CHURCH

Reason 30

The "church" to Christians means the entire body of believers, not a particular denomination, church, group, building, or religion.

From the Illustrated Bible Dictionary, by George W. Knight:
     Definition of Church: a local body of believers assembled for Christian worship (Acts 15:4; 1 Corinthians 1:22) as well as all the redeemed of the ages who belong to Christ (Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 5:27). The word church is a translation of a Greek term that means "an assembly."
     Christ is the head of His body, the Church, and His will is to be preeminent (Colossians 1:18) by virtue of His redeeming work and lordship (Colossians 1:14; 3:15-17). The Church's mission is to win the lost (Luke 4:18) and minister to others in the world.

From Mormon.org... on "What is the Church?"
     According to Christianity:
The Church is a body of various believers and groups of believers.
The one true Church is the invisible, spiritual, and universal Body of Christ in heaven and on earth made up of all those true believers from various local denominations or visible churches. The body is an organism, not an external organization. Unity in this body does not demand complete uniformity in its various manifestations. God loves diversity. Yet the Church's unity is in Christ, who is the vine. People in various denominations who are committed to the Vine are the branches; no one particular manifestation of the Church is the vine (Matthew 16:18; 15:5; Acts 15:35-41; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 11:19; 12:13ff; and Ephesians 4:1-13).

     Matthew 18:17
And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

     Acts 2:47
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

     Acts 5:11
So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

     Romans 16:16
Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

     1 Corinthians 14:4
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

     2 Corinthians 11:28
besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

     Ephesians 3:21
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

     Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

     Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

From Mormoninfo.org...on "What is the Church?"
     According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"
The LDS Church is the only true church.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church (Doctrine and Covenants [D&C] 1:30); all other churches (Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists are specifically mentioned in Joseph Smith, History 1:9, Pearl of Great Price) are "wrong," "all their creeds were an abomination," and "those professors were all corrupt" (Joseph Smith, History 1:19). Those of creedal or traditional Christianity have adopted "pagan beliefs" and are part of "false Christianity" (Gospel Principles, 100 [1979 edition]). One either belongs to "the church of the Lamb of God" or to "the church of the devil" (1 Nephi 14:10). Joseph Smith taught that everybody but faithful Mormons will be damned (History of the Church 3:28). "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is absolutely indispensable to our salvation. No supposed personal relationship with Jesus, no commitment to the gospel, no high level of Christian conduct in society can compensate for what is to be found in the Church" (Robert Millet, Alive in Christ: The Miracle of Spiritual Rebirth [Salt Lake City: Deseret, 1997], 140).


     Mormons emphasize that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church upon the face of the earth. They claim it is the only organization authorized to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances of salvation - which is a long process. It claims it is the only church which has the power to save and exalt men in the hereafter. They say, "Membership in this divine institution is a pearl of great price." (Approaching Mormons in Love, p. 72, Wilbur Lingle)

     ldsvideo.org #28
ldsvideo.org/2011/07/is-mormonism-true-church

My unanswered question was:

If Christianity teaches "the church" means the entire body of believers, then how can the LDS church be the one and only true church on the face of the earth?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that the LDS church cannot possibly be the one true church, yet overjoyed to find the truth that anyone who believes Christ died for their sins is the church! I am so grateful to be a part of a body of believers rather than a denomination.

GENEALOGIES

Reason 29

Mormons do genealogical research to find their ancestors for the purpose of baptizing for the dead. The Bible says this is useless. (Let the Scriptures Speak, p. 65, Suzanne Bishop)

     Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

     1 Timothy 1:4
nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

Early genealogies were to prove that Jesus is the Messiah. The records of all genealogies were kept in the temple. After God recorded the lineage of Jesus (Luke 3 and Matthew 1), the temple was destroyed by Titus in 70 AD. Not only can you not trace your genealogy prior to this time, but God is letting us know by this that it is now complete. There is no further genealogical work to be done! (Let the Scriptures Speak, p. 65, Suzanne Bishop)

My unanswered question was:

Since the Bible obviously instructs us to avoid genealogies, why do LDS justify the time and energy spent, which is a fair amount, on genealogical research?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that doing temple work for our dead ancestors is not something God intended us to do, yet overjoyed to find the truth that the Bible tells us our genealogy work is complete and to not waste our time on genealogies. We need to learn to have faith. Genealogies cause disputes and are unprofitable and useless! I did not, and still do not, gain faith by disputing unprofitable or useless topics. I have faith that my ancestors are already enjoying heaven with God. There is no need for me to baptize them by proxy. They are in such a better place where they are now. God is completely sovereign and can do SO much more than I can. I do not believe HE needs my earthly help with this.

SECRETS

Reason 28

The Bible says nothing is secret and it is shameful to speak of things done in secret.

     Luke 8:17
For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.
     John 18:20
Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.
     Acts 17:24
God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
     Ephesians 5:11-12
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

A few rituals which LDS consider sacred are

• Baptisms for the dead
• Celestial Marriage
• Endowments
• Exaltations
• Ordinances
• Sealings

I consider these rituals to be secret rituals because only faithful LDS members are allowed to know about them. Non members are not even allowed in the temple once it is dedicated. During the temple ceremony, members are told to not reveal the signs and tokens that have been given to them inside the temple. A covenant is made between "God, angels, and witnesses" that what we learn in the temple will never be revealed.

This part of the temple ceremony was always unsettling to me: Satan is asked what his apron is. His answer is: it is a sign of his power and priesthood. He then commands Adam and Eve to put on aprons. Adam and Eve do as Satan commands them, as do all members in the temple. I did not like how we let Satan tell us what to do in the temple. I did not like wearing something that represented Satan's power and priesthood. I did not like sustaining Satan's power and priesthood. This entire section of the temple ceremony disturbs me to this day. Many will be offended by this post, and all I can say is, I'm sorry! This is my story, and I know of no other way to heal.

My unanswered question was:

If Jesus does nothing in secret, and LDS are trying to be perfect like Jesus, then why do they do things in secret?

I was initially devastated when I received this answer that the entire temple ceremony is secret and not of God, yet overjoyed to find the truth that I will never have to attend a temple again! I will receive blessings and my prayers will be answered without the use of a temple. I never have to wear the clothing or perform the rituals again!