Sunday, October 18, 2009

What makes Mormons different from other Christians?

Here's a true story to help explain a possible answer to my question.

An English gentleman, who was a member of the House of Commons and a former justice of the supreme court of Britain, became friends with a Mormon attorney named Hugh B. Brown. Shortly before World War II broke out in 1939, the English gentleman had asked brother Brown to come into his office and defend his religious beliefs in the same way that he would discuss a legal problem. Brother Brown recalled the following:

Brother Brown: May I proceed, sir, on the assumption that you are a Christian?
English gentleman: I am.
B.B.: I assume that you believe in the Bible-the Old and New Testaments?
E.G.: I do!
The English Gentleman said that he believed the biblical accounts of the Lord speaking to prophets. However, he maintained that such communication had stopped soon after the Resurrection of Christ. The conversation continued with another question from Brother Brown: "Why do you think it stopped?"
E.G.: I can't say.
B.B.: You think that God hasn't spoken since then?
E.G.: Not to my knowledge.
B.B.: May I suggest some possible reasons why he has not spoken. Perhaps it is because he cannot. He has
lost the power.
E.G.: Of course that would be blasphemous.
B.B.: Well, then, if you don't accept that, perhaps he doesn't speak to men because he doesn't love us anymore. He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.
E.G.: No, God loves all men, and he is no respecter of persons.
B.B.: Well, then,...the only other possible answer as I see it is that we don't need him. We have made such
rapid strides in education and science that we don't need God anymore.
E.G.: (his voice trembled as he thought of impending war) Mr. Brown, there was never a time in the history of
the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why he doesn't speak.
B.B.: He does speak, he has spoken; but men need faith to hear him.
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1967, 117-118).

Imagine how much this can bless your life. Thanks for reading!