) are strange to most non-Mormons and Christians alike. The Church knows that if these doctrines were revealed right away to prospective converts, especially those who come from a Christian background, they would immediately be rejected. Thus, they train their missionaries with the principle of “milk before meat.” This principle warns missionaries not to discuss deep doctrines with you until you have accepted the basic doctrines of the LDS Church. To prevent Mormon missionaries from revealing doctrines too soon, the Church produced a systematic training manual called, Preach My Gospel. In chapter 3 of this guide, it details the essential doctrines that LDS missionaries are expected to teach to prospective converts. They may change the order of these doctrines to fit the needs of each individual, but if you agree to meet with them, you can be sure that at least one of the following topics will be discussed.
To prepare you to become an effective witness to them, we have briefly summarized each missionary lesson below and provided you with a series of questions that you can ask to plant seeds of truth as you engage in meaningful dialogue during the lessons. After the suggested questions, we have also provided additional links to relevant website articles for you to study and learn more about each topic.
Each time that you meet, we suggest that you only ask one or two of the series of questions we suggest, because you don’t want to make them feel like you are debating your beliefs with them. If you ask them only one or two series of questions that they are not able to answer, these questions will stay in the back of their minds for the Holy Spirit to use at the right time. However, if you barrage them with a LOT of questions, they will immediately shut down their thinking capacities and write you off in their minds as an anti-Mormon who is opposed to their beliefs and not really interested in the truth.
Remember that your goal is to win the person, not the argument. Don’t expect them to change their beliefs and accept yours right away. They are representatives for their Church, so even if they want to change their beliefs, they can’t without leaving their mission assignment and the LDS Church altogether. Your goal is just to plant seeds. If they understand the point you made (whether they agree with you or not), you have accomplished your goal. When you ask them some of the tough questions we are suggesting below, they may not be able to answer you right away, but you must allow let them save face. Don’t pressure them into a corner by forcing them to say that you are right. Remember they can’t do so as long as they are representing their Church. So, if they can’t answer your question, just humbly acknowledge their struggle and let the issue rest. The same is true for your response if they ask you a tough question that you can’t answer right away. Just say: “That’s a good question. I never thought of it that way before. I would like to do some research on this subject this week and the next time we get together, can we talk about this?” They will almost never say, “No” to your request. By giving each other the opportunity to save face in this way, you will be able to keep the discussion from turning into a debate.
One word of caution as you engage in dialogue with LDS missionaries: Stay on the topic that the missionaries want to discuss with you. Do not change subjects or try to divert them so that they can’t make their points with you. For example, if they’re talking about the “apostasy” and “restoration,” do not bring up Joseph Smith’s 34 wives and expect them to discuss the subject of Mormon polygamy with you.
Changing topics from what the missionaries want to discuss with you is the quickest way to convince them that you are not really interested in listening to them. If you expect LDS missionaries to listen to you without interruption, then you must give them the decency and respect to hear them out as well.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Jews Vs Christians Vs Mormons (Redux)
This is derived from an article found at: http://www.14lds.com/cult.htm
Dear God-fearing friend,
I am writing this letter because of a great threat to the cherished words which the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has given us through His holy prophets.
You've probably had Christians come around to your door, wanting to engage you in "discussions" about their faith. And maybe, as a good Jew, you've let them in the door. They seem to be nice, well-dressed, well-mannered. They may speak about Israel's God, and they may carry the Bible under their arms, but don't be deceived-they are not Jewish. Christianity is an insidious cult that seeks to tear real adherents of Judaism away from Moses and the Bible.
Take, for example, their principal message, about the Messiah. They bring you their "New Testament, Another Witness of the Prophets" and try to convince you that their founder, Jesus, was the Messiah. But believe me, this is not the Messiah of the Bible. No, my friend, the Christians teach a very a different messiah than what the holy prophets wrote about. While the biblical Messiah is a king who will liberate us from our enemies, the Christian messiah is said to have died to liberate us from our sins, despite the fact that the Bible teaches that every man is responsible for his own sins (Leviticus 20:19-20). If a man commits murder, for example, he is to be executed for his sin, and there is no provision for someone else dying in his stead (Genesis 9:6). The law of God clearly states that "every man shall be put to death for his own sin" (Deuteronomy 24:16). For those not guilty of capital crimes, the Bible is clear about the procedure that must be followed in order to be cleansed from sin. One must confess his sins, make restitution for wrongs, and offer the proper sacrifice (Leviticus 4:2-4; Numbers 5:6-7).
The Christians believe that, because their leader died, it is no longer necessary to offer sacrifices at the temple. But the Bible says otherwise, commanding, "thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement . . . two lambs of the first year day by day continually" (Exodus 29:36, 38). These sacrifices are to be made "throughout your generations" (Exodus 30:10).
Ironically, the founder of the Christian Church was conceived out of wedlock, which, under the Law of Moses, disqualifies him from participating in religious functions (Deuteronomy 23:2). The Christians' own scriptures acknowledge that Jesus was a winebibber (Matthew 11:19). The Bible warns us, saying, "a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink" (Micah 2:11). The false prophet Jesus, who also claimed divine prerogatives, was tried and found guilty of high crimes (blasphemy and treason) and executed by crucifixion. And yet some people are gullible enough to believe that he was sent by God!
And what of those who perpetuated this false messiah? The Christians claim that some of the disciples of Jesus, including a sometime fisherman and money-digger (Matthew 17:27) named Simon (who goes under the alias of Peter), along with a traitorous Roman money collector named Matthew and ten others who go by the title of apostles, are prophets who speak with God. But their messages contradict the word of God as given through ancient prophets such as Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah and their behavior violates all the laws of God.
