Of course, I notice certain doctrinal differences. But it seems there are always doctrinal differences among creeds. So, do we want to follow the Islamists and declare war on all persons who disagree with us — a la the seemingly endless internal Sunni vs. Shia struggle, not to mention the aggressive, hostile attitude of Islam WRT any other competing religious profession?
This sort of thing (IMHO) is grossly un-American to me — for we have a Constitution that guarantees freedom of religion/conscience. (Which is why Islam is arguably ill-suited to American civil culture: Islam does not recognize this "guarantee" — though it seems very clear that the Church of LDS does.)
It also seems un-Christian to me: We have been directed by our Holy Father in Heaven to love our neighbor as ourself, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. And I don't think the definition of "neighbor" is limited to our own coreligionists exclusively.
In the end, what other people believe does not affect my relationship with God. If folks want to worship the Easter Bunny, for instance, if that's the best they can do, let 'em do it. Though I may regard this as a fantastically bad decision, it wouldn't affect my faith and trust in God one whit.
But I still have to respect their right of conscience, even if I think they're "wrong": In the end, a man's conscience is a matter between himself and his Maker. And I MUST respect that sacred relationship.
I am reminded of William James' observation: "The art of becoming wise is the art of knowing what to overlook." That is often not a simple matter. But I believe that the statement is true nonetheless.
FWIW. JMHO.
Thanks again, dear Elsie!
Here's something borrowed from Freeper William Clark, illustrating how one can have faith in 'a' Christ but not the true Savior Christ:
"I always like to use the analogy of Jim Caviezel [In Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of The Christ']. Like the Mormon Jesus, he dressed the part, spoke the same words (in the original language, no less), and was referred to as Jesus Christ within a specific context, but it makes all the difference in the world whether one worships and depends upon him for their salvation or the genuine article."
Just to avoid contention, are Christians ordered to be just fine with the following LDS blasphemies and heretical teaching from Mormonism which are antithetical to Christianity? ...
"We may talk of men being redeemed by the efficacy of his [Christ's] blood; but the truth is that that blood has no efficacy to wash away our sins. That must depend upon our own action." [ LDS Apostle Amasa M. Lyman, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 299, 1859]"Again, they will try to tell how the divinity of Jesus is joined to his humanity, and exhaust all their mental faculties, and wind up with this profound language, as describing the soul of man, "it is an immaterial substance!" What a learned idea! Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven. Now, let all who may hear these doctrines, pause before they make light of them, or treat them with indifference, for they will prove their salvation or damnation.
I have given you a few leading items upon this subject, but a great deal more remains to be told. Now, remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost."
[ LDS Prophet Bingham Young, JoD 1:50-51 April 9, 1852]
Given this mormonic teaching that is the very essence of Antichrist, it is still amazing how much LDS inc apologists want folks to believe LDS inc is Christianity restored! MormonISM is the very essence of slick anti-Christ inveigling, and the promoters of this anti-Christian religion will continue to be exposed and opposed so long as Christians are not squelched by the political correctness approach inherent in the lie that exposing mormonISM is hate or hatred of the people trapped in this demonic cult.
To allow assertions from men like Jeff Head go unopposed on a forum such as FR only facilitates the deeply deceptive antichrist work in MormonISM that diverts attention from THE Christ.
Sorry if some are offended, but that's how I feel about it. And unless I'm banned for continuing to oppose deception which claims to cherish 'a jesus', and is part of a religion which teaches another jesus not The Christ of Whom the Bible speaks, I will continue to oppose this inveigling. You may wish to squelch me as 'intolerant', but Satan will be accompanied for all eternity by victims of 'tolerance'.
LOVING my 'neighbor' does NOT include letting them go on their merry way, down a BROAD path that the BIBLE clearly defines as wrong.
You'll have to admoinish a few writers of the NT, not just me, if you wish to get folks to NOT stand up to false teachings:
Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.Romans 16:17
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.1 Corinthians 4:17
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.1 Corinthians 11:2
2. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.Ephesians 4:14-15
14. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.2 Thessalonians 3:6
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.1 Timothy 1:3-4
3. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
4. nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith.1 Timothy 1:7
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.1 Timothy 2:7
And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.1 Timothy 4:1-2
1. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.1 Timothy 4:6
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.1 Timothy 4:11
Command and teach these things.1 Timothy 6:3-5
3. If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
4. he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
5. and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.2 Timothy 1:13
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.2 Timothy 2:15-17
15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
16. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
17. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.2 Timothy 3:16-17
16. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17. so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.2 Timothy 4:3-4
3. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.Titus 1:11
They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain.Titus 2:1
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.Titus 2:15
These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.2 Peter 2:1-3
1. But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.
2. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
3. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.2 John 1:10
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.
I cannot wish those who preach another Gospel "God speed" and thereby become entailed in their teachings (2 John 1:10-11) but I can and do recognize, appreciate and pray for Jeff Head because, as you say, Jeff is a "vigorous, eloquent, able, patriotic, faithful supporter and defender of the Constitution and of our American way of life."