Testing “The 17 Points of the True Church” (Part 3)

Well, we finally made it to the final post of testing “The 17 Points of the True Church”! I have put a lot of time and research into testing each point and have learned a lot. I hope you have too. It has been a good experience for me. I know I have not touched on all aspects that could be touched on with each point, but I feel like I’ve tested things sufficiently. So without further ado let’s look at the last five points.

Point #13 The true church must claim revelation from God (Amos 3:7)

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

Well, this is a TRUE point, however, we’ve already seen from Point #12 that presidents of the LDS church admit that they do not receive revelation but just impressions like anyone else does. I’ve noticed that when Pres. Russell Nelson speaks, he says things like “God has impressed upon my mind”. Well, I’ve had impressions upon my mind many times also. Does that make me a prophet? In Bible times God actually spoke to His prophets telling them to deliver a specific message to the people. The LDS religion is founded upon the idea that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. This idea should be tested by all who are in that religion and all who are considering joining that religion.

A well known LDS apostle, Bruce R. McConkie stated,

“Conversely, if Joseph Smith was not called of God, if he was a fraud and an impostor, if he was a false prophet --then Mormonism, as the restored gospel is often called, is itself a fraud and a delusion. In that event we as a people are in as dark, as benighted, and as fallen a state as the rest of mankind. And thus the issue is squarely put. Joseph Smith either was a prophet or he was not. He was either a revealer of Christ and God and their saving truths or he was not. His work on earth was either for good or for ill. There is no middle ground, no gray area, no room for compromise.”

Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.13 

Another LDS leader, Paul Royall said,

“Joseph Smith was either a prophet of God, or he was a fraud. There is no halfway mark about him. He was either what he claimed he was, or he was the greatest prevaricator that this world has ever known. I say that it is expedient for each of us to prove to ourselves whether he was a prophet or whether he was a fraud.”

Paul F. Royall, BYU Speeches, December 17, 1963, p .4

So it seems quite simple to prove whether Mormonism is true of false. Test Joseph Smith to see if he was a true prophet called of God. To see this specific test go to my post entitled, Applying Truth Tests and Learning How to Examine Fruits. For more explanation about the actual tests found in the Bible see my post called, Are There Prophets Today? Truth Tests to Know. The results found and posted in these two posts prove that Joseph Smith was not a true prophet called by God. He was one of those false prophets that the Bible warns us about.

2 Cor. 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Matt. 7:15-23 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

How will these false teachers deceive so many? Well, they will proclaim to be Christians. They will seem good and righteous. We are told that by their fruits (works and teachings) we will know them. There are many who claim to know that Jesus is the Messiah, even the devils and demons have that knowledge and proclaim it, but do they do the will of God? No. Only those who strive to do God’s will and keep His commandments will be the ones who have a relationship with Him. Those who actually keep His law will show forth good fruits. The word “iniquity” is used here but in the Hebrew it means lawlessness and even though many will proclaim to know God and Jesus Christ, many will not keep His Law and therefore will produce bad fruit. It says these people have done many wonderful works but they were not the works of God’s Law. It’s very sad because these people think they do have a great relationship with Christ and God but in reality were deceived and did works that were of men, while ignoring God’s Law. Their fruit looked good on the outside but was rotten on the inside.

1 John 2:3-6 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Point #14 The true church must be a missionary church (Matt. 28:19-20)

Matt. 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Yes, this is a TRUE point! Yeshua charged His apostles to feed His sheep and to go out into the world and spread His truth. Although, this particular scripture is incorrect in how to baptize as proven in Point #7, it still proves the point that Yeshua wanted His message taken to all people. We especially are shown evidence of this in Paul’s missionary efforts. His mission to the Gentile nations was amazingly successful!

The LDS church does have a large missionary program and the church places great emphasis on it, although it’s success has dwindled over the past decades. For example in 1989, the percentage of convert growth 4.37%, a decade later in 1999 the percentage of convert growth was 2.85% , in 2009 it was 2.03% and in 2019 it was 1.5%. It is interesting that there were 40,000 full-time missionaries in 1989 and 67,000 full-time missionaries in 2019 (more missionaries yet less success). Other churches such as The Assemblies of God have three times the growth rate of the LDS Church, and the Seventh-day Adventists reports growth two to three times the growth rates of the LDS religion per year.

