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Strategies Of The Mormon Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known
as the Mormon Church, teaches that God is a resurrected man from a
previous world who, through a plurality of wives, produced the human
spirits that now inhabit this planet. Further, that there are many gods
and that LDS men and women are destined to become such.
Despite these and many other unbiblical doctrines, the LDS Church
continues to double its population every ten to twelve years.
Presently, it boasts a membership nearing ten million and projects a
figure of ninety million by the year 2030.
Strategic Advertising
The reason for their success lies in strategic advertising.
Before Mormon missionaries appear at anyone's door, the church's
high-tech public relations organization moves in with its sophisticated
advertising techniques, electronic broadcasting, satellite dishes, print
media, telecommunications, motion pictures, and radio. With $550 million
set aside worldwide, including $100 million for the U.S., they are
determined to see that their message reaches every home.
And, what is their message? Not that individuals can become
gods, or that temple rituals are required for full salvation, or that
heaven can only be gained through the certification of Joseph
Smith--these doctrines and others are concealed.
Rather, they bombard the public with Christian values. More
specifically, that happiness and family solidarity can be gained by
following the teachings of Jesus Christ as contained in the Book of
Mormon, the latter offered free through an 800 number.
Bibles, Basketball, and Broadcasting
But, recently, they have devised a better strategy. Instead of a
free Book of Mormon, they are now offering a free Bible. What greater
way to avert the public's attention away from their unbiblical theology!
The free Bibles are then delivered by enthusiastic missionaries intent on
telling people how the Bible has been so mistranslated that it is
untrustworthy; but the Book of Mormon is the pure word of God.
In third world countries, rather than portraying family values,
their advertising may focus on health and hygiene, law and order, or
obedience to authority--whatever is applicable to that country's
situation. Even sports are used.
In South America, BYU basketball games were broadcast free for
five years. When the Mormon missionaries were finally sent in, they were
instructed to look only for houses that had TV antennas. Introducing
themselves as BYU students, they inquired if anyone in the household had
seen the games. It was an automatic door opener.
Advertising in foreign countries requires time and perseverance.
For example, the church had to invest ten years of broadcasting in the
Dominican Republic before they were able to organize a mission. But it
worked. They attributed the first one thousand baptisms to their advance
publicity.
Goodwill Ambassadors
In countries that are against missionizing, the Church sends the
Tabernacle Choir and BYU international dance teams as goodwill
ambassadors.
However, they have more than goodwill on their mind. Their
intent, as one BYU professor admitted, is to act in a "John the Baptist
function in preparing these nations for the message of the (Mormon)
gospel". After sufficient goodwill is established, LDS leaders approach
government officials and ask if Mormons can live in their country,
assuring them there will be no proselytizing. Deceptively, members move
in and begin evangelizing underground. Those unfortunate to be caught by
the secret police, are quickly arrested and deported.
Media Campaigns
But, generally, LDS media campaigns are successful. The total
audience reached through radio and television alone, is "2.3 million
adults per day [or] 357.4 million people in a single year." Missionary
activity has grown by 16 percent worldwide and the church is growing at
the rate of 880 new members per day, 26,782 a month, 321,385 a year. The
new "Bible" commercial has generated more than twice the response of all
their other TV spots combined, and 80% of responding viewers who are
contacted by the missionaries, take the first discussion with 60% going
on to the second.
After advertising has paved the way, missionaries are sent out.
Performing as instructed, they talk about God only in orthodox Christian
terms and conceal all unbiblical beliefs. Mormon leaders, F. Burton
Howard and F. Enzio Busche, members of the First Quorum of the Seventy,
said: "We have an obligation to conceal our doctrines; [because] we are
trying to be a mainstream Christian church . . ." This deception is so
successful, that many converts who later leave the LDS Church, said they
believed they were simply joining another Christian church.
Do You Feel Good?
