Lying for the Lord

Hi everyone,
Here's a subject that has caused a bit of controversy over the years - lying for the Lord. In brief, it has been claimed that if Mormons believe that the end will justify the means, it is okay for them to lie. In other words, if they believe that lying will further the kingdom of God, or that it will be good for or help further the goals of Mormonism, it is okay to lie.

The following is an excellent article by my good friend and fellow researcher Bill McKeever, of Mormonism Research Ministry, on the subject of lying for the Lord. He has a great website on Mormonism and his materials are a ready resource to those who are looking for help with Mormonism. I believe his website is http://www.mrm.org. Another website where you will find good information on Mormonism is http://www.solomonspalding.info, as well as the older site: http://www.thedigitalvoice.com/enigma. I mention both sites because some of the documents apparently haven't been transferred to the new site as yet.

So much for the commercial and now to Bill's article.

Lying for the Lord
A Review by Bill McKeever

In the October 1994 "Ensign" article entitled "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness," Mormon writer Robert J. Matthews expounds on the fact that the ninth commandment is a "strong declaration against ... gross understatements, fabrication, or the willful giving of any explanation not supported by the facts." He went on to say, "Even sharing the truth can have the effect of lying when we tell only half-truths that do not give the full picture. We can also be guilty of bearing false witness and lying if we say nothing, particularly if we allow another to reach a wrong conclusion while we hold back information that would have led to a more accurate perception. In this case it is as though an actual lie were uttered" (pg.54).

Mr. Matthews continued on page 55, "Lying and misrepresentation in all of their forms are wrong, no matter how they may be rationalized, and those who silently let these evils pass unchallenged are also doing wrong". On the following page he states, "There are many ways in which language is twisted, warped, or packaged to convey misleading thoughts."

On several occasions I have asked Christians if they have ever had a Mormon tell them that they were "Christians just like them." I think just about everyone who talks with Latter-day Saints on even an irregular basis has heard a Mormon say this. The next time this happens to you, respond by saying, "If you are Christian just like me, then I must be a Mormon just like you." No doubt the Mormon will object to such a conclusion. Why? Because Mormons don't believe like Christians.

On far too many occasions Mormons fail to clarify their positions when they speak to Christians. They will say they believe in "Jesus Christ," trust in the "scriptures," believe they are "saved by grace," and have been "born-again." They will talk about "eternal life" and things like "heaven," but they rarely explain what they mean when they use such terminology. Is this not an act of lying as defined by Mr. Matthews above? Surely if the Mormon allows that person to assume Mormonism is similar to Christianity by "holding back information that would have led to a more accurate perception," they have done exactly what Mr. Matthews says should not be done.

Holding back information is especially a problem in the foreign field. It is not uncommon for Mormon missionaries to purposely refrain from discussing doctrines which clearly separate Mormonism from the usual perception of Christianity. They are well aware that to do otherwise would risk any chance of a return visit.

In many foreign countries the local population is at a severe disadvantage. Very few books are printed in their native language which critically examines LDS teachings. In many areas they do not even have a translated set of the standard works. At best they may have a copy of the Book of Mormon (or selections). Since the Book of Mormon does not reflect modern LDS teaching on many critical issues, this only adds to the deception.

Unfortunately, when it comes to religion, full disclosure to a prospective convert is not mandatory. One of the reasons many religions flourish is because new investigators are not told the whole story. Few are aware of what they are getting themselves into. This is true of the LDS Church as well. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to masquerade as a Christian organization by suppressing information, misrepresenting history, and redefining Christian terminology. We challenge the Mormon Church to quit being dishonest with prospective converts, either in this country or abroad. We ask that the LDS Church tell people up-front what Mormonism really teaches. They owe it to their investigators to explain those doctrines which make Mormonism unique, and distinct, from biblical Christianity. In other words, they should quit twisting language and conveying misleading thoughts and follow your own admonition, "if we tolerate lying to any degree, we are accessories to deception" (pg.57).

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