Prominent Evangelical Scholar Takes on Mormonism in 'Christian' Debate

intotheblue »

Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:29 am Agree: 11   Disagree: 5

Blackbaron you said:

>>Don't pray about it to see if you'll get the warm fuzzies( Jeremiah 17:9), you can't trust those feelings, instead try STUDYING the Bible and testing the claims of the TRUE Jesus Christ of the scriptures<<

While I appreciate that you like Mormons, I am frankly amazed at this comment.

Do you truly believe people shouldn't pray to know the truth about God? Do you not believe God reveals Himself to us individually and helps us to know who He is and how to follow Him?

I study the Bible every day. I put its truths to practice in my life every day--I "walk the walk," so to say. I have done the same with the Book of Mormon. Quite frankly, this idea that Mormons don't study and ponder and practice the truths taught in the Bible is false. The Bible is the foundation of my belief in the Book of Mormon.

It is not convenient to be a Mormon. It would be much easier to not be a Mormon. Why would I want to be part of a religion that is frequently attacked, maligned, mocked, and over which I have lost friends who told me I wasn't Christian and that they would "pray for me" but couldn't be friends with me? Why would I be a Mormon unless I received a firm witness from the Spirit of God through my studying and through my pondering and prayers that it was true?

I was born a Mormon, but I longed to get away from it because you see I thought I would "fit in" better with everyone else if I left. But before I did so, I decided that I had to be sure that I was doing God's will. And so I investigated other faiths, beliefs, religions, etc. I attended the religious meetings of other Christian denominations. And I studied my Bible and yes, I studied the Book of Mormon.

And here I am, still a Mormon. Why? Because God has witnessed to me in every way--spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and physically that this is His Church and that His Son, Jesus Christ, is at the head of it.

And once I received such a pure witness from Him, there is nothing that can separate me from Him and His gospel.

If anyone were to ask me how I received my answer from God my counsel would be similar to yours with one exception--STUDY the Bible and test the claims of the TRUE Jesus Christ and then PRAY about what you have learned as you apply those teachings to your life. You'll be closer to God and as one of His sheep you will hear His voice and recognize it as you seek to follow Him.