Freedom of Speech?

One of the freedoms that our country was founded on was the right to freedom of speech. It has been practiced in many forms in all the years since. Unlike many countries that don't have these freedoms, we have the right to speak our minds and to teach what we believe. Many times over the years it has been challenged, but always comes back as a guaranteed right of ours.

That is until recently! For many years Christians have gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah to stand on the public streets of this city, to proclaim in different forms that Mormonism is not Christian. The members of the Mormon church obviously don't like for us to do this, but in the past have reluctantly acknowledged that it was our right. However, this past year it was announced that the LDS church had purchased the public street on Temple Square and could now declare that it was illegal to be on it to pass out Christian tracts or to indulge in conversations with Mormons or to carry signs that proclaim Mormonism to be a cult. A lawsuit was filed to stop this violation of the right to be on public land and to practice our freedom of speech. The court ruled in favor of the Mormon church, so it was appealed to the appellant court in Denver, but again the LDS church prevailed. It is unknown at this time whether this decision will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In recent weeks, a member of a Christian ministry out of Brigham City, Utah was arrested and jailed in Clarkston, Utah, for video taping a pageant about the life of Martin Harris, one of the early leaders of the LDS church. A week later another man, who was from a Christian ministry out of Ephraim, Utah, was also arrested and jailed for passing out Christian tracts in this same town. Both of these events occurred on public land. Their court cases are still pending at this time.

This is happening in other places like Palmyra, NY and Manti, Utah. The conclusion of these actions are very simple, the Mormons are afraid that if the truth really ever gets out, it has the potential to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So the only thing they can do is to use these tactics to keep their members from seeing or hearing information that could tear down their veil of deception. We need to pray that God's Word will continue to be displayed so the Mormons can come to the saving Grace of God.

Another topic: We are getting close to the time in October when we hope to begin our road trips to the various cities and towns that have asked for us to come and help them set up a support group in their area. So far, 44 towns/ cities have indicated they want the help. We need to hear from anybody else who would like us to come. Even if you have already told us in some form that you would like to have us come, we still need your confirmation so we can set up the schedule. I would like to arrange the different locations in regions so we can keep the travel time confined to local areas. We are looking forward to helping get these support groups started so please let us hear from you.

Jim Robertson

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Worthiness by Cheri Billingsley

Worthiness. This is a word I hear over and over when speaking with LDS friends. They must be worthy to receive their "callings." They must be worthy in order to enter the temple. They must be worthy to receive exaltation. Exactly what is meant by "worthiness"?

The New Concise Webster's Dictionary defines worthy as deserving. In Mormon Doctrine, Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie says:

"In gospel usage, worthiness has reference to meriting a blessing or reward because of obedience to that law upon which its receipt is predicated. Worthiness is determined solely on the basis of personal righteousness … For instance: Accountable persons who have faith and repent of their sins are worthy of baptism; church members who have 'a godly walk and conversation' are worthy to partake of the sacrament … and those who keep all of the standards of the Church are worthy of the blessings of the temple."

Since salvation or exaltation is the ultimate goal of the LDS, this definition brings up other questions. What are the standards of the church and what are the requirements for exaltation? In other words, what does it take for LDS to be worthy?

In Doctrines of Salvation, LDS Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith says:

"In order to obtain the exaltation we must accept the gospel and all its covenants; and take upon us the obligations which the Lord has offered; and walk in the light and understanding of the truth; and 'live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God."

A list of these ordinances and commands which must be kept can be found in Gospel Principles:

1. We must be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ
2. We must receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost
3. We must receive the temple endowment
4. We must be married for time and eternity
5. Love and worship God
6. Love your neighbor
7. Repent of our wrongdoings
8. Live the law of chastity
9. Pay honest tithes and offerings
10. Be honest in our dealings with others and with the Lord
11. Speak the truth always
12. Obey the Word of Wisdom
13. Search out our kindred dead and perform the saving ordinances of the gospel for them
14. Keep the Sabbath day holy
15. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament
16. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord
17. Have family and individual prayers every day
18. Honor our parents
19. Teach the gospel to others by word and example
20. Study the scriptures
21. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord

What a heavy, impossible burden to bear!

