DR. LYNN K. WILDER Authentic, Humble Dialogue with Mormons
Summary
Too often, well-meaning Christians attempt to tell Latter-day Saints what Mormons believe and what they should believe. A better strategy is to ask thoughtful questions so Mormons can explain their personal beliefs, discover what the Bible says, and ponder the differences. The well-informed biblical Christian who listens carefully creates ample opportunities for authentic and humble conversation with Mormons.
Introduction
After our family left Mormonism, many Latter-day Saints who were struggling with a variety of faith issues began to contact us.1 Now in ministry, we introduce Mormons questioning their faith to the biblical Jesus; we also help Christians understand how to offer the gospel of grace to Mormons. Our love for the LDS people is personal, and our purpose is to free anyone in bondage to any form of religion by introducing them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. The approach we find to be effective is to introduce Mormons to specific passages in God’s Word in friendly conversation, allowing them to discover when a passage conflicts with LDS teachings. In this approach, asking the right questions is key.
Who Are the Latter-day Saint (LDS) People?
If you have a desire to talk with Mormons, my first recommendation is to know your audience so you can love them. Remember, no set of attributes fits everyone in any group, but the following traits may be helpful in better understanding LDS culture and people:
Conservative followers. Because Mormons follow their church leaders devotedly and trust that God places these men in their positions, they tend to be good followers. These are capable folks who believe their living prophet speaks for God and their church is the only true church. There are many laws, ordinances, and commandments to follow. Mormons are likely conservative traditionalists in politics, although not always. Temple-worthy Mormons are also moderate in appearance since their temple garment underwear must remain covered.
Pleasant proselytizers. The outward behavior of most Mormons typically includes being polite, pleasant, and proselytizing. Mormons consider themselves Christian and may judge others based on how “Christlike” they act. Mormons are also loyal to their church and family. Many converts to Mormonism come out of biblical Christianity and may have previously believed in Jesus, though they may not be familiar with what the Bible says about who He is or what He teaches. They deeply cherish sharing their LDS faith.
Family values. Latter-day Saints value traditional marriage and gender roles. In the US, they have larger-than-average families (a third more children)2 and are highly involved in their children’s activities.3 Family is important since the definition of “eternal life” in the LDS Church means the family unit will live together forever.4 Marriage can be for this life as well as the next if a “worthy” couple is sealed together in a temple. Since the faith requires works to earn eternal life and possibly reach the status of godhood, Mormons are often quite industrious and may be exhausted in their striving toward perfection. This is an opportunity for Christians to be a safe haven for them and pray with them over their challenges.
The Christian who hopes to be successful in LDS evangelism needs to be aware of what Pastor Jim Catlin calls “landmines.”5 These are things that ought to be known about Mormons to avoid offending them and closing their ears to the biblical gospel of grace. Here are two to consider:
LDS dislike contention. Most faithful Mormons are honored to talk about their faith and their church—unless they sense persecution. They can be sensitive to what they perceive as attacks on their faith. According to 3 Nephi 11:29 in the Book of Mormon, Jesus says that the spirit of contention is of the Devil. Therefore, Mormons sometimes see someone who presents anything that opposes their church’s beliefs as being contentious, or from the Devil. They will not want to feel pushed or cornered. This is a tricky landmine; if you step on it, there is a good chance the conversation will be over. This is marked by the Latter-day Saint defaulting to reciting a personal testimony that goes something like this: “I know the [LDS] church is true. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know the Book of Mormon is true,” and so forth. These testimonies stress allegiance to the church organization and leaders rather than Jesus.
LDS offer milk before meat. Mormons will not always answer direct questions or admit that their church teaches a particular belief. This is a principle known as “milk before meat” that is found in Doctrine and Covenants 19:22. It says in part that “they cannot bear meat now, but milk they must receive.” Typically, missionaries try to commit their investigators (those who are considering converting to Mormonism) to baptism in three or fewer visits. Explanations about what is required after joining the church usually come after baptism. It is normal for Mormons who are sharing their faith to avoid the deeper doctrines while telling listeners only those things that can be easily accepted. Stepping on this landmine by trying to converse about deeper doctrines before a good relationship is formed might be offensive and end the conversation. Stick to Jesus and His Word.
