WARNING TO NON-MORMONS

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="043005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EDWARD WATSONS WEBWORLD"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B> | </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>EDWARD WATS</B><B>ON'S WEBWORLD</B></FONT></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> WARNING TO NON-MORMONS</div> <div> <A HREF="id139.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WARNING TO MORMONS"><U><B><U>WARNING TO MORMONS</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id140.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WARNING TO NONMORMONS"><U><B><U>WARNING TO NON-MORMONS</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"><U><B><U>ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id144.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DEDICATION"><U><B><U>DEDICATION</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id145.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LEHIS DREAM"><U><B><U>LEHI'S DREAM</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABBREVIATIONS"><U><B><U>ABBREVIATIONS</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DEFINITIONS"><U><B><U>DEFINITIONS</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTRO"><U><B><U>INTRODUCTION</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HEAVENLY FATHER"><U><B><U>SECTION 1: HEAVENLY FATHER</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="JESUS CHRIST"><U><B><U>SECTION 2: JESUS CHRIST</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HOLY GHOST"><U><B><U>SECTION 3: HOLY GHOST</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id134.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CONCLUSION"><U><B><U>CONCLUSION</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>[MORMONISM. The Faith of the Twenty-first Century. Volume 1. Edward K. Watson. (Liahona Publications. Copyright © 1998 Edward K. Watson.) pp. xv-xix. MORMONISM: Warning to Non-Mormons. All rights reserved.]</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>WARNING TO NON-MORMONS</B></div> <bR> <div>      These volumes contain vast amounts of information that are frankly, overwhelming. In biblical parlance, these books are “meat” or solid foods, not “milk.” Start with the basics (milk) before going on to solid foods (1 Cor  3:2; Heb  5:12-13; 1 Pet  2:2; D&C  19:22). It is more advantageous for you to put down this volume of the MORMONISM Series and cease reading any further until you contact our missionaries (who are normally young men and women between the ages of 19-23) and receive the missionary discussions.</div> <div>      If you want to learn more about the true church of Jesus Christ, start at the basics (milk) that are given by the missionaries. Learn and pray about the basics. Seek and receive a testimony (a spiritual witness from the Holy Ghost, otherwise called an answered prayer) of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, along with the current president of the church. <B>It is vastly more important to receive an answer from the Holy Ghost</B>, instead of mere words from a book, since the Holy Ghost gives a firm conviction of the truth of the gospel (1 Th  1:5). After being firmly grounded on the “milk” of the gospel, (under spiritual guidance), one can “grow” and move on to the “meat” (Heb  5:14; 2 Pet  3:18; D&C  50:40). </div> <div>      My request has nothing to do with one’s maturity and intelligence. (You can use these books to resolve any concerns you may have by using the Table of Contents, Index or Scripture Reference as your guide.) No one has fully appreciated and understood Shakespeare until after learning the basics in grade school. No one appreciates calculus until after mastering basic math. No one wins a martial arts tournament without starting at the basics as a white belt. Similarly, no one can appreciate the logic, beauty, consistency and truthfulness of “Mormonism,” unless starting with the basics as taught by our missionaries and found in reading and praying concerning the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I’m merely asking you to perform simple things which will only benefit you and give you great joy and understanding.</div> <div>      If you wish to proceed (without starting at the basics or even after) please get copies of the Scriptures to determine the accuracy of my scriptural references and quotations. This way you can see if what I say is true in context or if I’m distorting the Word of God. Nearly all of the biblical quotes are from the Authorized King James Version (AV) which can be found in most bookstores and libraries. The three other writings we view as “Scripture” (the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price) can be borrowed or given away upon request from any congregation (ward or branch), missionary or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Having them would be extremely beneficial to verify their consistency and harmony with the Holy Bible.