LeTU Testimonials 

by Kim Jones

We want to share some of the testimonials written by members of the 2012 LeTourneau mission team. We hope these quotes encourage you as much as they encouraged our staff. Maybe, just maybe, these testimonials will spur some of YOU to come minister with us, too!

___________________________________ 

"This week changed my life... I feel like God has just begun this aspect of my life.  Now that I know what I know, I don't know how I can stay the same... My relationship with God has changed so much- my understanding of God has changed.  Through learning about the LDS I've learned so much about my relationship with God... Everything about this week was incredible.  It was hard, weary, emotional, spiritually challenging and stretching, but it was also wonderful and amazing and life changing." -Dani

"I am personally challenged to know my Bible better not only because of the knowledge of the LDS people, but that also of the team.  It truly is the word of God, and as such it should be part of us.  This trip allowed me to test the boldness that I have in Christ.  For I have been delivered from a spirit of fear, in the past, and had a spirit of boldness.  This trip showed me that I will operate in boldness in every area of my life." -Samuel

"My favorite day was when we went to Salt Lake City.  The experience of talking with "experts" about my faith was a growing experience, and it will stick with me for the rest of my life.  I am definitely coming back!" -Brady

"Thank you for challenging us in our faith- I have never been so challenged to think about why I believe in Jesus Christ and his gift he freely gives." -Nicole

"This week meant so much to me.  It was a week of much spiritual growth... After this week, I believe I will be a much stronger Christian and a much better person.  I also feel like I got to live out the word and challenge my faith immensely.  Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.  I can tell that the Holy Spirit has blessed your ministry because it not only ministers to Mormons, but also Christians." -Will

"This week was definitely a growing experience and was nothing like I expected.  I'm glad I had an experience of evangelizing because I never really had the courage to step out and speak up." -Erin

"I really appreciated how you all didn't assume we knew anything, but trained us from the bottom up.  As a newbie, I really needed that... While our primary purpose here was to share Jesus, I also found myself learning a whole lot.  This week gave me a clearer understanding of both the gospel and the trinity, and why they matter.  I also realized that this isn't just a battle of minds or something.  God is at work in people's lives, but Satan is too.  I guess this surprised me since I hear people talk about spiritual warfare also, but it's not something I am usually aware of." -Renee

"This week has challenged me in every way possible.  Utah brings a unique look at the heart of people who are deceived.  I would encourage anyone to take the opportunity to experience this place." -Joshua

"This week opened my eyes to the deception that entraps LDS people.  Before this week I did not realize the spiritual problem that Mormonism is.  It touched me very deep that these people do not know any better and that I could have been in the same place if had I grown up as they did." -Samuel

"God brought something to mind.  He reminded me that even if it was the smallest seed in the hardest of hearts, it was worth it.  But even then, He reminded me of the prophets and people in the Bible who did exactly what God wanted, and no one listened; there was no apparent fruit, all that matters is doing what is right and following God." -anonymous

"If there is one thing I learned this week, it is to never put God in a box.  I have seen him open doors where I saw brick walls.  It was such a blessing to see the Lord working in our weaknesses and allowing us to be a part of the advancement of His kingdom." -James

"This week has been one where life change has happened in both camps.  I know that I was challenged by the Lord and the Lord challenged the LDS faith of those that I came in contact with.  I believe that every day this week was put to good use in reaching the LDS people.  This week has changed my life for the better to the point where it has caused me to consider moving out here and helping the LDS people understand the saving power of Jesus Christ.  The way our team was supported was great in the way we were provided with beds and food as well as instruction and encouragement.  I really have nothing bad to say about this week.  All I have to say is that I've been blessed!" -Jordan

