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FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER 2006Below is the newsletter for the month of February, 2006. You can browse each topic by using the links below. If you would like to join the mailing list to get the newsletter each month as well as news about up and coming events within the ministry, you can visit our newsletter page and follow the email instructions. Enjoy and God bless you! You can browse the newsletter by using the links below.
Out of Focus! --Whose Birthday Do the LDS Celebrate?This past Sunday I stopped by our office to pick up some materials I needed at the church where I was to speak that night. As I began to back out of our parking lot, a young man rode up on a bicycle and began to read the sign on our front door. I rolled my window down and asked him if I could help. He didn't answer me. As he turned around I shouted louder to ask again. In realizing that I was talking to him, he gestured to me that he was deaf. He pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil and we began to communicate by writing to each other. He wrote, "I'm LDS but, I have come to the conclusion that Mormonism is all wrong and I want out." He had attended a football game at Sun Devil stadium and met someone who talked to him about Christianity. At the conclusion of the conversation, his new friend suggested that he come to Concerned Christians to get more information. He made the decision to leave the Mormon Church on December 23, 2005. He wrote, "Do you know the significance of that date?" I did! The significance is it's the 200th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Mormon Church,: Joseph Smith. The LDS Church has spent the last few months extolling the importance of this date and encouraging their members to celebrate and participate in the many activities involved in this event. The President, Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Gordon Hinckley stood at the memorial site of the birth of Joseph Smith on December 23rd in Sharon, Vermont and said, "a sense of history overwhelms me. I feel as if I'm straddling the centuries. Two hundred years ago, on this very day, in this very place, there was born a child who was prophetically named Joseph, after the name of his father. He became the Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He gave his life in testimony of the truth of all that he said concerning the work of the Lord restored though him in this dispensation. The priesthood was restored, both the Aaronic and the Melchizedek, with all the keys, power and authority appertaining thereto. This is a glorious and wonderful day. It is a day of remembrance, a day of great rejoicing, a day of gratitude and thanksgiving, a day in which we acknowledge the moving hand of God in bringing to pass His eternal purpose in behalf of His sons and daughters of all generations." In addition to Hinckley's adoring words of Smith, this is what some of their previous prophets have said. Brigham Young - "When I saw Joseph Smith, he took heaven, figuratively speaking, and brought it down to earth; and he took the earth, brought it up, and opened up, in plainness and simplicity, the things of God; and that is the beauty of his mission" (Journal of Discourses 5:332). John Taylor - "Joseph Smith in the first place was set apart by the Almighty according to the counsels of the gods in the eternal worlds, to introduce the principles of life among the people, of which the Gospel is the grand power and influence, and through which salvation can extend to all peoples, all nations, all kindreds, all tongues and all worlds" (Journal of Discourses 21:94). George Albert Smith - "Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord, and the gospel as it was restored through him is the power of God unto salvation to all those who would accept it and apply it in their lives" (April 1950 general conference). David O. Mckay - "The principles of the restored gospel as revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith are the surest, safest guide to mortal man" (October 1961 general conference). In many of their publications we see such headlines as, "Thousands across the world offer 'praise to the man.' " or "Brother Joseph, few have paid as dearly for testimony as did the Prophet." On the cover of Church News dated December 24, 2005 (the day before Christmas) is a picture of Joseph and Mary holding the baby Jesus. Under the picture it says "Focus on Prophet Joseph Smith." What a statement! Is Joseph Smith in competition with Jesus Christ? What this really says is that Joseph Smith takes the place of Jesus Christ in the Mormon church. The deaf young man I was talking to on Sunday evening realized in December that the Mormon Church is all about Joseph Smith and not about Jesus Christ. Many others are leaving the LDS church for the same reason. We also are seeing Mormons realize they can privately go to the internet sites like ours (www.ConcernedChristians.org) to research and learn the facts about their own church. Let's all be ready to receive them into our churches and lives, and most importantly to - focus on Jesus. Jim Robertson
