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©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
The Mormon Church Is Not the Church of
Jesus Christ
Pastor Matt Costella
©FOUNDATION Magazine Editorial, Nov-Dec 2002
Many
Americans were shocked mid-September when newspapers across
the country published the results of the latest religious census in
the United States. We usually expect Pentecostal and Charismatic
denominations to gradually climb up the growth charts while
anticipating a general decline in the mainline denominational
churches. In this regard, we were not surprised, for this general
trend remains. Yet what attracted most headline news and what caught
many Christians by surprise was the fact that the Mormon church grew
faster than any other denomination during the past ten years (followed
by the Pentecostal Assemblies of God denomination). The 2000 Religious
Congregations & Membership Study, conducted every ten years by the
Roman Catholic Glenmary Research Center in Nashville, Tennessee,
reported that the Mormon church grew approximately 19 percent to 4.2
million members in the United States during the past decade. This
information is certainly surprising, but we should not be shocked. The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aggressively and
relentlessly proselytizes and evangelizes non-Mormons. The Mormon
church is a multi-billion dollar institution with over ten million
members worldwide. Yet the Mormon church is, in reality, a cult which
preaches a false gospel despite the fact that it has been working hard
to portray a "Christian" image to the world during the past several
years.
Fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians must be
aware of the onslaught of this dangerous religion and understand that
it is anything but true Christianity. In fact, it is a Satanic
counterfeit that is leading millions of people astray. As Christians,
how are we to respond to the fact that the Mormon church is rapidly
growing and that its doctrines and practices are so detrimental to the
spiritual well being of men, women and children around the world?
First, we must have a burden for those who are being
led astray by Mormon church. We must see these people as sinners but
also as victims of handiwork of Satan. We cannot save those who have
been taken in by Mormon church, but God can. As we witness to them and
pray for them, the Holy Spirit can work in their hearts and convict
them of sin, righteousness and judgment.
Second, we must be aware of the vast difference between
Mormonism and Biblical Christianity so we, ourselves, will not be
deceived into believing that the Mormon church is "just another
Christian denomination." In this issue of Foundation magazine,
we have reproduced an article
written by one of the founders of the Fundamental Evangelistic
Association, Franklin Huling, which documents the fact that Mormonism
and Biblical Christianity are not compatible. In compiling sources for
this valuable article,
Mr. Huling has drawn upon the original, authoritative leaders and
documents revered by all Mormons. In fact, the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints frequently boasts that it has not changed its
doctrines since its inception. Therefore, Franklin Huling's early
sources, which date back to the early part of the twentieth century,
are especially noteworthy and valuable. This issue of Foundation
magazine seeks to put information in the hands of God's people so they
can know where the enemy stands and, additionally, so they can know
what God's Word truly says about vital Bible doctrines—doctrines that
Satan is attacking on every hand today.
Finally, we as Fundamentalist, Bible-believing
Christians must be more dedicated to actively declaring the true
Gospel message to all those who do not know Jesus Christ as their
Savior—Mormons and non-Mormons alike. A burden for the unsaved,
including the Mormon people, is not enough. We must actually declare
the Truth to them. Sadly, many Mormons are much more evangelistic than
Bible-believing Christians. The American statesman Daniel Webster once
said, "If truth be not diffused, error will be; if God and His Word
are not known and received, the Devil and his works will gain the
ascendancy." His words ring true today, especially in relation to the
growing and damnable error that is being zealously propagated by the
Mormon church. The truth of God's Word must be diffused, and such
truth must be clearly and forthrightly distinguished from error. Do
not allow Satan and his works and his doctrines to gain the ascendancy
over the hearts and souls of men, women and children. Continue to
preach the Gospel! Keep teaching the Word! Earnestly contend for the
Faith! Pray for the lost and never be taken in and deceived by those
who propagate false doctrine and claim such to be true Christianity.
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Related Aritcle:
What Is the Difference Between
Mormonism and Biblical Christianity
Related Website:
Bible Believers
Resource Page, Cults, Mormonism
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