On Sunday, February 25, 2007, Meet the Press had an interesting roundtable discussion on Mormonism that reflected the abundance of their journalistic ignorance. What I found particularly amusing (choosing humor in lieu of intense frustration) was their patronizing comment that Christians know very little about Mormonism. They proceeded to cite a recent poll that showed 45% of Evangelicals view Mormonism negatively (although the source of the poll was fuzzy). This seemed a bit illogical, since Christians must know something for the negative percentage to be so high. No mention was made of the unique Mormon beliefs that might cause millions of rational souls to view them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

After pondering the wisdom of the media elite (or lack thereof), I decided to research a short list of Mormon facts to help guide them through the dense jungle of Mormon Doctrine:


Top 10 Amazing Facts of Mormonism


1. Mormons can become gods and goddesses.

2. Goddesses will spend eternity in full submission to their god-husband.

3. Mormon women will give birth “forever and ever” to spirit-babies.

4. Mormon men can have multiple wives in heaven—eternal polygamy.

5. Heavenly Father is an exalted man who lives with his goddess wife, Heavenly Mother, on a planet near the great star Kolob.

6. American Indians are descendants of the wicked Lamanites, who were Israelites that God cursed with dark skin.

7. God the Father had sex with Mary to conceive Jesus, who is the half brother of Lucifer.

8. All Christian churches are an abomination.

9. Mormons need 4 secret handshakes to get into the Celestial heaven.

10. Joseph Smith revealed that the actual Garden of Eden is in Jackson County, Missouri.


And so you see, 45% of Christians know what thousands of the media elite do not:

Mormonism is not Christian.








[1] Journal of Discourses 1:50-51; J of D 8:115; Doctrine and Covenants Section 132:20

[2] Doctrine and Covenants 84:33-9; Goddesses are always subject to a god. Women are denied the Priesthood (meaning they are denied authority—not the same as Catholic priesthood). “In the LDS universe, theologically described as the real eternal universe, each man who achieves the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom is worth many times more than each woman, even the women who qualify at that highest Celestial level, because each man who achieves Godhood-level may have numerous God-wives, but each God-wife may have only one husband. This can only mean that each "heavenly father" is worth many, many times more than each "heavenly mother." And, even if the ratio were strictly one to one, the male God, not the female God, holds the priesthood authority and is the only one of the God parents to whom his earth-mortality children are allowed to pray. So Mormon women can never, NEVER achieve equality with men, no matter how outstanding or righteous the women are. That's just the way it's set up." MORMON WOMEN, PROZAC® and THERAPY By Kent Ponder, Ph.D. e-mail address: kponder@swcp.com http://home.teleport.com/~packham/prozac.htm.

[3] LDS Apostle Orson Pratt wrote, “Each father and mother will be in the condition to multiply forever and ever” (The Seer, 37).

[4] Doctrine and Covenants 132; Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 11:269; Men can still be sealed for eternity (not time) to women other than their wives; “The practice of polygamy has been discontinued, but the doctrine of polygamy has never been revoked. D&C 132 is still part of the LDS canon. And some current church practices are still based on polygamous principles.” See pro-Mormon site http://mormonopenforum.blogsome.com/2005/08/02/eternal-polygamy/ (accessed February 25, 2007).

[5] Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 3:2-4, 9; J of D, 26:214.

[6] Book of Mormon: Alma 3:6-19; 3 Nephi 2:14-15; Enos 1:20; J of D, 7: 290-291.

[7] Journal of Discourses 8: 116; J of D 8: 211; J of D 8: 115; Mormon Doctrine p.546-547.

[8] Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith—History 1:19. Smith claimed God sent him to “restore” true Christianity.

[9] Celestial Kingdom is the highest of 3 levels in the Mormon heaven (need handshakes to get past the angel guarding the veil); See ex-Mormon site http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_templeceremonies.html#pub_1816881347 (accessed February 25, 2007); David John Buerger, The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship, http://lds-mormon.com/buerger.shtml (accessed February 25, 2007).

[10]Doctrine and Covenants 116; Journal of Discourses, 10:235; Smith named the Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri area Adam-Ondi-Ahman.

I thought I'd answer another great question that came in this week: "What is the difference between the 2003 edition and the 1999 edition of The Kingdom of the Cults?"

1. The 2003 edition is faithful to my father's original 1965 edition. We literally laid one document over the other (1965 chapter over the 1985, etc., to bring back my father's "voice."

2. Revised and returned the chapter on Spiritism.

3. Deleted all 1999 editorial comments unless they contributed something to the original manuscript.

4. Deleted the chapter on The Mind-Control Model since my father did not believe it and would never have included it in his book.

