…and I’m Not a Mormon

Last Wednesday, I received an email via Messenger from a young man currently living in the city where I was born. I hadn't met this man before and initially wondered why he contacted me. A glance at his Facebook page revealed he is a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His profile photo shows him wearing an elder badge. I figured he wanted to have a conversation in an attempt to convert me to his religion. At first, I didn’t respond to his greeting of “How’s a going.” Then last night while organizing computer files, I came across a video produced ten years ago in response to the “I’m a Mormon” campaign happening then. So I sent the YouTube link to this man. Here’s the transcript of the video…

I was born in Fargo, North Dakota where my parents took my sister and me to a traditional Lutheran church. There I attended Sunday school and went through confirmation but didn’t like it very much. Deep down in my heart I wanted to believe in God but he wasn’t real to me there. At 21 I moved to Minneapolis…and after several years of pursuing a music career, I committed my life to the Lord. 


Eventually, I became a missionary and traveled to various cities doing one-on-one street evangelism. In recent years I’ve also shared the truth of God’s word using the media. With my laptop computer; I post articles online, produce music, videos, websites, program an Internet radio station, and also deejay glory parties. Some people might think of me as a Bible-thumper. But I’m simply a messenger sharing the promise of eternal life to whoever will listen. 


Occasionally I’m asked if I’m a Mormon. Well…

  • I don’t believe in Joseph Smith. I believe Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)
  • I don’t believe Jesus was born in Jerusalem as the Book of Mormon claims. I believe Jesus was born in the little town of Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:1)
  • I don’t believe Satan is Jesus’ brother. I believe Jesus defeated that fallen angel He created and has given us His name to cast demons out of people. (Mark 16:17)
  • I don’t believe in seeking after a burning in the bosom. I believe we are to walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
  • I don’t believe we are saved “after all we can do.” I believe we are saved solely by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

My name is T. R. Post. I’m a born-again spirit-filled Christian missionary…but I’m not a Mormon.


At the time of this writing, the young man saw my reply but didn’t write a response. Hopefully, he watched the video and will come to know the real Jesus of the Bible.


“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” - Galatians 1:8 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Halloween Ca
Read more