Mormonism increasingly draws Spanish-speakers as converts

Arizona Daily Star ^ | March 8, 2008 | Stephanie Innes

[Zakeet]

Spanish-speakers are fueling growth in the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which recently opened new worship space on Tucson's predominantly Hispanic South Side.

Many local Mormon worshippers, like 47-year-old Juan Arroyo, converted to the faith from Catholicism while living in their native countries. Arroyo, a roofer who has four children, joined the church when he lived in Guadalajara, Mexico. He's been in the United States for seven years.

"I was missing something, and my life changed greatly after meeting the missionaries," he said in Spanish.

Nationally, the number of Spanish-speaking congregations in the Mormon church grew by 64 percent between 2000 and 2006. There are 639 such congregations in the United States.

[Snip]

The church is growing quickly in Mexico.

Church officials say its presence there began in 1875 when Brigham Young, then denomination president, called on six missionaries from Salt Lake City to bring Spanish-language materials about the church to Mexico. In 1885, a group of nearly 400 colonists from Utah arrived at northern Mexico's Casas Grandes River. Mexico's first stake was created in Colonia Juárez in 1895. By 1912, more than 4,000 members had settled in Chihuahua and Sonora.

More than 1 million members now live in Mexico, a predominantly Catholic country with a population of about 108 million.

[Elsie]

 

Another person who chooses the teachings of the ANTI sites, and did not take time to learn and understand how God's Gospel really fits together.

 

 

Do you REALLY know how silly your statements are?

 

Smith	Young	Taylor	Pratt	Snow	Kimball	Woodruff

 

 

 1 Timothy 3:2-3
 2.  Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
 3.  not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

 

 

1 Timothy 3:12
   A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

 

 

 Titus 1:6
   An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

---

---

---

 

BEHOLD!!!!  The Restorative Power  of the Book of Mormon!!

 

---

---

---

 

THE BOOK OF JACOB
THE BROTHER OF NEPHI

CHAPTER 2

 

  24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
  25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.
  26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old.
  27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;
  28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.
  29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.
  30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.
  31 For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands.
  32 And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.

 

 

[Elsie]

You first, let's start with the RLDS.........

And then:

---

 

 

 

 

---

---

"We do not indorse the teachings of any so-called Mormons or Latter Day Saints, which are in conflict with the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as taught in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. They have departed in a great measure from the faith of the Church of Christ as it was first established, by heeding revelations given through Joseph Smith, who, after being called of God to translate his sacred word--the Book of Mormon--drifted into many errors and gave many revelations to introduce doctrines, ordinances and offices in the church, which are in conflict with Christ's teachings."

-- David Whitmer (an elder in the Church of Christ), 1887

 

Today, there are as many as 100 organizations claiming to be a part of the Latter Day Saint movement, most centered in Utah or Missouri. Most regard their own group, however small, to be the only legitimate Christian church. Most of these organizations are very small, but overall, but the second largest denomination, the Community of Christ, reports over 200,000 members.

Just a sampling...........

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ, and the LDS) is by far the largest Mormon denomination. It is a continuation of the "Rocky Mountain Saint" branch of Mormonism.
• The more liberal Community of Christ (formerly called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is second in size. It is a continuation of the "Prairie Saint" movement. Although generally referred to as "Mormons," they do not use the term themselves, because of its association with polygamy and because they believe the name was not part of the original church.
• Many additional small Mormon faith groups, including:
  • Aaronic Order: unknown membership; 6 centers; 20 ministers
  • Apostolic United Brethren: about 7,000 members. They disagree with the LDS' decision to allow ordination of African-Americans and allowing women to assume leadership positions.
  • Church of Christ (Fetting/Bronson): about 2000 members
  • Church of Christ (Temple Lot): about 2400 members
  • The Church of Christ "With The Elijah Message," established anew in 1929 12,500 members worldwide
  • Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite): about 2700 members
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: about 11 million members
  • The Community of Christ: about 250,000 members. This denomination was formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- the "RLDS Church". It was formed in 1860 by remnants of the original church who did not make the trek to Utah. They reject certain beliefs and practices of the LDS church, including marriage sealing for eternity; they allow both men and women into the priesthood; their services are open to the public. They have about 250,000 members.
  • United Order Effort: a polygamy practicing group, excommunicated by the main LDS church,  of perhaps 10,000 members
  • The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It split from the Reorganized Church in 1991 because of the latter's liberal theology. It is centered in Independence, Missouri, and had an estimated membership of 2,500 in mid-1996. They publish a periodical "The Restoration Advocate" six times a year.

