Teaching Choral Concepts

Review

     When new LDS convert Darrick Evenson encountered anti-Mormon literature for the first time, it devastated him. He naively accepted it as true, and it led him out of the Church into the ranks of the "Ex-Mormons for Jesus." Darrick learned their "witnessing" approaches and techniques and began functioning with them in their fight against the Mormon Church. But as he became familiar with them and their message, he found himself increasingly uncomfortable in their midst. What they were saying and teaching just didn't match with the scriptures, nor with what he personally knew of the Latter-day Saints. And though they professed to "love" the Mormons, he found the "Ex-Mormon" motivation to be just the opposite.

     Darrick began an extended period of research and assessment, trying to determine just where truth was to be found. As he encountered more and more instances of falsehood and deception in the "Ex-Mormon" teachings, his conscience began to work on him more and more. He finally renounced his affiliation with them and returned to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As he served a mission in California, he found his knowledge of the tactics and techniques of the anti-Mormon movement serving him in good stead. He was able to recognize and rebut many of the ploys of anti-Mormon adversaries.

     But Darrick is aware that the message and methods of anti-Mormon gainsayers have kept many truth-seekers from hearing and accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ. Seeing the need for Latter-day Saints to be able to recognize and refute the assertions of these adversaries of the truth, he has recorded his observations of their methodologies and written strong rebuttals to the things they teach.

     What is a "gainsayer"? To gainsay means "to oppose or deny, to speak or act against, to contradict, to dispute or declare false."  Anti-Mormon organizations such as "Saints Alive" and "Ex-Mormons for Jesus" are modern gainsayers in the truest sense of the word.

     In this book, the author presents evidence which shows that the same techniques used by those who fought against Christ's Church in the meridian of time (the "anti-nazarenes") are being used against the Mormons today. Satan's work follows the same patterns down through time. The author describes the techniques used in Satan's counter-mission, showing numerous ancient and modern parallels. He shows that Christ's Church in ancient time was considered a "cult" by the mainline churches of the day, just as major churches in today's panorama of Protestant organizations regard the Mormons as a "cult." And what is a "cult"? It's a word that really says, "You're different than we are."

     Then he focuses on key Mormon doctrines, showing that they were clearly taught in ancient times by the Christian community. Key concepts such as the LDS belief that man can attain Godhood and that the temple service existed in Christ's day are carefully documented. That documentation stands as clear rebuttal to gainsayer assertions that those teachings are recent Mormon fabrications.

     In another highly significant chapter, the author describes many of the missionary strategies currently used by the anti-Mormon movement. He exposes numerous "witnessing techniques" so that Latter-day Saints will recognize them and not be deceived nor influenced by their usage.

     He focuses on the film "The God Makers," reviewing it as an example of extreme anti-Mormon propaganda. Recognizing that most Latter-day Saints will never see the film, but that many of their non-LDS friends will be exposed to it, he summarizes the major scenes so that LDS members will be more aware of the blatant falsehoods and distortions which are being used in an effort to harm the Church.

     A powerful chapter is devoted to a presentation of responses to many of the anti-Mormon distortions and misrepresentations currently being used. It is obvious that the author is well acquainted with the nature of yellow journalism used against the Church. He knows very well the types of falsehoods anti-Mormon agitators are currently using in their attempts to retard the growth of the Lord's work.

     The final chapter is an intriguing dialogue involving two Mormon missionaries, an investigator and an anti-Mormon preacher. Using the Articles of Faith as their outline, the missionaries systematically answer many of the distortions commonly presented by modern gainsayers. The dialogue shows many useful methods of answering objections to gospel principles briefly and concisely from the scriptures.
The Gainsayers is a powerful book! It refutes many of the falsehoods currently circulated against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by those who seek to thwart the work of God. Its insights are of value to every faithful Latter-day Saint. Carefully documented, and supported by a strong contents listing and detailed index, it's a book that will serve as a significant tool in defense of the faith.

