I've taken a 3 hr biblical college class on Mormonism and ministering to LDS.
This was invaluable information as much, if not most of these classes were taught by former Mormons, at least sharing their experiences of being LDS/converting to LDS and ultimately leaving LDS.
To a person, they encourage reaching out to our LDS brothers and sisters without attempting to "argue them out of Mormonism" assuming that we could then "argue them into Christianity!"
One such speaker, along with his wife were high up in LDS church, who told us of how they ultimately did leave LDS (actually without coming into contact with non or former LDS "apostates"); but through inconsistencies in LDS Prophet(s) (Jos. Smith, Ezra Snowe, and others) writings and teachings.....but when they did leave, they became agnostic not Christian.
They told us that it was a period of 5 years or more that began with their questioning (which Mormons are "strongly advised" against by their leaders), individually coming to the belief that writings and various re-printing of historic LDS documents, didn't match up and when they didn't LDS leaders claimed that earlier documents didn't exist and in fact, stated never were claimed at all!
Ultimately, this couple lost jobs, friends and family, even two of their own children, due to the ostracism heaped upon errant Mormons, which keeps many from ever verbalizing their doubts and certainly officially leaving. They said that many LDS become "nominal Mormons" so they don't face others with their non-belief or even questions. They said it's less stressful just to pretend to continue believing but just not attending church. They said that many such people are terribly alone and suffer from lots of depression, especially ones who feel that they can never measure up enough to make it to the Celestial Kingdom.
They said that it was only after a few years that they began reading a non-LDS King James Bible and comparing it and other translations of the bible against earlier biblical documents in both Hebrew and NT Greek, that they began to believe the claims of Christ and the disciples, especially (Saul) Paul to be the truth.
They found Christ through their joint and individual studies and much prayer. Both husband and wife were college graduates with post graduate studies. They pointed out to us that there are no degrees in LDS history or studies at BYU for the very fact that there is nothing to study and to attempt to do so, would cause LDS students to question the validity of the claims of Smith (LDS founder.)
They strongly urged believers to reach out to LDS neighbors, co-workers, etc. but with the goal of actually becoming friends not to proselytize them (as they are "warned that non-LDS will try to tell them lies"). They told us that if we didn't have time to actually become genuine friends, to really care for one another, not to do anything but pray for them as they view anything else a disingenuous, which true of course.
One such speaker, along with his wife were high up in LDS church, who told us of how they ultimately did leave LDS (actually without coming into contact with non or former LDS "apostates"); but through inconsistencies in LDS Prophet(s) (Jos. Smith, Ezra Snowe, and others) writings and teachings.....but when they did leave, they became agnostic not Christian. They told us that it was a period of 5 years or more that began with their questioning (which Mormons are "strongly advised" against by their leaders), individually coming to the belief that writings and various re-printing of historic LDS documents, didn't match up and when they didn't LDS leaders claimed that earlier documents didn't exist and in fact, stated never were claimed at all! Ultimately, this couple lost jobs, friends and family, even two of their own children, due to the ostracism heaped upon errant Mormons, which keeps many from ever verbalizing their doubts and certainly officially leaving. They said that many LDS become "nominal Mormons" so they don't face others with their non-belief or even questions. They said it's less stressful just to pretend to continue believing but just not attending church. They said that many such people are terribly alone and suffer from lots of depression, especially ones who feel that they can never measure up enough to make it to the Celestial Kingdom. They said that it was only after a few years that they began reading a non-LDS King James Bible and comparing it and other translations of the bible against earlier biblical documents in both Hebrew and NT Greek, that they began to believe the claims of Christ and the disciples, especially (Saul) Paul to be the truth.
It exemplifies what MANY Lds go thru.
Both husband and wife were college graduates with post graduate studies. They pointed out to us that there are no degrees in LDS history or studies at BYU for the very fact that there is nothing to study and to attempt to do so, would cause LDS students to question the validity of the claims of Smith (LDS founder.)
I bold-faced the above 'cause it was an excellent emphasis they made!
