The Freedom To Believe

My first diaper was changed on a church pew. I was raised my entire life in church. From as long as I can remember I have heard pastors, ministers, and speakers talk of how we will eventually lose more and more freedoms in our house of worship. How that as the time draws closer to the end it will become necessary for our freedoms to be tighten and controlled by the ever so scary plot of the anti-christ to do his work before the return of Christ.

As I have grown older, I have watched to see if this freedom has been infringed upon. I must say that I have not witnessed the attack on our places of worship as I was warned about, ...yet. The America I have always known, just wouldn't stand for it. However, I have noticed a change in the opinions and mind-sets of the American public. It seems that if you should choose not to allow certain "life style" into your membership or church functions most of the American public would cry out on the horrible bigotry that they have just witnessed. We as a nation need to grow up and realize that we cannot expect to be included in every group or allow any group or "worldly" pressures to influence the beliefs or the practices that we or others have.

I am absolutely sickened by religious groups that preach hate and intolerance. I have witnessed true bigotry in church when someone was treated horribly by the congregation or listened as the preacher told us how that homosexuals, blacks, and hispanics were the cancer on our nation (I actually heard this). This makes me sick. Love, acceptance, and charity should be our cry, not hate. I feel if Christ would come to earth as he did the first time, he would attack our religious organizations exactly as he did with the church of his day. Not because we should change our core beliefs, but because many beliefs can be inspired by hate. Hate has no place in the christian life but many use their beliefs as a cover for hate. However, we cannot allow beliefs, exactly like these, to be silenced because we are not adult enough to understand the intent of our nations forefathers.

Freedom to believe is a precious freedom and needs to be allowed by everyone, even the ignorant.

Speaking Truth To Power

It is difficult for many of us to visualize a timeline of the world's empires, especially since most of us generally view the world from a Biblical perspective. The ancient world consisted of long lasting empires that did not know about one another. While Asia flourished, Egypt and South America also had flourishing civilizations. One of the longest surviving empires of the world was the Mayans and they have been largely ignored in global views until they ran out of room on their calendar and now they have received to much attention.

But even if you look simply on the history of empires, from Egypt to Assyria, Babylon to Rome, Arab and British ... you come down to the Soviet Union and the United States. What we learn from this is the inevitable reality that empires rise and fall. It seems the cycle of rising and falling gets shorter as time continues it's march forward.

The United States, early in the 20th century, began to pursue it's imperialistic pursuits as Colonialism was dying. However, technological, economic, and military colonialism started taking its place. America was the leader in the early development of things that has forever changed society like films, flight, computer technology, and transportation but we grew and advanced so quickly that our TV and movie industry dominated the world and pushed our culture, fashions, and values onto the rest of the planet earth. Pilots all over the world want to fly and talk to the control tower but you have to speak English..... it's our toys, so it's our rules.

Cultural empires expressed themselves, in the west, in Greek, to Arabic, to Latin and now into English and for those of us born in the second half of the last century, it is difficult to see that we are the king of the hill for this moment in time. The world's technology, culture, military and economy will not always be ruled by our influence.

The Soviet Union was the rival of our lifetime. Then eventually the Soviet Union under the sheer weight of the arms race could no longer finance it's approach and fell for good. Now we to are expanding our military presence across the world but especially in the Pacific around China as if we could launch enough ships to contain them. As China's economy is growing, we are expanding our military spending in exactly the same way the Soviet Union did and we will likely hand world domination to China because of the lack of foresight on our part to stop following in the footsteps of those that have gone down the same path.

Take Afghanistan, long known as the death of empires. We watched as the Soviet Union deplete their capital resources in a useless war there and now we have been there from 2001 to the present trying our best to commit the same economic and political suicide ourselves. We also maintain more than 700 military bases in 130 nations, many of which are related to WWII issues ... a war that ended 70 years ago.  Without any thought about the fall of Russia, we now are hearing the drum beats for a war in Iran.

