Many L.D.S. were very disturbed over a speech given by the late Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie at a B.Y.U. Devotional on March 2, 1982.

In this speech Apostle McConkie gave a very stern warning about striving for a "special and personal relationship with Christ." Elder McConkie claimed:

" I shall set forth what we must believe relative to the Father and the Son in order to gain eternal life. I shall expound the doctrine of the Church..."

McConkie continued by announcing:

"...many false and vain and foolish things are being taught in the sectarian world and even among us about our need to gain a special relationship with the Lord Jesus."

Elder McConkie referred to those who teach or believe this doctrine as "erring teachers and beguiled students." Apostle McConkie even went to the extreme of including a parallel between "deluded cultists" who believe the "heresy" of worshipping Adam and that with "gaining a special personal relationship with Christ" which McConkie referred to as "improper and perilous."

The photographic reproduction contained in this pamphlet are excerpts from Apostle Bruce McConkie's speech as they were printed in the 'official' newspaper of the Mormon Church, the "Deseret News." Quoting from a copy of the entire speech which was obtained from Apostle McConkie's office, Mr. McConkie continued his aggression against a "personal relationship with Christ" by ridiculing salvation by "grace." He proclaimed:

"I am well aware that some who have prayed for endless hours feel they have a special and personal relationship with Christ that they never had before. I wonder if this is any or much different however, from the feelings of fanatical sectarians who with glassy eyes and fiery tongues assure us that they have been saved by grace..."

McConkie pursued his downward trend away from Biblical teaching by claiming "special friends of Jesus" is part of "Lucifer's system." He stated:

" I wonder if it is not part of Lucifer's system to make people feel they are special friends of Jesus when in fact they are not following the normal and usual pattern of worship found in the true Church." (page 22)

In Apostle McConkie's closing remarks he affirmed: "BUT YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, AND YOU HAVE HEARD THE TRUE DOCTRINE TAUGHT."

The following photographic reproduction is a copy of excerpts from Apostle Bruce McConkie's speech as they were printed in the Mormon owned newspaper the "Deseret News," Church News Section, page 5, March 20, 1982.

Apostle Bruce McConkie's speech is in direct opposition to the Biblical teaching about Christ. The Lord Jesus Himself stressed the need for this close, personal relationship:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:4-6

Jesus gives us a personal invitation:

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Matthew 11:28,29

Despite McConkie's claim that "special friends of Jesus" is part of "Lucifer's system," Jesus said:

"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends;... " John 15:15

McConkie referred to a "personal relationship with Christ" as "improper and perilous." The New Testament writer, the Apostle John proclaimed:

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.'

I John 5:12

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them ....

"And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of." (II Peter 2:1,2)

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

Romans 16:17,18

Although McConkie claims to be an Apostle, when tested with the Word of God the Bible, we are left with only one conclusion:

"... thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars." (Revelation 2:2)

"Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY?

Jesus saith unto him, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME."

John 14:5,6