Testing the words of LDS leaders with Biblical Truth:
January 2010
Aaronic Priesthood Manual 2
* As man is God once was; As God is, man may be (page 1):
Explain that since the restoration of the true Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days, Church members have known of their origin and destiny as children of God. A latter-day prophet, Lorenzo Snow, summarized this teaching clearly when he said, “As man is God once was; As God is, man may be” …Explain that many people outside the restored Church do not understand that they are sons and daughters of God.
Test these LDS Words with Biblical Truth:
There is and has always been only one God–all other gods are man-made:
Isaiah 43:10-11 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”
Isaiah 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
Deuteronomy 32:39-49 “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.”
1 Chronicles 16:26-29 “Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name”
To read more about our one and only God, go to this blog Post: “God’s Nature: What Does He Look Like?” written January 14, 2010; or Click here:
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* We came to earth to prove ourselves worthy. Despite that, “The Lord is more concerned with our availability than our capability.” (page 2):
• Why did we come to earth? (To prove ourselves.) Explain that we came to earth to show that we would do everything the Lord commanded us and serve him with all our might, mind, and strength. Have a young man read Matthew 5:48.[Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.]
• What commandment is given here?
• Has any person other than Jesus lived a perfect life? (No.)
• What do you think the Savior meant when he told us to be perfect?
The following stories illustrate our potential to become like our Heavenly Father. Story 1: “When the prophet Enoch was called, he wondered why and said, ‘I … am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech’ (Moses 6:31). Yet Enoch knew that in responding to God the test is not our capability but our availability. Enoch kept the commandments and trusted in the Lord’s vision of his possibilities, going on to become the builder of the greatest city of all time. The only time in all of human history when a whole people’s righteousness did not relapse was in the City of Enoch… The Lord is more concerned with our availability than our capability because he knows our possibilities.
Test these LDS Words with Biblical Truth:
Jesus did command us to be as perfect as our Father in Heaven–that is what is demanded of us from God. He also clearly declared that mankind is so sinful that no one can even be good compared to God. God’s Word testifies that “there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Jesus joined His testimony to this truth when He claimed “none is good, save one, that is, God.” (Luke 18:19). The Prophet Isaiah clearly told of the sad condition of all humans: “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (64:6). In one of Isaiah’s Messianic prophesies, he declares: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-12).
If you would like to read more on this, go to this blog Post: “No One is Good but God!” written on March 6, 2009; or, Click here:
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* If men had to be perfect, only one saved person would be in eternity (pages 2 & 3):
Page 2: …read Matthew 5:48.[Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.]
• What commandment is given here?
• Has any person other than Jesus lived a perfect life? (No.)
• What do you think the Savior meant when he told us to be perfect?
Page 3: …from Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “There was only one perfect being, the Lord Jesus. If men had to be perfect and live all of the laws strictly, wholly, and completely [to be eligible for eternal life], there would be only one saved person in eternity.
• If we are in the path of perfection in this life but die before we have become perfect, what has Elder McConkie said will happen? Explain that none of us knows when the end of his mortal life will be, but if we are on the right path we will continue until we become as our Father in Heaven is, and we will be able to live with him forever in the celestial kingdom.
Test these LDS Words with Biblical Truth:
Elder McConkie does make one true statement:
“If men had to be perfect and live all of the laws strictly, wholly, and completely [to be eligible for eternal life], there would be only one saved person in eternity.”
It was Christ who testified that we are to be perfect. No unclean thing can dwell eternally with Heavenly Father, that’s why we all need a Savior!!! God demands that we be perfect, but we are not! It was Christ’s mission to live a perfect life for us. When He died on the cross, every sin every committed was placed on His head. He took away our sins, and in return we are given credit for His perfect righteousness.
Jesus truly did mean that we had to be as perfect as our Heavenly Father! Reading Matthew 5:48 in context shows the setting. Jesus has been preaching His Sermon on the Mount where He has clearly given many difficult commands. Verse 48 begins “Therefore” which summarizes all His commands into the totality of God’s demands–we must be perfect to enter into God’s presence and live there eternally.
As well, there is not one passage in the entire Bible that lessens this command to be perfect. Nowhere does scripture declare that it is really our efforts that matters. Truly, we must be as perfect as our Father in Heaven to dwell in His presence ! If you wish to read more on this go to this blog Post: “Are You Worthy?” written December 11, 2009; or, Click here:
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