Category Archives: David Lister

Articles written by David Lister

The Great Mormon Bailout

Mormons Leaving the Mormon Church in large numbers

MORIEL MINISTRIES
By David Lister
February 9, 2012

Several articles and TV reports in Utah are confirming that Mormons are leaving the LDS religion in large numbers. Below are some of the links to these stories.

This is very good news and according to full time Mormon missionary Rob Sivulka he has personally received a confirmation from LDS General Authority Marlin Jensen, who is also the Church Historian and Recorder, confirming that Mormons are “leaving in droves.”

Rob writes “There are several things to take away from this story: first, this should once and for all put to rest this silly faith-promoting mantra LDS give that their church is the fastest growing church.

Second, this significant news also ought to mobilize the Christian Church to reap the harvest of these disaffected Mormons!

Unfortunately, most of the people who leave Mormonism go into agnosticism or atheism.

The tendency with these people is to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

So, Christians…are you ready to give a positive case for your faith as 1 Peter 3:15 commands you to do? We really have a great opportunity here!”

Also, Rob further states “whether you are for or against Romney for president, his run continues to put his faith under the microscope.”

Many of us in full time Mormon evangelism have known this for years.

The Internet is a big problem for them.

The hundreds of websites that factually show the many problems with Mormonism, with their history and even with the character of their founders being false teachers and false prophets are and have been making a negative impact on the Mormon religion and causing many to come out of this false religion.

 

Here at Moriel we support some full time missionaries in Utah.

They report their churches are growing with ex-Mormons.

In addition, while this is good news the bad news is that Mormonism is growing in places like Malaysia and Africa.

Moriel is supporting a missionary that is moving to Malaysia soon and was very influential in teaching me how to reach Mormons.

May the Lord help Tim Oliver and his wife as they transition to Malaysia.

Also, let us continue our support for the full time missionaries in Utah, as they will now be dealing with more and more people turning to the Truth.

Mormons have always had ‘a zeal’ for God, but not according to The Truth. Let us keep pushing forward, and be ready for an answer for the Mormons who are searching.

In Peace,

David

Mormons tackling tough questions in their history – Salt Lake Tribune

Number of faithful Mormons rapidly declining – KTVX-TV ABC Salt Lake City, Utah

Special report -Mormonism besieged by the modern age – REUTERS [Thomson-Reuters]

Did Jesus Go to Hell?

Moriel received the following question:

I was watching a video podcast by Jacob titled the Devils Algebra. I really enjoyed the podcast however I have one question that has arisen from this podcast. I have tried to search the internet and to search the scriptures as much as possible to come to a conclusion. However I am struggling with this one. Can you explain to me please why Jesus did not go down into hell after he died on the cross. I have read so many differing versions as to what actually happened. This question came to me after Jacob , and rightly so, warned people from the teachings of people like Joyce Meyer and the like. As she says that Jesus went down into Hell in our place so we don’t have to. This doesn’t sit right for me.

Moriel answers:

Lets look at 1 Peter3:18-22, which is a difficult passage and specifically Jesus going to “hell”. One of the first things that we do at Moriel with difficult passages is we look at the original languages and see what it says and if it can bring some clarity to the translation.  Also, we look to other supporting verses in the Bible to see if there is help there. So, according to Peter, sometime between His death and His resurrection Jesus made a special proclamation or preached to “the spirits in prison.” This raises some questions:  Continue reading →

On Eating Certain Foods

Since Noah knew about clean and unclean animals (Gen. 7:1-10), this distinction was part of an ancient tradition that antedated the Mosaic Law. Whether a creature was “clean” or “unclean had nothing to do with the animal being “good” or “bad”, “strong” or “weak”; it all depended on what God said about the animal that mattered. When He gave us these laws, He probably had the health of His people in mind (Ex. 15:26; Deut. 7:15), yet the main purpose of Kashrut (or the dietary laws) was to instruct the Israelites that they belonged to God and were obligated to keep themselves separated from everything that would defile them. “Be holy, for I am holy” He tells them 8 times in Leviticus.

Nevertheless, the spiritual principle of separation from defilement is applicable for God’s people today. We know God must make a difference in every area of our lives. Continue reading →

Pat Robertson, False Prophet, Again

by David E. Lister

Pat Robertson of The 700 Club fame has once again prophesied wrongly! This time in an interview on CNN, Mr. Robertson reversed himself on a prophecy given in January of 2004. In that prophecy Mr. Robertson declared the Mr. Bush would win re-election “in a walk” and added, ” I really believe I’m hearing from the Lord its going to be a blowout.” But yesterday he admitted that this prophecy was not the Lord speaking but his own thoughts. Mr. Robertson stated in the interview, “I thought it was gong to be a blowout, but I think its razor thin.” Continue reading →

Hank Hanegraaff Supports The ‘Local Church’

by David E Lister

Editors Note: The words of Daniel 11 ring in my ears concerning those that join the covenant people in hypocrisy and then turn on them. It makes me wonder if this in not a preview of the future of the Church.