"I am so glad I got the chance to come out here!  This week was awesome.  I learned so much about the LDS faith as well as more about how to explain and defend my own faith in Christ.  My faith in Christ was greatly strengthened!  Coming on the trip, I was in expectation of what God was going to do.  After looking back on this week, I can honestly say that God did so much more than I could have expected.  It was so exciting to see God work through me.  My eyes were opened to the deep levels of spiritual warfare that exist in this area.  Not only do I feel more equipped to be mindful of the devil's schemes... This trip renewed my excitement for sharing God's love with others.  Thanks for everything!" -Jonathan

"By far, the most important thing I learned this week is that I can witness to people I barely know, and it doesn't have to be uncomfortable.  I now know how to turn any conversation to God, and that I can have a confidence in sharing my faith." -Renee

___________________________________

What inspiring insights these young adults have! I hope and pray, you will allow God to work through what you've just read... and we'll see you in Utah soon!

Blessings,

Kim

Chip Thompson at LeTourneau University!

LDS SUNDAY WARD MEETINGS

Last Sunday, we took the 22 LeTU students to all three services of an LDS Ward Meeting. All I will say about this is that these LDS Ward Meetings were long and PAINFULLY deceptive - it was a real eye-opener for the students.

INTERVIEW WITH AN LDS BISHOP

The first real highlight of the week was our interview with an LDS Bishop following lunch on Sunday afternoon. This was an amazing interaction where Bishop 'K' was challenged to the max by the thoughtful questions of the LeTourneau team.

    One topic that was discussed in detail was the LDS reasoning behind the belief that the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was good. Bishop 'K' really wanted to dodge this topic but the students held his feet to the fire (so to speak) and pretty much stumped him with the obvious truths found in Genesis chapters 2 & 3.

     At another point in the conversation one of the students asked Bishop 'K' the simple question, "What is truth?" This question seemed to catch him by surprise and he really struggled to give a satisfactory answer. So, I (Chip) spoke up and said, "Do you want to know how you should answer that question? You are a Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ, right? If Jesus is the head of your church you should have said, "Jesus is TRUTH, He is the way, the TRUTH, and the life. Jesus is the most important person who ever walked the earth and the words that came out of his mouth are the most important words ever spoken. So, truth is everything that Jesus taught and everything we believe should be based upon His doctrine." I am certain that the Bishop understood my point because in several of our previous interactions the fact that Jesus is really not the center of LDS thinking or doctrine had been discussed.

    Please pray for Bishop 'K'. I can tell you that his world has been rocked by the caliber of the Christian college students that he has met through our ministry (first BIOLA earlier this year and this week LeTU). You might remember that I have requested prayer for this Bishop in previous newsletters. We met several years ago on the Manti Pageant streets and have maintained a close relationship ever since. I am certain that God is diligently drawing 'K' to Himself.

A HUGE THANKS TO THE LETU MISSION TEAM AND THEIR FEARLESS LEADER, CHAPLAIN CARL.

Let me tell you, this was a GREAT group of students. There was NO DRAMA which is always appreciated. They were bold and eager to share their faith. And they were true servants who worked hard and accomplished much for the Kingdom of our Lord. THANK YOU LETU, you were a great blessing to us and we love you all.

Blessings,

Chip

Mormon Church Ban on Blacks: Racism?? Part II

Part II: What is the LDS Church's policy on Blacks?

Mormon Church Ban on Blacks: Racism??

More about the LDS Church's ban on Blacks....

The Ultimate Mormon Hypocrisy

Consider the following....

Every Mormon I know emphatically states, "We are Christians just like
you!"


Mormon missionaries are more than happy to proselyte any
Christian into their Church.

Yet, if anyone from their Church decides to attend any other Christian church they are immediately reprimanded and if they persist in attending any church but the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints they will be excommunicated and labeled as
apostates.

If Mormons truly are Christians just like all the other
Christian denominations then why do they consider it the "unpardonable
sin" to attend a different Christian church?



Think about it....


Blessings,
Chip

The Fallacy of Forever Families

One of the most enticing doctrines of the Mormon Church is the lure of being a forever family.

