In my last post I shared how Mormons and Evangelicals can get along. I read on another blog somewhere about a Baptist preacher a few months ago and thought this was interesting to share. This Baptist Preacher seems to have found a way to still believe in the Evangelical Jesus and the Book of Mormon Jesus. The following links are very interesting:
“The Baptist Version of the Book of Mormon“
Prophesies about the LDS church:
Staunch members of the Church of Jesus Christ may wonder how he can have a witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and not become one. On the other hand, Christians may wonder why he could believe in the Book of Mormon and still claim to be a Christian.
I can personally understand how he can opt not to become a member of the LDS church because there are many revelations that came after the Book of Mormon that are not included in the Book of Mormon. Many of the truths found in the Book of Mormon are found in the Bible as well.
This is yet another example of how one can bridge the gap between Mormons and Evangelical Christians.
Grace for Grace 
45 comments
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June 6, 2008 at 5:57 am
Baptist Preacher Believes in Book of Mormon - LDS Mormon Forums
[…] Baptist Preacher Believes in Book of Mormon I thought this was very interesting. Check this out on my site: Baptist Preacher Believes in Book of Mormon Grace for Grace […]
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November 25, 2010 at 11:44 pm
David
Check out the ‘Community of Christ’ church for answers.
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June 6, 2008 at 8:17 am
Kris Chan
Hi, please join imCHRISTIAN.co.cc. It’s a Christian Forum open for everyone, of all faiths and races, even non-Christians alike. Thanks.
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June 6, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Eric Nielson
I served a mission in Georgia, and met a lot of very good baptist people. I had the impression there that if baptists were to really read the Book of Mormon that they would love it.
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June 6, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Clean Cut
That was fascinating! Thanks for sharing the links.
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June 6, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Allen
Many years ago I met a lay member of a Methodist Church in West Virginia who taught a religion class in his church. His lessons came from the Book of Mormon, but he didn’t tell that to his class. About 12 years ago there was a version of the Book of Mormon on the web that was published by a Protestant minister. The text of the BoM is public domain, and he was able to legally have “his” version.
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June 7, 2008 at 4:13 am
Mormon Heretic
I’m familiar with this Baptist BoM website. I have to tell you I met a man on my mission who said he believed the BoM and D&C were scripture, but couldn’t figure out why Joseph didn’t have a revelation to tell him that worship day was the 7th day. (He was 7th Day Adventist.)
I said, “If I can find in the D&C where it says to worship on Sunday, will you be baptized?” He said he would. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to fill my end of the bargain. It is interesting to note that April 6, 1830 is a Tuesday (a point made in this week’s RS and Priesthood manual, assuming you are on the same schedule as my ward)….
There is some pretty good scriptural evidence confirming that the early Saints met on Sunday (Day of Pentecost, sacrament passed, Jesus always appeared on Sunday after Resurrection), but nothing that explicitly says “Worship on Sunday.”
Anyway, apparently at least 7th Day Adventists doesn’t have a problem with BoM as scripture….
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June 9, 2008 at 1:29 am
ama49
Willow the Whisp (http://www.lds.net/WillowTheWhisp) wrote:
This interests me because years ago I knew a Baptist minister who also believed the Book of Mormon and preached some of its teachings in his sermons. I queried why he remained a Baptist minister and didn’t become LDS and there were lots of reasons. One was that he hoped he could bring his parishioners to understand that the BOM teachings are not incompatible with the Bible, one was that he would lose his job if he became LDS because his livlihood was from preaching in the Baptist church. It would have been a huge step of faith for a man with a family to support and he just didn’t have the nerve to do that.
I don’t know what ever became of him because he left the area. My late husband and I became quite friendly with the pastor who replaced him and although he didn’t accept the BOM as scripture he did accept us as Christians.
Sadly that congregation dwindled to the extent that the church has now closed down and the few that were left have joined with another denomination.