Peter was once arrested and put into prison until he could answer charges brought against him. But the night before he was to be arraigned before King Herod, he escaped from the guards and ran away (Acts 12:6-9). Tradition has it that after fleeing to Rome and practicing his treasonous religion there, he was again imprisoned, this time by the Roman authorities, who found him guilty of crimes against the state and was executed by crucifixion.
The most outspoken of the followers of Christ was a Roman Jew who preferred to be known more by his Gentile name, Paul, than by his God given Israelite name, Saul. It is this man, more than all the others, who is responsible for writing the "new" testament which Christians deem more holy than the law God gave to Israel through Moses. What kind of a person was he? I will tell you. He was expelled from the cities of Antioch (Acts 13:50), Iconium (Acts 14:5,6), and Lystra (14:19) where his preaching had stirred up riots. In the city of Thyatira Paul and one of his companions were brought before the magistrate and accused of being trouble-makers. When the evidence was presented, Paul was found guilty and sentenced to a beating and ordered to do time in prison. (Acts 16:20-25) The last eight years of his life he spent in a Roman prison and was eventually executed according to Roman law because of his crimes. These are the kinds of people Christians look up to and whose words they claim came from God.
But their words cannot be from God for one simple reason: Malachi's record marks the end of the scriptures which God intended to give mankind. Since prophecy ceased some four centuries before the time Jesus was even born, this is absolute proof that Jesus was a false prophet! Along with the ending of scripture, so did the visitation of angles. Yet Christians claim that angels appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus and to her cousin Zacharias, to Peter and to Paul. The Bible tells us to beware of false prophets (Isaiah 9:15; Jeremiah 28:15), and the Lord warned us through Moses not to add or detract from his word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). The Bible, from Genesis to Malachi, is inerrant and all-sufficient, and it is blasphemous to suggest that God should give us additional scriptures, a "new" testament that contradicts in every particular what he has already given us. And yet, that is exactly what the followers of the man Jesus have done. They dare to give us more of God's word, which, in reality, contradicts the words of God's true prophets.
One such contradiction is found in a supposed "revelation" of Simon Peter's where he claims that God told him not to make a distinction between clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16), despite the fact that the Bible clearly commands that we make such a distinction (Leviticus 10:10; 11:2-31, 41-47; 20:25; Deuteronomy 14:3-20). The "revelation" which he had itself contains a clue to its false nature. It says (verse 10) that Peter was suffering hunger when "he fell into a trance" (Acts 10:10) His supposed "vision" (Acts 10:17)-or should we call it what it really is, an hallucination-was from the feeling in his stomach, not from God. I had a dream very much like Peter's one night, but instead of attributing it to a heavenly revelation, I chalked it up to a morsel of undigested food.
This same Peter states that all Christians belong to a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9). The Bible makes it clear that the priesthood is restricted to the tribe of Levi, and that God curses anyone else who tries to officiate in priesthood functions (2 Chronicles 26:18-19). When Aaron and his sons were anointed, God said, "for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations" (Exodus 40:15). God made a "covenant of an everlasting priesthood" with Aaron's grandson Pinehas (Numbers 25:13). It is people like the Christians whom the Bible condemns because they have "cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods" (2 Chronicles 13:9).
As for the supposed Christian "miracles," it is clear that they do not follow the biblical pattern. Their founder is said to have healed people by telling them their sins were forgiven (Matthew 9:2), while some people were supposedly healed by touching his garment (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 6:55-56). This practice of magical rites is confirmed in another Christian scripture, Acts 19:12, which says people can be healed by being touched with handkerchiefs or aprons touched by someone who has healing powers. Even more fantastic is the story in Acts 5:15, where we read that people were healed when the shadow of Peter fell on them!
The Christians also deny the efficacy of circumcision, wanting to replace it with baptism. But in the Bible, God clearly states that circumcision is "a token of the covenant betwixt me and you," and is to be "an everlasting covenant." If a man is not circumcised, God says, "that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant" (Genesis 17:10-14). But Christians do not believe God's word. Instead, they invent a "new testament" to justify breaking sacred, everlasting, holy commandments.
In his "sermon on the mount," the founder of the Christian Church openly spoke out against Bible teachings that had been revealed from heaven. Even while professing that he had not "come to destroy the law, or the prophets" (Matthew 5:17), he changed the sixth commandment from "thou shalt not kill" to "whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:21-22). He also reworded the seventh commandment, rejecting the words "thou shalt not commit adultery" and substituting, "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28). And though the Bible specifically says that we should perform oaths in the name of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20), Jesus abrogated the commandment and taught "swear not at all" (Matthew 5:34). He also denounced the biblical law of divorce (Matthew 5:31-32). In the same sermon, he showed his utter depravity and demented state by telling his disciples to pluck out their right eyes and to cut off their right hands (Matthew 5:29- 30). It is hard to believe that anyone could accept someone like this as the Messiah.
Still, Christians revere their leader as a martyr, one who "gave his life" willingly. Yet the facts tell a different story: When the chief priests came to lawfully arrest this Jesus, his principal disciple lashed out with a sword, inflicting serious head wounds upon the high priest's servant (John 18:3- 10)! Jesus, the "martyr," was involved in a sword fight shortly before his death! By both Jewish law (blasphemy) and Roman law (treason and sedition), Jesus was condemned to death as a common criminal. This is the kind of man whom his followers admire and ask us to put our faith and trust in.
Then we are told that this condemned criminal rose from the grave as an immortal being three days later! But how do we know this? Where is the proof that such a thing actually happened? Christians can only point to their "new" testament. But who wrote this testament? Why, it was the followers of Jesus, and, more especially, his closest friends and associates. So the only real proof we have is what they tell us. As I have already shown, these disciples were not men of moral virtue and trustworthiness. The proof of this is that Peter admittedly lied three times in one night! (Mark 14:66-72). Judas betrayed his own master. And these were supposedly the most devoted admirers of Jesus. Yet, Christians ask us to believe that the words which such men wrote are just as holy and inspired as the true prophets of God!