Both parties, in the American political debate, have had recent presidential candidates that tried to bring to the forefront the self destruction this military empire we have built will bring upon us, Paul and Ryan, two different men from opposite ends of our political system but they have both been painted as being lunatics. Every politician deserves to be seen a bubble off of plumb but these two have been sent to the far reaches of political consideration because, as Ron Paul said, "Telling the truth is treason in the empire of lies."

Before you think that I am supporting Paul too much, let me quickly say that he paraphrased that quote in his book from George Orwell who said that, "In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

I don't mention the inevitability of the demise of the American empire to be upsetting nor to suggest that we should take steps to remain at the top of the mountain. I'm just making a observation about power just as a spiritual person and a simple citizen.

As a spiritual person I refer to an Old Testament lesson which comes from the 17th chapter of Ezekiel where the prophet is declaring that the day would come when God would raise up the kingdom of Judah to rule the world. He uses the image of Israel as a mighty cedar tree growing tall and all of the birds of the air, representing the nations of the world, come to build nests in its branches. This Zionist vision is repeated here and there through the Bible and is sometimes so subtle that even modern Americans seem to be persuaded that God wants to put this particular government and this particular piece of real estate in a prominent position. I to believe in God's chosen people, but not to the point of lunacy.

The lesson here demonstrates that Jesus was not taken in by Ezekiel's excesses of nationalistic enthusiasm. In Mark chapter 4, Jesus likens the Kingdom of God, not to a giant cedar tree but to a tiny mustard plant. He mocks Ezekiel saying that birds build their nest in the mustard plant but not any bird that is not intent upon almost immediate extinction because the mustard weed only grows to be about a foot to a foot and a half tall.... It can be crushed by stepping on it and it dies in the first frost. To rub it in just a bit further, the mustard weed was not kosher and was used only to feed cattle and sheep. Jesus chose the weakest, most disgusting and unlikely plant to represent the Kingdom of God and he did that just as Roman armies were carrying their fierce symbols of military might all over the western world.

If we are to "speak the truth to power" we must first accept that speaking is the only power we have but I am always suspicious of power because every empire eventually becomes one built upon lies.

Take for example that we not only invaded Iraq under false pretenses, once our first set of lies were discovered, then the defense for occupation was that Saddam was a horribly corrupt dictator that violently put down protest and tortured prisoners. But wait a minute, don't we torture prisoners and violently put down opposition? How about the amount of corruption within the pentagon and the hundreds of millions of missing dollars?  This forces one to wonder, in a contest between our Government in Iraq and Saddam's management ... which one was the most deadly and oppressive and corrupt?

Honestly, I have no idea what the answer is to that question would be. However, I know for certain you will not hear this question asked by the media channels that are owned by the same corporations that profit from the war nor in any denominational church because speaking the truth in the empire of lies is considered to be treason.

When Jesus points to the vulnerable, non-kosher mustard plant as the symbol for the kingdom where we want to hold our citizenship it is an anti-empire symbol. A citizenship not attached to any earthly Government.

I am an American and I want my country to be the one that delivers emergency relief aid. I want them to provide medical treatment to the millions throughout the world without such capabilities.  I even want my nation to be the one that helps to stop genocide, remove murderous dictators, and to promote human rights around this global community of ours. But I know that power always corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, and we start believing things like, "Water boarding isn't torture because Americans do it and America doesn't torture..... so water boarding can't be torture." Round and round we go with the justifications.

So if speaking the truth is treason in the empire of lies, I just want to make sure that I am guilty of treason. Or if you prefer George Orwell's wording so that speaking the truth in an age of deceit is a revolutionary act, fine. But no matter how you slice it, we should never be afraid to speak the truth to the empire because without us, they are sure to prefer their lies.





Israel Exalted at Last
Ezekiel 17:22-24

"Thus says the Lord God: “I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell. And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the Lord, have spoken and have done it. "

Parable of the Mustard Seed Matt. 13:31–35

"Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples."

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Mormonism, Cult or Christian?

Monotheism or Polytheism?

