Thomas S. Monson Priesthood Address April 2013

           Come, All Ye Sons of God

Priesthood Conference Address May 2013 by Thomas S. Monson

Compared to the Bible by Connie Raddon

Color Key:

Quotes from the LDS Ensign in blue.

Quotes from the Bible in red.

All my own words are black.

The May 2013 issue of the Ensign is a record of the April General Conference.  In the Priesthood Session, Thomas Monson spoke to the men of the LDS Church.  His talk is found on pg. 66 of the Ensign.

The topic of Mr. Monson’s talk is missionary work.  The main difference between Monson’s perspective and the Biblical perspective is where the focus is.  Monson’s missionary focus is on the missionary and the church.  The Bible’s perspective is on Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 

Monson explains that missionary work requires adjustments to one’s lifestyle.  This is all dependent on the work of the individual missionary. 

 “At best, missionary work necessitates drastic adjustment to one’s pattern of living.  It requires long hours and great devotion, selfless sacrifice and fervent prayer.”

Then Monson says that a missionary’s personal work will earn them eternal joy.

“As a result, dedicated missionary service returns a dividend of eternal joy which extends throughout mortality and into eternity.”

This is a perfect example of the work based religions and teachings that the Bible warns us about.  John 15:5 reminds us that if we are not in Christ, we can do nothing.  So anyone who teaches us to knuckle down and make ourselves change is a false teacher. A true teacher of God will teach you to submit all to Christ – your will, your thoughts, your desires, etc – because only HE can change you.

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Monson teaches a formula to ensure missionary success.  The Bible does not teach a formula.  Also, the Bible does not teach that there is any way to ensure success – in anything here in this life.  The only thing the Bible says we can know for sure is that we will have eternal life if we put all our faith and trust is Jesus Christ and profess our faith.

It’s not really clear what success Monson thinks his formula will bring – he doesn’t make that clear.  Is he suggesting that by following his formula a missionary will definitely have converts?  It sounds like that is what he is implying, but it’s never said, so it’s anyone’s guess.

Here is Monson’s formula for success: (bolded words are bolded in the Ensign)

“May I suggest a formula that will ensure our success:  first, search the scriptures with diligence: second, plan your life with purpose (and, I might add, plan your life regardless of your age): third, teach the truth with testimony; and fourth, serve the Lord with love.”

First, he says to search the scriptures with diligence.  According to the Bible, the BIBLE is the only scripture – so if you are studying the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, or Pearl of Great Price, you are not in line with what the Bible says.

Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God is tested…Do not add to His words, or He will reprove you and you will be proved a liar.”

Second, Monson says to plan your life with purpose.  Well, the Bible says we cannot know from one day to the next what God will do with our lives.

James 4:13-16 “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’  Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”  But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”

Now before you jump down my throat and accuse me of saying that planning your life is evil, remember that I am just comparing what Monson said to what the Bible says.  Mr. Monson is claiming that planning your life with purpose is one of the steps of a formula that will ensure success.  THAT is not Biblical.  There is nothing wrong with planning your life, as the Bible says, as long as you go with “what the Lord wills”. 

Third, Monson’s formula says to teach the truth with testimony.  The Bible does indeed teach us that we should share the gospel and teach God’s truth.  But the “gospel” of Mormonism is NOT the same gospel in the Bible.  And if you are not teaching the gospel as taught in the Bible, you are not teaching truth, and should be cursed.

Galatians 1:8 (Paul is speaking) “But even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed.”

Fourth, “serve the Lord with love.”   This principle aligns with what the Bible teaches.  However, serving the Lord with love is in no way linked to any promise or certainty that you will have success – in a career, in marriage, in life, or in missionary work. 

The Mormon church teaches that the current prophet is the mouthpiece for God here on the earth.  Today that is Thomas Monson.  So if Monson is standing at the pulpit, addressing members all around the world, acting in the capacity of his calling as a prophet, and even closing his remarks “in the name of Jesus Christ”, would it be safe to assume that the general membership of the Mormon church believes that he is speaking in the name of the Lord?  Yes, of course! 