Finally, Israel's God pronounced a curse upon anyone who put their trust in another man. Moreover, the Bible clearly states that the heart of such a person had departed from the Lord (Jeremiah 17:5). In direct opposition to God's holy word, Jesus told his disciples to come follow him (Luke 18:22). Not even our great lawgiver, Moses,
ever told us to follow him. He always commanded our fathers to put their trust in God. But the followers of Jesus go so far as to take upon themselves his name rather than the name of God. That is why they call themselves "Christians." We honor Moses but we don't take upon ourselves his name. We revere the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Samuel and all the others, but we don't claim our allegiance to them. We worship God, not some man who claims to speak for God. But Christians have no such belief. They put their trust in the man Jesus.
Now, you might want to try helping your Christian neighbor find his way to the God of the Bible. But bear in mind that it will be difficult to talk to him because Christians have their own unique definition of biblical terms. So when they use the term "Messiah," they're not thinking of the biblical Messiah, but of the criminal Jesus. When they speak of "sacrifice," they don't mean the sacred rites of the temple of God, but refer to the execution of the criminal Jesus. A true Jew understands salvation to be God's intervention in the affairs of men to save his people, Israel, from their enemies. But Christians use the term "salvation" to mean resurrection and going to heaven to live with God. And this comes only if you believe in their other messiah!
We love the Christian people and need to do everything in our power to bring them back to the God of the Bible. You should, of course, pray for your Christian friends. But you can do more. The ministry we have organized here at Yeshivah Ahuvat ha-Shem needs your help in order to continue its work in exposing the insidious Christian conspiracy against the Jewish people. Please send your love offerings to us at Yavneh-Yam. Thank you and God bless you for your faithfulness to his ways and your generosity in helping us protect his word.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Yohanan bar Alcalai
(adapted from "Solving the Christian Puzzle" by John Tvedtnes)
Before anyone accuses a Mormon of belonging to a Cult, one should take Christianity from the "point of view" as it might be seen from a Jewish perspective. Perhaps you wouldn't be "SO SURE" that what you are saying isn't the same nonsense that you could be hearing from a Jew regarding our savior, Jesus Christ.
Moreover, instead of deal harshly with the Mormons and give them a hard time, making judgments without cause, consider what Christ said in the "Sermon on the Mount."
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
POSTSCRIPT: It might be argued that the above characterization of Christian beliefs is inaccurate or misleading. However, every allegation, as seen from the Jewish viewpoint, has been stated factually. What a Christian would really object to is how those facts have been presented in an unflattering and biased way, while ignoring other important information which might convince an objective reader to view Christians differently. Yet, that is exactly how Latter-day Saints feel about the way most Christian writers and preachers often characterize Mormons to their followers.
P.S.S. Christianity. A standard would be set up and it would reclaim Israel!
Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 Renewed article from before entitled, "Christianity was a cult LONG before Mormonism" - using new tags and helps. #MormonCult THE STANDARD
Many Christian churches today teach that Mormonism is a cult religion. The reason for this is that we do not believe in Christ's teachings as they do. According to them, the Bible teaches that Jesus was the last prophet and that there are to be no more after Him. Therefore, any religion which claims to have prophets must be a false church. Indeed, the Bible clearly foretells that in the last days there will be false prophets (Matthew 24:24). The same is true of apostles. According to what most Christian churches teach, there were only twelve, specially chosen men called to be apostles. When these men died, not only were there to be no more apostles, but there was no more need for such men. According to most Christian churches, the Bible is absolutely complete. When the last apostle died, everything that God intended to tell us had entirely and finally been written down. Therefore, any church which claims to have new scriptures, is in direct conflict with the words of the Bible itself when it declares that we should neither add to nor subtract from the words of God
(Revelation 22:18,19)
According to most Christian churches, the Bible is the inerrant word of God. To them that means that down through the centuries the Bible has been perfectly copied and accurately translated. Every word, jot and tittle which were penned by the ancient writers has been faithfully preserved to our present day. Therefore, any religion that claims the Bible is not absolutely inerrant is considered to be a cult. Furthermore, any religion which changes the traditionally accepted wording of the Bible is likewise a cult. (This would include the Jehovah Witnesses with their "New World Translation," the Christian Scientists with their "Science and Health with keys to the Scriptures," and the Mormons with their Biblical quotes as found in the "Book of Mormon" and the Joseph Smith translation.)
According to most Christian churches, the correctness of their beliefs is time tested. That is, it has endured through centuries of debate. Therefore, any church which teaches something different than the time-tested, orthodox doctrines of mainstream Christianity is heretical by definition. Perhaps the most common doctrine taught among today's Protestant churches states that salvation comes solely through God's grace without the need for us to perform any saving works, ordinances, or good deeds. Therefore, any religion which teaches something different than what is generally accepted by most Christian faiths is a cult.
According to most Christian churches, visions, revelations, and angelic appearances ceased with the death of the apostles. The stated reason for this lack of heavenly manifestations is that God's word - the Bible - is now complete. As such, there is no longer any need for God to reveal Himself to man in such supernatural ways because man can know everything he needs to about salvation through reading the Bible. Therefore, any religion which claims to have visions, revelations or angelic appearances is considered to violate the teachings of the Bible which declares "though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8).
