Helaman 14:15-18 [Book of Mormon]
“For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord. Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam, being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead both as to things temporal and to things spiritual, but behold the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness. “
Where to start? Again it talks of hell… or what is one supposed to make of this being thrown into fire, and notice this happens according to the text, after the resurrection from the dead. Where as “Gospel Principles” tells one that hell is only a place where the wicked wait for the resurrection….
The Book of Mormon here teaches that by the fall of man men are dead to both things spiritual and temporal… I could go along with things spiritual, that is the second chapter of Ephesians, a chapter I wish more Mormons would read and take to heart. But really I’m dead as to things temporal too? I don’t think so. I live in this world the temporal. In fact it is only in relation to things temporal that I have any ability to exercise free will.
But notice that here the death and resurrection of the Lord does not actually forgive sin, or save from sin. It really does nothing for you. In some twisted fashion it is merely your ticket to court on the last day, where you will then have to answer for yourself. It guarantees that you will be raised from the dead, but whether from there you are on your own. Everything after that depends on your repentance. This is such a diabolical book!
2 comments:
My first encounter with Mormons was when I was 19 and working at my first job out of high school. It was a very small business and three of my co-workers were relatively new converts. They weren't extremely pushy, but I did agree to sit for the lessons from the missionaries. Maybe if I hadn't gone to church all my life and had proper catechisis, I would have sought that "burning in my bosom" they were telling me about.
You're around LDS way more than I, Pastor, and I'm glad to read your comments on their "scripture." When the missionaries come to our neighborhood every couple of years, or so, I always invite them in for a glass of ice water, but I let them know of my experience long ago and that they can't convince me that I'm going to get anywhere with my "good" works. (Lord have mercy! I love doing good for others, but so often see the selfishness behind it.)
I pray for them, but they just make me sad.
Marke,
Well done. Just keep pointing out the selfishness. If it isn't out of love for others it isn't good.
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