[Colofornian]

But answer me this; How is mormonism to be considered a "third branch of Christianity" when mormons claim and have claimed since its inception that it's a "complete restoration"?

Excellent Q, Szonian.

ALL: Szonian, an ex-Mormon still married to an active Mormon, has hit upon a key tension that just about EVERY contemporary true-believing Mormon is faced with...

Lds want to see themselves as tolerant -- and therefore, try to "carve out" new ground as some sort of "Third branch of Christianity."

But Joseph Smith didn't leave them this option; and neither does the formal Lds church, Inc.

If Christianity was still operative with authority -- and no universal apostasy as Lds church, Inc. claims...
...when Joseph Smith came on the scene (early 1800s),
...then there was no need for a "restoration"...

A reformation? Possibly...the church is always being reformed...but not a total-from-scratch "restoration" as Mormons claim...

Otherwise, Smith and his work was 100% superflous...redundant...100% unnecessary...

Therefore, in the Pearl of Great PRice - Joseph Smith, History, vv. 18-19...Smith tried to say ALL Christian sects professors of their faith were "corrupt" -- unjoinable...and their creeds were 100% an abomination.

So...Mormons like GRig are kind of stuck...

They want the brand name of Christian and Christianity--and lust after it...

But their very own made-up Smith "scriptures" won't allow them to be "Christians" like Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christianity. Because we are actually in their eyes "apostates"...just like the Muslims call us "infidels."

Wouldn't you know it that the Mormons came along to just happen to 100% reinforce Muhammad's messages about the worldwide Christian church!

[Grig]

Except that being Christian only means accepting Christ as the Son of God and Savior and seeking salvation through his atonement. So Catholics, Protestants, and Mormons all count as Christian groups no matter what one has authority or what one is actually correct (ie: a living branch rather than a dead one). The problem you talk about simply doesn’t exist for us. You guys seem to be the ones having trouble wrapping your head around it.

[Elsie]

Lds want to see themselves as tolerant -- and therefore, try to "carve out" new ground as some sort of "Third branch of Christianity."

Maybe that's why only 15% or so of them have a TR!!!

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#7 kinds BITES if you actually TRY to be 'tolerant'.

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Temple Recommend Questions

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1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?

3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?

4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?

5 Do you live the law of chastity?

6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?

7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?

10 Are you a full-tithe payer?

11 Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?

12 Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:

Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?

14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?

Temple Recommend Questions

---

1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?

3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?

4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?

5 Do you live the law of chastity?

6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?

7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?

10 Are you a full-tithe payer?

11 Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?

12 Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:

Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?

14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?