According to most Christians, they believe we should put our trust in God and in His word rather than in the "arm of flesh," meaning a mortal man. The Bible foretells that in the last days there shall be false Christs, false apostles and false prophets. Therefore, anyone who claims to speak for God and encourages others to follow them, is not only an imposter but are to be considered a cult leader. Because Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet of God and developed a devoted following of disciples, many Christians consider him to be a cult leader. Furthermore, the church which he organized is based on a continuing succession of prophets and apostles which the church membership is expected to faithfully listen to and follow, thereby perpetuating this definition of a cult.
According to many in the Christian community, Mormonism is also a cult based on the sullied character of its founder, Joseph Smith. He has been described as a money-digger who was only interested in bilking people out of their money. He has been labeled a person with a wild, vivid imagination, whose greatest hoax was the story of receiving gold plates from an angel of God. The many times that Joseph Smith was arrested and held in prison has been proof to some that he must have committed crimes against society which warranted his incarceration. The practice of polygamy has convinced some that Mormons not only are willing to violate the laws of the land but reject the moral laws of God as well.
The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon from gold plates delivered to Joseph Smith by an angel. According to many Christians, there is nothing to prove that such an event actually happened. Despite the testimonies of three special witnesses, and, later, eight more witnesses, many Christians remain highly skeptical because all of these testimonies come from close friends and associates of Joseph Smith rather than from credible, independent sources.
Because of these, and other reasons, many Christian leaders feel it is their duty to warn others of the false and unChristlike doctrines which Mormons teach. Therefore, they hold meetings, circulate pamphlets, write books and preach sermons which point out in great detail how each Mormon belief violates God's word. And they do this in an effort to protect unsuspecting and gullible people from being deceived by the innocent appearance of clean-cut missionaries, who proclaim their message with sincerity and seeming piousness.
If all of this is true, then the same standard of judgment should apply to everyone, including those of traditional Christianity. In that case, let's consider how a Jewish Rabbi would view those who profess a belief in Jesus Christ:
Dear God-fearing friend,
I am writing this letter because of a great threat to the cherished words which the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has given us through His holy prophets.
You've probably had Christians come around to your door, wanting to engage you in "discussions" about their faith. And maybe, as a good Jew, you've let them in the door. They seem to be nice, well-dressed, well-mannered. They may speak about Israel's God, and they may carry the Bible under their arms, but don't be deceived-they are not Jewish. Christianity is an insidious cult that seeks to tear real adherents of Judaism away from Moses and the Bible.
Take, for example, their principal message, about the Messiah. They bring you their "New Testament, Another Witness of the Prophets" and try to convince you that their founder, Jesus, was the Messiah. But believe me, this is not the Messiah of the Bible. No, my friend, the Christians teach a very a different messiah than what the holy prophets wrote about. While the biblical Messiah is a king who will liberate us from our enemies, the Christian messiah is said to have died to liberate us from our sins, despite the fact that the Bible teaches that every man is responsible for his own sins (Leviticus 20:19-20). If a man commits murder, for example, he is to be executed for his sin, and there is no provision for someone else dying in his stead (Genesis 9:6). The law of God clearly states that "every man shall be put to death for his own sin" (Deuteronomy 24:16). For those not guilty of capital crimes, the Bible is clear about the procedure that must be followed in order to be cleansed from sin. One must confess his sins, make restitution for wrongs, and offer the proper sacrifice (Leviticus 4:2-4; Numbers 5:6-7).
The Christians believe that, because their leader died, it is no longer necessary to offer sacrifices at the temple. But the Bible says otherwise, commanding, "thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement . . . two lambs of the first year day by day continually" (Exodus 29:36, 38). These sacrifices are to be made "throughout your generations" (Exodus 30:10).
Ironically, the founder of the Christian Church was conceived out of wedlock, which, under the Law of Moses, disqualifies him from participating in religious functions (Deuteronomy 23:2). The Christians' own scriptures acknowledge that Jesus was a winebibber (Matthew 11:19). The Bible warns us, saying, "a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink" (Micah 2:11). The false prophet Jesus, who also claimed divine prerogatives, was tried and found guilty of high crimes (blasphemy and treason) and executed by crucifixion. And yet some people are gullible enough to believe that he was sent by God!
And what of those who perpetuated this false messiah? The Christians claim that some of the disciples of Jesus, including a sometime fisherman and money-digger (Matthew 17:27) named Simon (who goes under the alias of Peter), along with a traitorous Roman money collector named Matthew and ten others who go by the title of apostles, are prophets who speak with God. But their messages contradict the word of God as given through ancient prophets such as Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah and their behavior violates all the laws of God.
Peter was once arrested and put into prison until he could answer charges brought against him. But the night before he was to be arraigned before King Herod, he escaped from the guards and ran away (Acts 12:6-9). Tradition has it that after fleeing to Rome and practicing his treasonous religion there, he was again imprisoned, this time by the Roman authorities, who found him guilty of crimes against the state and was executed by crucifixion.
The most outspoken of the followers of Christ was a Roman Jew who preferred to be known more by his Gentile name, Paul, than by his God given Israelite name, Saul. It is this man, more than all the others, who is responsible for writing the "new" testament which Christians deem more holy than the law God gave to Israel through Moses. What kind of a person was he? I will tell you. He was expelled from the cities of Antioch (Acts 13:50), Iconium (Acts 14:5,6), and Lystra (14:19) where his preaching had stirred up riots. In the city of Thyatira Paul and one of his companions were brought before the magistrate and accused of being trouble-makers. When the evidence was presented, Paul was found guilty and sentenced to a beating and ordered to do time in prison. (Acts 16:20-25) The last eight years of his life he spent in a Roman prison and was eventually executed according to Roman law because of his crimes. These are the kinds of people Christians look up to and whose words they claim came from God.
