This fall, Rebecca and I visited Salt Lake City to help promote KUTR, a Christian radio station that is broadcasting the gospel in Utah. We were gratified to learn that among their lineup of programs was Running to Win. We were told that many Mormons listen to the station in privacy, afraid of being accused of apostasy.
While there, we met several men and women who had been converted to Christ out of the Mormon faith, and who shared with us their experience of being a part of this cultic religion. We discovered that polygamy is still practiced more widely than generally reported—some of those with whom we spoke had been born into polygamist homes. The more we learned about Mormonism, the deeper our sadness grew that so many millions are devoted to a religion which has demonic origins and teachings. Adherents are warned that if they leave “the faith” they will be apostates who will spend eternity in hell. Where there is fear, there is silence and spiritual bondage.
The best news we heard was that many Mormons are so disillusioned that they are leaving the church, and no longer obey its rituals or attend its functions. However, that does not necessarily make them open to Christianity; they reason, “If Mormonism is wrong, then no other religion could possibly have the truth.” But still, missionary work among the Mormons is easier than ever. One Christian pastor said he’d been in Utah fifteen years and that the change over that time is quite remarkable. He predicts there could be a great turning to Christianity in years to come.
During my stay, I was interviewed twice on Polygamy: What Love Is This, an internet-based talk show dedicated to discussing Mormon Fundamentalism from a biblical perspective. The goal of the program is to reach into the homes of those trapped in polygamy and fundamentalist Mormonism, and to share the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ instead of through the practice of plural marriage. The interviews will be aired on January 4 and 11. I encourage you to watch the programs, which can also be found online at www.whatloveisthis.tv.
Pray for ministries such as this, ministries which are attempting to reach people who are open to the Christian faith but fear exposure. Pray for the many silent believers, that they would be willing to pay the price of radical commitment and reveal their conversion no matter the cost. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).
Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer
Pastor Emeritus, The Moody Church