The Mormons consider themselves to be Christian. This is a question that fundamental Christianity feels has been answered for a long time but many Christians that have a loyalty to the Republican party want to believe or justify that Mormonism is Christianity in order to vote for Mitt Romney. However, in this article we will investigate the teaching of Mormonism regarding the doctrine of God and compare it with Biblical teaching, once again. Toward the bottom of this article you will find some very well produced documentaries, recorded seminars, and other videos that cover all of this and more.

Mormon doctrine is derived from four primary sources. The first is the Bible (LDS only accepts their King James version that has been altered to some degree); the second are the sacred texts of Mormonism, the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. The third comes from the writings of the founder of the church Joseph Smith, and the fourth is the writings of church leaders, especially the church presidents who are considered to be inspired prophets of God. In regard to the God of the Bible, Stephen Robinson, chairman of the Department of Ancient Scriptures at Brigham Young University, writes, “The Latter-day Saints (should) be considered worshipers of the one true God.”1 He also states, “The Latter-day Saints accept unequivocally all the biblical teachings on the nature of God.”2

Christianity has taught monotheism from its foundation, the belief in the existence of only one God. Mormonism believes in the existence of a plurality of gods. According to Mormonism, there are an infinite number of planets like earth in the universe, each with their god or gods who were once men but who have evolved into godhood. Mormon theologian and Apostle Bruce McConkie states, “A plurality of gods exist … there is an infinite number of holy personages, drawn from worlds without number, who have passed on to exaltation and are thus gods.”3

Joseph Smith wrote, “In the beginning, the head of the gods called a council of the gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and the people in it.”4

The Pearl of Great Price states in the Book of Abraham, “And they (the gods) said: let there be light and there was light. And they (the gods) comprehended the light, … and the gods called the light Day and the darkness they called Night… .” In these two chapters, the plural designation “gods” is used over fifty times.

Although they believe that numerous gods exist, Mormons consider themselves to be monotheists because they focus their worship exclusively on the Godhead of this earth. With this being the case, a more accurate description of Mormon practice is henotheism, a form of polytheism that stresses a central deity.

The Bible clearly teaches monotheism. This truth is taught in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Isaiah writes about God, “Before me there was no god formed, nor will there be one after me.” There was no god created before or any to come for there is only one God. Later he adds, “You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock: I know not one.” God knows of no other, not because God is limited in knowledge, but because there is no other like Him in existence.

Doctrine of the Trinity

Christians and Mormons share many similar theological terms. We both refer to God, salvation, and heaven. However, the words often have radically different meanings. Such is the case with the doctrine of the Trinity. Biblical Christianity teaches there is one God eternally coexisting in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As we will see, the Mormon view of the Godhead is quite different.

The Mormons reject the traditional Christian view of the Trinity as being in error. Joseph Smith wrote,

Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God. I say that is a strange God - three in one and one in three. It is curious organization all are crammed into one God according to sectarianism (Christian faith). It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God ... he would be a giant or a monster. (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 372)

Church president James Talmage stated, “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are as distinct in persons and individualities as are any three personages in mortality.”5

Mormons believe that there are an infinite number of planets, each with their own god or gods. On this earth, there are three separate gods, God the Father or Elohim, Jehovah or Jesus the son, and the Holy Ghost who make up the Godhead. Instead of Trinitarian, tritheistic would be a better word to describe Mormon belief. Mormon theologian Bruce McConkie states, “There are three Gods, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”6 He further explains that, “Three separate personages, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost comprise the Godhead. As each of these persons is a god, it is evident, from this standpoint alone, that a plurality of gods exists. To us, speaking in the proper finite sense, these three are the only gods we worship.”7

Jesus is believed by Mormons to be the literal offspring of the Father. The Mormon Church teaches that “Jesus Christ is the son of Elohim both as a spiritual and bodily offspring; that is to say, Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also of the body in which Jesus Christ performed his mission in the flesh… .”8 Understanding that establishes, within this world, that all are offspring of Elohim and therefore makes satan a son of God, a brother to Jesus, and a God himself.  Taking it one step further and understanding that we are all offspring of God makes us a brother to Jesus as well as satan.

