Mormonism: A Life Under False Pretenses

B. Baker Lee

Description

A Life Under False Pretenses is an honest, Biblically accurate side by side comparison of the doctrine of Mormonism with the Bible, and an exposure of a false doctrine laced with lies, hypocrisy and corruption.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• History of religions

Informations

• Publié par: First Edition Design Publishing
• Date de parution: 05 décembre 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781937520380
• Langue: English

Extrait

Mormonism
A Life Under False Pretenses

The True Story of a Mormon Bishop’s
Journey of Discovery

by

Former Mormon Bishop, Lee B. Baker
ISBN 978-1-937520-38-0
Published by First Edition Design eBook Publishing
November 2011
www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com

Copyright, 2010 by Lee B. Baker




Edited by Jarl K. Waggoner
Includes bibliographical references, notes, letters, documents and index.

Cover Design and Artwork by Chris Beard
Cover Photographs Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other – except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without prior written permission of the publisher and author.
The comments, opinions and viewpoints presented here are solely those of the author as derived from his personal experiences.

Published by Father’s Press, LLC (PRINT)
ISBN: 978-0-9825321-8-8 (PRINT)

Grateful acknowledgement is made to the following in support of document security and safekeeping: Patrick McGinty.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Dedication

To those followers of the Lord Jesus Christ who have the integrity and the courage to actively defend the correct purpose and potential of His true ministry.

Five years of solid research, a multitude of probing questions, and the many prayers required for this book are now dedicated to those who might find themselves asking serious questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons.
Contents

-About the Author
-Preface
-Introduction
A Personal Account of the Deception and Deceit of Mormonism
The Authority of the Church Leadership
Asking for the Truth About the “True Church”
Why Is This Story So Important?
The Lie for a Friend
The Truth Matters—It Really Does
The Character of Joseph Smith Matters
Protecting the Good Name of the Church
A Personal Invitation From the Author
-Chapter One
The Mormon Legacy of Deflecting Dishonesty on Deity
Group One—Doing the Right Thing before the Lord
Group Two—Doing the Right Thing within One’s Calling
Group Three—Defending the Good Name of the Church
These Subjects and Comments Are Obviously Anti-Mormon
Teachings of the Past Prophets and the Value of a Living Prophet
A Selective Lack of Knowledge
The Fundamental Conclusions of This Chapter
-Chapter Two
Following the Prophet: The Art of Personal Responsibility and Discernment
The Rockwood Doctrine
-Chapter Three
Read, Study, Ponder, and Pray: The Trauma of Learning the Truth
The Truth Matters
Anti-Mormon or Simply True?
Spiritual Loyalty—to My Church or My God?
How Can We Come to Know of Something without Asking?
Polyandry, Taking the Wife of Another Man, Is Worse Than Polygamy
Blood Atonement in the Modern Mormon Temple
We Do Not Teach That Anymore; It Is In Our Past
The Power and Authority of the Mormon Priesthood
The Book of Mormon—An Inspired, Invented, or Imitated Manuscript?
Two Sets of Scriptures—The Church Hides Polygamy
A Mormon History of Anti-American Teachings and Actions
The Fundamental Conclusions of This Chapter
-Chapter Four
Leadership of the Church: A Lower Standard of Conduct
Michael D. Jones—Mormon Stake President
Deceit and Deception on a Personal Level
Do as I Say, Not as I Do
An Assessment of My Excommunication
Diametrically Opposed Statements and Actions
J.W. Marriott Jr.—Area Authority Seventy and Billionaire
Lorin M. Lund—Mormon Stake Presidency
Richard D. Merkley—Mormon Bishop
Rodney J. Tarullo—Mormon High Priest Group Leader
The Fundamental Conclusions of This Chapter
-Chapter Five
Questions to Ask a Latter-day Saint
Knowing the Truth Will Improve Your Testimony of Jesus Christ
A Bizarre and Hypocritical Conversation
The Lorin M. Lund Questions
The Fundamental Conclusions of This Chapter
-Chapter Six
Recovery and Rededication
The First Steps of Recovery
The Fundamental Conclusions of This Chapter
-APPENDIX A
Important Documents
-APPENDIX B
Mormon History—A Short Chronology of Significant Events
-Bibliography
-Endnotes
About the Author