[Elsie]

Standard answer, “Do not study the LDS teachings, make the crowd think of something else.”

Guess where we learned this technique!

[Elsie]

We are all from different “groups” but all believe the same cohesive gospel...

AMEN!

BroSister!

[Elsie]

THAT worked well!

[Elsie]

Smith	Young	Taylor	Pratt	Snow	Kimball	Woodruff

[Tennessee Nana]

learn more then the anti sites teach you
___________________________________________

The only “antis” teaching anything that is not of God are the anti-Christians, the mormons...

The only sites that are constantly recommended are the mormon sites...lds dot sites...

I learn what the Bible has to teach me...

I dont go to web-sites for info about God...

What I know of God, I read in the Bible...

[Elsie]

Drat!

Now they are TOO big!

[Rameumptom]

Your argument that there is only one Melchizedek priest is not in line with the early historical Christian record. I understand that later Christians (especially Protestants who went against the claim of Catholic Priestly authority) came to believe in that interpretation but Mormons adhere to the early Christian interpretation of the matter.

wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophilus_of_Antioch Theophilus, Patriarch of Antioch His death probably occurred between 183 - 185[3].

The New Testament identifies Christ as the great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek which both agree on... but were there other high priests after this order? Melchizedek was one. Why else would Christ call himself after the man Melchizedek. And it is called an "order" in the Bible. An order is a classification of priests (plural)

http://bibletools.org//index.cfm/fuseaction/Def.show/RTD/ISBE/ID/6582/Order.htm

The classification of priests according to their service is spoken of as "ordering" (1 Chronicles 24:3, 1 Chronicles 24:19, Hebrew paqadh). Next to the high priests ranked priests of the second order (mishneh, 2 Kings 23:4; compare 2 Kings 25:18 parallel Jeremiah 52:24). The related concept of organization is present where the Hebrew kun (literally, "to establish".) is translated "order" (Isaiah 9:7 the King James Version, "to establish" the American Standard Revised Version; Psalms 119:133; 2 Chronicles 29:35; compare 1 Macc 16:14). A similar use of the term "order" is found in the New Testament in connection with the organization of the affairs of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1 (diatassein); Titus 1:5 (epidiorthoo); 1 Corinthians 11:34).

Theophilus of Antioch taught that Melchizedek was the first of many priests of his order:

And at that time there was a righteous king called Melchisedek, in the city of Salem, which now is Jerusalem. This was the first priest of all priests of the Most High God; and from him the above-named city Hierosolyma was called Jerusalem. And from his time priests were found in all the earth. Theophilus, To Autolycus 2:31, in ANF 2:107.

>>>Or course, this argument invalidates the entire Mormon priestly hierarchy.

Or you could say Theopholis' argument invalidates your argument. Like I said before it is not an either or dichotomoy. The Priesthood is given to man. This does not take the power away from God. He still holds the authority. When Christ was called after the "order" of melchizedek it is just stating the obious that he has the authority. That is granted to men in many places in the Bible. Men were given priesthood offices even after Christ's ascension.

[Tennessee Nana]

All those scripture references....

Do you mind posting the actual words of the Bible verses that you quoted ???

King James Version, of course...

[greyfoxx39]

Archiving your post..permission ot repost if the occasion demands? Please! Wonderful, concise and succinct.

