There are many other “Christians” who claim many different doctrines and beliefs as they deny this Holy Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It can be hard to deal with some of their claims when personal revelation has not yet resolved a particular issue or concern and there seems to be difficulty resolving any dilemma that seems to exist between their beliefs and the teachings of this Church. So as you wait for God to give that piece of enlightenment, there is a way to help lead yourself to a conclusion about any concerns. The way that I am advocating is to read the history of the world in relation to the Bible. Not just the words within the Bible, but the true historic facts of what occurred during and after the early Christian Church.
When reading the historic accounts, as to who said what and where these “other doctrines” came from, a clearer perspective of the position of these other Christians comes to light. The true origin of their doctrines and beliefs is revealed when reading historic information. One will find that many other Christian doctrines did not come from the early Christian Church or the Bible, but originated with the philosophers, Pagans, Greeks and many others. To find that the early Catholic church had a political interest in the making of the Trinity Doctrine, an interest what was to pacify discord within the churches of that time and appease the Roman Government. Do you see here the hint to the beginning of the political career of the early Catholic church?
To read the historic facts fits with the counsel from the prophets to learn all good things. To do this will strengthen your position against the false claims by others, be they Anti-Mormon’s, other Christians or any person who embarks on a hate and attack campaign. Historic information will reveal the true origin of their claims and it will diminish the adversaries.
For example, when reading history of the world in relation to the Bible, we will find the following,
Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria (AD 264) said that Jesus and the Father in heaven are separate persons.1
Another example is this tidbit of information,
“A deep sadness also informed Augustine’s later work: the fall of Rome influenced his doctrine of the Original Sin, which would become the central way Western people would view the world. Augustine believed that God had condemned humanity to an eternal damnation simply because of Adam’s one sin.2 “
From the first example, we see a Bishop declare that the Father and the Son are separate and distinct persons, but despite his position, his words were ignored. What this revealed to me was that the doctrine taught by Joseph Smith was not new, he did not make it up. The same doctrine of distinct personages was previously believed by a “Bishop”. Of course, at that time the Bible did not exist, but what teachings held by these Bishops seemed sufficient for some of them to believe and state the same thing as Joseph Smith, and there were others who believed the same way, such as Tertullian (AD 140 – 230 ).
The second example showed the influence wielded by an early theologian, Saint Augustine of Hippo. He was considered a Saint by the Early Catholic church, yet his history and what influenced his learning became apparent. Saint Augustine was originally a ”Manichean“, which is a gnostic religion that existed up to the 15th century. It was not until later in Saint Augustine’s life, long after the apostasy took hold and corrupted the Christian Churches, that he converted to Christianity. By that time he was molded by the pagan and gnostic beliefs. His doctrine of the “Original Sin” completely ignored the power and purpose of the Atonement by Jesus Christ and failed to follow the doctrines given by the early Christian Church. Yet it created a foundation for the early Catholic church and subsequent actions through the dark ages that oppressed the people.
To read some of his history, go to Wikipedia and look up “Saint Augustine of Hippo“.
From reading the history, it was not hard to see the negative influences that drove and created many of the current doctrines of the other Christian churches. It was good to see that many of the doctrines held by this LDS Church actually existed centuries ago, but since the world chose to completely ignore truth and took on their own personal wisdoms for personal glory sake, the truth was brushed aside. Now today many people who oppose this Church fail miserably to take account of the history that exists and that this Church carries those same original doctrines.
History will show the truth of the doctrines and beliefs held by others. It will show the true source of their beliefs which has nothing to do with God’s word or the Bible. It will show that this LDS Church is not a current day new creation, but a restoration of the early Church. When studying history, it is sad to see that the true information is conveniently ignored by these other tenors of false doctrines, which says that they gleaned what they wanted and ignored the rest. An example of “private interpretation” and “personal preferences”. Is this not the way with hypocrisy and apostasy?
Study the history to educate yourself, to prepare for the challenges that you may face. See how the truth is there if you sincerely seek it. Study of history increased my appreciation for the Lord’s doctrine and this Church, I hope it will do the same for you.
The study of history regarding the Bible is a worthy venture and I believe God will support you in it when or if you do.
Amen
Footnotes:
1. Callister, Tad – “The Inevitable Apostasy”, pg 109.
2. Armstrong, Karen – “A History of God”, pg 123.
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