But their words cannot be from God for one simple reason: Malachi's record marks the end of the scriptures which God intended to give mankind. Since prophecy ceased some four centuries before the time Jesus was even born, this is absolute proof that Jesus was a false prophet! Along with the ending of scripture, so did the visitation of angles. Yet Christians claim that angels appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus and to her cousin Zacharias, to Peter and to Paul. The Bible tells us to beware of false prophets (Isaiah 9:15; Jeremiah 28:15), and the Lord warned us through Moses not to add or detract from his word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). The Bible, from Genesis to Malachi, is inerrant and all-sufficient, and it is blasphemous to suggest that God should give us additional scriptures, a "new" testament that contradicts in every particular what he has already given us. And yet, that is exactly what the followers of the man Jesus have done. They dare to give us more of God's word, which, in reality, contradicts the words of God's true prophets.
One such contradiction is found in a supposed "revelation" of Simon Peter's where he claims that God told him not to make a distinction between clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16), despite the fact that the Bible clearly commands that we make such a distinction (Leviticus 10:10; 11:2-31, 41-47; 20:25; Deuteronomy 14:3-20). The "revelation" which he had itself contains a clue to its false nature. It says (verse 10) that Peter was suffering hunger when "he fell into a trance" (Acts 10:10) His supposed "vision" (Acts 10:17)-or should we call it what it really is, an hallucination-was from the feeling in his stomach, not from God. I had a dream very much like Peter's one night, but instead of attributing it to a heavenly revelation, I chalked it up to a morsel of undigested food.
This same Peter states that all Christians belong to a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9). The Bible makes it clear that the priesthood is restricted to the tribe of Levi, and that God curses anyone else who tries to officiate in priesthood functions (2 Chronicles 26:18-19). When Aaron and his sons were anointed, God said, "for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations" (Exodus 40:15). God made a "covenant of an everlasting priesthood" with Aaron's grandson Pinehas (Numbers 25:13). It is people like the Christians whom the Bible condemns because they have "cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods" (2 Chronicles 13:9).
As for the supposed Christian "miracles," it is clear that they do not follow the biblical pattern. Their founder is said to have healed people by telling them their sins were forgiven (Matthew 9:2), while some people were supposedly healed by touching his garment (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 6:55-56). This practice of magical rites is confirmed in another Christian scripture, Acts 19:12, which says people can be healed by being touched with handkerchiefs or aprons touched by someone who has healing powers. Even more fantastic is the story in Acts 5:15, where we read that people were healed when the shadow of Peter fell on them!
The Christians also deny the efficacy of circumcision, wanting to replace it with baptism. But in the Bible, God clearly states that circumcision is "a token of the covenant betwixt me and you," and is to be "an everlasting covenant." If a man is not circumcised, God says, "that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant" (Genesis 17:10-14). But Christians do not believe God's word. Instead, they invent a "new testament" to justify breaking sacred, everlasting, holy commandments.
In his "sermon on the mount," the founder of the Christian Church openly spoke out against Bible teachings that had been revealed from heaven. Even while professing that he had not "come to destroy the law, or the prophets" (Matthew 5:17), he changed the sixth commandment from "thou shalt not kill" to "whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:21-22). He also reworded the seventh commandment, rejecting the words "thou shalt not commit adultery" and substituting, "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28). And though the Bible specifically says that we should perform oaths in the name of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20), Jesus abrogated the commandment and taught "swear not at all" (Matthew 5:34). He also denounced the biblical law of divorce (Matthew 5:31-32). In the same sermon, he showed his utter depravity and demented state by telling his disciples to pluck out their right eyes and to cut off their right hands (Matthew 5:29- 30). It is hard to believe that anyone could accept someone like this as the Messiah.
Still, Christians revere their leader as a martyr, one who "gave his life" willingly. Yet the facts tell a different story: When the chief priests came to lawfully arrest this Jesus, his principal disciple lashed out with a sword, inflicting serious head wounds upon the high priest's servant (John 18:3- 10)! Jesus, the "martyr," was involved in a sword fight shortly before his death! By both Jewish law (blasphemy) and Roman law (treason and sedition), Jesus was condemned to death as a common criminal. This is the kind of man whom his followers admire and ask us to put our faith and trust in.
Then we are told that this condemned criminal rose from the grave as an immortal being three days later! But how do we know this? Where is the proof that such a thing actually happened? Christians can only point to their "new" testament. But who wrote this testament? Why, it was the followers of Jesus, and, more especially, his closest friends and associates. So the only real proof we have is what they tell us. As I have already shown, these disciples were not men of moral virtue and trustworthiness. The proof of this is that Peter admittedly lied three times in one night! (Mark 14:66-72). Judas betrayed his own master. And these were supposedly the most devoted admirers of Jesus. Yet, Christians ask us to believe that the words which such men wrote are just as holy and inspired as the true prophets of God!
Finally, Israel's God pronounced a curse upon anyone who put their trust in another man. Moreover, the Bible clearly states that the heart of such a person had departed from the Lord (Jeremiah 17:5). In direct opposition to God's holy word, Jesus told his disciples to come follow him (Luke 18:22). Not even our great lawgiver, Moses,
ever told us to follow him. He always commanded our fathers to put their trust in God. But the followers of Jesus go so far as to take upon themselves his name rather than the name of God. That is why they call themselves "Christians." We honor Moses but we don't take upon ourselves his name. We revere the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Samuel and all the others, but we don't claim our allegiance to them. We worship God, not some man who claims to speak for God. But Christians have no such belief. They put their trust in the man Jesus.