In my short research of this topic, it seems that the LDS church is not very forthcoming about their membership numbers. For example, the records of members who die are not removed upon death, but only dropped from church records after 110 years from the deceased person’s birth date. I also discovered that in many cases the LDS church is downright deceptive about their numbers as seen in the late 1950s and early 1960s when an LDS apostle named Henry D. Moyle created a “Youth Baptism Program” to dramatically increase their baptism numbers in a very deceptive manner. You can read about it here (https://www.mrm.org/mormon-missionary-strategy-gone-wrong). Besides less missionary success in converting new members, apparently birth rates are declining among church members as well. And with the information surge from the internet over the past decade, more and more church members are discovering things that have been hidden and covered up for years by the LDS church leadership and members are realizing that the church has basically lied about many things. People have been and are leaving in droves because of this.

Point #15 The true church must be a restored church (Acts 3:19-20)

Acts 3:19-20 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,

Point #15 is False! I’m not sure what this scripture passage has to do with being a restored church. It doesn’t make sense to me but I do know that Acts chapter 3 is talking about the restoration of Israel to it’s own land. I think they might’ve meant to include verse 21 which states, “whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” The LDS church believes and teaches that it is the restored church of Christ here on Earth today. This photo I chose for this point is a dilapidated railroad because the LDS church believes Christ’s church became like this railroad after the apostles died. They believe that God’s truth was taken from the Earth and that people were in a state of apostasy and darkness.

(From the LDS scriptures called the Doctrine & Covenants) D&C 1:29-30 And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.,might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually–

Bruce McConkie stated in Mormon Doctrine p.140 “the same organization that existed in the primitive Church prevails now. (Sixth Article of Faith.)”

In the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, TRUE AND LIVING CHURCH it states, “However, as Christ and his apostles had prophesied, the “true” Church they established was lost from the earth through apostasy (JS—M 1:7-9, 22; 2 Thes. 2:3). Therefore there was a need for a restoration. Guided by angelic messengers and by revelation from God, Joseph Smith and his successors have reestablished Christ’s Church in these “latter days.”Members bear testimony that the Church is true because they believe it is the restored Church of Christ, with the same authority, teachings, organization, and spirit found in the Church that the Savior originally established.”

A restored church implies two things. First that the Church did exist then was lost and second that the Church was restored as it was previously.

First–A Restoration Implies That Christ’s Church Did Exist Then Was Lost

In addressing the first thing, we must ask the question, “Was Christ’s church lost?” If it was never lost then there would be no need for it to be restored. According to the LDS church, Christ’s church was taken from the Earth soon after the apostles died then was brought back to the Earth in the 1800’s through Joseph Smith.

The Bible does tell us of a falling away that happens in the last days but it is not a total falling away. However, the Bible never declares that Christ’s church would disappear all together from the face of the earth but instead states that it will never be taken.

Matt. 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Isa. 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Eph. 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 1:32-33 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

God always leaves a remnant who continue on in His truth. For example, Noah and his family, Lot and his daughters, Elijah and 7,000 others, etc. God’s church with Christ at it’s head never failed and was never taken from the Earth hence, there would not need to be a restoration.

1 Pet.1:22-25 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible (Christ), through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

If God’s word is truth and it endures forever then that means that His truth was never taken from the Earth. If His truth was never taken from the Earth that means His Church had to have still been here even if only with a remnant of people.

Second–A Restoration Implies That Christ’s Church Was Brought Back Just as it was Previously

This was covered in Point #4 but I’ll re-post it here for your convenience.

The LDS church is nothing like the “primitive” church in the New Testament. Here are a few examples:

● There was no first presidency in charge of the 12 apostles in the New Testament (N.T.) church. The LDS church has 15 apostles (3 are the first presidency in charge of the 12 apostles).
● The name of the church is different. If anything, I would think that the true church should be called the Way. If the church was “restored” then shouldn’t it have the same name as the early church after Christ was resurrected and ascended to Heaven? Restore means to return something to it’s former state. The former name of Christ’s church was called the Way. Acts 24:14  But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
● God told Israel to build only one temple for His dwelling place among His people. The pagans were the ones who had many temples. See my post entitled Understanding the Beautiful Temple of God.
● The LDS temples are nothing like the temple in the N.T. church. See my post entitled Understanding the Beautiful Temple of God.
● Christ never said a word about “saving ordinances” performed in a temple. If “saving ordinances” are vital for salvation, don’t you think He would’ve mentioned it at least once?
● Jesus taught that salvation was a free gift if we but believe and follow Him but the LDS church teaches that salvation requires a monetary payment in the form of tithing in order to receive salvation through “saving ordinances” only obtained in an LDS temple.
● Jesus taught that grace was a gift for salvation but the LDS church teaches that you can only obtain grace for salvation after all you can do. (Book of Mormon 2 Ne. 25:23) How do you know you’ve ever done enough? Doing, doing, doing, trying to earn God’s grace for salvation. How utterly exhausting and discouraging never knowing if you are good enough to be saved!
● Marriage was not a requirement for salvation in the N.T. church. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel never married. Jeremiah was commanded by God Himself to not marry. And Paul chose not to marry so that he could concentrate on the work of spreading the Gospel. If they believe these 17 Points are true and accurate then according to LDS doctrine, none of these men would make it to their Celestial (Highest) Kingdom of God. Jesus never taught that marriage was required for any kind of salvation or exaltation.
● Jesus taught people to return to God and to obey His Law found in the Old Testament. The LDS church diminishes the Bible and in fact calls it corrupted with plain and precious truths removed from it. 1 Pet. 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. They claim that the Book of Mormon restored those plain and precious things. Can anyone point to what truths were restored in the Book of Mormon that are not in the Bible? There are none.
● If the Gospel is the word of God and God’s word endures forever then why does the LDS church say there was an apostasy and the gospel needed restoring? Matt. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. If Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church then why would people think it was taken from the Earth? Wouldn’t that have been a great victory for Satan? He would’ve prevailed in removing the truth from the Earth but this is not true. The truth and God’s church (body of believers) have been here since the beginning of time. Satan has tried his best to get rid of them but many survived and the truth has always been here. God always leave a remnant all throughout history.
● When did Jesus ever teach that accumulating worldly wealth was important? If Jesus came to visit today would He approve of the vast wealth in money, stocks, properties, businesses, etc. accumulated by the LDS church? Would He sit down and give them advice on which stocks to invest in that would yield the best profit? Or would He ask them why they only spend less than 1% of their wealth on helping the poor, needy, widows and orphans? James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
● The Bible also states some requirements of bishops and deacons in 1 Timothy chapter 3. “1 Tim. 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” In the early history of the LDS church there were many bishops who had more than one wife. They obviously were in error according to this scripture.
● 1 Tim 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Since when do 12 year old boys have wives and children. Obviously the LDS church did not follow this organizational aspect. Deacons obviously should be older men not 12 year old boys as they are in the LDS church.
● Jesus taught that there was one true God and that we should give all glory to Him. The LDS church teaches that there are multiple Gods and that God was once a man and came to be God. And that we can become gods after this life. Isa. 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Deut. 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. We also know that God does not change and that He is everlasting to everlasting. If God was once a man that means He would’ve had to change and grow in order to become God. Ps. 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. If God had once been a man and had progressed to become God then that would’ve required change. Progression is change but God does not change! Mal. 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Num. 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
● The Book of Mormon teaches that black skin is a curse. Early LDS prophets also taught that people of dark skin were cursed. Black men were denied from being ordained the LDS priesthood and according to Wikipedia, black people were “prohibited from taking part in ceremonies in LDS temples, serving in certain leadership church callings, attending priesthood meetings, and speaking at firesides. Spouses of black people of African descent were also prohibited from entering the temple.” This means that black people were denied salvation (according to Mormonism salvation) because Mormons believe that you cannot be saved unless you perform “saving ordinances” in their temples. This racism was finally lifted after 129 years in 1978. The LDS leaders claim that it was revelation from God that the black people had these restrictions even though Joseph Smith himself ordained a few black men with the priesthood between the years 1830 to 1849. James 2:8-9 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. Also Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The church in New Testament times offered salvation to all people no matter what their race, nationality, gender, or social status.

● The Book of Mormon teaches that black skin is a curse. Early LDS prophets also taught that people of dark skin were cursed. Black men were denied from being ordained the LDS priesthood and according to Wikipedia, black people were “prohibited from taking part in ceremonies in LDS temples, serving in certain leadership church callings, attending priesthood meetings, and speaking at firesides. Spouses of black people of African descent were also prohibited from entering the temple.” This means that black people were denied salvation because Mormons believe that you cannot be saved unless you perform “saving ordinances” in their temples. This racism was finally lifted after 129 years in 1978. The LDS leaders claim that it was revelation from God that the black people have these restrictions even though Joseph Smith himself ordained a few black men with the priesthood between the years 1830 to 1849.

There are many other differences but I’ll let these be sufficient. I also want to bring up the fact that today the LDS leaders have started saying that the church is not fully restored but is in a continual restoration process even though prophets and apostles in the past have stated that the church has been fully restored on the Earth. I grew up hearing over and over again that the gospel had been fully restored in the LDS church. How is it that when Russell M. Nelson becomes the president of the church and starts making more changes than any other president in history, that he starts saying that the church isn’t fully restored but is in the process still of being restored?

