My name is Mark Cares and I am a Lutheran pastor in Idaho. For the past 30 years, I have shared the true Gospel of Jesus Christ with people throughout my community. Almost 25 years ago, I began a project of researching and studying Mormonism for the purpose of knowing how to effective share the gospel with them. The end result is a book entitled, “Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons.” Over 20,000 copies have been sold. From the feedback I have received, many people and ministries are utilizing the approach and techniques that I share in my book. I’m now president of an outreach ministry called Truth in Love Ministry (TILM). If you would like more information, please visit our website, www.tilm.org.
Thanks, Mark.
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Welcome, Mark, to the wordpress community.
from a fellow Idahoan pastor,
et
Mark if you care how is it that you do not see that the “Mormon’s” have the Gospel? Do you not agree that the “True Gospel” speeks of Christ and his love for us? Do you think that there is a different message from “Mormons” than the Love of God for his children? Do you not understand that the “Mormons” also beleive in the Bible as the word of God, as long as man has not tammpered with it to contort it into their own message?
I do see that you are trying to reach out in love, but to reachout in love is not to lay heavey blame upon the people you reach out to, nor is it to tell them what it is they are doing or what they beleive when you do not understand what it is exactly. I again will caution you to pull back siglightly on you use of absolutes in your statments as they are effectively invalidating your arguments as they are too bold they do not accuratky protry the cause they discuss. i.e. you keep saying statments that some suggestions from the LDS church are requirements. The Church gives free choice to all people, they offer a standard of living that you can choose to accept and follow for your bennifit or choose to not follow to your own cost of those bennifits. it is like an excersize program, if you workout every day the program calls for you bennifit by the results of doing so, if you only do the activity once every 5th day the program calls for you do not reep those bennifits.
How can you not see that discuraging people to do what is right is helping Satin defeat the righteous? Instead why not encourage all to do right? What issue do you have if a Church suggests people read the scriptures regurally, that they perticipate in spiritual activities with their families often, or that they Pray and seek God daily? Is it your secret goal to have men fail and be sweeped away with the unfaithful?
I’d expect better form a man of God proclaiming Love.
-D
Mark,
Are you playing Devils Advocate? As you do seem to put into question reasoning for doing good, and you seem to ignore any explanation of the reasoning to do good, or any warrning about the harm you propell others towards as you discurrage them to better themselves.
If you are I will not give it away because you do have many talking here and I think you are in an ironic way stranghting some people’s resolve to follow the Guidance that helps them do right.
If you are not playing the Devils Advocate and are serious about your statments here, then maybe you should look around and be sure the Devil is not playing you.
Good day and God bless,
-D
D:
I am very serious about my statements. I truly believe that Mormonism contains very dangerous teachings. If I didn’t think that, I wouldn’t devote so much time and effort to this. That is why I posted Warning as a Sign of Caring on August 4th. Hopefully, you understand that as I take your last comment to me as a loving warning from you to me.
Mark,
I see. Well I’ll have you know that I am serious as well about the error of discuraging anyone from doing good. I feel that you have some mis-understandings about the “Mormons” and their beleifs as you have over generalized much in this blog about their teachings. I hope you will consider the many responces that try to clairify these mis-understood teachings.
I also would like to extend my compation to you and have you aware that I mean only to help you better yourself and others and that I do hope for your good. I do not mean any contention nor harbor any enimity toward you or your blog. As I see it we are Brothers in Christ, we just do not see things in the same perspective. Who knows, we may find that we are just seeing different parts of the same horse.
In truth, God bless,
-D
Mark, I’m a big fan of yours. I love your work and the book that you wrote. I’m happy to find your blog. I respect and appreciate what you are trying to do for the LDS people because that is my passion as well here in Las Vegas, Nevada. Your email to me a few months ago was the “shot in the arm” that I needed and I reflect on it often. Keep up the good work! I ran into Dave at the Compassionate Boldness Conference in Salt Lake this past May. He said that you have stepped back as an active player in the ministry that you started. I believe he told me that you have focused most of your attention on the LDS in your local area and in pastoring your church. Is that true? What is your role now? God bless you!
Berean:
For a number of years, besides pastoring a growing local congregation, I had some other responsibilities in our church body that took a lot of my time. I recently put most of those responsibilites aside so I could again start devoting some tome to reaching the LDS. I am still co-pastoring the congregation but I am in the process of taking more time away from it (I have an exceeelnt co-pastor who is really taking the reins) and devoting more time to this ministry. We have a lot of different irons in the fire so in the coming months we will see where we need to devote our energies.
May the Lord continue to be with and bless you.
Hi Pastor Cares,
Just wanted to introduce myself. Steve Brown, a Lay WELS Blogger at:
http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com
My site is named “Worship Ideas You Can Use”.
I found out about you from a post by Pastor Jeremiah Gumm. Glad to see more WELS presence on wordpress.
Keep up the great work!
