Then what was the point of the keys to the kingdom of heaven given to Peter by Christ? (Matthew 16:18-19) Does everyone have these keys? If not, I believe those keys would specifically have to do with the organization of the ministry and the church.

Yes, the videos are designed with that purpose in mind.

It really is astounding. God does not do things halfway. Christianity is the only religion on the face of the earth that does not require blind faith.

Sounds about right.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I have had the opportunity of entertaining a good many young LDS missionaries in my home and enjoyed getting to know each of them. They challenged me to read The Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price - which I did. In turn I challenged them to read the Bible from cover to cover, which I hope some of them did. It is true that Bible believing Christians believe in Scriptura sola in that Scripture is the God breathed truth, particularly with respect to all that we need to know about the relationship between God and man. With respect to this issue, the apostle Paul said in Galatian 1:8-9 "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Paul's statement is very strong and as you know, there are significant differences in doctrine contained in the teachings of the LDS and those taught in the Bible. Pointing out just a few differences, Joseph Smith was a polytheist while the Bible is very clear in it's teaching of monotheism, for example, Isiah 45:5 'I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God." The person of Jesus Christ is another huge difference. According to LDS doctrine, Jesus is a created being and in fact, the brother of Satan and certainly not the creator of the universe, which existed before his creation. On the other hand, the Bible, including Christ Himself and all of the Apostles, clearly state that Jesus is God incarnate. John 1 for instance clearly states the identity of Jesus Christ and establishes Him as the creator of the entire universe. John 1:1-5 "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." Finally, just one point on prophesy. We do believe that God can and does use prophets. However, according to scripture, if those prophets differ in any point from the established and eternal Word of God, they are not being directed by God. Again, thanks for your input. I hope the above provides some insight into why we differ in the basics.

@@pursuegodvideo Not true. LDS church teaches that Jesus Christ (Jehovah as he was known in heaven before coming to earth) created the Earth, with the assistance of Michael, the archangel (Adam on Earth) under the direction of God the Father.

Thanks for your comments. I agree with much of what you wrote but with respect to your comment that Jesus did not initiate the "born again" idea, what do you do with John 3:3-5? " Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." One additional point worth mentioning is that you rightly said that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. It is well worth noting however, that Jesus is simultaneously fully God and fully man. As God, He possesses all the attributes of God, one of which is omnipresence. It can be said therefore that Jesus is both here and there. How that happens, I don't know - but some day I will have a chance, face to face, to ask Him. You clearly love the Word of God. For both of us, the Word is a source that we will never stop learning from, even through eternity.

God had every right to behave in the way you suggest, toward me, because I have sinned against Him countless times. Instead, He chose to love me, send His Son Jesus to the cross to pay the penalty for my sin and cleanse me from sin. I am everlastingly grateful.

I don't know if He would but He certainly could. I'll take one too.

I am not trying to be argumentative - I would like to know what you think about the historical Jesus?

@@pursuegodvideo Not much. About the same amount as I think about the historical Muhammed. Whether or not Jesus actually existed is an open question.

Interesting. There are very few historians, Christian or non-Christian who do not believe, based on solid historical data that Jesus did in fact walk this earth. The question is not whether or not he existed - but who he was. Most believe that he was at the very least a good and righteous teacher. However, C.S. Lewis points out that "good teacher" is a descriptor that Jesus Himself has taken off the table. Because Jesus claimed to be God, either He was a great con artist, insane or exactly Who He claimed to be.