Effective Evangelism

Sharing the Essential Difference

It's our desire to help you understand the differences between true Biblical Christianity and the critical errors taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is not to encourage argument. Our desire is to see people not just leave the LDS church, but to embrace Jesus as their only hope of righteousness and life.

Understand the Difference

A Different Authority - We believe that the Bible is God's true and absolute Word to us. It teaches all we need to know to be saved and to live a life wholly pleasing to Him. The LDS church, however, rejects the full authority of the Bible, claiming, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that "many precious things" have been lost from it. Instead, they claim that "another testament of Christ" - from a supposedly Jewish culture in ancient America - restores those truths. In addition to this, the Mormon church claims to have modern prophets, men who, they claim, speak the word of God to each generation. The reality, however, is that their "scriptures" and prophets contradict the clear teaching of God's Word, especially regarding our Savior and His Gospel.

A Different Savior - The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is fully God from eternity past to eternity future. He is the creator and upholder of all things. However, He is not removed from our suffering. The Bible also teaches that this same Creator took upon Himself human flesh and walked among us. He lived the kind of life that only God could live and as such became the perfect sacrifice for our rebellion - the Lamb of God that took away our sins and perfected us forever.

In contrast, Mormons teach that Jesus is literally the Father's offspring, the first-born of many spirit children, along with his brother Lucifer, and, indeed, all of us. In fact, Mormons believe that men are "Gods in embryo," having the same essential nature as God. The Mormon doctrine of eternal progression teaches that men can become gods by their own effort, by following God's "plan of salvation" and making it "fully effective" in their lives. Instead of an eternal Son, then, we have a man eternally becoming like the Father. Instead of a perfect sacrifice for sin, we have an example, that if we live like him we too can become a god.

A Different Gospel - The Mormon gospel is in fact no gospel, no true "good news." Mormons do believe they need a savior and they accept Jesus as that savior. However, Mormon doctrine teaches that this "free gift" of atonement provides only for our resurrection and immortality, not a complete covering and removal of sin. In Mormonism, the atonement gives us the opportunity to perfect ourselves and achieve the exalted state that will allow us to live in the Father's presence eternally. To do this we must "have faith in Christ, plus repent of our sins, plus be baptized, plus receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, plus [and this is the critical part] obey all of God's commandments" including all of the ordinances of the LDS church. Only then can we hope to be "exalted."

The Bible teaches another story! No one will be declared righteous in God's sight by his or her own efforts, for all of our efforts amount to nothing but filthy rags. We are in fact utterly incapable of meeting the righteous requirements of God's law and are powerless to redeem ourselves and are fit only to spend eternity separated from His presence. But that is not the end of the story. The good news is that Jesus came to take away the sins of the world. He died, taking all of our sins upon himself and satisfied the righteous requirements of the law in our place. Our sins are fully covered by the blood of Christ, fully paid. By faith in Jesus, we are credited with Christ's righteousness, whereby we will, without any doubt, spend eternity in the Father's presence. Now that's really good news!

Share the Difference

When you understand these things you naturally want to reach your family & friends with the true Gospel. If, then, you keep the following simple points in mind your effectiveness in sharing the Gospel can be greatly improved.

1. There's a language barrier. It's not that the words are different, but the meaning poured into those words is. If they tell you that they are saved by grace and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, they're not lying. They believe that everyone is "saved" in a general sense in that all will be able to resurrect. Grace is not undeserved merit, the righteousness of Christ imputed to our account but the ability that God, "Heavenly Father", gives us to save ourselves. Remember- Define terms. Understanding that the words you use can bring an entirely different meaning into another person's mind. Ask meaningful questions to understand what they're really saying and to see if you are also being understood.

2. You are called to be a witness, not a defense attorney. Tell what Jesus Christ did for you and what he saved you from. It's the Holy Spirit's job to convince them that it's the truth. You're relieved from the pressure of having to prove that you're right and can just speak the truth in love and humility. But get to the speaking part and don't leave out the truth when you get there! You don't have to know everything now, but you should be willing to tell what you do know.

3. Talk about the right things. What are you doing talking about the bad things Joseph Smith did when you could be telling them the good things Jesus Christ did for them on the cross? The LDS desperately need to hear about how someone can know that they have eternal life because Jesus lived the perfect life in their place. Focus on the gospel and get back to it if you find yourself sidetracked in the conversation. Remember, it is the power of God unto salvation.

4. From the right source. Use the right tool if you want to get the job done right. Share the gospel from the gospel. God said that it was His Word that is living and active not returning to Him void. You don't have that promise for any other source.

5. Remember God loves them. Our Lord and Savior loved them enough to die for them too. Each LDS person is precious to Him. So how should that affect our interactions with them? How would being a friend to them and showing Christ's love to them affect your ability to talk honestly and openly with them?

6. Pray for them. Praying for them is more important than anything you might say. Conversion is God's work. Expect great things from a God of miracles, grace, and mercy who will answer exceedingly abundantly beyond what you can ask or think. Imagine what could happen if every Christian in the Treasure Valley, even just half, prayed every day by name for even one LDS person. Praying for someone for a week would take discipline but would it be worth it? How about three months? Two years? Persevere! Would it be worth it to see them come to Christ? Absolutely. May God give us His heart to pray for the LDS in our community.