I've never used it before, and it keeps changing everytime I make a new one at the site. I hope the graphic you saw said BOO. (Not that I made any obscene signs or anything like that ....
Posted on 05/04/2007 5:46:36 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy
Very clever graphic; I’ll have to look that site up.
“So do you think Romney will seed every venue where he speaks with Mormons who can “boo” at the appropriate times.”
I don’t think he wants the job that bad. Besides, such a tactic would be seen through as quickly as politically-motivated attacks on his religion would be.
I think I have addressed many of the points you bring up in my posts above. I am sorry you feel insulted by what I say. But if Christians can’t know what defines Christianity, then Christianity is meaningless. There must be core doctrines that define any religion, or else that religion is meaningless. There are core doctrines that are fundamental to Christianity. The Bible warns us against false teachings and false prophets. How do we tell what is false if we do not have defining core doctrines to compare them against?
Again, tell me if I am wrong, but I have the impression that Mormons think that Christians define themselves primarily by their church or denomination. This is a misconception. We are Christians first.
I have to disagree with you about our hypothetical person who believes in Jesus, but believes he came to earth in a spaceship and believes salvation is based on good singing. That person does not agree with the core doctrines of Christianity, and therefore is not a Christian. Just as you say you would know he is not a Mormon. If Christians said people can believe whatever they want about where Jesus came from and how he got here, or how salvation is attained, then Christianity would be meaningless, wouldn’t it?
I am not saying that I alone claim Christianity as my own rather than Christ’s. It is Christ’s. And he has made it clear to us in the Bible what it is. All I’m doing is looking at the doctrines of Christianity and comparing them with the publicly known doctrines of Mormonism. They do not match up. Thank you for your comments, I appreciate them.
heh... that’s funny... I just changed your smiley! Not a very secure system, is it?
I've never used it before, and it keeps changing everytime I make a new one at the site. I hope the graphic you saw said BOO. (Not that I made any obscene signs or anything like that ....
Ah oh....I think this could be very bad for me.
Please mod, I didn’t mean to let people put words in my mouth....
Shoot, I knew I should have tested that out first.
Thanks! Nice post above by the way.
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. That’s my Jesus.
My father thought Gordon B. Hinckley lived in the Temple, like the Vatican, I guess. Ha!
“As soon as you malign what we hold dear, we will respond.”
I’m with you, bro.
Apparently, there is no refutation of Smith which will now move your trust in him as a prophet of God. You may say that now, but that will change, someday, somewhere. Your immortal destiny better not depend on Smith's veracity. Peace be with you
“Mormons have been helping to elect Evangelicals and Protestants for quite some time now.”
You can say that again!
That is dishonest to change the post of another. False representation.
“All I’m doing is looking at the doctrines of Christianity and comparing them with the publicly known doctrines of Mormonism.”
This is where we disagree, and it is a source of a great deal of the friction between people like us.
You are comparing Mormonism with your interpretation of the doctrines of Christianity. So am I. It is a philosophical question, so we’re both right from our own perspectives.
Therefore, while I think you’re wrong, I respect your right to be so, and when you aren’t interested in my beliefs, I smile and say Good Day and make my way to someone else who may be.
I only ask that I, and others like me, be granted the same privilege. Not once has one of these threads started out with someone saying, “I wouldn’t vote for anyone BUT Romney! All those other guys believe kooky, wacky things, and they certainly aren’t Christians. Obviously, they’re all a cult. Only my guy knows the truth, so he’s the only one fit to be president!”
But when the roles are reversed, well... we get 2000+ post threads, as the Mormons try to say, “No, we’re not a cult, here’s why!” and the detractors repeat, “Yes you are, here’s why!” Soon, it degenerates into universal childishness, everybody gets insulted, everybody insults, and all the atheist lurkers - and most of the Christian ones - out there rightly see us all as a sad sack of fools.
And it is certainly not becoming of Him whom we ALL claim to represent.
To tell the truth, I’ve had my fill. I will defend my faith to the end; but I must point out the fact that it is generally started by our detractors.
This thread has been an exception to the rule. I believe the original post was a tad too provocative. Still, I can’t help but think that we would have all spent our time smacking each other over the head on some other thread instead were it never posted.
Well, first it said something about “whiney Mormons,” then it changed to Boo before I got my paws on it.
Clever idea. Execution could be better.
“This immortal destiny is not about Joe Smith or the book of mormon, it is about Jesus Christ.”
I agree; you may note that I also related my testimony of Jesus Christ in the same post. I reaffirm that testimony. But since Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon constitute our points of contrast, I chose to highlight those aspects of my fundamental beliefs.
