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September 2001 Sept. 1, 2001 Thank you so much for your ministry. Your materials have been so helpful in enabling us to more knowledgeably deal with our son who is involved in Mormonism. We continue to pray for him and his wife that God would open their eyes to the Truth. God bless you. You are appreciated. Sept. 1, 2001 Dear Sandra, Thanks for the materials you sent to me. They were, as I suspected, pretty much an indictment of the church's claim to "modern day revelation." I can remember my father telling me that his father warned him not to go into "law" or he would "lose his testimony." For that reason, my father never did, though I think he really would have liked to have done so. I, however, did and after 16 years of trial work, I can tell you that my Grandfather was Right!! I can't see how any one who really studies all the materials about the church that are available can possible think that all the claims are true. I know that the church has a lot of good "programs:" for the family, but with all the brainwashing that goes on from primary on up, it just isn't a very healthy situation for anyone to be in. I appreciate the work you are all doing. ...thanks again, Sept. 2, 2001 Thank you for the insight. I've recently had young Mormon and JW individuals knocking at my door. I did turn them away in that I knew nothing about their doctrine and without the facts, I was not prepared to debate or discuss their beliefs with them. I am not pleased with myself for this. However, your site has gained me much needed information in order to redirect these individuals to the true teachings of our Lord and to expose the false teachings attached to the Mormon history. Again, thank you. Sept. 5, 2001 I've admired you and what you do for a while. I am one of those LDS loners who thinks critically and who was adored by some members for being outspoken and shunned by others. About 7 years ago, I wrote a final letter to Gordon B. Hinckley offering to help the church more effectively train leaders how to understand abusive dynamics and especially how to more effectively protect children. Because I had written various members of the LDS hierarchy many times before on similar topics and gotten little response (however, I did have a nice chat with Paul H. Dunn before he was made Emeritus and found him a kindred spirit in some ways), I suggested if Gordon did not respond, I would compile all the letters I had written to General Authorities and see if the media were interested in all my attempts to engage the church in discourse, and the important expert information I offered to provide which was rejected by them. In an odd way, I was disappointed when the threat worked and I got an immediate, specific response from the head of church social services who had been directed by Gordon to respond to me. Disappointment, because this was a final confirmation to me that there was precious little inspiration at the top, only fear and desperate attempts to maintain the false image of a perfect church with a perfect prophet who never errs. I chose to quit attending regularly at that time, much to the disappointment of many of my local LDS friends who also struggled to maintain their involvement despite so many who chose to see through a glass darkly. I am a victim advocate. I see both sides of the issue. Perpetrators are victims and sometimes viceversa. The system of abuse is complex, but at its foundation is an external locus of control which includes displaced power and responsibility (the individual seeks direction from outside self, and therefore [believes that he] is not responsible for his behavior). This always results in hierarchical authority and strong expectations of unquestioning obedience and loyalty to the accepted authority figure (who often claims direction from God or other higher source). These give rise to the many symptoms of abusive systems which include paradox, rhetoric, illusion, effective blaming, repressed anger (which I believe underlie many mental disorders including "antisocial," "borderline," "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity," and those related to anxiety and panic [from the fourth Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders from the American Psychiatric Association] and indirectly to Schizophrenia, autism and Asperger's), a lack of boundary recognition, reactivity, drug addiction, domestic violence, child abuse, compulsions and obsessions, etc. When attempting to intervene in abusive systems (which I have done professionally and paraprofessionally for many years), this complex system is effective at absorbing and reprogramming those who try to intervene. The system is very durable, patient and those in it are truly damned. I believe it is the system Christ tried to eliminate when He came 2,000 years ago, by trying to teach an internal locus of control (hearing the voice within, ignoring status, deploring titles and special clothes, etc). I believe he failed because of the durability of the system. However, I believe this system is weakening a little in the present time because more people have more freedom than perhaps ever before, and freedom interferes with illusion. It is only with illusion the system of abuse can remain strong, because it is always a lie, even though it can do some "good" to distract honest men and women. The victims and perpetrators in an abusive system are caught in an Alice in Wonderland conundrum where everything is confused and many things are the opposite of what they seem (interestingly to me, I think Lewis Carroll was making an admission that he was not what he seemed). To get out is very difficult. If one does get out, she is left helplessly floundering without an internal locus of control, and often ends up resubmitting herself. This is a good example of why victims tend to stay victimized. And church leaders tend to cover up their abuse to protect the image of the church. It isn't just the LDS church. All organized religions lean over toward the abusive end of the continuum in my opinion (as do most other organized political, business and social groups