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The Legacy of a Mormon President – We Must Do More
Posted by Brian Thornton on January 28, 2008
President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through explosive growth during his more than 12 years as president, died 7 p.m. Sunday at home of causes incident to age, surrounded by family. He was 97. – read more
I read with sadness this morning the news that the president of the LDS Church, Gordon Hinckley, died yesterday. My sadness is not the result of emotions generated by the loss of a great voice for Christ and the gospel, but because of the realization that, if he truly believed what his religion teaches, then at 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 27th, Gordon B. Hinckley fell asleep surrounded by his family and woke up in perdition.
In reading though the detailed account of his life in the article linked above, I understood even more what the mindset of a Mormon really is: “There is so much more that needs to be done”. Sadly, the biography of Hinckley’s tenure as president of the LDS church is one void of Christ and the gospel, but one full of works and accomplishments.
One of the most pitiful things noted by the Deseret Morning News staff that they apparently felt distinguished Hinckley was his charge for all Mormon members to read the Book of Mormon all the way through. Hinckley promised that by doing so, “Those who read the Book of Mormon will be blessed with an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a greater resolve to obey His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God”.
My first thought after reading this was to ask God to have mercy on Hinckley’s soul, but sadly, it’s too late for that now. For, as the author of Hebrews declares, “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment”.
I would like to encourage all Mormons everywhere to read the Bible all the way through instead of the Book of Mormon. Or perhaps just read the New Testament all the way through, or even just read John’s gospel and Paul’s letter to the Romans all the way through. As you are doing so, ask God to reveal the truth of who He is and what He requires in order to be saved.
It is too late to pray (or baptize) for Gordon B. Hinckley. It is not too late to pray for the millions of others who are lost and dead in their sin within the Mormon religion. For those Mormons who may stumble across this post in the coming days, I pray you stumble across the corner stone (Jesus Christ) and be broken, as opposed to the corner stone falling on you and you be crushed.
Don’t focus on the Book of Mormon! Focus on the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures [the Bible, not the BOM], concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh [fully man] and was declared to be the Son of God [fully God] in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:1-4).
If you are sincere, my Mormon friend, about knowing the truth concerning God and His gospel, then read this with an open mind, and ask Him to open your heart as you consider what this passage means:
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for In him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, For we are indeed his offspring. Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. - Acts 17:24-31
I cannot pray this for Gordon Hinckley, but I do here and now pray for God to have mercy on your soul, my Mormon friend. May He be pleased to reveal Himself to you, in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He alone is your only hope. Set your eyes Him, the author and finisher of faith.
Don Dolan said
Brian, How elequently you mistate and misunderstand the Mormon religion. It is individuals such as yourself that do a great diservice to this church and those who belive in Mormonism.
First you should know that the bible that you put so much faith in is a significant part of the Mormon faith. The Bible along with The Book of Mormon are the testiments of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the conerstone of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Mormon Church teaches to ask of Christ, to know the truth in all things. The Church teaches service, to walk in the example that the Savior gave us by his mortal ministry. To love one another as he has loved us.
So before you go and take a shot from your watch tower you need to come down from there and have a real conversation with someone who really knows the church. Then after that ask for the forgiveness that you so rightously preach to others. There is only one that has the right to pass judgement on another and you nor am I that person
Wendy West said
Don:
I was a fourth generation Mormon who grew up in Ogden, Utah and was a member of the LDS Church for nearly 25 years. I do know what they believe, I have had many conversations with those who really know the church and Brian’s words here are still true.
Mormon doctrine conflicts the Bible in the essentials of orthodox Christian faith. Jesus of the LDS church is not the Christ presented in the Holy Bible. Polytheism is an abomination to the true God. The canon of Scripture is closed so there is no living prophet today. Mormonism adds good works to their distorted view of saved by faith alone in Christ alone by God’s grace alone.
Having spent the first 25 years of my life following a false Christ in a false religion and striving to be a goddess in the hereafter; I am grateful for those like Brian who are willing to spend time exposing the errors of Mormonism and pleading with Mormons to seek the truth. I plead with you, as did Brian, that you examine not the claims of Mormonism but the claims of orthodox Christianity.