The Bible tells us that "There is no one righteous, not even one … there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:10,12)." As our LDS family and friends suffer under the heavy burden imposed upon them by their church, let us continue witnessing to them, praying that their eyes may be opened and that they would realize that they will never measure up to God's standard, that they will never be worthy through their own efforts. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24)." May they come to the realization that in and of themselves they don't have to be worthy, all they have to do is accept the gift which God freely offers them … the gift of forgiveness, the gift of freedom, the gift of eternal life.

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New DVD Review by Bob Betts

Title: Mormonism: Has Anything Changed?

Produced and narrated by ex-Mormon author Jim Spencer from Boise, Idaho.

Length: 110 minutes; two hours of video presented in six parts.

Introduction:

The President of the Mormon Church says Mormons do not worship the "Traditional Christ," and that the outside world's perception of Mormonism is changing, but the Church's doctrines remain the same.

Part One: Origins

To understand Mormonism and to understand if its teachings have changed, we need to understand how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came into existence. Part Two: Beginning Mormon Theology

How did Mormon theology originally arise? What was the process? Was it ever biblical? Who were the major innovators of Mormonism? Part Three: Establishing Mormon Theology

The Leading theology of the 19th and 20th centuries established and clarified the theological foundations of Mormonism. Who were they and what did they teach? Part Four: Minimizing Mormonism

When did the modern trend of attempting to present Mormonism as "another Christian denomination" begin? Why was that change made? Who were its leading proponents? Part Five: Misrepresenting Mormonism

Mormon leaders are now presenting a false picture of Mormon doctrine in order to be accepted by Evangelicals. Part Six: Conclusion

How should the Evangelicals respond to this new challenge from Mormonism?

Jim Spencer does an excellent job of exposing the public relations deceptions of the Mormon church. At times his frustration shows in his voice and on his face, as he describes the more blatant aspects of those practices, which may serve as a minor distraction for the viewer. But, who among us, in ministry to Mormons, doesn't occasionally feel and express similar frustration when speaking out against the false doctrines and misleading methods employed by the Mormon church? Jim Spencer's approach to this well- produced documentary, hits the Mormon manipulation nail on the head.

That's not the only nail Jim hits on the head. There is an evangelical movement, whose underlying outreach-to-Mormons' message is, "Can't we all just get along"? Jim Spencer takes aim at the specific organization promoting that theme. Since March of 2001, former Mormon, now conservative Baptist, Reverend Gregory C.V. Johnson, along with a Board of Directors, formed a ministry called Standing Together Ministries of which he is the full-time President and Director. As stated on their website home page, "Our central mission is to be a catalyst for uniting the Christian community around movements of prayer, service and strategic evangelism."

What I witnessed in Salt Lake City this past March during the LDS conference were a number of Standing Together members, lined up and spread out on both sides of the sidewalk, on either side of the steps leading up to the LDS Conference Center, smiling pleasantly, encouraging every passing Mormon to "have a nice conference." Their theme is "building bridges."

What we've also seen evolve in Standing Together Ministries is a collaboration with devout Mormon liaison to the Christian community, Robert L. Millet, in bringing Ravi Zacharias, a Canadian/American Christian evangelist, to speak at the Mormon Tabernacle, November of 2004. It wasn't Ravi, however, who stole the show with his speech on "Who is the Truth?" He offered no differences between Mormonism and biblical Christianity. But it was the opening comments of Richard J. Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary. The Deseret Morning News, being quoted in The Salt Lake Tribune, couldn't have summed it up better:

And it'll be Mouw, not Zacharias, that Utahans will remember, says The Deseret Morning News. He offered a stunningly candid apology to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and [noted] that "friendship has not come easily between our communities." He dubbed the evening "historic" and apologized that evangelicals "have often misrepresented the faith andbeliefs of the Latter-day Saints." [emphasis added]

Ouch! An upper-cut to the solar plexus of all ministries to Mormons.

