

Model of Mormon Temple Compound in Rome

(Gianni Alemanno)



COGwriter

The head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS, commonly referred to as Mormons), went to Rome to dedicate a Mormon temple and to meet with Pope Francis:

10 March 2019 The leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon Church, has for the first time gathered outside of the United States in the Italian capital for a very special occasion: the dedication of its temple in the eternal city. Europe’s largest temple is being dedicated over three days starting Sunday by their “Prophet” Russell Nelson. For the more than 25,000 Italian Mormons and the many other followers of this faith who came to Rome, this temple has special significance. Rome the centre of Christian faith “Rome is the centre of Christianity. Here’s where the apostles Peter and Paul, the early apostles of the Church of Christ came to preach and bear their testimony”, says Alessandro Dini-Ciacci Italy’s representative of the Mormons. … No expense was spared for this construction of Rome’s towering white “house of the Lord”. “The temple was built with the finest materials, is very refined, as our offering of love. Our show of love for the Saviour and his father. That’s why we choose the best materials possible. There’s Carrara marbles, stained glass, fine fabrics. It is all a tribute to our heavenly father” explains Dina-Ciacci. … Prophet Russel Nelson met with Pope Francis on Saturday at the Vatican. It was the first time, the head of the Church of Latter Day Saints met with a pope. http://en.rfi.fr/europe/20190310-mormons-all-over-gather-rome-new-temple

The Mormon compound appears to be both massive and expensive.

For Italy’s representative of the Mormons, Alessandro Dini-Ciacci, to make such a bold (and inaccurate) statement that “Rome is the centre of Christianity” should be disturbing to all in the LDS church (LDS members, and others, should read the article: Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome and/or the free online book: Continuing History of the Church of God).

As should some of the following from their prophet and president Russell Nelson:

March 9, 2019 Updated March 10, 2019 VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church and President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met today at the Vatican in the first-ever face-to-face discussion between the heads of the two global churches. “The differences in doctrine are real and they’re important,” President Nelson said afterward as he stood just outside St. Peter’s Square, “but they’re not nearly as important as the things we have in common — our concern for human suffering, the importance of religious liberty for all of society, and the importance of building bridges of friendship instead of building walls of segregation.” … The pope presented President Nelson with two gifts, his declarations on the family and on the Islamic faith. President Nelson gave the pope a Lladro figurine of the Christus statue and a copy of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” … “We explained to His Holiness that we work side by side, that we have projects with Catholic Relief Services all over the world, in over 43 countries,” President Ballard said. “We’ve been shoulder-to-shoulder as partners, and try to relieve suffering, trying to help people that are struggling. He was very interested in that and was very cordial , very kind to us.” https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900059557/pope-francis-meets-with-president-nelson-in-the-vatican-catholic-mormon-rome.html

In my view, a “Lladro figurine of the Christus statue” is an idol that President Russell gave Pope Francis, hence a violation of the Ten Commandments. LDS should also be concerned that their president referred to the pontiff as “His Holiness.” Presumably, at minimum, this means that he sees the pontiff as a true Christian leader. President Russell’s statements and actions, in the CCOG view, demonstrate that he is not God’s prophet (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).

By Pope Francis giving the Mormon leader a copy of his declaration on the Islamic faith, Pope Francis was clearly promoting his interfaith agenda, as well as his ecumenical one.

Nearly two months ago, Ecumenical News reported the following:

Christian Unity is not optional, says Pope Francis Linda Bordoni reports for Vatican News that the Pope has reminded the faithful that “Ecumenism is not something optional” during his Jan. 16 weekly General Audience. … Pointing out that “ecumenism is not something optional,” the Pope e said it aims “to develop a common and consistent witness that promotes true justice and support for the weakest through responses that are concrete, appropriate and effective.” 01/17/19 https://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/christian-unity-is-not-optional-says-pope-francis/60642.htm

Meeting with the Mormons was a part of the agenda.

