Building the Best You (Part 1)

 

I have said it before and I will say it again, if it wasn’t about truth, I would become a Mormon.

I recently watched an episode of the US version of Undercover Boss. The ‘boss’ in the show was a Mormon and he was an awesome guy. He lived in a beautiful house, with his beautiful wife and numerous children in Provo, Utah. It showed them having everything materially, that any person could desire. He said he loved spending time with his family, and we saw him and his children riding quad bikes across the acres of land which he owned. It appeared life was good for this Mormon.

Back in 2015, I visited Provo and, with some local Christians, did some door-knocking. The sun was shining, the streets were gleaming, and the houses were palatial. We met some former missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who were now, by all visible evidence, living their best life now.

It appears to me, that if you want to live the American Dream and find a religious belief that will not only support, but encourage it, the Mormon church is clearly the one to join.

The ‘Best’ You

In an article entitled: ‘Building the Best You’[1], Mormon Eric B. Murdock offers five ways to build a happy and joyful life. He begins by saying:

When the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to build the Kirtland Temple, He didn’t leave him to figure out how to do it all on his own. He revealed a plan that would lead to success.

“Let the house be built, not after the manner of the world,” the Lord declared. “Let it be built after the manner which I shall show” (Doctrine and Covenants 95:13–14). The Lord then gave instructions on how to build the temple (see Doctrine and Covenants 95:15–17). Thankfully, the Lord has shown us more than just how to build temples. He has also given us instructions to help us become the best person we can be. As we follow them, we will build our lives “not after the manner of the world” but after the way the Lord has designed."

It is perhaps no surprise, when we know and understand Mormon theology, that the emphasis is on the individual and not the finished work of Christ. Notice what is being said here: ‘The Lord has… given us instructions to help us become the best person we can be.’ Mormons often confuse and conflate justification and sanctification. Now you may feel I am being a little too harsh here, and perhaps misrepresenting Eric the Mormon, but like I said when you know Mormon theology…

Now I would have thought that in an article that opens with: ‘Here are five ways to build a happy and joyful life centered on Jesus Christ’, there would follow some quotes from Jesus or at least some biblical texts speaking of the life and ministry of Jesus, but alas, nothing. What we do have is a quote from the Book of Mormon and a couple from a Church authority. Taken at face value, the advice given may appear good, but we need to bear in mind that they will be read and understood through Mormon glasses. That said, let us look at what he says.

Build a sure foundation.

Any architect or builder will tell you that a solid foundation is essential to any building. Helaman taught that the best foundation for our lives is “the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God” (Helaman 5:12). We can make Christ our foundation by coming unto Him and following His teachings. How do you feel you’re doing at making Christ the foundation of your life?

This sounds good until we factor in that the ‘Christ’ of Mormonism is not the ‘Jesus’ of the Bible. We are not to make a false Christ our foundation. Neither let us be fooled by the quote from Helaman. The use of the terms ‘Redeemer’ and ‘Son of God’ mean something very different in Mormonism. This article is not a call to have as a foundation the Jesus of historic Christianity, but rather the fabricated Jesus of Joseph Smith.

Serve Others

Another great way to build our lives, according to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then-Second Counselor in the First Presidency, comes when “we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us.”1 When you serve others, you are doing what Jesus did and learning to become more like Him. And you will not only bless the lives of the people you serve, but you will be blessed as well.

There is certainly nothing wrong in serving others, many Scriptures commend it:

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

What we must remember though is how this advice would be received by a Mormon. A Christian would serve and love others as a sign of gratitude for the underserved grace received through Christ, whereas Mormons would see it more as a duty. For example, being seen to serve others may help you receive a temple recommend and help you as you seek to progress towards exaltation.

Next time I will continue to unpack what Mormons teach about 'Building the Best You'.


[1] Building the Best You (churchofjesuschrist.org)