Customer Reviews

The God Makers II

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My comment is in response to the reader who entitled his/her review "Condemned by Nat. Council of Christians and Jews, Part II". The National Council of Christians and Jews(which I believe is the International Council of Christians and Jews) made those quotes more than 12 and 20 years ago. Since that time, they have discovered the truth of "The God Makers" series. You attack the authors of the books because they portray their findings as "designed to misstate, malign, and encourage hatred", shoddy shcolarship, sensationalism, self-serving sources" and yet you do the same with your comments.

The base of the books does not appeal to fear and hatred, it appeals to love. Read them. In "The God Makers II" p.210, Line 10: "The tragedy of all this is that such beautiful, hardworking, and committed people are spiritually blinded people, with the light of the glorious gospel of Christ hid from them by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). The Mormon people are not the enemies of God, but victims of a horrible and wicked hoax fed to them by evil teachers, who are of their father, the devil. Only those sent by God, with the knowledge of God, using the Word of God, can set them free. Are you one who can reach out to them and bring them the living light? We pray that you can and that you will!" p. 214, Line 5: "I saw clearly that Lucifer was the god of that place (referring to the Mormon Temples), blinding even those who loved God and sought only to serve Him. They were bondslaves to the prince of darkness. I wept that morning for the Mormon people, with groanings from deep within my soul. I knew that the battle was 'not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places'(Ephesians 6:12)."

The authors express their deep remorse for the people of the Mormon church and they back it up with prayer and Biblical scripture. If you call that prejudiced, that's because it is. It is prejudiced towards the love of Jesus Christ, even for those who are lost and don't know it. I implore you to get on your knees and truly ask God to reveal his truth to you. If you are sincere, He will reveal it. When He does, check it with the Bible because God's revelation will never contradict His written word - The HOLY BIBLE. He loves you.

The God Makers 2 is an excellent book. Mormonism is changing its face, from a secluded cult, to a mainstream Christian church. The God Makers 2 does an great job of uncovering the "Christian Facade" and looking at the truth behind the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you are a Mormon, have family or friends that are Mormon, or just want to know more about one of the fastest growing religions in the world, pick this Book up!!

Formon Mormon Ed Decker (author of books such as The God Makers: A Shocking Expose of What the Mormon Church Really Believes, MY KINGDOM COME: The Mormon Quest For Godhood, Decker's Complete Handbook on Mormonism, The Dark Side of Freemasonry, etc.). Caryl Matrisciana is (along with her husband Pat) a founder of Jeremiah Films, and author of books such as Gods of the New Age and Out of India: A True Story about the New Age Movement.

It should be noted that anti-Mormon researchers Jerald and Sandra Tanner were themselves rather critical of this second book/movie (see their book, Problems in The godmakers II).

Here are some quotations from the book:

"(LDS) Church leaders say that 50 percent of those who fill a full-time mission for the Church are still active ... two years after returning home. That may sound good on the surface, but it also means that of every 20,000 missionaries who come home from a successful mission each year, 10,000 fall by the wayside into inactivity soon after they return home." (Pg. 31)
"We fully expect that while this book is still in active circulation, a new decree will be issued mandating that the (Temple) garments be worn only during Temple rituals." (Pg. 55)
"In an unbelievable turn of events, the LDS Church has reversed its almost militant pro-life position, and LDS bishops are now counseling young women to have abortions." (Pg. 93)
"One such story that really did come true (if Joseph actually gave it) was a 'word' given to Orrin 'Porter' Rockwell, Joseph Smith's bodyguard and Church assassin for apostates of the early Mormon Church. Smith promised Rockwell a quiet death in bed if he never cut his hair. Porter killed a lot of men through the years, and we are told that he died in bed." (Pg. 111)
"The copyrighted property of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the 'Inspired Version' was never given full credentials by the Utah branch---until the release of the new LDS Edition of the King James Bible. It is quite significant that this new edition firmly places the 'Inspired Version' in the position of a Standard Work..." (Pg. 132)

Anyone who has questions about Mormonism should read this book. I read the book, and then read the numerous rebuttals from various sources on the Internet, and found that NONE of the rebuttals are based on anything other than the person's opinion. The God Makers cites numerous sources in a scholarly fashion. Inquiring minds can track the sources down and read them for themselves. Mormons call the information in this book libelous, disappointing, propaganda, or something worse. Ask them for specifics; ask for proof that the claims of the book are false. They will not provide any because there is none to provide. The Mormon Church will not answer this book, because they CANNOT.

Sandra Tanner and her late husband Jerald are well known critics of the LDS Church. They have written many books and tracts against the LDS Church, so I do not believe for a second anyone would accuse them of bias in support of anything LDS.