In addition, Greg Johnson and Bob Millet have made a commitment to each other to be the best of friends, teaming up and going on the road a number of times, doing the Bob and Greg show. They sit on stage, chairs angled partly toward each other and partly toward the audience. For up to two hours, they trade poignant questions between each other, which predominantly provide Bob Millet with the platform to promote Mormonism in a very palatable, Christian sounding manner. What a coup for the Mormon church's public relations objectives.

Jim Spencer exposes these topics and more. He takes particular issue with Bob Millet in demonstrating that, despite Millet's carefully chosen words to make Mormonism seem like a reasonable substitute for traditional Christianity, nothing has doctrinally changed in Mormonism.

This is a must see for Christian Pastors and their churches. Anyone familiar with the Ravi Zacharias/Richard Mouw debacle at the Mormon Tabernacle, as well as those hearing it for the first time, or the touring Greg and Bob show, will learn much from this expose'.

Mormonism: Has Anything Changed? can be purchased at our on-line bookstore, or at our office bookstore in Mesa for the usual DVD price of $20.00.

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Hold On by Kristine Nelson

Have you experienced the longing and desperation that comes from waiting for a change in your life or the lives of your loved ones? Does it seem like forever since you've seen the fruit from the relationships you have been sowing? Have you wished to see a loved one come to know the freedom and love of Jesus Christ? Many of us in this ministry, both former Mormons and followers of Christ who have a heart for the Mormons have experienced this. Undoubtedly, if you've shared your faith in Christ with a Mormon, you know what it means to hit the "brick wall."

For me, very often I reflect and realize how different my life is now with Christ, how incredibly graced my life is and how He has changed my heart. These are joyous moments when I'm feeling so grateful and free. In the midst of praising God for this, my eyes well up, and I feel an ache, a wishful hopeful ache for my family. How I long for my sisters and brother, my parents, and a few close friends to experience the freedom and the renewing of the mind that Jesus Christ gave me. At times in the past, I've taken things into my own hands, shared too much too quickly, forgotten to pray and wait on the Spirit, or just gotten plainly frustrated at their seemingly ignorant stance on God. They have withdrawn and then I feel alienated. Now I often just pray for Jesus to work a miracle.

One recent Sunday, our pastor of music was delivering the sermon. He was speaking about "holding on"…being patient in difficult circumstances. He told us the story in John 11 of how Jesus could have worked a small miracle in the life of Lazarus by healing him immediately when he was sick. Mary and Martha had sent word for him and were waiting for him. They knew Jesus could work a miracle. Jesus chose to have Mary and Martha wait for four days, and Lazarus died. When asked "why" by his disciples, Jesus told them, "Lazarus is dead and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

After Lazarus died, Mary was torn apart with grieving. Jesus came along side Mary and shared her grief and wept. Then, Jesus worked an even more amazing miracle…he brought Lazarus back from the dead. Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" Jesus made a situation wait for the benefit of the people standing there, believers and non-believers alike, so that they would believe in Him.

This illustrates many things. If we wait on the Lord for the right opportunity to plant a seed instead of taking the course into our own hands, we will see small changes taking place. If we have patience in our place of anxiety and need for another person, we can call on Him, give what He moves us to give and accept what He provides. If Jesus had chosen to heal Lazarus in his sickness, maybe far fewer would have been affected by the amazing miracle he performed. Also, we must trust that when we are aching for another person and their struggles in life, that Jesus is right there along side us, grieving and weeping with us because he loves us.

We, as humans, can't see how close we are to the goal. We can't see how close someone is to actually being set free into a relationship with Christ. God acts in his own time from his own sovereign view. As much as we may desire that person to know and follow God, we cannot orchestrate it, nor can we thwart God's will. We also cannot impede on another person's free will and choices in life.

