The Leader in Mormon Ministry & Information   LAM MINISTRY LINE: 877-362-2751 / ADDRESS: P.O. Box 670, Woodinville, WA 98072-0670 DOES THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ACTUALLY REJECT THEIR NAMESAKE?  John 3:36 reads, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son, will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." What constitutes a rejection of Jesus?  We examine this in light of Mormon behavior. Read Rejecting Jesus  Why I Left the Mormon Church This article is in response to something I watched on YouTube today.  The little snippet reminded me of the horrible behavior problem I had while being a member of the LDS Church.  As you already know Mormon testimonies mimic each other as do the attacks against those who’ve chosen to leave when they find truth.  Here’s the link for you to see what I mean! http://youtube.com/watch?v=PCxdtTg7uyU&feature=related  Most if not all LDS people will tell anyone who will listen that people who leave the Church have done so for one of two reasons.  While their “two reasons” vary somewhat the point that needs to be noted is the character assassination that takes place against the person who has left. Now personally I really don’t care much about having a “good reputation”.  My main concern in life is what God’s opinion is about me.  My focus is to be sure that I’m on my way to Jerusalem with Jesus.  So my question to the Mormon is this: are you going to Jerusalem? Read the whole story.   Do Mormons believe in a different God than Christians? If they do, why would they say they are Christians? When referring to a Methodist priest, JD 5:332; “the god they worshipped was the "Mormons'" devil” Isaiah 45:22; “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”     580 Reasons to leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Hideous.  That was the one word a pastor used to describe Mormonism to me the day I sat with him to give pointers on how he could counsel a brand new Christian who happened to also be a third generation Mormon. It’s easy enough for those of us who work in Mormon ministries to become immune to the day to day blasphemous teachings of the LDS Church.   So when someone comes along that is unfamiliar with the nuances and outrageous theology, it always gives us a fresh take on the scenario. There are many other books written by reputable pastors and ministry workers that are better written with their vast experience of working in ministry to Mormons and I would refer you to them to receive better insight of how and why the Mormon teachings are unbiblical.  My top endorsement would go to Ed Decker with Saints Alive who has written an encyclopedic work of major tenets within Mormonism called Decker’s Complete Handbook on Mormonism. I did not compile this work to outshine or out-do anyone else’s massive amount of research and time.  This list came about by providing PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) for a Calvary Chapel radio station in Nebraska!  I would record about 45-50 announcements every other week and in order to keep track of them I had to begin alphabetizing them and keeping a journal of what I had already recorded at the radio station.  This is a short list of those PSA’s. The pastor in charge of the radio ministry at Calvary Chapel in Nebraska had asked me to give a 30-90 second side by side comparison of Mormonism vs. Christianity.  I’ve listed the LDS reference and the biblical refutation under each. Our hope is that these will aid those of you who are looking for ways to witness to Mormons and you’ll be blessed by them!  We know and understand there are many choices to make regarding which biblical verse or passage you could use to refute, the choices we’ve made are what the Lord has shown to us at this time. We will continue to update the list until we get all 580 reasons. The first 40 are at the following link or look in the menu at the left. The List.   General Conference October 2008 Every six months the LDS Church (Mormon Church) broadcasts its General Conference from Salt Lake City, Utah. Many people are able to watch this from the comfort of their own homes on T.V or via internet connection; others travel to their local chapels to view the Conference. The Conference is broken down into two, two-hour sessions usually on the first weekend of April and October.  Church members tune in to listen to the current prophet; his counselors and other General Authorities give them advice and counsel for the next six months. In fact, the talks the church leaders give are in Conference issues of the church’s magazine, the Ensign. This special issue of the Ensign is thought to be as good as scripture to the LDS. They are counseled to place it right next to their standard works and study it as they do their scriptures. When the new Conference issue comes out, they are to replace the old with the new. As I listened to the talks the leaders of the LDS Church prepared for the Saturday Session of General Conference I was heartsick. I prayed for strength to get through each talk. They were so completely unbiblical and blasphemous. Below you’ll see that I’ve pulled out a few tidbits from each talk to give you an idea of what the LDS consider “continuing revelation.”  Elder L. Tom Perry spoke on having “the Spirit,” and what you can do to keep the spirit. He said;   “When we are modestly dressed we invite the spirit of the Lord to be a shield and protection for us.”  