Challenges members of the LDS Church will most likely pose ...

1 - Where does your church get its authority? (The proclamation of the LDS church is that they alone hold God’s priesthood authority upon the earth.) What does the Bible say? Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 16:16-19 (The word “power” - Greek: exousia - is “authority.” God’s word declares that Jesus Christ has ALL authority in heaven and in earth. *He* is the Head of His Church. God’s word refers to His Church as “the body of Christ,” which is made up of born again believers all across the world. His promise to the Church, which He Himself built, is that He would be with it forever, even unto the end of the world.) Hebrews 7 (Only Jesus Christ is High Priest FOREVER after the order of Melchisidec. LDS members claim to hold this specific priesthood. Read the entire chapter of Hebrews 7 and it is evident that no one can meet the qualifications except Jesus.) John 5:39 (*The Scriptures*, His word, point to Him. They are authoritative.) Psalm 138:2 (He has magnified His word above all His name.)

2 - Does your church have a modern day prophet and apostles? (The LDS church does have a professing prophet and professing apostles as their leadership, unlike other churches in the world. The proclamation of the LDS church, therefore, is that they alone stand upon a true foundation, and that it is through their prophet and apostles that God is represented and is able to communicate to mankind. Members of the LDS church listen to and put their full confidence in what their leaders give them as “from the Lord.” A common passage they share is out of Ephesians 2:20 … built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; and also out of Ephesians 3:5.) What does the Bible say? Ephesians 4:8-13, Deuteronomy 18:18-19, Hebrews 1:1-2 (God gives gifts unto His people; apostles and prophets are among the gifts mentioned in chapter 4 of Ephesians. In Ephesians 2 it speaks of the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with the Chief Cornerstone being Jesus Christ (of the Bible). There is no mention, however, of men being The Authority of the Church, the body of Christ. Ultimately, we are to listen to and put our full confidence in Jesus Christ. Anything that pretends to be from God and does not point to Him and/or points people away from Him, we are to reject.) 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (Some may claim to represent God and speak for him, but we are told by the Lord to “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.”) Deuteronomy 13:1-2, 18:18-22 (Is the prophet of the LDS church a true prophet? Test him. That is what the Bible instructs.) 2 Corinthians 11:1-4, 13-15 (Beware of false apostles. Beware of those who teach about another Jesus, another gospel, another spirit.)

3. The LDS church has modern day revelation. Don’t you believe that God can speak today? (Members of the LDS church listen to and put their full confidence in what their prophet gives them as being directly from the Lord, as mentioned above.) What does the Bible say? Deuteronomy 18:18-19 (Once again, we are to listen to and put our full confidence in The Prophet. Jesus Christ is that Prophet - Acts 3:22, 7:37.) Hebrews 1:1-2 (We do believe that God speaks today. It says that in times past God spoke to the people through the prophets, but then it goes on to say that in these last days He has spoken to us through His Son.) Hebrews 4:12 (Our God is a living God. He does speak today. His word is *living* and powerful.)

4. Why are there so many Christian denominations? (The argument is that there is disunity between Evangelical churches, but there is no disunity in the LDS church.) What does the Bible say? Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (There are many unique members with different functions, but one body of Christ.) John 3:3-5 (The main thing is that *individuals* must be born again in order to enter into God‘s Kingdom. Born again Christians are all across the world, with different denominational backgrounds; and yet they agree on the essentials of the faith, especially on what the Gospel is - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. There is unity in the body of Christ, on what really matters. Yes, there are issues in professing Christians churches. Why? Because people are sinful and imperfect. There will always be that element, until the Lord returns. Side note: Has the LDS church maintained a perfect unity with members since it was established? If you do an open and honest study, you will find that there are multiple churches outside of the mainstream LDS church that make claim to following the teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith. Often this is not considered when the accusation is made.)

5. James 2 says that “faith without works is dead…” (The argument is that salvation is received by faith and good works.) What does the Bible say? Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16 (The entirety of the Bible needs to be considered, not just one passage. We are only saved by the grace of God alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, not by works in any sense. Consider also these passages: Galatians 2:21, Romans 11:6, Romans 3:24-28, Romans 10:3-4. It is true that faith without works is dead. Read the entire context of the chapter though. There is no mention of faith in Christ AND our own good works saving our souls. *Jesus is the only One Who saves*. In this chapter there is simply a contrast given between someone who only gives lip service and someone who has a genuine faith, a faith which produces good works. Good works are a byproduct of abiding in Jesus Christ - John 15:5. Without Him we could do nothing.)

6 - Jesus commanded water baptism. Do you believe it is necessary to be born again? (One passage they’ll refer you to is out of chapter 3 in John: “Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” The LDS church’s claim is that they are the only true church on earth that administers this baptism.) John 3:6 (First, it does not say baptism. Second, read the surrounding context. There is a physical birth (born of water, born of the flesh), but there is a need to be born again (born of the Spirit) in order to enter into God’s Kingdom. Water baptism is in obedience to the Lord, but it is not what saves us. (1 Peter 3:20-21) What about the thief on the cross? You cannot get passed him. He was not water baptized, and yet Jesus promised him that he would be with Him in paradise after his death.)

7 - Have you read the Book of Mormon? Have you prayed about it? (Members will often refer you to a passage out of Moroni 10:4. The passage "exhorts" you to pray about the Book of Mormon. Basically, pray to find out that it is the truth. If you pray and find out otherwise, then you did not pray “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ.”) What does the Bible say? John 17:17 (Jesus said, “Thy word is truth.” God’s word, the Bible, is as true as God is true. Is it necessary for people to pray about whether or not God is true? No, He already is the truth. Whether or not people accept Him is another matter.) Acts 17:11 (Test all things by searching God’s word.) When LDS members share their main doctrines, they should be willing to have them tested by the Bible (what God has already revealed). That will be the best test on whether or not it is true. Prayer is not what determines truth. James 1 speaks of asking God for wisdom (LDS members quote from this chapter). First of all, it does not say to ask God for truth. Second, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. If an unregenerate soul comes to the Lord in prayer (with no fear of Him), He will not answer his prayer.

8 - How could a 14 yr. old boy make up the Book of Mormon and start an entire religion? (The argument is that it has to be by God’s power and inspiration; there is no other way.) What does the Bible say? 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.” His age doesn’t matter. We are to “try the spirits” of any religion to find out “whether they are of God.” Why? “Because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Joseph Smith could be a false prophet. That needs to be considered. He needs to be tested.) 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (The power and inspiration could be coming from “the angel of light” described in this passage.)

9 - The Bible has contradictions. (“We believe the Bible, as far as it is translated correctly.” They often say that the Bible has been mistranslated and has many contradictions. The Book of Mormon, however, is described as being the “most correct book on earth.”) Matthew 24:35, Psalm 12:6-7, Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:23-25 (God’s word is perfect and endures forever. The devil has been trying to attack the word of the Lord since the very beginning: he questions God‘s word - “Hath God said…?”, he lies about God‘s word - “Ye shall not surely die”, and he creates his own doctrine - “Ye shall be as gods…”)

10 - After … sharing a passage from their scriptures or giving a lesson or bearing their testimony or showing one of their inspirational movies, they’ll ask you what it made you feel. (In other words, did it give you good feelings? They describe the feelings as coming from God, the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23. Side note: Hollywood can bring good feelings, but that does not determine truth.) What does the Bible say? Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 28:26 (We cannot trust our own feelings; it’s foolish to do so. Our hearts are described in God’s word as being deceitful above all things, and even as being desperately wicked.)


God instructs His people to earnestly contend for the faith,

One Clay Soldier among many