with a passionate agenda). And the brethren willfully don't understand the lie they teach or the implications and results of it. And people like you and me who may warn others or chastise the brethren are both feared and hated by those in authority because we threaten to pull the drapes back and show the little sweating man throwing levers and shouting into the microphone. We might reveal the secret that he is no better than, and often worse than, the common member (and since those who move toward an external locus of control lose a proportional amount of spirituality, I predict the brethren are less inspired than a common member with an internal locus of control). So I keep my sense of humor. I have not been ex'd, but I don't think of myself as a member. In fact I go to church on occasion to support my wife and oldest and youngest son, all of whom are still active. The bishop seems to be scared to death of me, but I am really very gentle at church and although I comment profusely in gospel doctrine class, I do so within the bounds of propriety to avoid paradoxically undermining my own position. I am not very angry anymore. I leave the brethren alone because I know they don't listen. But I worry about children, some women and a few men who are victimized (and there are often payoffs for being a victim). But since they take responsibility for the members by their actions (not their rhetoric), I would enjoy forcing the brethren to understand what Christ taught. (I'm very cautious about becoming involved in organized groups for the reasons implied in this letter. ....) By the way, paradox works to help dispel the illusion of abuse. That means, if I really had a chance to talk to the brethren, I would go where they are and try to undermine their defenses from the inside of their rationale. Although I believe society must sometimes "control the controller" I really don't know if I want to try to "force" the brethren to listen to me. Even though in a reactive, retributive sense, it might "feel" good, if I did it reactively, it would likely recreate what I'm trying to undermine, and paradoxically suck me right into the system I'm trying to weaken. ...This is a calling for me. Quietly patiently and with all my heart, I want to bring a greater peace to a good world. Sincerely, Sept. 5, 2001 Subject: Curious How curious it is to stand, not for something, but only against something, and merely because it is not understood. One would think any divine truth you may possess, would be a message to bring to the people on its own merits, rather than a forum built solely in an attempt to belittle, and falsify others beliefs. Regards Sept. 5, 2001 Dear Sir, I am a born again Christian living in Mobile, AL and I am corresponding with a woman in Salt Lake City, Utah who wants to leave the Mormon Church. I came across her name on a Christian Pen Pal website and I have sent several emails to her .... We are now corresponding by using the US Postal Service since she is in a very difficult situation. She does not have access to the Internet and was using her sister's computer. Her sister is a Mormon and saying all kinds of things to frighten her about leaving the church. I want so very much to help her and this I have done just by being an encourager using the word of God. I am in a wonderful Bible believing church and the Body of Christ is very loving and caring. I am a member of Dayspring Baptist and our pastors are truly servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. She and her husband desperately needs to get out of the Mormon church and get into a church where she will find those who love each other unconditionally as Christ loves us. I have sent to her information on God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit to explain the Trinity to her. ...In His love and by His Grace, Sept. 6, 2001 Subject: Request Dear Tanners, .... 18 years of my life I was raised in the mormon church, and before I had to make my decision to leave on a mission I decided to pray sincerely with all my heart regarding the truth of the church. I took into account the promise in the book of Moroni, and prayed asking God to tell me the truth of things regarding the church and its prophets of today and past. I asked God to tell me the truth so that I could leave on a mission and teach knowing I was spreading the true word of God. Well the more I kept praying the more I kept seeing problems with the church, until eventually I left the church. It wasn't until almost a year later that I turned back to God and prayed again regarding truth, only this time I asked not for the validity of the church, but instead I told God that I had very very little faith, but still as little as it was I would give it to him. I knelt on my knees and confessed that I believed that Jesus Christ was my saviour and that I was a in need of his Saving grace. Unlike the mormon church that teaches that I would get some miraculous sign, I only felt that I had finally done what God was wanting me to do for so long, and that was give myself up to him. Since that time I have been growing in faith more each day, and I love the Lord with all my heart. It has been amazing to see and feel first hand the changes that accompanied me by accepting Jesus Christ as my saviour. I now see the problems in the church more and more each time I speak with church members. My Father and step mother have sent me newsletters that you have put out, and they have been enormously helpful in my quest for knowledge. My entire mothers side of the family is still in the mormon church and everyone still pulls on me to come back. Anyway I speak with many people in my family regarding the church and in the end the one thing they all revert back to is saying this "Paul, why don't you stop reading that anti mormon stuff, and just read the book of mormon, you'll feel the spirit like I do and you'll know its true." ...Once again I just want to say thank you for your time in researching these things, they help me a lot, and in turn bring me closer to god by helping me learn truths in the bible. Sincerely, Sept. 6, 2001 I was once a Mormon and now am a Christian. I