Worthy

The Critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints love to accuse the LDS of replacing Christ and his atonement by working our way to be "worthy" of his kingdom! This accusation comes because as LDS we use terms like, "worthy to go to the temple" or "worthy of the blessings of the Lord". Our critics believe this use of the term "worthy" means the LDS people are trying to work their way into heaven, instead of using the Atonement of Christ alone! While it is true that we believe in living a "worthy life,"(repenting of our sins, resisting our sinful nature, and striving to follow in the footsteps of Christ) we believe it is Christ’s atonement that makes us worthy of him! As Latter-Day Saints we believe that if we sincerely refrain from sin, and seek forgiveness the Lord will see our efforts and count us worthy of him. The critics say that man can do nothing to be worthy of the Lord! Who is right? Let’s see what the scriptures have to say about man’s ability to be worthy.

Striving to be Worthy

The apostle Paul explained it this way, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"(Philip 3:14). What was this prize that Paul was pressing toward? He explains in Philip 3:12 "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend…" Paul recognizing that he is not "already perfect", sees a need to improve to "press toward the...prize." Though Christ makes us perfect to enter into his kingdom, no one would be foolish enough to think that a man should not improve his standing with God! Could a man be more obedient? Could a man sin less? Could a man love more?  There is always room for improvement.

Walk Worthy

Paul taught the Colossians, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God"(Col 1:9-10). Does the idea of walking worthy imply no effort on our part? Paul teaches clearly that mankind can improve and "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work."

Paul tells the Thessalonians "As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged everyone of you as a father doth his children. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory"(1 Thes 2:11-12). Here, the Thessalonians are instructed to "walk worthy of God" even after they have been called into his kingdom! This certainly implies that the saints ought to put forth efforts to be "worthy" of God!

In Ephesians, Paul again teaches the saints that they should live worthy lives before the Lord. "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called"(Eph 4:1). 

Counted Worthy

The Lord sometimes requires his saints to go through trials much like Job did, but what is the purpose for these trials? "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer"(2 Thes 1:4-5). The saints are taught that the Lord counts their patience in persecutions and tribulations as "worthy of the kingdom of God." 

Read what Paul taught the saints who embraced the gospel, "When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ"(2 Thes 1:11). Paul tells these saints that he prays that "God would count you worthy", that "the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified". By our attempts to be worthy of the Lord, even after we have accepted Christ, people see the change in our lives and Christ gets the glory for this change. After accepting Christ, if we continued our sinful nature, fewer people would see a need to seek him for forgiveness of their sins!

Sin and Worthiness

When John was giving his praise and condemnations to the seven churches he said "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy"(Rev 3:4). It cannot be denied that because these members of the church in Sardis put forth the effort they were blessed to walk in white. In addition we were told they were also accounted worthy! These members of the church in Sardis ought to be an example unto us, to not defile our garments with the stains of sin (Jude 1:23). But some may ask, how can we be found worthy if we have stained our garments with sin? John tells us "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"(1 Jn 1:6-7, 9). Being "worthy" doesn't mean never committing sin again, it means trying not to sin but if we do sin, seeking forgiveness for our sins by confessing them!

Christ warns his disciples to beware of sins that will take their focus off of his coming and the final judgment. "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man"(Luke 21:34,36). The Lord wanted them to not only be accounted worthy to escape the calamities that were to come, but also to be worthy to stand before the Son!

Being found Unworthy

Jesus also taught his disciples how they could find themselves unworthy of him! "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me"(Matt 10:37). Christ also teaches his disciples to strive to follow his example in order to be worthy of him.  "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me"(Matt 10:38).  The scriptures do teach that a man may be found worthy and unworthy of the Lord even after he accepts Christ.

Conclusion

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has continued to receive modern day revelation that agrees with the above scriptural accounts of worthiness. "There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy. And it shall be manifest unto my servant, by the voice of the Spirit, those that are chosen; and they shall be sanctified (D&C 105:35-36)." Once again the Lord seeks those who are worthy to represent him! In D&C 107:100 the Lord warns those who are slothful. "He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen."

The critic's argument about our inability to be worthy before the Lord seems like most of their other arguments when compared to the scriptures...pure fabrication! As LDS strive to “walk worthy” of the Lord we are just following the instructions given in the scriptures! A good question to ask is, who are the critics following when they tell us it can’t be done? 

