Testing the words of LDS leaders with Biblical Truth:
February 2012
Preparing for Exaltation Teacher’s Manual
* We can avoid adversity brought on because of disobedience by making righteous choices (page 28):
“Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord’s own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing… Point out that we can avoid the adversity that comes from the first source, disobedience to the commandments of God. We do this by making righteous choices.
• What kinds of adversity can we choose to avoid? List class members’ responses in a column on the chalkboard. Responses may include bad health or addiction because of breaking the Word of Wisdom, family quarrels because of selfishness and greed, guilt or punishment because of breaking the law of the land, or any other adversity brought on by our own poor choices.
Explain that if we are facing adversity that comes from sin, we should work toward repenting of that sin. Repenting of the sin will help remove or reduce the adversity.
Test these LDS Words with Biblical Truth:
When reading in the New Testament, have you ever noticed the kind of people who flocked to Jesus? It was those who had committed blatant sins who followed and loved Jesus.
“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:10-13
Very few of the Church leaders (the Pharisees) believed in him and it was these religious leaders who despised Jesus. The Church leaders were men who believed that you had to be obedient to all the commands to gain eternal life. Most of these men were arrogant and trusted in themselves for righteousness. They were constantly asking Jesus and His disciples why he ate with sinners.
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Believing that you are a pretty good person means you will miss out on the Savior who came to rescue you. The truth is that no one is righteous! Ever single person is a “sinner” in God’s sight. It is truly a blessing to know that you are a horrible sinner. Jesus declared that no one is even good but God (Matthew 19). When I was LDS, I believed that I was the only person who was a shameful sinner. Looking back, it was this knowledge that drew me to find the true Savior. Now, I am a member of a Christian congregation. Every person I go to Church with knows that everyone else is as sinful as they are. But, they also know that through faith, they are perfect in God’s sight! What a blessing. It is through this glorious gift that we all thankfully serve our Lord and Savior with every breath.
To read more about this blessing, go to this blog Post: “Are You Worthy?” written December 11, 2009; or, Click here:
A great story to read is called “The Blessing of Recognizing My Failure”. You can read it by Clicking here:
Latter-day Saint Woman 
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