Read the entire article here - General Conference   Life After Ministries helps distribute new DVD Life After Ministries along with several other Puget Sound ministries distributed thousands of copies of the new Jesus Christ Joseph Smith DVD. This was part of a nation wide distribution of a DVD that explains many of the differences between what Joseph Smith taught, and Biblical Christianity. A portion of it can be viewed at Jesus Christ/Joseph Smith, or you can purchase the full length video from our Bookstore Life After Store.   Church of the Week & Mentoring Program We have been so blessed here at Life After Ministries with all the phone calls from ex-Mormons seeking help in their exodus process that it seems each week we are implementing a new idea or resource for those seeking a little guidance! One of the things that can be overwhelming for the Mormon when they decide to leave is what’s next, what do I do now?  What kind of church, where is the church, what are the rules, etc. are just a few of the questions that go through the mind of an ex-Mormon.  We’d like to be able to help them in their new life by providing a reliable and safe place for them to find truth and integrity.  Ideally, we’d like to have at least two or three churches from each town throughout North America for the ex-Mormon or Mormon to choose from!  The Bible says that we don’t receive because we haven’t asked and believed so I’m asking Father God to supply us with this list for the Mormon people while being confident He will provide! Check out the rest of the story and our first Church of the Week.   Life After Ministries on local radio program Michelle and Kirk from Life After Ministries were on AM 820 KGNW to debate Mormonism and Christianity with a local Mormon leader. The program was aired on Friday October 20th from 4-7 p.m. PST. If you missed the program you can download it at Live From Seattle on KGNW or from our link: Mormon Debate.    ARE FAMILIES REALLY FOREVER? I was reminded of a familiar phrase well known by church members this past week when I received my LDS-Gems e-mail of the day.  The topic was about the Families are Forever plan the LDS Church promotes to its members.  While I have entertained many questions about this doctrine throughout the years I was saddened and perplexed by the content of the message that had originated from an article in the November 1996 issue of the Ensign.  The message was delivered by Robert D. Hales, one of the apostles for the LDS Church.  The very first line of the e-mail said the following:  “While our individual salvation is based on our individual obedience, it is equally important that we understand that we are each an important and integral part of a family and the highest blessings can be received only within an eternal family.” Read More   JOSEPH SMITH AND WARREN JEFFS On August 29, 2006, Warren Steed Jeffs, prophet of  the Fundamental Latter Day Saints (FLDS) Church, was arrested just outside of Las Vegas after being pulled over on a routine traffic stop by the Nevada Highway Patrol.  He had been on the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted List since May. We have done some research and found some stunning similarities between Warren Jeffs and Joseph Smith. Read More   A WORD FOR MORMONS: Are you struggling to live up to the perfection of Mormonism?  Do you have questions and doubts about Mormon teachings?  Are you feeling like you are falling short of perfection? At Life After Ministries we understand your struggle.  We understand the shame that Mormonism places upon you like a heavy yoke.  Mormons have been taught a lifetime of doctrinal mistruths passed down through the generations beginning with Joseph Smith that hinder the relationship that our personal, loving God desires to have with you.  These Mormon lies taught to many of you since you were little children differ greatly from the Good News found in the bible where the Rock of our Salvation teaches there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  No Church is needed to grant it. No works are required to obtain it. At LAM we challenge the Mormon doctrines that steal eternity in heaven from sincere people and work to assert the Christian doctrines of Jesus Christ, by the authority of the Bible, while fighting to expose the false doctrines of Mormonism.   PROPHETS, PROPHECY AND THE MORMON CHURCH Why the prophecy spoken by the Mormon Church is not from God Far too many people, including the Mormon Church, are displaying an Old Testament ministry and personality in a New Testament Church setting. The Mormon Church wrongly operates exclusively in the Old Testament setting and attempts to build its credibility through plagiarized theologies, writings and traditions.    IS GOD AN EXALTED MAN? Mormon belief says that "man is what God once was."  Do you think you would make a good god? Apparently Mormons do. Would you want to be subject to a God that is just like your Mormon neighbor? So what makes Mormons so different that they think they would make a good god?  We'll examine this God-maker mentality in the Mormon Church.   NEW!  WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A REAL CHRISTIAN? Are you curious about how everyday life as a Christian is different from that of a Mormon? You probably hear about it, but is it really that different? We'll examine the everyday differences and provide some shoeleather explanations that reveal the profound differences in how life as a Christian has little in common with that of a Mormon.  