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Here is a
Different Mission Field,
in a beautiful
part of America, which is visited by millions each year. Basically,
it includes the state of Utah, southeast Idaho, and southwest Wyoming.
This is Mormon Country. In this mission field...
LDS Churches Abound.
These churches
have impressive buildings with a large attendance,
a children's programs with appeal for those outside the church, an effective
youth programs, a world-wide missionary outreach that involves a large
percentage of the youth, and a message that purportedly tells of Christ,
His death and resurrection, the atonement, and salvation. So...
Why Call This a Mission Field ?
Though the
above mentioned points are true, the message which is taught is
different. For example, members of the LDS Church are taught...
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God is
an exalted man with a resurrection body like the Christian expects to
have when he gets to heaven. |
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The Bible
is only God's Word as far as it is translated correctly. (This is determined
by Mormon interpretation and must agree with Mormon teaching found in
the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, etc.) |
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A Four-point
"Gospel":
1. Faith;
2. Repentance;
3. Baptism by immersion (only by one who has proper priesthood authority)
for the remission of sin;
4. Laying on of hands (again only by one of proper authority) for the
gift of the Holy Ghost. |
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There was
complete apostasy with the Gospel taken from the earth. This meant all
other churches were wrong and necessitated a "restoration"
of the Gospel through Joseph Smith. |
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Baptism
for the dead, providing a second chance after death. |
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Marriages
can be sealed for eternity insuring the continuance of the family unit
and the bearing of spirit children necessary for man's progression to
godhood. |
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Jesus and
Satan were brothers. |
What is the Need of the Area ?
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A clear
presentation of the true Gospel, with a definite emphasis on the children
and youth. |
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The establishment
of strong, Bible-believing, mission-minded churches in key locations.
Many communities, from small town's to larger cities in the Western
United States, do not have a gospel witness of any kind. Not even a
gospel radio program broadcasts into some of these areas. |
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The evangelizing
of small and rural communities where there may be only two or three
non-Mormon families. Children's Bible Clubs, Vacation Bible Schools,
home Bible studies, and branch Sunday Schools can be very effective
in opening up these areas. |
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An increase
of workers — persistent workers who have a compassion for the religiously
blind |
What are the Problems Involved ?
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Results
come slowly, for the Mormon counterfeit blinds and hardens people to
the truth. |
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Social
pressures keep many from leaving Mormonism and make it hard for those
that do. |
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Saved youth
and children often are forbidden to attend a Bible-teaching Sunday School
and are made to attend Mormon services. |
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Discouragement
comes easily. Many workers move on out of the area. |
Will you
ask the Lord what He would
have you do about this mission field ?
--John Lovegrove |