The Bible teaches that there is only one true God, not three separate gods. Deuteronomy 6:4 states, “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” God has revealed Himself in three coeternal and coequal persons of the same substance or essence, however, distinct in subsistence. The Bible reveals that all three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have the attributes of deity. All three have existed for eternity, took part in creation, and play a role in salvation. The whole, undivided essence of God belongs equally to each of the three Persons.9

God Was Once a Man

As we discussed earlier, Mormon theology teaches that there is a plurality of gods. All gods were once mortal men on other planets who, through obedience to the commands of their God, attained exaltation or godhood. All Mormon men have the potential of attaining godhood as well.

God’s progression from man to God is clearly stated throughout Mormon literature. Joseph Smith wrote:

God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! … I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see… . He was once a man like us; yea that God himself, the Father dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did… .10

Brigham Young, the second president taught “That God the Father was once a man on another planet who ‘passed the ordeal we are now passing through now." 11 The Doctrine and Covenants states, “God is a glorified and perfected man, a personage of flesh and bones. Inside his tangible body is an eternal spirit.” (130:22)

Jesus is believed to have been a mortal man who attained godhood and showed that all men can do the same. The goal of every Mormon man is to achieve exaltation to godhood. Bruce McConkie states, “That exaltation which the saints of all ages have so devoutly sought is godhood itself.”12 Joseph Smith exhorted all Mormon men to strive for this goal. He stated,

Here then, is eternal life, ... to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you… .13

The Mormon Church teaches that if a couple marries according to Mormon ceremony, and each lives an obedient life, they may attain godhood at the resurrection. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches,

Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; … and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths … and you shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation.” (132)

The passage concludes, “Then they shall be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting because they continue… . Then they shall be gods because they have all power, and the angels are subject to them.” (132:20)

The Bible teaches that God has always been God. Psalm 90 states, “From everlasting to everlasting you are God.” God did not evolve from mortal man. Isaiah 43 reveals, “Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” This verse destroys any hope of any man thinking he may become a god.

Celestial Parenthood

In Mormon theology, there are three levels of heaven, terrestial, tellestial, and celestial. It teaches that almost everyone will make it to the first level, terrestrial, but Mormons seek entrance to celestial heaven, because there they are exalted to godhood. Once a man is exalted to godhood, he and his wife will reproduce offspring for eternity. These spirit children will in turn inhabit physical bodies and have the opportunity to become gods as well. This privilege is reserved for those who go through the sacred marriage ceremony in the Temple and live in obedience to Mormon teachings.

As we discussed previously, the Mormon book Doctrine and Covenants teaches that Mormons who marry within the context of the church, and remain obedient, shall be resurrected together. They shall then inherit thrones and kingdoms and are then declared gods because they will then rule together for eternity. Church president James Talmage adds, “We are to understand that only resurrected and glorified beings can become parents of spirit offspring … and the spirits born to them in the eternal worlds will pass in due sequence through the several stages or estates by which the glorified parents have attained exaltation.”14

God the Father is, therefore, believed to be married to God the Mother, and together they are producing spirit children. Bruce McConkie states, “An exalted and glorified man of holiness could not be a Father unless a woman of like glory, perfection, and holiness was associated with him as a Mother. The begetting of children makes a man a father and a woman a mother whether we are dealing with man in his mortal or immortal state.”15

All men and women are thus the offspring of this heavenly union. James Talmage wrote, “God the Eternal Father, whom we designate by the exalted name-title ‘Elohim,’ is the literal Parent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and of the spirits of the human race.”16

The Bible teaches that God the Father is not married. Isaiah 46:9 states, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God; and there is none like me.” The Bible teaches that men and women who receive Christ as their savior will be glorified and live eternally in the presence of God. However, they will never be equal to God, nor will they be married. If marriage were essential to attain exaltation, it seems strange that Paul would write in 1 Corinthians 7, “It is good for a man not to marry.” When Jesus was questioned about the state of marriage in eternity he said, “When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage, they will be like the angels in heaven.” The covenant of marriage is for our earthly existence only. The Bible does not teach a doctrine of celestial parenthood.

