As more people become exposed to information regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes nicknamed the “Mormon Church”), we see more articles, and more commentary about it. As I read through many of the comments, I am struck by the low standard of personal understanding employed by commentators. Many who pose as experts recite tired, old, untrue or skewed bits of data posing as “facts” about the Church of Jesus Christ.
I have often wondered why people would do it. Why post something that “might” be true, or perhaps that is even known to be false, about someone’s beliefs. For example, I had a co-worker years ago tell me in no uncertain terms “facts” about LDS doctrine that I knew with 100% certainty to be false. Yet, she was convinced and would not respond to counter-suggestions from one who knew for certain, based on first-hand experience that she did not have.
While I suppose there are many psychological, and some ill-intentioned, reasons for this, what has occurred to me over the last few years is the similarity to those opposing Christ during His mortal ministry. Christians of many different sects (and yes, I absolutely include members of the LDS Church in that group), seem baffled by the Jewish leadership’s response to Christ. After all, the Jews had ostensibly been looking and waiting and praying for the Messiah to come. As Christians today we posit that Christ was indeed the Messianic answer to those prayers. There He was, right in front of them – yet they turned with intense anger toward Him. They tried to turn public opinion against Him. They lied about Him in court. They finally resorted to physical violence, intrigue, and to turning the political establishment against Him.
Meanwhile, thousands were converted to His message. During Jesus’ life, those were almost entirely Jewish citizens of the Roman Empire. Many of them suffered dearly for their sacrifice. Even among the leadership some were converted. I have always appreciated the approach of Gamaliel in Acts 5:34-40 (KJV). Essentially he said:
Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. [Here are two examples (Theudas and Judas of Galilee) that rose and fell.] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
In today’s context, many who have studied scripture look forward to the return of Christ. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 we are warned that there would be “a falling away first.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims that a “falling away” did happen and that a restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has followed. I will not pretend to be a doctrinal wizard, but what the LDS Church claims is not outside the realm of possibility in fulfilling prophecies in the Bible. I believe that it does just that.
This proclamation of the fulfillment of prophecy, of the restoration of Priesthood authority from a loving Heavenly Father, of prophets and apostles once again being on the earth, should pique interest from all sides. Shouldn’t the Savior’s arrival in Bethlehem have done the same? Yet it didn’t have the widespread draw that you would reasonably expect. Likewise, the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our day has drawn the interest of some 14-15 million people, but shouldn’t this great news pull more? Shouldn’t Christ’s arrival to earth have done so? Are we back where the Jewish leadership was during the time of Christ? Even if that is the case, I commend the words of Gamaliel again: “if this work be of men, it will come to naught, but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39.)
The non-LDS Christians that attack the LDS Church, have an opportunity to do what Gamaliel suggested. Let it alone. If it’s of men, it will fail. If it’s of God, you really don’t want to be fighting against it. Open your mind and consider the possibility that a falling away has occurred, that a restoration has already happened, and that prophets and apostles are again on the earth. Keeping an open mind to God, and the possibility that He still lives, that He cares a great deal about each one of His children, and that He loves us enough to once again speak through prophets and apostles will help cut through the fog of antagonists that mislead, that blatantly lie, that “lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).
Happily, there are many around the world who do keep an open mind and stay open the possibility that what they know today may not be the end of what is available for them to know about God or His plan for them. As with every soul on earth, born into a belief of the teachings of the LDS Church or not, I have had to ponder and read and study and pray. I have felt witness after witness that the message is true. Christ lives! He cares for us personally and deeply. He has restored His gospel to the earth through Joseph Smith. There are apostles and prophets on the earth today. The best part is that you do not need to believe me, nor another protagonist nor antagonist, you can find out for yourself.
http://youtu.be/RDYJ5Ql-Qhc
http://youtu.be/nSN7kMG1Fvc
By Ralph Hall
Ralph Hall has been working in and around the learning and development field since 1996. He works as a senior trainer and training manager at a software company in Vancouver, Washington, where he lives with his wife of 22 years and 7 of their 9 children. He has a BA in Russian and European Studies from BYU, an MBA from Ohio State University, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Distance Education from Penn State. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints in Finland (1987 – 1989) and has tried to serve faithfully in a variety of assignments in the LDS Church since that time.
Additional Resources:
Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons