6th Jul, 2008

Brief Encounter with the LDS

I went out to eat this weekend at a restaurant in Worthington, MN with some family.  As we were awaiting a table, two young men in white button-down shirts and ties and black name tags stepped in the door.  I learned something right then and there - no matter if you are Christian, Mormon, or whatever religion you are, everyone has to take a leak.

Rare is the time that Mormons visit our door.  So, I took the opportunity to have a chat.  I asked a few questions, and let them know some of the funny rumors about the LDS that I’ve heard over the years.  It was a good dialog.  I would definitely like to talk with them more - to understand the draw towards the Mormon religion.

I am certainly not armed and ready to have a good conversation to try and disarm their beliefs in the Mormon faith, but I still had the opportunity to pray for them right there on the sidewalk outside the restaurant.  I prayed that God would work in power to eliminate deception in our faith and our understanding of the Bible.  Even I need that prayer - but they do all the more.

Posted by: Josh Pratt
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Other Religions

Responses

I can’t speak for all Mormons but we do indeed appreciate your prayers.

I should say that there are many Mormons willing to engage in dialogue. In fact, over the past few years many notable evangelical scholars have reached out to hold a dialogue with Mormons.

Some years ago, I wrote a series of articles about these encounters:
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/voices/020723winning5.html

I should also point to a group of us Mormons who defend the Mormon faith in a rather rigorous way: http://www.fairlds.org/

Funny thing to start our initial conversation: if you mentioned your last name to any Mormon they’d probably assume you WERE Mormon too. Pratt is a very famous name in Mormon history.

Anyway, love to converse: justinhart@mac.com

By: Justin Hart on July 6th, 2008
at 8:46 pm

I agree with Justin. Your sincere prayers on our behalf are welcomed. You wonder what the draw is towards the LDS Church; I think it’s all these prayers coming from both sides to eliminate deception and truly come unto Christ.

It sounds like you’ve already made your judgment about us, but I would ask you to consider what led you to that decision. Consider your sources — are they biased? Have you ever looked at the Church from any different perspectives (including our point of view)? Have you ever asked God which Church is His?

What Do Mormons Believe?

By: Thaddeus on July 11th, 2008
at 4:07 pm

Thaddeus,

Thanks for your comment. I see the bias in your response in the “truly come unto Christ”. Our definitions of that definitely differ.

Sola Scriptura. I firmly believe that the Bible is the sole authority - and any other “additions” that people try to make an authority is heresy.

What “perspectives” are you suggesting that one should “look” at the Church? I’ve never been asked a question like that before.

And yes, I ask God to confirm and build my faith often.

By: Josh Pratt on July 11th, 2008
at 4:30 pm

Josh, thank you for your response. I do have a bias. That’s why I don’t expect you just to believe what I say.

You believe authority comes solely from the Bible, and so you automatically know that Mormons don’t agree with you, and you can easily dismiss them. When I ask you to look at other perspectives, I want you to find out what Mormons believe to be the authority. Find out why they disagree, not just what they disagree in.

I think the prayer to ‘confirm and build your faith’ may be too vague. How will you know when He has answered you? Have you ever asked God, “Father, which Church is Yours?”

By: Thaddeus on July 12th, 2008
at 1:16 am

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