Steve
Some Mormon missionaries visited my home tonight. I was busy, but I got their card and told them I would call so we could visit next week. I started brushing up on Mormonism in preparation to witness to them. This led me to find your web page. AWESOME!
I now have some questions:
1. Are you Lutheran?
2. If you are Lutheran, which “Lutheran” are you? (ELCA, LCMS, WELS, other?)
I ask this because after skimming your web page your theology (esp. your Law/Gospel approach) reveals that you seemed to be influenced by Lutheran theology.
One more question. I agree with you that we should start with proclaiming the Law and our need for Christ, trusting in the Spirit to bring them to faith, and then getting to the “false teachings” of Mormonism later. However, my question is if we can wait to deal with their false teaching about the person of Christ since the person of Christ (Christology) cannot be separated from the Gospel (the work of Christ for us). Would you suggest we simply make a positive argument (proclaim the Truth about WHO Jesus is) instead of taking a negative approach (this is the false teaching that Mormons have about Jesus!)? Any advice you could give would be appreciated. Feel free to email me: pastoreck@gmail.com
Mark,
I just picked up your book,Speaking the Truth in love to Mormons. Your book has helped me to understand better my daughter-in-law and son who are LDS. Thanks for the great resource that will help me to minister to them.
In Christ,
Richard Bland
Richard:
I’m so glad that the book was helpful. For my witnesing help, visit our website at http://www.truthinlovetomormons.com
I have this friend-Lynne-.She has been living with me off and on for
several years.She drives an 18-wheeler for a living.Several times I have tried to discuss her beliefs as a Mormon,but to no avail.A couple months ago I asked her to move out and get her own apt.which
she did. We are still friends,and she thinks I am the greatest.I love
my church-Trinity Lutheran,Saline(WELS) and enjoy being active in many of the Mission activities of (WElS).Lynne is a “dyed in the wool”
Mormon and it is very difficult for me to know she is on the “paved”
road to hell,because she does not recognize the Holy Trinity, or all
of our Savior’s attributes–having long dead relatives baptized,big
time tithing,geneology,Kingdoms of Glory and all her good works.She is a very kind and loving person.I will continue to pray for her and keep in touch with her.Satan is very cunning and powerful
Mark,if you read this,I want you to know my daughter Lorrine was
at MLS with your sister and I knew your folks very well.Are they still living?
It is my prayer that God will continue to bless all your efforts in reaching out to these lost souls
“it is very difficult for me to know she is on the “paved” road to hell,because she does not recognize the Holy Trinity”
It’s very difficult for me to know that too. Especially since no one in Christianity seems to have a coherent idea of what the creedal Trinity actually is.
Seth, though many object to the biblical statements as being completely sufficient or coherent, I interject that their opinions simply reflect that they do not trust all the scriptural data on God as trustworthy.
It is very difficult in America to simply trust the Triune God of the Old and New Testaments. And I daresay the doubt is morphing to hostility in our culture.
And look at the sheer folly of the nations of western civilization as they are growing weary of Father, Son, and Spirit. In the pursuit of their own common sense, they actually think that they can put the incomprehensible God of all on trial.
That which cannot be comprehended cannot be believed in in any useful sense Todd.
That is the whole argument of athiests.
Note, I didn’t say you have to comprehend it. I happen to believe that is impossible with God.
But I do believe it has to be comprehensible eventually – given enough knowledge.
“Comprehensible.” Not “comprehended.”
There’s a difference.
You said: “But I do believe it has to be comprehensible eventually – given enough knowledge.
“Comprehensible.” Not “comprehended.”
There’s a difference.”
Well then you shouldn’t have a problem with the trinity.
Nah. The creedal Trinity is incomprehensible.
As in – no matter how much knowledge you ever acquire, it will never be subject to being understood.
The reason is that it is inherently self-contradictory and self-defeating. It affirms the very things it denies.
That’s not a “mystery.” That’s just nonsense talk.
Look, I don’t mind living with contradictions in one’s religious life. And I don’t mind someone believing in the creedal Trinity.
I do mind however, when they act like my failure to agree to something utterly incomprehensible is a measuring stick for salvation. Something that no one understands, no one articulates correctly, and something that cannot ever be articulated correctly.
If belief in the Trinity is necessary for salvation, then no one here is going to make it. Because no one here has even the remotest clue about how to articulate it or explain it.
“That’s not a “mystery.” That’s just nonsense talk.”
I suggest readers study it for themselves in the Bible.
I have, thank you.
Seth and Echo, you two have an interesting ping pong ball match going. That ball just keeps bouncing back and forth, quicker and faster. :)
Honestly, Seth, I do consider the doctrine of the Triune God (and the Gospel) as the crowning treasure and glory of my Christianity. People in Idaho Falls do share with me different earthly conceptions of God(s). Look at the triad of the First Presidency and then imagine them fully glorifed. Or look at a husband, wife, and son and then imagine them fully glorified. Hey, even pretty soon in 2010, we will be getting Percy Jackson and the Twelve Olympians on the big screen in America (chuckling).
