From the Executive Director
You Never Know What God Will Do by Jim Robertson
Judy and I had the privilege of teaching in Hawaii recently.
We were invited a ministry we have worked closely with for 18
years; South Seas Christian Ministries. For many years we arranged
for teams to go to the islands of Samoa and Tonga to minister.
Some of the teams conducted Bible Camps for the kids. This was
an experience all by itself. We've taken Bible College professors
down to help further the education for the pastors there. And
finally teams of athletic coaches with sporting equipment to help
raise the standard of the athletes and equipment in these islands.
We enjoyed teaching at Island Family Christian Church, and renewing
old friendships. This church helped to support us when we lived
in the South Pacific Islands and one I had taught at in years
past. The pastor told me several days later that his congregation
was so impressed with the presentation, they wanted to provide
an office for us as they build their new sanctuary and classrooms,
so when we have someone to come work full time, they'll have a
place.
We attended Kaimaki Christian Church for Easter where we were
very impressed with the growth they have experienced since the
last time we were there.
On Wednesday I was asked to teach at a Bible Study group. This
gathering was made up of all Samoan, Tongan and Hawaiians. It
was good to be with people who are special in my life as a result
of having lived and worked in the South Pacific. As I finished
teaching and asked if anyone had any questions, one of the men
raised his hand. He said he's a Mormon and had been a Mormon missionary.
I was mildly surprised as I didn't know there were any Mormons
at this Christian Bible study. A few minutes later I learned there
were two other Mormons in the group.
A portion of what I teach regards the Mormon missionary lessons,
so I asked the first one if any of the things that I shared were
taken out of context and he said no. I asked him if my explanation
of what each one of the Biblical verses really say made sense
to him and he said yes. . Each question I asked, to verify their
teachings, was answered that he agreed with what I had said. Finally,
I asked if it was true that his church taught that each man has
the potential to become a god of his own planet and he said yes.
Last I asked him what he thought about what had been taught that
night and he said what he learned that night was a great concern
to him and he had a lot of praying and study to do, but he said
it appeared that now he had one foot in the Mormon Church and
one out.
About a week later I was at a Polynesian show put on by Tihati
Productions, owned by a good friend of ours and a member of the
South Seas Christian Ministries. I recognized two of the cast
as being this young man and one of the other Mormons from the
Bible study. After the show, I met with them and complimented
them on how well they did. I asked the returned missionary where
his other "foot" was. He said he didn't know, but that he was
doing a lot of studying. So we need to keep Wade in our prayers.
The other Mormon guy, Pogi, said he no longer believed in Mormonism
either.
The third Mormon at the Bible study was a young lady named Leilani.
She asked me for a copy of the letter needed to have her named
removed from the rolls of the LDS church. Her husband is a Tongan
and a Christian. He became very excited when he learned about
our connection to the islands of Tonga and what he had learned
that night about Mormonism. The next time we go to Tonga, he wants
to go along. His father, whom I met a few days later, is a very
important man in Tonga and wants to help us in any way. We will
certainly utilize his connections to make working in Tonga a little
easier.
The following Wednesday we flew to the island of Kauai to teach
at the Anaholo Baptist Church. We were hosted by Pastor Ron Curry
and his lovely wife Connie. When we arrived at the church I smelled
someone burning brush that apparently contained some Mango branches,
but didn't think anything about it. We learned while living and
working in Samoa that Judy is highly allergic to the sap of the
Mango tree. In the middle of teaching I caught a glimpse of my
wife, Judy. At the time I wondered why she had a big wad of candy
or gum in her mouth, as one side was poking out. A few minutes
later I looked again and saw both sides poking out. I realized
that something was wrong and then she got up to go to the bathroom.
Apparently she saw herself in the mirror and came back looking
shocked. By now her eyes were also closing as her face continued
to swell. We stopped the meeting and the pastor took us to the
emergency room. This would be the first of 5 different emergency
rooms we went to over the next 5 days. It wasn't until we arrived
back in Mesa at another emergency room that we found a doctor
that knew how to treat her. At one point during those 5 days her
throat began to close over and she had to get a quick shot of
medicine to stop it or we could have lost her. She is now recovering
back home and is beginning to get her strength back.
So our trip, although spiritually was a success, physically
it was very hard on Judy. However, we thank God that she is OK
and God gave us the privilege of seeing lives changed.