One particular strategy used by missionaries, is to reiterate
that the yardstick for truth is a "good feeling". At certain points
during their presentation, they ask: "Do you feel good about what you've
heard so far?" Impressed with orthodox-sounding-beliefs, most usually say
"yes". The missionaries then explain that these feelings are produced by
the Holy Ghost. Similar questions are repeated as lessons progress, and
contacts are soon convinced that whatever they feel good about, including
unbiblical beliefs, must be God confirming the truth--no need to check
the Bible. Further, when individuals are told to pray and ask God if
Joseph Smith was a true prophet, rather than being told to use the
Bible's criteria for testing a prophet, they are told to pray until they
again receive a good feeling in their heart.
In addition, missionaries falsely prioritize Jesus Christ by
giving the impression that they believe in full salvation through Jesus
Christ. But, in reality, their church teaches that to enter the highest
heaven where God dwells, Jesus is not enough. One must participate in
temple ordinances and receive Joseph Smith's certification. Brigham Young
stated, "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the
Celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith." This
explains why a member is expected to acquire a "testimony" of Joseph
Smith's divine calling.
God's Plan?
Another crucial strategy of the missionaries, is to convince
contacts that Mormonism was part of God's long-range plan from the
beginning. Therefore, in the first lesson they show from the Bible that
God had a "plan" for history: He planned to create man in his own image;
he made a plan whereby his children could progress; he planned to send
Jesus Christ, he planned to establish the New Testament church; he
planned a heavenly reward for the faithful, etc. Over and over, the word
"plan" is psychologically planted, creating a programmed mentality in the
individual to anticipate more. Missionaries reason thusly: "If God had a
plan, would he suddenly quit in the middle of human history after Jesus'
resurrection? No! God would be continuously unfolding more of His plan
so He could provide more blessings for His children." With that
persuasion, the individual is ready to hear why God has rejected
Christendom, has restored the only true church through Joseph Smith, and
has revealed the rest of his plan which includes the priesthood, Book of
Mormon, temple rituals, work for the dead, godhood, and much more.
Bait and Switch
One subtle device, which often goes undetected, is the gradual
replacement of Bible scriptures with Mormon scripture. For example,
during the first lesson on God, the missionaries quote four Bible
scriptures, but only one (biblically-sounding) Mormon scripture.
Impressive!
But, then, a gradual change is made. In the lesson on Jesus
Christ, Bible scriptures are gradually reduced to two and Mormon
scriptures increased to four. Each lesson thereafter subtly diminishes
the use of Bible Scripture until, by the sixth and final lesson, only
Mormon scriptures are used--which are usually accepted without question.
Missionary lessons are given in the home of an
officially-appointed "friendshipping family". When the missionaries
conclude and are ready to move on, any individual reluctant to join, is
left in the hands of "friendshippers". They are instructed to continue
conversion efforts by down-playing religion and focusing on establishing
friendly ties. This usually works.
If It Looks Christian...
The total aim of LDS leaders, both through their missionaries and
advertising, is to convince the public they are Christian. To further
facilitate this image, they have changed their logo by enlarging the name
of "Jesus Christ":
Determined to accomplish their goal, leaders continue to conceal
doctrines and try to join ministerial alliances and ecumenical
ministries. They attend Christian functions and continue televising
messages on family values along side of Christian programming. In
addition, they instruct missionaries to volunteer their time in community
projects, approach Christian churches and help with their youth, assist
toddler programs at local YMCAs and serve in soup lines. Plus, every
Easter, members stage an extravagant performance of the life of Christ on
the lawns of the Mesa, Arizona Temple.
Ultimate Paradox
While the Mormon Church's efforts to promote a Christian image
may fool some, for others it raises serious questions.
Can they really be Christian, yet teach that God is an exalted
and polygamous man? Can they declare publicly that they believe in
redemption through the cross, yet teach that Jesus' sacrifice isn't
enough? Can they claim to believe in the truth of the Bible, yet teach
Satan's lie, "Ye shall become as gods"? Can they insist that temple
ordinances are required for heaven, when the Bible says ordinances were
nailed to the cross?
It is the ultimate paradox. How can the LDS Church claim to be
Christian, yet persist in anti-Christian beliefs?
If the LDS Church truly wishes to join hands with Christianity,
there is only one way--it must reject its unbiblical doctrines.
When they do that, the Christian community will be waiting with
open arms.
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