</div> <div>      It is so easy to dismiss this book and the truth about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Just close your eyes and refuse to accept the Truth that is laid out before you. On the other hand, those who consider themselves true followers of Jesus Christ; those with moral integrity; those who have a sincere desire to seek Truth and who aren’t afraid of the Truth, will read this book, and study the issues carefully. They will rely primarily upon God’s Spirit and wisdom for confirmation with intellectual reasoning playing a very important, but secondary role to divine guidance. God knows more than any of us. Rely upon his direction and wisdom more than on any man’s, myself or anyone else. </div> <div>      The real issues are credibility and legitimacy which can only be determined by specific referenced evidence (which survived critical examination), consistent application of immovable standards and logical methodology. </div> <div>      Even atheists, agnostics and non-Christians can utilize a strict intellectual approach since it will cause one to arrive at an identical conclusion as divine revelation provided the Bible and the prophets within are used as the standard for legitimacy and a scientifically consistent standard is applied to the Scriptures, beliefs, prophets and practices both in current Mormonism and first-century Christianity with a methodology identical with double-blind studies.  If/when the results are identical, any objection to the existence of God and Jesus Christ’s legitimacy are eliminated, and one must simply admit one doesn’t know everything and needs God’s guidance and instruction.</div> <div>      Pray. <B>Pray to God for Truth and to receive the courage to do what he desires</B> since the witness of the Holy Ghost gives us certitude in the legitimacy of the Gospel (1 Th  1:5).</div> <div>      These volumes of the MORMONISM Series destroy false foundations because they show the Truth. If you sincerely believe something and it turns out to be untrue, you will feel despair and terror. There isn’t anything satanic about this feeling but is part of being human and is called “snapping” by psychologists. You will feel like putting this book down, and to never open it again, somehow continuing in your faith, locking away the truth into a corner of your mind. Please understand that truth always comes from God, no matter what the source, and can never be destroyed (D&C  1:39;  88:66). We must always live in what is true (John  8:44) since no one can be saved in ignorance (D&C  131:6). Jesus knocks on the door of our lives (Rev  3:20). Unfortunately, many don’t even attempt to see who’s knocking, preferring to live in ignorance, thinking if they don’t know the Truth, they won’t be punished for disobedience. <B>Not opening the door will cause Jesus to go away to their everlasting regret.</B></div> <div>      God is always known as the God of Truth. Rejecting Truth means rejecting God. <B>Never reject what is true</B> (John  8:43-47) since nothing can triumph against the Truth (2 Cor  13:8). Everything that is good comes from God and all that is evil comes from the devil (Omni  1:25; Alma  5:40; Hela  6:30; Eth  4:12; Moro  7:12-13,16-19;  10:6,18). God’s spirit is given to every man and brings the light that lets us know good and evil (D&C  84:46). Light and Truth forsake the evil one (D&C  93:37). </div> <div>      <B>True acceptance of Jesus necessitates accepting his true Gospel</B> (D&C  39:5). Those who are evil love the darkness and hate the light [Christ and his true gospel, since light is Truth -D&C  84:45] (John  1:9;  8:12;  9:4-5;  12:35-36; Mosi  16:9; Alma  38:9; Eth  4:12; D&C  6:21) while those who walk in Truth receive the light (John  3:19-21) and recognize the voice of Christ (John  18:37).