Tony Clark's Page

I wrote this a couple of years ago while studying Mormonism.

Almost everyone has met a Mormon. I know that I run into them from time to time. I thought I would give a few pointers on meeting with them.

I'm not proud to say it, but when I was in college I went to a Mormon Bible Study -- just to see what I could see. Also, I have spoken with a couple of Mormon elders about the Lord. Recently, a friend of mine has been talking with some Mormons, and I wanted to make sure they did not deceive him -- so I have been trying to study up on this phenomenon.

Mormons believe some of the wildest things I have ever heard or read, but they don't introduce you to their wildest beliefs at first. They purposefully introduce you to their tamer beliefs and slowly let you know about the wild stuff.

For example, they will ask, "Do you believe the Bible is God's word?" Then they say that they have another testament of the Bible that God has given us -- the Book of Mormon. You see, they pay lip service to the Bible. Many people (not all to be sure) have at least some respect for the Bible, so they start from there.

I have been trying to read the Book of Mormon lately, and it has been a VERY demanding experience. When I read it, I feel like I'm reading a very dark work.  This is a really strange feeling for me. I have read and studied a lot of different religious texts like the Qu'ran, the Bhagavad Gita, the Analects, etc and not had such a  feeling in my gut. Not that I approve of the aforementioned texts, but the Book of Mormon really makes me feel odd. The Book of Mormon teaches that some Israelites left Israel for the Americas. Later, Jesus supposedly went to the Americas to establish his church here. Of course, the Bible does not teach ANYTHING close to this. It is a fable invented from whole cloth by Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism.

The crazy thing about it is that the Book of Mormon is almost tame in contrast to the wilder Mormon doctrines. Mormons not only believe that the Book of Mormon is divinely inspired; they also believe in the "Doctrine and Covenants" and the "Pearl of Great Price." These are not introduced to the new convert as quickly because they are really wild. For example, in the Pearl of Great Price, there is the Book of Abraham. According to the Book of Abraham, there are a multitude of gods, and that these gods created the cosmos. One of these gods is our father, and he lives in a star system called Kolob. This is the god whom the Mormons worship. Mormons also believe that they can become gods -- if they live good enough lives.  So, unknown to me for years, the Mormons are polytheists!

Then there are other writings which they consider authoritative. These writings teach that Jesus had three wives, the pre-existence of souls, that black people are black due to a curse, and on and on....

Mormonism is definitely a cult. And talking to Mormons is NOT easy. They use the same words that we use -- testimony, Holy Spirit, redemption, etc., but these words have totally different meanings for Mormons. This is why it can be so difficult to communicate.

Also, I would like to share this experience. A few years ago, I met with a couple of Mormon elders to talk about God. Of course, I knew ahead of time that they wanted to convert me. We talked and they were very polite. Then one of them told me a story about their "prophet" Joseph Smith. I could tell that the conversation was very rehearsed and that he had led these types of conversations before. He then took out a picture of Joseph Smith bowing in the woods. In a very smooth and calming voice, he recited a passage about Joseph Smith being a prophet of God. He said it in such a smooth and calming way. I could not help but feel relaxed and even mesmerized by the way he said it. Then he asked me how I felt. I had to be honest. I told him I felt warm and fuzzy. Then he said, "That is the Holy Spirit." I quickly awoke out of the warm and fuzzy mood and told him that it was certainly not the Holy Spirit. I have known the Holy Spirit for years, and that was not Him. It was a warm and fuzzy feeling to be sure, but one can feel that way after watching a movie or listening to an audio book. I think I felt that way when I was on pain medications after having my wisdom teeth removed when I was 21.

I think that is the primary way they deceive people. They relax people with calm words. It may very well be a hypnotic trance. They say that this is the Holy Spirit talking to your heart. Having already been born again, I could tell the difference. Unfortunately, many lost people cannot tell the difference.

Mormons are slaves to the Mormon system. There are so many rules and laws that they think they have to obey to reach the highest heaven/godhood/exaltation. I feel so sorry for them, because there is only true freedom in Christ. Not the Mormon Christ -- the Christ of the Bible. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead so we could have eternal life. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The moment I trusted in the Lord with all my heart, he gave me the greatest peace and joy. I love the Lord, and I do not worry about going to Heaven when I die. I did not earn salvation, and I do not keep my salvation. I try to serve the Lord out of a love towards Christ -- not from fear of going to Hell. The Mormon people are in spiritual bondage, and they need to be born again.

I'm no expert at witnessing to people. However, I do know that whenever you talk to anyone about the Lord, always follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. God works on both ends.