Now, you might want to try helping your Christian neighbor find his way to the God of the Bible. But bear in mind that it will be difficult to talk to him because Christians have their own unique definition of biblical terms. So when they use the term "Messiah," they're not thinking of the biblical Messiah, but of the criminal Jesus. When they speak of "sacrifice," they don't mean the sacred rites of the temple of God, but refer to the execution of the criminal Jesus. A true Jew understands salvation to be God's intervention in the affairs of men to save his people, Israel, from their enemies. But Christians use the term "salvation" to mean resurrection and going to heaven to live with God. And this comes only if you believe in their other messiah!
We love the Christian people and need to do everything in our power to bring them back to the God of the Bible. You should, of course, pray for your Christian friends. But you can do more. The ministry we have organized here at Yeshivah Ahuvat ha-Shem needs your help in order to continue its work in exposing the insidious Christian conspiracy against the Jewish people. Please send your love offerings to us at Yavneh-Yam. Thank you and God bless you for your faithfulness to his ways and your generosity in helping us protect his word.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Yohanan bar Alcalai
(adapted from "Solving the Christian Puzzle" by John Tvedtnes)
Before anyone accuses a Mormon of belonging to a Cult, one should take Christianity from the "point of view" as it might be seen from a Jewish perspective. Perhaps you wouldn't be "SO SURE" that what you are saying isn't the same nonsense that you could be hearing from a Jew regarding our savior, Jesus Christ.
Moreover, instead of deal harshly with the Mormons and give them a hard time, making judgments without cause, consider what Christ said in the "Sermon on the Mount."
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
POSTSCRIPT: It might be argued that the above characterization of Christian beliefs is inaccurate or misleading. However, every allegation, as seen from the Jewish viewpoint, has been stated factually. What a Christian would really object to is how those facts have been presented in an unflattering and biased way, while ignoring other important information which might convince an objective reader to view Christians differently. Yet, that is exactly how Latter-day Saints feel about the way most Christian writers and preachers often characterize Mormons to their followers.
P.S.S. Christianity. A standard would be set up and it would reclaim Israel!
Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 Renewed article from before entitled, "Christianity was a cult LONG before Mormonism" - using new tags and helps. #MormonCult THE STANDARD
Many Christian churches today teach that Mormonism is a cult religion. The reason for this is that we do not believe in Christ's teachings as they do. According to them, the Bible teaches that Jesus was the last prophet and that there are to be no more after Him. Therefore, any religion which claims to have prophets must be a false church. Indeed, the Bible clearly foretells that in the last days there will be false prophets (Matthew 24:24). The same is true of apostles. According to what most Christian churches teach, there were only twelve, specially chosen men called to be apostles. When these men died, not only were there to be no more apostles, but there was no more need for such men. According to most Christian churches, the Bible is absolutely complete. When the last apostle died, everything that God intended to tell us had entirely and finally been written down. Therefore, any church which claims to have new scriptures, is in direct conflict with the words of the Bible itself when it declares that we should neither add to nor subtract from the words of God
(Revelation 22:18,19)
According to most Christian churches, the Bible is the inerrant word of God. To them that means that down through the centuries the Bible has been perfectly copied and accurately translated. Every word, jot and tittle which were penned by the ancient writers has been faithfully preserved to our present day. Therefore, any religion that claims the Bible is not absolutely inerrant is considered to be a cult. Furthermore, any religion which changes the traditionally accepted wording of the Bible is likewise a cult. (This would include the Jehovah Witnesses with their "New World Translation," the Christian Scientists with their "Science and Health with keys to the Scriptures," and the Mormons with their Biblical quotes as found in the "Book of Mormon" and the Joseph Smith translation.)
According to most Christian churches, the correctness of their beliefs is time tested. That is, it has endured through centuries of debate. Therefore, any church which teaches something different than the time-tested, orthodox doctrines of mainstream Christianity is heretical by definition. Perhaps the most common doctrine taught among today's Protestant churches states that salvation comes solely through God's grace without the need for us to perform any saving works, ordinances, or good deeds. Therefore, any religion which teaches something different than what is generally accepted by most Christian faiths is a cult.
According to most Christian churches, visions, revelations, and angelic appearances ceased with the death of the apostles. The stated reason for this lack of heavenly manifestations is that God's word - the Bible - is now complete. As such, there is no longer any need for God to reveal Himself to man in such supernatural ways because man can know everything he needs to about salvation through reading the Bible. Therefore, any religion which claims to have visions, revelations or angelic appearances is considered to violate the teachings of the Bible which declares "though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8).
According to most Christians, they believe we should put our trust in God and in His word rather than in the "arm of flesh," meaning a mortal man. The Bible foretells that in the last days there shall be false Christs, false apostles and false prophets. Therefore, anyone who claims to speak for God and encourages others to follow them, is not only an imposter but are to be considered a cult leader. Because Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet of God and developed a devoted following of disciples, many Christians consider him to be a cult leader. Furthermore, the church which he organized is based on a continuing succession of prophets and apostles which the church membership is expected to faithfully listen to and follow, thereby perpetuating this definition of a cult.
According to many in the Christian community, Mormonism is also a cult based on the sullied character of its founder, Joseph Smith. He has been described as a money-digger who was only interested in bilking people out of their money. He has been labeled a person with a wild, vivid imagination, whose greatest hoax was the story of receiving gold plates from an angel of God. The many times that Joseph Smith was arrested and held in prison has been proof to some that he must have committed crimes against society which warranted his incarceration. The practice of polygamy has convinced some that Mormons not only are willing to violate the laws of the land but reject the moral laws of God as well.
The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon from gold plates delivered to Joseph Smith by an angel. According to many Christians, there is nothing to prove that such an event actually happened. Despite the testimonies of three special witnesses, and, later, eight more witnesses, many Christians remain highly skeptical because all of these testimonies come from close friends and associates of Joseph Smith rather than from credible, independent sources.
