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Little Orphan Annie Chooses Genuine Jesus Over LDS Parents
By Cky J. Carrigan, Ph.D.
Among the greatest joys of the pastorate is the honor of leading little ones to faith and repentance and guiding them through the waters of baptism, then watching them grow to mature faith. While pastoring in eastern North Carolina, God granted me the privilege of preparing a foster child for the baptismal waters. "Annie" was a troubled ten-year-old who suffered abuse and abandonment. So the state of North Carolina became her mom and dad and she lived in several foster homes. Her last foster mother led the love-starved girl to the Lord and asked me if I would disciple her in preparation for baptism and church membership. I joyfully baptized Annie several weeks later. The entire church family fell in love with little Annie and Annie fell in love with the church.
Several weeks later, I received a frantic call from Annie's foster mom. Social services was about to place Annie in a permanent adoption into a Mormon family. Her soon-to-be dad was the bishop of the local ward. Immediately, I contacted the Director of Social Services to find out what, if anything could be done to stop this placement. He said the state usually tried to place children in homes with the same religious background, but many times they had to settle for families with a similar background. Annie's case worker was an active Methodist and the Director of Social Services was an active Baptist, and both of them erroneously believed that the difference between a Baptist and a Mormon was analogous to the difference between a Methodist and a Baptist. I quickly corrected this thinking by pointing out just a few of the key differences and pleaded with him to stop this placement. I even offered to literally guarantee another suitable family for adoption if they would stop this one. The Director was mortified by their error but he was unable to rescind the placement for legal reasons. The process had just gone too far. He said there were only two things that could stop this placement. The adopting parents could withdraw their offer, or Annie could decline perhaps her last chance to have a real mom and dad. Neither event seemed very likely.
After consulting with Annie's foster parents and with the knowledge of the Director of Social Services, I asked Annie to come to my office with her foster mother. I spent about an hour with her explaining the main exclusive differences between Baptists beliefs and LDS beliefs. I showed her that Baptists and Mormons have a different view of God, a different view of Jesus, a different view of Scripture and a different way of salvation. I told her that I would love her and help her even if she joined an LDS family. I am relieved, however, to report that Annie chose the Genuine God, the Genuine Jesus, the Genuine Scripture and the Genuine Plan of Salvation over a permanent mom and dad. I am frightened, however, that this near tragedy almost happened because of a gross misunderstanding of Mormon beliefs and practices. The Lord blessed Little Orphan Annie. A few months later He gave her permanent parents who were followers of the Genuine Jesus. Praise the Lord!
Are Interfaith Evangelism issues really that important? Should Interfaith education be a deliberate part of every child, youth and adult training program in every church in North America? Ask Annie or even the state adoption agency workers. Just reflect for a moment on what might have been. Or worse, reflect for a moment on what has already been. Reflect for a moment on the massive devastation wrought by deception. Annie chose The Truth over a real mother's touch. The least we can do is pledge to give others a chance to choose Truth as well.