Table of Contents

1. Who's On the Lord's Side?, 13
The Anti-Mormon Battle Cry: "They're Stealing Your People", 13
The LDS Church Uses Extensive Missionary Efforts to Overcome Anti-Mormon Propaganda, 14
Anti-Mormon Portrayals of LDS Missionaries, 15
Anti-Mormons Not Motivated by Love for Latter-day Saints, 15
The Basic Issue: Who's On The Lord's Side?, 16
The Author's Conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 16
A Turning Point: Duped by Anti-Mormon Literature, 17
Indoctrination at the Melodyland Christian Center, 18
Most Ex-Mormons for Jesus Have Never Been Mormons, 20
An Anti-Mormon's Claim to LDS Experience: an Example of Authority Fabrication, 20
Return to the Church, 22
Many Others Once Deceived by the Gainsayers Have Returned to the Church, 22
Would One Go to Judas to Ask About Christ?, 23
Group Aids Those Exiting Fundamentalist Religions, 24
Some People Want to Hear The Prosecutor's Case, but Not the Case for the Defense, 24
Why Opposition? The World Hates the Things of God, 25
Christ's Church Was Considered a Cult by Other Sects in New Testament Times, 26
"Cult"-A Word Meaning "You're Different than We Are", 27
Why Mainline Churches Won't Call Their Opponents "Christians" or "Saints", 27
Christ's New Testament Church Founded on Revelation and Prophets, 28
Modern Mainline Churches Like the Pharisees of Christ's Day, 28
Modern Mainliner Opposition Similar To That Used Against Christ In New Testament Times, 29
Ancient Mainline Churches Had "Cult Fighters" Too, 30
Ancient Anti-nazarenes Used Wild Accusations and False Witnesses Freely, 33

2. Satan's Counter-mission: Ancient and Modem Parallels, 35
Modern Anti-Mormons Use the Same Techniques as Those Who Fought Against Christ's Church in New Testament Times, 35
The "Nazarenes": Ancient Nickname for the Followers of Jesus Christ, 36
The Ancient Decision: Treat Christ's Church as a "Cult", 36
Justin Martyr's "Dialogue with Trypho," A Defense of the Early Christian Church, 38
Satan's Objective in All Dispensations: to Oppose Christ's Church, 40
Ancient Jewish Efforts to Combat Early Christianity, 41
Ancient Anti-Christian Writings Had Little Historical Value, 42
Ancient Cult Fighters and Authorities on the Cults, 42
Ancient Anti-Christian Propaganda Attempted to Negate New Testament Scripture, 43
Pliny's Investigation of Charges Against the Early Christian Church, 45
Early Gainsayers Did Great Harm to the Ancient Church, 45
Other Anti-Mormon Charges Are Parallels of Ancient Anti-Nazarene Accusations, 47

3. Man Can Attain Godhood: Ancient Evidence for Modern Mormon Doctrine, 49
The Key Accusation of Anti-Mormons Based on a Twisting of the Temptation Account in Genesis, 49
Satan's Conversation with Eve: A Mixture of Truth and Falsehood, 50
Jesus Christ Persecuted for Being a God Maker, 51
Early Christians Taught That Man Can become A God, 52
The Bible Teaches That Man Can Attain Godhood, 55
Belief That Man Can Attain Godhood Not a Satanic Doctrine, 57
The Concept That Lucifer Offered the Woman Godhood Is a False Anti-Mormon Fabrication, 58
False Approaches to Ascending to Heaven in Ancient Times, 59
"No God Besides Jehovah" Passage a Condemnation of Idolatry, 60
The "Trinity" of Christian Creeds Taken from Pagan Babylonian Worship, 61
The "Trinity" Is Not a Biblical Doctrine, 62
Christian Scholars Acknowledge that the "Trinity" Theory Is Not Biblical, 65
Ancient Christian Writers Rejected and Condemned the "Trinity" Theory, 66
Prophets Have Reintroduced Knowledge of the True God in Every Gospel Dispensation, 68

