Did he just say that? (Joseph Smith)

A Mormon Facebook page posted the following statement...


"All the religious world is boasting of righteousness; it is the doctrine of the devil to retard the human mind, and hinder our progress, by filling us with self-righteousness. The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs. My talk is intended for all this society; if you would have God have mercy on you, have mercy on one another."    -- Joseph Smith


Now the ironic part about that quote is that this is EXACTLY what groups such as ours try to get them to understand -- everyday.  Joseph himself boasted about all he had done. The LDS church is all about self righteousness and their doctrine reflects that.

Now, I'm all for having mercy on one another.  That doesn't mean, however, that we have to sit back and put up with religious lies intended on keeping people in bondage.  We love our Mormon friends and family.  May God shed His light for all to see before it becomes to late.

Mormons: Fastest growing Church?

Mormon's often try and use the claim that they are the fastest growing church on the face of the earth.  Excluding those who are baptized at the age of eight, the only real way to gauge that is the convert-baptism rate.

This information is released in the May (Conference editions) of the Ensign magazine.

1990 – 330, 877
1991 – 297, 770
1992 – 274, 477
1993 – 304, 808
1994 – 300, 730
1995 – 304, 330
1996 – 321, 385
1997 – 317,798
1998 – 299, 134
1999 – 306, 171

2000 – 273, 973

2001 – 292, 612

2002 – 283, 138

2003 – 242, 943

2004 – 241, 239

2005 – 243,108

2006 – 272,845

2007 – 279,218

2008 – 265,593

2009 – 280,106

2010 – 272,814

Not being able to see how many of these are from third world countries where the internet isn't as accessible, we can clearly see that their 52,000+ missionaries are needing the help of the LDS PR machine.  Expect more "And I'm a Mormon" commercials to come.   

Official Mormon Doctrine?

All I can say is RIGHT ON KEITH.  

This couldn't describe what we deal with on a daily basis any better even if I tried.

Does this sound "Christian" to you?

These are they who rejected the gospel on earth but afterward received it in the spirit world. These are the honorable people on the earth who were blinded to the gospel of Jesus Christ by the craftiness of men. These are also they who received the gospel and a testimony of Jesus but then were not valiant. They will be visited by Jesus Christ but not by our Heavenly Father. (See D&C 76:73–79.)

However the Bible does say...

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)

So make sure your following the right Jesus and you will get to the real heaven.

Why Ephesians Chapter 2?

Some may wonder why we use the name Ephesians 2 Ministry.  Lets take a look at the entire chapter to see what it is God is wanting us to know and you will see why.

^{Ephesians 2}

^{Made Alive in Christ}

¹As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. This passage tells us that those of us who now trust in Christ didn't always live like we should have.  We were no different than everyone else around you who doesn't believe in anything. Something had to change.

⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.Mercy...Meaning you didn't deserve it, and notice when it happened? While you were dead.  No need to make yourself worthy before God because it will never happen.  So then how are we saved? BY GRACE!!!

⁶And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. And then we with Christ, it isn't something everyone gets by default.

⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. By GRACE and not by works.  Again there is no need to make yourself worthy of anything.  Gods word also says that no flesh is justified in his sight.  Romans 3:20  And who are we to brag (boast) about anything.  Everything belongs to God anyway.

¹⁰For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. The LDS love to use this verse to try and justify there works doctrine.  Lets look at it closely.  WE are "God's" workmanship created in Christ Jesus.  Remember we used to be dead and now we are created "IN" Christ (2 Cor 5:14-21) to do good works.  Which came first? The works or Gods grace? And he prepares them in advance.  

One in Christ

¹¹Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)—¹²remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. This is referring to those who were still trying to keep to the laws.

¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Again it is because of what Jesus did.  Not you or I.

 ¹⁴For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, What happened to the LAW? In one word... GONE! Again it states that we are a NEW creation and that is why we do the good works.  The cart will never lead the horse.

¹⁶and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Where did it happen? On the CROSS!!! Not in the Garden or on a stake.

¹⁷He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. I know this seems redundant but yet again it states that it is through him and NOTHING we can do.

 ¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. How many times do you build a foundation? Once right? So at that point there is no need for apostles and prophets to continue on. And who does everything rest on? Jesus.  For if you believe in Jesus as I believe you say you do then there was and will never be a need for a restoration. (Mathew 16:18)

 ²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. We are now the temple of God.  He resides in us.  No need to build temples.

Please. Again understand we have a deep love for all those who are LDS or JW.  We want to see the best of Gods blessings for everyone.  

Mormonisms Lies start at the top

Excellent video on the story of Thomas B. Marsh.

I encourage all to research Mormonism before trusting anything it teaches. 

Excellent video from Keith Walker on Romney

I encourage all to watch this video from Keith Walker of Evidence Ministries.

Keith's video bring up my very important question: Will you take a stand against this ungodly religion?

Anti-Mormon?

Keep this in mind the next time your called "Anti-Mormon".

AN-TI [an-tahy, an-tee]
noun, plural -tis.
a person who is opposed to a particular practice, party, policy, action, etc.

cult [kuhlt]
noun

1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers
3. the object of such devotion
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.

Sociology
- a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.

Are you curious on what the Watchtower has taught in the past?  Check out the following link.

http://www.letusreason.org/jw42.htm

Table of Jupiter

Must see video

Buying Into The Book Of Mormon

When the Mormon missionaries discuss the Book of Mormon with you, they will ask you to read the book and then pray to know if it's true. What exactly are you buying into, when you open this book? Here are some things you should know.

Video courtesy of Shawn McCraney and Heart Of The Matter


An Open Letter To A Mormon FriendArticle outlining some basic archaeological and religious errors of the Book of Mormon from a Jewish perspective.


Other recommended resources:
SourceFlix videos offer in depth examinations of The Book Of Mormon, The Bible, Polygamy and Joseph Smith.

Walter Martin audio clip on Jehovah's Witnesses

The image of God

God having a body of flesh and bone is an essential doctrine of the LDS faith.  Let's look at what they believe straight from lds.org.

"Coming to earth is part of His plan of happiness for us, which allows us to receive a physical body in His image and continue to increase in wisdom and faith."

"Our life on earth has purpose. Coming to earth is part of God's plan for us to gain a physical body and learn to choose between good and evil."

"When we were born, we forgot our pre-earth life, which means we have to live by faith rather than our memory of God. To help us through life, God promised that His Spirit would guide and strengthen us. Each time we feel the quiet comfort of His Spirit, we know that God loves us and cares about us."

"During our time on earth we make choices and distinguish right from wrong. We gain happiness and become more like our Heavenly Father when we make good choices."

"Because God loves us and wants us to receive the blessings that come from following His plan, He has provided ways for us to stay connected to Him. Prayer is an important way we stay connected with our Heavenly Father. When we speak sincerely to Him, He will answer us through His Spirit and help us through our problems, no matter how large or small."

"Other ways we can stay in touch include reading the scriptures and listening to the prophets who have been chosen by God to teach His plan."

Now let's look at what the Bible says about God’s Image?

Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let US make mankind in OUR image, in OUR likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in HIS own image, in the image of God HE created them;  male and female HE created them.

Do you notice how God refers to himself in the plural form and then in the singular? Since we are created in his image what would that mean about us in a plural form?  We consist in 3 parts as well.  Just as God consist of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we consist of a body, soul, and spirit. Yet there is only one of us.   

So is God having a body a legitimate concept?  Let's look at some verses referring to what God is.

Job 33:4
The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

John 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

Ephesians 2:22
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Philippians 3:3
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh

1 Peter 4:14
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1 John 4:2
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God

Now his word shows us that God is a spirit.  Let's pray the Lord can work through each on of us as we share Gods truth.  This only scratches the surface of this topic so if you would like to go into greater detail please visit our forum. 

Do as I say, Not as I do

You will often see on facebook LDS apologist claiming that we as Christian apologist censor their comments for the sole purpose of trying to keep honest people such as yourselves from hearing the "Truth" about Mormonism.  I am going to show you the information listed on one of the LDS apologist facebook pages and see if they are above their own accusations.

"This Facebook page provides the Biblical foundation for many basic doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It is for those who are new to the Church, those who have been members of the Church, those who are questioning their faith, and those who are seeking to understand the teachings and premise of the LDS Church."