Often it seems so easy to give up in the battle for lost souls. We may not be heard by the ones we are witnessing to, we may be demeaned in our approach, or we may simply be shut out in times we desperately wish we could help. We may be exhausted from watching lives deteriorate without the hope of Christ. But each moment on this earth is a gift. And when we've been blessed with the gift of eternal life it is our purpose to share this gift. Sometimes when we are drier than a desert, or hurting more then ever, he moves and simply amazes us. May we all adopt the attitude of the Psalmist:

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:13-14).

Why I Love the Cross by Steve Lee

I have been asked more than once by my LDS friends and family, "Isn't it rather morbid that the symbol of your faith is the cross, the instrument of the Savior's death?" And I can understand why some might feel that this is a rather inappropriate choice. After all, it is true that if my brother saved my life by "taking a bullet" that was meant for me, I wouldn't commemorate his act of courage by wearing a small gold pistol around my neck on a chain. So why is the cross any different?

Consider also how the symbol of the cross has been misused. It has been burned by ungodly men as a threat and a symbol of bigotry and racism. It is routinely worn by rock stars (and others) who don't appear to remotely follow the most basic tenants of the Christian faith. It has even been used in fictional tales (along with garlic) to ward off vampires. And as if all that weren't bad enough, Christians themselves have used the cross in unholy wars and persecutions against heathens and people with other religious views. Isn't it time we got ourselves a new symbol?

I won't presume to answer for you or your church, but I would like to explain why I love the cross, in spite of the evil uses to which it has been subjected and aligned.

First, it reminds me that my decision to follow Jesus was not made lightly. Jesus did not promise me a life free from pain and trial. When Jesus points to the cross he reminds me of this.

Then he [Jesus] said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it" (Luke 9:23-24).

Second, it reminds me of the terrible cost of my sin and the debt that Jesus paid for me.

You were dead, because you were s inners and uncircumcised in body: he has brought you to life with him, he has forgiven us every one of our sins. He has wiped out the record of our debt to the Law, which stood against us; he has destroyed it by nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14).

Third, it is a sign that God is working in my life.

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Last, it reminds me that reality is more than what I can see with my eyes or experience with my senses.

"The good news that we proclaim is true, not because it works for people in that pragmatic, utilitarian way, but because nearly two thousand years ago, outside of the center city of Jerusalem, the Son of God was crucified for our sins and was raised for our justification. This historical event may not fix our marriages, our relationships, or our messed- up lives the way we would like, but it saves us from the wrath of God to come and gives us new life, hope, and wisdom for our existence here and now, guaranteeing the end of pain at last." (Michael Horton, Too Good to Be True: Finding Hope in a World of Hype, [Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2006], 128.)

No, the cross isn't morbid, but a daily reminder that I am loved in a way I can't even comprehend.

.

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Concerned Christians,
I continue to love ya'll at Concerned Christians. I'm asking you to pray for my LDS friend who is serving a mission in Japan. I miss him and it hurts to see him in the Mormon church. God Bless! Ya'll are amazing.

Santa Clara, CA

Dear Judy & Jim,
Please start sending "The Cross" to my new friend in Utah. She is finding it difficult to tell her parents that she no longer believes in Mormonism.

Surprise, AZ

Dear Jim,
We really enjoyed your visit with us last month and the information you shared with us about your Mormon experience and how we as Christians can witness to Mormons. It was good to see you again. Thank you for the work you do. I will continue to keep your ministry in prayer as it grows into other areas. May God continue to bless you to be a blessing to others.

Las Vegas, NV

CConcerned Christians,
I love reading your newsletter and love to hear about the good things you do in the name of Christ! I grew up in Mesa and know that there really is a great need to witness to our brothers and sisters trapped in Mormonism. May God continue to bless your ministry and all the families affiliated with it.

