On Sharing the Gospel with Mormons (Part 3)

On Sharing The Gospel with Mormons: Practical Tips and Methods: Evangelism and Apologetics Series 4/21/21 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Mathew 7:21-23 The Tactics -Be ____________, _______ argumentative -Ask ______________ -Define __________ The Process: I. Dialogue with ______________ A. What is the ____________? 1. Ask the question 2. Receive the answer 3. Ask to read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 4. “This is what the gospel was supposed to be.” B. Do you ___________ 2 Timothy 3:16? 1. Ask to read 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2. Do you believe this Bible verse? A: Yes 3. Do you believe in the law of non-contradiction? “A is B” and “A is not B” are mutually exclusive. 4. Ask to read 1 Nephi 13:26- 27 “…many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. And all this have they taken away. And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord.” 1 Nephi 13:26b, 27 Sharing with Mormons 1 5. Both cannot be true C. What must I do to be __________? / What must I do to go to ____________? 1. Ask them to share 2. Discuss the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. D. What do you believe about _______________? 1. “I heard that you are saved after all that you can do” 2 Nephi 25:23 - For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. 2. What does that mean? 3. Have you done all you can do? A: No 4. Ask to read Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 5. Draw distinction between their beliefs and the truth. 6. Use an illustration II. Closing ________________ A. Hear the Testimony: “I bear you my testimony! I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God! And I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the one true church!” B. Thank them for their testimony. “Thank you for sharing that with me…” or “I can see that you hold your beliefs very sincerely…” C. Ask Questions. Your goal is to cause them to question their testimony. Sharing with Mormons 2 1. Police lineup analogy1 a. All of the sects of the Mormon church are lined up giving their testimony. b. All testimonies are based on the Book of Mormon. c. All testimonies contradict each other. d. Which testimony is correct? 2. Share your testimony with the gospel included. 3. 1 John 5:9-13. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 4. Ask Questions. a. “Do you have this testimony?” b. “If you died today, do you know you will spend eternity in heaven with God the Father?” c. “If not, Is God a liar?” 5. Re-affirm gospel truth III. Offer to ________ The Conclusion: 1. Know the _________ -Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. -Mormons will lose everything 2. Know the ____________ - Matthew 23:3-4 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens 1 Analogy created by Corey Miller (Engaging with Mormons: understanding their world, sharing good news. The Good Book Company. 2020. 49-52). Sharing with Mormons 3 and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. - Matthew 11:28-30 - 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mormonism’s Terms to Know: • Burning in the bosom (Your Testimony) – A confirmation of truth given by the Holy Ghost through feelings and thoughts in answer to one’s prayers. The explanation of the experience is often accompanied by a request and insistence upon suspension of judgement of one’s own religion until they have read and benefitted from reading the Book of Mormon. Recommended Resources: Crain, Jeanie: Ed. Show Me Why: Thoughts from Missouri Baptists on Defending the Christian Faith. The Missouri Baptist Convention: 2018. Hansen, Carol (Hodges). The RLDS Church: Christian?.... Lifeline Ministries to RLDS: Independence, MO, 2001. Johnson, Kevin and James White. What’s with the Dudes at the Door?: Stuff to Know when the Cults Come Knocking. Bethany House Publishers: Minneapolis, MN, 1998. Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults: Handbook. Bethany House: Minneapolis, MN, 2019. Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults: The Definitive Work on the Subject. 6th Edition. Bethany House: Minneapolis, MN, 2019. McDowell, Josh and Don Stewart. Handbook of Today’s Religions. Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, TN, 1983. Miller, Corey. Engaging with Mormons: Understanding Their World, Sharing Good News. The Good Book Company: UK, 2020. Philips, Rob. The Apologist’s Toolkit: Resources to Help You Defend the Christian Faith. Rob Phillips: 2016. Rhodes, Ron. The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, 2001. Roberts, Jeremiah and Andrew Soncrant. Cultish: Entering The Kingdom of the Cults. Podcast. https://thecultishshow.com/podcast. Sharing with Mormons 4 -The Postmodern Maze of Mormonism (Part 1), Ep. 15, February 24, 2019. -The Postmodern Maze of Mormonism (Part 2), Ep. 16, February, 25, 2019. -Deciphering Joseph Smith’s Book Of Abraham Translation (Part 1), Ep. 22, April 8, 2019. -Deciphering Joseph Smith’s Book Of Abraham Translation (Part 2), Ep. 23, April 8, 2019. -Leaving Mormonism (Part 1), Ep. 38, September 3, 2019. -Leaving Mormonism (Part 2), Ep. 39, September 3, 2019. -A Walk Down Mormon Memory Lane, Ep. 44, October 22, 2019. -Rescued Out of the New Age & Mormonism (Part 1), Ep. 56, January 14, 2020. -Rescued Out of the New Age & Mormonism (Part 2), Ep 57, January 21, 2020. - Escaping Warren Jeffs & the FLDS (Part 1), Ep. 58, January 28, 2020. -Escaping Warren Jeffs & the FLDS (Part 2), Ep. 59. February 4, 2020. -An Inside Look at the Life of a Mormon Missionary (Part 1), Ep. 60. February 11, 2020. -Inside the Life of a Mormon Missionary (Part 2), Ep. 61, February 18, 2020. -How to Talk to Mormon Missionaries (Part 1), Ep. 62, February 25, 2020. -How to Talk to Mormon Missionaries (Part 2), Ep. 63, March 4, 2020. -How to Talk to Mormon Missionaries (part 3), Ep. 64, March 10, 2020. Roberts, R. Philip, Tal Davis, and Sandra Tanner. Mormonism Unmasked: Confronting the Contradictions Between Mormon Beliefs and True Christianity. Broadman and Holman Publishers: Nashville, TN, 1998. White, James R. Is The Mormon My Brother?: Discerning the Differences Between Mormonism and Christianity. Solid Ground Christian Books: Birmingham, AL, 1997. White, James R. Letters to a Mormon Elder. Solid Ground Christian Books: Birmingham, AL, 1993. Sharing with Mormons 5