Having said that, here is what the Tanners had to say about the Godmakers II video, which covers most of what is in the book.

"In the Salt Lake City Messenger for April, 1993, we printed an article entitled, "The God Makers II: Under Fire From Within And Without." In this issue we expressed concern over some of the contents of the video and pointed out a major error that needed to be called to the public's attention. Although we knew that those who were involved in the production of the video would not be happy with our comments, we were very surprised to find ourselves threatened with a lawsuit."

www.utlm.org/newsletters/no85.htm

Imagine that! Critics of the LDS Church denounce the writings of another critic and get threatened with a lawsuit? That tells me either the Tanners secretly work for the LDS Church or Ed Decker is a flat out liar. I tend to think the latter.

But not only are the Tanner's critical of the Godmakers II, so is Dick Baer, another LDS Church critic who at one time worked with Decker. Here is what he said about Godmakers II.

"Ed (Decker) has a penchant to sensationalize, embellish on facts and center on bizarre issues to try to shock people... This film (Godmakers II) will so turn Mormons off it will be difficult to even talk to them."

So, for those of you who have written 5 star reviews of this book, claiming it "exposes the truth" about the LDS Church, may I ask a question? Someone is obviously lying about the contents of Godmakers II. Is it Decker, or is it the Tanners and Baer?

Clint Lauricella used to have a web page that stated he was a Mormon for 25 years. Now he says it's 30. What's next? Is he going to say he's STILL a Mormon? This book is indeed worse than the first, Clint has that right

Second in the series.

Author's home video based on the book is described by a multi-denominational group, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, as "making extensive use of 'half-truth', faulty generalizations, erroneous interpretations, and sensationalism. It is not reflective of the genuine spirit of the Mormon faith."

Pretty typical of the author's approach to all subject

Ed Decker authored the original groundbreaking "God Makers" book after being a member of the Mormon church for twenty years. Today he heads a Christian ministry that reaches out to Mormons as he equips Christians to be effective witnesses to the LDS people. God Makers II is a book that is so readable, it is hard to put down. Decker refutes Mormonism in a caring and powerful manner. His refutation of Mormonism's false doctrines is still valuable and he supplies many insights in reaching out to the men and women trapped in the LDS church.

Outstanding chapters include:

- Mass marketing Mormonism
- The satanic connection in Mormonism
- Polygamy
- Joseph Smith's false prophecies (my favorite chapter - he exposes the numerous false prophecies the LDS founder delivered).

This volume was endorsed by Marlin Maddoux: "This book peels back the ... veneer of Mormonism to reveal a religion which is so pagan that Mormon officials are pushed to bizarre lengths to conceal the truth."
Decker's first volume was far better, but this is an interesting take on Mormonism in the late 20th century.

A widely read book that still offers many keen perceptive arguments.
also see
"Presuppositional Apologetics Examines Mormonism: How Van Til's Apologetic Refutes Mormon Theology"

In this great expose about the truth re the latter day "SAINTS", alias the MORMONS, aka LDS ,(America's fastest growing cult). Mr. Deckers unique experiences and very accurate reporting and research tell us the whole story.

The authors untiring efforts to make the truth known is a great service to humanity,and also of great service to members of the LDS church. Mr Decker has the courage to do what the leasership could not-be honest and open! To inform the many innocent listeners, in the face of unfounded missionary claims and the utter secrecy and unnacountability that are common to the Mormons. The author helps us to understand why such young and naive missionaries are sent out with little understanding about other religions, and often even their own-all at their own expense.

Joseph Smith and David Koresh (both deceased) were of the same mind, motives and behavior. There have been somany in religious history who desired to be Prophets, the proof lies in more than just numbers and talk. In the new Testamant Jesus gives us a long list of the qualities of a true believer. The records of history are clear on this. The only difference btween them at present, is the LDS growth due to great American business know-how, and the LDS head start of over 170 years, not by the leaders example or life. Jesus said "You will know them by their fruits". From it's conception the LDS church has never produced a soul like Jesus - Buddha and Krishna , or St Francis of Assisi, or Mahatma Gandhi. Unless they are keeping that a secret too! However, like many churches in America, the LDSchurch consists of many good people, sincere and devout followers, and a great sense of community.

I was a Mormon for 30 years so I feel I know what I'm talking about. Unlike Mr Decker's 1st book, 'The God Makers', this book is full with half-truths, hateful comments, and innuendos. I say only 20% of this book was factual. Mr. Decker spent his time with a direct attack on Mormonism, but without any substance to back it up. An example of this is his attempt to prove that a past Mormon prophet was a homosexual, what nonsense. Save your money. A much better book about Mormonism is Mrs. Fawn Brodie's excellent biography about the founder Joseph Smith, titled 'No Man Knows My History'. Clint Lauricella