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New Concerned Christians Start-ups
In keeping with our goals and the strategy that we believe God
is directing, Concerned Christians is pleased to announce two
new Arizona branches in Tucson and Flagstaff.
Dan Eck directs our Tucson affiliate. He and his wife LaVerne
were never LDS, but were Christian missionaries to Venezuela for
18 years. They have been certified in the Evangelism Explosion
training and have taught that 16-week course nine times. Dan has
been studying Mormonism for the past 10 years and maintains a
passion for personal evangelism. Dan has taught a 5- week series
on Mormonism in a Sunday School class as well as other groups
and one-on-one sessions. A few years ago he had the privilege
of baptizing a former Mormon Bishop into Christ. He and LaVerne
can be reached at (520) 797-2337 or dan@concernedchristians.org.
Brad and Jennifer Melton of Flagstaff, co-direct the other affiliate,
covering much of northern Arizona. Brad serves as the Director
of Youth and College Ministries at their Church, and Jennifer
serves as the director of a Christian preschool. Brad grew up
in Phoenix, became a Christian in Jr. high School, but converted
to Mormonism in 1990 after he graduated from high school. A year
later he became a temple Mormon and went on his 2- year, LDS mission
to Argentina. By the grace of God, Brad found his way out of Mormonism
in his mid-twenties. Jennifer grew up in a Christian home in Casa
Grande, AZ.
Jennifer converted to Mormonism in her late teens, but left
the Mormon church with Brad before they married in 1996. Brad
has an undergraduate degree in journalism and studied history
and publishing in graduate school at ASU. He has worked in Arizona's
book and magazine publishing industry for eight years. Jennifer
earned her degree in both special and elementary education from
ASU.
Independently of Concerned Christians, they have collaborated
on a "Mormonism, Christianity, and Me" seminar in response to
many requests to share their stories and explain the differences
between Mormonism and biblical Christianity.
They can be reached at (928) 714-9244 or noaz@concernedchristians.org.
We are blessed to have both couples on board with us to spread
the good news.
Concerned Christians has also responded to requests in the Cottonwood
area (Central Arizona) for a support group that will help the
Christians to reach LDS relatives, friends and neighbors, as well
as to support former Mormons. If you live in that area and would
like to participate, contact Karen at (928) 634-6263.
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A Comparison of the LDS Articles of Faith with
the Bible - Part 2 by Lloyd Sharp
Article 4: "We believe that the first principles and ordinances
of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second,
Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;
fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."
There are two major problems with this article. The first has
to do with the Mormon concept of who Jesus Christ is. After all,
faith in a false Christ does nothing but offer false salvation.
The Mormon Jesus is a created being. His creation took place
by intimate relations between God the father and a Heavenly Mother.
The teaching of a Heavenly Mother is taught to be an "unspoken
Truth" in Mormonism (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.516). Mormon
apostle James Talmage eluded to this when he wrote "Jesus Christ
is the Son of Elohim [God the Father] both as spiritual and
bodily offspring; that is to say, Elohim is literally the
Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also of the body in which
Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh." (Talmage,
A Study of the Articles of Faith, p.466, italics and inserts
added)
The LDS church also teaches that Lucifer is the spiritbrother
of Jesus! Former LDS prophet Spencer Kimball wrote that "Long
before you were born a program was developed by your creators....
The principal personalities in this great drama were a Father
Elohim [God the Father], perfect in wisdom, judgment, and person,
and two sons, Lucifer and Jehovah [Jesus]." (Teachings of Spencer
W.Kimball, p.32-33, inserts added)
"The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was
contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer,
son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power
and glory, this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become
the Savior of mankind." (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.193)
The false Christ of the LDS church does not measure up to the
almighty Jesus portrayed in the Bible. Rather than being created
Jesus is eternal (John 1:1,14; Revelation 1:8). Jesus is God in
the flesh (John 1:1-2, 14; Colossians 1:15; 2:9). As God, Jesus
created all things (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16) including
angels. Lucifer is an angel, specifically a cherub (Ezekiel 28:14).
He is not and never was related to Jesus Christ.
