How do you witness to a Mormon?

Gina,

I have witnessed to the Mormons in the past when they have come to my door (something they don't seem to do anymore.) My experiences have been that they are prepared for Christians witnessing to them (they must go through training for this prior to their being sent out into the mission field.) When discussing the book of Mormon, they will quickly try to go on the offensive attacking the Bible, almost like skeptics do. An example is that they question where the book of Mark should be ended at, therefore implying the Bible has been changed so why not the book of Mormon as an addition as well. So to witness to them, you should be very well versed in apologetics, something I strongly believe Christians need for witnessing to postmodern/post-Christian skeptics anyway.

A book on the subject is "Questions to Ask Your Mormon Friend" by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson. I haven't read this book but did hear the authors being interviewed for 2 hours. They know the Mormon world very well and how Christians can witness to Mormons.

 

I was thinking along the very same lines as Will. The Mormons, the JW's, and any other cult are prepared to make you defend your faith. They are very good at placing doubts in your mind, which is why they boast that their pews are filled with ex-Baptists. Baptists,and all Christians for that fact, need to be grounded in their doctrine. They need to be always studying, not just reading the Daily Bread, but studying the Word of God, so that they may be ready to give an answer.

One of their tactics is to always have two people when they are soliciting. Usually one is more skilled than the other one in the presentation of their doctrine. Sometimes you can tell which one is weaker, or in training, by noticing which one is not doing the talking. That's the one to ask questions to. The idea is to make them be the ones to start doubting. It takes a great deal of skill, and like Will said, knowledge of apologetics, or the defense of the Faith to deal with these cults.

 

Interesting this subject has come up. Just last week, I had to make a decision concerning my 9 year old daughter. Her closest neighborhood friend "was" a 13 year old girl who is actively mormon.

Upon understanding she was in fact mormon, I kept a very close eye on their friendship. Often, I would explain to my daughter the differences between mormonisn and christianity; and that Jesus is not their messiah. Even though my daughter is only 9, she is extremely intelligent and versed in the scripture. The Lord has gifted her with a voice to sing and spiritually she is light years ahead of kids her age. She has led 2 to the Lord recently and at least 5 in the last 2 years.

Anyway, I had made the determination that my daughter could handle the situation. Through keeping a close eye, instructing my daughter on the differences, then understanding the 13 year old is a bit backwards, intellectually, the friendship continued. {those that have known sheltered kids know how they don't seem to fit in with kids their own age; in fact seem to be running a few years behind. My wife and I have been careful to keep close tabs on them being together; even had a meeting with her to explain the rules.}

I simply made her aware that if she wanted to be friends with my daughter that she must keep her religion out of their discussions.

Well, it didn't happen, of course. Just last week, in our mail box, was a book of mormon addressed to my daughter. I have intructed my daughter to cut ties and I sent the book back to her with a kind, but firm note explaining that she crossed the line and that she needs Jesus or one day, she would spend eternity in hell.

Very tough situation for my daughter. She was crying in prayer for her friend just last evening. But, I have found it consistent with what was said already, these folks are trained very well in their cult; they will push you to disbelief if you give them the chance.

Witness to them? Never have seen a successful attempt; not saying it isn't possible, but doing so could be playing with fire without the leading of the Spirit.

Much prayer would be suggested, before any attempt is made.

 

Gina, I knew someone would bite on this one.

Why would I have my daughter quiet about the only hope this girl has? Better yet, why would you ask unless you are just trying to critique my decision? Equal rights to "ALL" religious discussions or something along those lines?

Do you now think it unfair that I allowed my daughter to discuss Jesus over Joseph Smith?

Just curious!

 

Gina, I appreciate your input; really I do. Better yet, I appreciate your concern on this topic; it truly is a very important topic for all christians to be versed on. I also understand that parents make decisions from time to time that other parents may or may not agree with. Up until the book of mormons appeared in our maibox, I was assured that mormonism was not discussed between my daughter and her. My daughter knew when she saw the book that it was coming because I told her to expect it. But, as any parent, or at least any parent that is paying attention, they better know the capabilities of their children than anyone else. I do understand that reading dialogue like this throws up a BIG RED FLAG: would for me too. But, suffice it to say that supervision was always a part of the scenario. There are many more details to explain, and if you are interested, I'd be happy to explain them all; if it will be of any help at all.

Let me riiterate my stance on this subject however. If you are to take up a discussion of a religious nature with a cultic group like the mormon religion, please be cautious. As was stated earlier, they generally are prepared with one experienced person tagging along with an amateur.

Gina, I am sure you could handle it, with God's help. Did this question arise due to you knowing someone that is a mormon? Or maybe a family member?

I know you know this, but the bible says we should always be ready to give an answer. Still, being ready, I firmly is be prayed up on the subject. True, a lot of times they hit you at the most inopportune time, but it behooves us all to be "ready".

I am praying for you as I hope you will for me along these lines, because I know this is far from over.

Godspeed,
Paul {spam}

 

Gina, I understand where you are coming from. As a mother, I don't wish to teach my chldren intolerance or persecution just because of someone else's religeon. There are Biblical grounds for the decision that Paul made, though.

In the Old Testament, the Jews were not allowed to intermingle with the Gentiles. It causes confusion, doubts, intermarriage, rebelion, and eventually worship of other gods. There were severe penalties of you broke God's laws concerning this. Many times, the Jews were instructed to utterly destroy God's enemies. ( Not that we should go this far today, but it shows how serious God takes this.)

