CORRECTION:
It has been brought to my attention that
in my article “LDS Growth: Fact of Fiction” in the current February
edition of “The Cross,” I misquoted LDS Dr. David Stewart from
his website. When stating, “He goes on to say that the net result
of their growth is zero,” I erroneously attributed that conclusion
to Dr. Stewart when, in fact, I was actually thinking and stating
the conclusion of a different, non-LDS website. To accurately
quote Dr. Stewart, “worldwide LDS membership is currently growing
at less than 3% per year” and that “The annual U.S. LDS growth
rate (is) 1.9%…” I sincerely apologize to Dr. Stewart and to all
of our readers for my error.
In Christ,
Jim Robertson
LDS Growth: Fact or Fiction? by Jim Robertson
 The
Mormon church claims to have over eleven million members. This
does not include the millions of dead people they have baptized
by proxy over the years, but it does include their children that
are baptized at the age of eight. They claim to have the fastest
growing church in the world. However, in a report written by Mormon
Dr. David Stewart in May 2002, he states that the Mormon population
has had a declining growth rate since 1989. This extensive 40
page report can be viewed on the web at http://www.cumorah.com/report.html.
One of the main things we frequently see is, when a Mormon decides
that Mormonism is not from God and they want out, they just walk
away. Many don't bother to write their letter to have their name
removed from the records of the church. Therefore the LDS leadership
continues to count them as members of the Mormon church. So their
numbers stay deceptively high. However, the following information,
as well as the complete report, demonstrates that the Mormon church
is not being honest in their statements that they are the fastest
growing church.
Dr. Stewart's report goes on to say that there is an enormous
turnover rate in the LDS church compared to any of the religious
groups in the country. He said there are almost as many people
dropping out of active membership as there are joining. He goes
on to say that the net result of their growth is zero!
In most of the world, the LDS church is one of the slowest growing
denominations and almost 2/3 of the LDS member's world wide are
inactive. The Mormon church claims officially there are 5.3 million
members in the U.S., however independent surveys show that only
2.8 million members identify themselves as Mormon. This type of
statistic can be demonstrated in other countries. Over 60% of
new converts drop out within one year. We also see a larger number
of LDS missionaries coming home early from their missions. The
males normally stay around 22 months, but we are seeing that picture
change. I believe it's because of the educating of Christians
that's going on by groups like Concerned Christians. Praise God
for His provisions, His word, and His guidance.
So, continue to support the work we do and keep us in your prayers.
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Wendy's Testimony
 Dear
Concerned Christians,
I was born and raised in an LDS family of five generations.
Yet, I didn't know joy and I never felt unconditional love. At
the age of 13, I decided that love must come from boys and relations
with them. I turned to premarital sex and drugs. By the time I
was 15 years old I'd had an abortion and tried cocaine, crack
and speed. I was attending High School in Huntington Beach, CA
where popularity was a must. I was extremely lost. After ditching
most of my school year, the school finally contacted my divorced,
single mom. She gave me two options: go to Provo, UT and live
on the farm with my LDS family or find a private school and promise
to go back to the Mormon church. My mother gave up attending after
she and my father separated.
Being a beach girl, I decided that Utah was out of the question
and found a little non-denominational, private school in downtown
Huntington Beach, called "Voyagers Christian Academy." Because
my mom was not active in "the church" [LDS church], she did not
understand or seek direction about what a non-denominational church
is. She thought it meant they didn't teach religion, though it
was a Christian school. She had been told by the Mormon church
all her life that she was Christian. So, she figured this Christian
school was harmless.
The week after I started school there, my older brother was
killed in a motorcycle accident. I see God's timing and faithfulness
to me for not allowing this accident to occur until after He had
me at a place in Him where I could receive such bad news and was
teachable enough to receive God's truths. Needless to say, I was
taught the truth and the seed was planted at that Christian school.
I came home with great news everyday about Jesus and His plan
for us and how He saved us. Mom would just say, "Good, honey,
I'm happy you like your new school."
The struggles my mom had with my brother's death were understandably
enormous. Yet, most of those struggles were because she couldn't
wait for the first year to pass so that her very active, Mormon
sister could do the "Temple work" required for my brother to get
out of "spirit prison" and into one of the Mormon kingdoms. I
tried desperately to explain to mom that this is not how it works
and that we don't get a second chance once we are gone. This got
me into the Bishop's office at the Mormon church. Being the disrespectful
person I was, I told the Bishop what I had learned and the way
I felt about the LDS church. He said that I was going through
a phase and that he wanted to see me again in 6 months.
