Originally Posted by Russ T
About my views on mormonism...

I studied mormonism for a good while and have read most of the primary books and studied other mormon literature. I attended conference, seen "apostles" live (in person) speak, etc., etc.

I learned about kolob, the book of Abraham, the relationship between Christ and lucifer, the "errors" in the Bible (claimed by Joseph Smith), and a whole lot more that made me come to the conclusions that I did about mormonism. This is why I'm not a mormon today.

The battle within ourselves is between our head and our heart. The Bible says the heart of man is corrupt (illogical/sinful), this is why we should not follow it.

God wants us to live smart and wisely. He wants us to live by using our head and following his commands. Of course, if the Bible contains the commands of God, but some man comes around and tries to change it, how should be respond?

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

(Revelation 22:18-19)

The Bible warned us that there would be great deception in the end times—the times we now live in, and indeed, there is great deception today. The Bible says that the saints of God were found to be fighting against the "beast" of revelation. Why? Because of the lies and corruption of the beast.

I hope this makes sense.


"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

(Revelation 13:16-18)

"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."

(Revelation 14:9-11)

You are rambling a bit here so I'd like to clear something up. Are you saying that being a Latter-Day Saint is the same as voluntarily taking on the mark of the beast?
I don't think that the two are congruent at all.
Sure, you believe that following Joseph Smith's teachings leads a person away from the true religion. However, they can always come back into the fold, so to speak.
Once someone takes the mark of the Beast, they cannot turn back. At least that's Tim LaHaye's interpretation of Revelations. I guess that's one of those things that Christ won't sacrifice Himself to forgive.

A faith that connot survive collision with the truth is not worth many regrets. -- Arthur C. Clarke