Tithing

Few churches would disagree with the fact that contributions are needed for the work of the Lord. Critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would have you believe that paying a tithing of 10% is wrong. The critics of tithing claim that this method of contributing to the Lord was strictly for the Old Testament saints, and is now an obsolete practice. Yet, no scriptures are found that do away with the Lords’ law of tithing.  

According to Easton’s bible dictionary,“A tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set apart for special purposes. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as a duty before the time of Moses.  Abraham pad tithes to Melchizedek (Gen 14:30; Heb 7:4); and Jacob vowed unto the Lord and said, “Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee (http://eastonsbibledictionary.com/tithe.htm).”

The LDS Church encourages a tithe from its members, by allowing them to donate “10 percent of their income to the Church” (http://newsroom.lds.org/article/tithing). Tithing money is used for the buildings and materials needed to progress the work of the Lord. The critics of tithing still collect contributions, but justify it by calling it something else (like freewill offering) or by not requiring a percentage. Tithing should not be surprising to any one who reads the scriptures, since it is found throughout its pages!

Is the principle of Tithing found in the Scriptures?

Way back in Genesis, Abram (who later was called Abraham) met with the Priest of Salem and was the first recorded example of a tithe payer, "And Melchizedek, king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all"(Gen 14:16-20).

We also find Abraham's grandson continuing the practice of paying tithing by covenant in Gen 28:21-22 " So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee."

Was tithing ever commanded?

The Lord did command the children of Israel to practice the Law of Tithing, "But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks"(Deut 12:5-6). Notice that the Lord not only established tithing but also instructed other offerings in addition. So, tithing is not the end of giving to the cause of the Lord but it is a portion of that giving.

The Lord gave the Children of Israel further instruction on how to give tithing; “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee....Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose"(Deut 14:22-25). Not only did the Lord show that offering up our money as a payment for tithing here, but he also shows how we ought to personally go before the Lords servant to give a reckoning of our tithe.

How does God view those who do not obey His law of tithing?

The most telling scripture dealing with tithing is Mal 3:8-11 where the Lord tells us how he views those who do not tithe. "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of host, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts." Those who do not tithe and give offerings the Lord said are robbing him, and they are cursed. Once again we see that tithing is just the beginning of the offerings we could give to the Lord.

Isn't tithing an Old Testament Law that doesn't apply today?

Some believe that the Law of Tithing was an Old Testament Law and that it was done away during the time of Christ. If this is true where are the Scriptures that say that Christ did away with the Law of Tithing? Instead we find Christ confirming tithing! Matt 23:23 Christ says, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weighter matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone." Christ in teaching that the Jewish leaders out to exercise judgment, mercy and faith also confirms that they were correct to pay tithes (these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone).

Modern revelation informs us of a need to continue to tithe. "And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people. And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one tenth of all their interest annually and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord"(D&C 119:3-4). The Lord also informs us that if we are willing to obey his law of tithing, we will be found keeping the other commandments and thus be saved at his coming. "Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man and verily it is a day of sacrifice and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming"(D&C 64:23).

We are not limited to only giving tithes.

In 2 Cor 9:6-7 Paul teaches "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." So the followers of Christ could add to their tithes other offerings to add to the work of the Lord and to tend to the poor and needy. 

For those who think that the LDS church is ripping them off by asking for 10% of their income, look at what Christ asked for. In Mark 10:19-22 Jesus had a man that came to him pretending to be his follower, so the Lord tried him to see if he would follow at all costs! "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." 

The scriptures are full of examples of church members who gave more than 10% of their income to the early church (Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-37; Acts 5:1-11). Yet some still criticize the LDS church for teaching their members to pay a 10% tithe. Those critics of tithing are speaking against what has been established by the Lord, as a doctrine of the scriptures. Surely these critics can see that the Lord could require more of his followers than just their 10%, and if he did, then what would they say?

Don't Pray About the Book of Mormon...That's How They Get You!

Recently my brother-in-law posted a picture on Facebook of a sign at a church that read "don't pray about the Book of Mormon that's how they get you!" Though I have seen and laughed at this sign many times before, this time I felt a need to address this topic. Even if the sign had been photo-shopped, the sentiment has been expressed in my conversations with critics and pastors of other churches in the past.