Mesa, AZ

Dear Jim & Judy,
The Lord has been very good to us. We have been blessed with some funds we did not expect. It's important for us to return to the Lord that portion which belongs to Him. We want to help the ministry of Concerned Christians. We live less then 10 miles from the new temple in the Sacramento area. As a result of knowing what they teach we decided not to visit it when opened for visitors. Jim, I want to tell you how much I enjoyed my visit with you and look forward to maybe seeing you again in the future.

El Dorado Hills, CA

Jim,
thank God for you, your staff and your mission!

Mesa, AZ

Dear Friends in Christ,
I was given the book "No Regrets" by Judy Robertson. Can you tell me if the book is still available to buy? Also the "Witness To Mormons" book.

Vista, CA

("No Regrets" was repackaged by Bethany House Publishers as Out of Mormonism and is available in our bookstore and others and the Witness to Mormons as well)

Jim,
I cannot tell you how much we enjoy reading your newsletter, "The Cross." It has helped us to better understand our many LDS acquaintances. Please send a copy to the person named below.

Gilbert, AZ

Dear Concerned Christians,
Thank you so much for the work you do to bring the LDS people to Christ. Do you have a back copy of the February/March issue, I would really like to read it? Especially the article about the adoration of Joseph Smith by the President of the LDS church. Please keep me in your prayers as I will be telling my Mormon daughter & son- in-lay that I am now a Christian and no longer a Mormon.

Pocatello, ID

Hello Jim & Judy,
I just received "The Cross" today and, of course, read it cover to cover, and will do so again. I save all your issues. I wanted to tell you how sharing your hurting heart over your grand daughter's death brought me to my knees and gave me courage in my challenges.

Buckeye, AZ

Concerned Christians,
Please accept this small donation to use as you see fit. Also happy to see the growth of your ministry and your much needed message.

Bend, OR

Concerned Christians,
Thank you for your prayers for my mom. Her cancer is shrinking and she is getting to do more, even went to Bible study for the first time in 2 years. Thank you!

Phoenix, AZ

Dear Concerned Christians,
Please send me a "Tract Pack" and 100 "Basic Teachings" brochures. I have enclosed a check to more then cover the cost. There are so many times I wish I had a tract with me to hand to a Mormon or to an LDS missionary at my door. I look forward to passing them out. Please pray that they will accept them. Sometimes I feel so frustrated when speaking to Christians about Mormonism and how so many of them think Mormons are Christians. Sadder yet are those who just don't care. I have tried to get pastors in our area interested in teaching their congregations about Mormonism, but so far none have shown an interest. The really sad thing is that we live in the so-called "Bible Belt." It seems that many Christians have their heads in the sand. But I won't give up. I can't wait to get the tracts and to see who the Lord puts in my path. Thank you again for your wonderful ministry!

Hardy, VA

Dear Jim,
I am writing this letter to thank you for creating the Concerned Christians website. I left the Mormon church 16 years ago, but only recently did it become abundantly clear that I needed to finalize my departure by writing the letter asking for my name to be removed from the LDS records. I used the resignation letter on your website and sent it off to all the principles by certified mail. I got the standard brochure from the president of the church inviting me back and reminding me of the "eternal consequences" of my decision. However, yesterday I received notice from the church that I was no longer a member. Praise the Lord I'm free! In addition to the countless hours I've spent perusing your website, I have read several books including your wife's book, "Out of Mormonism." Your website, the links you have provided, and the books I've read helped give me an unbiased look at who Joseph Smith really was. It's amazing at the difference there is between the things I was taught at church and in seminary in my early days compared to what actually happened. I am particularly fascinated by the changes in the temple ceremony over the years. At the time I was attending the Mormon temple, I remember doing the signs, but had no real idea what the "execution of the penalty" meant! I am now married to a Godly man and we live and go to church in Scottsdale. Jim, you're doing a great work and your website has been a true blessing to me, thank you!

Scottsdale, AZ