still have many friends in the LDS church and have a ministry...to them and others. A book was given to me, "The History of Middletown, Vermont" and there is a very interesting chapter in it about a man named Wood who preached the gospel that Joeseph Smith did but quite a while before him. These people have recorded that this man was "run out" of town and moved to NY where he became acquainted with the Smiths. It is very interesting and they claim that Mormonism began in their town (much to their dismay). ...A friend in Christ, [Sandra's Note: A number of writers have looked at the possible connection between the "Wood Scrape" affair, Walter's the magician, Winchell, the Cowdery's and the Smith family. Dan Vogel, in Early Mormon Documents, Vol. 1, p.599, states: "Frisbie's history [in the History of Middletown, Vermont] has received attention from Mormon historians because of its claims that both Joseph Smith, Sr., and William Cowdery, father of Oliver Cowdery, were involved with a group of treasure-seekers centered in Middletown from 1800 to 1802, mostly consisting of members of the Nathaniel Wood family, who received revelations through divining rods concerning the lost tribes of Israel." However, Vogel goes on to caution: "Because Joseph Smith, Sr. [Joseph's father] , and William Cowdery cannot be linked unequivocally to the Vermont money diggers, Frisbie's late account must be approached cautiously." (p.600) However, there is no doubt that Smith and Cowdery were involved in the same type of magic and money digging. For more on this, see Appendix A; Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, by D. Michael Quinn, revised and enlarged in 1998, pp.97,121-133 and Joseph Smith and the Origins of the Book of Mormon, by David Persuitte, 2nd Ed. pp.55.] Sept. 7, 2001 Subject: Thank GOD!!!!! Thank you very much for your informative writings and diligent postings concerning one of America's most deceptive cults to date. Right now I am in the process of investigating the Mormon Church. The
missionaries I am currently talking to are very good souls, and it breaks my
heart that I will have to tell them exactly how I feel, but I cannot
compromise my investigation results. There is no problem with someone getting up in front of a congregation and giving a testimony (this is very common in most protestant churches), but there is a time and place for it. It should not be allowed to dominate the overall service, and it allows heresies to be spoken. Churches need organization, they need paid ministries in order to allow CERTIFIED, qualified individuals to teach and lead. I have found only disorganization and heresies in the Mormon church, and numerous heresies in the writings of Joseph Smith, most of which, in fact, are publicized on this web page.
For the mormons reading this: Well, that's your leader...pretty good example to follow, huh? Yeah, that's what I thought.... Sept. 7, 2001 Hello, I just visited your website and found everything in it very interesting and helpful. I am interested in any information you can send me about the truths of the LDS church. I have been a member for only 6 months, but my husband has for his whole life. I have begun to realize that the church is "not the true church." My husband, however, is very confused. ... Sept. 7, 2001 Subject: why My question to the person(s) responsible for this site is.... Why do such a non-Christian act? Is this something Christ would do? I've read the Bible numerous times, and I've never read an instance where Christ ever put another organization down. He showed us all the perfect example of how to live good lives. He taught us what we need to know in order to become worthy to live in the presence of Him and our Heavenly Father, for eternity. And last but not least, He suffered for our sins, died for us, and was resurrected so that we can all repent, be cleansed of our sins, and live again after death. He ate with sinners ...That is one of the many examples of love that He showed. He never scolded anyone because they weren't doing or believing what He wanted them to. He still loved them. Do you truly know about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Do you know that it is the only church on the Earth that has a living prophet? In Amos 3:7 it says "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." Does God change? No. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There was a long time apostacy from truth because of corruption and unbelief. The apostle Paul even wrote about the apostacy that would occur in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 ...for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first..." ... Now here in the last days all things have been restored. Daniel prophesied about the restoration of the Kingdom of God. He stood before king Nebuchadnezzar and interpreted the king's dream about the great image he saw. In Daniel 2:...verses 44 and 45...said "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed..." This kingdom which Daniel spoke of which would never be destroyed is
the kingdom of God restored to the earth....The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints. It is slowly, but steadily covering the whole earth. It
will never be destroyed. It will continue to grow. The earth is being
flooded with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is only an invitation to you
