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"1. Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
"2. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. ...
"7. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
"8. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
"9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn."
1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 7-9
The following letters have been slightly edited:
Quoting Sarah Setchfield:
> Why don't you spend your energy telling the Old, Old Story of Jesus and His
Love?? The Book of Mormon is chuck full of the Lord's love.
> Sincerely, Sarah Setchfield
Dr. Helland's Reply:
Dear Mrs. Setchfield:
I want you to know that I respect you both as a person and as a believer. I
appreciate your sincerity and your effort to persuade others to your way of
thinking. Of course, when we do try to reach out to others, there will be a
variety of responses. We much prefer even a negative response over no response
at all.
I am going to respond to you, not just to argue with you, but because I
believe that Isaiah 1:18 encourages us to reason together for the end of
enjoying the blessing of salvation and forgiveness and cleansing from sin. We
all need that!
I would like to refer to just a few examples in the Book of Mormon that I do
not believe reflect the love of Christ. I would just like you to think them
over.
1) How do you feel about how Nephi murdered Laban at the Lord's command? He
showed some reluctance to do it, but no remorse was ever evident. Also, why is
Laban, an evil man who was not even a Levite, entrusted with the brass plates
which contained all the sacred scriptures that had been written up to that
time? According to the Bible, only at the cleaning up of the Temple in the days
of King Hezekiah were the sacred writings found, and they were in the Temple!
How come, in the Bible, King Hezekiah was so thrilled at their re-discovery
if Laban's ancestors had them all the time?
A wonder also is how a person could be decapitated without getting his
clothes stained with blood. Of course, a guillotine might make that possible,
but just cutting off a man's head who is dead drunk does not show much
preparation for then stripping the man's clothes off and putting them on for a
disguise and fooling his servant by changing one's voice. That is exactly what
Nephi did to his uncle Laban in the Book of Mormon! (1 Nephi, chapters 3
and 4)
In this brief account, we find the voice of God commanding Nephi to (1)
commit murder, (2) lie to the servant, (3) steal the brass plates and (4)
forcibly abduct the servant against his will. All of these violations of
the Ten Commandments are justified by "God"
with the quotation of a New Testament scripture which in the Bible explains that
Jesus would die for the sins of the world! (1 Nephi 4:13; John 11:49-52))
2) Then there is the matter of Alma and Amulek being forced to witness the
burning to death of believing women and children. Amulek was pained to see it,
but though they could have saved them from death by just stretching forth their
hands and stopping it through the power of God that was in them, Alma felt
constrained by the Spirit of the Lord to let them die so that God's wrath could be just against their murderers
at the last day! (Alma 14:10-11) The Bible declares teaches very
differently! "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it
is sin." (James 4:17)
Please explain the Lord's love in that!
At least the first of these passages is used, especially by the polygamous
splinter groups from the Mormon church, to justify their misdeeds! And they are Book of Mormon
believers!
Well, I guess that is enough for now. I hope to hear from you again.
Dr. Dean Helland
Reply from Sarah Setchfield:
Dear Mr. Helland:
I'm sure you believe that the Lord God, Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday, today and forever. Whether we believe the Old Testament or the New Testament we find the Lord God is the same.... including (in) the Book of Mormon.
Justice and Mercy are laws in
effect throughout all generations. I do not debate, dispute, or contend with
people. Strife is not of the Lord. Either we believe the Gospel
as written in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon or we don't. The Word of
God is unalterable, indestructible, incorruptible--a Rock which is unmovable and
imperishable--settled in Heaven.
As I wrote in reply to your first e-mail: "Why don't you spend your energy telling the Old, Old Story of Jesus Christ and His love?" What the world needs is reconciliation with HIM....
In Christ, Sarah Setchfield
P.S. The Book of Mormon was given us from the Lord. Joseph Smith only read the words; he did not believe nor did he establish a church on the Word of God. Enough said........
Dr. Helland's Response:
Dear Sis. Setchfield:
Thanks for your quick reply. I don't have a problem with either Jesus Christ
or the Gospel of Salvation. I just have a problem with the Book of Mormon.
There are lots of Christian novels, some with a fantasy background, that can lead a person to Christ. I would have no problem with the Book of Mormon if it were presented as a work of Christian fiction.
It is its claim to be the Word of God and a
corrective for the things that have been taken away from the Bible and caused
present-day Christians to be blinded and in bondage to Satan that I have a
problem with.
Yours in Christ,
Dean Helland
Prayer of Salvation:
Lord Jesus, I thank you for your Holy Word, the Bible, which reveals the plan of salvation which is so simple. I repent for thinking that a church could save me when you only ask me to come to you in simple faith. Lord, I have heard your knock at the door of my heart. I open that door and ask you to come in. I believe that you lived a sinless life, took my sins upon you when you died on the cross, and are now at the right hand of the Father, praying for me.
I renounce Mormonism and everything associated it. I ask for release from all the spirits of deception I have allowed in my life by doubting your holy Word and following the teachings of men. Cleanse me with your shed blood. I believe. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. I will seek out a church which teaches the Bible as the guide for my life. I will be re-baptized as a testimony of my new-found faith. I give you my life. Do with me what you will. I promise never leave you, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Jesus! Amen!
If you prayed this prayer sincerely, please contact Dr. Dean at the email address below and let him know about it. He will see that you receive the guidance necessary to keep you in the ways of the Lord. Of course, your name and email address will be kept confidential.
Dr. Helland's Articles in English
- My Visit With Two Mormon Missionaries
- Islam, Mormonism and Freemasonry (See its Power Point presentation)
- My Personal Testimony
- When a Mormon Meets Jesus (See its Power Point Presentation)
- What Every Christian Should Know about Mormonism
- Book of Mormon Problems
Other items of interest
- Photos of Dean Helland's recent visit to Arkansas Descendants' Conference SLIDE SHOW
- Free on-line 11- minute Video of "Momma, The Book of Mormon and Me"
Guest Articles
- Counterfeit Currency-- by Eric Johnson