Posted on 06/04/2008 6:57:23 AM PDT by greyfoxx39
is it Christ like ?
Good quote - Although the language is strong and I think most LDS members would agree with that quote. It has some merit in the broader interpretation of “faith of Christ,” and therefore could apply to active, inactive, and non-members. If I knew someone in the Church that lost their testimony but kept their faith in Christ, I would not consider them as “destitute” of the Spirit of God. However, a loss of testimony can lead to anger, which often can and does lead to a loss of feeling akin to losing the Christian spirit. Thus you see many former mormons becoming professed athetists.
To what are you agreeing? To Monson's inference that there is no honest reason, or to my pointing out the inference?
Can you please list the reasons you see this lesson as a "motivation for reaching out"? It sure seems a reminder that apostasy is condemned and not to be tolerated.
What do you define as a "social mormon". One WITH a temple recommend?
Yes. You and I are a lot alike in a way. But to say that you are saved and that you know it - isn’t that the same feeling many LDS members get when they know that the BOM is the word of God? It turns out that “knowing” is far more subjective than it should be.
No, Mormons must have a knowledge that the Bible is NOT the word of God in order to add all the requirements of Mormonism unto salvation.
How do Mormons KNOW the Bible isn’t the word of God?
I left the LDS church after hearing and believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have not yet removed my name from the LDS Church membership rolls as this would devastate my parents. My belief in obeying all Ten Commandments keeps me from dishonoring my parents in this way. I will remove my name from the Church membership rolls upon the death of both my parents.
How sad, that parents would be devestated at the thought of their child exercising the "free agency" so often touted by the LDs because that child responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
There are many such stories on the website exmormon.org. Here are stories regarding apostates:
Brethren, for some time Satan has NOT had power to tempt you.
Brethren, for some time Satan has NOT had power to tempt you.
Yeah... Sure...
And THIS is why we are praying for LeGrande!
1 John 5:13
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
John 6:28-29
28. Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29. Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
A bigger dishonor, I would say, would be to LEAVE them in their chosen church, only at the END, to find out they chose wrongly!
***What really breaks my heart is that when mormons discover how false and fraudlent it is, they go completely off the map into atheism.***
I was watching the Larry King Show on CNN about 18-20 years ago. The guest was Madaline Murray O’Hair. On that program she stated that the best atheists were former Mormons and Catholics.
There have been instances where a "court of love" was held and excommunication "doled out" as punishment to some who have attempted to leave. Excommunication was the only way to sever ties until the 1980s, when a lawsuit forced the church to allow members to have their names stricken from membership rolls.
I think your interpretation is somewhat skewed and that Pres. Monson's message is idealistic. Motivation is often based on idealistic values.
I think YOUR interpretation is somewhat skewed, also. ;) I also think Monson could have made the point WITHOUT listing the "offended, the critical, the transgressor" and left "the inactive" as the description of those being reached out to.
Thank you for your reasoned approach to this discussion.
Catholics? Now that is a new one on me. Will have to keep my ears open for that in the future.
Please remember that there is more information then the summaries of the different posters.
What? I don't follow your post, Fred.
It’s nice to have you among us. I just read this summary of the lesson and wanted to post it.
Whether deliberately, unconsciously, or both, the lesson uses three primary techniques to lead the LDS reader to the message that the only viable course in life is constant and complete obedience to the Church.
(1) The Dichotomy of Good and Evil
First, the lesson’s foundation is to create a stark dichotomy between good and evil. At least ten times the lesson divides the world into the opposites of good and evil. You are either completely with us or you are absolutely against us. There are no friends except those firmly committed to our side.
The clear intention is to portray any departure or difference of opinion as an outright effort to “betray” the truth and the good. The contrast is highlighted repeatedly: It is “the Church” and “the righteous” versus “the powers of earth” and “hell” itself. It is the “spirit of truth” versus the “spirit of error”.
Those not with us are “opposed to the principles of virtue”, “destitute of the Spirit”, seek “the gain of the present world”, “follow principles of unrighteousness”, and have been the “enemies of truth”. In fact, they are just “traitors” and “enemies” period. Further down the path of apostasy are many that “torment”, “physically threaten the Saints”, and seek to destroy the Church by “double diligence” and “double perseverance”.
(2) Juxtaposition and Equating Derogatory Terminology
Second, the bad path is clearly defined through juxtaposition and by equating derogatory terminology with any path other than Mormonism. Numerous times the lesson places negative terms next to basic terms, or just simply equates derogatory traits with apostasy. For example, in the second paragraph, apostasy is placed beside “proud, greedy, and disobedient”. This happens repeatedly with words such as “haughty”, “pride”, “the world”, “careless”, “confusion”, “error”, “naked”, “destitute”, “renegade”, “foul”, “libelous”, “false”, “darkened”, “enemies”, etc.
A normal development like “losing confidence” in a leader is equated with the road to evil. Never mind the expression of a valid criticism or fault. Those that choose a different path are demonized as “oppress[ors] of the poor”, “Judas-like”, on the side of “Satan”, and “servants” of the “evil one”.
(3) Complete Obedience to the Church
Third, the only good path is found in complete obedience to Mormonism. Throughout the lesson, there is a heavy dose of guilt and scare tactics that are designed to foster obedience: “The moment you permit yourselves to lay aside any duty that God calls you to perform” you “lay a foundation for apostasy”. Those who do so are seeking to “gratify [their] own desires”.
The list of gateway activities that lead to apostasy is long: Examples include refusing “to obey any known law or commandment or duty”, and neglecting to attend meetings or obey counsel. Many standard explanations for apostasy are offered: loss of popularity or dignity and being caught in iniquity, as if there are no other explanations as to why someone would decide to leave.
Perhaps, most dogmatic of all is the statement that choosing to “perform some other work” besides building up the kingdom will lead to apostasy. True obedience requires a “determination to live by every word” of the Church leaders with “full purpose of heart”.
Great condensation of the article. IIRC, these 3 techniques are common to cult indoctrination.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.