</div> <div>      Don’t judge what is evil to be from God and what is good to be from Satan (Isa  5:20; Moro  7:14). Jesus said when we know the Truth it will make us free (John  8:32). <B>Don’t harden your heart against the gospel of Jesus Christ</B> (Ps  95:7-8; Isa  28:11-12; 1 Cor  14:21; Heb  3:7-8;  4:7). <B>Those who reject the Truth </B>(John  8:45-46)<B> will be condemned</B> and knowingly rejecting the Truth causes us to remain in our sins (John  9:41). Ask God to guide you in your readings and give you the courage to discern (1 Jn  5:20) and accept the truth when he reveals it to you. Make a covenant with God to do his will and keep his commandments (Mosi  5:5). Pray to him and tell him that if he shows you his true church you will join it despite any and all obstacles you may encounter. Don’t harden your heart (Jac  6:5-7) or rely upon yourself but rely upon God for guidance (Prov  3:5-7) since spiritual things can only be discerned by the Spirit not by the fallible understanding of men (1 Cor  2:10-15). </div> <div>      No one can be brainwashed by a book. We know we can’t convince everyone or even one person to join the church. It is only God’s Spirit who converts. <B>We are looking for the elect of God</B>, the ones God has chosen who belong to him (Matt  22:14; John  8:47; Acts  2:39,47;  13:48; Rom  8:29-33; Eph  1:4; 1 Pet  1:2; D&C  29:7;  35:15,20-21), to give them salvation (2 Tim  2:10) by gathering them into the Lord’s church from all the earth (Matt  24:31; Mosi  26:20; D&C  33:6). <B>We know who they are by their readiness in accepting the gospel</B> (Matt  13:15-16; John  6:37;  8:47; Acts  13:48;  17:2; 2 Th  2:13; 1 Pet  1:2; 1 Jn  4:6) since they know the voice of Jesus (John  10:4-5,14,26-29) and recognize it in the gospel when it is brought to them (John  7:16-17;  8:47;  10:26-27;  18:37; 1 Jn  4:5-6; Mosi  26:21; Alma  5:59-60; D&C  29:7;  35:20-21). <B>We bring the true gospel of Jesus Christ, which is so precious, that the elect are willing to give up all they have for it </B>(Matt  13:44-46).</div> <div>      We are the foolish things of the world (Matt  11:25; Luke  10:21; 1 Cor  1:27; D&C  1:23;  35:13) who are members of the Lord’s church, doing all things in the name of Jesus Christ (Col  3:17). We are always ready to share the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Pet  3:15) and repeatedly witness of the Savior (Matt  10:32). We are a chosen and peculiar people (1 Pet  2:9) who seek after whatever is true, honest, pure, just, decent and virtuous (Phil  4:8-9). </div> <div>      We don’t serve out of a desire to deceive or by having impure motives and aren’t here to make friends by flattery (1 Th  2:3-5). We are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, the city on a hill (Matt  5:13-16), the yeast in the bread (Matt  13:33). We renounce the hidden things of dishonesty and deceitfulness of God’s word and show all men who have consciences, the truth of God (John  3:11; 2 Cor  4:2). We bring good tidings to the world by being envoys of God who preach (Isa  52:7; Luke  13:35; 2 Tim  4:2; Alma  39:16) and contend for the faith (Jude  1:3), speaking in wisdom (Col  1:28), truth, soberness (Acts  26:25) and sincerity. We are always ready to explain the Gospel of Christ (1 Pet  3:15) and don’t offer the word of God for money (Matt  10:8; 2 Cor  2:17; 1 Th  2:5; Tit  1:11; 2 Ne  26:31) but deliver the gospel in meekness without strife (1 Tim  2:7-8; 2 Tim  2:24-25; Phil  2:3; Jas  3:13-18). </div> <div>      We work together with Christ (Matt  9:37-38; Luke  10:2; 1 Cor  3:5-10; 2 Cor  6:1) in bringing salvation to the world (John  4:35-38; Alma  39:16 to usher in his return (Matt  24:14) and avoid foolish things and questions (1 Tim  1:6; 2 Tim  2:23) that detract from salvation. We don’t trivialize the pearls of the gospel (Matt  7:6) and satisfy the hunger and thirst of those who seek righteousness (Matt  5:6). We don’t seek earthly reward but know our names are written in heaven (Luke  10:20).</div> <div>      There is a lot of opposition to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. <B>Criticism and opposition to the true church have always existed</B> (Matt  5:11-12; Luke  6:22;  21:12-19; John  15:18-21;  16:33;  17:14; Acts  14:2;  28:22; 1 Cor  4:9-13;  16:9; Gal  4:29; 2 Th  1:5-7; Heb  10:32; 2 Pet  2:2) but no opposition or falsification can prevail against the truth, only further it (2 Cor  13:8; 2 Tim  3:8-9). We don’t belong to this world because of our unity with Jesus and the Holy Ghost (John  17:14;  8:23;  14:17 ). God’s hand is clearly seen with the triumph of the church over the continual opposition encountered.</div> <div>      <B>Be honest with yourselves and with God.</B> Accept the Truth with the faith of a child (Mark  10:15; Matt  18:3-4; Luke  18:17) when God reveals it to you (which is done in many ways [Heb  1:1]). Include faith in your studies in order for it to be profitable for you (Heb  4:2-3,6). <B>God will always answer an honest, sincere prayer.</B> He will never allow Satan to interfere with his revealing the Truth when we go to him asking for it.</div> <bR> <div>  D&C <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>123:12  For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca"><U>e-mail me!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>