Well, the Bible says that if you hear a prophet speak in the name of the Lord and do not obey, you will be held accountable to God.  If, however, a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord and what he says will happen does not actually happen, you should separate yourself from him and not be afraid of him.  In other words, this is how you identify a false prophet. 

Deut. 18:18-22  “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.

But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.

 You may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’

When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken.  The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”

Think about that…. If even one person who has ever served an LDS mission, who is currently serving an LDS mission, or ever will serve an LDS mission follows Monson’s formula and does NOT have success (converts), then Thomas Monson is a false prophet. 

The Bible also clearly teaches that it is the Holy Spirit that teaches and converts people.  For an example, read Acts 10.  Cornelius is a Roman leader who is a righteous man.  He is not, however, converted until at the end of the chapter when the Holy Spirit falls on him.  Even though it was Peter who was teaching Cornelius at the time, Peter is not the one who converted him.  The Holy Spirit is. 

Monson gives the credit of conversion to the missionaries themselves, and their own righteousness.  There is no mention of the Holy Spirit.

“Each year our young men in uniform bring many souls into the kingdom of God (WHO brings souls into the kingdom of God????) by honoring their priesthood, living the commandments of God, and teaching to others the Lord’s divine word.”  (how are these souls brought to the kingdom?  By the missionary’s righteousness and teaching????)

Like I said at the beginning, Monson is teaching missionaries to focus on themselves – not on the Holy Spirit or Jesus Christ.

The teachings in the May 2013 issue of the Ensign

are NOT Biblical, and therefore,

NOT consistent with Christian beliefs.

Brigham Young issued a challenge on May 18, 1873 (as recorded in the Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16 p. 46):  “Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter Day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test.”

I have accepted that challenge from Brigham Young.

In the May 2013 issue of the Ensign, the LDS religion FAILS this test.

Resources used for this article:

The Word of God (The Bible)

The LDS magazine, “The Ensign”

The Holy Spirit

2012 Conference - Priesthood Session

“See Others as They May Become” by Thomas S. Monson

“We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present

but as they may become.”

Compared to the Bible by Connie Raddon

Color Key:

Quotes from the LDS Ensign in blue.

Quotes from the Bible in red.

All my own words are black.

The November issue of the Ensign contains all of the talks given by the leadership of the LDS Church during October’s General Conference.  This talk was given by the president of the Church, Thomas S. Monson, during the Priesthood Session.  It is found on pg. 68-71.

The Bible is based on the theme that we are all sinners, and therefore unworthy of God’s blessings because His standard is perfection – absolute and complete perfection. 

Romans 3:10 “There is none righteous, no, not one.”

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Even our good works and obedience is not acceptable to God because it is tainted with sin. 

Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;”

This makes us unworthy of living with Him in heaven, and even unworthy of every good thing God offers.  The only thing we deserve is death – both physical and spiritual.

Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death…”

God provided a solution to our problem in Jesus Christ. 

Romans 6:23b “…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus lived perfectly.  Then as a perfect sacrifice for sin, he atoned for all our sins. 

2 Cor. 5:21a “For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be in for us…”

If we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, then God counts all our sins as completely paid for, and grants us Christ’s righteousness instead of our own.

2 Cor. 5:21b “…that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Mr. Monson’s talk is based on a very different theme from the Bible.  He talks about how we can work hard to change ourselves into something righteous.  Since he is talking to the men, he talks about how they can make themselves worthy to hold the priesthood, and even be the incentive for other men to make themselves worthy. 

(I have bolded the words that Mr. Monson uses to keep church members in the bondage of their own works.)

“If you feel that you do not yet have the depth of testimony you would wish, I admonish you to work to achieve such a testimony.  If it is strong and deep, labor to keep it that way.”

“…there are countless individuals who have little or no testimony right now, those who could and would receive such a testimony if we would be willing to make the effort to share ours and to help them change.  In some instances we can provide the incentive for change.”

“We need to bear in mind that people can change.  They can put behind them bad habits.  They can repent from transgressions.  They can bear the priesthood worthily.  And they can serve the Lord diligently.”

“…they had turned their lives around and had fully qualified to become elders.”