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June 9, 2008 at 1:41 am
ama49
Mannisue (http://www.lds.net/mannisue) wrote:
Oh! Lynn Ridenhour! What an awesome, awesome guy. We got the opportunity to chat with him on the MADB board, and he just loves the BoM–he is very well versed in it. If anyone’s interested, just go to http://www.mormonapologetics.org and do a search for “ridenhour” for a list of threads he’s started or been involved in. They’re well worth the read.
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June 9, 2008 at 1:43 am
ama49
Vanhin (http://www.lds.net/Vanhin) wrote:
Very interesting read. I liked this quote.
“Like the Bible, the central theme of the Book of Mormon is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There are over 160 passages in the Book of Mormon that speak of the Lord Jesus Christ. There were 22 men named in the Book of Mormon who saw Christ. Some form of Christ’s name is mentioned on an average of every 1.7 verses. The New Testament mentions a form of Christ’s name on an average of every 2.1 verses. The name of the Savior appears nearly 25 percent more frequently in the Book of Mormon than in the New Testament. When we realize that a verse usually consists of one sentence, we cannot on the average read two sentences in the Book of Mormon without seeing some form of Christ’s name.
“He is Lord” rings loud and clear from its pages like a London cathedral choir harmonizing on a Sunday morning. The sound is resonant throughout the book’s pages. The Spirit’s witness is there. That same Jesus I discovered in the Bible is also present in the pages of the Book of Mormon. Praise be to His holy name!” (The Baptist Version of the Book of Mormon – by Lynn ridenhour)
Regards,
Vanhin
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June 9, 2008 at 11:59 pm
jack
Interesting how you all jump on this as if it somehow proves the Book of Mormon is true. I often like to use some of the stories and characters from Les Miserables to illustrate gospel truths, does that make Les Mis true? The interesting thing about the BOM is that there is a lot that is consistent with the biblical text (and I’m not talking about the Isaiah chapters 🙂 ). King Benjamin’s sermon is a wonderful read, and I would use it as a fictional illustration. Like I tell a lot of my Christian friends who have never read the BOM, it’s a good book that tells of Christ in peoples’ lives. But, in the end, passages such as Ether 15:29-31 make it hard to believe as a true record. Also, it talks about synagogues being built “after the manner of the Jews,” which seems impossible because the synagogue did not come into the Israelite story until the exilic period, and Lehi purportedly fled Jerusalem with his family before the exile. Sometimes, you just can’t get around facts.
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June 10, 2008 at 6:51 am
MH
Jack, you don’t quite have the facts right. The exile of the Northern Kingdom happened about 700 BC, where the 10 tribes were scattered. Lehi left in 600 BC, after Jeremiah was in jail. Of course he had a vision that the city was captured, with Zedekiah and company also being exiled, so it is consistent with Biblical history.
I’m not sure what you’re getting at with the Ether reference, other than chopping off the head, and struggling for breath. In France, there is a man known to be beheaded who picked up his own head. So while strange, there are stranger things that have happened. Are you familiar with the Bible story of Balaam and his talking donkey?
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June 10, 2008 at 5:25 pm
jack
ama49,
Just want to let you know that I will respect your request from another article’s entry and no longer post on this site.
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June 11, 2008 at 4:00 am
Mormon Heretic
Can you tell me why my comment is awaiting moderation?
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June 11, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Eric Zacharias
Ama,
What an interesting site!
A handy chart will help you see the similarities between Christianity and mormonism:
http://www.carm.org/lds/compare.htm
Hope this is helpful for you.
Eric
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June 12, 2008 at 4:13 pm
New category: Baptist LDS « Heart Issues for LDS
[…] 12, 2008 by Todd Wood Ama over at Grace for Grace brought this man to my attention. He lives in Independence, […]
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June 15, 2008 at 6:47 am
ama49
#13
I don’t see you as waiting for moderation…did you write something other than what you wrote the other day? Let me know b/c I’d be interested in hearing what you have to say.
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June 15, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Mormon Heretic
My comment has been released, and it now appears as comment #11. Thanks for fixing it.
MH
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June 20, 2008 at 12:26 am
ldspad
That’s for the link, it was a good read! 🙂
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June 27, 2008 at 5:16 am
m&m
Just wanted to say thanks for this link. It was very interesting to read. I liked reading through his scripture compilations on different themes. It’s also just awesome to hear someone who used to be a vociferous anti-Mormon come to testify of the Book of Mormon and the restoration through Joseph Smith…even if he misses a few things, like authority and ordinances. 🙂
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July 1, 2008 at 3:48 am
a random John
m&m,
If you read the Greater Things (watch out, the guy that runs it is a known wacko) article you’ll see the Dr. Ridenour did in fact join the LDS Church but is currently not associated with it. I’m guessing that if he is missing things he’s doing so on purpose.
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July 7, 2008 at 12:33 am
Is God Denominational? « Grace for Grace
[…] scripture reminded me of another statement made by the Baptist Preacher who believes in the Book of Mormon, John Ridenour. In this statement, he submits that God is non-denomonational and that God […]
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July 29, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Nephi
Please check out my blog:
realmormonism.blogspot.com
I talk about Book of Mormon Evidences and other cool LDS stuff.
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September 4, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Kim
what? I am a Born Again Christian/ Baptist former mormon and this is crazy.
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September 5, 2008 at 4:47 am
ama49
#23 Kim,
Why do you think this is crazy?
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September 10, 2008 at 9:59 am
Jessica
As a Traditional Baptist I must say there is really no way to “bridge the gap” between mormons and Baptists beliefs. They are too different. Take for example that Baptist believe that Jesus Christ paid for our sins on the cross of Calvary and that our belief in His, death, burial and resurrection through faith ALONE will get us to heaven. We also believe in ONE heaven and One Hell. There are not different levels in our belief. In our belief a person either believes and goes to heaven or suffers eternal damnation. We do not believe in the study of genealogy or baptism of the dead. As a matter of fact our scripture (mine being the King James Version only) teaches against some of those specific things. We do not believe that we can reach “godhood” through good works and that Jesus Christ was perfect because he was God in the flesh. We believe our works are as filthy rags and that we can do nothing good enough to obtain heaven and that is why Christ Jesus was sent here NOT to be an example of how we can obtain “godhood” but to be the last/final sacrifice for our sins (past present and future) so that we can go to heaven. We believe that Saved believers are the Bride of Christ mentioned in the scriptures. We do not believe in the apostasy because Christ promised in the scriptures that he would preserve his word through time. We do not believe that the Baptist were a sect/branch from the Catholic church. The KJV (The King James Version) came from the Textus Receptus (the Recieved Texts) not the Vaticanus or Sinaiticus (Roman Catholic Scriptures are taken from those two) We do not believe in a Heavenly Mother (Catholics and LDS believe in a Heavenly Mother) or that God was ever made of flesh and bones. Other than when he was Manifested in the flesh as Jesus and walked the earth. We do not believe in spirit children or that Jesus Christ was the literal son of God in that there was no Physical union between God and Mary. We believe that she conceived through the Holy Spirit not by a literal Physical encounter. We believe that the Trinity is 3 in the same and not 3 different beings/entities. I would like to mention that I am not “taking Jabs” at your beliefs in anyway at all but just pointing out some major differences in beliefs. I mean no offense and honestly only wanted to comment in a healthy and productive manner. I am a person who does have Mormon friends that I highly respect and care for as individuals. I truly believe that the vast majority of LDS believers are very good people.
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September 11, 2008 at 5:12 am
ama49
#24 Jessica,
Thanks for stopping by. Those are a lot of differences. However, the point of the post was to show what we have in common. From your experience with LDS friends, what would you say are things LDS and baptists have in common?
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September 13, 2008 at 7:51 am
Jessica
ama49- I would have to say, Faithfulness and Similar Moral Values are something we have in common.
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September 14, 2008 at 8:32 pm
ama49
#27 Jessica,
I’ll agree with you on that. Something else I would say we have in common is the belief that Jesus died for our sins and through Him we are saved. True your definitions of who Jesus is and what salvation is may be different than mine, but we both believe in salvation through Jesus’ atonement nonetheless.
