The Utah Mission trip just ended and I am amazed by all the fruit that came about from it already. Sure, we planted many seeds but it was amazing to see immediate fruit in such little time. All it took was faith that God would prepare the way and He did it. This Sunday, we were privileged to attend a Mormon Church and share the truth of the gospel. We prayed and God was leading us to share the good news with them. So we attended the gospel doctrine class, on prophets. We also participated and got some people thinking about what the Bible teaches. When the atonement was brought up, Patrick emphasized that Jesus died for our sins on the cross. He was once into drugs but Jesus saved him and because of the cross his sins are forgiven. After watching a video and hearing how this Mormons lady say that doing good deeds will help her see her daughter again in heaven, I had to jump in and say something. I shared, 1“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” As the Bible teaches, we must believe and follow Jesus to be saved. Our own good works will not save us but the good works we do through Jesus. As we abide in Him, He abides in us. After the lesson ended, many Mormons welcomed us. It was very kind of them to say hi to us and make us feel welcome.
After shaking hands with so many Mormons, we told them that we had a few questions about what was shared in class and they gladly answered them. One Elder, saw that we had more questions so we went into the foyer and sat down with him, as we asked our questions. One question we asked was, why are prophets over their church when we are now spoken to by Jesus? 2We read this in Hebrews 1 and his explanation was that the church was made on prophets so we must still need them, in order to gain revelation for all the church. Another question was, how could authority be given to Joseph, by Peter, James and John if the first resurrection had not taken place yet. 4We read this in Revelation 20 and he had no answer but at least this got him thinking. We also asked, how could they have the authority if Jesus was the last high priest. 3Hebrews 5 teaches that Jesus is the only person to be under the order of Melchizedek. He didn’t know what to say as everything the church does is based on this authority. These questions led to a very interesting conversation. Near the end, a returned missionary came to bear his testimony of the truthfulness of Mormonism. I could see that he was sincere. He also seemed open so I pray that what we shared with him got him thinking at least. We left the church feeling honored to share the truths of God with them. I just pray that fruit may come to pass from these efforts.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, what a wonderful day it was to share the gospel with Mormons. It took boldness to go in their church and teach but You gave us strength to do it. What we saw today was people lost and not even knowing it. They are led by a prophet and blindly follow his commands. I just can’t believe that they would rather put their trust in him than You, Lord Jesus. I know that You can speak directly to us. I don’t have to follow in the teachings of man for I am secure in Your words. The Bible is enough to share truth with anyone that has an open heart. If people just read Your words and trust in You, doors will be opened. I know this to be true for I was once Mormon and You opened my eyes to Your great love. I was once lost but have now been found. I was blind but can now see. Thank You for taking the veil off my eyes. I love You Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1John 14:5,6 (KJV)
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2Hebrews 1:1,2 (KJV)
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3Hebrews 5:5-10 (KJV)
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
4Revelation 20:1-8 (KJV)
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.