During my lifetime I
have not spent a lot of time thinking about other Christian religions. I do
remember watching Oral Roberts on television on occasion as a youth but his
faith healing came across to me as something similar to professional wrestling.
I did take a class in college on early American religions and one on World
Religions. Over the years I have listened to Christian radio shows like Dr.
Walter Martin who gained fame by labeling Mormon and other non mainline
protestant churches cults. I also would listen to catholic answers live on
occasion.
Since being out here on
the mission we have met people from a number of different Christian
denominations. As I have mentioned before the people themselves are good people
trying to live good lives. Many of these people do not have a deep
understanding of doctrine taught by their churches. In these small towns the
local churches make up an important part of the social fabric. People are so
tied to the social aspect of their church, even when they come to agree with us
doctrinally it is very difficult for them to change.
However, I have enjoyed
talking with our evangelical protestant friend because he does have a good
understanding of doctrines taught by a number of different Christian ministers.
He has exposed us to much of what is going on in the Christian world at large. And
much of it comes across as not good. After reading material and viewing several
videos, I have decided we still have the situation Joseph Smith described in
his day where churches are vying against one another, but now it is on a
national scale because of television, radio and the internet. They all seem to
be fighting amongst themselves. Several influential ministers of large churches
are in debates over whether the gifts of the spirit exist in our day. There are
other ministers claiming to be prophets and sharing their dreams and
prophesies. Many of these television
evangelists live very lavish lifestyles. They tell their followers what they
want to hear and that they will prosper by donating to the ministry. As I have
read of some of the abuse that seems to be taking place, it reminded me of
verses in the Book of Mormon warning us against the evils of priestcraft.
Priestcraft Defined as:
Men
preaching and setting themselves up for a light to the world that they may get
gain and praise of the world; they do not seek the welfare of Zion (2 Ne. 26:29).
The Book of Mormon says, "Priestcrafts are
that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may
get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the Welfare of Zion…. But
the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they
shall perish" (2 Ne. 26:29, 31). Inherent in this definition is the concern that
Church leaders must labor to build Zion into the hearts of the people, and not
for their personal aggrandizement or reward. When leaders "make
merchandise" of men's souls (2 Pet. 2:3), they turn religion into a business, and pride,
materialism, and unrighteous dominion follow
·
Alma 1:16
16 Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many
who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth they preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of
riches and honor.
Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
1 John 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
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
Since we are one of the few Christian churches that claim to have apostles and prophets and I happen to know ours are called of God, I have often wondered where the false prophets mentioned in the above scriptures would come from. It seems there is now a movement among some Christian groups saying that now prophets and apostles are now a part of the leadership of what they consider the church. So is this a partial fulfillment of the scriptures above?
http://www.letusreason.org/latrain21.htm
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is
Christ’s Church restored in our day.
