Customer Reviews

Letters to a Mormon Elder

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The author provides an unusual, engaging style to provoke some stimulating arguments. He does a fine job of prodding the reader into providing emperical arguments for what they believe.

I am a former LDS member, and I am turned off by those I feel lack compassion or understanding of those in the LDS Church. I believe he has a genuine concern for Mormons, and has tried to show those Mormons who are open to logic and rational thought that there are real substantive problems with the teaching of the LDS Church.

The very roots of Mormonism began with deception and distortion, and Mr. White exposes what many of us feel about the promotion and protection of those roots by the LDS Church itself.

I and other former LDS members felt that there were many things that bothered us about the teaching of the church, but we overlooked them because of our love for other Mormons, and the good principles that the Church taught.

Mr. White provides good food for thought for those types of Mormons, the LDS Church is NOT the same as Christianity.

This was an excellent book--the best I have read on the topic thus far. James White is not out to "destroy the faith of others;" he obviously has a heart for Mormons and wants desperately for them to know the truth (as do I). This book helped me develop a very deep compassion for the members of the LDS church, and this wouldn't have happened had Mr. White written with hatred and the intent to destroy, as some claim. Mormons are wonderful people--I pray that they will read books such as James White's and realize that their doctrines are built on sinking sand. James White does a very good job of taking the focus off of the "burning in the bosom" and looking at the LDS religion from an intellectual and evidential viewpoint. Simply, the evidence is just not there. Our faith, Christianity, should be grounded in truth and history, not one's emotions or how one "feels" about it. If you read any book on Mormonism, this should be the one.

This well-researched and clearly written book deals with the fundamental doctrinal divides between Mormons and Christians. Lovingly presented and impressively documented, White discusses in detail such issues as the "translation" of the Pearl of Great Price, the prophet status of Joseph Smith, the question of godhood, the divinity of Christ, and the promise of grace. This book surpasses other works written by non-Mormons about the Mormon faith in that it does not seek to tear down Mormons, but to build up Christianity. In addition, White does not rely on many of the straw-person arguments detractors of the Mormon church traditionally utilize(which generally only increase antagonism, without getting at the real issues). The research and effort involved in this book are truly astounding, as is the apparent care with which it was written. I think this book could only be characterized as anti-Mormon by those who are so threatened by its well-documented truths that they cannot respond to it any other way.

I found this book to be interesting and helpful. It is not arranged in the usual way such books are, with each chapter covering a particular doctrine of the Mormon church. Instead, it is written as a series of letters, and therefore proceeds more like a conversation. The main ideas are stated in the early chapters, and the details are filled in later.

Along the way, White quotes from Mormon sources to support his assertions about what Mormons believe. He quotes Biblical passages to show Mormon beliefs differ from Christianity. The references are there for those who want to check the context.

Another helpful part of the book is the summary of Biblical teaching about salvation in the later chapters. This information is in other books, but here is offered in a short and readable manner.

Contrary to what was said by cntmyont, White is quite reserved in his language.

As for the definition of truth, indeed White never says, "Here is the definition of truth..." But it is clear enough from the book. He asserts correctly in Chapter 1 that truth is not subjective. He mentions this in the context of being told by Elder Hahn that he had prayed about the Book of Mormon and was told that it is true. White takes up this topic again in Chapter 8. There he summarizes the reasons why he would not pray the same prayer: The Book of Mormon is historically inaccurate, it contradicts the Bible, and it has serious textual problems.

I agree with the blurb on the back cover of the book that this is a "valuable text for Christians who talk with Mormons and is an ideal book to be read by Mormons."

This is an excellent book by James White and I heartily recommend it and his book "Is the Mormon My Brother?" which clearly states the case, using the words of LDS leaders themselves, as to why Mormonism is contrary to Christianity.
Please do not be swayed by the other reviews, obviously written by Mormons, who are slamming this book and calling it an ill-informed attack on their faith. I was a Mormon for several years, ordained an Elder and attended the temple, which actually few Mormons are eligible to do, given their numbers. Everything that White writes about in this book is accurate. He does not misrepresent LDS teachings in any way. They were the same teachings I read about in the LDS scriptures, from the works of LDS leaders and which were taught in priesthood and sacrament meetings on a consistent basis.

