Question: I'm a 37 year old man that's been an evangelical Christian for over 23 years. As I've read the book of Mormon and the testimony of the early Latter Day Saints leaders and founder, I'm struck by the sense of it. This is so completely the opposite of what I've been taught about the Mormon faith. I'm really confused and would love to have some input from you. I must admit a lot of fear about the changes that could be in front of my family and, ultimately, my fellow Christian friends.
Response: We all know that Jesus Christ established his church, taught his true gospel, initiated the saving ordinances such as baptism and the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost and gave his priesthood authority to those who would carry out this work during his mortal ministry. We simply claim that his church, gospel, and authority was lost from the earth soon after the apostles and prophets were all killed or in John's case, banished to the Isle of Patmos. We believe this apostacy was anticipated by the Lord and the Apostles:
1 NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him. 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, (2 Thessalonians 2:1 - 3)
We also claim that there has been a complete restoration of the Church, the gospel, the ordinances and the priesthood authority all under the direction of the Lord, himself. It is natural that there are those who will try to destroy this bold claim, but I have come to a full conviction of the truth of it and so could you if you will: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Matthew 7:7)
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5 - 6)
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:4 - 5)
I would be happy to arrange for you to meet the missionaries who have a series of 6 or so discussions that would give you a good overview introduction of our beliefs. You could also go to http://www.donny.com/info/beliefs_multimedia to review some of the presentations that I have narrated. They outline some basic beliefs and scriptural references.
Let me know if you want to meet the missionaries and/or let me know what I can do to help in you search.
