Does "Close" Count When It Comes to the Truth? By Judy Robertson

We've all heard that "close" only counts in the game of horseshoes. Does it count if we're "close" when it comes to knowing who Jesus is?

In our society today it's culturally correct to say that whatever a person believes is okay as long as it doesn't harm others. However, the doctrine of Mormonism does harm its believers in many ways. How? Truths about Jesus are distorted to the point of shutting the door of heaven in its members' faces.

The prophecies in the Old Testament about how and where Jesus would be born; who He said He was; the kind of death Jesus said He'd die; and what His death accomplished, are made impotent by the prophets of the Mormon church.

How and where would Jesus be born?

The Bible tells us that Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem. This was prophesied in the Old Testament and evidence in the New Testament shows that these prophecies were 100% accurate. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 Matthew 1:18; 2:1,4,6,15) However, the Book of Mormon says in Alma 7:10 that Jesus was born in Jerusalem. Well, Jerusalem is "close" but not right on target. The prophesies in the Old Testament are more than close. "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar" (Proverbs 30:5-6).

How would Jesus be born?

Clearly, Jesus' birth was the work of the Holy Spirit. (see Luke 1:26-35) "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' which means, ‘God with us'" (Matthew 1:22-23).

On this important truth, Mormon Doctrine is not even "close." It teaches "God the Father became the literal father (emphasis added) of Jesus Christ" (Gospel Principles, Page 64). Bruce R. McConkie is even more graphic: "Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers" (Mormon Doctrine, pp 546-547). And Joseph F. Smith said, "He [Jesus] was not born without the aid of Man, and that Man was God!" (Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, page 18).

How would Jesus die?

The kind of death Jesus died was foretold by Him and is important because it shows His Word is truth, and that He is the One He claimed to be. (See John 8:28) "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to my self.' He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die" (John 12:32-33 emphasis added). The tree, or cross is significant because it shows that His death, the kind of death He would die was fulfilled as prophesied. Yet a Mormon visual aid shows "In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ took upon himself the sins of all mankind" (Gospel Principles, pp 67-70)

This occurred the night before Jesus died on the cross. Close enough? No. When God's Word is fulfilled exactly as He said, it demonstrates the power of God. The message of the cross cannot be compromised. It is foolishness to do so.

What did Jesus' death accomplish?

At Calvary's cross "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). This truth is the most important of all truths. Our righteousness is not of our own accomplishment but on what Jesus did on our behalf.

Is the Mormon teaching close enough when it states: "Christ did his part to atone for our sins. To make his atonement fully effective in our lives, we must strive to obey him and repent of our sins."? And when Elder Boyd K. Packer of the council of the Twelve said, "Christ's atonement makes it possible to be saved from sin if we do our part" (Gospel Principles, pp 70- 75). So in Mormonism we have Christ's atonement plus our own efforts. This is close. Yet so far away. Christ death accomplished it all for us. If Mormons believe they must help Jesus because His work on the cross was not enough, then Mormons have missed the mark completely. Jesus said, "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:22-23).

In the game of horseshoes when one throws a horseshoe close to the peg, it counts. But "Close" doesn't count at all when it comes to the knowledge of the son of God and what His death on the cross accomplished for us. Let's not allow those who have been blindsided by The Deciever to go on being "close." The Word of God is "flawless." May we determine to know it well and be bold in proclaiming its clear simple gospel message that is right on the peg, a horseshoe "ringer."

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