Now I'm all for people wanting to clarify what their opinions are. If I were to run a page about my own faith I would expect those who may have questions to bring them.  Which brings up the issue of how they are dealt with.  This is what they are accusing us of  "censoring".  Now let's look into their "rules".

"By liking this page, you agree to the following rules (and it is up to you to read these rules): 

1) There are to be no personal attacks of individual members here on this page. This includes the General Authorities, or past Leaders of the Church.  If you are going to post comments that Joseph Smith was a pedophile then you are not welcomed on this page for that is an ad hominem."

Now I can completely agree with the first line. The second line however is a different issue for most of the issues with Mormonism come because of contradictions from past leaders.  It would be understandable that in an attempt to conceal reality from it's members the church would not want these things on their page.  And since a lot of those issues go all the way back to quotes from Joseph himself including lies about polygamy then him being a pedophile should be kept off as well.  Now let's look at the definition of ad hominem....

• appealing to one's prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one's intellect or reason.
• attacking an opponent's character rather than answering his argument.

Now let's just keep this in mind as we continue.

2) Sincere questions are welcomed.  However, any question that are gauged to be deceptive forms of attacking the doctrines, leaders, and history of the LDS Church, the comment will be removed.  Upon the third removal, the individual will be banned from posting on the page indefinitely. 

Sincere questions? So in other words we can't ask anything that sheds reality on Mormonism....Got it. What I have an issue with is that in the same breath they will complain about how ministries like ours refuse to allow them to go off and litter our page with nonsense.   If they want to run their page according to these rules it wouldn't be an issue if they weren't complaining about us asking to do the very same.

3) Links to known counter-cult ministries (CARM, MRM, UTLM, et al.) will automatically be removed and the individual who posted said link.

Not this makes me laugh. For CARM, MRM, and especially UTLM have spent years getting scans of original documents to show what was said and in the context of which it was meant. So again I can see what they would want to censor these out from those who might be questioning their faith.  For the church doesn't want to lose any faithful tithers. 

4) There is to be no questioning the admins if your comment is moderated.  It is your responsibility to comply to these rules and to participate in the conversation with respect and the utmost integrity.

Right.  Because when truth is brought into light we wouldn't want any investigators to realize what Mormonism is spending countless hours and dollars trying to sweep under the rug.  I'm also all for giving respect where it's due.  Problem is respect is something that is earned and those who are constantly deceptive deserve no respect.

5) The appropriate concepts of netiquette will be employed here and enforced.  If you are unaware of what these concepts are, then it is your responsibility to read this link: http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html  

Now as far as this one is concerned I about fell out of my chair reading it knowing how many they break on a daily basis.  At this point I almost expected Emperor Palpatine to come and explain to us how the Jedi are being deceptive. 

6) If you are called to cite your sources, it is your responsibility to provide those sources.  The only sources that are acceptable are those sources that come from established academic Journals, commentaries, and respected publications.  Wikipedia is not considered a respectable source to cite.

So remember rule #3?  If they call us on siting our sources how can we if they're just going to remove them?  I think that if they are going to want and post links to FAIR and FARMS we should be allow to counter those with our highly accredited sources. 

7) Whether you are commenting or publishing a note for discussion on this page, you bear the burden and responsibility to provide a "Works Cited" section.  This means that you have to comply with the standard of rulses of MLA, Chicago, Turban, or APA.  It is imperative that links are provided in the text/commentary so that the information can be verified. 

I'm all for making things nice and neat.  Seems a little much to ask of everyone for a facebook page but ok. And again... How can we give links if they are just going to be removed. 

These rules will be amended as necessary and at the discretion of the page admins.

So another words if someone does something you don't like that isn't in this ridiculous set of rules you can change it so you can get rid of them anyway.... Got it.



Now their mission statement makes things all the better.  "To provide basic understanding to the honest seeker of truth as to the Biblical foundation for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint faith." I think we can all see that to them only those who have already made up their mind that Mormonism is what it is without questioning are "honest" seekers.  And "Biblical" foundation?  There was no Mormonism prior to the Book of Mormon and even then the Bible is second to the Book of Mormon so there can by no means be a Biblical foundation. 


