Mormon Roots?

I first learned about the Mormon religion (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints) in a United States History class in college. I had never heard about Mormons or the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith before that time. When I heard about this man (Joseph Smith), my immediate reaction was that he was a lunatic or heretic (or both). It was just so incredibly unbelievable.

Over the years I have known several Mormon people. Some of them were very nice, well meaning people. Others were just ... not. I guess you could say that about the people who claim just about any religious affiliation, Followers included.

In 2012, a man from another Followers offshoot (The Church of the Firstborn), named Darren Russell shared a document with me called "ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF THE FIRST BORN KNOWN AS THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST - 1918". One anonymous commentor pointed out that the Articles of Faith were similar to the LDS Articles of Faith. Another commentor claimed that Walter White (who was the leader of the Oregon City Followers of Christ church until his death in 1969) had a maternal grandmother named Carrie, who was part of the LDS Church.

If the Followers had Mormon roots, they were quite hidden to us! We didn't read (or even know about) the Book of Mormon and the other texts the LDS church uses.

Recently, the Idaho Followers have made the news again and this time the reporter has claimed that the Followers are "fringe Mormons." Interesting. At first I dismissed this as poor reporting. But, maybe there is something to this.

If any Followers (current or former) know anything about this, would you please comment on this post and enlighten me? 

Teri Campbell: Is God Big Enough?

Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

2 Chronicles 20:15b 

These words sank deep into my soul as I devoured them over and over. I had just recently faced a number of challenges, and did not think that there was any way around them. Then, God spoke through this passage in the Bible.

My Story

Around five years ago, I became a Christian. Seems like a simple thing, but for me as for many who truly trust in Jesus for their salvation, it was life changing. Born in a family that is 6th generation Latter Day Saint, also known as the Mormons, I grew up with the teachings of Joseph Smith ingrained in my life as the truth. In fact, becoming a Christian was a thirteen year journey guided by God.

It was not until I was serving a mission for the Mormon Church eighteen years ago that I began to doubt the “truths” my parents and teachers had taught me from my birth. When asked, I jokingly blame it all on two things that took place while I was serving this mission. First, on my first time reading the bible from cover to cover, and second, meeting a missionary from another church, I think Presbyterian, but I cannot remember.

The Truth

In all seriousness, the truths from the bible and her words as we parted ways began to sprout in my heart as God worked in my life. What did she say? She stated, “Your Jesus is not my Jesus.” A simple phrase, but in God’s hands, this phrase quickly became a sprouting seed that led me to the truth.

Through my journey to Christ, God has shown me that He is big enough. When I found God, it was not an immediate thing. I did not hear a voice from heaven, and I did not see an angel, but through my journey, He has made it clear that He has claimed me as His own.

God is Big Enough

How does my conversion story relate to the bible verse I used at the beginning of this post? I was still struggling with the death of my grandmother when I read the passage at the beginning of this post. Although I had shared the gospel with her on numerous occasions, I do not know if she had accepted Christ’s true salvation before she died. In addition, I was struggling with anxiety and doubts about life, my children, my conversion and even in a way, about God.

This was why this passage hit me so hard. God used this message to let me know that He is big enough and that I do not need to be afraid. It was as if God was telling me, “Don’t worry, I've got this.” Know what? He does. He is big enough for any struggle, any trial, and any doubt. After all, if He can pull this poor little wretched sinner out of the grasp of Mormonism, is anything too big?

Teri Campbell is a Nashville-based freelance writer, speaker and online blogger. God has blessed her with four incredible children and an amazing husband. Her testimony can be found at the following site: http://terisstory.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-testimony_05.html