God is a Physical Being

Christianity teaches that God is immaterial. Mormonism teaches that God has a physical body. The Mormon Doctrine and Covenants teaches, “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s, the Son also… .”17 Brigham Young wrote, “We cannot believe for a moment that God is destitute of body, parts, passions, or attributes.”18

Although John 4:24 clearly teaches that God is spirit, Mormons like Bruce McConkie teach that this is a mistranslation of the text. He writes:

False creeds teach that God is a spirit essence that fills the immensity of space… . In a vain attempt to support this doctrine, formulated by councils in the early days of the great apostasy, it is common for apologists to point to the statement in the KJV Bible, which says, “God is a Spirit.” The fact is that this passage is mistranslated: instead the correct statement, quoted in context reads: “For unto such hath God promised his Spirit. And they who worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth.”19

However, there is no justification for McConkie’s translation. The KJV translation of “God is a spirit” is misleading; modern translators are more accurate rendering the passage “God is spirit.” The Greek construction and word order place the emphasis on the essential character of God; thus the essence of true worship must be on God’s terms and in accord with his nature.20 Jesus further taught in Luke 24:36-43, “A spirit does not have flesh and bones.” 1 Timothy 1:17 states, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God.” God is invisible because He is immaterial. 1 John 4:12 and John 1:18 tell us that no one has seen God. The second of the Ten Commandments forbids anyone from making an image of God, partially because nothing physical could accurately reflect God, who is immaterial. If God created the universe, as the Bible teaches, He could not be a physical being.

Scripture often uses anthropomorphic language, attributing human characteristics to God to help describe God’s activities. Psalm 17 pleads, “Keep me (Lord) as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Mormons have used this kind of language to prove that God has a physical body. In doing so they ignore the use of figurative language. God no more has a physical eye than He has wings and feathers.

God also revealed Himself in temporary physical forms that men could understand called theophanies. Examples are the burning bush, the fiery cloud in Exodus, and the unique incarnation of Christ. God the Son humbled Himself and took on human form. He was not a preexistent spirit-being, waiting for a body, as the Mormons teach. John 1 reveals that the Son was God from eternity and became a man to redeem humanity.

We must conclude, based on our study of the doctrine of God, that Mormonism is a cult and that Mormonism and traditional Christianity are indeed two different religions.




 RESOURCES:

 

HEART OF THE MATTER:  One of the best resources to understand Mormonism. Started in early 2006, Heart of the Matter is a TV show produced by Shawn McCraney in the Mecca of Mormonism, Salt Lake City.
Shawn McCraney spent over forty years of his life totally invested in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints (LDS/Mormonism). Shawn completed his mission work, attended Brigham Young University, and even held a Bishopric position before giving his heart to Jesus Christ and then ultimately leaving the Mormon cult.
The Heart of the Matter, provides great entertainment value and valuable knowledge of Mormonism and what it means to be a Born-Again Christian. Shawn is the author of “I Was a Born-Again Mormon” and the pastor of C*A*M*P*U*S.

Heart of the Matter - Live One Hour Call-in Show:

• Live Tuesdays nights stream at 8pm MT on our live page.
• Airing on the NRB network through DirectTV channel 378, SkyAngle channel 181, local affiliates, and Roku Players Friday nights at 10pm (MT). Re-Airing Monday nights (Tuesday mornings) at 12am (MT).
• Replays Sunday afternoons from 1-2 pm (MT) on AM 820 – KUTR The Truth Radio.
• To visit their website, which contains an archive of all the shows since 2006, please go to:  HOTM.TV 
• You may also visit their YouTube page which also contains the archive(s) of the show since 2006. 

