My Personal Christian Blog

Thanks for sliding into my blog site. This blog bog is a spin-off from my website at http://www.niteowldave.com/. Call me a Night Owl, as my full-time mission and hobby are jabbering from midnight until 8 a.m.ish with chatter bugs across the world. Hoot, hoot! Being a retired newspaper guy and a Curious George, I've written and assembled a whack of stuff that I hope you'll find interesting and thought-provoking. Check out the Stories bar on the right side, below, for all my articles - from my web site and this blog.




August 29, 2016

MORMONS ARE PUZZLERS


Mormon Missionaries promote the unorthodox religious beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mormons appear to be Christians when presenting their beliefs. But they won't tell you the full story. Sadly many Mormons are not fully aware themselves of the doctrines and history of their own church.
 

They claim to have the truth, so it must be open to honest investigation. If something is true, it can stand being questioned. If it is not true, it needs to be questioned. Below are some facts about this religious organization. You won't be told these when Mormon Missionaries call at your door.

(1) Mormons won't tell you their Prophet, Joseph Smith Jr., was heavily involved in the Occult, Spiritism, and Freemasonry when he founded Mormonism.

(2) Mormons won't tell you that they encourage visitations from dead relatives from the "spirit world," a practice repeatedly forbidden in the Bible.

(3) Mormons won't tell you their secret temple oaths are based on the same oaths used in Freemasonry's Blue Lodge. Until 1990, one oath threatened ripping out the tongue, heart and stomach if Mormon secrets were shared with a non-Mormon.

(4) Mormons won't tell you that they considered the Negro race and all brown-skinned people to be inferior, having the "Curse of Cain" because of their skin colour and curly hair. People of such races were forbidden entry into Mormon temples and priesthood orders until 1978.

(5) Mormons won't tell you that Joseph Smith taught there were inhabitants on the moon who dressed like Quakers and lived to about 1,000 years of age. Brigham Young, Smith's replacement, taught there were similar inhabitants on the sun as well.

(6) Mormons won't tell you that their prophet Joseph Smith did not die as a martyr as they claim, but was killed during a gun battle while he, his brother Hyrum and, several friends were trying to escape from the Carthage jail. 


They were in jail for burning down the local newspaper which had printed damaging information about them. Smith killed two men and wounded a third. He also gave the Masonic hailing sign of distress while being gunned down. Martyrs don't shoot back!

(7) Mormons won't tell you they intend to become gods one day and are helping to earn their exaltation to godhood by talking to you.

(8) Mormons won't tell you that women receive salvation only through their Mormon husbands, and must remain pregnant for all eternity.

(9) Mormons won't tell you that they intend to have many wives in Heaven, until they have enough children to populate their own planet.

(10) Mormons won't tell you that the "heavenly father" they ask you to pray to with them is really an exalted, evolved man who lives on a planet near the imaginary star-base Kolob, and is not the Heavenly Father of the Christian Bible at all.
 



(11) Mormons won't tell you that the Virgin Mary really wasn't a virgin at all, but had a normal marriage relationship with their heavenly father to produce the Mormon version of Jesus.

(12) Mormons won't tell you that they believe Jesus is really Lucifer's brother in the spirit world, and it was only due to a heavenly council of gods which voted that the Mormon Jesus should become the earth's redeemer and Saviour, instead of Lucifer/Satan.

(13) Mormons won't tell you that they believe Jesus of Nazareth had three wives - two Mary's and Martha - plus several children while he lived on earth. Since Mormons believe that only married men can become gods, Jesus had to be married to fit into their beliefs.

(14) Mormons won't tell you that their so-called inspired scriptures (The Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price & Doctrines & Covenants) all contradict each other as well as the Bible. No Christian group accepts these books as authoritative.

(15) Mormons won't tell you that the reason the Book of Mormon has no maps is because there is no evidence to support it, not even for one of the 38 major cities it claims existed (The holy books of every world religion have maps to establish their origins.) 


Even the highly regarded Smithsonian Institute of Washington discredited the archaeological and linguistic claims of the Book of Mormon, including the half million casualties claimed to have fallen at Cumorah, New York, in 385 AD. The Mormon Church says it has evidence to support its claims, but refuses to allow any independent testing. What do they have to hide?

(16) Mormons won't tell you the three witnesses (Cowdery, Whitmer & Harris) claimed by Joseph Smith to have seen the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was alleged to have been translated, all left the Mormon Church and each later testified publicly none of them ever saw the gold plates. 


