Teaching Choral Concepts

Review

     From Critic to Convert is a clear, convincing exposition of LDS faith and doctrine. It shows the "big picture" of Mormonism without being simplistic, and offers powerful insights that you don't need a degree in theology to understand. 

Bill Morgan was yearning for a God he wasn't sure existed. Although he initially liked what he heard from two young LDS missionaries, respected religion professors gave him another view of "Mormonism." He believed the professors and enrolled in a Protestant college, but he kept in touch with LDS missionaries and members. Only after a long struggle--and after many stumbling blocks were removed--did he choose to rely on God and strong scriptural evidence for answers.

This is a convincing treatment of tough doctrinal issues, combining the clarity of an experienced teacher with the unique perspective of a man who has gone from skeptic to bishop, critic to theologian. 

Was there an apostasy? What is God's plan for his children? How can we know Joseph Smith was a prophet? What evidence exists concerning the Book of Mormon? How can we know it is true?  The author provides detailed, readable commentary on these and many other questions. 

This book vividly demonstrates the strength of the LDS position through a series of simple, solid "missionary lessons." 

The author addresses issues with a unique blend of evidence, testimony and common sense. 

From Critic to Convert  will strengthen any member's testimony and understanding of LDS doctrine, and help others recognize Christ's hand in restoring His Church. 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments, 7

Preface, 9

1. Searching for Truth, 17
A Child's Search, 17
Prayerful Agnostic, 18
The Awesome Mystery, 19
Getting Religion, 20
Mt. Rubidoux, 21

2. The Beginning of Answers, 23
Missionaries, 23
The God of Israel, 25
Joseph Smith's First Vision, 27

3. Christ's New Testament Church, 33
Revelation, 34
Priesthood, 34
All Things Common, 35
Laws and Ordinances, 36
The Temple of God, 36

4. Why Prophets?, 38
A Bible! A Bible! We Have the Bible, 39
Evolution of the Bible, 42
Interpretations, 44
The Need for Prophets, 45

5. Fruits of a Prophet, 47
Prayer, 49
To Err Is Human, 50
Selected Fruits of Joseph Smith, 50

6. When Reasoning Replaced Revelation, 53
Bible Predictions of General Apostasy, 54
Heresy in the Early Christian Church, 56
Changes Within the Church, 56
The Identity of God Is Lost, 58
Church and State, 59
The Papacy, 59
Persecution by Christians, 60

7. The Restoration of Revelation, 63
Bible Predictions About a Restoration, 65
Age of Religious Enlightenment, 66
MartinLuther, 66
Ulrich Zwigli, 67
John Calvin, 67
Counter Reformation, 68
Protestantism, 68
A New Birth of Freedom, 68
Birth of a Prophet, 68

8. A Visit to a "Mormon" Church, 71
First Impressions, 71
The Book of Mormon, 73
An Angel and His Book of Gold, 75
Growth of the Church, 81

9. Expert Opinions, 83
No New Scripture, 84
The Missionaries Reply, 86
Revelation 22:18-19, 86
Spaulding's Manuscript, 87
Bible Passages In the Book of Mormon, 91

10. Clerical Converts, 96
Early Ecclesiastical Converts, 97
Ezra Booth, 97
John Greene, 97
Jane Johnston, 97
Parley Pratt, 98
Sidney Rigdon, 98
Orson Spencer, 99
More Recent Ecclesiastical Converts, 101

11. Who Are We?, 104
Our Premortal Existence, 104
Bible References, 104
Other References, 106
The Purpose of Earth Life, 106
Agency, 106
Know God and Become Like Him, 106
Our Test of Integrity, 107
Penalties for Sin, 108
The Need for a Messiah, 108
Obtain a Body, 108
The Veil of Forgetfulness, 109
Covenants and Ordinances, 109
Guides Along the Way, 109
War in Heaven, 109
Here We Are, 111
Adam and Eve, 111
Original Sin, 113
Adversity, 113
The Atonement of Christ, 115
Resurrection, 116
Celestial Bodies, 117
Terrestrial Bodies, 118
Telestial Bodies, 118

12. Eternal Family Relationships, 119
Faith and Works, 119
Christ's Parables, 120
Jesus's Sacrifice, 120
Beyond Death, 121
Baptism for Those Who Have Died, 123
Heaven and Hell, 124
Families Can be Eternal, 125
The Marriage of Adam and Eve, 125
Jesus Taught Eternal Marriage, 126
The House of the Lord, 127
The Abrahamic Covenant, 129
The Return of Elijah, 130

13. Predictions and Other Miracles, 132
Pasadena College, 132
Predictions of Joseph Smith, 134
Fulfilled Prophecy, 135
Further Miracles, 140

14. The Law of Consecration, 146
The Lesser Law, 147

15. Persecution in Print, 151
Early Persecution, 151
Careless Research, 156
Joseph Smith's Character, 158
Other Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, 160
Ancient Book of Mormon History, 160
Language of the Book of Mormon, 162
Other Anti-Mormon Claims, 163
Responses to Anti-Mormon Literature, 166

16. The Search Intensifies, 168
An "Expert" on Mormonism, 168
Dr. Ludcliffe, 168
Meeting the Challenge, 169
The Keystone, 170
Bible Prophecies Concerning the Book of Mormon, 173
Moroni's Promise, 174
Authoring a Historical Novel, 176
Research, 177
Literary Forms, 177
Characterization, 183
Heaven and Hell, 124
Families Can be Eternal, 125
The Marriage of Adam and Eve, 125
Jesus Taught Eternal Marriage, 126
The House of the Lord, 127
The Abrahamic Covenant, 129
The Return of Elijah, 130

17. Witnesses, 187
Three Special Witnesses, 188
Martin Harris, 188
Oliver Cowdery, 189
David Whitmer, 190
Eight Other Witnesses, 192
A Farnily Affair, 194

18. My Next Stumbling Block, 196
Church Attitude Toward Blacks, 197
Early Blacks in the Church, 198
Elijah Abel, 198
Sam and Amanda Chambers, 198
Green Flake, 198
Abner Howell, 198
Priesthood, 200

19. The Road Back, 206
The Altar, 206
The Letter, 207
Abner?, 208
Testimonies of Others, 209
The Announcement, 210
Embarrassed, 212
Getting Down to Business, 212
Special Thoughts, 213

20. Peace, 216

Notes, 219
Bibliography, 238
Index, 245

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