[greyfoxx39]

And you see what the poster did with The Truth offered unabashed straight from the Bible teaching. This is proof of the spirit which directs the mind of those lost in cults. This is one of the sacrriest post exchanges I’ve witnessed on FR, showing demonic influence so openly!

Those with no eyes to see, no ears to hear, proudly spreading out in the hundreds of thousands over the years to proclaim the false gospel. Scary, as you say.

[greyfoxx39]

[greyfoxx39]

I love God and He loves me...
I read many posts by mormons that claim their god loves all his “spirit children”...
I do not recall EVER reading one that stated that the mormon FReeper loved God...
as in “I love God”

You see a lot of "I love my CHURCH, though!

[Enosh]

"This was the first priest of all priests of the Most High God"

The Levitical priests also fit this description.

"Men were given priesthood offices even after Christ's ascension."

Yes, but none of the Melchizedek order. Of that class, there is only one needed as seen in Hebrews 10:14. (And elsewhere.)

Hebrews 10:14 "... because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."

One perfect sacrifice, one time, done deal. By this, anyone else calling themselves a "Melchizedek priest" blasphemes.

[conservativegramma]

Permission granted, and thanks!

[greyfoxx39]

Thank YOU!

[conservativegramma]

Question -

Hebrews 7:4-21 says (KJV) the following:

4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

5And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

20And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

21(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

_________________________________________________________

Again in Hebrews 7:26-28:
26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

28For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

___________________________________________________________

Since the purpose and function of a priesthood to begin with is to make intercession for the sinfulness of man.....

And since Christ Himself as our great High Priest has made that intercession for us once and for all.....

Why in the world would anyone today be in need of a priesthood Levitical OR Melchizedek?

[Godzilla]

Another person who chooses the teachings of the ANTI sites, and did not take time to learn and understand how God's Gospel really fits together.

:) I understand how God's (sure you didn't mean gods' ) gospel fits. The big question is why I should believe Smittie over these 'anti' sites as you call them. His witness is related to his character and the surrounding truths he "claims" to proclaim.

Tell me why, if smitties' first vision was so crucial its account wasn't included in the first edition of mormon history? Why there were at least 3 different versions from smittie himself? Could he not tell a consistent story?

Why did he start practicing polygamy when it was clearly illegal in the state he was in, when it was clearly condemned in both the Bom and D&C (both supposed to contain the restored gospel). Why were 9 out of the first 11 wives smitty had MARRIED to another man at the same time (known as adultry)? Why did the mormon god(s) change their mind and renounce this everlasting covenant when faced with federal military units enroute to restore law to Utah?

Smittie sez the gold plates were taken away, so we cannot evaluate his translation of the bom. But he did claim to translate the parchment scroll into the Book of Abraham, which we know is a common pagan prayer that has nothing that resembles the boa. Smith also claimed that the brass plates 'found' at kinderhook were the writings of a descendent of Ham and was in the process of writing a sequel to the bom based upon them. These plates were later found to be forgeries/fakes. In both instances the living prophet and seer of your church accepted these as real and accepted the testimony of church history about them, only to run upon the rocks of reality when show that smith 'translations' were fraudulent. Why didn't the living prophet and seer know the truth?

Come on and help me out here fred, the bom claims to be the record of jews in america that numbered in the millions upon millions from sea to sea. Where are all the ruined cities and archaeology associated with this. Why were no oxen, horses, wheat, oats, chariots not been discovered here? Why are the indians here descendent from asian/mongolian lineage and not middle eastern / semitic stock?

Now, you ask me to accept from this system the claim that it has the unique gospel of god that is superior to what I have in my church? Each one of the items I've simplified above invalidates the message of mormonism. I've not even begun to get into failed/false prophecies by smith and other prophets and seers of mormonism, changes in bom and D&C, and dozens of others.

Perhaps you are wiser than these 'anti' sites you refer to. I've presented the simple facts of history and science above. If so, then you should have no fear in setting the record straight and dealing with these items here head on.

[Tennessee Nana]

You see a lot of “I love my CHURCH, though!
____________________________________

Yeppers...I noticed that...

:)