(Speaking about men who are not active)  “It is our responsibility to give them opportunities to live as they should.  We can help them to overcome their shortcomings.”

“When our lives comply with God’s own standard, those within our sphere of influence will never speak the lament, ‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.’”

All this “worthiness” is credited to the efforts of men.  No credit is given to God. 

The Bible teaches that we cannot “qualify” by keeping God’s commandments. 

“knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ…for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”  Galatians 2:16

(“Justified” means to be declared free of blame – in other words, God declares us righteous.)

“…for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”  Galatians 2:21

The teachings in the November 2012 issue of the Ensign

are NOT Biblical, and therefore,

NOT consistent with Christian beliefs.

Brigham Young issued a challenge on May 18, 1873 (as recorded in the Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16 p. 46):  “Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter Day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test.”

I have accepted that challenge from Brigham Young.

In the November 2012 issue of the Ensign, the LDS religion FAILS this test.

Resources used for this article:

The Word of God (The Bible)

The LDS magazine, “The Ensign”

Thomas S. Monson's Conference Address April 2012

“The Race of Life” by Thomas S. Monson

“Where did we come from?  Why are we here?  Where do we go after this life? 

No longer need these universal questions remain unanswered.”

Compared to the Bible by Connie Raddon

Color Key:

Quotes from the LDS Ensign in blue.

Quotes from the Bible in red.

All my own words are black.

The May issue of the Ensign contains all of the talks given by the leadership of the LDS Church during April’s General Conference.  This talk was given by the president of the Church, Thomas S. Monson.  It is found on pg. 90-93.

Mr. Monson explains that the LDS Church provides answers to three questions:

1.      Where did we come from?  LDS Answer:  A previous existence as literal spirit children of God.

2.      Why are we here?  LDS Answer:  To be tested to see if we will qualify for the blessings of heaven.

3.      Where do we go after this life?  LDS Answer: We want to earn a celestial glory to be in the presence of God.

For this article, I want to focus on the second question, “Why are we here?”  Monson repeats the concept many times that we are here to become worthy for what God holds for us in the next life.  He doesn’t always say the word “worthy”, but he uses terms and phrases that mean the same thing such as “qualify”, “become perfect”, “successfully cross the finish line”,  and “earn”.

“How grateful we should be that a wise Creator fashioned an earth and placed us here, with a veil of forgetfulness of our previous existence so that we might experience a time of testing, an opportunity to prove ourselves in order to qualify for all that God has prepared for us to receive.”

First, our Creator actually “CREATED” the earth.  To say He “fashioned” the earth implies that He merely molded it, or gave shape to it. 

The Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Gen 1:1

Second, there was no “veil of forgetfulness” because we did NOT exist previous to our earthly existence.

Third, and on the topic of Monson’s “worthiness”, our purpose here is not for a “time of testing” or to “prove ourselves”.  If that is the case, then everyone has failed.  Absolutely no one will qualify for presence in God’s glory. 

“There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.”  Romans 6:10-11

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 6:23

“By obedience to God’s commandments, we can qualify for that “house” spoken of by Jesus when He declared:  ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions’.”

We cannot “qualify” by keeping God’s commandments.  We get into that “house” spoken of by Jesus by grace alone – being justified through our faith alone.

“knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ…for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”  Galatians 2:16

(“Justified” means to be declared free of blame – in other words, God declares us blameless.)

“…for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”  Galatians 2:21

Monson also says, “God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord, have marked the way to perfection.  They beckon us to follow eternal verities and to become perfect, as They are perfect.”

Mr. Monson misquotes the Bible here when he says “become perfect”.  The Bible says, “BE perfect”, not “become”.  This is not a process, but a command to be perfect right now.  How do we do that?  Not by our own works, that’s for sure.  Jesus is the only person who lived perfectly.  When we are born again, not only are we forgiven of all sin through Christ’s atonement, but his righteousness is applied to us so God can look at us and count us as perfect.  Right now.  When God “justifies” us, it is like declaring us to be perfect.  Keep that in mind when reading these verses:

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1

See how this says we have already been justified?  We are already seen as perfect… we don’t have to “become” perfect, or “become” justified.