Grateful for God’s Grace, Wendy West
Brian Thornton said
Don,
Which of the following statements is true:
1. God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!!. . . We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see
2. For I, the LORD, do not change
Roy said
Kick a man while he’s dead. Wow! What a Christian man you are Brian. I’m wondering who gave you the ability to decide who does and doesn’t wake up in “perdition”. I am a Mormon and like many of us we’ve heard all of the arguments and half-truths supposedly proving we are all going to hell. Here’s the problem. Mormons are in fact the only religion who belives in the Bible for what it is. How is it possible that we can have literally thousands of “Christian” religions all proclaiming to have the truth? Is God the author of confusion? Where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens when we die? What about those people who never heard about Christ…do they go to perdition too? What is the proper wat to baptize (sprinkle water, immersion). Who sealed the heavens and said there would be no more Prophets like Noah and Moses? What version of the Bible is 100% correct? When Christ gave the intersessory prayer was he praying to himself? When Christ was baptized who spoke from heaven…who decended like a dove? When Stephen was stoned to death how many people did he see in the heavens? Orthodox Christianity can’t agree on any of the answers. Orthodox Chirstianity is the ideas of men mingled with scripture. The Church of Jesus Christ also known as the Mormons has all the simple answers to these questions…and many, many, more. Certainly if Mormonism was such a silly religion it wouldn’t attract such educated, prolific members of society…right? It certainly wouldn’t be one of the fastest..if not the fastest growing religions in the world would it? Brian…your arguments with Mormonism exclude any faith…any soft of divine knowledge. How do you know the Bible is true?…archeological evidence? How do you know God lives?…archeological evidence? Thes Spirit of God will teach you all things…I recommend you put your faith in that instead of your time-and-time again refuted claims about Mormonism. You sir are completely ignorant of what Mormons are all about.
(Please excuse the typos)
Brian Thornton said
Roy,
Don has not yet seen fit to answer my one question above (re: which statement is true). Why don’t you give it a try.
You put forth a lot of questions in your comment…and while I can’t address them all here and now, there is one I would like to answer.
You said,
Certainly if Mormonism was such a silly religion it wouldn’t attract such educated, prolific members of society…right? It certainly wouldn’t be one of the fastest..if not the fastest growing religions in the world would it?
So, what you are suggesting is that the growth of a movement/religion is a way (a certain way, according to your words) to gauge whether or not it is true? Are you sure you want to base Mormonism’s validity as being true upon its numbers? Consider, then, Mormon growth to others…
From 1990-2001 the following growth rates have occurred:
Islam – 109% growth
Scientology – 22% growth
New Age – 240% growth
Mormonism – 10% growth over the last five years
Based upon your own litmus test of growth in numbers, which of those listed should be considered the most valid religion?
I look forward to your reply re: which of the two statements I presented above to Don are true.
Roy said
Maybe you should see what our current truly Christian President had to say about the loss of President Hinckley. Mormons don’t expect much from other worshippers of Christ. We just want to be treated with dignity and Christlike respect that Christ ensured all mankind who follow His precepts. There is no circumstance when any true Christian should belittle another person especially after their death. A Mormon would never spew the venom you have today.
http://origin.sltrib.com/ci_8100480
Brian Thornton said
Once again, when presented with an opportunity to present the Mormon gospel, all we seem to get from Mormons is anything but direct answers.
President Bush is a politician, and a rather confused Christian when it comes to who God is in Scripture in relation to all the other religions than claim to believe in God. Being a politician, he must also be politically correct when addressing the death of a public figure. I am not bound by any public position that would require diplomacy.
I too noted that I was saddened by Hinckley’s death. What you are so upset about is that I explained why I was saddened.
I’ll give you another chance to tell me which of the statements I presented above in comment #3 is true.