“We’re witnesses to a process of restoration,” President Russell M. Nelson has said. “If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. … Wait till next year. And then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It’s going to be exciting.”

In a talk called The Ongoing Restoration, Legrand R. Curtis Jr. stated, “Consistent with President Nelson’s declaration that the Restoration is continuing, we have seen many significant adjustments in the Church since he became its President. Among those are the restructuring of priesthood quorums, ministering replacing home and visiting teaching, and the institution of a home-centered, Church-supported way of studying the gospel. More adjustments have happened since then, and more will be coming.”

The LDS church does not resemble Christ’s church in New Testament times. It claims to be a fully restored church then suddenly claims that it is still in the process of being restored. God does not change. He does not tell one prophet something then years later tell another prophet the total opposite. He does not set up His Church with Christ as it’s head then centuries later set up a totally different church that has no resemblance to the first one. God Does Not Change! I offer up another photo of a railroad in perfect working order. This is truly what God’s truth has been like in all of Earth’s history! It never broke down but has been moving forward all along. All people in history have had the choice whether or not they decide to get on board with God’s truth or not. Hopefully you will!

Prov. 2:1-15 My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.
When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things,
From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
Who rejoice in doing evil,
And delight in the perversity of the wicked;
Whose ways are crooked,
And who are devious in their paths;

Point #16 The true church must practice baptism for the dead (1 Cor. 15:16 & 29)

1 Cor. 15:16 & 29 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen….Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?

Point #16 is False! The LDS church believes that people who have not heard the Gospel will get a second chance in the next life and that people who are living can act in their behalf and perform “saving ordinances” for them. If the deceased person accepts the Gospel on the other side, then they are saved through the vicarious ordinances performed for them. This is why genealogy and temple work is so important to LDS members. They search out their dead then take their names to temples and perform these “saving ordinances” on their behalf.

Bruce R. McConkie stated in his book Mormon Doctrine, "PERFORMANCE OF VICARIOUS ORDINANCES. Baptism is an ordinance belonging to this life, as also are confirmation and ordination to the priesthood, and the man who does not receive these blessings here cannot receive them in the spirit world. There he may repent and believe and accept the truth, but he cannot be baptized, confirmed, or ordained, or endowed, for these ordinances belong here. What is to be done in the matter? We are going to take substitutes who will act vicariously, which means one acting for another, and in the temples they will stand for those who are dead and there, in the behalf of the dead, receive all these blessings for them. When they do this, if the dead accept the labor performed, it is accounted unto them the same as if they had acted for themselves. The Lord did a great vicarious work for all men, and he has delegated power to us in a lesser degree to perform a vicarious work for the dead. So we, too, may become saviors to our fellow men in this manner, performing work for them that they cannot perform for themselves." McConkie, Bruce R. Mormon Doctrine. 2d ed. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1966. page 72-73

Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, Second Chance Theory, page 685-687 says, "There is no such thing as a second chance to gain salvation by accepting the gospel in the spirit world after spurning, declining, or refusing to accept it in this life. It is true that there may be a second chance to hear and accept the gospel, but those who have thus procrastinated their acceptance of the saving truths will not gain salvation in the celestial kingdom of God. Salvation for the dead is the system by means of which those who "die without a knowledge of the gospel"(D. & C. 128:5) may gain such knowledge in the spirit world and then, following the vicarious performance of the necessary ordinances, become heirs of salvation on the same basis as though the gospel truths had been obeyed in mortality. Salvation for the dead is limited expressly to those who do not have opportunity in this life to accept the gospel but who would have taken the opportunity had it come to them.....Thus the false and heretical doctrine that people who fail to live the law in this life (having had an opportunity so to do) will have a further chance of salvation in the life to come is a soul-destroying doctrine, a doctrine that lulls its adherents into carnal security and thereby denies them a hope of eternal salvation. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, pp. 181-196.)"

First of all, let’s look at the scriptures given for this point. If you take the time to read all of 1 Cor. 15, you will see that it is talking about resurrection not baptism. Verse 29 seems to be the one that causes confusion. Paul wasn’t saying that people who have died need to be baptized vicariously. He was saying that we are all considered dead spiritually unless we accept Christ and follow Him then we are alive in Him. If we continue reading verse 30-31 it says, “And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” Paul says that he dies daily. This is obviously not literal. He’s saying that being a fallen natural man, he commits sin daily and therefore dies spiritually daily. The consequence of sin is death. We are all sinners and therefore under the curse of the law which is death upon entering into this world. We must all put aside the old spiritually dead self each day and become renewed and alive in Christ.