 That
summer I turned 16, I had to attend camp at BYU with all the other
boys and girls in the ward. This was one of the worst experiences
of my life. One night a woman explained to us that the next morning
we would go into the temple to baptize for the dead. I thought
to myself, "I will not partake in such an evil act, but what am
I going to do?" I prayed that night that God would help me out
of the situation. I can't remember how He did it, but the Lord
was faithful again and I did not have to do that very non-biblical
act.
Mom still doesn't attend church and I am now 31 years old, married
to a wonderful Christian husband that is the complete leader in
our home. We have two beautiful daughters and a third baby on
the way. Mom still claims to be a Mormon and says she will always
be. But, I don't think she even knows what the church actually
teaches.
I am on my knees every day for her. And now my 4- year-old daughter
is, too (it's priceless to see J). I am giving my mom the book
Out of Mormonism and praying she'll read it. I hope my
walk with Jesus will be more persuasive to her than my Mormon
Aunt who is a once-amonth temple-goer.
I have been given forgiveness and unconditional love through
my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My past is so black, but my
salvation has lit my path and I am out of darkness. I have been
blessed with the teachings of Pastor Chuck Smith at Calvary Chapel
of Costa Mesa. I also attend Joyful Life Women's Bible Study every
Friday with about 1,800 other beautiful, God-loving women. God
has been so good to me. I will thank Him everyday for people like
you who get the true Word out. I will remember Concerned Christians
in my prayers.
All the Lord's blessings to you I pray,
In His precious Love,
Wendy
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"The Cross" Via Email - We Give Up!
For the past few newsletter, we have been e-mailing our e-mail
recipients with a notice that they may view our latest issue of
"The Cross" on our website. However, each time we do, several
e-mail service providers return a combined approximately ¼ of
our e-mail addresses to us as "undeliverable" without any explanation.
Upon questioning our recipients, we found that many of these addresses
ARE good. So, that means those people aren't getting the newsletter
and are missing the information they look forward to receiving.
Even though it's more expensive via the USPS, we hate for anyone
to miss "The Cross" due to technical difficulties. Therefore,
we've decided to revert back to sending all newsletters by snail-mail.
We hope that, with enough financial assistance from our supporters,
we will break even on the publication and mailing costs of "The
Cross" in the long run. Perhaps, in a future, more perfect technological
world where e-mails are not inexplicably returned, we will be
able to return to notifying many of you by e-mail.
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What Joseph Smith Never Counted On - Part
2 by Bob Betts
-
 At
the beginning of the Book of Mormon, you will find "The Testimony
of Three Witnesses." In 1829, according to Joseph's revelation,
two of those three witnesses, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer
were called as Apostles: "…I speak unto you (David and Oliver),
even as unto Paul mine apostle, for you are called even with
that same calling with which he was called. …And by their hands
(again, David and Oliver), I will work a marvelous work among
the children of men." (D&C 18:9,44)
What Joseph Smith never counted on was that all three witnesses
would eventually apostatize. Joseph handled their apostasies
by resorting to name-calling and defaming their character.
He referred to them as, "too mean to mention; and we had liked
to have forgotten them." A couple of paragraphs later Joseph
proclaimed, "…in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we deliver
these characters unto the buffetings of Satan until the day
of redemption,…" (History of the Church 3:228,232)
-
In 1887, the same David Whitmer would write a booklet called,
An address To All Believers In Christ (order through our web
bookstore at www.concernedchristians.org). In it, he recounts
the following series of events:
"In June 1829, the translation of the Book of Mormon was
finished. God gave it to us as his Holy Word, and left us
to work out our own salvation and set in order the Church
of Christ...
 "Joseph
looked into the hat in which he placed the stone, and received
a revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto,
Canada, and that they would sell the copy-right of the Book
of Mormon. Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery went to Toronto on
this mission, but they failed entirely to sell the copy-right,
returning without any money. Joseph was at my father's house
when they returned. I was there also, and am an eye witness
to these facts. Jacob Whitmer and John Whitmer were also present
when Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery returned from Canada. Well,
we were all in great trouble; and we asked Joseph how it was
that he had received a revelation from the Lord for some brethren
to go to Toronto and sell the copy-right, and the brethren
had utterly failed in their undertaking. Joseph did not know
how it was, so he enquired of the Lord about it, and behold
the following revelation came through the stone: 'Some revelations
are of God; some revelations are of man; and some revelations
are of the devil.' So we see that the revelation to go to
Toronto and sell the copyright was not of God, but was of
the devil or the heart of man."
