Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons

By Mark J. Cares

Book Overview

This book offers techniques for witnessing to Mormons in a non-confrontational, Christian way. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1893702065
• ISBN13: 9781893702066
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Wels Outreach Resources
• Length: 313 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Informative and Compassionate Good News

Over the past two years, my wife and I have read literally dozens of books about and from the LDS church. This is one of, if not the best I've read. I appreciate Pastor Cares informative, yet sensitive approach-emphasizing both knowledge and compassion for friends, neighbors and even family members in the LDS church. While many Mormons are great, moral and upright people, they are in bondage to a religious system that demands perfection. Therefore, I also appreciate his caution not to argue theology, especially by "Majoring in the minors," but to share our witness as Christians in God's Law (those demands for perfection that can never be met) and Gospel (God's perfecting unconditional love-grace- in Jesus that has made us perfect by his life, death and resurrection). I highly recommend this book to any one who either wants to know more about their neighbors' faith. I especially recommend this book to those who wish to go further and share the hope that is within them in the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Great overview on the LDS religion

There are any number of books that cover the religion of Mormonism, but Cares' is one of the best. He deals with pertinent issues that don't fly over the average layperson's head. In addition he provides specific references that anyone can write into their Bibles (along with other LDS scriptures) in order to become efficient in sharing one's faith. Cares' attitude of "sharing in love" is also appreciated, as it is evident that he has no bone to pick or desires an "anti-Mormon" label. I have only two minor complaints. 1) There are a number of grammatical/ spelling/ layout errors that could easily be cleaned up with a good editor/ proofreader. 2) The book doesn't appear to be on a publisher's current list...this is a timeless piece that somebody ought to pick up. For Christians hoping to have a healthy dialogue with their LDS friends and neighbors, I suggest this as one of the books you purchase.

Best book I've read on mormonism

Mark Cares's book is probably the best book I've read on evangelizing to Mormons. He writes in a loving and non-confrontationsal way, that, while it is intended for Christians who wish to evangelize to Mormons, is clearly practicing what he promotes.The thing to remember about this book is that it is written by a christian for Christians. Rev. Cares was never a Mormon, but is a pastor in a predominantly Mormon community. He has a great deal of first hand experiance. In the book, Cares promotes Christian Love in evangelism, and tries to carefully explain Mormon thought, doctrine and conceptions. The defining of the Mormon mindset is a great bonus in this book. A lot of the problems people have in evangilizing to Mormons comes from the different definations Christians and Mormons have for key words in Their faiths.I've used this book in my personal evangelizing to Mormons. It has a been a huge asset. I'd suggest it to any Christian who hopes or intends to be doing evangelism among Mormons.

Excellent Glossary

Many Mormons and Protestants do not know why they appear to be talking past one another. The key is different definitions for the same English word. The Utah/Mormon culture was separate from that of the rest of the United States for seventy plus years. Some religious terms developed unique (to the rest of the U.S.) meaning. Many of the words in the "Mormoneese" language can not be found with the LDS meaning in any standard American dictionary. Mark Cares reviewed official Mormon teaching material for men, women, and children in the l990s. He built a 40 page glossary of such unique words. Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians should be most thankful. Mormons, "Saints," should be glad also -- helping them understand why the blank looks from their "traditional-Christian" friends. Like a lot of problems in life, it is the words we use. Mark Cares' chapter on "Understand Their Culture" is the best coverage on the subject that I have ever seen. SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE should be in any major public or collegiate library--- easy to read, kind and gracious in style. It is on the cutting edge of understanding a major intermountain unique American culture.

Best book on mormonism yet

This book is the best I have read on the topic of mormonism. Mr. Cares has a loving but truthful approach that is refreshing to see in an area that typically reeks of negativity and emotionalism. His book is evidence of a thorough and extensive research which is rare for someone who has never been a mormon.Mr. Cares does a great job of pointing out the stresses in mormonism. I was born and raised in a strong LDS family and spent 30 years striving to be "worthy enough". Cares assessment that the "goal" of mormonism is to live in eternity AS Gods, is correct. As a child I was taught in Primary this saying: "As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may become." That continual striving towards perfection causes a lot of stress to the LDS people that honestly look at the sin in their own lives.I love the authors approach of witnessing to LDS. The idea of using the power of God's Word through the positives of Christianity rather than the negatives of mormonism rings true in my personal experience. While I was LDS I never listened to my Christian friends when they talked bad about the church. I came to faith when a neighbor came to me, in love, and led me to the wonderful news of God's forgiveness as shown in the Bible. Mr. Cares assessment of Spencer Kimball's book, "The Miracle of Forgiveness" is very accurate. This book portrays the stark differences between mormonism and Christianity.The New Testament warns us that false teachers will come as wolves in sheep's clothing. Mr. Cares does a great job of shearing these sheep and openly exposing the false teachings in LDS doctrine. It is sometimes difficult even for LDS people to get past the wool and see the fangs of mormonism. Many mormons would disagree with some of the statements of Mr. Cares book. But in my experience and knowledge of mormonism, he very correctly states LDS doctrine. I agree with him that "for many mormons, family has taken the place of God". One example that the family is placed above Christ in the LDS church can be seen by LDS church attendance on Christmas. If Christmas happens to fall on Sunday, LDS leaders cancel church so that it's members can stay at home with their families. In the Christian church that I attend, it does not matter what day of the week Christmas falls on, we will be holding a Christmas service in worship of the One and Only center of our lives.This book has helped me immensely in my witnessing efforts with my family and friends. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a desire to witness the TRUE gospel of Christ to the LDS people.