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Why Share God’s Word with LDS Missionaries?
The simple answer is because Mormonism doesn’t lead people back to God. We prefer labeling it this way rather than saying it is non-Christian, only because there is so much confusion over the definition of “Christian.”
Another word whose definition causes confusion is “saved.” Mormons sincerely and passionately state they are saved by Jesus. In Mormonism, however, salvation is often equivalent to resurrection. In addition, Mormonism teaches there are three distinct kingdoms in heaven. Only those who qualify for the highest kingdom will live with God. All others won’t be able to live in his presence. Therefore, the essential question to ask a Mormon is not how a person is saved or even how a person gets to heaven. The question that gets to the heart of the matter is: how does a person qualify to live eternally with God?
The Bible clearly and consistently teaches that there is only one way for people to be acceptable to God and welcomed into his presence: by relying totally upon Christ’s work for them.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5
His punishment is what brings us peace. His wounds and the blood that flowed from them are what heal us. Salvation is all about what Jesus did for us. It has nothing whatsoever to do with our works.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9
Being right with God rests entirely on Jesus’ works—so much so that any addition of our works into the mix ruins everything.
“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”
Romans 11:6
Christ was perfection personified. Anything people try to contribute is, by definition, flawed and thus taints the perfect salvation Jesus has already earned for us.
In striking contrast, Mormonism clearly and consistently teaches that people must contribute their own works in order to live eternally with heavenly Father. An often-quoted verse from the Book of Mormon says: “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23). The official LDS manual, True to the Faith, expands on it. “The phrase ‘after all we can do’ teaches that effort is required on our part to receive the fulness of the Lord’s grace and be made worthy to dwell with Him” (p. 77). This is consistently taught in the LDS Church.
LDS members also consistently believe this. In thousands of conversations, not one has agreed that they don’t have to do anything to live eternally with Heavenly Father. They consistently and emphatically uphold the teaching that they must do something to spend eternity in his presence.
The emphasis on a person’s work in order to qualify to live with God in eternity is enough to conclude that Mormonism isn’t a saving Christian religion. Many of its other teachings also lead to this conclusion. Here are two more:
- Mormonism teaches that people can become gods. Referring to people who have faithfully followed Mormonism, the LDS scripture, Doctrine and Covenants, states: “Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them” (132:20, emphasis added).
- Mormonism also teaches that there are many gods. For example, there is an LDS scripture entitled The Book of Abraham. The fourth chapter contains an account of creation. Consistently throughout the chapter, instead of talking about God, it talks about gods creating the world. If people can progress to become gods, it naturally follows that there are many gods.
Why share God’s Word with LDS missionaries? Because it is our heartfelt conviction that Mormonism places them squarely on the path to the outer darkness of hell. We are conscience-bound not only to warn them of the danger but also to show them the escape route, namely, Jesus Christ. As he himself said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
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