The American Spectator

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(Page 6 of 15)

Worse, Holman dismisses Mormons' agreement with fundamental Christian doctrine as mere "platitudes," while he emphasizes areas of departure from conventional theology. But, is it a "platitude" when Mormons say they believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ? All Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the literal Son of God and the only begotten of the Father (John 3:16). Mormons believe that the Atonement of Jesus Christ was the central act of all history, and that it was the only sufficient sacrifice for our sins. As such, Christ's sacrifice was the only means by which men and women may be saved. Are these mere platitudes? I would have thought that these beliefs were the essence of Christianity. Mormons believe in the Virgin Birth and that Jesus was the only man ever to live a perfect life. Mormons believe that Christ, having been crucified for our sins, rose again the third day, as recorded in the Gospels, after which He ascended to Heaven. To dismiss these core beliefs as unimportant, without even mentioning them, is less candid than I would normally expect from a contributor to your pages.

It will be interesting to see how Romney's candidacy plays out. There are certainly many, Holman among them, I suppose, who are still pleased to call "Mormonism" a cult. On the other hand, as attention is paid to Romney's faith, conservative Christians will discover that Mormons share their views on social issues and also, typically, have the same attitudes on matters of economic and foreign policy. (Harry Reid is, regrettably, an exception to the rule.) I'm expecting the MSM to be schizophrenic about Romney's faith; they'll want to be sympathetic when Romney is criticized by some Christian conservatives (whom the MSM love to hate), and yet Mormon teaching on the hot-button issues of gay marriage and abortion are anathema to their blue-state mentalities. That'll be fun to watch.

p>At least one other good thing might occur: newspaper, magazine and (ahem) web-page editors might finally learn how the Church's name is to be written. It is the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Note the hyphen and the small "d" -- please get it right in the future! br> -- Leighton M. Anderson br> Whittier, California /p>

It is quite easy to see that the spirit of persecution that drove the Latter-Day Saints from their homes several times is still alive and well, at least in author David Holman's mind. In this day and age, conservative-minded people need to unite to fight the liberal and secular philosophies of our time. This article is full of flat-out misrepresentations about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The author's contempt for the LDS Church is thinly veiled. Below I will clarify what Latter-Day Saints really believe and are about.

1) Are Latter-Day Saints Christians? Yes, we believe the Book of Mormon to be scripture and the most correct of any book. This belief, however, supports and sustains our belief in Christ and does not conflict with the Old and New Testaments, but supports them. Below are just a few of many verses in the Book of Mormon that support our belief in Christ.

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26)

"Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works. Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtain a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh." (Jacob 4:11)

"Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood." (Alma 21:9)

I wonder if David Holman has ever read the Book of Mormon all the way through? Latter-Day Saints certainly believe in the Heavenly Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost and all of the gifts associated with the Holy Ghost. Our belief that they are separate and distinct individuals is supported by the Bible (See below).

"When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:58-59)

Stephen saw two separate and distinct individuals.

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