I loved this book! I am about to read it through again for what may well be the tenth time. There is a wealth of literary material out there written by Christian apologeticists exposing the heresies and dangers of the Mormon faith, but Dr. White's book stands alone in one important respect: it is much more caring and constructive in nature.
As a product of Independent Fundamental Baptist upbringing, I have been warned extensively about the "evil teachings" of the Latter Day Saints Church. Looking back, I almost feel as I were being conditioned to fear - and maybe even hate - all Mormons. I didn't question it at the time (maybe I should have) but is that a truly Christ-like attitude? If a Mormon missionary knocks on my door, am I supposed to shove my open Bible in his face and shout an angry tirade in defense of my faith? I think many of an upbringing similar to mine may feel that way, but "Letters to a Mormon Elder" helped me see it all in a different light. Jesus taught us to love our enemies, and that attitude is seen strongly in this book. Dr. White is sure of his faith, which is essential to anyone who would criticize another's beliefs. His tone can get just a tad harsh when examining the fallacies of Mormon scripture and the teachings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, but when referring to actual people, i.e. those who have chosen the Latter-Day Saints Church, there is nothing but love and concern for them. This should be the attitude of every Bible-believeing Christian who encounters those of differing faiths. Hence this book can be a valuable learning tool not just for Mormons, but for us old-school Bible thumpers, too. Dr. James White has set a fine example for us.

When Greek scholar James R. White's "Letters To A Mormon Elder" was published in 1993, it helped bring depth and patience to Christian outreach to Mormons. Now White, an established public debater, is a leading Christian apologist and public defender of biblical Christianity. And in this volume he offers a series of personal letters written to a fictional Mormon elder. He doesn't build up men made of straw in order to knock them down with weak arguments, but provides extensive Mormon documented sources asserting their bizarre views and then proceeds to systematically rebut them.

White offers precision and compassion in refuting many of the anti-biblical LDS doctrines. White starts his refutation by upholding the Bible as the infallible word of God. He states that "the Lord Jesus believed that the scriptures were truly and really the words of God" (p. 22). Thus one who desires to deny the perfect character of scripture has a dispute with Jesus. White argues for that the Bible is "fully trustworthy" and "fully accurate" (p. 23).

As a Greek scholar, White advocates his position marvelously by using the Greek text (p. 25-29) as he makes the clear distinction between transmission and translation (The LDS church/Missionaries often confuses the two). White also controverts the notion that there are errors in the original manuscripts and that the Greek manuscripts we have are untrustworthy (p. 35-44).

In a conversational outline he contends against the Mormon doctrines of a plurality of gods, men becoming gods, and the progressing of the heavenly Father into a god. One of the best chapters is: The proper distinction between Elohim and Jehovah (the LDS at its birth lacked any Hebrew or Greek scholars so they fell into many strange and uncouth errors including the idea that Elohim and Jehovah were different beings).

I own countless books which refute the errors of the LDS church and this is one of the most excellent and congruous. It is unique due to its conversational format given by an outstanding Greek scholar.

For a unique philosophical and biblical refutation of Mormonism see my book:
"Presuppositional Apologetics Examines Mormonism: How Van Til's Apologetic Refutes Mormon Theology" type in ASIN#:1432702890 - on Amazon (Christian Philosophical truth examines Mormonism)
or
Truth, Knowledge and the Reason for God: The Defense of the Rational Assurance of Christianity

I have amassed a rather large library on the subject of mormonism (over 300 books, articles, dvd's, and videos), and this book was so incredibly helpful for actually talking to missionaries.
James White is a brilliant Theologian. In this book he wonderfully presents arguments that a real missionary would have, and then explains things to him biblically. I learned so much about Orthodox Christian Theology from this book.
If you are a person who is looking for resources to better understand your Christian faith, then this is the book for you. Even if you have no interest in Mormonism, it will help you understand difficult topics such as predestination, election, salvation, and eternal security.
Everyone should own a copy of this book.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has family or friends who are Mormons, or who ocassionally has Mormons stop at their door. For that matter, I'd recommend this book to all Mormons, too!

The book is constructed in a somewhat unusual manner; it's written as a series of letters from Mr. White to a (fictitious) "Elder Hahn," following up on a (again, fictitious) visit to Mr. White's home.

Mr. White does a fantastic job of presenting the major false doctrines of the Mormon religion, and contrasting them with the truth of God's Word. I've done a little studying on Mormonism in the past, but Mr. White brought up some fascinating things that I'd never heard before.

The book is very "readable," and would be a valuable resource to any Christian.

I was a Mormon Elder's Quorum President and this book is one of the vehicles thatcuase me to rethink my religion. After being sparked to begin further study and some sincere prayers I left the church. This is a excellent book in the hands of open minded LDS members will be a jewel to there salvation.