The reason this topic even comes up, is because the Book of Mormon gives this promise in it, "I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things,...and ponder it in your hearts...I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost"(Moroni 10:3-4). What problem could the critic possibly have with this statement? If something claims to come from God and you don't know if it does or not, praying to God would be the right choice to find your answer.

The problem for the critics of the LDS church, is that this promise has been fulfilled so many times by the Lord. These critics try to discourage people from joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by teaching them not to pray to know the truth!

Should we Read, Study, and Pray to know Gods truth?

James 1:5-6 states "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." That seems very straight forward, if you are seeking to know what God’s word is, then ask him! Paul also taught "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good"(1 Thes 5:17-19, 21). Prove all things? Like the Book of Mormon? How would one quench the spirit? If you didn't pray and seek God for an answer then the spirit would surely be quenched.

Why do we need to Pray to know God’s truths?

Paul informs us why it would be important to pray to God to know his truth, "but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God"(1 Cor 2:7, 9-10). According to Paul, God’s wisdom is hidden in mystery and since they are given by the Spirit, the Spirit is needed to search out these truths. Paul continued to teach in this chapter, "We speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned"(1 Cor 2:13-14). The critics seems to be fulfilling Paul's warning by convincing others that it is foolishness to pray for the Spirit to reveal Gods truth.

In 2 Chr 15:3-4 the Prophet Azariah warns the house of Israel. "The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them." Here we can see how important seeking the Lord was in Israel search for the truth. When they were without the true God, without a teaching priest, and even without the law, how could they seek the Lord??? They would find him in prayer!  In Jeremiah the Lord explains the important role prayer would play in their search for truth, "Then shall ye call upon me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart"(Jer 29:12-13).

If Christ promises to answer our prayers, would that include knowing if the Book of Mormon is truth?

During Christ’s ministry, he repeatedly told his disciples he would answer all their prayer requests! A few examples are listed below:

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive"(Matt 22:21).

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it"(John 14:13-14).

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you"(John 15:7).

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them"(Mark 11:24).

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 Jn 3:22).

"And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily,verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full"(John 16:23-24).

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him”(1 John 5: 14-15)

For what kinds of things could we ask?  The Lord informs us,” Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (or if you pray to know the Book of Mormon is true, will God say that is a dumb question ask me something else?) If ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"(Matt 7:7-11)

Paul teaches the Philippians "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"(Phil 4:6-7). 

From where does the idea that we should not pray come?

Truly the critics of the LDS church believe it is foolishness for the Spirit of God to answer our prayers to know if the Book of Mormon is true. They would rather have you believe that you could just know for yourself that the Book of Mormon is false without ever having read it for yourself or praying! Really!!!

The Book of Mormon prophets foresaw the hearts of the critics and wrote to them, "feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock"(2 Ne 32:3-4). Then Nephi informs the critic which spirit leads men not to pray to the Lord, "it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray"(2 Ne 32:8).

Despite the Scriptures given above, what scriptural argument does the critic have for not praying to know the truth? None!

The choice seems very clear: We could listen to the Lord and pray to know his truth and hearken to the Spirit of the Lord….or we could trust the critic and refuse to pray and be led by that spirit which teacheth a man not to pray! The choice is yours!

An LDS View of Capital Punishment!

Recently I had a chance to enter an online chat with a group of LDS people. The purpose of the group was to talk about modern topics according to an LDS perspective. On entering this dialogue I assumed that the viewpoints would all be relatively the same. This turned out not to be the case!

Official View of the LDS Church

The topic of discussion was on Capital Punishment, which I thought would be an interesting topic to share with you, the reader. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' official view on capital punishment is found at: http://newsroom.lds.org/official-statement/capital-punishment  The statement reads as follows: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regards the question of whether and in what circumstances the state should impose capital punishment as a matter to be decided solely by the prescribed processes of civil law. We neither promote nor oppose capital punishment."

This statement shows two things: first the LDS Church believes the civil authorities should decide if capital punishment should be used. Second, the Church is not going to promote or oppose such laws! As good citizens it is up to us to vote in laws and enforcers of those laws. We are fortunate as an LDS people because the scriptures have much to say on capital punishment. (In this post I will only be referring to the capital punishment of murderers.)