Joseph Smith's Fabrication and Distortion Within the Story of Abram and Saraiby Bob BettsWhen Joseph Smith wrote his Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132, known as his polygamy revelation, he changed the story about Abram, Sarai and Hagar as found in Genesis chapter 16 to justify the taking of more than one wife. The story in Genesis 16:1-3 is one of a barren Sarai handing over her Egyptian handmaid (Hagar) to Abram, to wife and produce children. "And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai." Hagar gave birth to Ishmael and the subsequent Nation of Islam, as it is known today. When Joseph Smith wrote Doctrine and Covenant 132:29- 35, however, he alleged it was given to him by revelation of God: Doctrine and Covenant Section 132:29 Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne. 30 Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins-from whose loins ye are, namely, my servant Joseph-which were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them. 31 This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself. 32 Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved. 33 But if ye enter not into my law ye cannot receive the promise of my Father, which he made unto Abraham. 34 God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises. 35 Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily I say unto you, Nay; for I, the Lord, commanded it. The Promise of God Was About Whom? In Genesis 21:12 God clearly affirmed Isaac, and not Ishmael, as the promised child, "for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." It is true that God also promised to make a nation from the seed of Ishmael (vs. 13), the son of Hagar, the bondwoman of Sarah. But, God had already told Abraham, "I will establish my covenant with him [Isaac] for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him" (Genesis 17:19, 21). Yet, in Doctrine and Covenants 132:34, Joseph would have us believe that God was alluding to the promises being fulfilled through Hagar, when "from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises." No mention is made by Joseph Smith (from God) of the promise actually being fulfilled through the birth of Isaac, and ultimately through the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ as affirmed in Galatians 3:16, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." The whole point is that Joseph Smith's attempt to use the Bible as a guise to cover his own immorality shows clearly that he didn't understand the reason Hagar, the bondwoman's son, Ishmael could never have been the fulfillment God's promise to Abraham. The promise was made to Abraham and Sarah, the free-woman. "Christ is portrayed by Isaac, the promised son of God's Covenant (Gen. 21:12). Faith in Christ sets us free from the bondage of the Law because God made a new Covenant through Christ (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; also Hebrews 12:24. [Taken from Bible Pathways, January 7, 2006, p. 13, footnote])."
A Firm Foundation (Part 1)by Kristine Nelson Talent, wit, carefulness, and accomplishment characterized my family. We all strived to achieve the highest level. In my youth, my goal was to become as well-rounded as possible. My Heavenly Father would surely use me someday for a church calling, a mission, or to be the highly esteemed well-educated mother of my own beautiful children. Growing and learning religion piece by piece, I always aimed to make the right choice. Baptized by emersion at eight, the age of accountability for all my actions, according to LDS teaching, now I must stay "perfect" for the rest of my life. That still small voice I had learned of in Primary worked ceaselessly inside my head. I sought worthiness through my own perseverance, sacrifice and fortitude. I was proud to have the "truth." The deep admiration and love I had for my family and my heritage outshone nearly everything. I could not imagine losing my part in that legacy, and I knew that if I didn't live up to high expectations or if I chose another path in life, my worst fears might become real. I might lose the approval and appreciation I so desperately needed and had become conditioned to receiving through my performance and the high standards I kept. I could never give up, I thought, for that would mean ultimate loss. As I grew in this foundation, immense pressure crept slowly into my life, for it already permeated the culture I lived in. When I asked questions as a child, I learned not to ask too much, because that would mean I had so little faith and might be "weak spirited." Late in my teens, I was racked with fear, rebellion, and loneliness but could share these feelings with no one. The glass house and well-maintained exterior I showed the outside world was very strong and holding firm. Yet questions about purpose, death, and how to find peace from fear and anxiety stabbed me during many moments on the treadmill of my young life. Keep going, I thought. I must hold on and just keep going. Strangely, as my life spiraled downward I burned bridges and sought relief from my pain in dark places. During this time and without my knowledge, prayers were being lifted up for me. Prayers by new people who had come into my life and always seemed to be there during difficult times. These people loved me despite all they had learned about me. They showed incredible strength and a grace unknown to me ever before. My judgment of them and my attitude of superiority didn't alter how they treated me. Instead of turning to myself, I began to turn to these new people in my life. Questions that I had always wondered began flowing from my mouth, and I began to listen to their