5. Deleted the Word of Faith appendix because it was written without using my father's material on Word of Faith. Although my father believed there was serious error in the Word of Faith doctrine, he would never have included this in The Kingdom of the Cults.

6. Completely updated all chapters (with a significant amount of new material) to reflect recent events, information and statistics without chopping up my father's voice (we used a small mark to indicate new material).

7. Brought on Kurt Van Gorden as Senior Researcher (http://www.utahgospelmission.org/). Kurt is an old friend of the family and my father's best researcher. His knowledge was (and is) invaluable to us.

8. Removed 1999 General Editor and Managing Editors, and added Ravi Zacharias and yours truly (along with my husband, Kevin) as General Editor and Managing Editors, respectively.

This was an amazing experience for us--difficult to accomplish--but rewarding. My father always joked with all of his kids that we wouldn't appreciate him until he was gone. Although I loved him dearly, he was right in saying that I didn't fully appreciate some things about him until he was no longer here. Working on The Kingdom of the Cults, I grew to admire him more and more--and to feel honored to be able to work with him--even though he was with the Lord.

I think that's it . . . but if I come up with anything else, I'll let you know.

A few people recently emailed me to see if it was really true that Walter Martin was a descendant of Brigham Young. I thought I'd take a moment and tell you what I know--and let you decide.

The Mormons usually write to inform me that, of course, this isn't true (it's just one of many Walter Martin lies). They mention the genealogical records they've checked that "prove" this beyond a doubt. I honestly don't know why they spend valuable time looking into my father's lineage, especially the Mormon apologists who keep telling me (and telling me, and telling me . . . ad infinitum, ad nauseam) how unimportant Walter Martin was and is. I just tell them, "If he's so unimportant, why do you keep writing to me?"

At any rate, here's the scoop: My Grandmother told my father and his five siblings (from the time they were small) that they were direct descendants of Brigham Young. This was when she was a Christian Scientist and my father was not a Christian. (She had nothing to gain by telling them this, and only considered it important as a matter of family record.) This type of information falls under the category of oral history, and it is a valid form of historical recordkeeping. It is common knowledge that oral tradition has been responsible for safeguarding a great deal of important information over hundreds of years. As an historian, I read about this fairly often.

So what is the truth of the matter? I found a fascinating answer to the Mormon argument from one of their own--a woman researching the genealogy of her family because of the multiple birth defects present in so many of her relatives. She writes:

The Mormons, well known for genealogical record keeping, maintain birth, marriage and death information at church libraries and now on the Internet. Since polygamy remained a hidden and illegal practice, disguised family records occurred. The records of the marriages sealed at the Nauvoo Temple before the general exodus to Utah in the 1840’s, may be the most important ones of all; yet, these are stored in a vault, unavailable to researchers. During this early period, polygamy was practiced secretly by the Mormon leadership, men who covertly preached and expanded polygamy while publicly deceiving the general Mormon population about the practice. These wives sometimes became known, sometimes not. For instance, Quinn writes, “over twenty General Authorities were married to such lesser known wives." ‘Lesser known children’ hidden in families sympathetic to polygamists might remain ignorant of their genetic kinship. And the Genealogy Department advises genealogists to follow only their direct line; in this instance meaning only the wife who is their mother, not other wives of their father. This is inadequate information for purposes of establishing the true incidence of consanguinity within a family or community.*

So, there you have it--the Mormons basically have no idea who is truly related to whom because the Church will not release the earliest records. Why? Probably because those records would be a terrible embarrassment for them; a long litany of immorality and--well--confusion. The rich historical record of this period shows beyond any doubt that the early Mormons were prolifically promiscuous. Good luck trying to find out the true origins of any Mormon bloodline.

In view of this scenario, it seems to me that oral history is a great deal more reliable.

* Linda Walker, http://human-nature.com/science-as-culture/walker.html (accessed February 20, 2007).

In God’s green pastures feeding
by His cool waters lie,
soft in the evening
walk my Lord and I.
All the sheep of His pastures
fair so wondrously fine . . .
His Sheep am I.

Waters cool
in the valley,
Pastures green
On the mountain,
in the evening
walk my Lord and I.
Dark the night
in the valley,
rough the way
on the mountain,
step by step . . .
My Lord and I.*


"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."
John 15:9


Just some thoughts . . .