According to Mormonism, worthy members of the
LDS Church may be sealed for time and all eternity as husband and wife
in an LDS temple and worthy parents may seal their children to
themselves so that they will be a forever family. But, according to
Mormon doctrine, this is not even remotely possible.

Problem #1

The first problem is the fact that forever families are only possible
in the highest Mormon heaven (the celestial kingdom). But, only worthy
Mormons are allowed to enter the celestial heaven so any family
members not worthy enough to enter the celestial glory will be damned
or stuck in a lower heaven. Eternal families are only possible if all
of the family members are worthy enough.

Problem #2

But, even if every family member is found to be worthy enough to enter
the Celestial kingdom there is another significant problem which is
called, in Mormonism, the law of eternal progression.

Eternal progression means that all worthy married couples will eventually
become Gods and Goddesses of their own worlds (just as the LDS
Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother are a God and Goddess of their own
worlds).

So, if this doctrine is true, worthy Mormon families will be
scattered all over the universe on their own worlds. The family unit
cannot and will not exist in the celestial kingdom.

According to Biblical doctrine, all true Christians have a much more realistic opportunity to be together as a family forever. Because all true believers in Jesus are adopted into God's family which means that every person in our earthly family who accepts Jesus as Lord and
Savior will be together for all eternity in the presence of God in His
family.

Amen!

Blessings,
Chip

Evidence Ministries- #42 Official Mormon Church Doctrine

Quick Questions for Mormons over at Evidence Ministries!

The LDS View of God and Man

Thoughts on the LDS View of God and Man

#1

"As man is, God once was; As God is, man may be."

This famous quote of Mormon Prophet Lorenzo Snow is readily accepted by Mormons a true
statement. Question, in LDS theology, might this mean that God the Father at one point in his existence could have been a sinful man like us? Check out what LDS people have to say about this interesting
question: http://www.godneversinned.com/


#2

According to many Mormons the famous Lorenzo Snow couplet, "As man is,
God once was; As God is, man may be", at least opens the door of
possibility that God might have been a sinner who repented at one
point in his existence.

THINK ABOUT IT...

In the LDS Church, a former adulterer can repent, be forgiven, and accomplish all of his temple
requirements for exaltation (which means that he could become a God
someday). The same is true for a homosexual, so is it even remotely
possible within LDS theology that God the Father might have at one
time in his existence been an adulterer or a homosexual who repented?
Some Mormons will say, "Well, I don't think that God was once an
adulterer or a homosexual, but I guess it might be possible."

REALLY???

#3

Can the famous Lorenzo Snow couplet possibly be true, "As man is, God
once was; As God is, man may be"?

The 1st person comments of God himself in the book of Isaiah
eliminates any possibility that God was once a man or that any man can
become a God:

"You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant
whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before
Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me." (Isaiah
43:10) "

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the
Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is
no God... Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that
time, and declared it You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’” (Isaiah 44:6,8)

"I am
the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me... That
they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is
none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other... For thus says
the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth
and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain,
Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other."
(Isaiah 45:5-6)



Your turn: Should we believe LDS Prophet Lorenzo Snow or God?


Blessings,
Chip

Mitt Romney

Here is a great blog post about Mitt Romney and his Mormon faith by Latayne C. Scott, author and former Mormon...

Mitt's Mormonism

FREE Kindle Offer: Mormonism 101

TODAY on Amazon.com FREE Book Offer!!

On Amazon.com, you can get your FREE Kindle copy of Bill McKeever's book!!

Spread the word!!

FREE Book Offer From Concerned Christians of Mesa

Concerned Christians of Mesa, AZ is offering, from March 1-5, the
e-book version of the updated, Out of Mormonism by Judy Robertson free of charge.

Yes, it is FREE!!

 Please tell your network of friends and
acquaintances.

Don’t miss this easy and FREE opportunity.

Order your
free e-book of Out of Mormonism from Amazon.com
 Barnesandnoble.com,
Christianbook.com
or Bethanyhouse