by Dean Helland

See accompanying Power Point presentation

Three segments of American society have caused a great deal of discussion and confusion in recent years within the Christian community in the United States--Islam, Mormonism and Freemasonry. Deeply embedded in American society, each offers its own explanation of who it is, what it believes, why it does the things it does, and why it thinks it is right. To start with, I congratulate each of these groups for the excellent contributions they have made to American society. I do not ignore or denigrate their positive aspects. Each professes a belief in God, and that is commendable in a secular humanistic society. Also, each attempts to blend as best it can into American society, and we are a mighty nation due largely to this concern for the common good. Christian believers agree with them about doing good works, and with them, we pray for our leaders so that we may live in peace. Holy Bible, King James Version, 1 Timothy 2:1-4

I have read numerous books and articles both "pro" and "con" on all three groups. My own upbringing in Mormonism intimately acquainted me with the Book of Mormon at an early age. My beloved grandfather, Gregorius Hans Helland (1884-1964), was a Freemason. As I matured, I learned that Islam, Mormonism, and Freemasonry join at numerous points in their history, ideology and practice. (Decker, 1992, p. 199; Evans, p. 32) The intertwining of these elements in my own background motivated me to write this paper in order to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly to members of these three groups with the desire that they may truly understand the Good News, repent of their sins, believe in Jesus Christ as he is presented in the Bible and receive eternal life in heaven. I believe that this goal may be realized for all the readers of this study. I also trust that this paper will provide insights for Christian believers to communicate their faith better to these people.

The Christian has a much higher and nobler task than just getting along comfortably in this world. While the Christian recognizes the inherent dignity of all people due to their being made in the image of God, he also recognizes the dangers of being deceived by false ideologies, and accepts the responsibility of warning his fellow-citizens of those dangers. Therefore, this paper attempts to provide reliable information on eight basic and parallel beliefs of these groups and to challenge their adherents to consider the clear biblical teaching on each of them. Length restrictions have limited the number of items dealt with here.

Hopefully, this will open more dialogue in the positive spirit of Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Doctrines of Islam

For this study, The Noble Qur'an (trans., 1996) is used to document the teachings of Islam. This version is used because it is similar in scope to the Amplified Bible, elaborating in unmistakable English the context and meaning of the Arabic text. It was produced by Muslim professors of Saudi Arabia’s Islamic University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and printed in Italy. My desire is to present these beliefs in as objective a manner as possible, recognizing that I am not and never have been a Muslim. The references used indicate chapters, called surahs, and verses. Other sources are used when necessary.

1. There is only one God. He has no wife, therefore he cannot have a son. 112:3

2. The greatest sin of all which is unpardonable by Allah is

Shirk. This sin involves believing that beings other than Allah have divine attributes and are a source of power. 4:48; 23:117

3. The Qur'an is the pure Word of God. 15:9 It was revealed to Mohammed by Allah, and Mohammed is the last of all the prophets. 47:2; 3:85; 10:37 The writings of all previous prophets have been corrupted and are now unreliable. (Emerick, 2002, p.102-103)

4. Islam will eventually be the only religion on earth. 9:33, 48:28; 61:9 This will be happen through "jihad." 8:39

This is the method Islam employs to recruit members. Muslim moderates interpret "jihad" simply as "spiritual struggle," but Islamic Fundamentalists interpret the Qur'an literally as written, as the violent and intentional killing of some non-Muslims so that others will convert to Islam through of fear of suffering the same fate. The Appendix at the end of this paper lists 109 verses in the Qur'an calling for this type of "evangelism." (Richardson, 2003, p. 254)

5. Allah granted Muhammed the right to an unlimited number of wives due to his position of being a prophet. 33:50-52 However, Moslem men are limited to only four wives each. In addition, they may have sexual privileges with their female slaves. 4:3;70:30

6. Allah may change his teachings within the pages of the Qur'an itself, and has the right to do so. 2:106, 142-143 This permits Muslims to quote to their non-Muslim neighbors in good conscience verses from the Qur'an which make Islam seem very open to other faiths, even tolerant, when they know that other passages of the Qur'an written later contradict them, making them null and void. 2:256