Rom. 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Rom. 5:18-19 Therefore, as through one man’s (Adam’s) offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s (Christ’s) righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s (Christ’s) obedience many will be made righteous.

I believe that Romans chapter 6 explains this concept very well. This is what Paul is talking about when he speaks of baptism for the dead. He wanted the Corinthians to understand that if Christ had not been resurrected then what would be the point of baptizing people. Some of the Corinthians were struggling with the belief of resurrection.

Rom. 6:1-14 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Also, the LDS belief that dead people need baptism goes against what it says in the Bible, that we are saved only through Christ not by any kind of physical ordinance as explained in Point #7. Paul even explains that he wasn’t sent to baptize but to preach the gospel. If physical baptism was essential for salvation then he would not have said this.

1 Cor. 1:14-17 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

I should also explain that there are no biblical references that instruct us to do genealogical research, which is pre-requisite for doing baptisms for the dead in the LDS church. If The Book of Mormon is supposed to have restored lost truths as Mormonism claims, then why doesn’t it say anything about baptism for the dead? Also the Book of Mormon states that this life is the time to prepare to meet God, not the next life.

Alma 34:32: “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” Book of Mormon

I also must briefly discuss Bruce R. McConkie’s statement from the quote above. He said, “So we, too, may become saviors to our fellow men in this manner, performing work for them that they cannot perform for themselves.” When I was a believing Mormon, I loved doing work for the dead in the LDS temples because of this very statement. I was brainwashed into believing that I could be a savior to people. I could save many who had not heard the gospel while alive, but because I searched them out and found their names in genealogical research, I could then take their names to a temple and perform all their “saving ordinances” and be a savior for those who could not save themselves. This way of thinking allows people to think that they have control over who is entered into the Lamb’s Book of Life. It is kind of a power rush thinking that we hold someone’s salvation in our control. How arrogant and prideful! The whole problem with this thinking is that we cannot save ourselves let alone others! Yeshua is the ONLY one who can save us and others! We should only be trying to spread Christ’s message of truth to those who are around us, those who are alive and need to hear His message. They are the one’s who can have a chance at salvation through Christ not dead people! It is very easy for me to do “saving ordinances” for the dead because I didn’t have to approach anyone or witness to anyone. It is much more challenging to approach and witness to real live people, but that is what we must do.

Point #17 “By their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20)

Matt. 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

This point is absolutely TRUE! I do think, however, that they should have included some previous verses in Matthew chapter 7.

Matt. 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

So this scripture passage is discussing how to identify false prophets. Please see my post called, Are There Prophets Today? Truth Tests to Know. Basically we know that fruit is used symbolically here and that it symbolizes the actions, behaviors and doctrine of people. God and Christ desire us to bear good fruit and we can do that when we are born again unto Christ. When we become a new creature in Christ and truly desire to follow Him and have faith in Him and His atonement then we have a real, true desire to be obedient to God’s Law. Obedience to His Law, His commandments or instructions is a result of our faith. The good fruit that comes from obedience is the harvest of our belief or faith in the Word and in the written word. The parable of the sower explains it well.

Mark 4:3-8 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

He goes on to explain this parable:

Mark 4:13-20 13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

Good fruit comes from hearing the word, then accepting it, then good fruit comes of it. Righteousness is manifested in deeds and doctrines as people go forth to spread the word.

Gal. 6:6-10 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Those who sow to the Spirit will reap everlasting life. They are those who are the true believers who believe in truth and spread truth. Those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption or death because corruption is sin and the wages of sin is death. They are those who spread untruth. They build their foundation on lies, false man-made doctrines and lawlessness. Satan is the father of lies, so if you are following leaders who build their foundation on lies, false man-made doctrines and lawlessness (not following God’s written Law in the Bible) then please wake up and turn from those who do this! Turn to Christ and God and the truth in found in God’s written word, the Bible.

The very next verses in Matthew chapter 7 state:

Matt. 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Over the years, I have discovered that my former religion is definitely built on lies. I have found countless, undeniable evidence for this. If you do not believe me then please prove to me that the evidence found on these two sites (letterformywife.com and cesletter.org) are untrue other than the parts about science. I do not believe the information that they present about science to be true. If you are a member of my former religion, then I implore you to remember that truth is not afraid. If you truly believe that you have the truth in Mormonism, then you will not be afraid to test it! Truth is like a sword. It will cut through the lies and false doctrine. Be like a Berean and prove all things then hold fast to that which is good (the good fruit).

“If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak.”  George A. Smith--Journal of Discourses 14:216

Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Heb. 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Again we go back to Matthew chapter 7 and read these wise words:

Matt. 7:24-29 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.