Comments on: Testimony of a Mormon Bishop.

By: Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:48:26 +0000

Your welcome Ben. You will find a lot of helful and thoughtful material here as we ll as good links to other resources. By all means ask any questions you may have and we wil do our best to answer them. The main thing right now is to establish a good Christian walk because this will make a solid foundation for your future in Christ. Go to church, read your Bible, say your prayers and be that silent witness to your family that has such an imapct when they refuse your words.

By: Benjamin L Wall

Benjamin L Wall — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:45:29 +0000

Thank you for adding me Bobby, I came across this blog via ‘Heart of the Matter’. I am so encouraged each time I find that God is constantly raising up Christians with a heart for people of the LDS church. Sites like this and people like you are such a lifeline especially here in the UK where it seems there is not yet such an established support network for those leaving Mormonism as in the USA.

By: Bobby Gilpin

Bobby Gilpin — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:52:12 +0000

I have added you too Ben really great to hear all thats going on thanks for commenting

By: Benjamin L Wall

Benjamin L Wall — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:41:19 +0000

Mike, delighted to hear about these forms of ministry. Thank you also for accepting my friend request on fb. I saw you feature on a Revelation tv programme which included your testimony. It was helpful during our transition from the LDS gospel. Technically we are still in this transition as we are still nominal mormons as our names are still on the lds records but we’ll probably request our names removed at some point. At the moment we are keen to make friends and fellowship with other Christians who have left the LDS church as we need others who can relate well to our journey. We have been blessed with good Christian friends and leaders but of course their understanding as to where we came from is limited. Just about all of our family are very active in the lds church – my mum is currently in Malta as an lds missionary and most of my family think we’ve gone right off the rails!

By: Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:56:12 +0000

Hi Benjamin. A great testimony. It chimes with my own recent experiences. In my own (Baptist) church this week two men were “released” into ministry in other churches, one another Baptist Church in a different Union, another an Anglican Church, a totally different tradition. They will be prayed for and sent out with our blessing and letters of commendation.

We also have a city-wide initiative in which 25 churches are co-operating in social action, evangelism and worship. As we meet together in a Celebration meeting I sometimes lean over and say to my wife, “If only the Mormons could see how we hate one another.”

By: Benjamin L Wall

Benjamin L Wall — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:59:20 +0000

During my journey away from the unneccessary and unbiblical LDS doctrines I hae been amazed when meeting Christians from various denominations and fellowships to find how unified they are on the core doctrines. I did not expect this after two years of being an lds missionary and usually opening a discussion on the street or doorstep with “have you ever wondered why there are so many different churches teaching different things when ther is supposed to be one Lord,one faith,one baptism?”
More recently I have experienced housegroup meetings with individuals from numerous different denominations and yet observed the unity in the faith and also a much stronger sense of real desire to worship and yearning for the Holy presence of Christ.
Most ironically in my journey and calling to coming amongst Christians I experienced a strong sense of homecoming to the core doctrines I always believed which i first learned from the Book of Mormon. One for example, that God is the same yesturday, today and forever. another that God dwells in the hearts of the rightous and other core teachings in the BoM which are consitent with Biblical Christianity.
Just as the bishop in the above clip was demonstrating, i found the BoM, in context and essence, is Christian and certainly in the most part more Christian than what ‘Mormonism’ has evolved into. It is ironic that the BoM doctrine has been the catalyst to God drawing me away from the lds church.
My first questions included, if the BoM contains the fulness of the gospel as suggested in it’s title page, why then is so much additional doctrine like eternal marriage and eternal progression of such paramount importance when they are not taught in the BoM – are these extra to the fullness? Why then is eternal marriage, eternal progression and temple ceremonies taught as so essential for God’s choicest blessing and full salvation?
I have much to thank the BoM for as by reading it I was actually convicted of my sin, pointed to the need for the Cross and Jesus as my only way to full salvation. The BoM teaches that we must be born of God. In some ways it is one of the most pro “born-again” books I have read. When read in context (especially before the changes as outlined by the bishop in the video) the BoM supports the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and that God has always been God and never a sinful man.
Is it any wonder whilst leaving ‘Mormonism’ behind coming amongst Christians who teach and have these core Biblical (and in the most part BoM consistent doctrines) engraven upon their hearts I experienced a spiritual homecoming more than I ever had while in my own lds church.
Now, day by day, as the unneccessary or false aspects of my former lds testimony crumble away I find myself on the Rock of Jesus Christ with a deepening relationship and yearning for Him and His holiness than I ever had as an lds.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:59:19 +0000

OK guys I think lets just leave this discussion there and agree to disagree, if anyone else reading would like to comment on this bishops video please feel free

By: Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:38:58 +0000

He is a true believing Mormon Kate. He even has a pyramid selling scheme so he must be in the truth.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:19:16 +0000

manxmandan,
For one who just doesn’t have the “time” to debate, you sure do post long responses. I’m not upset at all. As I said, I don’t post just for you. The problems with Mormonism can easily be studied by looking at the LDS church’s own publications. It doesn’t take long for someone seeking to find the discrepancies and contradictions. To all those who may be seeking Truth, open a Bible not affiliated with the LDS church (they tell you what it should say with chapter headings and footnotes.) God is in there. There was no great Apostasy. Christ set up his church and said that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. To say that it did is to call Christ himself a liar. It really is Jesus or Joseph.

Joshua 24:15
English Standard Version (ESV)
15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

I am grateful for the Lord leading me out of this false religion and that I am no longer bound by the gods of Mormonism.

By: manxmandan

manxmandan — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:50:21 +0000

Wow, it looks like you are both getting quite upset. I’m not sure why, as I’ve maintained my position from the start – that is, that I’m not here to debate the issues. I’ve also made it clear to Kate that I would not be wasting my time in asnwer pointless questions. I say pointless, because they are. Kate has acknowledged that she has no interest in the answers, in fact, she already believes she knows them! Why should I spend time going through every question? I won’t.

Consequently, you are both upset. You are trying to goad me into debating, but it’s not working is it? Now I’m getting called arrogant and dismissive. This is fine, I can take it.

Jesus was called many things by the Sadducees and Pharisees. He didn’t waste his time answering their every question. I’ve spent enough of my time – previously – answering questions and debating the doctrines. As such, I only answer questions from the sincere. From those who are genuinely seeking the truth. I have a life after all.

Neither of you (Kate or Mike) are genuinely seeking answers to their questions. I suggest you settle down a little, and re read my comments. You will see I am not debating doctrines with you – so I’m not “running away”. I just refuse to take part in a pointless exercise.

I already know that this particular Bishop has become lost – because I have studied the issues that have allegedly caused him to lose his testimony. To any other persons who may view this clip, I urge you to seek out answers and if a baptised member of the church, to be mindful of the testimony that God gave you. Do not allow yourself to be taken by the wolves.