Subsequent discussion is an opportunity to gently set up a dilemma using scripture that begs exploration. In conversation, turn naturally to the Word of God. An excellent resource for discussion topics and related scripture is Adam’s Road’s “LDS Doctrine Topical Guide” or the “Quick Doctrinal Comparison” found in the back of Unveiling Grace.6 We suggest not reading passages to them. Instead, have them open their own King James Version of the Bible and ask them to read the passage out loud. Then ask what they think. Allow them to be the experts on their own faith. By selecting biblical passages that are different than the beliefs they are taught, you are setting up a dilemma that will require investigation and resolution—perhaps not at that moment, but at a later time.
How the Columbo Approach Can Work with Mormons
Greg Koukl, the founder of the ministry Stand to Reason, first introduced the tactic known as the “Columbo tactic.” Named after the 1970s detective TV series Columbo starring Peter Falk, Koukl explains how the police lieutenant arrived at each episode’s murder scene sporting unkempt hair and a rumpled trench coat.7 The approach is simply to ask thoughtful, targeted questions while using Columbo’s trademarked “Do you mind if I ask you a question?” Koukl writes:
The key to the Columbo tactic is to go on the offensive in an inoffensive way by using carefully selected questions to productively advance the conversation. Simply put, never make a statement, at least at first, when a question will do the job.8
The Columbo approach involves genuine and innocent inquiry to stimulate thinking. Since Mormons can be easily offended, asking questions to address topics in conversation is an effective way to be nonthreatening. Of course, Jesus used questions in a brilliant fashion. In the same way, the Columbo approach is never meant to be disingenuous but is a tool to use to avoid landmines that offend while allowing the Holy Spirit to draw people to Him through the Word. Asking specific questions can guide the conversation to stay on one topic at a time while avoiding tangents.
Sample Columbo Questions for Seven LDS Teachings
The pattern is this:
1. The Mormon explains personal beliefs on a topic. Listen closely and ask clarifying questions.
2. Turn to a passage of Scripture that challenges that LDS teaching. Hand them the Bible, or ask them to turn to their own, and read the passage out loud. Then ask them to please explain what they think it means.
3. Ask, “How have you reconciled what the Bible says with what the LDS Church teaches since they are opposite?”
Here are some examples of how this approach can be used with particular LDS doctrines.
Great Apostasy
Mormonism teaches that God’s authority left the earth not long after the death of the apostles. This “Great Apostasy” is one of the first principles taught to potential converts by LDS missionaries. When the missionary brings up this topic, a possible response could be:
I’m confused because of something I read in the Bible. You say Jesus’s church went into apostasy and He therefore failed to establish a church that would endure through the centuries, right? Could you please read these words of Jesus and explain what you think He meant?
Look up Matthew 16:18 where Jesus said, “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Here Jesus Himself refutes the idea of a Great Apostasy. I once asked a missionary to read this scripture out loud and tell me what she thought it meant. As she read it, her face turned red as she had no idea how to explain it. I prayed she would return to her apartment and open her Bible to investigate if Jesus really said that and why He would.
The Word of God
Mormons usually are not convinced of the reliability nor the sufficiency of the Bible since they have been instructed to trust the Bible only “as far as it is translated correctly” (Eighth Article of Faith) and additional scripture is needed. According to 1 Nephi 13:28-29 in the Book of Mormon, “plain and precious things” were removed from the Bible. To Mormons, biblical Christians have part of the truth but need the “fullness of the gospel.”9 Evidence that the Bible is both reliable and sufficient may need to be part of the conversation.10 Reference Matthew 24:35, where Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” When a Mormon expresses any doubt about the Bible, ask:
• Do you believe the words of Jesus in the Bible?
• What do you think He is saying in this passage?