Another thing we both believe in: The Bible, prayer, inspiration through the Holy Spirit, and more. I would say if we really lined up our beliefs side by side we would see much more in common than differences.
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September 20, 2008 at 4:21 am
Jessica
Sorry it took me so long to get back with you. I apologize. I have had a busy week this past week and haven’t spent much time on here reading blogs I enjoy frequenting. You make some interesting points. In discussing our similarities I must beg the question: if you’re a Christian just like I am, does this mean that I’m a LDS just like you? If being a Christian does not make me a LDS, then there Must be Significant differences. One of the key Beliefs that many LDS believers say that they have in common with other Christians is Christ. But the Christ the LDS believer follows and the Christ that the Christian believer worships is a very different Christ indeed. The late Prophet Hinckley makes an interesting statement concerning this subject which was in a “Church News” article as follows: “In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints ‘do not believe in the traditional Christ. No, I don’t. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak.…’ ”—Church News, June 20, 1998, p. 7 To avoid any spirit of contention in our discussion, I think we can both come to a mutual agreement with the late Prophet’s profound statement.
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October 9, 2011 at 11:32 pm
CAllen
I like the thoughfull discussion here and think there are good points by all – i just wanted to make the observation that when Jessica says as a baptist “if you’re a Christian just like I am, does this mean that I’m a LDS just like you? If being a Christian does not make me a LDS, then there Must be Significant differences” It seems the same as saying to a Lutheran ” if you’re a Christian just like I am, does this mean that I’m a Lutheran just like you? If being a Christian does not make me a Lutheran, then there Must be Significant differences”… Well – yea, there are some significant differences between all of the many christian denominations – or there would not be different organizations. But if we all took the position that only we (whichever “we”, we happen to be) are christian, and everyone else who has differences are not – were would that get us in our efforts to be a light to the world? In fact, should I would humbly suggest that, as christians, perhaps we should not put ourselves in position of judging whether others are Christian, and leave that ulitmate judgement up to Christ (as it is Christ alone will really make that judgement).
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October 11, 2011 at 7:54 am
graceforgrace
cAllen,
You nailed it on the head when you said we shouldn’t be judging each other. There are some differences, but they are not worth arguing about and dividing ourselves. That’s not Christ’s doctrine. His is one of peace and unity and respect and love.
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September 21, 2008 at 6:07 am
ama49
#29 Jessica,
Hey I understand being busy. I haven’t had a chance to write anything for a week or so.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. There are definitely differences in what we believe about Christ and I appreciate you being diplomatic about the differences.
I feel that our relationships with Jesus are personal and what has caused you to believe what you believe and the answers to your prayers are just as real as mine. That’s the beauty of God is that he’s merciful to all of us and blesses us according to our faith in Him. I believe that we both worship the same Jesus. Even if we believe differently it is the same God who answers our prayers and who blesses us according to His will and our righteous desires.
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September 25, 2008 at 5:09 am
Mormon Heretic
Jessica,
I noticed you said you were Baptist, but I wanted to ask you about something you said, “our belief in His, death, burial and resurrection through faith ALONE will get us to heaven.”
I don’t claim to be an expert on the Baptist faith, but I always thought that baptism was required to get into heaven. Is this incorrect?
You highlighted several differences, and I do not want to get into any arguments. Regarding your reference to godhood, I posted some interesting quotes from ancient church fathers, especially Eastern Orthodox Fathers, which sound quite similar to the LDS position, and there are some interesting links in the comments too. I’m sure you are aware of the LDS position that certain truths were lost, and then revealed through Joseph Smith.
While you are certainly welcome to believe what you choose to believe, I just want to point out that the LDS position on godhood has some striking similarities of early Christianity from as early as the 1st and 2nd century AD. If you want to check it out, there are some interesting quotes found here.
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September 26, 2008 at 3:41 am
ama49
#31, MH
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing the links!
