John Edward "Ed" Decker (born 1935) is an American counterculture apologist, and evangelist known for his expert studies, books, and public presentations, of the negative aspects of

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The ...

(LDS religion) and

Freemasonry Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

. He is a former member of the LDS Church, and prominent early member of a

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words '' Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρ ...

group for ex-Mormons called Saints Alive in Jesus. His most well-known book is ''The God Makers: A Shocking Expose of What the Mormon Church Really Believes'', co-authored by Dave Hunt.

Biography

Decker was born to a Jewish mother and Dutch father of the Reformed Christian faith (Calvinist) but raised an Episcopalian. While attending Utah State University, he married a Latter-day Saint student named Phyllis and converted to Mormonism. They later married in the Presbyterian Church on June 10, 1956. They were divorced in 1969. Decker married again and has been married for 50 years, and has 8 children, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. He is currently a pastor in Palm Desert, CA.

Writings on Mormonism

Decker has authored and coauthored, books addressing the inner workings and negative aspects of the LDS religion. His book, ''The God Makers'', was followed by ''The God Makers II''. He released a book in November 2007, titled ''My Kingdom Come: The Mormon Quest for Godhood''. Additional books written in this genre, include ''Fast Facts on False Teachings'', ''Decker's Complete Handbook on Mormonism'', and ''Unmasking Mormonism''. A fictional work by Decker, entitled ''The Mormon Dilemma'' was added to Conversations With The Cults—The Harvest House series, entitled ''What You Need to Know About Mormons''. He participated in the documentary films ''

The God Makers ''The God Makers'' is a book and film highlighting the inner workings and perceived negative aspects of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Ed Decker and Dave Hunt co-authored the book and film. Jeremiah Films produce ...

'', ''The Temple of the God Makers'', ''The Mormon Dilemma'', and '' The God Makers II''. His smaller projects include the booklets "And The Word Became Flesh", "To Moroni, With Love!", and "Understanding Islam", which are distributed by his nonprofit organization.

Criticism

Decker's work has attracted criticism not only from Latter-day Saints, but from others outside the faith.

Jerald and Sandra Tanner Jerald Dee Tanner (June 1, 1938 – October 1, 2006) and Sandra McGee Tanner (born January 14, 1941) are American writers and researchers who publish archival and evidential materials about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day S ...

, two prominent critics of the LDS Church, and

Robert Passantino Robert Passantino (11 August 1951 – 17 November 2003), was an American author and journalist who wrote on subjects related to Christian apologetics, philosophy, and the Christian countercult movement. Career Passantino lived and worked for mos ...

have said that Decker's writings grossly misrepresent Mormonism, and thereby dilute his message and offend Mormons without attracting them to evangelical Christianity. The Tanners have noted what they contend are inaccuracies and errors in some of Decker's works. One of Decker's associates offered to exorcise the Tanners' demons, and expressed great sadness when they refused.Introvigne, Massimo (1994
"The Devil Makers: Contemporary Evangelical Fundamentalist Anti-Mormonism"
'' Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought'', 27 (1), 166–67.

Works

;Books * ''The God Makers: A Shocking Expose of What the Mormon Church Really Believes'', avec Dave Hunt, Harvest House Publishers, 1997, * ''The God Makers II'' * ''My Kingdom Come – The Mormon Quest for Godhood'', 2007 * ''Fast Facts on False Teachings'' * ''Decker's Complete Handbook on Mormonism'' * ''Unmasking Mormonism'' * ''The Mormon Dilemma'' * ''What You Need to Know About Mormons'' * ''What You Need To Know About Masons'' * ''The Dark Side of Freemasonry'', Huntington House Publishers, 1994. * ''Hotel Hope'' Kindle * ''Crescent Moon Rising: The Islamic Invasion of America,'' ;Movies * ''The God Makers'' * ''The Temple Of The God Makers'' * ''The Mormon Dilemma'' * ''The God Makers II'' ;Leaflets * ''And The Word Became Flesh'' * ''To Moroni, With Love!'' * ''The Question of Freemasonry''

References

External links

FAIR
– Mormon/LDS site index for topics relating to Ed Decker
Saints Alive Ministry
– Decker's ministry {{DEFAULTSORT:Decker, Ed 1935 births American Christian writers American evangelicals Anti-Masonry Converts to Mormonism from Anglicanism Critics of Mormonism Date of birth missing (living people) Former Latter Day Saints Living people People excommunicated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Place of birth missing (living people) Utah State University alumni