Posted on 12/04/2007 1:27:39 PM PST by Zakeet
From baptism of the dead to a ban on coffee, Mormonism's doctrines are alien to many Americans and that is unlikely to change when Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney gives a long-awaited speech on his faith this week, religious scholars say.
Thursday's address by the former Massachusetts governor, who would be the first Mormon president of the United States, could fuel more questions than answers about a faith many powerful evangelical Christian voters dismiss as a cult.
"I can't see him really making a kind of passionate defense of Mormonism. That's not going to win votes. On the other hand, to pretend he is an evangelical is not going to win. He is in a very awkward position," said Alan Wolfe, director of Boston College's Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life.
[Snip]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the sect based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is formally known, is the fourth-largest U.S. religion and one of the richest, with 12.9 million members globally and an estimated $5 billion in annual revenue. More than half live outside the United States.
It bans alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee. It maintains there is no eternal hell, the dead can be baptized and that God speaks through living apostles and prophets such as the church's current president, Gordon Hinckley.
Although Mormons revere Christ as their savior and consider themselves devout Christians, they reject the unified Trinity and teach that God has a body of flesh.
They believe the religion's founder, Joseph Smith, was a prophet instructed by God to restore the true church and that the Bible contains errors.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 8:58
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
John 10:38
But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
Philippians 2:5-8
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
You would have to understand the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus, God’s Son, had to come down to earth, as a man, and sacrifice Himself for us. You obviously didn’t understand John 1:1. But it’s gonna take someone far more wise than I to try to help you understand.
Why do you always accuse others of dodging the questions? When people do answer, you evade their questions. Is it because you don’t want to defend your faith? Or what? You are full of venom, and hatred, for anyone who might call your religion into question. Explain to me how you come to the conclusion that Jesus and Satan are brothers? Where’s your proof that God had a wife? Where does it mention a wife for God? It mentions God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Your assertions and opinions are correct. What must be understood is that the Mormon faith (and the faithful) is founded on the principle that ALL OTHER CHURCHES ARE WRONG. This tends to instill a sense of arrogance. Us Christian-pretenders (as they see us) are like little children to them.
Very good point. I imagine if one had enough time on their hands, one could find endless inconsistencies in the Book of Mormon.
Well, when the BoM was first published in 1830, it was pronounced as the “most correct book” in the world.
Since that point in time, there have been over 4,000 revisions and corrections made to it; the most recent being just a few weeks ago in its present release.
Interpret that as you so choose.
Don’t you mean be “God”? Isn’t that what you “work” for? It’s not to be like Christ, it’s to be like God. If I had to “work” my way to Heaven, I’d have given up a long time ago.
And no disrespect intended, but, you were Baptist? Now you’re Mormon? But then the churches are full of people who have no clue what salvation really is. You folks just keep crucifying Christ over and over and over again.
“What must be understood is that the Mormon faith (and the faithful) is founded on the principle that ALL OTHER CHURCHES ARE WRONG.”
Hmmm, I think Catholics believe that too. And Jews. Now you’re getting into dangerous territory...
If he discusses real theology, he begs the question, "You really believe that? You ok?"
Look in the mirror, hominid. The wagers of guerrilla warfare do not enjoy the status of professional soldiers who seek to teach and share as opposed to sling slime and disparage. Get a life, such as it is.....
I’d like to know what makes Joseph Smith an authority on the subject of God. Why would anyone who claims to be a christian put more credence to the Book of Mormon than to the Bible?
How long before Tracer gets himself booted again?
Venomous?
Sounds like something that could bite you in the asp!
Why of COURSE!!
That's why our glorious founder saw TWO 'Personages' in his vision!
--MormonDude(I sure THINK it was 2 - there seems to be a bit of discrepancy in the record)
Such thanks I get when I re-post YOUR words!
Hydrophobia seems to be rampant in your experience:
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/19#19
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.”
Hmmm . . . what's with all the misspelled words?
All that stuff makes it nearly unreadable!
But!!
You didn't POST the references where you found them!
What are you afraid of?
--MormonDude(I know the Truth!!)
HMmmm...
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/19#19
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.”
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