Cowdery also accused Smith of adultery (later proven), lying and teaching false doctrines. Smith accused all three of being "thieves and counterfeiters." If Smith were right, why do these three still have their names printed at the beginning of every Book of Mormon, even today?

(17) Mormons won't tell you there have been over 4,000 changes to the Book of Mormon since first introduced by Smith as "The Inspired Word of God," and "The Most Perfect Book on Earth." Most of these changes were made to cover up Smith's false prophecies, including Christ's Second Coming in 1891. 58 out of 61 of Smith's prophecies failed to happen - sure signs of a false prophet.

(18) Mormons won't tell you that The Book of Mormon was originally written as a ‘fairy-story' of what might have happened if Jesus Christ had visited America. Its real author was probably Rev. Solomon Spaulding, a Congregational minister whose Sunday school was attended by Joseph Smith Jnr. Smith obtained a copy of the manuscript, adding over 25,000 words, mainly from the Bible (especially from Isaiah, Malachi & the New Testament) and then published the book under his own name. 


In the original versions, Joseph Smith even claimed authorship. The granddaughter of Rev. Spaulding appeared on American television during the 1990's with the original manuscript and the similarities between it and the Book of Mormon are impossible to avoid.

(19) Mormons won't tell you that they consider the Holy Bible to be untrustworthy and full of errors. They claim parts of the Bible have been mistranslated. Mormon leaders have had over 160 years to provide evidence of this, and have yet to produce anything credible.

(20) Mormons won't tell you they believe their church is the only right one and all others are wrong; that all Christian creeds are an abomination; and your minister, pastor or priest is hired by Satan to mislead you.

(21) Mormons won't tell you that in the State of Utah, where almost 80% of the population are Mormon, there is a much higher than national average rate of divorce, wife-beating, bigamy, child abuse, teenage suicide and, antidepressant use.

Below are more facts taught by the highest authorities in the Mormon Church. All quotes are from official LDS publications or the Bible.

FACT 1. The Mormon Church teaches ALL other Churches are WRONG; ALL their creeds are an ABOMINATION in the sight of God; and ALL their teachers are CORRUPT.

One of the Mormon Books of Scripture, The Pearl of Great Price, says this about non-LDS churches: "...they were ALL WRONG; and the Personage who addressed me said that ALL their creeds were an ABOMINATION in his sight; that those professors were ALL CORRUPT…" (Joseph Smith, 2:19)

FACT 2. Mormonism teaches there’s no salvation outside the Mormon Church and without accepting Joseph Smith.

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie makes this statement: "If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Mormon Doctrine pg.670)

The Bible, on the other hand, teaches salvation is in Jesus alone: "Neither is there salvation in any other [Jesus]: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Ac.4:12)

FACT 3. Mormons are taught to doubt the reliability of the Bible and their leaders have consistently attacked its accuracy.

Joseph Smith claimed: "it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of men, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg.10)

The Bible answers this attack: "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." (Isa.40:8)

FACT 4. A basic tenant in Mormonism today is that Jesus Christ is the brother of Satan.

Milton R. Hunter writes: "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... this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind." (The Gospel Through The Ages pg.15)

Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that Lucifer attempted to become the Saviour: in fact, Jesus created Satan, so they can't be brothers. Col.1:16 indicates that Jesus created "all things" whether "in heaven" or "in earth, visible or invisible".

FACT 5. Mormonism continues to teach that God the Father is a glorified, resurrected man, and men and women may become Gods and Goddesses.

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie claimed: "God himself, the Father of us all, is a glorified, exalted, immortal, resurrected Man!" (Mormon Doctrine pg.643)

Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, taught: "you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves ... the same as all Gods have done before you" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg.346)

The Lord Himself answers this teaching by pronouncing: "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God" (Isa.44:6)

FACT 6. Mormons consider Polygamy a righteous principle which will he practiced in heaven. 


Although there is nothing in the Bible that will support this thinking, current Mormon Scripture has this to say: "Any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery.... And if he have TEN VIRGINS given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery" (Doctrine and Covenants 132:61, 62)

FACT 7. Mormons today believe God the Father is married and past leaders have taught both God the Father and Jesus Christ are polygamists.