(you all) to look with different eyes at The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints. Truly search and you'll find the truth of this church. Sincerely, Anonymous [Sandra's Note: If you will read the verses before the one you site you will see that Jesus had stated: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits." (Matt 7:15-16) We are following his charge to warn people of false teachers. The fruits of Joseph Smith demonstrate he was a false prophet. Jesus was always a friend to the sincere seeker. However, Jesus did point out the errors of the religious leaders of his day. See Matt. 3:7; Matt 12:24-50; Luke 12:1-3. As for Paul's warning about a "falling away" this is not a statement that there would be a TOTAL apostasy, as LDS claim. We do not contest that there has been a "falling away" by many, but there have ALWAYS been Christians on earth since the time of Christ. The "kingdom" of Daniel is Christianity, not Mormonism.] Sept. 7, 2001 Subject: The One True Church Hello, My wife and I just wanted to thank you for the time you've spent on your site and it's contents! It's very hard here in Salt Lake to find an open and honest source of information about the LDS Church. When coming to our decision to leave the church, we often found ourselves at your site looking up information that other wise would have been unavailable to us! We have recently parted ways with the church and have truly found Christ in our lives for the first time!! Now if our families would only speak with us!! Thanks again for a wonderful source of information. God Bless, Sept. 9, 2001 Subject: GENEALOGY MOUNTAIN CAVE Can you tell me the exact location of the church's underground mountain cave in Utah where they store their genealogy? (At least I think that's what they use it for.)... Thanks, [Sandra's Note: There is an article and picture in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism:
Sept. 10, 2001 Our 19 year old born again christian daughter, told us last week, 2 weeks ago, she was baptized and confirmed in the Mormon faith (LDS), in large part thanks to her mormon friends. We are beside ourselves and have been praying and praying, can't believe she is buying into this, she knows better! Just 3 months ago she had been doing daily bible study for the last 4 years, went on church mission trips and seemed to have a good grip on her faith. She and her brother have been brought up in a [Christian] church. We are concerned about our son (age 17) and how this will affect him. We are trying to keep the lines of communication open, but it is hard, we cannot approve of her choice to join the Mormons. I have done a LOT of reading and studying about the Mormons, in the last 2 weeks. ...I feel that I am too close to this situation to do her much good. But I am trying to sit down with her to study this - she just doesn't seem to have time with work and school and Mormon activities. ... Thank you for any info and please pray for our family! In Christ's Love, [Sandra's Note: Your family is in my prayers. God is faithful, he will continue to work in your daughter's heart and mind. We see many converts come out after they have been in long enough to see what Mormonism is REALLY about. A good video for your daughter or son to watch is The Latter Day Facade. It is kindly done, but direct, documents many problem areas of Mormonism. It is done by Bill McKeever. A nice, kind book combining both Christianity and a section on the problems of Mormonism is God's Word, Final, Infallible and Forever.] Sept. 10, 2001 Subject: Gov. Brigham Young legalizing slavery I haven't been able to find it anywhere on your website or on the internet so I don't know if this is something that most people know, but Brigham Young backed a statute that legalized slavery in Utah, the only territory to do so. It was called "An Act in Relation to Service" approved Feb. 3, 1852 by the Utah Legislature. I was able to get a copy of it through the Utah State Archives, series 83155. This is probably old news to you guys, but I am the only one that I know that knows this. I came across it in an old out of print book I found at the library. Maybe referencing it would be a good addition to your website. Thanks, I really appreciate the work you guys do. [Sandra's Note: We have some material on slavery in Utah in our book Mormonism—Shadow or Reality? pp. 277-278, but not the reference you site. Thanks for sending us the photos. (See below.)] Slavery Statute in Utah, 1852. Sept. 10, 2001 Please pray for my father _____ ______ I am on the verge of cracking his mormon armor. Thank you Sept. 11, 2001 Hello! Thank you so much for providing this ministry! My husbands brother and his wife are Mormons, as is her entire side of the family. My husband and I were both raised as Christians and have recently come to understand what Mormonism is truly all about. Our question is how do we go about ministering to them about Christianity and the differences between what we believe and know to be true and what the Mormon church teaches them is true, without stepping on toes and possibly causing a huge division in our family? What ways can we introduce the topic? And how do we keep from hardening them to the truth? We would like to share with them without hurting their feelings. Is there a way to do that? Thanks. Sincerely, [Sandra's Note: A good book to read is Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons. Another possible approach would be to order Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith. It is the biography of Joseph Smith's wife, Emma, by two LDS women historians. We sell it, but it would be better to order it from Deseret Book (official LDS store) 801-328-8191, if you are giving it to a Mormon. This book tells about Smith's magic practices, polygamy, etc. But since it is written by LDS people and sold at their store, they can't say you are reading 'anti' Mormon books. You could just say someone recommended it as a good biography of Emma, and since you were trying to understand the beginnings of Mormonism you thought you would read it. Then you can just ask questions on occasions about things you read, noting that you are just trying to understand their religion. There is a book called In Sacred Loneliness — the story of Smith's 33 plural wives (can be ordered from Deseret Book) — written by an LDS historian. Your relatives probably haven't read it and would be amazed at the stories. They also sell a book called Studies of the Book of Mormon by B.H. Roberts. Roberts was a top leader in the LDS Church back in the 1920-1930 period, but toward the end of his life he obviously started to question the Book of Mormon. It would raise some good discussions. This can also be ordered from Deseret Book. Any one of the above three books could be given to a Mormon for Christmas, with the note that some friend recommended them as really good books to read by LDS. But they would raise troubling