*Orien Johnson (melody and lyrics)

"I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Phil 4:11-12

This is one of the most difficult things in life . . . to be content. I love what Spurgeon wrote: "These words show us that contentment is not a natural propensity of man. Paul says, "I have learned . . . to be content;" as much as to say, he did not know how at one time. It cost him some pains to attain to the mystery of that great truth. No doubt he sometimes thought he had learned, and then broke down. And when at last he had attained unto it, and could say, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," he was an old, grey-headed man, upon the borders of the grave--a poor prisoner shut up in Nero's dungeon at Rome."*

It took Paul a lifetime to learn to be content. I think it's a daily struggle to dismiss the values of our culture and search for something of greater worth. Spurgeon calls contentment a science. It is something to be acquired gradually; something to be learned. Learning is fueled by desire and discipline: a longing for the knowledge of God and the will to discover it.

"I have learned . . . to be content."

Contentment is power--power to dismiss the opinions of people, and embrace the heart of God.



*PC Study Bible - Biblesoft

Good Morning America Anchor Slams Jesus

Why is it that some people in America think it’s A-Okay to slam Christianity? Worse than that, it’s actually part of their daily vocabulary. They tiptoe around every other religion, but Christians are fair game. This morning on Good Morning America, co-anchor Robin Roberts proved the truth of this. In the middle of interviewing Stephen King’s son, Joe Hill, about his new horror book she remarked, “So, will it scare the bejesus out of you?”

Yes, that’s right. Good Morning America. Apparently Roberts feels comfortable with this expression, or she would not have used it in front of millions of people. This Freudian slip revealed an underlying attitude that is all too common in modern America. Jesus is not worthy of respect.

What I’d like to know is this: Would Robin Roberts have said, “Will it scare the Mohammed out of you?” Would she have said, “Will it scare the bebuddha out of you?” I doubt it . . . too many people might be offended and someone might even threaten to kill her. But Christians—true believers—are kind, tenderhearted and forgiving . . . so it’s okay to kick us in the teeth.

I am sick and tired of people using the name of Jesus any way they please. Some of you wrote to me asking what you could do to make a difference. Well, here it is: let’s stand up as Christians and say, “We’re not going to tolerate this anymore!” Let’s demand respect for the name of Jesus. Who is He to you? Do you love Him? Then defend His name.

For years I’ve tolerated people using the name of Jesus Christ as a swear word or in other degrading phrases like the one Robin Roberts used. I ask you now—at what point will we draw the line? When will we care that they misuse and abuse the name of our Savior? This may seem incidental to some, but it is just another reminder that Christians and their beliefs are not worth respecting.

The world is changing around us. Christians used to be the good guys. America used to be One Nation Under God—and proud of it. Today, it is One Nation Under gods. Worse than that, it’s now perfectly fine to take the name of the one, true God and drag it in the mud.

It is time for Christians to be heard on this subject. It’s like a cancer in our society—pervading all things—television, books, movies. When will we care? When will it matter that the name of Jesus is misused and abused? I can tell you this: Muslims would never tolerate it; Jews would never tolerate it . . . but Christians remain silent.

We need to remember exactly who Jesus is:

The King of Glory (Psalm 24:8)

The Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)

My Shepherd (Psalm 23)

My strength . . . my song . . .my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I ask you today to make a difference. Write to Robin Roberts at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=158076 and tell her she cannot use the name of our Lord any way she pleases. If we join together and speak out—we will be heard. But for the sake of Christ . . . we must speak!


*The word bejesus is verbatim; quote paraphrased.

What a great day I had today. This morning, I spoke to a ladies Bible study and it was such a special time of sharing. The subject was the Occult . . . yes, really.

How can you have a good time talking about that? (You might ask).

The answer is that the Lord has given me such joy that it has become my strength. I now truly understand a verse I always read but never experienced to this extent: "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 It was a privilege and a lot of fun talking to all these great women. Thank you again for having me (and thank you my sweet friend, Jan, for making it possible).

As promised, here is the link to a unique website that offers some very wise advice on marriage. We touched briefly on this subject during my talk, and I mentioned this wonderful site. http://www.fms-help.com/marriage1.htm

It offers godly advice to women based on the experiences of Christian couples married for many, many years. I go back and read it every once in a while because there is so much wisdom there.

Enjoy!

From the desk of Walter Martin:

When we see idolatry, we are supposed to be provoked. When we see evil, we are supposed to get exercised about it. If you can calmly walk through this upholstered cesspool of earth; if you can see evil, filth, degeneracy, and hear vile language; if you can see the corruption of the media and the perversion of the Gospel; if you can see the multiple forms of idolatry—the worship of things and of the creation more than the Creator; if you can see this today and you are not provoked about it, then you are not in touch with God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is provoked by evil, and he stirs up the Church so that we may do something about it.