If Joseph Smith sincerely believed that he was a prophet of
God and could get divine revelation through a "seer stone" in
his hat, then what he never counted on was that the stone (or
God through the stone) would fail him. However, if Joseph willfully
attempted to deceive, then what he WAS counting on and hoping
for was that these "witnesses" would somehow accomplish the mission
and make him look good.
But note in Whitmer's testimony, that when Joseph Smith "enquired
of the Lord about" the "failed…undertaking," he went back to the
same "stone" for another prophecy to explain the first failed
prophecy. Then note that since the failed prophecy proved to NOT
be from God, Joseph proceeded to lead his friends to the astounding
conclusion that he either concocted the prophecy in his own "heart"
or it was "of the devil." Either way, in light of Deuteronomy
18:20-22, how can anyone trust Joseph Smith's claim to be a prophet
of God?
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Year-end Financial Report
Good News/Not-So-Good News
The not so good news is that 2002 ended with an approximately
$3000 shortfall. The good news is that your generous support helped
us finish strong in the fourth quarter to avoid what could have
been a disastrous year. Please help us start out strong in the
first quarter of 2003. Out of necessity, we've hired a part-time
office assistant. We would like to increase her hours when the
finances are available. Concerned Christians is already busting
at the seams with all that is required to reach the Mormon
community, support our ex-Mormon neighbors and educate the Christian
community. Your sacrificial giving would so help relieve the
pressure. Thank you.
We trust God for His provision; we depend on you to be
His instruments.
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The Babe is Not Immanuel? by Judy
Robertson
 As
I reflect on Christmas just past, I'm glad I spent a lot of time
being still and meditating on who Jesus is and what He means in
my life. I sang many of the old carols that have within them the
truths of God's Word. For example, Angels from the Realms of
Glory, has this in the second verse, "...God with man is now
residing." And in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing the second
verse says; "Veiled in flesh the God-head see, Hail the incarnate
Deity!" Both proclaim Jesus as our Immanuel, God with us. The
amazing truth is that God came into the time and space of our
world, became man in the form of the baby Jesus.
Jesus took on flesh, so that He could overcome the devil and
provide the perfect sacrifice for our sin so that we could dwell
with Him throughout eternity. 1 (Hebrews 2:14, 17)
So often I take this most wonderful of all truths for granted,
celebrate the same way the whole world does and I don't make a
distinction or a big deal of what I'm really celebrating. I get
caught up in the mystique that is Christmas; baking, buying and
wrapping presents, decorating the house, etc. etc. and don't take
time to reflect on the event I'm spending so much time celebrating.
Are you this way too?
Jesus is God incarnate or in the flesh. He is the "exact image
of God," the Bible tells us. 2 (Hebrews 1:3) So because Jesus
is God He is sinless and the only acceptable sacrifice for our
sin. Our only way to heaven. 3 (Hebrews 9:26; 10:10; 1 Corinthians
5:7; 1 John 1:2)
There are some in our midst who teach that Jesus is not
God incarnate but that He is only the first-born of many spirit
children of "Heavenly Father." Hence the term or highly honored
name of Immanuel cannot be used by the Latter-day-Saints who teach
this. What kind of babe was born to Mary, then, according to LDS
teaching?
He was the "first-born" of all "Heavenly Father's" spirit children.
I was one, you were one. And Lucifer, too was a spirit-brother
of Jesus. All men and women who ever lived or will live
on earth are spirit children of "Heavenly Father." 4 (Gospel
Principles pg.18 published by the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints,1995 and Abraham 3:27 from the Pearl of Great
Price)
Jesus, as taught in LDS theology was chosen by a Grand Council
of gods in the pre-mortal life to be Savior of the world. 5 (Gospel
Principles pg. 15) So this is not "The Word" of John 1:1 In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. This
Biblical Jesus has always existed with God and "is God." Whereas
the Jesus of Mormon theology came into being as a result of a
physical relation with the virgin Mary. 6(Doctrines of Salvation,
by Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. 1, Pg. 18) So this Jesus cannot
be in any sense, the Messiah or Immanuel.
Why is it so important to know this distinct difference? It's
important because the Jesus of Mormonism is not the Biblical Jesus.
He is another Jesus. 7 (Matthew 24:24; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4)
And by believing the Mormon Jesus there is no salvation.
For this Jesus is not God incarnate and the only
One whose sacrifice made us fit for the Kingdom of God in heaven.
