So they can do it to others and their family has no say in the matter? That takes..... well... guts, shall we say? Oh, but the DEAD can either accept or reject the rites. That is the rationalization. Some folks, however, see this as complete disrespect of the dead AND the living.
Read this post #656 on how the proxy work affected this poster, and ask if he was thinking of the dead he was representing, or of himself and how the experience affected him. This work is a major "calling" for mormons, works that they believe will lead to their own "exaltation".
From the above linked post, How better can you learn of Jesus than by doing his work of bringing souls unto him? how better to help the Dead by proxy work of earthly ordinances so that, if they choose to accept the gospel the ordinances that have been done for them they can progress. How better to increase your spirituality become closer to God, than to read the scriptures while waiting, and then be instructed of God, by his servants. It truly was a wonderful evening spent with my wife, serving Jesus the way he has asked us to.
Greyfox 39, I am flattered that you would remember my post, and that you would quote it. I also want to thank you for pinging me when you talk about me, I really do appreciate it.
So, off to your post.
So they can do it to others and their family has no say in the matter? That takes..... well... guts, shall we say?
Mormon Doctrine specifically states that the dead choose whether or not to accept, so if we are wrong and have no authority, who cares what we do? If we are right, the dead who did not have the opportunity to receive the saving ordinances in this life now have the choice, besides if we are right, it's a commandment from God.
Oh, but the DEAD can either accept or reject the rites. That is the rationalization. Some folks, however, see this as complete disrespect of the dead AND the living.
I find the attacks on my church offensive, do you guys plan to stop attacking us? (ROTFLLOL)
Read this post #656 on how the proxy work affected this poster, and ask if he was thinking of the dead he was representing, or of himself and how the experience affected him. This work is a major "calling" for Mormons, works that they believe will lead to their own "exaltation".
Thanks for asking, often we are told what we are thinking, it's nice to have someone actually ask.
Lets start with the works thing.
Mormons believe that a) We are saved by Grace, and b) we have been commanded to do all that we can do.
Often this the Book of Mormon is quoted:
2 Ne. 25: 23 23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
This is said to be a departure from the Bible, even though the footnotes (footnote C) goes directly to
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.
It would be accurate to say that we interpret James 2 differently than "Grace only" churches, but to state that we believe in "Works only" is a gross misrepresentation. This "works only" argument is either from ignorance, or a willingness to misstate our position. We believe that true belief will be followed by actions, actions will increase faith which will be followed by more actions...
As for my intent in going on a temple date with my wife, I go on many dates with my wife. We have a sushi place in Provo that we really like called Asuka, best sushi in town and they have an "all you can eat" is roughly equal to three rolls of sushi. The choice (something Mormons are very big on) to go to the temple is specifically to do the work for the dead. I combined it with a date with my wife because it reminds me of my temple covenants, and my marriage covenants ,its kind of like a mini anniversary party, and brings me and my wife closer together. In short, it's not an either or, it's a check all that apply thing.
To bring your quotation from my post completely into focus, the thread this was from was specifically about Baptists (or a Baptist) supporting Mitt, and became a comparison of Mormons and baptists. Many on the thread seemed to be saying that Mormons were always more offensive than baptists to all other Christians, so I brought up Fred Phelps and this protesting funerals stuff. I was comparing how offensive it is to go to the temple or go protest a funeral.
So, you quoted my post, you brought it up, You said we were offensive, so, I'm gonna ask. In your opinion, which is more disrespectful performing proxy ceremonies with the full intent and belief of helping the dead, quietly and behind closed doors, or Gathering in parking lots and sidewalks with bull horns to denigrate and desecrate families and the dead who died serving their country. Remember that both groups claim to be doing this out of belief, and that Fred Phelps' group are Baptists, and the people inside a building, being quiet are the Mormons, which is more offensive?
Thanks for reminding me, I need to plan this week's date :-).