7. Drinking alcoholic beverages is forbidden. 5:90-91

8. Those who abandon Islam should be killed. 4:89

(For more authoritative information in Islam in English, read books by Mark A. Gabriel, PhD., former professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. They are available through the website at www.charismahouse.com)

The Influence of Islam on American Society

During the formative years of the United States, Islam had no discernible influence on society. The United States began as separate British colonies, but the Anglican Church did not exercise power in them as in England. Thus, most sectors of Christianity and Judaism were represented in the population, and Freemasonry was established on this continent by 1730 (Ridley, 2001, p. 90-91). Other religions such as Hinduism and Islam which predominate in other parts of the world were present only in trace amounts if at all before the United States achieved its independence in 1776. Immigration to the United States from Islamic countries continued to be severely restricted until more liberal laws were passed in 1965 and further expanded in 1989. (Pipes & Durán, 2002, p. 4)

The greatest response to the message of Islam has been by the Afro-American segment of American society. The Nation of Islam, while not generally considered a legitimate part of Islam, began as a result of racial turmoil between Blacks and Whites in the United States during the 1930's. What started as a purely racist religion, teaching that Whites are devils, split during the 1970's with most of the converts leaving the Nation of Islam to become a truly orthodox Islamic movement. (Zeya, 1990, p.42) Even so, Louis Farrakhan, present head of the Nation of Islam, sponsored the Million-Man March in Washington, D.C., uniting Black leaders of all segments of society for the first time on October 16, 1995. According to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, over 900,000 Afro-Americans converted to Islam during the 20th century. (Zeyra, 1990)

Since 9/11, Americans have become acutely aware of Islam. Previously it had been considered rather insignificant in this country, as only one of the many small religious groups in the U.S. besides Christianity, protected by the great umbrella of religious freedom that is a hallmark of our society. Now, however, Americans have begun studying Islam and listening to those who speak for and against it. The destruction of the World Trade Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001, caused the U.S. government to declare war on all supporters of Bin Laden's brand of Islamic Fundamentalism. This group has proclaimed that the Day of God's Judgment has arrived and calls for the destruction of all governments not accepting its interpretation of Islam. (John Swails, July 24, 2005, Radio interview at 8:00 a.m. on KFAQ, Tulsa, Oklahoma)

The U.S. government has carefully distinguished between moderate Islam, which President Bush has called a peace-loving religion, and Fundamentalist Islam, which solicits suicide bombers for Allah and agitates for world domination through the use of force. Bush directs an armed struggle of a coalition of nations against this latter group. While many nations cooperated to dismantle the government of the Taliban in Afghanistan, site of training camps for terrorism under Ben Laden, they were not so united when it came to dismantling the government of Sadaam Hussain in Iraq. This lack of unity was soon evident in American society as well.

The effort to combat these "warriors of Jihad", especially in Iraq, has caused a deep division in America. It has also seen a significant increase in the conversion rate to Islam in the United States, especially among those African American citizens who feel alienated from mainstream America. (Iqbal, Sajid, 2003) Fundamentalist Islamics in America blend into the established Moslem community, recruiting as they can, advocating the killing of Christians and Jews, presenting themselves as true believers simply obeying the commands of the Qur'an. (Pipes & Durán, p. 9)

On the other hand, many Americans have gone out of their way to give aid and comfort to their Muslim friends. Some public schools have started providing sympathetic teaching on Islam for their students. (Pipes, 2004) Some religious organizations have started holding forums for dialogue between different religions, including Islamic spokespersons. (Takim, 2004) A Presbyterian university in Tulsa has even permitted the building of a mosque on its campus to serve its Muslim students. (Christian Century, 2002)

Doctrines of Mormonism

The sacred books of the Utah Mormons are the King James Version of the Bible, the Book of Mormon (BM), the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) and the Pearl of Great Price (PGP). The Journal of Discourses (JD) is an important source of early Mormon sermons in twenty-seven volumes. Mormons do not like to be pinned down on what they believe. However, since I came from a Restoration Movement background, I consider myself to be quite well informed as to what they do and do not believe. I have used these primary sources to document their doctrines since the Mormons themselves use them regularly. I have full confidence in the other sources used here as well. The doctrines selected for examination are as follows:

1. God the Father (Elohim) is a glorified, exalted, resurrected man, one of many gods. He lives on another planet (Kolob) (PGP, Facsimile No. 2, Book of Abraham), has a plurality of wives, and begets children by them. (The Seer, Apostle Orson Pratt, p. 172 as cited in Tanner & Tanner, 1982, p. 228) Their children are born as spirit beings without a body, who, at a certain stage of maturity, enter the bodies of infants on planet Earth. (Joseph F. Smith, Man: His Origin and Destiny, p. 351, 355 as cited in McConkie, 1966, p. 589) Jesus Christ (Jehovah) is his literal son, brother to Satan, the demons, and all mankind. He was promoted to be a god, was born on earth through sexual relations between his mother, Mary, and God the Father, sweat his blood at Gethsemane to provide resurrection and eternal life. (McConkie, p. 671)

2. "If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (McConkie, p. 670)

Since its inception, Mormonism has emphasized a kind of "replacement theology." While claiming to recognize the Bible as one of its sacred books, it believes the Bible only to the extent that it has been "translated correctly." PGP, Articles of Faith Essentially it has replaced the authority of the Bible with that of Joseph Smith and the later "prophets" who head up the organization. Despite this, it insists that it is a Christian organization, pointing out that the words "Jesus Christ" are in its name, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

3. The Book of Mormon is the pure Word of God. It was written upon golden plates by ancient prophets in the western hemisphere, buried, and later translated by the power of God by Joseph Smith. (Title Page and Introduction) Its purpose was to restore the plain and precious truths which would be removed from the Bible in future centuries by unscrupulous clergy. BM, 1 Nephi 13:19-34

4. Jesus Christ will return to the earth and faithful Mormons will be his instruments to rule over it. (JD, v. 17, p. 156; D&C 103:5-7) One day, America's destiny will "hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people [the Mormons] will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction." (Smith, as quoted by B. Young, J. D., v. 7, p. 15) According to Jesus Christ, as quoted in the Book of Mormon, this will be preceded by (1) the gathering of Israelites to Zion from all nations and (2) the destruction of non-Mormons in the western hemisphere by Mormon Indians. BM, 3 Nephi 16:1-5, 15; 21:1, 11-29

5. Joseph Smith and all men in the Mormon priesthood had the right to multiple wives prior to 1890. D&C, 132:62-63 After that time, by revelation (and pressure by the U.S. government), polygamy was ordered to cease until it should be restored at Christ’s Second Coming. (McConkie, p. 578)

6. The Book of Mormon contains grammatical errors as well as overt contradictions. An example of the latter is found in 2 Nephi 5:15-16, where it explains that gold, silver and “precious ores” were “in great abundance”, but then says that the Nephites were unable to adorn their replica of Solomon’s temple in this hemisphere very much because these metals “were not to be found upon the land.”

The Mormon Church made thousands of unnoted editing changes in later editions (Tanner, n.d.), though the voice of God had declared to “eye-witnesses” of the golden plates that they had been translated by His gift and power. BM, The Testimony of Three Witnesses. This allows Mormons in good conscience to disregard obvious problems in the sacred Mormon books with the explanation that only the last thing handed down from the current Mormon prophet is valid at any given moment. (Ezra Taft Benson, 14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophets, p. 1-16 as cited by Witte, Bob, n.d., p. 12-1 to 12-4)

7. Alcoholic beverages are forbidden. D&C 89:5-7

8. According to the original doctrine of Blood Atonement, apostates were to be killed. Their own spilled blood, not Christ’s, would suffice for the sin of apostasy. J.D., vol. 4, p. 53-55 This was actually practiced for a time. (Hansen, p. 70)

The Influence of Mormonism on American Society

Mormonism's founder, Joseph Smith, was born in 1805. His church was officially organized in 1830. Therefore, it did not figure in the history of the formation of the country. However, it took as one of its tenets that the U.S. Constitution was divinely inspired. (D&C 101:80; 109:54)

Consequently, its influence on American society was felt after its founding years.

Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother, became a Freemason in the 1820's. The steps Joseph Smith took to produce the Book of Mormon parallel the Masonic legend of Enoch. Besides its connection with Freemasonry, the Smith family was steeped in practices of witchcraft and searching for buried treasure. Brigham Young and a number of the first Mormon apostles were Masons when they joined the Mormon Church. Joseph Smith himself became a Mason in Nauvoo, Illinois, on March 15, 1842. (Decker, 1995, p. 123)

Immediately following that, many of the secret rites of the Masonic Lodge were incorporated into the Mormon temple ceremonies, complete with blood oaths. (These blood oaths were removed from the secret Mormon temple ceremonies in June 1990.) In fact, Joseph Smith started claiming that not only had he restored original Christianity, but also that he had restored original Freemasonry. (Brodie, 1971, p 282) He combined these two things in Mormonism, making them one and the same.

Despite all this, in recent years, enough serious scholars have been produced by the Mormon Church to stir up interest in some Christian theologians to dialogue at length with them. This has resulted in two books published by the Christian academic community--How Wide the Divide (1997), by Craig L. Blomberg and Stephen E. Robinson, and The New Mormon Challenge (2002), by Francis J. Beckwith, Carl Mosser and Paul Owen.

Due to the solid-family image cultivated by the Mormon Church, its ex-missionaries are in high demand by FBI and CIA recruiters for work at home and abroad. (Jara Arancibia, 2005, p. 327) For their missionaries, the Mormon Church provides training in over 50 languages at Provo, Utah and several other institutes around the world. (BYU, 2004, About the MTC) Young men spend two years and young women one-and-a-half years serving at home or abroad. About one third of their youth serve on these missions. (Decker, 1982) With our nation’s increasing emphasis on multiculturalism, former Mormon missionaries are having increasing importance in American society.

The growth rate of the Utah Mormon Church has been phenomenal. It claims over 12 million members, over half of them since 1980. At this rate, it is estimated that in seventy more years, it will be one of the main world religions. (Jara Arancibia, p. 3, 12-13)

In 1990, it was estimated that its leadership had an income of over five billion dollars per year. Two-thirds of this was through tithes of its members. The other third was from church-owned businesses. No doubt it has grown enormously by now.

Since its ministers and missionaries must raise their own support and are not expenses as they would be with other churches, these moneys are used to build new chapels and promote their religion around the world. (Decker, 1982) The Utah Mormon church has been working closely with other religious groups to limit the inroads of political movements such as abortion and homosexuality. (Swift, 1998) Its substantial donations to needy causes get regular headlines throughout the world. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which sings Christian hymns mixed in with Mormon hymns, is the best-known of its public relations efforts. The Mormon Church now has regular programs on satellite television featuring studies of the Book of Mormon and functions of its different groups. It also sponsors slick advertisements on radio and television emphasizing family values.

The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a historic split from the Utah church which claims over 250,000 members, has also felt its need of acceptance by the Christian community. Since it never accepted the doctrines of polygamy or multiple gods, it has now been accepted as a member of the World Council of Churches. (Adherents) Its more liberal outlook has resulted in its considering both the Bible and the Book of Mormon as well as other revelations by Joseph Smith to be simply religious experiences to inform our spiritual life, not actually empirical truth. In order to further separate itself from identification with the Utah Mormons, it has recently changed its name to the "Community of Christ." (Robinson, 2004)

Doctrines of Freemasonry

The following are basic teachings of Freemasonry:

1. God is defined as The Great Architect of the Universe. (Tsoukalas, Steven, 2001, p. 44) Belief in God is its only dogma. (Tsoukalas, p. 116) This is the true God of all the different religions and may be found in nature and in truth. (Pike, Albert, 1871, p. 224-226)

2. In every country, the holy book that predominates in that culture is placed open on the Masonic altar: the Bible in Christian countries, the Qur'an in Islamic countries, the Vedas in Hindu countries. (Ankerberg, J. & Weldon, J., 1989, p. 24-25) The Bible, along with these other books, is considered to be only symbolic and not literally true. (Byers, Dale, 1988, p. 30) The Ritual of each lodge is its final authority, and these Rituals are basically alike. (Ankerberg & Weldon, p. 9)