In the New Testament, the Bible tells us not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. This includes marriages, but it also includes "kindred spirit" type relationships, and business arrangements such as partnerships as well.

It is our duty to protect our children at all cost. Our children should be taught to be friendly and to be bold enough to share the gospel. Sometimes this means befriending the unsaved, but not making bosom buddies. If kindred spirits are beginning to develop, then I would agree to begin to limit contact. Your childs destiny is your resonsibility, even over the children of the ungodly. As with any youngsters, saved or otherwise, parents should always supervise. In our home, or one we are visiting, I do not allow closed bedroom doors, ever.

As parents, we need to ever be vigilent and in prayer for the right balance when teaching our children to witness. Completely isolating them for 18 years is not the answer either.

One more thing, and then I'll quit - the media is the author of intolerance. God does not tolerate some things, and we as Christians need to go along with that, no matter how much the media cries "foul". Yes it hurts, but I believe that truly, Christians being intolerable of sin, is more convicting than it is hurting. That is why they can't stand our intolerance. It is really God's intolerance that is convicting them.

(note- it is never right to teach hatred, or to hurt physically those who we do not agree with-that should go without say. Hate the sin, love the sinner.)

 

Gina, I understand some of the pain you experience for even within the baptist faith I have experienced rejection, when not merited. Religious zealots, sadly, are in good majority of our churches: Jesus called these folks pharisees.

For your pain from the past, how I wish I could help relieve it somehow. If you knew me, you would understand how serious I am.

My children are a gift from above and there are times that decisions, tough decisions are made to protect them from evils; I am speaking to a mother so you understand. But, if I was to teach my children indifference to others for religion or race, where would my ministry take me? I know you understand that Jesus conquered all those divisions while here and it's up to us to grasp that. I can with all honesty say that racism doesn't have a place in my life, nor does the theology that someone is owed something due to their skin pigment. Don't agree with people who for one reason or another show prejudice, especially if they refer to themselves as "christian". And, from the neck of the woods where I was born and raised and still reside, taking this view causes me to be somewhat of the exception.

Gina, thank God you are one of His and that we can call each other family. Let me encourage you to take you experience and use it to further the kingdom. I have found that if you don't, the pain lingers and takes a greater toll.

In Him,
Paul {spam}

 

Gina, what was the determining factor/who was responsible for helping you to come to Christ?

I've heard the remark, more than once, about how the mormon pews are lined with former baptists. I have seen several folks from my past being part of this exodus. A couple were extremely close to my family: now they preach a different message.

The thing that saddens me is not that they are leaving the baptists, Lord knows some wear the baptist tag like Ichobod. The thing that concerns me is Matthew chapter 7. Not everyone that says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom. The folks I know that have joined the mormon church, at one time, were on fire for God, evident by the fruit they reaped. Now, they are so drenched in that belief, they will not listen. They are either extremely deceived and confused now, or they never were saved to begin with.

My stance against the mormons and any other cult is 0 tolerance. I know this seems hard, but they are a dangerous people in sheeps clothing. Jesus took a hard line against false teaching and I am sure he would expect us to do the saem. I've seen the damage they create. While preaching harmony, family, etc. they deceive.

In your opinion, what is the draw? What did the mormon folks you were part of, have that
attracted you to them?

Curious.

 

Gina- GLORY TO GOD, AMEN!

 

I was glad to read your story, Gina.

I agree that unless you know what your are dealing with, it would be better to share the word of God plainly and leave it at that with Morman missionaries.

Then, pray that the Word of God would not return void.

 

Gina, thank you for opening up. I understand you feel pain when this is shared, but I am praying that the Lord will allow you the ability to share this over and over again. People need to hear this story.

Might I suggest you pray about writing a track, or a pamplet, or even a book on the subject. WHO ME? Seriously, please consider it.

I have a testimony concerning prayer about the birth of my son, when we almost lost him, that God has allowed me to share many times. Though, the pain is real, God uses all our experiences to help others. Thanks again, I needed to hear this story.

P.S. Your daughter will always thank you, throughout eternity for showing her Jesus; don't be so hard on yourself about the other.
Godspeed: Matthew 6: 33 & 34.

 

Gina: Interestesting post. I was born and raised in a small Utah town. As a youth I attended there "church" and was even baptised though it took seven dunks before they got me completly under. Thank God I later trusted Christ and was saved.
I think that when witnessing to mormons there a few things that people need to understand. First they have a vocabulary that sounds Christian. They will talk about Jesus, there Heavenly Father, the Gospel, Faith Ect. There words have a totaly different meaning. for instance there Jesus is a greated being. Some teach that he was sexual conceved, and the brother of lucifer. There Heavenly Father Had a God father and God mother. There Gospel is not the good news that we know but the compiled doctrins of mormonisim.
Like others have said there missionarys are schooled on how to counter the typical Christain statment and questions. While I would encourage people to witness to the missionary; one needs be aware that they are not there to listen but to present there false teachings. On the positive side I believe that many if not most of the mormon people do not fully except and believe the intire mormon myth. It has been my expereance that when witnessing to mormons it is best not to try to reason are argue with them but to present the word of God as honestley and kindly as possable. It would be a good idea to study there basic believe system so you can understand ther mind set. I do believe that many average mormon people can be won if the right approach is used.
There are many good artictals and helps for witnessing to mormons in Cooper Abrams web site ...
bible-truth.org
Pastor Abrams has spent many years in the mission fields of Utah as a Church planter.

[ May 04, 2001: Message edited by: Jimmy ]