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”  Galatians 3:24

Monson continues, “…and I do not overlook the holy scriptures, which contain the word of the Lord and the words of the prophets – provided to us to help us successfully cross the finish line.”

In 1 John chapter 5 is God’s witness to us that if we believe in the Son, we have eternal life.  God does not witness to us that he will provide help for us to achieve eternal life, He says that those who believe HAVE IT now. 

“It is the celestial glory which we seek.  It is in in the presence of God we desire to dwell.  It is a forever family in which we want membership.  Such blessings are earned through a lifetime of striving, seeking, repenting, and finally succeeding.”

When the Bible speaks of “eternal life” or being “saved”, it is referring to living in the presence of God, with all the blessings of heaven.  The Bible says these blessings cannot “be earned” like Monson says.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

The teachings in the May 2012 issue of the Ensign

are NOT Biblical, and therefore,

NOT consistent with Christian beliefs.

Brigham Young issued a challenge on May 18, 1873 (as recorded in the Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16 p. 46):  “Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter Day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test.”

I have accepted that challenge from Brigham Young.

In the May 2012 issue of the Ensign, the LDS religion FAILS this test.

Resources used for this article:

The Word of God (The Bible)

The LDS magazine, “The Ensign”

October 2011 Conference Issue: Thomas Monson

Color Key:

Quotes from Thomas Monson in blue.

Quotes from the Bible in red.

All my own words are black.

Stand in Holy Places

By Connie Raddon

The November 2011 Ensign is entirely dedicated to the messages that were given in the October 2011 sessions of General Conference.  The leadership of the LDS Church give talks on different subjects that they feel the general LDS population needs to hear.  I would like to focus on what their prophet, Thomas S. Monson had to say in his talk entitled, “Stand in Holy Places”.

The article begins by explaining the moral decay that is going on in society today.  He says that “Behaviors which once were considered inappropriate and immoral are now not only tolerated but also viewed by ever so many as acceptable.”

The Bible also tells of societies which fell into moral decay – Genesis 18 and 19 tell of the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah.  In the book of Judges, the Israelites “did what was right in their own eyes” and were told by God how unrighteous they were.

Both the LDS Church and the Bible point out that immoral behavior and wickedness exist.  Monson, however, turns away from Biblical teachings when he explains that righteous “moral behavior” comes by way of us taking control of our lives, controlling our behavior and our environment.

“…there is nothing which can bring more joy into our lives or more peace to our souls than the Spirit which can come to us as we follow the Savior and keep the commandments.  That Spirit cannot be present at the kinds of activities in which so much of the world participates.”

The Bible teaches that once the Holy Spirit dwells in us, He will never leave.  He is not limited to being present only when we are at the right kinds of activities.

John 14:16:  “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” 

These were the words of Jesus.  He also said, (Matt.28:20) “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

“The apostle Paul declared the truth: ‘The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.’  The term natural man can refer to any of us if we allow ourselves to be so.”

We are all “natural man” until we accept Christ’s righteousness in substitute of our own and turn our lives over to Him.  Then the Holy Spirit moves in permanently and changes us.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Now all things are of God…”

God changes us.  We cannot take any credit.  We don’t have the power to “allow ourselves” to flip flop between having the Holy Spirit in us and not; between being a “natural man” and being a “spiritual man”.  That power is God’s alone.

ETERNAL LIFE:

The Bible teaches that eternal life in the kingdom of God is not ours to surrender – it is a gift from God. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;…”

God’s grace is what gives us eternal life in the kingdom of God.  He gives that freely as a gift to those who believe. 

But Monson claims that moral behavior is necessary for eternal life in the kingdom of God.

“We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual.  It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God.”

Monson’s teachings are NOT Biblical, and therefore, NOT consistent with Christian beliefs.

  

On May 18, 1873 (as recorded in the Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16 p. 46), Brigham Young issued a challenge:  “Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter Day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test.”

I have accepted that challenge from Brigham Young.

In the November 2011 issue of the Ensign, the LDS religion FAILS this test.

I sincerely thank my research partner, Art Haglund.