'Apostle' Orson Pratt states: "the great Messiah who was the founder of the Christian religion, was a Polygamist… the Messiah chose to take upon himself his seed; and by marrying many honorable wives himself, show to all future generations that he approbated the plurality of Wives under the Christian dispensation… God the Father had a plurality of wives…. the Son followed the example of his Father… both God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ inherit their wives in eternity as well as in time" (The Seer pg.172)

Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that God the Father and Jesus Christ are married or polygamists.

FACT 8. The majority of the activity in the Mormon Temples is work done on behalf of the DEAD.

Joseph Smith offers this explanation: "The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our DEAD” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg.356)

Although many Mormons are attempting to save their dead relatives, the Bible indicates: "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." (Ps. 49:7)

FACT 9. To the Mormon, the ultimate test that Mormonism is true is an "inner feeling."

Mormons often refer to this feeling as a "burning in the bosom." They believe their scripture (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8) gives the best test for determining truth. This test reads: "study it out in your mind; then you must ask me [the Lord] if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall FEEL that it is right.

The Bible, on the other hand, tells us: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15)

FACT 10. Mormon leaders demand total obedience regardless whether they are right or wrong.

The ward teacher's message for June, 1945, stated: “When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan - it is God's plan." (Improvement Era, June 1945 pg.354)

Herber C. Kimball, First Councilor to Brigham Young, clarifies further: "But if you are told by your leader to do a thing, do it. None of your business whether it is right or wrong." (Journal of Discourses. vol.6 pg.32)

The Bible warns us in 1 Jn.4:1 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

FACT 11. Mormon leaders consistently attack the Biblical doctrine of Salvation by God's Grace through Faith alone.

In Apostle James Talmage's book, The Articles of Faith, twice he refers to justification by Faith alone as a "pernicious doctrine" and further declares "The Sectarian Dogma of Justification by Faith Alone has exercised an influence for evil." (pgs. 107 480)

The Bible responds: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom.5:1)

FACT 12. Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie has warned his people against a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

If the Facts were interesting, so are these -
(1) Rewriting the Bible to Mormonism
(2) Terminology Differences
(3) Mormonism Christian or Cult?
(4) Outer space / Ten Tribes
(5) Temple, Oaths, Underwear
(6) Facts From Mormons
 

Conclusion: The "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" as Mormons call themselves, is not a Christian organization, and isn't based on the Bible, or the God of the Bible. 

Mormon leaders are well aware that if these and many other facts were known to potential converts they would have very few converts. The missionaries may be well-dressed and nice young people, but many may not know the above facts or have been well trained to keep them hidden.

If you are a Mormon, this information has been given to you in love. It’s accurate and honest. The people and programs of the Mormon Church may appear good, but the best organization and a sincere faith misdirected away from the God of the Bible will not save you. Become a seeker of the truth about the real Jesus Christ.
 

The current President of the Mormon Church, Gordon B. Hinickley, admitted in mid-1999 the Mormon Jesus is not the Jesus Christ of the Bible, but a different Jesus (see 2 Cor.11:4)

Remember, those missionary lessons before you joined the church? Were you asked to make an eternal decision, based on incomplete and inaccurate information? 

Why not call on the One True God and ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and ask the One True Jesus Christ to apply His sacrifice on the cross to your sins personally.

To the Ex-Mormon: You were told there is no hope or help for you outside the Mormon Church. They were wrong! Hundreds of thousands have left and received help. 


Don't give up on the real God because of the errors of Mormonism. Renounce the false baptism you may have had because of the spiritual ties and bondages this brings on members. 


       
   
   

August 19, 2016

ARE CATHOLIC TEACHINGS BIBLICAL?



THE ANSWER IS A TERSE NO. THEY’RE ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS

By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com

The Roman Catholic Church (RCC) errs mightily in its staunch position that God’s truth – His way – doses not come solely from the Bible. It insists it comes from the Bible and the church’s traditions.

(We must keep in mind that the church of Rome is just a denomination, and nothing more. The Bible defines the church as the worldwide collective of those who believe in the finished work of Christ, and have called out to Him for His salvation.)

If there are Bible-plus-tradition truth sources, they had better be alignment, with one complimenting the other. There are not. They contrast each other at many spots. Unholy smoke!

The Bible speaks of false teachers in Mark 7:7. It says, “Their worship of me is worthless, because they teach human rules as doctrines.” In other words, if a teaching is Biblical as from God, it should be embraced. If it is not, it should be rejected.

