I was raised as a Mormon but I no longer identify as a Mormon nor I do go to the Mormon church or any other church for that matter. However, I still believe in the Book of Mormon and I still believe that Joseph Smith had a prophetic calling.
Even though I am not a Mormon anymore most of the people I still associate with are Mormons and many of them tell me “you have to be a Mormon if you believe in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. There is no other option. You either belong to the Mormon church or you can’t believe in any of it.” I say that this is nonsense and I am going to explain explain my views on this.
So in the Mormon faith, there is a belief that there is only one true church on earth and if you do not belong in the Mormon church then you belong to the church of the devil. For them it is only those two choices. The Mormon church or the church of the devil. To counter this belief I am going to give some insight into the church of the devil and the church of the lamb of god.
Once again understand that I am not a Mormon anymore and I do not identify as a Mormon. However, I do still read the Book of Mormon and some sections of the Doctrine and Covenants as well. Now I don’t accept all of the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants but that is a story for another video. But I also read the bible and identify mainly as a Christian.
For me whether your a Mormon Christian or a non Mormon Christian I don’t feel that it is so much as important what set of books you consider to be scripture but what is important is that you believe in Jesus Christ the son of God. That is what makes a Christian a Christian? Do you believe Christ is our king? Do you believe that he died for the sins of the world? Do you believe there is any other way to enter heaven other than through him?
So once again, I identify mainly as a Christian and not as a Mormon, or even an Ex-Mormon. But now as a rebuttal to those people who tell me if you believe in these things you have to be Mormon and there is no other option I am going to give an explanation as how I can believe what I believe and not be Mormon.
I want to be clear that in making this video I am not trying to attack Mormons. There are a lot of Mormons in my life whom I am very close friends with. Also, I probably relate closer to Mormons than with any other group of people in this world. But I am not Mormon and no one has a right to tell because I am not Mormon and still believe in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith that I have to be a member of that church.
But n ow let me talk about the church of the devil. The idea of the church of the devil is a doctrine that is found in the Book of Mormon. In the Book of Mormon there is a prophet and his name is Nephi and he has a vision where he is visited by an angel of God who takes him and shows him many of the events that are going to happen in the world. He sees the birth of Christ and his ministry. He sees things that are going to happen after the death of Christ and he also see’s the later days and many of the things that are going to happen in those times.
Now before I continue, I want to mention that it is important to understand that there have been changes in the Book of Mormon.
Here in my hand is a copy of the Book of Mormon that I received when I was eight years old. This is actually a triple combination which means it has the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price all bound together. I don’t think there have been tons of changes since this version so this version is for the most part the modern version. But I also have a replica of the copy of the Book of Mormon as it was first printed in 1830. Obviously I don’t have an actual first print as one would need to be wealthy to own one as an actual first print would cost thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars to own. SoBut between these two copies I have with me today there are significant changes in the text.
Now before I go further and because many of those who are watching or reading this may not have had any experience with the Mormon church I need to give some background. Nephi has a vision and in the vision he sees a the church of the devil form. So let me read a couple verses from Nephi’s vision on the church of the devil. And even though Nephi’s vision covers several chapters I am only going to read the verses that are relevant to my topic today. I may also give a short summary of what happens in between the verses I am about to read.
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