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
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
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.
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).
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