Megachurch pastor stuns congregation by announcing he’s converting to Catholicism

The Deacon's Bench ^ | March 10, 2014 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[Elsie]

Salt Lake City: Headquarters of the largest group of those Book of MORMON believers that were generated by the life (and death) of Joseph Smith, Jumior.

[Arthur McGowan]

It may not have been you.

I have been told, in no uncertain terms, that if I “pray to” anyone but Jesus, I am idolater.

Pointing out that the word “pray” is used analogically has proven fruitless. These people insist that there’s only one, univocal meaning to the word “pray”—adoration, worship. In the next breath, of course, they will ask for “prayers” for a sick relative. “I have a sick brother. Everybody please worship Jesus.”

[Elsie]

Still pushing, Feel free to have the last word, the spiritually immature need it.

Backing away: shedding it's tail.

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1. Thank you for proving that you are not a Christian.
2. I simply called you on your un Christian, uncharitable comments.
3. Still pushing, Feel free to have the last word, the spiritually immature need it.

(Why do I have this feeling; if Verga continues; he'll sponsor me for Sainthood?)

[Elsie]

I have been told, in no uncertain terms, that if I “pray to” anyone but Jesus, I am idolater.

Worry not thy soul about it...

I have been told, in no uncertain terms, that if I ____________; then ____________.

Feel free to put anything in the blanks you want.

[ctdonath2]

Just a reminder: Protestantism was founded by a Catholic priest.

[Elsie]

Ha! Thanks, that made me smile.

Then this’ll make you laugh out loud!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3132526/posts

[Zuriel]

**Is it possible for you to go an week, a day, or maybe just a single thread with out making your usual inane, uncharitable, and un Christian comments? Seriously can you make comments that actually add to the conversation?**

Maybe she learned such sarcastic humor from this example:

Nathanael: “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Philip: “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael and said: “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!”

[Elsie]

[strider44]

You know what Freerepublic needs? More arguments between Catholics and Protestants. It’s obviously the best way to promote Conservatism and defeat Democrats.

[NYer]

You know what Freerepublic needs? More arguments between Catholics and Protestants. It’s obviously the best way to promote Conservatism and defeat Democrats.

This is Freerepublic. There are new freepers who are interested in these topics. You have the option of ignoring those threads you deem as being argumentative. Freeregards.

[strider44]

Yes. You emphasized FREE. So I am free to comment on each one of these pointless threads where otherwise intelligent people bicker about how to worship Jesus.

[Kackikat]

Not sure how Mormons relate to what I said, Do they claim Jesus as Savior and the Son of God?

[Elsie]

Do they claim Jesus as Savior and the Son of God?

yes...

What Joseph Smith Means to Us  (From: various sources )

 

 

 

"He (Joseph Smith) is the man through whom God has spoken... yet I would not like to call him a savior, though in a certain capacity he was a god to us, and is to the nations of the earth, and will continue to be."

- Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:321

 

 

 

 

"You call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a god..."

- Herber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses 5:88

 

 

 

 

"If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]"

- (as quoted in 1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p. 142)

There is "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God"

- Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190

 

 

 

 

"I tell you, Joseph holds the keys, and none of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him. We have not got rid of him, but he stands there as the sentinel, holding the keys of the kingdom of God; and there are many of them beside him. I tell you, if we get past those who have mingled with us, and know us best, and have a right to know us best, probably we can pass all other sentinels as far as it is necessary, or as far as we may desire. But I tell you, the pinch will be with those that have mingled with us, stood next to us, weighed our spirits, tried us, and proven us: there will be a pinch, in my view, to get past them. The others, perhaps, will say, If brother Joseph is satisfied with you, you may pass. If it is all right with him, it is all right with me. Then if Joseph shall say to a man, or if brother Brigham say to a man, I forgive you your sins, "Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them;" if you who have suffered and felt the weight of transgression—if you have generosity enough to forgive the sinner, I will forgive him: you cannot have more generosity than I have. I have given you power to forgive sins, and when the Lord gives a gift, he does not take it back again."

- Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p.154-155

 

 

 

 

"It is because the Lord called Joseph Smith that salvation is again available to mortal men.... If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation,"

- Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 396, 670

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They succeeded in killing Joseph, but he had finished his work.

He was a servant of God, and gave us the Book of Mormon.

He said the Bible was right in the main, but, through the translators and others, many precious portions were suppressed, and several other portions were wrongly translated; and now his testimony is in force, for he has sealed it with his blood.

As I have frequently told them, no man in this dispensation will enter the courts of heaven, without the approbation of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jun.

Who has made this so?

Have I?

Have this people?

Have the world?

No; but the Lord Jehovah has decreed it.

If I ever pass into the heavenly courts, it will be by the consent of the Prophet Joseph.

If you ever pass through the gates into the Holy City, you will do so upon his certificate that you are worthy to pass.

Can you pass without his inspection?

No; neither can any person in this dispensation, which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.

In this generation, and in all the generations that are to come, everyone will have to undergo the scrutiny of this Prophet.

They say that they killed Joseph, and they will yet come with their hats under their arms and bend to him; but what good will it do them, unless they repent?

They can come in a certain way and find favor, but will they?

Brigham Young,

--JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES, vol. 8, p. 224

[Kackikat]

Oh Boy John Smith, that’s original...and the Catholics have to get forgiveness through a Priest? Amazing what people think they must do to get into heaven. So glad Jesus is my friend and I can talk to him directly, it simplifies things a lot. I’m not into crowds or collective salvations.

[Kackikat]

Sorry...Joseph Smith...I am unfamiliar with their doctrine, so thanks.

[Elsie]

Sorry...Joseph Smith...I am unfamiliar with their doctrine, so thanks.

Don't feel bad; most of them are too!

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Mormonism claims three levels of 'heaven' and only 15% or so of ALL Mormons are going to make it to Level One!