The Arguments that Spawned this Discussion

The LDS group I talked with used some scriptures out of context, to show why they believed murderers should not be killed. They used Ezek 33:11 "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked," and Ex 20:13 "Thou shalt not kill." For Ezek 33:11 this scripture does not show that the murderer ought not to die, it just states that the Lord does not delight in their death! As for Ex 20:13, the reader would only need to read 25 more verses to see that "thou shalt not kill" doesn't refer to capital punishment. This verse is in fact giving the command not to murder and if you do Ex 21:12 says "He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death." 

What the Old Testament teaches about Capital Punishment

The scriptures are pretty clear and consistent with what the punishment ought to be for murderers.

 Gen 9:6 "whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed."

 Ex 21:12 "He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death."

Lev 24:17 "And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death."

Lev 24:21 "And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death."

Num 35:16 "And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murder: the murderer shall surely be put to death."

Num 35:17 "And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death."

Num 35:18 "Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death."

Num 35:30-31 "Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death."

The Book of Mormon on Capital Punishment

In fact the other books of scriptures echo what has been stated above.

2 Ne 9:35 "Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die."

Alma 1:13 "And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance."

Alma 1:18 "And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that murdered was punished unto death."

Alma 30:10 "But if he murdered he was punished unto death."

Alma 34:11-12 "Now, if a man murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of his brother? I say unto you, Nay But the law requireth the life of him who hath murdered."

Alma 42:19 "Now, if there was no law given-if a man murdered he should die-would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?"

Doctrine and Covenants on Capital Punishment

In addition to these examples modern day revelation also confirms the fate of murderers. D&C 134:8 teaches   "We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense: that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed." So what type of punishment would fit the offense for a murderer? D&C 42:19 tells us "And again, I say, thou shalt not kill: but he that killeth shall die." To clarify who should administer the punishment of death in the case of a murderer D&C 42:79 states "And it shall come to pass, that if any persons among you shall kill they shall be delivered up and dealt with according to the laws of the land." Also consider this point; some people believe that though you should not put a murderer to death for his crimes, it is perfectly right to protect yourself even to the shedding of blood. “We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances…but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.”(D&C 134:11) If you believe that it is wrong to put a murderer to death after he has committed his crime, then it should be doubly wrong to kill him before he has committed it!

New Testament Does not Rescind Capital Punishment

Paul refers Timothy to the use of civil laws "But we know that the law is good if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murders of mothers, for manslayers"( 1 Tim 1:8-9) Paul knowing the righteousness of capital punishment made a defense before the civil authorities in his own cases "Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die"(Acts 25:10-11)

Conclusion

With the above scriptures given, I posed a question that has yet to be answered: where in the scripture that says the life of the murderer should be spared?

Some people may try to argue for, the exception to the rule, in the case of murderers. But the scriptures have been very clear and consistent in regards to how God instructs us to punish those who murder!  Some people may believe in prolonging the life of a murderer in hopes that they will repent. But they forget that the final judge (GOD) believes he can better pass judgment on murderers once they have paid the penalty for their crimes....and who are we to deny him that appointment!?!

The Rapture

Many protestant friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints want to know if we believe in the rapture of the "church” (Rapture: The catching away of true believers to meet Christ in the air, sometime before the Millennial era). The answer is we do...and we don't! It all depends on what version of the rapture we are talking about.

What are the views of the rapture?

Although many Protestants believe in the “rapture,” many of them view it differently amongst themselves.  (Tribulation:  The last 7 years before the 2^nd coming of Christ.)

1. Pre-tribulation View: belief that the believers of Christ will be caught up before the Great tribulation foretold in the book of Revelation.

2. Mid-tribulation View: belief that the believers will be taken after 3 1/2 years into the Great tribulation.

3. Post-tribulation View:  belief that the believers will be taken after all 7 years of the tribulation have passed.

The word “rapture” is not mentioned in the scriptures. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "caught up" found in 1 Thes 4:17. This is why the LDS people do not use the term rapture when referring to events that surround the second coming of Jesus.

But do the LDS believe in the rapture?

As LDS people we do believe that the scriptures teach true believers will be caught up to meet the Lord when he comes again. Matt 24 is the chapter where the disciples came to Jesus seeking to know when the destruction of the temple would come, the signs of Jesus coming and the end of the world (Matt 24:3). In Matt 24:21-22, Christ tells us that the elect would still be here during the great tribulation, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

Christ then goes on to tell about his appearance right after this great tribulation and how all will see him together, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days...then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other"(Matt 24:29-31).

