About: Mormonism/LDS Church

There is no doubt in my mind, that people of the Mormon faith have a great deal in common with those of us in the more traditional Christian disciplines. These common threads include the importance of family, sanctity of marriage, and the role of the church and members in helping others who are in need.

That being said, there is a great difference (despite the similarity of terms) in fundamental beliefs about God, man, sin, Jesus Christ, the Holy spirit, and eternity. Many have contacted me about recent statements I have made in an article on TownHall.com, regarding Mormon beliefs. The letters ranged from utter horror and denial, to others who acknowledged the source behind those statements, but pointed out that these ideas have changed since they were held as truth.

I have examined, as nearly all suggested, information available on the LDS website. The information I relied on for making such statements; however, is based on many sources, some examples of which are listed below.

My Number One Question:

This is a question I have had, and it is one that I hope LDS followers would ask for themselves. Agreeing as I think we can, that God is almighty and is in fact, infallible. Then why would we believe that the mission for which He sent Jesus Christ was a failure? Do we really believe that God had to try it again, by formulating a new plan (Plan B) through Joseph Smith, in which "mistakes" that were made in the first attempt with Jesus Christ were corrected? I for one would have a difficult time, coming before Jesus Christ at the end of my time on Earth, and saying... "Gee, too bad you failed your mission, but thank God that He didn't give up, and sent us Joseph Smith to patch things up."

Most Mormons have probably heard of Sandra Tanner. She and her husband were former members of the LDS church. In fact, Brigham Young is her great-great grandfather. They have spent many years, reaching out to LDS believers, offering to explain the reasons why they both came to the decision that the Jesus they knew as Mormons was not the Jesus that would lead them to stand blameless before God.

If you have been warned not to listen to this woman, I can only beg you to use your own intellect, hear what she has to say, and pray to God for guidance and understanding. The following is a short interview from Hank Hanegraaff's radio program. I hate all of the commercial interruptions, but try to ignore them and listen to her answers. I think this requires the Microsoft Media Player... if you cannot hear it, let me know and I will try to send you a different link.

Sandra Tanner with Hank Hanegraaff

Here is an article by Dr. Jim Eckman...

IS MORMONISM ANOTHER EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIANITY?

Here is an article I have run across since, from US News & World Report, which explains much of our differences from a neutral perspective. It is by Jennifer Dobner, an Associated Press writer.

Theology and doctrine the root of evangelical-Mormon divide

Anyway,  I hope this provides some answers for those who were led to write about my article on Jesus Christ. Truly, there was no desire to insult Mormons or anyone else, but rather to ask the questions that are important in my mind.

May God bless all of us with the peace that passeth all understanding.