After three decades of exceptional service in many leadership positions within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bishop Lee B. Baker found the time to actually study the official history and the core doctrines of the church. After two years of intense religious study from official church records, which centered on the early years of the Mormon Church, several hypocritical teachings became impossible to dismiss. He sincerely asked his local, regional, and then finally the national leadership of the Mormon Church for some clarification specific to the practices of polygamy, polyandry, and blood atonement among the early “saints.”
He was told that many of these questions were in direct violation of church policy, procedures, and covenants. And even though he was an ordained Bishop, he was clearly warned that any further inquiries concerning these subjects would place his membership in the Mormon Church at risk. In December of 2008, Bishop Baker forced his own excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by continuing to ask piercing questions about the personal character and motives of both the past and present leadership of that church.
Only a few months prior to his excommunication, several of the High Priests who conducted this mockery of a just trial had great confidence in Bishop Baker as the Sunday school teacher of their own sons and daughters. Bishop Baker participated in hundreds of Mormon temple ceremonies, some of which included the precise method of simulating the taking of a human life if particular sacred Mormon covenants were violated. His firsthand experiences and insight into the authentic teachings, policies, and practices of Mormonism provide a unique view of one of the world’s fastest growing religions, which he demonstrates to be “a life under false pretenses.”
Explicit details, including the actual names, dates, and statements of the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shape the foundation for this incredible true story of religious deceit and deception from 1830 to the present.
As a highly decorated retired army officer, Mr. Baker held positions of trust and responsibly within the Department of Defense for nearly thirty-five years.
Preface


The Apostle Paul has told us, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Cor. 14:33). And James, the brother of the Lord, has counseled, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). After over thirty years of dedicated service in the Mormon Church, I came to know the true details of the doctrines of polygamy, polyandry, blood atonement, exaltation (to become a God), and lying for the Lord. In the depths of my depression, I could only be comforted by the words of the Master Himself:

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

My devotion to the Lord has become deeper, more personal, and unrestrained through a renewed appreciation of His true sacrifice for me. This demanding but spectacular gift of clarity is possible only because I no longer worship Him from behind the dark shadows of corrupt men, who have in the past and continue yet today to disgrace His ministry and His authority. Research for yourself each and every reference, every Scripture, and every Mormon doctrine described here, for what you learn may change your life forever.
As you consider the information presented in this book, I would ask you to accept the same excellent challenge given by each pair of Mormon missionaries. It is a challenge to honesty and integrity that I have offered many times myself as a Mormon Bishop: “read, study, ponder, and pray” about what you may learn here. I pray that the Holy Spirit of truth will inspire you to act, without reservation and without consideration of tradition, family, or embarrassment, upon what He may witness to your heart. May God bless you for your efforts to seek His truth, because the truth matters.

Lee B. Baker
Former Mormon Bishop and High Priest

NOTE : Throughout this book I reference several significant and personal experiences I have had with the leadership of the Mormon Church. As I relate these experiences, I intentionally disclose the specifics of the several meetings, conversations, or written exchanges. This information includes the actual names and dates and in most cases the original correspondences referenced. The purpose of this level of detail is not to arbitrarily harass or humiliate the representatives of the Mormon Church but to establish the credibility of my position and conclusions. Additionally, I believe that how these men have dealt with me provides an outstanding real-world example of just how others might expect to be treated if they so choose to question the history, policies, and doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Introduction

A Personal Account of the Deception and Deceit of Mormonism


After thirty-two years, why not just walk away? Why take the time and energy to write a book and risk family relationships? Why criticize another Christian church, which obviously has done so much good for so many around the world?
These are truly valid questions, which are central to my motivation and the drive to complete this work. I completely agree that my motivation should be questioned, understood, and challenged. I will be the first to openly admit