How will we be raptured?

The Lord informs us how the elect will be gathered from (Matt 24:40-41), "Then shall two be in the field: the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” In the gospel of Luke, Jesus explains the same scenario of two together and one taken, and the Disciples ask Jesus where the one would be taken, "And he said unto them, wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together"(Luke 17:37). It appears they will be "raptured" up to meet the Lord in the air.

Paul, talking with the Corinthians, explained a mystery relating to how our bodies would be during this rapture transition. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed"(1 Cor 15:50-52). The last trump is related to the resurrection of the dead and the "rapture" of the church, both seem to occur at the same time. During this time those who are alive at the coming of Christ will have their mortal bodies changed. And as the dead will be resurrected to meet Christ in the air, so we that live will be changed to meet with the Saints at Christ’s coming.

Paul explains it to the Thessalonians, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord"(1 Thes 4:15-17).

What do modern scriptures say?

Doctrine and Covenants 88:95-99 elaborates on this scene for us;"And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord shall be unveiled; And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven- They are Christ's, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God." This makes it very clear that the LDS view of a rapture would go hand in hand with the resurrection of the dead, during the second coming of the Lord.

D&C 109:75 assures us that "when the trump shall sound for the dead, we shall be caught up in the cloud to meet (the Lord), that we may ever be with the Lord." The LDS people do believe in this incredible experience that has been called by our friends "rapture." And we don't believe that it will come before the Lord makes his appearance the second time, but that the rapture will happen at the coming of the Lord.

Would the Lord allow us to suffer wrath?

Some of those who believe in a pre-tribulation view of the rapture claim that the rapture must happen before the great tribulation because the believers are not destined to suffer wrath. A scripture that is often cited is 1 Thes 5:9, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath." This usage of 1 Thes 5:9 assumes that the wrath spoken of is the great tribulation. Upon closer examination, we find that the wrath spoken of here has nothing to do with the great tribulation. In fact, the whole verse reads "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ"(1 Thes 5:9). We see that the wrath spoken of here is a wrath covered by the atonement of Christ, ie sin and death. This can be seen by the next verse, "who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him"(1 Thes 5:10). Also look at Rom 5:8-9, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

Not only do those scriptures show that the wrath is not the great tribulation, but speaking of the great tribulation the Savior taught, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time...And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened"(Matt 24:21-22). Here the Lord tells his disciples that his elect would still be here during the tribulation.

What about the examples of saints being saved from tribulation?

Some have tried to argue that like Noah or Lot were taken out before the wrath of the Lord came upon them. So they reason that the believers of Christ would be raptured before the tribulation began. But this view goes to strengthen the LDS position, because in all these cases the saints were taken before immediate destruction came. So likewise all believers of Christ will remain until his second coming and then they will be raptured right before the immediate destruction of the wicked.

What the scriptures say about tribulation.

Nowhere in the scriptures does Christ mention a coming for his saints before that of his second coming! In Acts 14:22 Paul instructs the saints "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." The promise is not given to members of Christ’s church that they will not have to suffer tribulation but just the opposite is said.

Those who believe that the believers of Christ will for some reason be spared tribulation in this life should reread all that Christ and the New Testament church went through for the gospel’s sake. In fact, in Revelation 13:7 John foresaw the evil powers of the last days had strength "to make war with the saints, and to overcome them." In D&C 63:33-34 the Prophet Joseph saw the events of the Last days "I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man; And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire." 

In regards to the suffering of Christians, Peter tells us "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"(1 Pet 4:16-18)

Conclusion

In short the doctrine of “rapture" is scriptural, and the LDS people do believe in it, though we do not refer to it by that term. We simply call it the second coming of Christ! The LDS people have been instructed to be self-reliant and prepared for all kinds of emergencies, not just the great tribulation. On the other hand, many of our protestant friends believe that the rapture of the "church" will occur sometime before the great tribulation or before many of its great calamities. As a result of believing that they will not endure tribulations, they are also not preparing for those tribulations. So a good question to ask yourself is: who would you rather be with when the tribulation hits the fan, someone who doesn't believe they will be here for it and who hasn't prepared… or the LDS people!?!

  

The Mormon Cult?

