There has been an increased interest in this question lately as we have seen a growing trend in open dialogue between members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and evangelical Christians [1]. Although the LDS church has been actively promoting themselves as ‘a family centered Christian church’ for several decades now, the past few years have seen the LDS church much more active in trying to enter the evangelical mainstream. Even more recently we have seen the Book of Mormon being found in secular bookstores in the religion section [2]. However, an introduction to the Book of Mormon is only the prelude to the teachings found in the Gospel Principles handbooks which serve as the catechism (for lack of a better word) of the LDS church [3]. This is where one will be taught what beliefs are required of the faithful Latter-day Saint. Tony Poldrugovac has also written a companion piece to Gospel Principles that will help Mormons and non-Mormons alike to better understand the teachings of the LDS church.

‘Who are Latter-day Saints?’ [4] is an example of what John G. Stackhouse, Jr., would refer to as ‘Humble Apologetics.’ That is taking a more humble approach to sharing the gospel than the ‘hard-facts-in-your-face’ evidential approach. Tony Poldrugovac has included literally hundreds of ‘hard fact’ quotes from not only Gospel Principles but also the the KJV Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrines and Covenants among a few other books that almost every Mormon would have read or at least have in their home. The difference however is the way in which he presents them. He makes no ill assumptions about the reader, rather he assumes the reader is an intelligent thoughtful person who has these books but perhaps has not had the time or taken the time to examine and compare them to see how they harmonize with each other.

Often times we (and I include myself here) can make the mistake of assuming that just because a person belongs to the LDS church that they must have read all the LDS books and Scriptures and totally understands them. In making this false assumption we can end up viewing the LDS member as someone who doesn’t think for themselves just because we happen to know something about their teachings that they don’t. In so doing we can end up insulting the person when we talk to them which only serves to alienate them and destroy any further possibility of dialogue. This book helps readers to examine the teachings of the LDS church in a comparative study of the LDS publications and Scriptures and allows the teachings to speak for themselves and allows the reader to draw their own conclusions.


For example, Tony examines the LDS teaching of the sacrament on page 125 of his book:

The Sacrament

Page 151 [of Gospel Principles] - During the sacrament, we partake of bread and water. As we partake of the sacrament, we renew sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father.

How the Sacrament Is Administered

page 153 [of Gospel Principles] - Jesus gave his disciples bread and wine when he introduced the sacrament.

Joseph Smith revealed, “For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament” (D&C 27:2-3).

The Covenants We Renew during the Sacrament

page 155 [of Gospel Principles] - A person guided by the Spirit will have knowledge, faith, power, and righteousness to gain eternal life.

According to the LDS Church, do you need power and righteousness to gain eternal life? Or does it come with simple faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16)?

When Tony first asked me to read his book, he asked me to imagine that I was a new convert to the LDS church then respond after reading the book. Well, I can’t really speak as a new convert to the LDS church but I will say this; ‘If’ I were a new convert to the LDS church, I ‘think’ that this book would not offend me in the slightest but that it would serve to make me re-examine my decision. Another comment I would make is that there are many books written on Mormonism that I would never offer a Mormon to read unless I never wanted to see them again but this is not one of them. I would have no problem or hesitation in offering this book to any Mormon, new convert or otherwise.


Another resource I have been introduced to recently is a video produced by Living Hope Ministries called DNA vs. The Book of Mormon.[5] Although this title sounds a little antagonistic, I would still classify this video as ‘humble apologetics’ as the producers have allowed Mormons to speak for themselves in this video presentation examining the claims of the Book of Mormon in the light of modern DNA evidence. Again, I would have no hesitation to offer this to a Mormon friend for viewing.

For more than 170 years, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has declared The Book of Mormon to be a scriptural and literal history. Subtitled “Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” it recounts the story of an Israelite family who emigrated to and populated the American continents. Jesus, after his death and resurrection, is said to have visited this once great Israelite civilization existing in the Americas.

The Book of Mormon teaches that these Israelites are the principal ancestors of modern-day Native Americans. New discoveries in DNA research currently allow scientists to test this historical claim. Thousands of Native Americans from more than 150 tribes have been genetically tested to determine their ancestry.

Mormonism’s founding prophet, Joseph Smith, once said, “I told the brethren that The Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion …” Now the same DNA evidence used in courts of law can credibly speak to the validity of The Book of Mormon, which serves as the foundation of the Mormon religion. The evidence answers one basic question: Are Israelites the principal ancestors of Native Americans?

DNA vs. The Book of Mormon presents the evidence from DNA researchers, including Mormon scientists who are wrestling with the DNA dilemma that now faces Mormonism. In the end, God is faithful to once again make the truth plain to those who are willing to take an honest look.

Joel Kramer of Living Hope Ministries has this to say:

Since we released the DNA video last March, we have seen 10 Mormons come to Christ directly through Living Hope’s ministry. We have also heard from other Christians, churches, and ministries, that many LDS members have been saved after having seen the video. It has taken some time, but these encouraging reports are now consistently coming in. For most of these new believers, the DNA issue was the “final straw” that allowed them to come out of deception and accept the truth. Most of them had been wrestling with doubts for years. For many others, the DNA issue will be what begins the wrestling match between doubt and truth. The goal of this article is to help those who want to use DNA vs. The Book of Mormon as a witnessing tool to LDS members by sharing what we at Living Hope have learned from our own experiences and from those of others who have written or called in.[6]

If you have Mormon friends and/or family and want to help them to examine their faith more closely without offending them, then these resources are two of the best available. Check out their websites and consider ordering extra copies to share with your church and neighbors [7].

Notes:

1.) Ravi Zacharias speaks at the Mormon Tabernacle
http://www.rzim.org/faqs/newstext.php?id=62

2.) Doubleday Publishing to print The Book of Mormon
http://tv.ksl.com/index.php?nid=39&sid=105106

3.) Gospel Principles Online
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,11-1-13-1,00.html

4.) Order Who are Latter-day Saints? from:
http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/titles/1594678456.htm

5.) You can actually preview the whole entire 59 minute video online before ordering here:
http://www.lhvm.org/dna_view.htm

6.) You can read the whole article A Kingdom Divided by Joel Kramer here:
http://www.thefieldworker.com/spr04txt.htm#a1

7.) You can order Who are Latter-day Saints? here:
http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/titles/1594678456.htm

You can order DNA vs. The Book of Mormon here:
http://www.lhvm.org

For more information on Mormonism, check out Tony Poldrugovac’s website:
http://www.ldslearning.org

Also read Mission at your door here.

Posted by David_Upton at April 26, 2005 08:36 AM