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    • Witnessing To Mormons

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    Witnessing To Mormons

    WITNESSING TO MORMONS

    Mormons tend to be somewhat more difficult to witness to, especially if the ones you meet are the ones who come knocking at your door. Some principles that will be presented here, are valid when witnessing to any non-Christian religious group. Above all, remember that the object is to present the Gospel, not engage in verbal conflict.

    Although much informational data has been presented about Mormonism, this information may not be able to, in itself, sway a Mormon to rethink or re-evaluate his way of thinking. Typically, when questions arise about the reliability, accuracy, or inspiration of any of his beliefs, a Mormon would respond, “I know this to be true, because I have a burning in my bosom!” This refers to the Mormon belief (and habit) of confirming their position through the supposed discernment of the Spirit. No allowance is made for any other position. Some questions to consider:

    1. Why doesn’t the feeling that I have about my position have the same validity as the Mormon’s feeling?
    2. Can this feeling be deceptive? What differentiates this feeling of conviction from other feelings (for temptation, immorality, etc.)?
    3. Can this feeling be substantiated through any external evidence, or is it just exclusively personal?

    (These questions should be considered by both yourself and your Mormon friend.)

    The most useful tool in reaching a Mormon, or any other nonChristian, is the personal testimony. A well prepared and timely testimony will exceed the ability of most non-Christian countermoves. Why is this?

    A personal testimony about a personal relationship with God through Christ, implies something which is hard to refute. First of all, we are talking about a subjective experience. This can be compared to the Mormon’s own subjective experience. It is very difficult to speak against a personal experience, because to do so implies that the claimant is lying. The contrast here, though, is that the personal experience is NOT based on feelings, as the Mormon’s is. Rather, the experience is substantiated by a historically based belief. Additionally, the belief is one of a PERSONAL relationship with Christ. This is a personal relationship with DEITY! Few other religions claim a truly personal relationship with deity, much less with the maker of heaven and earth. Secondly, the belief that we talk about is the SAME as presented in Scriptures, despite the fact that no two people claim the same personal testimony. In other words, the experience is subjective, but the conclusions are NOT! It may be useful to have others also give their testimony. Be prepared to give your testimony. (1 Peter 3:15)

    A personal relationship with the Mormon is vital! It is unreasonable to expect a Mormon, who has mainly Mormon friends and activities, to stride into Christianity, especially if you are only recently known to him. If you are unwilling to devote the time, as Christ did with His disciples, it is better to find someone else to do the job. You are asking a Mormon to abandon all that has made up his life, for a good deal of time past. Something must replace that which will be abandoned. Needs must be understood and met.

    Everyone has personal needs. For many who become involved in non-Christian movements, the most common denominator in their choice to join has been the needs-meeting attributes of the organization they are now part of. The same is true, to an extent, for those who become followers of Christ. Rarely does a new Christian rely totally upon Christ to provide for his needs, and we should not expect it to be any different for those in non-Christian groups.

    Rather, then, we need to seek out the needs, and satisfy them in light of God’s Word. This does not mean that we should seek only to satisfy needs, be a people-pleaser, and just hand out niceties. If we insist on putting on a false front, we will be discovered, and labeled as insincere and deceitful. Again, I stress that if you will not devote the time to a relationship, it would be better that another brother or sister in Christ takes your place in this witness.

    The principle, then, that we want to emphasize, is replacement. We must seek to replace the old with the new, in relationships, encouragement, edification, and love. That is, we must place our own self in the position that is ordinarily taken up by Mormon friends and contacts of the person we truly desire to share the Gospel with. We must introduce this person to our friends, family, and those we fellowship with. We must be confident in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit within the body of believers that we know; so much so, that we may allow ourselves to share openly and without hesitation, those that we surround ourselves with.

    Another important principle is that of abiding by the Word. How often we find, that Christianity is dismissed for reason of hypocrisy. No! Let the argument fall by the way. If we are constantly abiding in Him, our shortfalls become His glory. Our constant vigilance, and admission of weakness, sheds light upon our dependence upon the Grace. Let us be confident in direction and “make your ‘yes’ yes, and your ‘no’ no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37) If we are guided by the Word, our shortfalls are covered (not hidden) by the grace and forgiveness of Him.

    Additionally, pray. For we are not combatants in the world of flesh and blood, but of the spirit. (Ephesians 6:12) We do not enter where He does not lead, and His hand is a constant path-opener. Our strength and effectiveness are all due to Him.

    Especially for yourself, know your God on a daily basis. Know Him that you believe in, and know why you can believe in His everlasting and promised faithfulness. Be careful to know the confidence that you have in the Lord, lest you be swayed by clever and deceiving arguments. (2 Timothy 3:13-15)

    Finally, treat the beliefs of Mormons with an amount of respect, which regards the value of the one you are trying to reach out to. Although your Mormon friend may be deceived, he very sincerely has embraced his beliefs. We must rebuke gently, yet boldly expose the falsehood and untruth of that which he has so unfortunately been drawn into. Be confident in the Word of God, the sword and arm of the Lord. (2 Timothy 3:16)

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    The Christian Counter Project
    P.O. Box 957215
    Hoffman Estates, IL 60195

    Copyright 1989 The Christian Counter Project

    Reproduction permitted only if text is intact, not within the body of any other text, and is not sold for gain or profit.

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