Before becoming members of the Lodge, all men live in spiritual darkness. (Rhodes, 2001, p. 55)

3. Hiram Abiff, director of the construction of Solomon's temple, serves as a model for the ideal man, and the legend about him teaches the resurrection of the body and the immortality of the soul. (Pike, p. 225, 640-641) Masonic authorities agree that Abiff actually represents Osiris, the Egyptian Sun-god. (Shaw, J. & McKenney, T., 1988, p. 152-154) Jesus Christ was a great religious leader on the same level as Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed and Joseph Smith. His name is not to be invoked in prayer at Masonic meetings. (Rhodes, p. 151-152)

4. While Freemasonry claims to be a religious institution, it denies being a religion. (Ankerberg & Weldon, p. 16-17) In effect, it places itself above all religions and considers itself capable of discerning what is acceptable and true in each of them. (Pike, p. 525)

Some interpret this limited acceptance of all religions under the overarching generic deity as the basis for a coming one-world religion. (Schnoebelen, William, 1991, p. 260-262)

5. A Freemason must vow not to violate the chastity of a Master Mason's wife, mother, sister or daughter, knowing them to be such. (Shaw & McKenney, p. 46) By implication, this does not prohibit sexual relations with them if they are not chaste, nor does it prohibit the violation of the chastity of other women. (Shaw & McKenney, p.148-149)

6. Albert Pike, in his book, Morals and Dogma, plainly states that Freemasonry initially misleads its initiates of the Blue Degrees concerning its teachings and reveals its true teachings only to those in the highest degrees. (p. 819; see also Shaw & McKenney, p. 143)

7. Sexual license and heavy drinking are well-known practices at the gatherings of the Shriners. (Schnoebelen, p. 208-211, 251-252) Shriners must be 32nd degree Masons or Knights Templar. (Byers, p. 90-91) They swear allegiance to Allah and the Qur'an in this Lodge. (Shaw & McKenney, p. 75) [Note: As previously mentioned, the Qur’an forbids the drinking of alcoholic beverages. 5:20]

8. Freemasonry is a secret society. Its adepts swear never to reveal its secrets on pain of death. (Shaw & McKenny, p. 63, 138-139) They include vows to protect fellow Masons for crimes committed. (Ronayne, E., 1879, p. 105-108) Even their duty as patriotic citizens seems to be compromised by some of the oaths ministered in different degrees. (Schnoebelen, p 91-93)

The Influence of Freemasonry on American Society

Since Freemasonry is a secret society, it is generally ignored by other Americans. They assume that it is simply a fraternal organization which one joins for business contacts and community service. Its philosophical base and religious beliefs are not generally subjects of public discussion. Their own rule is not to discuss religion or politics. It makes its presence in public in only three ways: (1) funerals for its members, (2) the visit once a year of each Lodge to a church, synagogue or mosque where the minister is a Mason, and (3) sponsoring circuses to raise money for the Shriners’ children's hospitals. (Byers, p 102-103)

Since many clergy are Masons, people often assume that it is a Christian organization. Even many Masons believe it is a Christian organization since the Bible is open on the altar during their meetings and is even kissed at some of their ceremonies. (Shaw & McKenney, p 128-129)

The Masonic slogan of the "Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man" seems quite innocuous to Americans. Even the Masonic symbol which many Freemasons display on their rings or bumper stickers with the "G" standing for the Great Architect of the Universe do not seem at all subversive in our secular society. Now, even atheists may be members, and, since 1983, Roman Catholic members are no longer automatically ex-communicated as they were before that time. (Saunders, W., 2001) The Masonic insistence on separation of Church and State is considered quite "American." This is a principle which has long been a part of American Society. (Walker, Jim, 2004)

Only men belong to the Masonic Lodge, and publicity by them on television and radio claims a world-wide membership of five million with four million of those members in the United States. That makes for a tremendous amount of finances and influence. A question which needs more public discussion is the effect that Freemasonry has had on undermining the institutions of American society without other citizens being aware of it.

