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[Guest]

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  I recently went over to a classmates house who I was under the assumption that she was Christian. I found out that she and her family is Mormon. can someone tell me what mormonism is? She said she was Christian, but I do not know if this is true. So does anyone know of mormonism? Past the concepts of polygamy does this belief contradict the Bible?

[beforHim]

I really want to reply, but I have to go, sorry.  Here's a link, this'l show you some stuf about Mormonism.  This'll show you why many people do not consider them Christians, and thos who do consider them WAY off track.

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/mormon.htm

It is very wordy with no pictures, which can be dull- but it gives a good, unbiased description of some major mormon beliefs).  Cool.

I can give you some advice later as to how to approach mormons for outreach purposes.  Until then, becareful of going to anyold website, as some can be very biased and give innacurate info.

[beforHim]

Pretty long (like other posts of mine):

First get to know her, trust her and earn her trust.  If you're respectful, wise and trustworthy, then when you share stuff she's more apt to listen (you don't share personal stuff wth strangers, you know).  If the two of you are actually tight, then you can ask her questions about her faith.  Just be curious, not interrogative.  You're not trying to debate, just learn stuff, and also give her the truth when she doesn't have it.  How to give truth?


First and foremost, study the truth.  I reccomend reading your Bible throughly, and also reading some of the early church fathers.  You can find them here http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/churchfathers.html

OK, that's a lot of reading, can be tedious and dull.  And you have school work to focus on.  But knowing (and knowing VERY well) the actual truth must before confronting nontruth.  OK, now more practical-

Your friend has been taught from a young age, I bet, that mormonism is the truth (much like you've been taught about Christianity).  So whenever you start talking about this stuff, realize that she'll think you're wrong (just as we think she is).  Just share the new truths with her.  OK, a way to get some practice conversating with people from other faiths:  go to www.carm.org  It'll tell you all about other religions; and esp. go to the forums.  At the forums are people who specialize in apologetics.  You can ask any qestion, and you can watch (and even join in when ready) conversations between Christians and nonChristians.  It's a pretty good way to gain experience without getting al intimidated.

Some very practical questions to inquire about:
- I heard that mormonism teaches polytheism.
- So according to Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ was not the One, true God?
- Christ has saved me, it's totally cool. . .do you know if you're saved?

They teach polytheism which is against the Bible, they teach that Jesus isn't te One, True God, and they teach works salvation (which means they never know if they're saved or not).  But like I said, going to car,.org is good, and just engaging in dialogue, being curious (and first and foremost being her friend) is the best way.  Arguing someone into the faith usually desn't wrk, esp. whenever she'd have to probably go against her church, her friends, her family, what she's been taught al her life, etc. 

Just show kindness, curiously inquire about her faith, show her truth when possible, and bring any questons to the carm.org forums.  These things take time.  Hope this helps! 

[beforHim]

It's pretty hard to, overnight, become an apologist.  But really, the best apology (defense of the faith) is how you mirror Jesus.  But. . .

Mormons also mirror Jesus.  The are nice, friendly, loving, kind, etc.  They teach faith+works is a MUST.  So really, I believe many mormons do truely love Jesus, even if they have a less than correct view of Him.  So just being nice and kind, like Jesus would be, then mentioning God, Jesus, etc. won't work for mormons.

So really, the only thing which works- the only way to show them true Christianity- is to actually study and study where they go wrong and where we have it right.  But this takes a while, of course.  Remember, we don't know who's going to heaven.  Just continue to be Jesus to others, and study up.  Sooner or later you'll feel confident enough to approach and ask her directly about her doctrine which she believes.

[RAVENOUS]

Mormons are actually aliens. Actually I watched part of "Starship Troopers" and they had a funny thing in there where a Mormon colony was founded on a remote alien world that gets wiped out by the aliens.

Peace