Notice also the following:

March 9, 2019 Updated March 10, 2019 Five decades of change has been nothing short of “drastic,” Monsignor Fitzgerald added. In the ’50s and early ’60s, Catholics were under official instructions to limit interactions with other faiths. They were not to attend funerals or weddings in other churches, for example. Latter-day Saints heard similar instructions. Then the Vatican Council in 1963-64 opened the door to interfaith relationships. Leaders in both churches continued to work together. And the 1945 launch of Catholic Charities provided an opportunity for collaboration that would bring the churches’ organizations, members and funds together in common purpose. “We began to see that neither of the groups were the devil and we could all join hands in the community,” Monsignor Fitzgerald said. As that recognition grew deep roots, détente turned into accelerated collaboration over the past decade as concern grew in both churches about worldwide secularization. “Secularism is prevalent in many western countries and many people have lost their faith in Jesus Christ,” Latter-day Saint Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé said. “And to have all Christian faiths join together and defend our values is important.” https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900059557/pope-francis-meets-with-president-nelson-in-the-vatican-catholic-mormon-rome.html

So, the Roman Catholics and LDS consider each other to be Christians. That is quite ecumenical.

But we in the Church of God have long expected the world’s churches to get some type of ecumenical unity. Notice something from the old Radio Church of God from 1962:

A great religious combine is plotting at this moment. Innocent millions will be unsuspectingly sucked into a whirlpool of religious superstition — or be martyred. WORLD religious and political heads are being duped by a sinister force masquerading under the name of religion! With the appealing slogans “Peace” and “Unity,” church leaders around the globe are talking of ONE CHURCH. Words are flying, articles roll off presses, precedent — breaking conclaves are being held — startling MERGERS have already taken place!

Would it actually advance the cause of Christianity and bring world peace if all churches united under one head?

Is this “Ecumenical” (world-wide) church movement really what it pretends to be?

Would you like to know in advance whether the Vatican will succeed in gathering the “scattered brethren” — the other Catholic Orthodox churches and the Protestants — back into her fold? Answer in Advance Does it sound incredible to you that the answer was written almost 3,000 years ago — 800 years before Christ? Is it too hard to believe that Christ Himself had much to say about “Ecumenism” and a colossal end-time religious hoax?

The answers were written under inspiration by Isaiah the prophet long before New Testament times, and the Apostle John quotes Jesus Christ’s own analysis of this new global ideology in the book of Revelation, believe it or not! … Will Unity Come? Emphatically, dogmatically, we state positively that CHURCH UNITY WILL COME! How can we be sure? Simply that God has revealed it through the prophet Isaiah over 2,700 years ago!

Speaking of the Catholic Church (Daughter of Babylon), Isaiah says, “And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, ‘I AM, AND NONE ELSE BESIDE ME; I shall not sit as a widow, NEITHER SHALL I KNOW THE LOSS OF CHILDREN”! (Isa. 47:1, 7-8).

Did you grasp the tremendous significance? This event is for the LATTER END, nearing the climax of this age when Christ will set up His government (Rev. 11:15). This “mistress” (or lady, defined in II Cor. 11:2 and Rev. 19:7 as a church) will say, “There is none else beside me” or, “I am the only ‘Christian’ church in existence.”

Now it should be clear that in order to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah for the latter days, the Roman Catholic Church must REGAIN DAUGHTER churches she has mothered — either through political moves for unity, or through forced conversion in the Tribulation. Once reunification is achieved, she becomes “the only ‘Christian’ church.” To be the only church in existence (“none else beside me”), she must either bring competing churches back to the fold, or ERASE THEM FROM THE EARTH! …

Why Hoax MUST SUCCEED God has allowed man 6,000 years to experiment, to eat the fruit of man’s way. … “For then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days be cut short, THERE SHOULD NO FLESH BE SAVED ALIVE” (Matthew 24:21-22, see Moffatt version).