answers. I wondered about so many things… grace, free will, sin, predestination, and spiritual guidance. I wanted to figure out concepts that I had tried to grasp earlier in life but couldn't. Sometimes it was as if a brick wall prevented me from comprehending the answers to my questions, a veil was fogging things up for me, or my own pride would get in the way. But I continually sought understanding… something was driving me to seek. I wanted peace. I wanted this forgiveness my new friends talked about, and most of all, I wanted to heal the earthquake I believed I had caused in the firm foundation of my youth. The Lord Will Provideby Judy Robertson Abraham's faith amazes me. But he had been through this faith testing before- when God promised the childless Sarah and Abraham a son, they waited (though Sarah doubted) for twenty-five years for this child of promise to be conceived. And when the ninety-year old Sarah (Abraham was one hundred at the time) bore this child, their faith in God's ability to do anything zoomed to the level of unshakeable. This we can all understand. But when God asked him to offer his child as a sacrifice, Abraham reasoned that, though God had asked him to do the unthinkable, He would be able to raise this promised son, Isaac, from the dead (see Hebrews 11:19). Would our faith be that strong? Probably not. Now the aspect of this true story that so amazes me, is that about two thousand years later, it was on this same mount in the region of Moriah that God sacrificed His only son, Jesus. God "announced the gospel in advance to Abraham" (Galatians 3:8) in this foreshadowing event when He said, "All nations will be blessed through you [or through his seed]" (Genesis 12:3). When Isaac asked Abraham, "Father… where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" (Genesis 22:6-8). Much later in the New Testament account, John, the forerunner of Jesus, called Him, "The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Because of Abraham's unshakeable faith in God, he obeyed even this extraordinary command. Therefore, we who willingly accept by faith the sacrifice of the precious Lamb provided by God, are children of Abraham. "He is our father in the sight of God" (Romans 4:17). The truth for all ages, all time and all people, is that this simple message of the gospel-revealed to the patriarchs of ancient times-is the same today. God Himself provided the Lamb. This Lamb, Jesus, laid down His life in our place. Our acceptance of God's great provision for us, who stand without an acceptable sacrifice of our own, can now say with Abraham, the father of our faith, not only "The Lord will provide," but the Lord did provide. Dear Jim, Eugene, OR Concerned Christians, Mesa, AZ Concerned Christians, Grafton, WI Dear Friends, A Sr. Pastor - Tempe, AZ Concerned Christians, Longmont, CO Dear Friends at Concerned Christians, A pastor - Mesa, AZ Dear Jim, Judy & fellow Christians, Clovis, CA Dear Jim & Judy, Gilbert, AZ Concerned Christians, St. George, UT Dear Judy, Jim, Bob, & Cheri, Mesa, AZ Concerned Christians, Forsyth, MO Dear Jim & Judy Apache Junction, AZ Concerned Christians, Petoskey, MI Concerned Christians, Gilbert, AZ Concerned Christians, Lakeside, OR Dear Jim & Judy, Burlington, NC
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What Command
of God?
Born out of preexistence
into a heritage proud and strong, I knew I was a unique and special child
of God. The "truth" I laid my life upon was founded in the precepts I
was taught by my priesthood-holding father whom I adored. Someday, I would
have a temple marriage to the "right" person, and after this life I'd
go to the celestial kingdom and have my husband and children with me for
time and all eternity. Our family was "forever." All I needed to do was
work hard, hone my talents, and live by example in order to become worthy
to attain these ideals. This was where I placed my hope. This was my culture.
This was my firm foundation.
Early married
life brought anxiety, a need to control, a drive to be right, and an incredible
loneliness. It also brought me three incredibly beautiful children to
whom I wanted to leave a lasting legacy. I lived two lives. One was plagued
with internal fear of abandonment, moments of panic, and a drive for figuring
everything out and striving to understand. The other-a beautiful display
to the world-of a loving wife and mother who excelled as an educator with
volumes of energy. As years passed, pressures increased, selfdeceptiveness
reigned, and sin began to take over my life. Turmoil broke relationships
and my hidden burdens were exposed. My firm foundation was not withstanding
these pressures nor was it working for me anymore. It cracked and crumbled
all around me.
Has this ever
happened to you? In reading your Bible something clicks as it never has
before. Today, one of those "aha" moments resonated in me as a truth for
all ages, for all time, and for all people-an ancient story revealing
the essence of the new (Testament) and greatest story ever told. This
account is in Genesis when God tested Abraham. Most parents know this
narrative well because we can't imagine the horror of being asked by God,
no less, to sacrifice our child. But here we see that Abraham neither
argued nor complained to God. He simply "got up and saddled his donkey…and
set out for the place God had told him to go" (Genesis 22:3).
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