Because of these, and other reasons, many Christian leaders feel it is their duty to warn others of the false and unChristlike doctrines which Mormons teach. Therefore, they hold meetings, circulate pamphlets, write books and preach sermons which point out in great detail how each Mormon belief violates God's word. And they do this in an effort to protect unsuspecting and gullible people from being deceived by the innocent appearance of clean-cut missionaries, who proclaim their message with sincerity and seeming piousness.
If all of this is true, then the same standard of judgment should apply to everyone, including those of traditional Christianity. In that case, let's consider how a Jewish Rabbi would view those who profess a belief in Jesus Christ:
Monday, March 18, 2013
LDS Temple Worship VS The San Vitale Chapel Mural (Similarities)
This cathedral was built in the 6th century A.D., commencing between 534 and 538, with the addition of the mosaics during 671 to 677.2 The building was named for Apollinaris, a Bishop who reportedly came with the Apostle Peter from Antioch to Rome, and "Peter, having laid hands on him, sent him to preach in the east of Italy."
The Basilica's location is attributed to the spot where Apollinaris was martyred in Ravenna, and his body was subsequently buried under the high altar.3
Interior - Basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe (Ravenna, Italy)4
The building is characterized as having Roman and Byzantine influences (more so the latter), and is decorated with marble and mosaic.5 The church was built under the direction of Emperor Justinian and may have been designed by Julianus Argentarius.6 Included in the numerous mosaics throughout the basilica, is the depiction of Melchizedek, Abel, and Abraham (with Isaac) presenting offerings at an altar before the veil of the temple.
This scenario is generally referred to as representing the Eucharist, which symbolizes the sacrifice of the Savior.7 As noted above, the "so-called seal of Melchizedek" is depicted on the altar cloth.
Mosaic of Melchizedek, Abel, and Abraham - Basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe8
For additional pictures of this Basilica (in color), see here and here.
St. Vitale
The Basilica of St. Vitale was named after St. Vitalis, a soldier in Nero's army who had been converted to the gospel by the preaching of Peter. "He was condemned to be buried alive for having taken up and cared for the body of a Christian martyr."9 Hence, this cathedral was erected on the spot where St. Vitalis was buried.
A sketch of the building is below.
http://lds-studies.blogspot.com/2011/05/seal-of-melchizedek-eight-pointed-star.html
For the official site of the San Vitale Chapel, click or copy: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/ravenna-san-vitale
The Basilica's location is attributed to the spot where Apollinaris was martyred in Ravenna, and his body was subsequently buried under the high altar.3
Interior - Basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe (Ravenna, Italy)4
The building is characterized as having Roman and Byzantine influences (more so the latter), and is decorated with marble and mosaic.5 The church was built under the direction of Emperor Justinian and may have been designed by Julianus Argentarius.6 Included in the numerous mosaics throughout the basilica, is the depiction of Melchizedek, Abel, and Abraham (with Isaac) presenting offerings at an altar before the veil of the temple.
This scenario is generally referred to as representing the Eucharist, which symbolizes the sacrifice of the Savior.7 As noted above, the "so-called seal of Melchizedek" is depicted on the altar cloth.
Mosaic of Melchizedek, Abel, and Abraham - Basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe8
For additional pictures of this Basilica (in color), see here and here.
St. Vitale
The Basilica of St. Vitale was named after St. Vitalis, a soldier in Nero's army who had been converted to the gospel by the preaching of Peter. "He was condemned to be buried alive for having taken up and cared for the body of a Christian martyr."9 Hence, this cathedral was erected on the spot where St. Vitalis was buried.
A sketch of the building is below.
http://lds-studies.blogspot.com/2011/05/seal-of-melchizedek-eight-pointed-star.html
For the official site of the San Vitale Chapel, click or copy: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/ravenna-san-vitale
Sunday, March 17, 2013
His Hands - Make Your Hands Like The One From Galilee !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYcXBwTTUGA
His hands
tools of creation
stronger than nations
power without end
and yet through them we find our truest friend
his hands
sermons of kindness
healing men's blindness
halting years of pain
children waiting to be held again
his hands would serve his whole life though
showing man what hands might do
giving, ever giving, endlessly
each day was filled with selflessness
and i'll not rest until i make up my hands what they could be
'til these hands become like those from galilee
his hands
lifting a leper
warming a beggar
calling back the dead
breaking bread, five thousand fed
his hands
hushing contention
pointing to heaven
ever free of sin
then bidding man to follow him
his hands would serve his whole life though
showing man what hands might do
giving, ever giving, endlessly
each day was filled with selflessness
and i'll not rest until i make up my hands what they could be
'til these hands become like those from Galilee.
His hands
clasped in agony
as he he lay pleading, bleeding in the garden
while just moments away
other hands betray him
out of greed, shameful greed
and then his hands
are trembling
straining to carry the beam that they've been led to
as he stumbles through the streets
heading towards the hill on which he died
he would die
they take his hands, his mighty hands, those gentle hands
and then they pierce them, they pierce them
he lets them, because of love
from birth to death was selflessness
and clearly now i see him with his hands
calling to me
and though i'm not yet as i would be
he has shown me how i could be
i will make my hands like those from Galilee.
Read more at http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/148684/#T5cstkosaW9JakLT.99
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Q & A with SolomonSpamming
@ THELDSLIFE
Did you know the mormons did not allow non-whites into their priesthood until 1978 when the gov't threatened to take their tax-exempt status?
Response: What is the priesthood? Who held it historically? The authority to act in "Who's" name? Until you give me a clear definition of what the priesthood is, how can you explain who is to hold it?
Did you know that not even ALL Jews were allowed to hold the priesthood?