questions. A good side-by-side comparison of beliefs is in Witness to Mormons. You could use it for discussion. Again, you could simply say you have been trying to figure out what Mormons believe compared to your beliefs. We also sell a set of photocopies called The Godhead and Virgin Birth Photos. These photos are from LDS books. Mormons are always careful about getting into 'anti' discussions (spirit of contention), so you just start by saying you aren't trying to argue but to understand the differences. Another interesting book is Theological Foundations of the Mormon Religion, by a University of Utah prof. (not 'anti'). The point is you are trying to start some sort of dialogue, reinforcing Christ as the focus while interjecting the truth about Mormonism along the way.] Sept. 13, 2001 Sandra, Thank you ...I have all but stopped attending Sacrament meetings and feel no real desire to return. The funny thing is however, that my Mormon friend treat me as if I've stopped believing in God and Christ and am some type of heathen. Funny isn't it. I correspond with a missionary friend a lot and she is making me feel guilty and wrong for questioning my testimony. Yet in all reality, the Mormon church offers no real growth. I would like to also add that I have realized that Christ truly offers a light burden; a Way based on love and forgiveness, not fear and struggle. Thanks again. Your brother in Christ, Sept. 13, 2001 Subject: LDS actively witnessing during Day of Morning in Ireland. Hi, Friday has been declared the day of mourning [following the Sept. 11th bombing in New York] and is officially a bank-holiday here in Ireland where most businesses is closed out of respect of the terrible tragedy that has taken place. The LDS (Mormon) has taken the unusual step of encouraging the LDS missionaries to play on peoples sympathies and they will be witnessing door to door since this morning to dusk. Met a pair of this missionaries yesterday that proudly informed me that the Irish people is much more friendly and sympathetic since the tragedy and that they will be witnessing with joy tomorrow (which is today). It makes me very sad to see people taking advantage of the tragedy instead of praying for the survivors and the relatives of those who died. Kind Regards, Sept. 15, 2001 Subject: September eleventh 9/11. September eleventh-"a day that will live in infamy." On this day an unprecedented act of terror and mass murder was perpetrated by a small group of religious zealots. Not your typical religious people who live next door and just happen to attend a different church than you do. These were people for whom the lives of American citizens were meaningless. Meaningless when measured against their desire for vengeance. A vengeance that they had sworn. A vengeance for what, in their minds, was the great wrongs perpetrated by America. These were people that weren't part of mainstream society. They were people that had left normal society. People that couldn't get along with normal society. These were people who considered themselves to have the only true understanding of God's will. And on September eleventh they obeyed what they understood as God's will by committing mass murder. Not just mass murder, but the greatest act of domestic terrorism and murder yet committed on American soil. An unspeakable and diabolical act of pure murder. It was considered, of course, an act of war. They felt that they were "at war" with the United States of America. They felt that America and its government had become corrupt and sinful. They looked forward to the utter destruction of the American government that they felt was sure to come. A destruction that was deserved for the great sins that, in their viewpoint at least, America had committed. September eleventh. So many people awoke that morning not realizing that a band of religious zealots whose version of the "truth" overrode common decency would end their lives. Little did they know that it had all been planned--secretly and carefully worked out in detail by a band of conspirators so that by the end of the day men, women and children, without warning, would be brutally and remorselessly killed--murdered for the sin of being Americans. Murdered for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Murdered to satisfy a twisted hunger for vengeance. September eleventh--1857 Sept. 18, 2001 Subject: A Mormon gave me his book Hello, I am a Christian, and I have come upon a situation that is interesting. I work with a guy who is a Mormon. He knows I am a Christian and it apparently bugs him. We have engaged each other in some conversation about religious things. I have shared the gospel of Christ with him (now reading the terminology differences you have pointed out makes me wonder if I did a competent job of it). He gave me a copy of the Book of Mormon and would like me to read it. I have read my Bible and studied it thoroughly. I have read about numerous errors in the Book of Mormon which will probably jump out at me when I read it. I read several of your articles which I am sure will help me in this, also. My question is do you have any recommendations to how to approach this guy? He is obviously well studied in his beliefs, and in his speech errors in theology come out that are definitely Mormon. Do you have any advice on how to reach this guy for Christ? Do you think that it is beneficial for Christians to read the Book of Mormon? Can that help us to reach Mormons? I appreciate your time to read this, and I hope that you might be able to give me some advice. Sincerely, [Sandra's Note: See the following—
