LDS Headquarters Report Zero Growth in Mormon Religion

[jkulesha]

It doesn't matter I know the book of Mormon is of God. I was baptized and thats all that matters. Let everyone else burn in hell that doesn't believe, cuz thats where they are going, if they won't listen to christ how can they be saved. Only through the straight gate.

[latterdaymystic]

I left the prison of Mormonism after 50 years of their emotional bondage and mind controlling hell. They are brainwashing my children to death and encouraging them to shun me. The bishopric is putting me through hell for my choice and tearing up my family. By the way, the New Testament states that a bishop is supposed to be the husband of ONE wife. How do they explain those evil minded early bishops marrying those young girls and even castrating their young boyfriends to steal them from them?

[VictorLepanto]

Well, I think 1 billion Catholics does make it right. JK

As for the 0 growth thing, I have to think it is rather like an Amway thing. It was easy initially to get supplimenting the original effort w/ new members coming in. After awhile, people catch on & the whole deal begins coming apart. Mormonism is basically a Ponzi scheme. It is doomed to come apart at some critical point.

[avgooftroop13]

By the way this is so false, Mormons since 2007 have increased to over 14 million members from 12 million. Dumb Dumb Dumb

[truthseeker1973]

Yes, we've all heard their official claims....I guess you don't understand the concept here.

just curious though, do I detect that all too familiar mormon pride here? As if increasing numbers must mean it's true? How many times do people need to hear the road to destruction is wide.......

[avgooftroop13]

It's not Mormon pride it's just ridiculous how much the Mormon religion gets persecuted because of their beliefs. Mormons are never taught to go out and hate other religions like you people are it's really uncalled for and inappropriate of another Christian religion to do that to Mormons. Chris loves all his children whether they are Catholic, Islam, Jewish, Mormon, or another Christian sect, and he will not tolerate people's hatred towards another religion.

[truthseeker1973]

Mormonism is ridiculous. Mormons aren't persecuted. Persecution is getting lit on fire to illuminate your evening party, or sent to the lions for your faith. You need to read the NT, better yet the whole bible. God has a lot of hatred towards false religions. It's not the people God hates, but their ways. Lets not forget mormonism refers to all other religions as false and itself as the only true church. Don't complain.

[avgooftroop13]

Excuse me? Mormons haven't been persecuted? Try reading up on your history truthseeker. Mormons were chased out of numerous amounts of states.....they fled the country until Utah was added as a state. I've read the NT I took a class this semester for it, you should read it too more closely because it lines up with Mormonism perfectly. I'm standing up for what I know is right, I'm so sick and tired of people like you. You preach blasefemy why we preach about families and eternity.

[truthseeker1973]

Easy there dude. I study all cults. I focus on mormonism because I live in mormon meca. I've got a few videos on Islam and I think one for the J-dubs. Mormonism preaches a different gospel. I'm guessing you would say it's the same gospel from the Bible. I would then ask, why would you need mormonism then? You would most likely proceed with a different gospel. You are in a damning religion. mormons don't know persecution. Those who died in the Mountain Meadows Massacre sure got a taste of it.

[truthseeker1973]

Being chased out of a state is hardly comparable to what real persecution is. Maybe your the one who needs to read up on history. Tens to hundreds of millions, maybe into the billions of Christians have died gruesome deaths for being Christian throughout history. They are still getting hacked to death in Africa, shot to death in the Middle East, or publicly beaten to death by groups in Asia. Do you still feel persecuted?

[avgooftroop13]

Dude read the definition of Christian, it's the belief in Christ and last time I checked Mormons believe in Christ. And I do study history that's my favorite subject. I know Christians are still persecuted and I am a Christian just like you. It's terrible how Christians have been killed throughout history, but so have Jews, Arabs during the crusades (Christians started it), thousands of Mormons killed in Navoua and crossing the plains to Salt Lake. All religions are persecuted.

[truthseeker1973]

Woops. The Devil and his demons believe in Christ too, and they tremble.

