In post 104 you said” My understanding of the LDS religion, is it is one of works, pride, and placing yourself in God's rightful position of authority.”
This is why I said, “Your understanding of the LDS religion is flawed, at best.”
>>It is the religion I learned at my father's knee, and he at his father's, and he at his
>>father's and he at his father's and he at his father's. It is what I learned in my Baptism
>>and confirmation, my Patriarchal Blessing, my Sunday School, Primary, Mutual,
>>Family Home Evening, Seminary, Stake Conferences, General Conferences, Standard
>>Works, Priesthood Blessings, Family Journals while doing Geneology, and in my
>>Temple Ordinances. It is NOT what I learned in the Bible.
I do not dispute what your father taught, or did not teach, nor do I dispute the classes you took, the ordinances you performed, Genealogy you researched, Etc. I dispute that it is a religion of pride and usurpation (I’ll handle works later), your understanding is flawed at best, and I am being kind. One who claims to be God’s servant has trouble “Usurping his place as I pointed out earlier, because to take his place is to invalidate any claim of authority from him (That old circular logic thing that’s been going around). Pride is an individual sin, maybe even a wide spread one, but I have never seen it institutionalized in a church, sports teams yes, but a church no.
>>I learned to "always be a missionary" from a very good source ; ) I guess old habits die hard.
Great! Seek to increase the faith of all you meet and teach those in need of knowledge of Christ and I will support you to the end of your days. Come to those with faith, or Questions about a religion you do not believe in with answers, warnings, or information to help them decide to “Go Elsewhere” and we have a problem, you and I.
I would never presume to inform others of your faith since I do not believe it myself. I do not care how much history you have with the church, without faith, it is irrelevant. For you to present your self as a reliable source of something you do not believe in is to lie to the very people you claim to be helping. (Ends never justify the means, the means must justify themselves) The only time that “Warnings” in matters of faith would be acceptable is if you knew that we did not believe what we teach.
You Cannot prove that I do not believe what I say about my church for I am the only one who truly knows what I believe, and if I behave the way I say I will, you must take my word for it, or call me a Liar without proof or reason.
Since you have already professed not to believe the LDS faith, please direct any seekers with questions about the LDS to me.
Thank you.
If you will tell me your religious preference, I will do the same for you.
>>Saved by God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone! Thank you.
You have accused us of being a religion of works, fine; here is a section straight from the Bible on that:
James 2 14-26
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that Faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
( http://scriptures.lds.org/james/2 )
I am Curious to hear your interpretation of this scripture. Are works as well as faith not required?
I wish you more and more enlightenment until you and I meet at the judgment bar of God.
You and I don't see eye to eye. It is apparent by our different interpretations of these scriptures. I doubt very much if you and I interpret the word "works" the same. I see Temple ordinances as a "work," as is church attendence, tithing, and helping the widowed and poor (which is a very noble work!)
However, James 2:18 says, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Works is a manifestation of faith. It is not a requirement of salvation. Let me put it this way. A person is saved at the very instant when God puts genuine faith into his heart and he accepts Christ, even though you cannot yet see any outward evidence of faith. The change is first inside him. But his new faith is not complete until he acts upon it.
Suppose a FReeper pledges money during the quarterly pledge-a-thon. Perhaps he fully intends to send in money. But his promise is not made complete and perfect until he actually comes up with the cash. Likewise, faith is not made complete and perfect until it produces works. If it never produces works, it is dead.
James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Here, James plainly agrees that faith is the only prerequisite for justification. Faith is indicated outwardly by obedience.