• Do you believe He is able to keep the right words together through the ages or did man corrupt them and remove important teachings?
• Is additional scripture necessary?
If you have an opportunity to present the historical, geographical, and archeological evidence for the Bible in conversation, it could be new information for them.
Mormonism’s version of Jesus is different from the biblical Jesus in significant ways. One main difference is that, unlike in Mormonism, the biblical Jesus has been God from the beginning (John 1:1) and is a person belonging to the co-eternal and co-equal Trinity.11 The Bible is clear that He did not earn His status as deity nor was He created, but He has always been God. In addition, Mormonism teaches that each member of the Godhead is separate (three gods). Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The biblical Jesus is unchanging, yet the LDS Jesus progressed/changed to earn His status as deity. Ask:
• Who is Jesus to you?
• According to this scripture, does He change?
• What did He do for you?
Mormons often claim that Jesus is their Savior. If they say this, ask:
• From what did Jesus save you?
• If He is your Savior, when is the last time you prayed to Him?
Forgiven Christians believe that Jesus saved them from their sins and they therefore have eternal life. First John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” Further, Mormons are not allowed to address Jesus in prayer, but Christians have the privilege of praying to Him directly. How is it possible for Jesus be your Savior but you’re never allowed to talk to Him?
The Cross
To the Christian, the cross symbolizes eternal life provided through the death and resurrection of Jesus. According to 1 Corinthians 1:18, “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Ask:
• What does the cross mean to you? (May I tell you what it means to me?)
• Considering what the Bible says about it, how have you reconciled the fact that the LDS Church does not use the symbol of the cross?
Grace
Let the Mormon define grace, which he or she may describe as an enabling power that helps one keep God’s commandments. However, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ask:
• If grace is a free gift and sufficient for eternal life, how did you come to the conclusion that temple works are necessary to earn eternal life?
Office of High Priest
The Jews had only one high priest at a time; the Bible claims that Jesus is now this high priest. As Hebrews 7:28 says, “The law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.” Mormons have thousands of high priests “after the order of Melchizedek.” If the topic of priesthood authority comes up, ask:
• Why does the LDS Church have thousands of high priests when God appointed only one in the Jewish temple and Jesus now is that one?
• Once Jesus died and the temple veil was torn, was there a need for multiple high priests?
Temples
The LDS Church has built many dozens of temples throughout the world for its people to do religious ordinance work for both the living and the dead. Although the main purpose in the biblical temple was to sacrifice animals on behalf of the sins of the people, Latter-day Saints learn new names and special handshakes in Mormon temples while making covenants and even participating in ordinances for the dead.
• What is the purpose of the LDS temple?
• Would you say these temples are like the Jerusalem temple described in the Old Testament?
• If the Bible describes only one temple and it had to be in Jerusalem with daily sacrifices and special feasts, how did you conclude that so many different temples are needed?
Conclusion
Regardless of the topic, be sure to have a firm grasp on the differences between biblical and Mormon teaching. This will involve study on your part to understand the doctrines taught in Mormonism and to familiarize yourself even more with biblical content. As you are in conversation, weave in your own testimony of the living Jesus and testify how He has transformed your life. Give examples of answered prayer and evidence for how He has worked in your life. Share His gospel of grace.
Since Mormons rely on feelings and experience in matters of faith, they may be willing to hear your testimony. So be prepared to share it. Understand that the Word’s results may be slow and plodding since there are so many contrasting teachings to address, but be patient and trust God. He appears to be on the move with the many Mormons leaving their faith for such a time as this.
Dr. Lynn K. Wilder (Fort Myers, Florida) is a former Mormon and Brigham Young University professor who currently teaches at Florida Gulf Coast University. She and her husband, Michael, founded the ministry Ex-Mormon Christians United for Jesus (www.unveilingmormonism.com). She has authored five books, including Unveiling Grace: The Story of How We Found Our Way Out of the Mormon Church (Zondervan, 2013), and is the coeditor of Leaving Mormonism: Why Four Scholars Changed their Minds (Kregel, 2017).