When it comes to the Mormon faith, or the “Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints”, one thing you will notice right away is the lack of the cross in their church. And this is because it is looked down upon to have a cross of any sort in a church building, as a necklace or anything else. So why is this, you might ask? Well they have an answer. It was spoken of in one of their manuals that “even though crosses help us to think of Jesus Christ, they tend to remind us of his death. The Savior is alive and here to help us and guides his church as a resurrected person.” It is because that the cross reminds them of His death, that they focus on the resurrection instead. This is the reason why the cross isn’t taught on as much and when it is, the teaching is incorrect and not Biblical in nature. Truly, when the importance of the cross is removed from the teachings of a church, is why other things creep in. And that is what has happened to this church. Because of the lack of the Holy Spirit, they have taken what took place in Gethsemane out of context and has made it now the place where Jesus paid the price for our sins. I mention this, since they teach that “Jesus’s atoning sacrifice took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary. In Gethsemane He submitted to the will of the Father and began to take upon Himself the sins of all people.” As you can here, they believe that Jesus didn’t simply die for our sins, but also starting paying for our sins while he was praying in the garden. To this belief I will now show you through the Bible how this way of thinking is non-biblical and false.
In response to the Mormon church not having crosses and taking away the importance of it, the apostle Paul spoke out about this. He said, 2“for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) Truly, people that are perishing in this world do not understand the importance of the cross. This is why it is downplayed, and like was spoken above, the payment of sins can also be changed. However, those that are saved know that the cross is the power of God unto salvation. It is because Jesus paid the price for our sins, that we have forgiveness when we repent. As we call upon the name of the Lord in our confessions, He hears us and has mercy upon our souls. Paul also taught on this and said, 1“for he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” (Romans 6:7-10) So as the gospel says, Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected the third day. So many times it is spoken that Jesus payed the price for the sins of the world, while he was dying. It never says once that anything like this happened in Gethsemane. Truly, it is the devil that adds to Gods’ Words in order to lead people astray, and believing in false doctrines such as this. It is my prayer that you come to Jesus and read the Bible for yourself. Stop trusting what people say and believe in what God’s Word says.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that every person in the Mormon faith will open their eyes to the truthfulness of the gospel. Open their hearts, that they may have eyes to see and ears to hear You. Take away the veil off of their faces and cast out all demonic forces out of their lives. Then, will they no longer be under the cloak of darkness and start seeking what is of God and not men. Surely, it is because of the false teachings in their church is why they don’t understand You and the importance of the cross. It is foolishness to them, in the way that they downplaying it and lifting up Gethsemane instead. This is truly sad, oh Lord, since the gospel revolves around what You did on the cross and in the resurrection. They can’t take away from it, without removing Your payment for our sins. There would be no forgiveness for what we have done wrong, if You, Jesus had not stepped in our place and died for us. Your Words are true that teach about the payment of sins on the cross and nowhere else. Anything that takes the place or adds to the cross is taking away the importance of what You have done, Lord. It very sad to see this and all the people that are led astray because of these false teachings, God. So cast out the evil spirits that is possessing the people in this false religion. Lead them out of this place and into a spirit filled church that teaches from the Bible and doesn’t add or take away from it. As believers, we ought to be lifting up what You have said and not tearing it down. Surely, Your words are faithful and endure forever. No weapon formed against us can destroy them, for You are mighty. Thank You Lord for revealing the truth of the gospel to our hearts. We just ask that Your fire will come down upon these people and convict them of their sins and lead them to You. I love You, Lord. It is an honor to follow You. To read and study Your Words from the Bible is amazing. Thank You. I give You all the praise and all the glory. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Romans 6:1-14 (KJV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
21 Corinthians 1:10-19 (KJV)
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
I die with Jesus on the cross. My sins are nailed to the cross Jesus died on. I need the cross.