I can easily understand all these perceptions of God and subordinate Gods. But it is not all these common sense ideas that have hooked my gaze. When Jesus Christ saved me, the Holy Spirit riveted the gaze of my heart on words of Scripture that portray the glorious God of all, who is unlike anything that I would even dream possible.
It is the greatest adventure of my life, Seth. Percy’s God adventure is a sleeper. :)
Todd, if you dig it, fine by me.
Just don’t make it a condition of my salvation and I’m fine with it.
God and salvation – I just can’t compartmentalize the two in Christian understanding, Seth.
I sincerely believe that one who experiences salvation and grace will trust the Trinity of the Bible. Faith and its object are inseparably linked.
True.
I just don’t think that a theologically correct understanding of stuff like “Trinity” ultimately has much to do with realizing that object.
It’s purely a cerebral American cultural quirk to think that correct philosophy buys our way into heaven.
I reject that orthodoxy has even half as much to do with salvation as you seem to think it does.
I have this friend-Lynne-.She has been living with me off and on forseveral years.She drives an 18-wheeler for a living.Several times I have tried to discuss her beliefs as a Mormon,but to no avail.A couple months ago I asked her to move out and get her own apt.whichshe did. We are still friends,and she thinks I am the greatest.I lovemy church-Trinity Lutheran,Saline(WELS) and enjoy being active in many of the Mission activities of (WElS).Lynne is a “dyed in the wool”Mormon and it is very difficult for me to know she is on the “paved”road to hell,because she does not recognize the Holy Trinity, or allof our Savior’s attributes–having long dead relatives baptized,bigtime tithing,geneology,Kingdoms of Glory and all her good works.She is a very kind and loving person.I will continue to pray for her and keep in touch with her.Satan is very cunning and powerfulMark,if you read this,I want you to know my daughter Lorrine wasat MLS with your sister and I knew your folks very well.Are they still living?It is my prayer that God will continue to bless all your efforts in reaching out to these lost souls
+1
Hi:
I just got back from a few days of vacation and saw your kind note. My Dad died a number of years ago. My Mom remarried and is living in Wisconsin.
Don’t give up trying to witness. Just earlier today we received a note from a Mormon who had been corresponding with us a couple of years ago. She wrote to tell us that she is now a Christian and to thank us for showing her the truth. God’s Word is powerful but sometimes it takes years before it bears fruit. Just share the good news and trust in the Holy Spirit’s power to create faith.
Hi Mark,
I just wanted to say that I heard your blog was great from a fellow ex-mormon. I am looking forward to reading it more thoroughly, and getting to know you better. I also have a wordpress blog that shares my own personal journey out of the LDS church. You can see it here if you’d like: https://thehumanexperience26.wordpress.com/
Thank you for being open, honest, and sharing your experiences.
Jessica
Hi Jessica:
I will check out your story. Hope to hear from you more.
Blessings,
Hi,
Margaret from http://123hallelujah.wordpress.com suggested that I contact you regarding your ministry with Mormons. I have a mormon who responded on my blog and it appears that you are better suited to respond to him than I am. I looked for a contact on your blog and since I was unable to find one, I thought I would contact you here. If you are interested in responding to the mormon whose name is Steve, his response to one of my posts is here http://fruitoftheword.com/2011/10/shocking-christian-books/. He did not leave a website link where I could direct you to contact him but only left a response on my blog.
I am not trying to make a plug for my blog on your blog but am simply trying to find the best person to respond to him. I do not know much about mormons and their beliefs though I should learn as I have moved to an area where there are a lot of mormon churches.
In any event, please feel free to resond to him on my blog or invite him here to your blog to engage him.
Great ministry you have here. I would like to add you to my blogroll so that I can learn more about Mormons and their beliefs so I am better equipped to have conversations with them.
Ok, this may sound kind of redundant since you have a blog about the unrealistic views of Mormons, but what’s the big deal about mormonism? What exactly is wrong with it? I am not LDS, but have some family members who are, and have been to their church one time. I know since you have a book and a blog about it, you have many answers, but, in a paragraph, what’s the specifics of the problems with what they’re teaching?
Thanks,
Adrianna
Hi Adrianna:
It’s all about the teachings of Mormonism. They have many teachings that are not Christian. Because you would like a simple answer I will give you just two of their scriptures. In Doctrine and Covenants 132:20 it states that they can become gods. The Bible however says that there is only one god. 2 Nephi 25:23 says: “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” That contradicts the Bible which says we are saved by grace alone, without works. See Ephesians 2:8-9. If you want to see more of its non-Christian teachings read a few of the blog posts.
Mark,
I understand if you do not feel comfortable granting this request, but I was wondering if I could correspond with you by email regarding evangelism to Mormons. I am very interested in moving to Utah or one of the bordering states in the next few years for that purpose. I would greatly appreciate your insights into that decision and some recent interactions I have had with Mormon missionaries where I live. Thank you, and praise be to God for the work that you have done for this overlooked subculture.
“John”