Below is a compilation of several items that have appeared recently throughout the Internet due to Hank Hanegraaff filing a legal brief on behalf of The Local Church and in opposition to John Weldon and John Ankerberg. The Local Church has long been regarded as a cult by the Christian Research Institute (see our posting of their position paper on The Local Church http://www.moriel.org/articles/discernment/
church_issues/teachings_of_witness_lee.htm ) along with most every apologist that this ministry knows. But now Hank Hanegraaff has actually turned to financially (by paying fees for filing the brief) supporting and legally (filing a friend of the court brief) supporting what most in the Christian apologetic field believe to be a cult (The Local Church) through the American court system. This is indeed a sad day as the legacy of Dr. Walter Martin continues to be dismantled. Continue reading →

Are You Living the Celestial Law?

by David E. Lister

A Doctrinal Study of Mormon Theology Concerning The Ability to Spend Eternity Living In Heavenly Father’s Presence For The Truth Seeking Mormon or Christian Witness To The Mormon

Having just returned from 10 days in the heart of Mormon culture, the Great Basin nestled within the confines of the Wasatch Mountain range in the state of Utah, United States of America, my heart is broken for the Mormon people. My heart is broken over their being trapped in a religion that heaps on them the penalty of God’s Law, death, and eternal separation from God. Mormonism teaches as their gospel that in order to inherit eternal life (spending eternity in the Heavenly Father’s presence) one must keep all of God’s commandments. :”(Doctrines and Covenants 25:15)”:

Continue reading →

Statement Concerning James Sundquist

To Whom It May Concern

A series of vicious and unfounded attacks against Pastor John Higgins, Mike Gendron, and others (including members of the Moriel team) are being circulated concerning events that transpired at a Conference held at a Calvary Chapel in Tempe , Arizona three years ago in June of 2005 which for some inexplicable reason has been resurrected as an issue. The Conference theme and aim was Roman Catholicism, the Evangelization of Roman Catholics, and the dangers of the ecumenical movement. Continue reading →

Vivez-vous La Loi Céleste?

by David E. Lister

Une étude doctrinale sur la théologie Mormon concernant la capacité de vivre pour l’éternité dans la présence du Père Céleste.

Adressée au Mormon qui cherche la Vérité ou au Chrétien désirant témoigner aux Mormons.

J’ai le cour brisé pour le peuple Mormon suite à mon séjour au cour de leur culture – le Grand Bassin – niché dans les limites de l’étendue de la montagne Wasatch dans l’état du Utah aux Etats-Unis. Mon cour est brisé par le fait qu’ils sont piégés par une religion qui les accablent, au moyen de la pénalité de la Loi de Dieu, la mort et la séparation éternelle d’avec Dieu. L’évangile Mormon enseigne que l’homme doit garder tous les commandements de Dieu afin d’hériter la vie éternelle (de vivre éternellement dans la présence du Père Céleste). La Chrétienté historique enseigne le contraire, c’est-à-dire que de vivre éternellement avec Dieu est Son don gratuit et que si nous essayons de vivre sous la Loi et que nous transgressons un seul point de la Loi, nous sommes alors coupables de briser toute la Loi. Toujours dans la Chrétienté historique, la mort ou la séparation d’avec Dieu pour l’éternité est la conséquence de la transgression de la Loi. La doctrine déclare que les Mormons doivent garder toute la Loi : « Mais, malgré tout ceci, Il (Jésus) a observé toute la Loi de Dieu et est demeuré sans péché, démontrant ainsi la capacité de l’homme à garder la Loi et à demeurer également sans péché. » Le Mormonisme accable aussi son peuple du fardeau que l’homme doit atteindre un point dans sa vie où il cesse de pécher, et même d’avoir le désir ou une forte envie de pécher. En d’autres mots, il doit parvenir à la perfection dans sa vie ici-bas. La perfection dont il parle n’est pas celle de Jésus, puisqu’Il n’a jamais péché, mais plutôt un point de non-retour au péché, « car la perfection est un but accessible » au sein de cette religion. Continue reading →

Timothy Williams of Sound Doctrine and His Article ‘God’s True Grace’

By David E Lister

Simple and plain meanings of Grace: Hebrew the word is Chesed meaning covenant mercy, in Greek Charism – gift and in English, underserved favor.

In his article from his website Mr. Timothy Williams perverts God’s Word and His grace. Mr. Williams also attacks the church and every Christian indiscriminately with a broad sword and lots of smoke and mirrors. He tells his readers that one can tell who has the “grace of God” by their obedience to the commandments. Continue reading →

Does Dan Corner Misrepresent Charles Spurgeon and Other Questions?

by David E Lister

Recently Dan Corner has attacked Jacob Prasch on his position on eternal security. I believe Mr. Corner has misrepresented Jacob with bad scholarship and bad exegesis of Jacob’s position on eternal security. Mr. Corner has also attacked Dave Hunt, John MacArthur, Charles Spurgeon, and others unjustly. I believe he has misrepresented their positions on various subjects. The following are open questions for Mr. Corner to answer. I believe also they will give our readers insight into the way that Mr. Corner works from his own words. While we are not wanting to give Mr. Corner any publicity, we have found it necessary to state that we do not endorse him and Moriel finds his work untrustworthy and style of attacking godly men such as Charles Spurgeon and Dave Hunt unjustified, unproven and ungodly. Continue reading →

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati Pleads No Contest for Failure to Report Sexual Abusive Priests

By David E. Lister

With the Grand jurors taking their seats to hear testimony against the Archdiocese of Cincinnati relating to their failure to report the misdeeds of priests, the archdiocese quickly sought an to end their legal problems. On November 20, 2003 the Archbishop Daniel E. Pilaczyk appeared before Common Plea Judge Richard Niehaus. Judge Niehaus asked the Archbishop if he understood what he was pleading no contest to. Looking pale, the archbishop stood before the judge and answered, “Right.” With that one word answer the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and its Archbishop have brought the Roman Catholic Church to a status of guilty of breaking the law of Ohio and the United States. Continue reading →

Moriel Missions Report: Manti, Utah 2003 – Mission to the Mormons

The Watach Mountains were fast disappearing out of the corner of my eye as the plane climbed out of the Salt Lake Valley. The sun was brilliant, blazing and in front of us as we headed east and home. The end of another Moriel Mission Trip to Mormons in Utah was quickly approaching. But the memories are still fresh, wonderful, exciting and at the same time, sad. Continue reading →