Secondly baptism in the LDS church is different from what the
Bible teaches. According to the LDS church a person must be baptized
or they cannot be saved. Joseph Smith proclaimed, "Many talk of
baptism not being essential to salvation; but this kind of teaching
would lay the foundation of their damnation." (Smith, Teachings
of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.361)
Only those who are baptized can obtain true salvation, or godhood
in Mormonism (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.670). Nor can
you receive the Holy Spirit until you are baptized (Gospel
Principles, p.124-125 1988 ed.). It is important to understand
that Mormons are baptized into a church (Book of Mormon,
Mosiah 18:17), not into Christ as the Bible teaches (Romans 1:3).
Nor does the Bible teach that baptism must come before receiving
the Holy Ghost. While in Caesarea Peter preached the gospel and
all who heard received the Holy Spirit before being baptized
(Acts 10:44-47).
Article 5: "We believe that a man must be called by God,
by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in
authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances
thereof."
The ambiguity of this article is misleading. While the Bible
teaches that a person must be called of God to preach the Gospel
(Romans 10:15), prophecy and the laying on of hands is not a mandatory
prerequisite for this in the Bible.
The same problem arises with the issue of "the laying on of
hands by those who are in authority." There is very little mention
of the laying on of hands in the Bible. Indeed most of the greatest
prophets such as Noah, Moses, John the Baptist and Isaiah never
mention this happening to them. Would the LDS church suggest they
did not have the proper authority to preach the Gospel and administer
in the ordinances thereof? And what of "those who are in authority?"
The Bible tells us that "as many as received him, to them gave
he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe
on his name (John 1:12, italics added)." Would the LDS church
suggest that the Bible is incorrect and that faith in Christ alone
is not what is needed to be a child of God and have all the privileges
that such a position holds?
In our next newsletter I will continue our guide through the
LDS Articles of faith.
Latter-day Saints: "Hooked On a Feelin'" by
Bob Betts
Around the year 1970, pop singer/song-writer, B.J. Thomas had
a hit love song called "Hooked On A Feelin'." No doubt, human
emotions are very powerful and our feelings have the potential
to motivate us to do what is good or evil and to believe what
is true or false. But, we often mistakenly refer to our thoughts
or beliefs as feelings. How often have you said something like,
"I feel that the Bible is the true Word of God" when what you
really meant is, "I think (or believe) that the
Bible is the true Word of God." Feelings should be expressed as
love, hate, joy, sadness, peacefulness, fearfulness, patience,
anger, etc. When we mix up our feelings as thoughts and vice versa,
we confuse or blur the lines of communication and promote misunderstandings.
Is truth determined by the way we feel about it? Does the way
we feel about a truth change the essence and objectivity of it?
No, truth is truth regardless of our feelings about it. Truth
is inherently objective and NOT subject to one's feelings about
it. For me to take a Bible verse and tell you what I feel it
means to me personally, is a wrong exegesis
(i.e. - explanation, critical analysis, or interpretation of a
word, literary passage, etc., especially in the Bible). And, it
would be unbiblical: "…no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter]
of any personal or private or special interpretation
(loosening, solving)" 2 Peter 1:20 (Amplified).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, traditionally
and typically induces people to look to their feelings and to
use their emotions in determining truth. Joseph Smith got that
ball rolling when he wrote the Book of Mormon, given that Joseph
Smith is the real author of the Book of Mormon (it says so on
the title page of the 1830 edition). To know if the Book of Mormon
is true, Joseph Smith says to, "…receive these things, and ponder
it in your hearts" Moroni 10:3. Then, he further tells us to pray
about it: vs. 4) "…ask God, the Eternal Father in the name of
Christ, if these things are not true." Then he tells us again
to use our hearts: "and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart,
with real intent…," adds faith, "having faith in Christ," and
tells us what the results will be, "(God) will manifest the truth
of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. vs. 5) And by
the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
I've never heard of anyone ever praying about the Bible to know
if it is true. Christians commonly accept the Bible as the truth
because it can be proven to be archaeologically, historically,
geographically, linguistically and prophetically accurate. We
recognize its divine architecture and miraculous formation.
The way Joseph worded those Moroni verses, it sounds quasi-biblical.
Jesus did send "the Comforter" and "the Spirit of truth," (not
the Spirit of feelings) "which proceedeth from the Father, (who)
shall testify of Me" (John 15:26). But, Joseph Smith clearly blurred
the lines between truth and feelings, blending them with the use
of prayer and the Holy Ghost. Mormons are taught all their lives
that this Moroni method of determining truth is right, trustworthy
and scriptural. Mormons say they get a "burning in the bosom from
the Holy Ghost." And, based on that experience, they determine
that Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and their church is true.