Immediately prior to that great world upheaval, A FANTASTIC RELIGIOUS HOAX WILL GRIP THE ENTIRE WESTERN HEMISPHERE! The Apostle Paul long ago warned of this very deception palmed off in the name of Christ. Listen! Speaking of the end time, and the Second Coming of Christ, he said, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that HE AS GOD sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God…. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS” (II Thes. 2:3-4, 9). Rome, by supernatural powers from Satan, will succeed in forcing the whole professing Christian world to accept its teachings.

The first half of the hoax was successful some 1800 years ago when Rome deceived the world into believing she is the first and only True Church. This is a lie! The real truth is that the old pagan Babylonian religion forced the true Christians to flee, and appropriated the name of Christ.

Because the “separated brethren” all believe this monstrous lie, it is not a question of which church is first, of which to return to, rather it is only HOW TO RETURN TO BABYLON! (Dorothy CV. Gigantic WORLD HOAX Afoot! Plain Truth, August 1962)



(As far as the man of sin is concerned, here is a link to a sermon we made yesterday The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’).

Much is happening as the ecumenical and inter-faith movements are moving ahead. Of course, many Protestants are also falling for it (see Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!) as that has long been the goal of groups like the World Council of Churches.

Maybe some day, the LDS will join that as well.

The WCC clearly has goals (e.g. The ‘Unpardonable Sin’ and ‘Climate Change’? and A different false gospel is taking hold: ‘Minister of climate change urges Earth’s salvation’) consistent with those of Pope Francis (see Pope Francis continues to press his climate change ‘gospel’ and Laudato Si: Pope’s Agenda or Kingdom of God?) and the United Nations (watch UN’s ‘New Universal Agenda’ is a False Gospel! and United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order and Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III?).

Ecumenism is a false gospel. But, even the Mormons are falling for it.

Notice also the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

Here is a link: A Different False Gospel. The Vatican and WCC are promoting several false gospels.

Unlike the LDS, the Continuing Church of God is not in favor of ecumenical unity with Rome (see Teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Continuing Church of God).

The Bible shows that it will take the return of Jesus and the establishment of the millennial Kingdom of God to bring true unity (Ephesians 4:13; Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 11:18).

The Bible clearly shows that the ecumenical/inter-faith movement will also end in destruction (Revelation 18 & 19). This is not something that Catholics or Mormons or the Eastern Orthodox or the Protestants should want (see also Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? and Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!)–yet many of their leaders are promoting this.

This is a false gospel!

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.

Teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Continuing Church of God The genuine Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities. Also, might certain LDS prophecies apply to Mitt Romney? A sermon of related interest is available: Mormon vs. Church of God Teachings.

Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]

Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?

Mystery of Iniquity What is the mystery of iniquity? How did it start? How will it end? Two related sermons are also available: The Mystery of Iniquity and The Mystery of Lawlessness.

The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free draft/unedited pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.

United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? Two related videos include UN’s ‘New Universal Agenda’ is a False Gospel! and United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.

The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? Here is a link to a related sermon: Christians and the Environment (there is also YouTube video available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy).

Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! [Português: Esperança do salvação: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes]

Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.

Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?

Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?

Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.

What is the Unpardonable Sin? What is it? Can you repent of it? Do you know what it is and how to avoid it? Here is a link to a related sermon video The Unpardonable Sin and the Prodigal Son. Here is a link to a shorter video The ‘Unpardonable Sin’ and ‘Climate Change’?

Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?

Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.

Laudato Si: Pope’s Agenda or Kingdom of God? Pope Francis’ 2nd encyclical is titled ‘Laudato Si.’ In it, he goes over his views related to environmental, economic, social, moral, agricultural, and spiritual issues. He advocates international cooperation to solve various problems he believes are affecting humanity. Is that Pope’s agenda the solution? What about the Kingdom of God? does the Bible teach? Two related articles include Laudato Si: Will Pope Francis’ economic actions match his words? and Laudato Si: A call for a one-world government?

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.

Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? Could a Jesuit be “the black pope”?

Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?

Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?

Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.