Christianity is a belief system. They are monotheistic. Believe they are saved by grace alone. Believe Christ was God in the flesh, and most importantly of all, believe in the Bible as THE word of God. A short definition is 'follower of Christ'. I've lived among mormons my whole life. Aside from ending their prayers in 'the name of J.C.", it's all about Smith and their other 3 books. Couldn't be further from Christianity.

[truthseeker1973]

"Arabs during the crusades (Christians started it)"

I must have missed this. The crusades you are referring to where not started by Christians. They were Catholic. The term 'Christian Crusades' is a misnomer meant to throw people off as to what a Christian really is. I'm really surprised you used that common argument. Just another cult masquerading as Christians.

[avgooftroop13]

No you're right after I put that comment I remembered it was started by the Catholics. And yes a lot of people try and blame Christians for starting it, but you are right it was Catholics, because the Christian movement didn't really start until King Henry the 8th broke away and started the Church of England. My bad on that one.

[orlovna2]

@avgooftroop13

King Henry VIII was born in 1491. Martin Luther posted his "Ninety-five Thesis", when Henry of England was still a teenager.

Most people recognize that the Protestant Reformation began in Germany.

[avgooftroop13]

So yes I still felt persecuted, but whatever it's fine I won't complain anymore about being persecuted. I just would really appreciate if you would stop the Mormon hate. You can think what you want about them, but spreading lies and fear is just not Christian at all its hateful and it hurts a lot of people. Mormons are good people and they teach wonderful things. Yes they do believe in weird things, but they still live good lives just as you say your religion does.

[truthseeker1973]

I don't spread lies. Just using your own doctrine is enough in itself. I hate no man. What I do hate is deception, especially the type meant to drive people away from the saving gospel. I have mormon friends and family. Mormons can be 'good' people and do teach wonderful things. No amount of good things or good intentions are evidence for truth though. Satan and his angels can present themselves as angels of light (good).

[avgooftroop13]

Leave Mormons alone and stop accusing them as the false church? Why are none of your other stupid videos on your page of other religions being false? I don't see you accusing Islam people or the Jews. Why only the Mormons you hate? Because you were probably excommunicated and bitter about how things ended with the church. Leave your hate and disgusting videos to yourself, and continue to hide in your shame. I won't be ridiculed anymore for people like you, I'm done trying to reason.

[avgooftroop13]

Satan does not teach or deceive people through beautiful things such as family my friend. Satan is using his angels for people like you trying to deceive the Mormons. He makes things like Drinking, smoking, and porn look good, but we all know these things make you miserable. Temples, families, and testimonies are not from Satan Truthseeker.

[truthseeker1973]

You obviously don't know deception.

I take it satan planted all the evidence out there that proves smith was a fraud, or maybe he removed all the lack of evidence. Of course he rewrote the word of God to teach something completely different. Mormonism is new, not old. If you want to believe it, then you will. Deception relies on the desires of men to work. Warm fuzzies ring a bell?. The first deception ever was aimed at desire. They could become GODS. The truth you know was taught by mormons.

[avgooftroop13]

I already have had somebody do that to me and I always win with scripture battles, trust me I've studied the Bible a lot and have taken many classes and the Bible and Book of Mormon complement each other perfectly. The Bible says everything that matches Mormonism perfectly you just interpret them the wrong way if you read more closely and actually study and pray about it you find the right answers, I'm telling you. You have to let your heart be soften I already have let mine.

[truthseeker1973]

lol. You know what the difference is between a mormon and a true Bible believer? The Bible believer bases his beliefs from the text. A mormon doesn't become a mormon based on what the Bible says, therefore, the text gets based on their beliefs - already established. I have no doubt you believe the Bible and mormonism don't contradict. Like I said, 90% of mormon theology isn't in the Bible, or even the BOM. You can make verses fit it if you want to. In your case, belief obviously trumps fact.

[avgooftroop13]

Look, I'm never going to believe anything you say and you're never going to believe anything I saw. This is pointless and there's no point in arguing each other's beliefs. I know you are probably a good person and I commend you for your strong beliefs in Christ. I just want all people who believe in Christ to come together during these hard times, you know the times are close and so do I. You're my brother and always will be, so when the time comes after this life I'll see you in the end.