The reason that critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints use the term "cult" when referring to the church is because they believe it will scare people away from learning about the Mormons! This tactic of labeling the LDS church as a cult seems to work well on those who are not acquainted with Mormons. It is to the people who have not met Mormons that I write to today!

Most of the time when critics use the term "cult", they do so without giving a definition. This leaves the hearer with the responsibility of determining what a cult is. Members of the LDS church must demand clarification from the critic by requesting that they define the word "cult." On those rare occasions when you can get the critic to define the term "cult", it seems so broad that any religion could fit into the definition of cult.

To show the reader how misleading the term "Cult" is, I will list 10 criteria from one critic who chose to define the term "cult." I will then show from the scriptures how this false standard would prove even the early church of Jesus Christ to be a "Cult"! (Each one of these statements could receive a post of its own, but for sake of space I will try to keep it short.)

Claim #1: Cults claim absolute right to the truth!

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."(John 8:31-32) Then there is John 14:6 where Jesus claims absolute truth through himself "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me." Paul claims absolute truth by forewarning those who will turn from the truth he taught, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."(2 Tim 4:3-4)

 Claim #2: Cults make you feel more special than Non-members!

How much more special could you feel than to be called a son or daughter of God? "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not"(1 Jn 3:1). Or look at Paul's warning to the saints in 2 Cor 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" See how Paul instructed the saints concerning going to Non-member judges, "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"(1 Cor 6:1-2) The members of the early church sure sound more special than the “non-members.”

Claim #3: Cults frown on expressions of doubt!

James you bad cultist you, why do you talk so bad of those who have doubts? (insert sarcasm here) "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."(Jam 1:6-8) In 1 Tim 2:8 Paul says "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." Or look at what Jesus expected of his followers in Luke 12:29-30 "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things."

Claim #4: Cults expect significant financial contributions!

Thank goodness the Bible never makes us feel guilty for not contributing financial, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse."(Mal 3:8-10) Those were the good old days, when we were only asked to give 10%. Because anymore would just be asking to much! "And when he was gone forth unto the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me."(Luke 10:17, 21) Or look at Acts 4:34-35, "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."

Claim #5: Cults are reluctant to allow you to leave!

Really! Any church that loves its followers should do all they can to reclaim those who have strayed or are thinking about leaving! Matt 18:12-13, "How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." Or James 5:19-20, "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death." You know, I think the critic might be right on this point, a real church should just say good riddance to those who falter in their belief!

Claim #6: Cults expect confession!

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed."(James 5:16) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."(1 Jn 1:9) Or look at the instruction Peter gave to those who believed his teaching and want salvation, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you."(Acts 2:37-38)

Claim #7: Cults expect you to be worthy!

Everyone knows that only the biggest of “cults” ask you to be worthy. Just look at the following example:  "As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."(1 Thes 2:11-12) Or like Paul who told the Colossians in Col 1:10, That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" Peter chimes in "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."(1 Pet 1:15-16)

Claim #8: Cults claim infallible (perfect) leaders!

This claim is the only directly false claim attributed to the LDS church, because we know that our leaders are human, and so they will be fallible. Yet the early church did claim an infallible leader, Jesus! So once again the test here for cult does fit the early church. The scriptures do teach that we should esteem the leadership highly, just look at 1 Thes 5:12-13 "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake."

Claim #9: Cults keep you so busy you don't have any time, even for your family!

I want to say something sarcastic about this claim, but I can’t. I just don’t see why being busy automatically makes you a “cult.” Look at an example of Jesus from Luke 9:59-60, "And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Now that is busy! Paul told the Thessalonians how demanding the work of the Lord was in 1 Thes 2:9 "For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preach unto you the gospel of God." 

Claim #10: Cults are works based, not grace based religions!

This also would not apply to Mormons because we believe that we are saved through the grace of Christ. The critic links us to this claim because we believe what the scriptures teach, that you must accompany your faith with works of righteousness! "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace, But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."(Rom 11:6) Paul continues this theme to Titus in Titus 3:8 "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." And look what Paul has to say about those who refuse works, " They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."(Titus 1:16)

It would appear that the critic has incriminated the early church that Christ himself established. This is why the critics are so reluctant to define the term “cult,” because if they define the term it just isn’t as scary! When a Critic of the LDS church throws around a label like “cult,” ask for a definition. Because you never know, they could be defining your beliefs as well!