I know your intention wasn’t to offend and maybe you just caught me in a feisty mood. Sorry if I came on a bit strong as I know your heart is in the right place.

I did notice that author #2 is a former Mormon and I’ve seen Mormons try to force belief by actions and that doesn’t work. They eventually quit participating or leave altogether. Perhaps he falls into that category of focusing more on the works while he was a Mormon and now he doesn’t.

Anyways, I appreciate you passing this along regardless because it did cause me to self-reflect and I felt blessed that the works I’ve done have been an extension of God working through me (for the most part). Sure, there are times that I do things out of a sense of duty because I know it is the right thing to do, but the core reason why I do things (i.e. serve in the Church, serve my family, neighbors, write on this blog, witness to others, etc) is because God has blessed me with a testimony of his Son Jesus Christ and that he died for my sins and that through him all people can be saved.

Cal, you are right that we should unite in this common ground and share the Gospel. When people write articles attacking Mormons and lumping them in with Muslims or other non-Christian sects it divides us and the Spirit of the Lord is restrained.

But…back to your question, Doug. I have noticed what you said about Christian churches trying to be “hip”. I’ve seen how pastors behave completely differently up on the pulpit than how they are in real life and it seems contrived to me. Kids notice this and can read through it.

Having gone through seminary as a youth and doing everything that the articles mentioned, I can tell you from personal experience that the people trying to be “hip” factor is non-existent usually. For the most part our youth leaders were not getting paid and had no reason to put on a show so to speak. We did have seminary teachers who were paid and I have seen some of them struggle when they tried too hard to impress the youth. But leaders who just serve with pure intentions of guiding youth to know God and apply the principles into their lives are the successful ones and those people are who I see volunteering of their time serving in the Mormon church.

The other thing I notice, and that you mentioned is the “discipline factor”. More and more Christian churches do not have any consequences for youth or young adults who are living very sinful lifestyles such as having sexual relationships. I’m amazed by this.

In the Mormon church youth are instructed and know for sure where the line is for sexual purity. Our leaders teach it to us and when we make a mistake there are consequences that can lead up to excommunication, if the person is not repentant and wants to keep continuing in the sin. This causes youth to reflect before making bad choices and when they do make poor choices, they know there will be consequences involved (as well as counseling and guidance to help get them back on the right path).

The article quoted 2 Nephi 25:23. Let me show the verse in context:

23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.

25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

I’d like to note that (1) the above verses are from the “Old Testament” portion of the Book of Mormon, (2) verse 25 says “the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith,” and (3) verse 26 reveals a belief in Christ to the point of rejoicing (the fruit of the Spirit that shows we belong to Christ), and remission (forgiveness) of sins.

That’s not earning salvation; that’s the biblical gospel.

Jesus said a house divided against itself will not stand. We who rejoice in Christ must stand together, especially during these evil times when Muslims—who say Jesus was only a prophet who did not die and has no power to forgive sins—are expanding Satan’s work.

I think there were some great points in the article. I do think there were some statements making assumptions on why all Mormon missionaries go on a mission that may or may not be true, such as how they allude that Mormons go out of duty rather than love for the Lord. When making those statements, they do not back it up with any study or research, but just assume that Mormons all think they can “earn” their way to Heaven, which is tiresome for me to hear from Evangelicals.

However, they do make some good points that Mormons and some Christians fall into the trap of doing things out of duty rather than love.

After reading this I have a couple of questions.

1. I wonder how many Mormon missionaries go on a mission because they’re “supposed to” or because they feel love for the Savior and want to serve. I know that for me, personally, the teachings in the Book of Mormon and the born again transformation I had at age 13 instilled a desire for me to share that book with everyone I could. It has been my personal experience that the Book of Mormon together with the Bible brings people closer to Jesus and salvation. I don’t like hearing blanket statements from people who assume that because I’m Mormon that I think I can earn my way to Heaven and that I chose to go on a mission because I was “indoctrinated” throughout my youth and it was my duty to go. I’m sure there are some people who fall into that category, but from my experience as a missionary most people did it because they felt moved by God to do so.

2. I wonder why churches don’t start a seminary program like the Mormons have for their youth.

What do you think? (mostly about #2)?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/may/what-can-christian-leaders-learn-from-surge-in-mormon-youth.html

That being said, we are not mere puppets in Gods hands. We have choices to make in this life and that is to accept Jesus or not to. Daily we choose to follow Christ or not to follow Christ. When we make mistakes, we have the choice to repent or to continue in darkness. These are all works that Jesus has commanded us to do. These works do not save us, but the works of accepting Jesus into our life do. It takes action on our part.

I don’t want to dive off into a faith vs. works debate, but the main point I want to make is that most of these quotes don’t focus mainly on law as you have suggested.

Pilate’s “What is Truth?” Award goes to:
Craig Cardon, who said,

“The Lord doesn’t limit forgiveness to the seriousness of the sin.”

All the other quotes focus on the Law as a saving force–and the Law is NOT a saving or a redeeming force. The Law condemns us as unworthy servants, incapable of coming to faith and unable to please God. The function of the Law is to convict us of our sin and to show us our need for a Savior. In other words, the Law points us to the Gospel, for ONLY Jesus is worthy of life eternal. Jesus became (and IS) the way to the Father. (No one comes to the Father, except THROUGH me.)

As Scripture informs us: We are saved by God’s grace, through faith; and this is not from ourselves. It is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are God’s workmanship, CREATED IN CHRIST to do good works, which God himself prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:8-10)