And the best for last is what they list for their products.  

- The Book of Mormon  (We've all known this to be a product, just didn't know it was a product of LDS apologists)
- DVD's
- Pamphlets
- Articles
- Magazines
- Books

Now if these products belong to them then that must mean they "Officially" speak for the church and can't use that as an excuse when we ask the hard questions.  So with that I ask you be extremely careful when surfing around facebook.  They will love to get unsuspecting people in there to make them believe as they do without question. 

I needed a good laugh

I came across an LDS apologists blog a while back and they were trying to merge so called "Anti-Mormons" as hate groups as listed by the FBI's definitions.  Then let's look at each of these shall we.  And we can see who really fits this "Mold".

1.      Group gathers

2.      Group defines itself

3.      Group disparages the target

4.      Taunts target

5.      Attacks target without weapons

6.      Attacks target with weapons

7.      Destroys target


1.  Group gathers - Well this is kind of generic and can be applied to almost anyone from a group of co-workers gathering to play softball or your local Sunday service.


2. Group defines itself - Well if they are trying to refer to us then we define ourselves as a group of Evangelical Christians out to share the "Real" gospel of Jesus with the LDS and JW's.  However they define themselves as a group of people out to defend the "Supposed" restored gospel.  So again this really doesn't mean much quite yet.


3. Group disparages the target - Well let's start with the definition of disparages shall we.

• to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle
• to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of

Now let's look at some comments made by LDS apologists shall we?

Peter Anderson Makinson Bob Brett needs to keep his toys in his pushchari and play with his toys instead of trying to play with the BIG BOYS ......

Peter Anderson Makinson - The Challenging Mormon Apologetics are a complete joke. Up to now I know of 7 people who have been banned 8 with me. Who are this bunch of crackpots ans what are they trying to achieve...

Timothy Berman “Some look at the kid with a big stick heading towards a Beehive and think “that boy has got to be the biggest fool” when in reality it sometimes takes courage and kahonas to walk up to a nest of swarming bees and beat their cozy little nest to awaken the reality that the are not welcomed where they decided to hang out. ~~~ Timothy

So as you can see they may just need to remove the plank from their eye before worrying about the speck in their neighbors.

4. Taunts Target - Well taunting would imply what?  Asking for proof when we know they don't have any?  O.K.    How about comments like these...

Timothy Berman - Now, I challenge J.R. to republish his post, apologize for his insinuation, and to present the facts more plainly and simply.  

Apologize for sharing the truth about Mormonism?.... HA!!!


5.  Attacks target without weapons - This has got to be the most overused "cry foul" tactic you will see when it comes to LDS apologetics. For anytime something sheds light on their religion they claim we are attacking them.  Maybe they should start trying to practice their faith in countries such as China or North Korea and REALLY start to see and feel what being attacked is like.

6.  Attacks with weapons - OK.  Really?  Does this even need to be addressed.  The closest thing I've seen to them accusing critics of the church of this is in Greg West's blog where he tries to insinuate that every LDS church that is being burned down is being done so by "Anti-Mormons".  Really?  At what point do we need to get a reality check?

7.  Destroys target - As if #6 was pointless enough to address.  Come on,  just because someone is critical of another persons beliefs doesn't mean they are out do destroy them.  This is a tactic used by those who want to make things seem worse then they are in order to get sympathy from those they are trying to persuade.

So who really fits this mold.  Let me show you something and you can be the judge.  Funny how they like to cry foul and yet are guilty of the very same things they are accusing others of.  This is only the start of it. Their constant need to silence the critics has gotten out of hand.  I suggest they realize that just like there are Republicans and Democrats that not everyone will agree.  However if they are going to accuse people of things in order to try and make them look bad they had better watch what they are doing themselves.

Let this be a warning to all Bible believing Christians.  This game of theirs has no end.  Let's pray they wise up to their actions before they cause themselves anymore damage.

For discussion go to our forum.

The Prophecies of Joseph Smith

Always recommended video by James Walker.

For discussion please go to our forum. 

Misunderstanding the Kingdom of God

Excellent video on Jehovah's Witnesses worth watching.

Sign into our forum for discussion.
Ephesians 2 Forum