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#24 The Facts On The Mormon Church
24. What is the true basis of eternal life,
and how is it found?
Biblically, eternal life with God and Christ begins the moment
a person receives the true Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior from sin:
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God" (John 1:12 NIV).
It is impossible for anyone to inherit eternal life based on his or her own
good works and personal righteousness because no one can ever be good enough to
satisfy God's perfect standards. According to the Bible, such persons will only
inherit eternal judgment (Matthew 25:46; John 8:24; Galatians 3:21,24).
But if anyone believes on the true Jesus Christ and trusts in Him alone for
salvation (and not in their personal works of righteousness), Jesus promises
them eternal life: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal
life" (John 6:47). In John 17:3 Jesus also taught, "This is eternal life, that
they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent."
Jesus said that no man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). The practicing
Mormon must choose between coming to know and serving the true Jesus Christ or
continuing to serve Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church. A person cannot serve
both.
Conclusion
What words of wisdom do Mormon leaders have for practicing
Mormons?
In light of our discussion to this point, we think it relevant to quote some
leaders in the Mormon Church and ask that practicing Mormons consider their
words very carefully.
Bruce McConkie: "An antichrist is an opponent of
Christ; he is one who is in opposition to the true gospel, the true church,
and the true plan of salvation."
Joseph Smith: "The Savior has the words of eternal life. Nothing else
can profit us."
Joseph Fielding Smith: "The theories of men change from day to day.
Much that is taught now will tomorrow be in the discard, but the word of the
Lord will endure forever."
Brigham Young: "Can you destroy the decrees of the Almighty? You
cannot."
If objective, historical data from within the Mormon Church
itself proves Mormonism a false religion, then it is tragic to remain Mormon.
Mormons who truly desires to love God have the right to know who the true God
is. They have a right to know whether their own church has consistently lied to
them and deceived them on vital matters.
Any Mormon who wishes may examine his or her heart before God and then pray
the following prayer:
Dear God,
You know that I am not only uncertain of my beliefs
concerning You, but also of my spiritual condition before you. I have honestly
searched my heart, and it is my desire to trust in You. By searching my heart, I
have recognized I cannot earn my own salvation because, as You have said, even
my best righteousness falls short of Your holy standards.
I recognize that I am a sinner worthy of Your judgment. I renounce my
pride in thinking I could perfect myself and become a God. I renounce every
false views of Jesus Christ and receive the true Jesus Christ as presented in
the Bible. I believe that this Jesus Christ is truly God, that He effectively
died for my sins on the cross and rose from the dead three days later. I believe
that by receiving Him into my life I can now inherit eternal life. Right now I
turn from my sins and from the false teachings of the Mormon Church. I receive
the true Christ as my personal Savior. Help me to grow in the grace and
knowledge of Your Son, my true Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
If you are a Mormon who prayed this prayer, we suggest you
read the New Testament daily and attend a Christian church that Honors Christ.
You should tell the pastor that you are a former Mormon who has just become a
Christian and ask his counsel. There are many organizations of former Mormons
who are now Christians, and we suggest you contact one of them for information,
counsel, and encouragement.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior or have questions regarding doing
so, contact the Ankerberg Theological Research Institute at P. O. Box 8977,
Chattanooga, TN 37414. We'll send you material to help your spiritual growth.
Taken from The Facts On The Mormon Church, by John Ankerberg
and John Weldon, published by Harvests House Publishers.
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