A Different Gospel? A Different God?
Wholesome and hardworking, serious and sacraficial . . . the image of the people called Mormons is exemplary. Their personal discipline is praiseworthy. Their advertising is first class. Their business presence is booming. Their humanitarian projects get headlines. Their tithing commitment is commendable. Their young missionaries are meritorious. Men and women between ages nineteen and twenty-five sacrifice two years of their lives as missionary volunteers. Who are these “good and upstanding people,” and what do they believe?
Questions to Ask and Answer
— “Why are people, even Christians, attracted to the Mormon Religion?”
People are attracted to Mormonism for the very reasons that people are attracted to any religion: they appeal to our three God-given inner needs for love, for significance and for security.
- Mormons appeal to our God-given need for security, our need to belong and to feel accepted. The door-to-door evangelism done by wholesome looking young missionaries and the persistent follow-up by members of a local church can give a lonely person a sense of being noticed, cared for, and a feeling of being wanted.
- Mormons appeal to our God-given need for significance as they present their version of meaning and purpose in life. Their plan of salvation teaches that “You can be a god” if you learn to obey the requirements of Mormonism.
— “Do Mormons believe in the Bible?”
Yes, but conditionally. Their Eighth Article of Faith says, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”
Grace filled words:
“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant … you will be my treasured possession.” (Exodus 19:5)
Additional Scripture: Genesis 2:24-25; Proverbs 18:22
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