Other Helpful Videos:

Jesus Christ/Joseph Smith

This is the most complete and well produced videos that I have seen on the LDS Church (Mormons). However, the video is 1 1/2 hours long, but very informative.  Video compares the message of Joseph Smith vs. the gospel of Jesus Christ and I highly recommend all Christians, that do not understand that Mormonism does not worship the same God, watch this video.

This video contains information on the basic structure of becoming a God through the LDS Church. From spirit beings to God, it is definitely not the same God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), or Holy Spirit that Christians believe and worship.  Video contains former member of the Mormon faith speaking the truth.


The Lost Book of Abraham:  Written by Joseph Smith

The Lost Book of Abraham is an award-winning documentary that investigates the remarkable claim that Mormon founder Joseph Smith translated a lost book of scripture from an Egyptian papyrus scroll he obtained in 1835. Hear the views of Mormon believers and World-class Egyptologists and decide for yourself.


Top Ten Problems With Mormonism

Video discussing some of the most troubling problems of the LDS church that most Mormons don't know exist such as the Book of Mormon anachronisms, Book of Abraham translation, Kinderhook Plates, Masonry & the Temple, etc. www.MoreTruthFoundation.com, www.MormonThink.com.

Bibliography

Book of Mormon. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1986

Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982.

Pearl of Great Price. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982.

Ankerberg, John & John Weldon. Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Mormonism. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1992.

Beckwith, Francis, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes, Phil Roberts, Jerald and Sandra Tanner. The Counterfeit Gospel of Mormonism. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1998.

Blomberg, Craig, & Stephen Robinson. How Wide the Divide? Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1997.

McConkie, Bruce. Mormon Doctrine. Salt Lake: Bookcraft, 1991.

Ostling, Richard. Mormon America. San Francisco: Harper and Collins Publishers, 1999.

Richards, LeGrand. A Marvelous Work and Wonder. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1976.

Talmage, James. The Articles of Faith. Salt Lake: Deseret Book Company, Revised Edition 1984.

Young, Brigham. Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1997.

©2001 Probe Ministries.

1 Stephen Robinson, Are Mormons Christians? (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991), 65; quoted in John Ankerberg, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mormonism, (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1992), 99.

2 Ibid., 103.

3 Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, (Salt Lake: Bookcraft, 1991), 576-577.

4 Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1976), 349; quoted in Walter Martin, Kingdom of the Cults, (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1997), 220.

5 James Talmage, The Articles of Faith (Salt Lake: Deseret Book Company, 1984), 37.

6 McConkie, 317.

7 McConkie, 576.

8 Talmage, 421.

9 Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1988), 54.

10 Smith, 321.

11 Brigham Young, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1997), 29.

12 McConkie, 321.

13 Smith, p. 345-347. Also quoted in McConkie, 321.

14 Talmage, 426.

15 McConkie, 516.

16 Talmage, 421.

17 Doctrine and Covenants 132:22.

18 Young, 29.

19 McConkie, 218.

20 Expositor’ Bible Commentary.

The Religious Right

I live in the intolerant capital of the United States, Alabama. The religious right is behind everything ... churches, schools, the press, and anywhere else they can get a foothold. When they speak, hatred spews from there lips. When they write, hatred roles onto the paper. When they teach ... hatred is passed onto the next generation.

Many that subscribe to the same core principles as radical racial groups like the currently milder KKK and others are also very active in the religious right movement. The intolerance and bigotry for homosexuals, immigrants, faiths, and others are supported by both groups and so many share positions in both causes with a wink and a smile. Gandhi said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

I believe in equal treatment for everyone under the American government. That includes all races, religions, and sexual preferences. There is no place, for intolerance toward those that are different. There is no place for bigoted ideas in America. Our constitutions true intent was that all have equal rights, not just Christians.

I believe that there is right and wrong. I DO NOT believe that it is my place, or yours, to regulate moral and spiritual values through the passing of laws so that I force someone to live the way I believe they should. There will be a judgement and we all will answer for our actions and intent. God will handle punishment and reward. I only pray that he takes it easy on us Christians.

Please do not include me in any more religious right activities or organizations. I am tired of disguised hatred. Repent, find Christ.

~Kev