Posted on 05/09/2008 11:37:51 PM PDT by P-Marlowe
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Amen.
WWFSMD?
First you try and discredit what Joe Smith may have said, then you support it.
Did you eat “like funny: cereal” today? This has to be one collisional joke on your part because how can anyone really believe this “moon inhabitants”.
I can't tell you how you should respond, but I can tell you how I would. I would begin by looking at my own motivations. Am I interested in responding because I want to be right? Am I interested in responding because I've got a grudge? Am I interested in responding for any selfish, prideful reasons?
If I passed that test (which I rarely do) I would look at examples in the bible and ask God for the wisdom to know how to answer. A great example is in Acts 17 when Paul addresses the people of Athens. They were steeped in paganism. They were as wrong as wrong can be. Yet Paul didn't mock their beliefs. He used their beliefs as a starting point toward teaching truth.
Here's what he didn't do. He didn't sit there and insist that Apollo didn't really drive a chariot that pulled the sun. He didn't even try to debate it because it was so far removed from truth that it wasn't worth it. It was a totally different belief system.
Or do you propose it is more polite and Christian to simply shut up and not talk about it? Let poor unsuspecting people join the LDS because they are such "good" people? And then learn the truth and have to make a decision whether or not to stay or go.
Deception is going to happen no matter what. The bible guarantees it.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Christians know this because Christ tells us this.
How do we respond?
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
It doesn't say "Mock other beliefs. Use sarcasm and ridicule. Belittle and insult their beliefs."
If you think that the LDS church teaches false doctrine, then give true doctrine. Patiently prove the gospel. Rebuke by showing how certain things run contrary to God's word. Exhort. Defend.
You mean this part?
"Even if it turned out that the prophet held these views, nowhere does scripture suggest that a prophet is not allowed to speculate about things that haven't been revealed."
Certainly......edifying!
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Matt. 23:27
Christ was not particularly subtle when dealing individuals who were propounding false doctrine.
Read the these types of threads for a while and you will discover Latter Day Saints posting numerous ridiculous and/or false assertions about both Mormonism and the Christian faith.
There are many ways to answer the Mormons' claims. Several of us Flying Inmans try to limit ourselves to stating facts. Others take a more satirical approach. Others use a combination.
But in any case, anyone who spews blasphemy against my Lord and spreads lies in an attempt to reduce their personal dissonance and proselytize others into joining their cult will receive an appropriate response from me as long as He allows me to live upon this earth -- be they LDS, Muslim, JW, or whatever.
I also suspect many of my evil Flying Inman colleagues feel exactly the same way.
Hosed us REAL good, didn't he? (New tagline, see below.)
Fre sure, there ain’t no internet.....
I prefer the John the Baptist approach - screaming harlot! repent.
I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve. The people have the oracles of God continually. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 13, Page 95)
And we both forgot to add this disclaimer to the sermons of Brigham Young we just posted:
FIRST: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the lord in everything.SECOND: The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works. (i.e. Mormon Scripture)
THIRD: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
FOURTH: The prophet will never lead the church astray.
FIFTH: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
SIXTH: The prophet does not have to say "Thus saith the lord," to give us scripture.
NINTH: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, LDS President Ezra Taft Benson, February 26, 1980.
What do these words mean to you?
“reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
Rebuke is a pretty strong word. I suggest you use it against any system that is so in opposition to Christ. It is what He told you to do.
I love Mormons, I am married to one, I am a child of two of the best. I STILL do not let them go on in the belief that I actually support the heretical teachings of mormonism. To do so would be cowardly.
If I can rebuke and exhort my own family, then to enlighten those who read these threads is no problem as far as I and my Lord are concerned.
Perhaps the Lord has put you in a different place with a differenct ministry, but He has given me my life, and I am to use it as an example. I am not to hide it under a bushel.
Oh and BTW, you are not to judge me. Did you remember that?
I am not judging Mormons nor their motivation, I am expounding the unChristian doctrine that comes from Mormonism, and to do so is most certainly IS Biblical.
Thank you for your concern, regardless.
P.s. Mormons use the word “mocking” often. Quite more often that mainstream Christians. I think perhaps you do have some Mormonism in your background or in your family. Do you deny this?
“that I should preach the gospel to the inhabitants upon the islands of the sea, and to the inhabitants of the moon, even the planet you can now behold with your eyes.”
We know this is true.
Everyone of them was counted as a vote for Al Gore in 2000.
Especially the moon men. All moon men vote for Democrats. More than once.
We must stop lunar vote fraud.
As far back as 1837, I know that he said the moon was inhabited by men and women the same as this earth, and that they lived to a greater age than we do -- that they live generally to near the age of a 1000 years. He described the men as averaging near six feet in height, and dressing quite uniformly in something near the Quaker style.
And wearing Keds.
How about THIS for Christian attitude?
I didn’t mean to imply that YOU are uninformed, on the contrary.....only that others reading here may be.
Love! smooches...
coco
True, but the light of truth needs to be brought upon ideas built upon sand.
Too many Christians are afraid to defend their beliefs, and foolish ideas are not challenged.
Sarcasm can be an effective tool to illustrate foolishness.
He wasn't. But in this particular case he wasn't addressing their doctrine, but their hypocritical behavior and thoughts.
But He also infallibly knew and taught the truth. He also infallibly knew the hearts and souls of men. So when you find yourself infallible, go for it.
WWFSMD?
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