A Call for Consideration of Christ’s Claims

1. Don’t Disregard The Bible So Easily!

All three of these groups part from the basic presupposition that the Bible has been corrupted and is of limited value today. Therefore they look elsewhere for their beliefs. This assumption is without legitimate historical basis. They discount the truth of the Bible on no greater evidence than the word of their founders, a few biased critics, and some misguided theologians. The historical facts are that Jesus was openly crucified before the Jewish nation by the duly constituted Roman authorities of the day, rose from the dead on the third day as he himself predicted, appeared to his disciples on several different occasions for forty days before his ascension into heaven, and did so to over five hundred eye-witnesses. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

2. Jesus Christ had some important things to say about the Bible being God’s Word!

Christ clearly taught the incorruptibility of the Old Testament. John 10:35 He further indicated that both the Holy Spirit and his disciples would testify to the world of the truth about him and his purpose for coming into the world. John 15:26-27; 16:12-14 With this, he gave divine sanction to the future writers of the New Testament. The Word of God would never pass away. His disciples so understood his words, and so the Church understands them today. 2 Peter 3:15-20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 True followers of Jesus Christ today believe just as He did then. Matthew 28:18-20 And you can believe that way, too.

3. Just how serious are the textual problems of the Bible?

While Bible scholars grant that there have been transmission errors in the Old Testament with numbers and the spelling of names, the overwhelming manuscript evidence points to the nearly absolute certainty of the accuracy of the text of the Bible and the reliability of its message. As for the New Testament, it was written by contemporaries of Jesus Christ, nearly all of whom were eyewitnesses of his ministry. Early persecution by Jews and Romans tended to guarantee, not undermine, the accuracy of its text. People throughout the centuries have willingly laid down their lives for its veracity. (Criswell, W. A., 1969, chap. 6) In spite of what doubters may say, I am a convinced Evangelical Christian and am secure in the knowledge that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God. I urge the reader to look up the Bible references cited in this study and let the Holy Spirit speak through them. Jesus Christ gave the following promise:

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27

A Christian’s Response

Here is my response to the doctrines of these three groups cited in this paper:

1. The God of the Bible is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Psalms 147:4-5; 139:7-12; Job 42:2; Luke 1:37 He created all things that are, both visible and invisible. Nehemiah 9:6; Hebrews 11:3 He is eternal, having no beginning or end. Psalms 145:13; Revelation 1:8

2. God is revealed in the New Testament as a Trinity, that is, Father, Son and Holy Spirit which is one God. He alone is to be worshipped, and only through confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and water baptism may one come to the God the Father and receive Eternal Life. Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 14:6; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-12

3. When comparing the life of Christ with the life of any of these other religious leaders, one will soon recognize that Jesus Christ is quite superior to all of them moral authority. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is very God and very man. John 1:1-3, 14 He died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind, and all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior and live for him will have eternal life. John 3:16; Romans 3:23-26; 6:23 There is no other name given under heaven though which man may be saved from the eternal consequences of sin. Acts 4:12

4. One day, Jesus Christ will return with the resurrected saints to conquer the Anti-Christ and rule the world. Rev. 19:11- 20:6 The Church is to work to win the lost to Christ until that time. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:6-8 This is to be done through their living holy lives, doing good works and preaching the Gospel. 1 Peter 3:1-2; Matthew 5:14-16;

Romans 10:14-20 His revelation to all mankind will result in every tongue confessing that He is Lord to the glory of God. Philippians 2:9-11

5. Jesus Christ taught that all sexual intercourse outside of lawful marriage between one man and one woman is sinful. Mark 10:2-12 That teaching is confirmed throughout the New Testament. Romans 1:26-32; Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is a binding covenant between one man and one woman.

6. While the Bible does recognize the occasional need for covert activities when lives are at stake, deception is generally condemned as sin. Hebrews 11:31; 1 Samuel 21:13; John 3:20-21; Ephesians 5:8, 11-13 A man's word is to be his bond. Oaths and vows of secrecy are condemned. Psalms 15:1-4; Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12 Lying is specifically labeled by Christ as being Satanically inspired. John 8:44

