I Was a Mormon: Johanna Lakin

I was raised a Mormon, but since I came to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, I no longer believe in the Mormon religion. Knowing now that the gospel is the "good news" of God's dear Son who died for my sins, I therefore wrote a letter to the Bishop of the North Park Ward asking that my name be removed from the Mormon church records.

The Bible is very clear about the way of salvation. We read in Ephesians 2:8 and 9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Also in I John 5:13, it is stated: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

I no longer have to wonder whether or not I have done enough good works in order to get to heaven. I know I am saved and have eternal life because I have accepted God's way of salvation by trusting Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

The Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) This is the reason why God sent His Son into the world to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and this is why God can now save us by grace. It took something infinitely greater than trying to keep the commandments. He suffered in our stead--the Just for the unjust--that we might be justified by faith. This is my reason for writing my testimony to the Mormon people, for they, like the religious people in the Apostle Paul's day, have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge; for they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God, which is through Jesus Christ His Son. (Romans 10:1-4)

During the many years I attended the Mormon church, I heard far more about Joseph Smith than I did about my Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is not in a creed, a religion, nor a prophet, but only in the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is written in I John 5:12, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." The Apostle Paul said, "I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (I Corinthians 2:2)

Our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. This is why I had my name removed from the membership records of the Mormon church.

I am so happy to know that my name is now written in heaven. (Luke 10:20) Where is your name recorded?

"Wonderful Saviour, Wonderful Friend,
Wonderful life that never will end;
Wonderful home, He's gone to prepare,
Wonder of wonders, I will be there!"

Johanna Lakin
(Originally published by the Utah Christian Tract Society--now Mormonism Research Ministry


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