4. Early Christian Temple Rites: Ancient and Modern Parallels, 71
A Great Prophet Is Sent by God to Man in Each Dispensation, 71
Jesus the Messiah Fulfilled Bible Prophecies, 73
Ancient Prophets Had Secret Rites, Rituals, and Records, 75
Modern Christian Scholars Have Documented Aspects of Ancient Christian Temple Ritual, 76
New Testament Contains References to the "Mysteries of God", 77
Numerous Allusions to Temple Rites in the Book of Revelation, 78
Modern Christian Scholars Bear Witness of Ancient Christian Secret Rites, 79
Ancient Anti-Nazarenes Attacked the Church Because of Its Temple Rites, 81
Historians Acknowledge Early Christian Rites Were Reserved for Most Worthy Members, 82
Christ Revealed Temple Rites Following His Resurrection, 84
Modern Gainsayers Ignorant of Evidences of Ancient Christian Temple Worship, 84
Ancient and Modern Attempts to Publicize and Profane the Temple Ritual, 85
Sacred Ordinances Are Covenants for the Life to Come, 87
More Evidence of Ancient Temple Worship Recorded by Modern Scholars, 88
An Ancient Description of the Christian Temple Service, 90
Essenes Attempted to Preserve Temple Ceremony, 91
Why John the Baptist Was an Essene, 92
Erroneous Gainsayers' Conclusion: "John and Jesus Borrowed Essene Teachings", 92
Attempts to Preserve Temple Ritual During the Great Apostasy, 93
Erroneous Gainsayers' Conclusion: "Joseph Smith Borrowed Masonic Teachings", 94
"Epilepsy" Allegation Copied from Ancient to Modern Times, 94
The Ancient Christian Doctrine of "The Two Eliases", 95
Modern Scholars Confirm the "Two Eliases" Doctrine, 97
Joseph Smith a Modern Elias, 99
Modern Gainsayers Parallel Teachings and Activities of Ancient Gainsayers, 100
No Salvation in Believing an Evil Report, 101

5. Gainsayer Missionary Strategies, 103
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : The "Devil's Advocate" Charade, 103
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : "Jesus and Satan Are Brothers", 104
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : The "Pat Answer" on Why They Left Mormonism, 105
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Anti-Mormon "Testimonies" in LDS Testimony meetings, 106
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : "Flip-flop", 106
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Exaggeration and Falsehoods "So Brainwashed People Will See the Light", 107
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Accusing Those Who Dispute Their Words of Being "Possessed by Satan", 107
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Provoking Confrontation Incidents, 108
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Luring Missionaries Into Unexpected Confrontations, 108
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Reliance on Anti-Mormon Literature Rather Than the Scriptures, 108
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Creating Distrust and Antagonism by Showing "The God Makers", 109
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Falsely Asserting They Have Read Mormon Rebuttals of Anit-Mormon Claims, 109
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Non-stop Badgering of LDS Investigators, 110
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Social Pressures Against Latter-day Saints, 110
The Confrontation Question : "Is Your Purpose to Catch Us in a Snare?", 111
     Bearing Testimony as a Witness Against Gainsayers, 112
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Planted Mormon Investigators Who Apostatize Immediately After Baptism, 113
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Asserting that the LDS Church Can't Refute Their Charges, 114
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Prohibiting Questions and Rebuttals from Informed Latter-day Saints, 114
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : Diverting the Saints from Building the Kingdom to Debating Their Accusations, 114
Anti-Mormon Witnessing Technique : "Jesus Christ or Joseph Srnith?", 116

6. "The God Makers" Film: An Example of Extreme Anti-Mormon Propaganda, 119
Strong Criticism of "The God Makers" Issued by The National Conference of Christians and Jews, 119
The God Makers' Author: J. Edmund Decker-Former "Member of the Select Senior Melchizedek Priesthood", 120
Turning Criticisms Made of Born-Again Christians Against the Mormons:
     Parallels Between "Holy Terror" and "The God Makers", 120
Synopsis of "The God Makers", 123
Synopsis of "Temple of the God Makers", 139