7. Drunkenness is forbidden. Proverbs 23:29-35; Ephesians 5:18

8. The nature of truth is precise and therefore necessarily narrow. All religions other than Christianity are based on systems of works, man's attempts to be worthy of God through his own efforts. Romans 9:32-10:3 Christianity is different. Biblical Christianity is God's attempt to reach man. Colossians 2:8-10, 13-23 God's righteousness is totally vindicated through the life and death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-26; John 3:16 Man's good deeds are but filthy rags when it comes to making one worthy before God. Isaiah 64:4 This means that other religions which reject the work of Christ to save mankind only lead to eternal damnation. Matthew 7:13-14; John 3:36 Those who reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ will spend eternity in hell. Matthew 25:46 But those who repent of their sins and follow Christ starting with water baptism will be accepted by God, forgiven, washed from their sins through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that was shed on the cross, and will be numbered with the redeemed. John 6:37-40; 1 John 1:9; Colossians 1:12-14; 2:10-15, 18-19

Dear reader, the message brought to the world by Jesus Christ is true and it is real. It really does offer you new life, strength to start over again, and a real home in the real heaven where Christ dwells. Please meditate a moment on the following words of Jesus, then ask Him to take over your heart and life:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

May God bless you is my prayer.

References

Adherents (2005). Famous Members of the Community of Christ. [Electronic Version]. Retrieved on September 5, 2005 from http://www.adherents.com/largecom/fam_ CoC.html.

Ali, Muhammed (1996). The Noble Qur'an. (M. T. Al-Hilali & M. M. Khan, Trans.). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Darussalam Publishers.

Ankerberg, John & Weldon, John (1989). The Facts on the Masonic Lodge. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Pub.

Beckwith, Francis J., Mosser, Carl & Owen, Paul (2002). The New Mormon Challenge. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Blomberg, Craig L. & Robinson, Stephen E. (1997). How Wide the Divide? Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press.

Brigham Young University (2004). About the MTC. [Electronic Version]. Retrieved September 4, 2005 from http://www.mtc.byu.edu/about.htm.

Brodie, Fawn M. (1971). No Man Knows My Story, The Life of Joseph Smith, The Mormon Prophet New York, NY:Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

Byers, Dale A. (1988). I Left the Lodge. Schaumburg, IL: Regular Baptist Press.

Christian Century (October 9, 2002). Tulsa to have first on-campus mosque. [Electronic Version]. Retrieved September 3, 2005, http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles /mi_m1058/is_21_119/ai_933...

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Appendix

One Hundred Nine War Verses in the Qur'an

(Richardson, p. 254)

2: 178, 179, 190,191,193, 216, 217, 218, 244

3: 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 140, 155, 165, 166, 167, 169, 173, 195

4: 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 84, 89 91, 94, 95, 100, 102, 104

8: 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, 39, 42, 45, 59, 65, 67, 69, 71, 72, 74, 75

9: 5, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 29, 36, 38, 39, 41, 44, 52, 73, 81, 83, 86, 88, 92, 111, 120, 122, 123

16: 110

22: 39, 78

29: 6, 69

33: 7, 18, 20, 25, 26

47: 20

48: 16, 22

59: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14

60: 9

61: 4

63: 4

64: 14

66: 9

73: 20

Prayer of Salvation:

Lord Jesus, I thank you for your Holy Word, the Bible, which reveals the plan of salvation which is so simple. I repent for thinking that anything else could save me when you only ask me to come to you in simple faith. Lord, I have heard your knock at the door of my heart. I open that door and ask you to come in. I believe that you lived a sinless life, took my sins upon you when you died on the cross, and are now at the right hand of the Father, praying for me.

I renounce (Islam, Mormonism, Freemasonry) and everything associated it. I ask for release from all the spirits of deception I have allowed in my life by doubting your holy Word and following the teachings of men. Cleanse me with your shed blood. I believe. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. I will seek out a church which teaches the Bible as the guide for my life. I will be water-baptized as a testimony of my new-found faith. I give you my life. Do with me what you will. I promise never leave you, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you, Jesus! Amen!

If you prayed this prayer sincerely, please contact Dr. Dean at the email address below and let him know about it. He will see that you receive the guidance necessary to keep you in the ways of the Lord. Of course, your name and email address will be kept confidential.

NOTE: All other correspondence with Dr. Dean is made with the understanding that it may be used in part or in whole on this website or elsewhere.