[truthseeker1973]

That's just it, I don't believe you will. You see if mormonism were correct, I'm headed to your 'second level'. If the Bible believing Christians are right....well, let's just say we wouldn't be going to the same place. As much as I could still care for you as a human being, my only brothers belong to the church (body of believers), and that's Biblical ;)

[avgooftroop13]

You know what that's really jacked up of you and uncalled for. See that just proved the true class of your Christian church. I'm trying to be your friend and respect your beliefs too, but you're just a jerk and that's why I would never join your faith. Mormons would never do that to you bro. Sorry but that's just messed up of you. Our missionary work is beautiful and full of love and hope. You just tell me join my church or you're going to hell. Something wrong with that.

[truthseeker1973]

I'm good at being a jerk, but I really wasn't trying to be one there. Jesus warned of hell more than he talked about heaven. Of course a mormon isn't going to warn a person of hell, they are universalists. That is why you are a mormon, mormonism is truth by inspiration.

[avgooftroop13]

And by the way what do you believe when it comes down to people who never heard of Christ before? Do they go straight to hell too? There's thousands of people even on the planet now that have never heard of Christ. See with Mormons we give those people a chance because we will have missionary work even after this life to ensure those souls too get a chance.

[truthseeker1973]

Romans 1:19-20

...that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. [How has God made it evident to them?] 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

[truthseeker1973]

Jesus will not return until everyone has heard the gospel as said in Mathew 24:14

14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The 'gospel' is defined in 1st Corinthians 15 and Ephesians 2:4-9

If I didn't believe what I said earlier, and actually cared, I wouldn't be in here.

[truthseeker1973]

1st Timothy 1:15 also part of the gospel message

15The saying is(A) trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus(B) came into the world to save sinners,(C) of whom I am the foremost.

Whoa, the largest contributor to the New Testament just referred to himself as the king of sinners more or less.

[truthseeker1973]

Yes, you are referring to baptism for the dead, which is not Biblical. The verse mormons love to use there is referring to those getting baptised would be getting baptised for the dead if Jesus had not risen. In other words he is pointing out Jesus is risen.

[avgooftroop13]

What is biblical is that you must be baptized by water and of the spirit (which Mormons are), and also that we should try to become as God (which Mormons do) read in john 32 and psalms 7. Taught to keep the commandments (which mormons do) have the same organization as Christ's church (which mormons do) apostles, prophets, missionaries. And by the way which version of the Bible are you talking about there's 100's of different accounts which one's right? Last I heard there's one book of mormon?

[truthseeker1973]

You are referring to John 3. Try reading the chapter carefully without your mormon glasses on to know what it really means. No, it has nothing to do with what Christ set up, not to mention mormons throw in their own twist of Old Testament stuff that has nothing to do with it either. Are there not different translations of the BOM? So there is not only one is there. I have a copy of the original BOM, and it doesn't say the same thing as yours.

[avgooftroop13]

Look to me you have the other glasses on. All you other Christian churches have is little pieces of truth....why are there so many random Christian churches? One of them has to be right, ours has all that truth. I've read the Bible and I don't read them with the glasses on it's all their plain and simple to read you guys are the ones that look outward on it. Plus your leaders have twisted so many things as you accuse mine of doing. How do you know it to be true do you even pray to find out?

[truthseeker1973]

2 Timothy 4:3-4

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to THEIR OWN DESIRES; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.

[orlovna2]

@truthseeker1973

I think that that passage, in Timothy, is "itching ears" (not tickled). It is not an out-of-place metaphor, though. Still, I, myself, prefer the original wording.

Also, if you were ever in an LDS meeting (on Sunday), you will quickly find out (quickly or slowly) that mormons who are given assignments to speak cannot talk against Mormon doctrine: or, even call the beliefs into question, from the podium.

So, the listeners hear what they all WANT to hear: like you imply.

[truthseeker1973]

There are different religions yes, but are they Christian is the question. All Christian hold to the same fundamentals I listed earlier, and vary only on minor topics. Christians don't have leaders, cult organizations do. There are many sects to mormonism, including the FLDS that holds more true to original mormonsim that modern day mormonism does. They know what the D&C says about polygamy and how it is required for your third level. Wow, sure a lot of work to get there. R U going to make it?