Christianity is not passive. Christianity is vigorously active! Paul, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, blameless, trained under Gamaliel with his Ph.D at the University of Damascus, stands in Athens. He looks around and sees idolatry, and he gets angry in his spiritual nature. Notice, the Scripture says he did something about it. He went out to try and reason with them.

Do you know what happens to people today when the Holy Spirit stirs them up? They turn on their television sets and skip prayer meeting.

Am I right?

I’m afraid that too often, it’s true. But if you really are in the will of God, do you know what happens to you when the Holy Spirit provokes you? You go out and you do something about it. Paul went out and he argued.

Oh, we have people today who say, “Christians aren’t supposed to argue. We’re supposed to love.” Gush, gush, gush. Let me ask you something. Do you think that argument for the truth excludes love? Love became flesh in Jesus Christ, and when love ran into the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodeans and the Scribes, love argued with them!

Incarnate love has to tell the truth. If someone is dying, do you go to their hospital bed and “love” them so much you never tell them they’re going to die in their sins? They are forever lost if you don’t.

What is love? Love is telling the truth.

Paul did not pick arguments. He went out and he witnessed for Jesus Christ and when people argued with him, he answered them. Christians are supposed to give answers to the world. We are not supposed to go about looking for arguments, but we must love people so much that we are willing to argue for the truth.

Flipping through the channels tonight I watched a few minutes of a strange show called The Real Housewives of Orange County. Knowing that part of California very well, I was curious to see what kind of women had been picked to represent the Southern California lifestyle. After about five minutes, I had to turn it off.

Yuk.

That's the best word I can use to describe this show. Women concerned with their money, their bodies, their houses and sometimes, their families. Spoiled rich kids with diamonds in their ears--living in palaces compared to the rest of the world. Husbands detached from their wives and kids; gambling in Vegas or traveling 25 days out of the month.

And millions of people are supposed to envy this?

I remember Orange County years ago when the hills were bare of houses and the roads reflected a mix of cars (and incomes), instead of the sea of Mercedes, BMWs and other assorted luxury vehicles you see today. Salt Creek was a hidden beach far below a pristine cliff where we'd bake for hours on our blankets in the sand (and sneak peeks at all the cute surfers).

I think a luxury hotel owns it now.

It's hard to accept the changes sometimes . . . hills so breathtaking . . . buried in cement and steel. Crystal clear skies veiled in murky brown pollution; all the simple beauty--gone.

It's strange how the same thing happens to people.

Children are so beautiful. They love you with all of their hearts; unspoiled innocence living in a simple world. Simple things mean the most; a blanket, a doll, a puppy. And then they begin to grow and changes happen, and suddenly the beauty and the innocence disappears; crowded out by all the things money can buy.

It's just sad.

When you lose sight of eternity, it's all about the moment . . . it's all about me. I think I understand a little more each day why Jesus said, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:15

Update on my sister Debbie: she's doing very well. She did not need a pacemaker, and is back to her old routine. Thanks again to everyone who prayed for her.

My Dad lost his little niece, Sissy, when she was 12 years old (he was 10 and the baby of the family). We think she died of this same heart defect. So . . . what a time we live in today, where heart surgery like this is possible and saves so many lives. I'm very grateful to see this day.

I was reading something so encouraging yesterday by a man who had a great deal of courage--Dr. Kurt Koch (sounds like Coke). He was a pioneer in the field of the Occult; investigating, writing, teaching and participating in exorcisms, he trained thousands of people in spiritual warfare. As I was reading a fascinating book of his, Demonology: Past and Present, I came across a section that spoke to my heart.

Sometimes, I feel weighed down by the sheer power of evil, and by the fact that it spends the vast majority of its time trying to destroy us. It is so shockingly coldblooded . . . with centuries of practice; it seems incapable of any emotions but hate and fear.

Fighting against it is draining, to say the least. It has even driven some people mad. That is why it was so wonderful to read this section from Dr. Koch's book:

In my own life I have often experienced times when I have felt downcast and almost in despair. At such times, however, the Holy Spirit has somehow brought certain passages of the Bible home to me with renewed force.

Joel 2:21 - Be glad and rejoice, the Lord has done great things.

Mark 6:50 - Jesus said unto them, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

Isaiah 66:2 - This is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

Deuteronomy 1:29, 30 - Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you.

Nehemiah 8:10 - Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.


Dr. Koch makes his point quite eloquently: Our power is in the Lord God of Israel. His joy is our strength. We have already won.

Praise is a powerful weapon . . . like water for the soul . . . it soothes and strengthens.

I have felt this joy continually since I began working on The Kingdom of the Occult. It is a book I never thought I would write, but I feel so grateful to be writing it. Fighting evil is never pleasant, but every single one of us is called to do it.

And if we are wise, we obey.