Our desire as Concerned Christians is to bring as many as possible
into God's Kingdom. Rather than shouting this truth and trying
strongman tactics, lets practice the admonition in 2 Timothy 2:24-26
which says: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but
be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. In meekness instructing
those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them
repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may
recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken
captive by him at his will.
Christmas is past but the New Year unfolds before us with all
the hope that is in the gospel message. Let's be lights for those
in our midst who dwell in darkness and shine the way to eternal
life with Jesus forever.
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The Missing Books Argument by Lloyd Sharp
 One
of the oldest arguments made by those who are LDS has to do with
the claim of missing books of the Bible. This wellworn claim states
that books such as the Book of Jasher (2 Sam 1:18) and other books
mentioned in the Bible are lost scripture. This missing scripture,
critics claim, is proof of intentional tampering with the Word
of God. However, how can we be sure they were meant to be part
of the Bible? The answer is simple, if God wanted these writings
to be in the Bible they would be there. With God, all things are
possible (Mat 19:26) and He can do everything He wishes (Job 42:2).
Arguing otherwise infringes upon the sovereignty of God.
Let's explore the validity of these claims as well as the double
standard created by using this argument.
The Unfair Assumption
In order for this argument to hold water, a basic assumption
is made. That is that all books mentioned in the Bible
should be part of the Bible.
First century Jews, however, did not teach that these books
were 'missing scripture'. Flavius Joseph, a 1st century historian
and devout Jew wrote: "For we have not an innumerable multitude
of books among us, disagreeing from and contradicting one another
[as the Greeks have], but only twenty-two books, which
contain the records of all the past times; which are justly
believed to be divine" (Against Apion 1.8, Josephus
the Complete Works by William Whiston 1998 edition p. 929,
Emphasis Added).
These twenty-two books mentioned by Josephus are the books of
our current Old Testament. However, the number of books differs
because Protestants divide Kings, Samuel, Chronicles etc. into
two books each. The Jews also considered the Minor Prophets as
one book. Nowhere in any of the writings of Josephus do we see
that the alleged missing books were considered scripture. The
idea that people had intentionally altered scripture also seemed
foreign to first century Jews: "and how firmly we have given credit
to those books of our own nation is evident by what we do; for
during so many ages as have already passed, no one has been so
bold as either to add anything to them, take anything from them,
or to make any change in them; but it becomes natural to all
Jews, immediately and from their very birth, to esteem those
books to contain divine doctrines, and to persist in them,
and, if occasion be, willingly to die for them" (Against Apion
1.8.42, Josephus the Complete Works by William Whiston
1998 edition p930, Emphasis Added).
 In
regards to the alleged 'missing scriptures' Christian apologist
James White states: "Many of the books mentioned above were obviously
secular in nature; that is, they were public or royal records….[sic]Why
cannot the Bible even mention the existence of secular
writings without making those writings part of the Scriptures?
If the Bible were being written today, and the Bible were to mention,
for example, a national newspaper, would that automatically make
the newspaper part of Scripture? For example, let's say that a
prophet of God was attacked in an editorial written in a particular
newspaper. The writer of Scripture mentions this. Does this mean
that the newspaper becomes part of the inspired Word of God? If
so, for what reason? So, when 1 Kings 11:41 mentions the "book
of the acts of Solomon," it would be similar to mentioning the
Congressional Record or something of that kind" (White, Letters
to a Mormon Elder p 43-44, Emphasis Original).
And what of the writings that are of a religious nature? Books
like Nathan the Prophet (1 Chr 29:29) and the Prophecy of Ahijah
(2 Chr 9:29) are not said to be inspired of God. Again White rightly
states: "The same example as used above is relevant here. If the
Bible were being written today, and a particular religious leader
was mentioned, and, rather than listing everything that this particular
person did, the writer of Scripture were to say, "now, the rest
that this person did is written in this book…," does that book
automatically become inspired because the Scripture writer refers
someone to it for further information, if they desire it? I don't
believe so" (White, Letters to a Mormon Elder p. 44).
The Double Standard
While the argument of 'missing scriptures' seems viable on the
surface, when we probe deeper we see a double standard at play
here. The Book of Mormon mentions several writings that
are not part of the Book of Mormon canon. The following list of
'missing scriptures' from the Book of Mormon was found on just
a cursory study:
Book of Remembrance - 3 Nephi 24:16
Prophecies of Zenos - 1 Nephi 19:10: Jacob 5:1
Prophecies of Zenock - 1 Nephi 19:10
Prophecies of Neum - 1 Nephi 19:10
Missing Plates from Laban - 1Nephi 3:3-4
Lost Teachings of Benjamin - Mosiah 1:8
Lost Word of Amulek - Alma 9:34
Lost Words of Alma - Alma 13:31
Lost Teachings of Alma - Alma 8:1
Lost Teachings of Helaman - Helaman 5:13
Few Mormons would be willing to concede that the Book of
Mormon is incomplete due to intentional tampering. Despite
this, when we apply the same standard used by this argument, the
Book of Mormon comes up incomplete. The double standard
becomes even more evident when we see that the LDS church has
not restored any of these 'missing scriptures' that are
said to be in the Bible.