DID JESUS REALLY CLAIM TO BE GOD? Mormons tell us that Jesus was lesser than God, that he was created and not creator. However, scripture proves otherwise. Do Mormons accept this fact or do they love the church and their doctrine all the more? ARE MORMONS CHRISTIANS?  Why do some Mormons insist they are Christians while at the same time attacking Christian beliefs.  In other words, if you hate racism, would you then claim to be a member of the Ku Klux Klan?  Oh how these Mormons are a curious bunch. Was Jesus a Liar, Lunatic or Lord? Mormonism exposed Mormons maintain Jesus is not God.  We decided to entertain that idea and with help of our good brother Josh McDowell, we put that idea to the test.  Assuming Jesus was not God, then what was he?  We'll explore the possibilities since no one in the Mormon Church seems to be willing.  The Secret Mormon Moral Code: Pay, Pray & Obey Hear this former Mormon's story as he shares his feelings of growing up Mormon, the guilt he was forced to bear and how being abandonded by the church snapped him out of his trance. Mormons stay away from Passion because of 'R' rating In what is just another example of how Mormons are under the law, Mormons stayed away from theaters for the Passion of the Christ so they would not be seen at an R-rated movie.  In spite of what Mormons think, in reality, Mel Gibson probably did not go far enough in his depiction of Christ's suffering.  One has to wonder if the story was about Joseph Smith's death, would the church care as much about these arbitrary ratings? Does the church care about appearances to a worldly rating system more than sharing in the suffering of their "Lord"? In a word, yes! LAM SPECIAL REPORT! LA Times Front Page Article Says DNA Evidence Undermines the Book of Mormon  The LA Times published a front page article today title Bedrock of Faith Jolted stating that DNA evidence undermines the Book of Mormon's claims that North American Indians, long believed by Mormons to be decendents of Hebrews, is actually proved false by recent DNA evidence. The story is huge within Mormon circles and prompted an immediate response by the Church of Joseph Smith, Latter-day Saints in which they stated on their website, "Recent attacks on the veracity of the Book of Mormon based on DNA evidence are ill considered. Nothing in the Book of Mormon precludes migration into the Americas by peoples of Asiatic origin."  This official Church reponse is chilling to Mormons everywhere because it amounts to a non-denial denial. The Mormon church no longer seems to be arguing with the DNA findings but rather choosing to reframe the argument. Fallout from the Church's official position and from the Times article should be interesting to say the least.  Have a comment? Send your comments here and we'll post them on our site next week. It's a strange doctrine they teach...and we're challenging it Don't know much about what Mormon's believe? Heard a few horror stories?  You need to be armed with answers before you talk to your Mormon friend.  That's where we come in. Click here to get help Smith: "Throw away the Bible, but keep the doctrine" That's what he said.  Quote: "The doctrine of baptism for the dead is clearly shown in the New Testament; and if the doctrine is not good, then throw the New Testament away, but if it is the Word of God, then let the doctrine be acknowledged." So, either way, keep the doctrine no matter how pagen?  You've got to read more of this Who is God? Is He a Mormon?  According to Mormons, God has flesh and blood, is not everywhere all the time and had physical sex with the virgin Mary to conceive Jesus.  The Mormons say that the trinitarian view of God came from the Council of Nicene about 400 A.D.  and that it is erroneous and extra-biblical. Mormons should be the last people scolding others on merits of extra-biblical beliefs.  Let's let scripture decide. Mormons active in your area? Why are so many Christians intimidated to talk to Mormon missionaries?  Find out how you can host a workshop at your church and stop that trend today!  McKay's Corner Please be praying for the these current or ex-Mormons who need your prayers at this time. * "K" - very strong Christian female adult.  Many LDS members in her personal and private life - is seeking prayer from strong intercessors within the body of Christ.                                                                           * "C" - brand new ex-Mormon Christian - (about 1 yr. now)!  PTL!!!  Spouse is atheist, no kids.  "C" just found that she can truly rely on Jesus to help her with needs; found new Christian church and new friends!  Please pray for continued spiritual strength as she has grown immensely over the past year.  She was multi-generational LDS from Utah. * "M" - convert to LDS - many serious issues going on spiritually speaking and in need of many committed Christian intercessors on his behalf.  Confused, scared, etc. * "G" - pray for spiritual guidance from the Lord.  He is multi-generational from Utah, grown children and is temple married.  Wants out of church now and feels trapped from all sides. * Brittney - 20 yr. old student in VA.  Her baptismal date was set for May 6th - she has now decided to rededicate her life to the Lord and is going to teach LDS in her area the truth about the Bible vs. Book of Mormon!  Pray for her strength, protection and the Lord's blessing on her head! * Life After Ministries - We need more mentors!  If you or someone you know is interested in being a mentor for those who are seeking a way out of the Church or who have left the Church but still needs a mentor won't you pray about this?