Roy said
They are both true. A full understanding of this can be found here.
http://en.fairmormon.org/Unchanging_Nature_of_God
or here
http://www.fairlds.org
This web site will answer EVERY question in EVERY anti-Mormon book ever written and presented by EVERY anti-Mormon who ever lived. My question is someone like yourself who seems to know so much about Mormons hasn’t used this widely available public resource to diffuse each of your many questions. If you TRULY wanted an answer you’d look for yourself. If you are just trying to rile up a contentious Bible bash then you’re never going to get answers…then again the question is do you TRULY, SINCERELY, seek answers? I doubt it.
Mormons don’t have time to waste on people like yourself. Mormon missionaries are told to avoid confrontation…that doesn’t convert. The Spirit of God converts, and it’s only present when hearts are soft and sincere. You are not alone in your dislike for Mormons. There will always be those who nip at our heels, but the truth of God will continue. If people like yourself could stop the growth of God’s Kingdom you’d have certainly done it by now. Why would I give up an understanding of the nature of God to accept a 4th century Nicean apostate creed that tells me God is something that has no shape or form and is incomprehensable? Why would I give up filet mignon for the hot dog you offer?
The growth stats don’t prove the Church is true, but they do prove that it is a message that the entire world is accepting. The Spirit of God proves the Church is true…and your heart has to be humble and meek like a child to get that witness yourself.
I did find it interesting that you didn’t answer even 1 of my doctrinal questions…truth is I don’t care because I already know you and the many breeds of orthodox “Christianity” can’t agree on any of the answers. The Gospel isn’t a divine smorgasborg where you pick and choose what you want to believe. One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. God is not the author of confusion. Christ only taught one set of saving principles…it was man who killed off the prophets, rejected his gospel, and put His church in to the confused apostasy it’s been in since it was restored in purity through Joseph Smith. I would accept a link to a website like http://www.fairlds.com as your answer, but since the teachings of men mingled with scripture differ so vastly from various “Christian” churches I’m sure there isn’t an authorite one in existence that all orthodox Chrisitanity can agree on. You are a lost soul my friend.
Roy said
Come on B-Rian….I want some direct answers from post #4. What’s the matter have you tucked your tail and run for the woods? Go ahead and throw more of your anti-mormon hype at me. I have all the answers at my fingertips…(just as you do now that I’ve given you the web address). I’ve got a rebuttal to it all. This is the work of God and you ought to be careful kicking agains the pricks with your bigotted drivel. Go bash someone elses Church..I’m sure that’s what Jesus would do.
Roy said
Here’s more info on the growth of the LDS Church…
http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/background-information/growth-of-the-church
http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/statistical-information
Here’s a recent talk by an Apostle of God about the falsehoods of the 4th century trinity doctrine.
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-15,00.html
Brian Thornton said
For someone who doesn’t care what my answers are, and who doesn’t have time to waste on people like myself, you sure seem to care what I say, and you apparently do have the time to waste in trying to bait me with your taunting.
As you did answer my initial question, it is there I will briefly focus before addressing something on one of the sites you linked.
Regarding the two statements (one from Smith and one from the Bible), you say that both are true: God has not been God from all eternity, AND this same God, the Lord, does not change. Please explain how God has not been God from all eternity. Try to answer on your own, if you can.
Also, regarding one of the sites you linked to earlier, one of them references the Mormon response to fifty questions concerning Mormonism. The first question on the list is one I have asked other Mormons who have not been able to provide any kind of rational reply or one that agrees with their own scriptures. What is interesting is that I came up with this question (which was basically the exact same one asked in this list) by reading the Mormon D&C and noticing clear inconsistencies regarding some of Smith’s prophecies. I would be curious to hear your reply about it as well.
Here it is (this is straight from the LDS site you referenced):
QUESTION: Why does the Mormon church still teach that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God after he made a false prophecy about a temple built in Missouri in his generation (D&C 84:1-5)
MORMON ANSWER: This was not a prophecy, but a command from God to build the temple. There’s a difference. Jesus said people should repent; just because many didn’t doesn’t make Him a false messenger, simply a messenger that fallible people didn’t heed.
