—————— Foreword to the Second Edition ——————
Part Way to Utah is an excellent presentation of the history, doctrine, errors and tragedy of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). The RLDS church is the second largest branch of the Mormon faith founded by Joseph Smith, Jr., exceeded only by the Utah-based LDS Church. Despite having renamed itself “Community of Christ” in 2001, the RLDS movement nonetheless embodies many of the same fatal mistakes and heresies as the LDS church. Concerned Christians should be aware of these RLDS aberrations.
Part Way to Utah will help you understand those errors clearly and definitively, and why they should be avoided. As a former RLDS pastor, Paul Trask is able to tell their story faithfully. As you read this volume you will also be exposed to the historic Christian faith of the Bible as contrasted with the RLDS position. Paul’s insight will help you better understand and appreciate the uniqueness of Biblical Christianity. As a result, I hope you will deepen in your commitment to apply the Biblical test to every doctrine presented to you by the RLDS church, and to those of other aberrant faiths as well.
There are too few resources which delineate the history and error of the RLDS Church. Part Way to Utah is one of them, and one that I can recommend for your use and study.
Dr. R. Philip Roberts
President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, Missouri
November 16, 2004