As I approached our entryway, I wondered who could be knocking on the door this late in the evening. I supposed it to be our neighbor since he checks in on us once in a while.
It wasn't.
Instead, there were two well-dressed teenage boys (with what appeared to be forced smiles). I immediately recognized that they were Mormon 'missionaries' performing their right of passage by going door to door.
This wasn't the first time I'd been visited by LDS devotees so I had done some homework with regard to their beliefs.
Before they could lob their first salvo, I asked them ... 'Who do you represent?'. One of them replied, 'We are from the Church of Latter-Day Saints'.
I started to tell them that I am a Christian and do not believe that their radical doctrines have any merit, but one of the boys interrupted me ... 'Have you read The Book of Mormon?', he asked. I guess he was anxious to move on to his well-rehearsed script.
I chose to take over the conversation at that point.
'I have read the Book of Mormon', I began. 'I know that you have been taught that it is as credible as the Bible ... It is not.'
Though he tried to cut me off again, I continued to make my point. 'You claim to believe that we are in agreement when it comes to the person of Jesus Christ, but we are miles apart. Everything you espouse is blasphemous.'
'Jesus is not Satan's brother. He was not married, nor did He have children. You have corrupted the Word of God by adding to it the machinations of a false prophet,' I stated firmly.
Then something happened that surprised me. The young man actually exhibited frustration, both in his facial expression and the words to his cohort ... 'let's go'. Normally when a homeowner reacts negatively to a Mormon visit, the boys remain polite, smiling as they leave.
This time ... not so.
They may have thought of me as some old curmudgeon due to my blunt response to their sales pitch, but my hope is that a seed was planted. I pray they find the truth found in Christ alone.
For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Mormons claim that 'grace' does not actually mean that it is a 'free gift'. They believe that God actually meant that grace only comes after you do your part. In other words, the gift of salvation is free once you've earned it. (they also have no idea how much they must do before 'saving grace' kicks in)
The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Isaiah 29:13
Mormons will be held accountable for taking our Lord's name in vain. The sign on their church building says ... 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'.
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Most LDS adherents display a disciplined, upstanding lifestyle. It draws in those who trust that their outward godly behavior proves they espouse inspired truths.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
According to worldwide numbers, they are very successful at proselytizing those who fall victim to their false teachings. I contend that the Mormon religion continues to grow because it taps into man's pride ... a desire to control the terms of his own salvation. LDS doctrines satisfy that carnal predilection.
But 'works righteousness' is deplorable in God's sight ... it minimizes that which took place on Calvary's cross. Jesus Christ fulfilled everything on our behalf and death to 'self' is the only acceptable sacrifice.
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