Mormonism theology and culture

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</tr> </table><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"> </center> </div>  </font></td> <td ><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"> <h2 align="center"><font face="Times New Roman, Times New Roman, Times" color="#CC9900"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="4" color="#FF9900">Welcome to <br> Mormonism theology and culture</font></font></h2> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">This area contains articles presenting the basic theology and cultural aspects of Mormonism.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">There are many sources detailing Mormon doctrine, history, rituals, etc.  This section presents only the basic doctrine that Christians need to understand in order to accurately present the message of Jesus Christ's work.  The following six objectives illustrate what Christians need to learn in order to effectively witness to Mormons.  Our presentation of Mormonism theology and culture is designed to meet these objectives.</font></p> <font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" color="800000"><b> <ol> <li> <p align="left"><font size="2">Understand why Mormonism is not Christian:</font> </b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="000000">In order to appreciate the urgency of witnessing to Mormons, it is necessary to recognize that Mormonism is not a Christian religion.  By labeling it "Not a Christian religion", we are saying Mormonism does not lead to eternal life with Christ in heaven, but to eternal damnation with Satan in hell.  For this reason frequent comparisons of Mormon and Christian doctrine are made.  It is important to note that many, if not most, Mormons do not understand why their theology is labeled non-Christian.  Indeed many, if not most, Christians do not understand why Mormonism theology is labeled non-Christian. It is imperative that we know the reasons why.  By explaining these reasons to Mormons, we enhance our witness. By understanding these reasons, we can protect fellow Christians from falling prey to the false doctrine of the Mormon church.</font></li> <b> <li> <p align="left"><font size="2">Understand what Mormons say to us:</font> </b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="000000">It is also important to understand enough of the Mormon doctrine to recognize what Mormons actually mean when they make statements like "I believe Jesus died for my sins" or "I believe I am saved by grace".  There are many words used by both Mormonism and Christianity that have dramatically different definitions.  We provide a <a href="../glossary/biblical_terms.htm" target="_top" title="Click to view Glossary - Use browser's Back command to return.">Glossary of Biblical Terms</a> which provides both the Christian and the contrasting Mormon definitions.  </font></font><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="000000">When we recognize the differences in the definitions of these terms</font><font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" color="800000"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="000000">, we will avoid speaking past Mormons and misunderstanding Mormons.</font><b></li> <li> <p align="left"><font size="2">Recognize that Mormons are the victims of the Mormon church:</font> </b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="000000">This concept is difficult to put into words, but it refers to a culture created in the Mormon church that entraps its members.  There are many contributors to this culture, including paradoxical statements, doublespeak, and Christian-sounding messages crafted with unique language.  These tactics will be more fully described in the following Foreword.  As you study the following presentation, you will see examples of such tactics.  Each example will be fully examined. The Foreword also contains an article that attempts to describe the elastic-web in which Mormons become entrapped.  When we make the effort to understand what it is like to be a devote member of the Mormon church, we gain an understanding of how Mormons think and react within their culture. We also develop empathy, compassion, and concern for their plight. We become better equipped to make a connection with individual Mormons.  We are more likely to reach out to Mormons with God's Love.</font><b></li> <li> <p align="left"><font size="2">Learn to speak so Mormons understand us:</font> </b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="000000">Mormons hear everything through a filter of their own beliefs and unique definitions.  We must have a basic understanding of that filter so that we can choose words that can penetrate this filter without becoming distorted.</font><b></li> <li> <p align="left"><font size="2">Identify effective biblical witnessing topics:</font> </b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="000000">We need to know enough about Mormon doctrine to understand what topics (such as perfection and forgiveness) have particular impact on Mormons. We need to be able to identify other topics to effectively present the truth of God's Word.</font><b></li> <li> <p align="left"><font size="2">Rely on the power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit:</font> </b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" color="000000">As we grow to understand the Mormon doctrine, we want to identify Mormons with "the lost".  We want to see Mormons as Christ does, lost sheep he will go through great lengths to bring into his fold.  Our goal becomes "Bring them to Christ" rather than "Prove to them that their church is false". In this way, we will more likely resist the temptation to turn to historical evidence or logical argument to prove them wrong and be more likely to rely on our faith in Christ Jesus and turn to the Bible to help them.</font><b> </ol> </b></font> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">If you wish to know more about Mormon doctrine or history than is presented in this section, go to the <a href="../../resources/additional_resources.htm">Additional Resources</a> section of this site.  There you will find a suggested reading list, links to other resources, and other materials.  On the reading list are several books which present accurate information about Mormon history, practices and the like.  In particular, the book <i><font color="#800000"><b>Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons</b></font></i>, upon which this site is based, is an excellent source for more detail concerning Mormon doctrine.  We offer this book for sale by mail.  Also, links are provided which take you to official LDS sites for information and to non-Mormon sites which provide doctrinal and historical information.  We also offer a video for sale, <i><font color="#800000"><b>The Prophet From Palmyra</b></font></i>, which provides a historical overview of the foundation of the Mormon's church.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">By clicking the Next button below, you will proceed to the Foreword.  It provides background information for studying Mormon doctrine.</font></p> <font size="3" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" color="800000"> <p align="center"><a href="foreword/frameset.htm" target="_top" onMouseOver="document.images[0].src = '../../images/next_hover.gif'" onMouseOut="document.images[0].src = '../../images/next_button.gif'"> <img title="Go to the next article" border="0" src="../../images/next_button.gif" width="100" height="42"></a></p> </font></font></td> </tr> </table><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"></font></body>