They strongly urged believers to reach out to LDS neighbors, co-workers, etc. but with the goal of actually becoming friends not to proselytize them (as they are "warned that non-LDS will try to tell them lies"). They told us that if we didn't have time to actually become genuine friends, to really care for one another, not to do anything but pray for them as they view anything else a disingenuous, which true of course...To a person, they encourage reaching out to our LDS brothers and sisters without attempting to "argue them out of Mormonism" assuming that we could then "argue them into Christianity!"
Re: friendship-building...this is ALWAYS a great way to disciple others -- Mormon or not.
#1...The advice re: not to proselytize -- which is what the Lds do -- and build relationships is excellent. Our goal is NEVER outward conformity to our own personal agendas for what we think somebody should do spiritually.
They told us that if we didn't have time to actually become genuine friends, to really care for one another, not to do anything but pray for them as they view anything else a disingenuous, which true of course...
While I agree with the goal of friendship-building -- and I understand the great limitations when our acquaintances are less than that -- let's take out the "Mormon" consideration just for a moment here: Would these people suggest that we are NEVER to witness as we travel...because those we get to know are usually of the hit-and-miss, hit-and-run variety?
Just as we cannot "control" what initial acquaintance-building may develop long-run, we shouldn't define witnessing to strangers as necessarily "disingenuous" just because it may not lead to anything "long-term."
If you scan the Scriptures, not all witnessing was done family member to family member or friend-to-friend; nor was it always in the context of long-term relationships.
I have one more distinction to make...next post...
#1...Re: "arguing"...yes, we don't "argue" anyone into Christianity...but we need to distinguish the necessity 'tween apologetics and evangelism/witnessing...
Apologetics isn't the doorway into heaven...but it can clear an awful lot of blockages and just plain "crap" that gets in the way of Jesus as THE pathway...
Keep in mind that Mormonism is THE legalism of our day...
Now...also observe what Jesus had to put up with re: religious legalism in the Middle East:
* Matt. 23:13: 13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
* Matt. 15:9: But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
* Matt. 16:12: ...guard against the yeast...against the TEACHING of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
* Luke 11:52: ... you have taken away the key to knowledge.
* John 8:44,47: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies…The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.
* Matthew 23:2-4: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Those "cumbersome loads" that legalists place upon others need to be addressed -- even if that is not in and of itself only the "Good News" part of our witnessing.
#2...I suggest you compare the way the apostle Paul witnessed to the pagans on Mars Hill (see Acts 17: 16-34)...vs. the way the apostle Paul witnessed to the Jews in the synagogues...(see Acts 17:1-4; Acts 18:4-6; 19:8-10; see also Apollos' approach in Acts 18:24-28)
For two years in that specific synagogue in Ephesus, Paul would "argue persuasively" (Acts 19:8-10)...At another synagogue in Corinth, he reasoned persuasively every Sabbath (Acts 18:4); he did the same thing over three Sabbaths at a Thessalonian synagogue (Acts 17:2-4)...And Apollos was commended for speaking boldly in the synagogue (Acts 18:26) -- and vigorously refuting the legalists in public debate (18:28).
You see, many well-meaning people advise Christians to assume only an "incarnational"/long-term relational approach. And the Bible indeed highlights this.
But with religious legalists, a different tact is oft' needed. We not only proclaim the Gospel, but the Law to show where we all fall short -- and why we need the Gospel.
As Jesus showed, we comfort the afflicted; and, we also afflict the religiously comfortable...and the latter is ESPECIALLY so with religious legalists. When a religious legalist won't concede their cancerous sin, we must at times bring home the diagnosis to them that without such an acknowledgment of the disease -- there is no remission; and there is no cure.
So, yes; we need to approach people with gentleness and love; but we also love people with the truth (see 1 Cor. 13:6)...and tough love is indeed a dimension of love. And "love" at times includes "arguing...persuasively" (Acts 19:8-10) and vigorously refuting religious legalists (Acts 18:26-28).
Those who ignore this are either being incomplete in their approach; or, sometimes worse, by implication, they indict the apostle Paul and Apollos for this approach. I hardly think they are in a position to scold these pair over the approach they took in that particular context.