We can’t emphasis enough that everything about God must be must be sourced in the Bible alone. So where then does the RCC differ with the teachings of the Word of God?  Let’s have a look at several major divides.  

Salvation:

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation is by baptismal regeneration and is maintained through the Catholic sacraments unless a willful act of sin is committed – which we all do regularly- that breaks the state of sanctifying grace.

The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace which is received through simple faith, and that good works are the result of a change of the heart after salvation.

This is taught in 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Assurance of salvation:
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation cannot be guaranteed or assured.


The Bible states that the letter of 1 John was written for the purpose of assuring believers of the CERTAINTY of their salvation.

1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Good Works:

The Roman Catholic Church states that Christians are saved by meritorious works (beginning with baptism), and that salvation is maintained by good works (receiving the sacraments, confession of sin to a priest, etc.)

The Bible states that Christians are saved by grace through faith, totally apart from works.

Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Baptism:

The Roman Catholic Church teaches baptismal regeneration of infants, a practice never found in Scripture.


The only possible hint of infant baptism in the Bible that the Roman Catholic Church can point to is that the whole household of the Philippian jailer was baptized in Acts 16:33. However, the context nowhere mentions infants.

In the New Testament, baptism is always practiced AFTER saving faith in Christ. Baptism is not the means of salvation; it is faith in the gospel that saves. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:14-18,

14 “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius.”

15  “Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.”

16  “And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.”

17 :’For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”

18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

Prayer:

The Roman Catholic Church teaches Catholics to not only pray to God, but also to petition Mary and the saints for their prayers.

Contrary to this, we are taught in Scripture to pray to God only. We should sign off “In Jesus name” as He is our Saviour, our Mediator.

1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,


Psalm 148:13 says,  “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.”

Priesthood: 

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is a distinction between the clergy and the “lay people, “ where the New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers.  That makes me a priest in God’s eyes.

1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

Sacraments:

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a believer is infused (penetrated) with grace upon reception of the sacraments. Such teaching is nowhere found in Scripture.

Confession:

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that unless a believer is hindered, the only way to receive the forgiveness of sins is by confessing them to a priest.

Contrary to this, Scripture teaches that confession of sins is to be made to God.

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He (God/Jesus) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It does not say we have to confess to a priest.

Mary:

The Roman Catholic Church teaches, among other things, that Mary is the Queen of Heaven, a perpetual virgin, and the co-redemptress with Jesus who ascended into a Heaven.

In Scripture, she is portrayed as an obedient, believing servant of God, who became the earthly mother of Jesus. None of the other attributes mentioned by the Roman Catholic Church have any basis in the Bible.

The Bible declares that Jesus is the only redeemer. Jesus is the only mediator, not Mary.
Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 148:13 says, “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.”

Sum up:

Every Christian denomination has traditions and practices that are not explicitly based on Scripture. For example, some denominations have choirs, some don’t. Some have communion or baptism services more frequently than others. Some use hymn books, others use overhead screens.     
Such things are fine as long as the practices don’t go against what the Bible orders. The Word of God is always true and reliable. The same cannot be said of RCC church tradition.

There is meaty truth in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

August 18, 2016

Will Christians be Rewarded for their Pre-salvation Good Works?


By Paul Tatham
tatham47@hotmail.com

Good works certainly don't count when it comes to receiving our free ticket into Heaven (Eph 2:8-9). Those works are considered "filthy rags," as far as having any efficacy to get us past the Pearly Gates.

But when we receive Christ--realizing that pre-salvation good works have nothing to do with our admission into Heaven--perhaps we will be rewarded at Heaven's Judgment Seat of Christ for any pre-salvation good works as well as post-salvation good works.

Perhaps our entire lifetime of good works will nonetheless be recognized and rewarded after we arrive there.

The accepted view is that at the Judgment Seat of Christ believers will be rewarded only for post-salvation good works (II Cor 5:10; I Cor 3:13-15). But these passages could possibly be construed to also include pre-salvation good works as well.

The Bible is clear that good works do come into play at the judgment of unbelievers--the Great White Throne Judgment. Their degree of punishment, in Hell, will be determined by their lifetime of deeds, both good and bad (Rev. 20:12).

Using the Great White Throne Judgement  (GWTJ) as a template, it might follow that at the JSOC a believer's pre-salvation good works will be rewarded along with his post-salvation good works. A Christian's entire life of good deeds--not just those committed after he is saved--may be taken into consideration.