In the Bible, the lines are not blurred between truth and our
emotions. In acknowledging the heart as the center of human emotions,
God clearly states in Jeremiah 17:9 that, "The heart is deceitful
above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it." And,
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh
wisely, he shall be delivered" Proverb 28:26. The God-glorifying
life-changes we experience, start NOT in the heart but in the
mind, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" Romans 12:2. Healthy,
God-given emotions should follow right thinking based on truth.
Otherwise, we are emotionally unstable and mentally imbalanced
by God's standards. Spiritual maturity is measured "in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto
a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness
of Christ:" The resulting goal is "that we be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
by the sleight of men, cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in
wait to deceive:" Ephesians 4:13,14. When it comes to repelling
the deceitful craftiness of men and the wind of man-made doctrines,
the key is the knowledge of the Son of God, not our emotions.
Mormon missionaries are trained to induce a person to use the
emotions-driven, Moroni method of determining the truth of the
Book of Mormon. "Instructions For The Discussions" manuals that
you never see, train the missionaries how to present the six "Discussions"
in your home. The instructions include what to say and do in order
to convert you (the "investigators") into the Mormon church. On
page 1, under INSTRUCTIONS TO THE MISSIONARY, Introduction,
the second paragraph states, "Your goal is to help investigators
become converted by the Spirit and be baptized into the kingdom
of God. To do this, you must help them feel and recognize the
influence of the Spirit. As they feel the Spirit, you will
be able to help them make and keep the commitments that lead to
conversion and baptism." In paragraph 3, missionaries are instructed
to, "…prepare the investigators to feel and recognize the Spirit.
When they feel the Spirit, invite them to make a specific
commitment…do all you can to help them keep it." Under Create
a Learning Atmosphere, missionaries are instructed: "As you begin
to teach, you must establish a relationship of trust with the
investigators. You should express love and concern for them, share
personal experiences, and sincerely try to understand their questions
and concerns. By doing these things, you can help them feel
you are interested in their good. As they feel greater trust
in you, they will feel greater confidence in what you teach them.
They will be more receptive to the Spirit. …building a relationship
of trust must be a constant concern."
Glaringly absent from those 3 pages of introduction is any mention
of trying to help you to gain a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. Christ is never mentioned. The Spirit is never referred
to as the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, these young, inexperienced
missionaries are somehow supposed to help you to feel the Spirit,
make commitments and get baptized into their church (not into
Christ). Remarkably, missionaries are able to take advantage of
the fact that so many people believe the Bible, but know little
of what it says. Subsequently, they have a measure of success.
A January 13, 2003 article in BYU's Religion publication, on
the subject of revamping old missionary methods, states, "Instead
of reading directly from the traditional missionary booklets,
missionaries will create outlines covering material in the discussions
by using their own feelings and scripture references."
B.J. Thomas' lyrics ring in my ears when I think about the Mormon's
methodology. They are hooked on feelings and likewise want you
to be hooked on feeling good about them and their religion. Their
outward appearance, friendliness, sincerity and Christianese are
part of the package to get you to do something completely foolish
and unbiblical: trust your heart. What Paul said about Israel,
applies to the Mormons: "I bear them record that they have a zeal
of God, but not according to knowledge." Romans 10:2.
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Mail Bag
 Hello,
I am an ex-Mormon who has come to know the saving grace of Jesus
and I'm looking forward to receiving your newsletter. The Lord
brought me out of Mormonism about 2 years ago. In searching for
information on the Journal of Discourses, I found your website.
I am truly touched by your love & concern for the Mormons. I too,
share this same concern and am studying to be able to witness
to my friends and all my family. Thank you so much for the time
and energy that you put into this ministry! God bless you for
your love & commitment to the truth.
Stansbury Park, UT
Dear Jim,
We have read your latest edition of "The Cross" newsletter and
again found more enlightening information. Thanks for including
us on your mailing list. We will plan to contribute $25 per month
to your work and will send it quarterly. We have shared Judy's
book, "Out of Mormonism" with many others.
Mesa, AZ
Dear Concerned Christians,
I read your newsletter and am amazed at the work God is doing.
Please accept this small gift. I wish it were more, but I'm a
poor college student struggling to get through school. If you
ever need any help in the southern Indiana area, I would be more
than happy to volunteer my time.