Did you know that until 34-100 A.D. Gentiles were not allowed to hold the priesthood? The Seven Churches that were written to by Paul and also John were ALSO churches where the Gentiles had established churches in their midst. Each of these churches had the priesthood authority apart from the presence of Paul, Peter, or John.
P.S. - The Tax-Exempt Status issue was and continues to be a "Non-Factor." Blacks had always been a part of the LDS church and none were denied entrance, baptism, or helping with meaningful callings within the church. You got to get your facts straight! Furthermore, in our doctrine, the gospel of Christ is available to ALL men.
2 Nephi 26: 33 "...for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."
Your words:
Did you know the mormons teach that you will go to hell if you are not mormon?
Joseph Smith - When asked, "Will all be damned but Mormon?" he replied, "Yes, and a great portion of them unless they repent and work righteousness" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 119)
Answer: Unless ALL men repent... makes sense. All must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, show fruits for repentance, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (These things are all in the Bible) - This baptism must be performed by one with authority to do so. A counterfeit baptism will not work. In order to enter in at the straight gate, a man must be baptized. If baptism is a Key and there are MANY out there offering that key, then one should BE SURE that the key they hold onto helps get them past the "Pearly Gates."
There will be many, if not all, that will have the chance to choose "Eternal Life" between now and the end of the Millennium.
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." - 2 Nephi 2:27
Did you know there are many INVERTED PENTAGRAMS on LDS temples?
What do the symbols on the Temple mean to you?
Do you even see evil inverted pentagrams?
Is there something wrong with an actual pentagram?
"Inverted Pentagram
The pentagram may be inverted with one point down. The implication is of spirit subservient to matter, of man subservient to his carnal desires. The inverted pentagram has come to be seen by many pagans as representing the dark side and it is abhored as an evil symbol.
Fundamental christians, indeed, see any form of pentagram as such. However, these are recent developments and the inverted pentagram is the symbol of Gardnerian second degree initiation, representing the need of the person to learn to face the darkness within so that it may not later rise up to take control. The centre of a pentagram implies a sixth formative element - love/will which controls from within, ruling matter and spirit by Will and the controlled direction of sexual energies...
Protection against evil...
The pentagram has long been believed to be a potent protection against evil, a symbol of conflict that shields the wearer and the home. The pentagram has five spiked wards and a womb shaped defensive, protective pentagon at the centre. (Yes, protection against Evil is also Evil, eh?)
Here is a comprehensive look at temple symbolism and what those symbols really mean.
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake/
Also where symbols are placed and the number of each is also important.
Symbols have their meanings... perhaps one day, people will look back at the
"Symbol of the Stop Light" and wonder why we would ALL stop before it and pay it reverence.
Perhaps the Stop Light is Evil! HAHAHAHAHA...
Did you know the mormons did not allow non-whites into their priesthood until 1978 when the gov't threatened to take their tax-exempt status?
Response: What is the priesthood? Who held it historically? The authority to act in "Who's" name? Until you give me a clear definition of what the priesthood is, how can you explain who is to hold it?
Did you know that not even ALL Jews were allowed to hold the priesthood?
Did you know that until 34-100 A.D. Gentiles were not allowed to hold the priesthood? The Seven Churches that were written to by Paul and also John were ALSO churches where the Gentiles had established churches in their midst. Each of these churches had the priesthood authority apart from the presence of Paul, Peter, or John.
P.S. - The Tax-Exempt Status issue was and continues to be a "Non-Factor." Blacks had always been a part of the LDS church and none were denied entrance, baptism, or helping with meaningful callings within the church. You got to get your facts straight! Furthermore, in our doctrine, the gospel of Christ is available to ALL men.
2 Nephi 26: 33 "...for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."
Your words:
Did you know the mormons teach that you will go to hell if you are not mormon?
Joseph Smith - When asked, "Will all be damned but Mormon?" he replied, "Yes, and a great portion of them unless they repent and work righteousness" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 119)
Answer: Unless ALL men repent... makes sense. All must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, show fruits for repentance, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (These things are all in the Bible) - This baptism must be performed by one with authority to do so. A counterfeit baptism will not work. In order to enter in at the straight gate, a man must be baptized. If baptism is a Key and there are MANY out there offering that key, then one should BE SURE that the key they hold onto helps get them past the "Pearly Gates."
There will be many, if not all, that will have the chance to choose "Eternal Life" between now and the end of the Millennium.
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." - 2 Nephi 2:27
Did you know there are many INVERTED PENTAGRAMS on LDS temples?
What do the symbols on the Temple mean to you?
Do you even see evil inverted pentagrams?
Is there something wrong with an actual pentagram?
"Inverted Pentagram
The pentagram may be inverted with one point down. The implication is of spirit subservient to matter, of man subservient to his carnal desires. The inverted pentagram has come to be seen by many pagans as representing the dark side and it is abhored as an evil symbol.
Fundamental christians, indeed, see any form of pentagram as such. However, these are recent developments and the inverted pentagram is the symbol of Gardnerian second degree initiation, representing the need of the person to learn to face the darkness within so that it may not later rise up to take control. The centre of a pentagram implies a sixth formative element - love/will which controls from within, ruling matter and spirit by Will and the controlled direction of sexual energies...
Protection against evil...
The pentagram has long been believed to be a potent protection against evil, a symbol of conflict that shields the wearer and the home. The pentagram has five spiked wards and a womb shaped defensive, protective pentagon at the centre. (Yes, protection against Evil is also Evil, eh?)
Here is a comprehensive look at temple symbolism and what those symbols really mean.
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake/
Also where symbols are placed and the number of each is also important.
Symbols have their meanings... perhaps one day, people will look back at the
"Symbol of the Stop Light" and wonder why we would ALL stop before it and pay it reverence.
Perhaps the Stop Light is Evil! HAHAHAHAHA...
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