GLOBAL CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
Preaching the Gospel to All Creation
Mark 16:15
My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7). Finally, Paul urged: “ . . . In everything by prayer and supplication and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). If we can pray for you, please e-mail prayer@gco4lds.org.
2. What online counseling does your ministry provide?
We counsel anyone who contacts us regarding biblical issues, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ as it relates to Mormonism. Leaving the LDS church can be excruciating mentally, emotionally and spiritually; however, it’s easier with our help. GCO’s compassionate and experienced staff offers free counseling and support. We also share Bible teachings about repentance, forgiveness, eternal life and other vital topics. If we can assist you in any of these areas, please visit our Eternal Life Line.
3. Do you hate Mormons?
No, quite the opposite. As the Savior commands, we love our neighbors (Mark 12:31), even those in the LDS church. But speaking "the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), we expose Mormonism's "unfruitful deeds of darkness" (Ephesians 5:11). Global Christian Outreach is a worldwide ministry dedicated especially to Mormons and those who interact with them. However, we’re not “anti-Mormon.” Rather, our mission is to preach and defend the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ.
4. But aren’t you attacking the Mormon Church?
No. Global Christian Outreach merely proclaims and defends Christ’s good news. We’re not attacking Mormonism any more than Joseph Smith was attacking Christianity when he claimed all churches were wrong and that all their professors were corrupt (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith—History 18, 19).
5. Aren't Mormons good people, though?
Mormonism does have positive aspects—but so do Islam, Judaism and Roman Catholicism. And "good people"? All people are sinners and need Jesus Christ as their Savior. Consequently, Paul says humans are "by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind" (Ephesians 2:3 ESV, italics added). Before receiving the biblical Jesus, all are "strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). Without forgiveness of sins and eternal life, which Christ gives only through his grace, not by our works, all people will be condemned eternally (Matthew 25:41, 46; John 3:36; 5:29).
6. What’s the best way to leave the Mormon Church?
There are several good ways to leave Mormonism. The “best” will depend on your circumstances. Here are three popular strategies:
A. Resign
Perhaps the most effective and efficient way to leave the church formally is to resign your membership in writing. Send a copy to your bishop and stake president. Also, mail a copy to the LDS Church Member and Statistical Records Dept., 50 E. North Temple St., Rm. 1372, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-5310. For guidance about what to write, see the sample resignation letter on the left side of this page. In your letter, be clear, concise and forthright. After sending it, you can refuse to participate in bishop’s courts and other so-called disciplinary hearings.
B. Request a Bishop’s Court
Want to be proactive? Ask for a bishop’s court session. Best initiated in writing, this option has two major advantages over a resignation letter. First, you can confront church leaders face-to-face. If desired, you can dialogue. And second, you can testify of the biblical Jesus, describing your newfound life in him. During all correspondence and hearings, specify you’re leaving the church at your own request. Be prepared to be labeled an apostate, though.
C. Walk Away
Yes, you can simply walk away from Mormonism—no letters, no courts, no recriminations. To smooth the process, you could move to a different neighborhood, city or even to another state. In short, disappear. The church might consider you inactive or unable to locate, but in your heart and in effect, you’ll no longer be LDS.
7. Do former Mormons serve on the Global Christian Outreach staff?
Yes, GCO president and CEO Loren Franck is a returned Mormon missionary. At age 19, he was baptized into the LDS church and was called to the South Dakota-Rapid City Mission 17 months later. After returning home to Los Angeles in 1977, he married in the L.A. temple and began attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, the following year. When active in the church, Loren served in many callings, including elders quorum president. He’s been through six temples, including Salt Lake City’s, and has completed more than 100 endowments. Loren graduated from BYU in 1981, and after extensive study and prayer, resigned his Mormon church membership in 1984. He received the biblical Jesus in 2001.
8. Don’t Mormons believe in salvation by grace? The Book of Mormon’s 2 Nephi 10:24 says, “ . . . It is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.”
Mormons distinguish between “general salvation” and “individual salvation.” In LDS parlance, general salvation equates with resurrection, while individual salvation describes eternal life. Mormons correctly believe all people will be resurrected regardless of their eternal status (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15). But astoundingly, Mormonism teaches that “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23, italics added). Joseph Smith’s later writings elaborate on the Mormon doctrine of salvation by works: “Keep my commandments continually . . . And except thou do this, where I am you cannot come” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:15, italics added). However, the Bible never teaches that good works result in salvation. Good works are the fruit of having been saved, not vice-versa. The Bible equates salvation with eternal life, which is a gift of God, not with resurrection (Romans 3:24; 4:4; 5:15–18; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9). Paul assured all true Christians, "You are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14). He further reminded believers, “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:4).
9. The Book of Mormon says, “Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible” (2 Nephi 29:6). Your comments?
Notwithstanding self-serving Book of Mormon claims, Global Christian Outreach accepts only the Bible as the word of God; that is, we believe in “the sufficiency of scripture.” In the Lord’s view, the Bible is enough. Accordingly, the Apostle John wrote near the close of his gospel: “These things have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). Even if the book of John were the only scripture, it would be sufficient for our salvation.
10. What is Global Christian Outreach’s mission statement?
It’s simple and biblical: “Based on the Bible and enabled by the Holy Spirit, Global Christian Outreach defends and proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth.”
11. Why should I financially support Global Christian Outreach?
Your donated dollars help preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to Mormons and others who haven’t received the biblical Jesus as their Savior. Financial contributions also support our online prayer ministry and online counseling center. Global Christian Outreach is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Christian ministry, so your donations are completely tax deductible. Please click here support our efforts for Christ.
12. How can I best help your ministry?
You can support Global Christian Outreach and the proclamation of Christ’s gospel in three important ways. First, pray for us to reach all people, whether Mormon or not, who will receive the Christ of the Bible through our ministry. Second, spread the word. Tell people about Global Christian Outreach and direct them to www.gco4lds.org. Finally, support Global Christian Outreach financially. Please visit our donate page; or send your generous check and money orders to Global Christian Outreach, Inc., PO Box 5761, Playa del Rey, CA 90296-5761.
All donations are tax deductible. Your giving helps our ministry preach the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone who needs it.
©2010 Global Christian Outreach, Inc. All Rights Reserved
HOW CAN YOU BE SAVED?
Visit our Eternal Life Line for details. Jesus promised that "whoever believes will in Him have eternal life" (John 3:15). Several verses later, the Bible teaches, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life" (John 3:36). Scripture also declares, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
GCO BLOG
Ready for cutting-edge issues that expose Mormonism in the light of Christianity? Visit our weekly blog. It's updated on Mondays.
1. How can I receive prayer from your prayer team?
It’s easy, free and anonymous. Trusting Christ’s promises (John 14:13, 14; 1 John 5:14), our prayer team promptly takes all of your prayer requests before the Lord. The Bible affirms that “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16). And Jesus sovereignly declared, "If you abide in Me, and
SAMPLE RESIGNATION LETTER
Dear Bishop:
Effective immediately, I hereby re-sign my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout all relevant LDS church records, you are to designate that this action is at my own request. I simply want my name removed from the records of the church.
I will not attend or participate in church courts, hearings or other so-called disciplinary actions. Neither will I speak with home teachers, members of bishoprics, members of stake presidencies or with other church officials unless I initiate contact.
However, please notify me in writing when my name has been removed from church records.
Yours truly,
[your name and address]
WANT TO BE A
GOOD SAMARITAN?
You can help people who need it most. Log on to www.wshola.org for details.
“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Galatians 6:14