Hazelton, IN
Concerned Christians,
I really enjoy "The Cross" and am so happy to hear about so many
coming out of Mormonism and keeping many others from going into
it. Please use this donation to further your work. My love to
Jim and Judy.
Sturgis, S.D.
Dear Concerned Christians,
We thank the Lord for you and your ministry! We praise Him that
more and more Mormons are coming to know the Lord as their personal
Savior. Your article on "DNA vs The Book of Mormon" was exciting!
Praise the Lord for this new solid evidence revealing the deception
of Mormonism. We pray many more Mormons will believe and come
to the Lord. We enjoy "The Cross" publication very much. Thank
you! May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless your ministry.
Mesa, AZ
 Dear
Jim,
My husband and I were saved 2 years ago. We were both born & raised
Mormon, married in the temple and have 8 kids. We are very much
with the Lord and want to thank you for showing us what God's
word really says. Our faith has grown during these two years.
It's amazing how He shows His providence. Our Mormon families
think we are nuts and continue to be blind as a bat in that cult.
They have separated themselves from us and won't allow us to even
talk to them about the Lord. So instead we continue to surround
ourselves with Christians and it gives us more time to grow in
the Lord. I'm still angry with the LDS church, but realize we're
blessed to have escaped their trap. I know now that I could never
work my way to heaven, instead I rely on the Grace of God. I'm
thankful for the surety of my salvation and His awesome faithfulness.
God bless you! We will keep your ministry in our prayers and again,
thank you!
Mesa, AZ
Jim,
I want to thank you for your efforts with this ministry. Keep
up the great work. I am a discipleship leader at my church and
am currently doing a series on the cults vs Christianity. Regarding
Mormonism, I gave them a copy of the 13 LDS Articles of Faith
and have asked them to explain what is wrong or right about each
one. It should be interesting.
Tempe, AZ
Dear Concerned Christians,
Enclosed is my monthly donation. Keep up the great work you are
doing. I'm praying for you on a regular basis and asking God to
bless you as you reach out to the Mormons all around the world.
Riverside, CA
Dear Jim,
I visited you almost 6 months ago in a predicament so severe,
I was unable to see the ramifications. You so clearly pointed
out some of the things about the True Christ of the Bible vs.
the Mormon Christ. The day I walked into your office I was on
the edge of converting and marrying my Mormon boy friend. I was
influenced by the picture they paint about family and the fact
they seem to have an answer for everything. As you said, I learned
that they are looking for people who believe in the Bible, but
don't know what it says. I just wanted to personally thank you
for helping me fully understand what I was about to get into.
I was reading the testimonials in "The Cross" and it inspired
me to write you. I want you to know how important your ministry
is to individuals involved with the Mormon religion. I can't tell
you how much you have blessed me. Thank you!
Scottsdale, AZ
Dear Jim & Judy,
My husband and I have been so blessed by you both over the years.
Enclosed is a little something to help, preferably with Spanish
versions to help the poor souls in Mexico, Central and South America
find the one true God and not be deceived by the god of Mormonism.
Paradise Valley, AZ
 Jim,
I was a loyal Mormon wife (and still am to my second husband).
My first husband had been committing adultery our entire marriage.
He was also an alcoholic, a drug user and dealer, which I did
not know about until I married him. He gave me STD's and was very
abusive and violent to me. Being brought up a good Mormon girl,
I really didn't know what was going on out in the world and was
very "taken in" by this man and the Mormon Church. I was raped
at the age of 16 and didn't tell anyone until a few years ago.
I was brought up under the teaching "better dead than defiled."
So I felt completely alone and according to LDS teachings was
spiritually dead for eternity. I was totally turned off to the
Jesus of Mormonism. How could he be so loving if these kinds of
things were happening to me? Why was I to become a worthless soul,
banned forever from salvation? So I chose not to have him in my
life anymore. Today I'm saved by Jesus and His saving grace. I
came to know Him in 1986, and was baptized in 1987. My children
have been raised in the Christian church, but we have not been
able to get my parents to accept the Jesus of the Bible yet. I
gave my brother "The Godmakers" book and he and his family left
the Mormon Church. Praise God! The Lord has been good in my life
and others through my experience in Mormonism. It's so sad to
see so many families deceived by their "good" programs. It's obvious
that if they don't have the solid ground of truth and grace, they
will soon fall. May God bless your ministry and we will be praying
for you.
Woodland Hills, CA
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