[truthseeker1973]

I pray for all truth, and the Lord delivers it. I have no more reason to pray about the BOM anymore than the if Anton Levay's satanic bible is true. To distinguish truth from fiction is already written. That is why we have the word. Who are you praying to? According to even Hinckley, it's not the same God I am praying to.

[truthseeker1973]

I really don't want to be rude. You are one of the more likable ones. I wanted to recap on something. Mormonism is old actually. It's a mixture of Gnosticism, Alexandrian, Arian, secret society (freemasonry), occult, and 'new age'. It all blends together really. Lose your desire when seeking truth, get to know the real Jesus, and get out of your mormon chains. Your soul is at stake.

[truthseeker1973]

The Bible is very clear on how to differentiate between lies and the truth. Maybe someone could show you how it verifies itself as truth and you could actually trust it.

[sldeyo]

especially the missionaries in my neck of the woods...they are having a hard time. i'm passing out warning tracts to everyone I meet. Whole families have thanked me for the information about Mormons and how now they know that Mormonism is not Christian. Don't thank me...thank Jesus. I'm just His humble,willing servant on a mission to reach people with the gospel of Jesus.

[beavermac]

i love the man made box of mormonism and catholocism.

mans version of god always fails and never reaches mans heart like it should.

[lambchopxoxo]

Fantastic. I am so glad to hear that

[mormonmilitia]

I look forward to the day when the Church has negative growth, because that means that the end of this telestial world is near.

[VictorLepanto]

Which "Church" are you talking about? Though you are right, it will be great when the world blows up. :-/|

[Dhumm81]

That day is near! And soon after many will find out that they will never become a god as they desired to be, and that the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8) is a real place. I pray that you are not one of them who are ultimately cast in for your fear, unbelief, and idolatry!

You cannot choose to follow Joseph Smith's teachings without REJECTING the teachings of Jesus and the Bible!

[awolLDSasap]

Straight from Biblical verse mormonism has failed. You have failed at preaching your brand of religion to the whole world.

[avgooftroop13]

It never will have negative growth, it still is growing this man speaks false statements, I just had 3 friends from San Francisco get baptized, and another family. No matter how much the Mormon church is persecuted it will always grow. You accuse Mormons of listening to only words of people and not the teachings of Christ, but you're only contradicting youself listening to the words of this evil man on TV, their only words not fact.

[josephsmythjr]

I tend to believe the first statement about zero growth. The world is getting more informed, quickly.

I would venture a guess that the greatest growth for the LDS is in third world countries. Just a calculated guess, and there is no way one will ever get an honest answer from SLC.

[praestant8]

@josephsmythjr How true.

[VictorLepanto]

Wow! It seems that Shawn & Pope Benedict XVI might agree on something. Pp. Benedict XVI has also talked about the Church getting smaller but more committed in a hostile world. This rather reflects a Western European perspective I think. I can see how a German cleric might think that way.

I look to the 3rd for exciting new growth. In fact, there is a great deal of new converts coming to the Catholic Church. & we don't send kids around to annoy people at home.

[testskriftene]

Lets hope that those that go to catholic church does not believe in catholic teachings!

[VictorLepanto]

Well, it is kinda silly to go to a Catholic Church & not believe in Catholic doctrine. Maybe you should give it a try-e, you might likey.

[testskriftene]

I know that no work can save me... as the catholic teaching teaches.. (maybe and hopefully not all believes that)

[VictorLepanto]

Yes, you are right, the Catholic Church does teach that no work can save you. & believe me, all knowledgable Catholics do believe this. Now though, the Catholic Church also teaches that not only Pelagianism is false, but that semi-Pelagianism is false also. Unlike Lutheran, Calvinism or Arminians, who inevitably wind up advocating some kind of Semi-pelagianism.

[jakedevon]

Mormons, is polygamy good or evil?

[carlasue88]

it's funny you only ask one question, when there are SO MANY issues which, on their own, condemn the religion. there's the origins of the BoM, JS's false prophecies, Blood Atonement, JS's changing stories about his early life, the lies about his crimes, the ever-changing doctrines. I could go on and on. God bless, keep questioning!!