“Peace be with you”
Thank you, and likewise to you.
I found this at lds.org. It is a very general summary of the differences between LDS and Christian churches. I’ll insert my comments in [[brackets like this]]:
The following are some of the more important differences in belief and practice between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Christian churches.
Restoration
Because Latter-day Saints believe that divine apostolic authority was lost from the earth after the death of the ancient apostles, a restoration of that authority was necessary. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that restoration began in the early 1800s with revelations to the young Joseph Smith.
[[Christians, or “other Christian churches” as they call us, do not believe this.]]
Trinity
Among the most important differences with other Christian churches are those concerning the nature of God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Together, these form what is commonly referred to as the Holy Trinity in many churches and as the Godhead by Latter-day Saints.
[[It does not explain what the differences are, but it clearly states that one of the most important differences between us is the nature of God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Sounds like a very fundamental, core-doctrine difference, whatever it is, as Christian doctrine is non-negotiable on the nature of God.]]
Modern prophets, continuing revelation and new scriptures
Latter-day Saints believe that God still speaks to humankind, that He has called new apostles and prophets and that revelation flows today as it did anciently. Further, many of those revelations have been formally incorporated into new volumes of scripture. These include the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ; the Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations to Joseph Smith and subsequent presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and the Pearl of Great Price, which includes the writings of Moses and Abraham as well as modern writings of Joseph Smith.
[[Christians do not accept any scripture except for the Bible, and the Bible alone. And we do not accept new prophets, apostles, or revelations. Absolutely fundamental difference here.]]
Plan of salvation
Latter-day Saint theology embraces what Mormons refer to as the “plan of salvation.” The topic covers the pre-mortal state of all mankind, the reasons why God created the world, the nature and purpose of our life here and what future awaits us in the next life.
[[I am assuming that the pre-mortal state means that we all existed before we came to earth in mortal bodies? Correct me if I am wrong. Christians do not believe we ever had a pre-mortal state. We believe we did not exist as spirits or people before conception in the womb. We also differ on what the next life is all about. Fundamental differences here.]]
Temples and their purpose
The primary purpose of temple work is to “seal” or unite families together, with the expectation that those relationships continue beyond death. The same temple rites can be performed for those who have died. There is no counterpart to temple practices in other Christian churches.
[[Like they say, there is no counterpart to this in Christian churches. We do not believe in sealing families, and do not believe these relationships continue in the next life, though we will see each other.]]
Missionary program
This is a difference in practice rather than in doctrinal belief, since many Christian churches send out missionaries to preach the gospel. However, the missionary program of the Church is distinctive and recognizable for the sheer number and distribution of missionaries, for the length and variety of their service, and for their appearance and their preaching of a restored gospel.
[[Right, Christians do not preach a restored gospel. We preach the gospel as it is written in the Bible.]]
Lay ministry
The Church of Jesus Christ has no full-time professional clergy at the congregational level. Even at the highest levels of the Church, leaders who are called as full-time apostles forsake their more remunerative professions in order to serve a lifetime calling as “special witnesses of Jesus Christ” and to oversee the Church worldwide.
[[Yes it’s different.]]
Health practices
Abstinence from alcohol among religious faiths is not unique to Latter-day Saints. However, among Latter-day Saints abstinence from alcohol is expected to be total, as is the abstinence from tobacco, tea and coffee.
[[Christians do not hold abstinence from these things as fundamental to the faith. There certainly are Christians who abstain from these things, and the Bible teaches that it is wrong to get drunk.]]
Based on this very general summary of the differences between LDS and “other Christian churches,” it is clear that there are fundamental differences in core doctrines. These differences, to Christians, lead Christians to conclude that the LDS is not consistent with Christian doctrine.
“Allow His voice to be heard within and ignore a ‘burning in the bosom’ which Satan can produce quite easily.”
I believe that Satan is the father of all lies and I do not listen to him. I like to listen for the still small voice of the Holy Ghost. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost helps me love the Savior and my Heavenly Father more. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for serving a Mission. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I agree with your comments, with one exception. The LDS Church is not consistent with -Orthodox- Christian doctrine.
We readily admit, and embrace this, as we believe it brings us closer to -Original- Christian doctrine.
“Orthdox Christian” is not the same as “Original Christian.”
Thank you, though, for your reasoned and respectful post. You quoted the source accurately and fairly, and made your beliefs clear in a very reasonable manner.
If you would like, there are several of us here that would be happy to discuss the merits of -why- these differences exist.
Don’t thank me; I got more from it than I gave.
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