Let’s see what the D&C actually has recorded.
Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord.
Sorry, Roy, but this is not a command from God that was disobeyed, but a clear prophecy stating that the temple would be built in Missouri in Smith’s generation, and anyone with any ability to discern will see it as such.
Steve Edwards said
Brian:
Thanks for your stand for the truth of the Gospel and for the authority of God’s Word, the Bible. I’ve had my discussions with Mormons, JW’s and Muslims and every one of them boiled down to the Bible and how it was “correctly translated” or interpreted.
Reading Roy’s claims about the growth of the Mormon church and its world-wide acceptance actually supports the Biblical position that “broad is the road that leads to destruction”(Mt 7:13). Growth in church or cult memberships proves nothing…absolutely nothing…about what is true and right in God’s eyes. You and I both know that when churches are “packin’ em in”…that the whole counsel of God may not be preached there…for the “message of the Gospel is an foolishness to those who are perishing.” (1Cor 1:18) Jesus had many of His disciples walk away from Him when He taught something they didn’t like! (Jn 6:66)
Within six months of being converted to Christ (back in 1986), I had an encounter with a Mormon bishop. I was a mere puppy…he was a bulldog. In those six months I spent with Christ, I had read the book of John several times…so that was my only “armament” against his training in three books and courses in how to convert Christians. This guy tried his best to get me out of John and into Revelation to show me that what was in John wasn’t accurate. But I remembered that John and Revelation were written by the same guy…so I said if what was written in John wasn’t right, why should I trust Revelation? He had no answer…other than that I had to search my heart for truth. I told I had already done that…but God saved me anyway! It wasn’t anything I did…it was all God alone!
Faith comes by hearing…and hearing by the Word of God. And we have been saved by grace, through faith, and that not of ourselves (ie: searching my heart for truth, reciting a sinners prayer…walking an aisle, etc) ; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Everything we need is in God’s Word alone.
And every day, I thank God for His choosing this lowly man to eternal life.
Brian Thornton said
Steve,
Amen, brother!
Roy said
Steve, I actually agree with most of the doctrinal points you brought up. Are you suprised? Once again because you apparently missed it in my previous post…I am not claiming that sheer numbers equate to true doctrines. The LDS.org weblink (last paragraph) further affirms this. My point in the initial post was just a side note showing the overwhelming growth of the LDS faith. We believe this is the prophesy of Daniel..the stone cut out of the mountain without hands. The evangelicals are certainly quite envious of the LDS missionary program along with many of it’s other inspired programs. I’ve read about it on the SBC website. Now back to the points.
Here I am “a lost soul” by your decree. What answers am I missing to life’s great questions? It seems like I have the answers and in order to accept your apostate creeds of men mingled with scripture I actually have to GIVE UP the answers I have already confirmed through the Spirit of God. Are you suggesting I take your man-made interpretations of the Bible over my Spiritual affirmations? I don’t need the Bible to believe in God. The people in the Bible didn’t have the Bible and they seemed to get along just fine. I believe the Bible is the word of God, I also believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God because I asked God if it was true. You do belive God answers a truth seekers prayers don’t you?
Brian Thornton said
Roy,
I did not allow your previous comment because it contained nothing worth reading here on this site, and I edited your most recent one down to less than half of what it was because I am not going to allow this site to be a platform for your false system of religion. If you want a platform, go start your own blog.
I will respond to two comments you make in the first part of your most recent post.
First…
You say you don’t need the Bible to believe in God. Quite true. Even the Bible itself says that, as Paul declares in Romans, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
What we are are talking about here though is faith, saving faith, and that come from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. The author of Hebrews states that, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” The time of the prophets is past, and ended prior to Christ.
Second…
You say that you believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God because you asked God if it was true. Well, guess what? I asked God if it was true and He said, “NO!”. I have confirmed, through the Spirit of God, that Joseph Smith is a false prophet. How do we reconcile what you say has been confirmed to you through the Spirit, and what I say has been confirmed to me through the Spirit?