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March 1, 2009 at 6:32 am
gavin
hi my name is gavin i have done alot of reasearch and reading and the amazing thing is that the early christain church believed in alot of what the lds believe. For instance babtism for the dead for huge and you may not find it in the bible, but a small glimps but we must search deeper into the meaning of the verses, including who the apostle paul was teaching to and why. Read some of the Early church fathers teaching of how they did believe in the pre existence and also how when talking about 1 cor 15 with kinds of ressurected beings. When reading early church father interpretations and believes they believed that paul was using comparing the bodies in ressurection to the kindoms of glory. To find more of this info go to barry bickmores “mormonism and early christianity” site. Sorry i am driffting from the point of this website . And please to critisism lets all love
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April 4, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Non-LDS People who Still Believe in the Book of Mormon « Grace for Grace
[…] learning that he isn’t currently a member of the LDS church it reminded me of the Baptist Preacher who believes in the Book of Mormon and preaches it to his […]
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September 29, 2009 at 3:34 am
Doug
I am an ordained minister in the Reformed Church and a student of the Latter-day Saints since my teens. I am married and have two children. We have made several trips to Utah on vacation, visited temple square, even stopped in Navoou with my family several years ago. I love the Mormon people. My family shares the same moral values and the same love for family and country. I subscribe to the Ensign. I have great respect for many things the LDS church does. However I do not have a testimony that Jospeh Smith is a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I do not have a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and restored church. The fact that a Bapist minister believes the Book of Mormon is of no consequence! I’m sure you could find a baptist preacher who believe in reincarnation! I do believe, however, in a Savior who loves us and who gave up his life on a cross-the perfect atonement for our sins. If you believe you are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone-you are my brother or sister. Your religious title means nothing.
Thanks for letting me share-God bless!
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October 1, 2009 at 4:02 am
ama49
Hi Doug,
You can stop by anytime you’d like. I can understand how you feel and thanks for being honest. You’re right in that titles shouldn’t matter at all. Joseph Smith once stated he’d be willing to die for anyone else in any other faith and I think that’s the heart of Christianity.
I think it’s great you subscribe to the Ensign and that you recognize truth. I too subscribe to the Ensign but also to other Christian emails and listen to Christian radio. I think that it’s refreshing to see other perspectives with the same foundational belief, which you stated. Jesus is our Savior and no one comes to Heaven but through Him.
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October 2, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Doug
Thank you for your kind words ama49. As a guest in your house (so to speak) I promise to be Christ like and respectful! One thing that has puzzled me when I have read the Book of Mormon is the doctrine found within its pages. It seems to support an understanding of deity and salvation more in line with my evangelical convictions than what is my understanding of current LDS doctrine. As the Baptist pastor pointed out-it appears to teach a trinitarian concept of God and the whole “saved alone through grace alone through Christ alone” so central to our belief system. Has this been discussed in LDS circles or am I missing something here?
On another note-I was blown away by the comments made about various born again experiences. Having given my life to the Lord Jesus at the age of 15-I am deeply touched when I hear people share about their love for Christ and how they came to know his love. I just wasn’t expecting to read about it from your corner of the world!
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January 30, 2011 at 10:34 pm
What if someone taught the gospel this way: - Page 4 - LDS Social Network Forums
[…] is the Word of God and how it doesn't make someone Mormon to know that this is the Word of God. Baptist Preacher Believes in Book of Mormon Grace for Grace The Book of Mormon is a testament of Jesus Christ that proves that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of […]
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January 31, 2011 at 12:22 am
What if someone taught the gospel this way: - Page 5 - LDS Social Network Forums
[…] is the Word of God and how it doesn't make someone Mormon to know that this is the Word of God. Baptist Preacher Believes in Book of Mormon Grace for Grace The Book of Mormon is a testament of Jesus Christ that proves that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of […]
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May 22, 2012 at 2:25 pm
sean
What a sweet story! I always enjoy hearing people’s stories of how they came across the Book of Mormon initially. As for myself, I was born and raised in the LDS Church, so it’s always cool to here someone else’s experience.
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December 28, 2014 at 4:05 pm
Charles
Is this thread still open?
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January 23, 2015 at 3:07 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Charles. Yes it is still open. Do you have a comment?
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