After you study these then in some conversation get him to commit to his beliefs—God has a father? married? we can become gods? must have temple marriage? do work for dead? pre-earth life, etc. Then challenge him, or simply point out, that in your study you haven't found any of these doctrines in the Book of Mormon. Has he? Why not if the angel said it contains the 'fullness' of the everlasting gospel? Why don't they challenge you to read their later scriptures if that is where they draw their doctrine? Why give you a Book of Mormon if it doesn't contain their unique doctrines? I don't think you need to commit to reading the whole Book of Mormon, but you could agree to read some of it, then look up the sections on doctrine. Or you could ask him for a complete set of their scriptures to study since the Book of Mormon doesn't cover all the areas you would want to read about.] Sept. 18, 2001 Subject: thank you I just wanted to write and thank you for your labor. You have amassed a wonderful collection of material, explaining in fine detail and straight-forward language the errors that Mormonism contains. As a youth director, I am grateful. As a Lutheran Christian, I am grateful as well. Recently, I undertook the task of a three-week series on Mormonism with senior high youth from our church. Your material and web-site proved priceless. Thank you. And may God continue to bless your ministry. In His peace, Sept. 18, 2001 Subject: Angels in LDS theology What position does the Church have on angels? How do they explain the fact that angels exist when I have not seen any mention of them in my research on mormonism? In Him, [Sandra's Note: In Mormonism angels are the same species as men, gods and devils. All were originally born to God and his wife in a pre-mortal state. A person could be sent to earth as an angel prior to his mortal birth or after his mortal death. Apostle Parley P. Pratt stated:
Apostle Bruce R. McConkie gave a description of angels:
Hope this helps.] Sept. 18, 2001 Subject: temple endowment and the new name Could you help me? My brother-in-law is an atheist but is married to a practicing Mormon lady. He is not interested in the Mormon religion and so does not know much about it even though his wife and two children attend Mormon activities daily. I am a Christian. I was telling him that I heard that each Mormon will receive a new name and that when they die that the husband up in heaven must call up his wife by her new name. (The other side of the coin being that he not being a Mormon keeps his wife from attaining some level of Mormon heaven.) Well, my brother-in-law got defensive say that all the other religions keep making things up about the Mormons to put them down! I was wondering if you have an actual reference in the Book of Mormon or one of their other official documents that describes this "temple endowment", the new name, and the husband calling up the wife into heaven by her new name. Thank you! [Sandra's Note: While this is taught, it is not in their scriptures. See: How the LDS Husband Hopes to Resurrect His Wife According to the LDS Temple Ceremony.] Sept. 18, 2001 Hello, Does the Mormon church teach that when a Mormon man passes on he can have his own planet and lots of wives? And where can I find this in original Mormon books? [Sandra's Note: The LDS scriptures declare that the ultimate goal of a Mormon is to become a god, with at least one wife, and procreate innumerable children for all eternity. See: Mormons Hope to Become Gods of Their Own Worlds.] Sept. 19, 2001 Subject: Terrorist attacks on 9-11-01 predicted in Book of Mormon? My uncle's family is Mormon and my cousin just told my mom that the terrorists attacks on the New World Trade Center were predicted in the Book of Mormon, and that Albany, NY is also mentioned. He said he learned this in a seminar class. I would like to know where in the Book of Mormon and what does it say? Or did the Book of Mormon get a sudden rewrite? Knowing what I know about Joseph Smith there was no way he could have predicted this happening. This is very concerning because we want to see our family come to faith in Christ but when they (especially my young cousin) are being taught these things the barbs of this false religion go deeper into their hearts. Thank you [Sandra's Note: There is no mention of Albany, NY in the Book of Mormon. It is mentioned in the Doctrine. & Covenants, sec. 84:114 (Sept. 1832) but in a different context. LDS missionaries had been sent to the east. This is the same revelation that predicts New Jerusalem and a temple will be built in Missouri (vr.3-5) to be dedicated by Joseph Smith 'in this generation.' The revelation names who the missionary would be so it can't apply to someone today. Verse 112 says 'the bishop, Newel K. Whitney, also should travel round about and among all the churches, searching after the poor to administer to their wants by humbling the rich and the proud.' Verse 113 says 'he should also employ an agent to take charge and to do his secular business as he shall direct.' Then verse 114 says 'nevertheless, let the bishop go unto the city of New York, also to the city of Albany, and also to the city of Boston, and warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a loud voice, of the desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these things.' So what happened to Boston? or Albany?] Sept. 19, 2001 I have a friend who is supposed to get baptized into the Mormon church this upcoming sunday. I just found out two days ago. He was raised in a christian home but his church had a lot of internal problems, so he was never really able to get to know God/Jesus in a real way. His best friend was raised Mormon so she has been talking to him a lot about it. There is a lot he still doesn't know. ... Sept. 20, 2001 Hello! I am a ex-mormon. Thank your for your works. Sept. 20, 2001 Subject: Need Information Dear Gerald and Sandra, I have contacted you before about our situation with our son,........., who turned to the Mormon faith a few years ago. As a family, it was a devastating experience, as we raised him to love the true Lord Jesus and he had accepted Him as his personal savior. But ........met a Mormon girl in college and the rest is history. Just recently, ........ came to see us in Colorado Springs. On his trip here, he was listening to tapes about the "Left Behind" series. Of course, he was raised to believe in the rapture, so it was not totally foreign to him. He said that he was enjoying listening to them. Now here is my question: What does the Mormon Church believe about the rapture? I have done a lot of research into their beliefs and can't seem to find anything about it at all. I will really appreciate your answer to this question. Thanks so much! We pray for you daily! In Christ, [Sandra's Note: The Mormons believe that just prior to the battle of Armageddon Christ will appear at Adam-Ondi-Ahman (in Missouri) to meet with the LDS Church leaders. Then Armageddon will take place and Christ will set up his millennial rule, and Satan will be bound. The LDS Church leaders will be acting under Christ to run the governments of the world. When the Mormon prays "thy kingdom come" he is praying for the time when Mormonism will rule the world, under Christ. The Mormon teaching is that Christ's return will be post-tribulation, pre-millennial. The righteous dead will take part in the first resurrection at this time, the wicked will come forth in the second resurrection at the end of the millennium. The Mormons do not have a concept of the rapture of the believer at the time of Christ's return. The wicked will die and those who are moral will stay on earth in a mortal condition. Some of the purposes of the millennium are to catch up on all the baptisms and temple marriages needed for the dead, so that they may have the same opportunities to accept Mormonism as the living. At the end of the millennium they believe Satan will be loosed for a short period. (See Mormon Doctrine, by B. McConkie, 1979 ed., pp.74, 492-501, 687-698 and Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 2, pp.737-739, 906-907.)] Sept. 21, 2001 Thank you so much for what you are doing. Your website has been so helpful in gaining insight into the LDS church. My wife and I work with Athletes in Action, a Christian sports ministry, which is a part of Campus Crusade for Christ. We are currently assigned to the University of AZ and often meet students who are members of the LDS church. Your site has helped us to know how to defend the Christian faith. Thank you. Sept. 21, 2001 Subject: God I would like to address just one topic contained on your website. I don't wish to bring on a spirit of contention or argument. I just want to let you know of my beliefs. When it says in D & C 132:18 that "...because the angels and the Gods are appointed there..." This context is not to refer that there are multiple gods. We believe that God went through the same thing that you and I are going through. He was born, lived a life on earth, and died. Even as you and I will. We also believe that if God was just like us that He himself had a God to rule over him. We believe that we ourselves can become Gods and Godesses. By this is how in D&C (Which is a record of God's revelations) refers to as Gods. It is not saying that we believe in plural gods. God himself is respecting his own Father and so on and so on as one eternal round. Thank you for your time. [Sandra's Note: Thanks for writing. We try to be accurate and are always willing to reevaluate our site to make sure that it correct. However, I believe you are confusing our statements on the LDS teaching about gods. We were not using the D&C quote to prove that the LDS people pray to various gods. I realize that the LDS maintain that they only "worship" one god, while at the same time they generally acknowledge the existence of multiple gods. Christians object to the very concept of multiple gods, whether you "worship" them or not. The concept that God the Father had a father, etc., as maintained by numerous LDS leaders, contradicts the Bible. For just one example see Isaiah 43:10-11.] Sept. 23, 2001 Subject: Who CARES?! Why must you make so much fuss over this? Who cares? No, I'm not an ignorant, narrow-minded person, just voicing my opinion. Your tons of information on all these websites/links are ridiculous. It's like the world is hard and cruel enough. Must you contribute to it? Just let it go and concentrate on productive endeavors. Honestly, the world would be better off without all this wasted energy/money on a worthless cause. Think GODLY things UTLM. You have your priorities out of whack! No, I am not of the LDS faith. Please DON'T respond. I don't want to hear from you people! You all are nerve-wrecking! Sept. 24, 2001 Sandra, Thank you for going to the effort to send me the material on the historic Masonic aprons and symbols and their remarkable significance to both Masons and Mormons. I appreciate it. I'm learning that the two organizations are much more intertwined than I would have ever thought. Sept. 25, 2001 Subject: Biased descriptions I am a Mormon, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and when I read your description of the lawsuit against your organization, I could not believe how biased it was. I think that you should have a completely neutral person rewrite this description, because you act like you didn't deserve to be sued. How would you feel if someone got into your private records and put them online for the public to view? Even if someone sent them to you, you had no right to put them online. While it could have been technically legal, the common sense thing to do is research why the person who sent the disk to you did what he did, and then ask the church for a response on why this manual is so confidential. Maybe the church claims it wasn't published because it never thought that almost unethical people like yourselves (forgive me for the strong language) would never try to copy this onto a public website. I do not think it is right to show people how to get their names off the church records, because it is a personal thing to the church. That such information is strictly controlled for a reason, because you wouldn't like it if a lot of people from your church dropped out because they could. It is almost as if you are trying to convince people that the church is wrong. Maybe you should rethink your purpose in having this site. Are you trying to be the innocent ones being harassed by the Church, like you did no wrong? Maybe instead of trying to act like you know what the church is about, you should hand this site over to the REAL people to know: The members of the Church of Latter-day Saints. Thank you, and I would appreciate a reply on your behalf. [Sandra's Note: Thanks for writing. There are several problems with your analysis.