7. Responses to Other Anti-Mormon Distortions and Misrepresentations, 143
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Mormons Believe the Bible is "Basically in Error", 143
False Anti-Mormon Concept : God the Father Had Sex with Mary So She Was Not a Virgin, 146
False Anti-Mormon Concept : God the Father Not the Father of the Spirits of All Mankind, 148
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Lucifer Not One of the Sons of God, 149
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Rejection of the "Heavenly Mother" Concept, 151
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Rejection of Evidence of the Plurality of Gods, 152
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Rejection of Evidence that Jesus Was Married, 154
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Social Statistics Fail to Demonstrate the Fruits of Mormonism, 155
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Mormons Pass Themselves Off as "Just Another" Middle Class Fundamentalist Religion, 157
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Latter-day Saints Don't Refer to Themselves as "Christians" and Abuse the Term "Saint", 157
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Mormons Teach Salvation by "Works," Not by "Grace", 158
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Mormons Use Water in the Sacrament Because They Reject the Blood of Christ, 162
False Anti-Mormon Concept : Mormons Are Not Christians Because They Don't Display the Cross, 163

8. Answering Anti-Mormon Objections: The "Truth Will Prevail" Dialogue, 167
Saints Commanded to Preach to All the World, 167
Gainsayers Attempting to Counter the LDS Missionary Effort, 168
The "Truth Will Prevail" Dialogue-Suggested Answers to Anti-Mormon Propaganda Ploys, 168
Answer Investigator's Sincere Questions, Not Anti-Mormon Criticisms, 170
Base Discussion on the Scriptures, Not Anti-Mormon Literature, 172
Set Discussion "Ground Rules", 173
The Articles of Faith: A Systematic Discussion Outline, 173
"Adam Is God" Objection Answered, 174
"Only One God" Objection Answered, 175
"God Is a Spirit" Objection Answered, 177
"Anthropomorphic Scriptures are Figurative" Objection Answered, 178
"Man Can Become God" Objection Answered, 179
"Resurrected But No Body" Objection Answered, 181
"Christ Ascended Without a Body" Objection Answered, 182
"Three-in-One Trinity" Objection Answered, 183
"Lucifer's Big Lie" Objection Answered, 187
"Men Not God's Spirit Children in Pre-existence" Objection Answered, 191
"Saved by Works" Objection Answered, 193
"Jesus and Lucifer Are Brothers" Objection Answered, 195
"Jesus Was Married" Objection Answered, 197
"Jesus Was a Polygamist" Objection Answered, 199
"Satan Transformed as an Angel" Objection Answered, 201
"No Baptism for the Dead" Objection Answered, 202
"Salamander" Objection Answered, 204
"Money Digging" Objection Answered, 205
"Varying First Vision Accounts" Objection Answered, 206
"Glass-looker" Objection Answered, 207
"Joseph Smith Not Needed" Objection Answered, 207
"Apostles Not Needed Today" Objection Answered, 209
"Christ to Come in 1891" Objection Answered, 210
"Mormons Distrust the Bible" Objection Answered, 211
"Changes in the Book of Mormon" Objection Answered, 212
"Revelation Has Ceased" Objection Answered, 212
"Solomon Spaulding Authorship" Objection Answered, 213
"Burning in the Bosom Is Satanic" Objection Answered, 213
"Fulness of the Gospel" Objection Answered, 214
"Heavenly Mother" Objection Answered, 215
"Temple Ceremonies Are Secret" Objection Answered, 216
"No Mention of Temple Rites in Bible"  Objection Answered, 217
"Swear Not At All" Objection Answered, 219
"Bloody Oaths" Objection Answered, 220
"No Temples After Jesus's Day" Objection Answered, 220
"Garden of Eden in America" Objection Answered, 221
"Mountain Meadows" Objection Answered, 222
"Blood Atonement" Objection Answered, 224
"Secret Government Takeover Plans" Objection Answered, 225
"Polygamy" Objection Answered, 227

Endnotes, 232
Index, 237

Order Information

Title:

The Gainsayers--A Converted Anti-Mormon Responds to Critics of the LDS Church

Author:

Darrick T. Evenson

Retail Price:

$ 15.98

Available:

Now

ISBN:

0-88290-338-1

Order Number (SKU):

1023

Pages:

240

Size:

6" x 9"

Binding:

Hardbound with Jacket