Posted on 11/14/2007 8:28:07 AM PST by fortcollins
Mormons refer to the Catholic Church as the “whore of babylon”. The Catholic Church holds the highest level of disdain in the mormon church. Does that tell you how they feel about it?
Further, EVERY other church on this planet is dead wrong, in their eyes, and according to their founding leadership.
But, they will tell you that they are tolerant.....uh-huh.
When did this happen and by whom?
“Christ did NOT say that the Bible is the word of God . . . “
At least not the new testament, since it hadn’t been written.
There is no edict that the Bible will not be added to forever. There is an edict that Revelations shall not be added to forever. Perhaps you are as mistaken about that as you are about the rest of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Christ also never claimed to be the Son of God.
Hmmm....
dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Spalding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalding%E2%80%93Rigdon_theory_of_Book_of_Mormon_authorship
Are they a cult?
Their leader/s may claim a special, exclusive ministry, revelation or position of authority given by God.
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They believe they are the only true church and take a critical stance regarding the Christian church while at the same time praising and exalting their own group, leader/s and work.
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They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members loyal to their ranks. This could be in the form of threats of dire calamity sent by God if they leave; certain death at Armageddon; being shunned by their family and friends etc. This is a vital part of the mind control process.
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Members will be expected to give substantial financial support to the group. This could be compulsory tithing (which is checked); signing over all their property on entering the group; coercive methods of instilling guilt on those who have not contributed; selling magazines, flowers or other goods for the group as part of their “ministry”.
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At the same time bible-based cults may ridicule churches that take up free-will offerings by passing collection plates and/or sell literature and tapes. They usually brag that they don’t do this. This gives outsiders the intimation that they are not interested in money.
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There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its teachings. The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the group’s activities. They will have little or no time to think for themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion. This is also a vital part of the mind control process.
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There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private lives of members. This control can be direct through communal living, or constant and repetitious teaching on “how to be a true Christian” or “being obedient to leadership”. Members will look to their leaders for guidance in everything they do.
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Bible-based cults may proclaim they have no clergy/laity distinction and no paid ministry class - that they are all equal.
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Any dissent or questioning of the group’s teachings is discouraged. Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. There will be an emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission. This is vigilantly maintained.
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Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in some way. This could be in the form of “dobbing” on fellow members (including family) under the guise of looking out for “spiritual welfare”.
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The RCC does NOT recognize the Mormon baptism as valid, IIRC.
I always thought was a epiphenomenon
Hey yeah. You’re right! I hadn’t considered it was men several centuries after the death of Christ who established Canon writ!
Oh wait, were we talking about Niceans or Joe Smith?
I know full well what you are getting at. That still doesn’t change the fact that “Christians” are identified by their adherence the Bible as Canonized. And the Canonized Bible states that Joseph Smith is wrong.
It stated so before Joe claims to have found these plates, and it states so to this day.
DNA along, modern ability to translate Egyptian hieroglyphic, along with archeology have repeatedly shown Smith to be a fraud and a liar.
I sit corrected on that one.
Hey, the Pharisees were living their lives focusing on living righteously, but for some reason, Jesus didn't speak too well of them (just look at John 8).
The orgainzation of the Mormon church is unparalled in Chritiandom and that undoubtedly brings more people into the church.
Hey, Jim Jones was unparallelled in Christendom & undoubtedly brought more people to Guyana.
As far as it's truthfulness, it is my opinion that there are many truths such as baptism by immersion, Christ's physical resurrection, and family ties (geneology) that help one become closer to God, and these should be considered whether or not one completely aligns themselves with Mormonism and some of its stranger teachings.
...along with the teachings that push folks further away from the one true God...the notion that there are thousands & millions of gods...that you can become one...that you pull yourself up by your own bootstraps to become a god (paraphrased words of LDS prophet Kimball)...that hell is only eternal for the devil & his angels & LDS apostates--for just about everybody else, hell ends...that salvation-wise who really cares about how you live on this earth 'cause you get a second chance to hear the Mormon gospel once your dead...that all non-LDS churches are apostate churches with "corrupt professors" and 100% abominable creeds...
Well, Christ is also referred to as the Word ( translation the Word of God ) and since Christ has been around along side of God since God has existed and the New Testament is entirely based on the teachings ( words ) of Jesus I would say that the Bible is the Word of God.
If you are not a believer all the secular knowledge you can muster about Christianity and the Bible will not help you to rationalize your definition of what a Christian is. Takes one to know one, as they say
John 17:1-5 (New International Version)
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Yes he did.
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