Sept. 26, 2001 Hello! I am a ex-mormon french. I was during 23 years in the mormon sect. Thank you for your work. I would like read in your site web an article about the Book of Mormon and the new testament. The entire Book of Mormon practice the covenants of the New Testament and not the covenants of the ancient testament. It is the best prove of the Mormon's book is wrong. ... thank you. [Web-editor: See Messenger #74.] Sept. 26, 2001 In 1997, I resigned from the LDS Church. To this day, my family and I have been subject to harassment, privacy invasion, slander, defamation of character and ostracism. Furthermore, the Church has not removed the names of my children as I have asked in a written letter (My children were never members in the first place). I guess the Church took it upon themselves to "make" them members. My wife wants her name removed also, but is intimidated to do so. ... Respectively yours, Sept. 26, 2001 Subject: BOM story comes from another book. I am a born again Christian who witnesses to cult members. I currently have a weekly study with two young Mormon missionaries. I've heard that the BOM story that Joseph Smith penned actually came from, or is very similar to, another book that was written some years before the BOM was written. Could you please e-mail me back the title and author of this book along with some direction on where I can get a copy. Also, if there's anything else I may need to know about what the Mormons are told on how to respond to this book, please let me know what it is and how I may respond back. Thank you very much. [Sandra's Note: Not sure which theory you have heard. Some people think Smith read an unpublished novel by a minister named Solomon Spalding (or Spaulding). However, most historians think it more likely that Smith was influenced by the 1825 published book View of the Hebrews, by Pastor Ethan Smith. A good overview of sources can be found in Joseph Smith and the Origins of the Book of Mormon. Also see on our site: Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Ideas for the Book of Mormon? As well as our Topical Index: Book of Mormon.] Sept. 26, 2001 Subject: Great website Tanners! I was looking for a replacement for my soft copy of 'Shadow or Reality'...loaned it out, never came back, Cest la' Vie! Can't complain, it gave me 20+ years of fuel for the missionaries. I found it easily on your website. Reading over the letters-to-the-editor, particularly letters from ex-cult members, I noticed two overriding themes. They hit me like a brick wall, like a light bulb going off upstairs, like a new discovery that's been in front of my face for so long I couldn't see it. 1. Religion. If I choose to accept Christianity, I accept God's attempt to reach mankind. Do I attempt to work a sacramental/sacerdotal system of man to my benefit? Or, do I accept an inner experience of grace from 'The Boss' Himself? Geez, that's a tough one! I guess it comes down to a central question of mankind; Jesus of Nazareth, what do you do with him? 2. Me Me Me! Godspeed to you and yours. Sept. 28, 2001 Subject: A word of thanks and encouragement Dear Jerald and Sandra, I just want to let you know that I believe in what you're doing and have done. I remember, as an LDS child, hearing about your excommunication. I remember the "anti mormon" flap that caused people to disregard what you had to say. Thank you for paying the price to inform those who will listen. Your materials are the training books for the army that will storm the temple gates eventually. BUT, I'm now a born-again Christian, one of four in my direct "Kimball lineage". I have been saved for 7 years, but it was only this last year that God had layed it on my heart to look back. I've always considered my mormon background my Ninevah. Now I have an ache and a heavy burden for these people whose leaders have limited their access to The Lord. The things you say about child and women abuse are true. I pray for my lost LDS family who has inherited every generational curse possible through the sexual sins of our "proud grandfather", Heber C's [Kimball] polygamy. The light is only now beginning to shine on some of it, but I'm amazed at how easily the mormon victims dismiss the gravity of the sin. One abuser went on a mission, has stayed in good standing in the church, and only recently "apologized" to the victims. The church was aware for years and years. I'm somewhat of a Pariah in my family since I "told" and I am a Christian. I am seen as very "un-Christianlike". Interesting paradox, isn't it? I have started in Bible Ministry school, and am hoping to begin speaking at churches to assure them that this "doctrine of demons" is not to be accepted as Christian, and these people need The True and Living God! Be blessed. You may never know how much your materials have helped, and I'm sure it has exacted a heavy price for you and your family. Under His Wing, |
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