Conclusion
The Bible is not missing any scripture. Rather it is exactly
as God intended it to be. Christians can safely say that these
alleged 'missing scriptures' have never been considered scripture
in the history of Biblical Christianity or Judaism. "And the words
of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of
clay, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6).
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From The Mailbag
 Dear
Jim & Judy,
I want to thank both of you for having such a loving heart for
the Mormons, which is where my heart is also. If only there is
a way to open the eyes of them that are so lost. Since leaving
Mormonism, my entire family will have nothing to do with me. They
just tell me to keep my words about their church to myself. The
devil has them so blinded that they can't see the truth right
in front of them. I so enjoy "The Cross" newsletter, please keep
it coming. I do have a praise report. I had a long conversation
with two Mormon girls and then became convicted to leave the LDS
church and come to Christ. Thank you Lord!
Tomkinsville, KY
Concerned Christians,
I can't remember the exact date I left Mormonism as I've lost
track. Time flies when you're having fun! I love life now. I'm
not afraid of it any longer. You should have seen my husband and
me, the day we went shopping for real UNDERWEAR!!! WHAT A BLAST!!!
Cottage Grove, MN
Dear Jim & Judy,
Thank you so much for speaking at our Sunday School class recently.
Your ministry is such a blessing to so many. It's amazing how
much we all learned in such a short three weeks. We really appreciate
that you could be with us to teach. Judy's book was awesome and
is being passed around like crazy! I actually read it cover to
cover in six hours; I just couldn't put it down! Thanks again
for all you do.
Mesa, AZ
 Dear
Jim & Judy,
Thanks for remembering me with your newsletter. I can identify
with a lot of your people. Praise God there are wonderful pastors
that build a great foundation under me and with tender loving
care, help me walk through the difficult time leaving Mormonism
into the world of God; to impress on me to keep the word in my
heart and walk in the light. I thank Jim for the patience he had
with me seven years ago. God is so awesome; He's shown me so many
things. Never thought in my lifetime I'd experience anything like
this. I love the Lord and love to share with anyone who will listen.
God bless you all in this great ministry!
Sturgis, SD
Hi Jim,
I used to lead the young adult ministry at Gethsemane Lutheran
Church in Tempe. You came and gave us a great presentation on
Mormonism several years ago. I still receive your newsletter.
I just visited your website and got some great resources. Good
job on the website! I was very impressed. I went online to get
some information to share with two LDS missionaries who are supposed
to return for another visit tomorrow. I asked them to look at
you book (Witness To Mormons) with me. But when I looked for it,
I couldn't find it in the boxes we moved with us. So I was relieved
to get the same, very useful information online. You provide a
very valuable ministry. Thank you and God bless you. It's good
to know Concerned Christians is there when I need it.
Albuquerque, NM
Dear Concerned Christians,
You're website was instrumental in giving me the confidence to
leave Mormonism. Please accept this small gift as a token of my
appreciation for your ministry. As and ex-Mormon, it's great to
see a Christian group with the sole purpose of educating Christians
and Mormons on the lies and deception the LDS church has created.
Keep up the wonderful work!
Hazeltown, IN
Dear Bob,
My son and I recently left Mormonism after being members for over
30 years. We have been shocked at what we learned about the "one
and only true and living church." Thanks!!!
Essex, England
Dear Friends in Christ,
I sure do rejoice and praise the Lord for such a wonderful newsletter!
The "Mailbag" letters are awesome and make me want to keep on
praying. Thank you!
Brainerd, MN
 Dear
Concerned Christians,
I was born & raised in the Mormon religion, and mistakenly once
had the attitude of feeling superior as a member of the only true
church. However, I left the church about seven years ago because
I started reading all the literature the Mormon authorities said
not to read. I am the only member of a very large Mormon family
who has ever left the LDS church. It is a continuous struggle
and heartache for me in dealing with my Mormon family. Your newsletter
gives me the continued strength and knowledge I need to be a member
of God's family. I know this isn't a lot, but I will try to send
more when I can.
Mesa, AZ
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