WAS A “RESTORATION” OF THE GOSPEL NECESSARY?

mormon.org ^ | 2009 | mormon.org

[svcw]

“Nothing less than a complete apostasy from the Christian religion would warrant the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”—History of the Church, Volume 1, p. XL

According to LDS Scripture, the Apostle John (D&C 7) and the three Nephites (3 Nephi 28) never died. So, how could Gospel “authority” have left the earth, needing “restoration”?

“…in the latter times some shall depart from the faith…”—1 Timothy 4:1

If only “some” would depart from the faith, how could a “complete apostasy” have occurred? Did Jesus fail to preserve His Church against the gates of hell?

“I will build MY church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” —Matthew 16:18

“...that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once [for all time] delivered unto the saints.” —Jude 3

“...but though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” —Galatians 1:9

[svcw]

You do realize that this response makes no sense as far as the post you are replying to - correct?

[svcw]

sorry forgot - FOUR

[restornu]

Keep dreaming!

[Normandy]

I am also a former bishop, not that I think it makes much difference — certainly doesn’t give me special knowledge.

[Forest Keeper]

The reformation set out in public view the Scriptural truths that undeserving men/women are elected before the foundation of world (Eph. 1) and that salvation is not a self-determined process like a business transaction (not wages, Rom. 4) wherein I exchange belief/trust/confession/actions/behavior or anything else originating in my soul for my rescue. Rather, it is the grace of God, through His Holy Spirit blowing where He will to make men alive from the dead (Lazarus imagery). ......

Amen. You gave all the credit to God, took none for yourself, and you're still here! Amazing!

[svcw]

I will keep dreaming and praying that one day you will find the True Measure of Christ Jesus.

[reaganaut]

Thanks for the repost.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Real Biblical Jesus Christ Placemarker

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Herein is Rome's problem...everything they read they add enough of their self-made religion to "prove" they are the "true church". Sorry, FRiend...Rome is right up their with Salt Lake.

Interesting website. Lots of good information. Like this...

ARE YOU FORGIVEN OF ALL OF YOUR SINS?

“And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.”—Doctrine and Covenants, Section 82:7

Have you stopped sinning? What about heart sins like envy, lust, strife, and pride? Are you sure you will never repeat these sins?

“By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins —behold, he will confess them and forsake them.” —Doctrine and Covenants, 58:43

How can the God of Mormonism promise you forgiveness when he holds you accountable for every sin you repeatedly commit?

“Those who receive forgiveness and then repeat the sin are held accountable for their former sins.” —Gospel Principles, p. 253

Who will you trust? The God of Mormonism or the God of the Bible?

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”—Psalm 103:12

So Roman Catholicism and Mormonism share this important distinction - they do not believe David, nor Christ, nor Paul, nor the book of Hebrews which tells us our sins have been forgiven, every one of them, by the shed blood of Christ.

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." -- Hebrews 10:10-18

[fish hawk]

It took me many years to get the full meaning of the verses on sin and sinning. When the Bible says that the Lord died for the “sins of the world”, I finally realized that not only did He die for Christians sins but unbelievers sins also (all sins). Of course the unbeliever has to turn to Christ and accept His sacrifice on the cross before this promise kicks in. Bottom line though all sins are forgiven ....if. Things like this are opened to us only through prayer, study, and the Holy Spirit.

[reaganaut]

I suspect (based on her posts) SD loves the Biblical Jesus she learned about as a child, but doesn’t see that the LDS Jesus isn’t the same one.

That could be confusing...

[reaganaut]

Hey must be guilt anti this rationalization and justification mocking and trying to discredit the messenger!

Ya all made your bed now lie in it!

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Resty, I reach out in Christian love and you attack me. That is sad.

It is not guilt or justification at all, I really do love you and I really do care where you spend eternity.

I am commanded by God to fight false doctrine that creeps into the church and that is what I am doing. No justification needed, honey, I am doing what my Lord commands: telling others about salvation by Grace through Faith alone.

I will tell you that life outside the LDS church and in the arms of Christ is much sweeter than the hamster wheel the LDS make people run on. Imagine being able to RELAX in the love of God and the Joy of Christ. It is an amazing thing.

[reaganaut]

Yes, we do believe it is necessary to be born again.

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Ah! But how do you DEFINE ‘born again’? Th eLDS equate being born again with being baptized LDS and being given the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands by the LDS priesthood. It is a consequence of becoming Mormon.

Christians define ‘born again’ as a supernatural change of heart that does not involve any ordiances or work on our part. Even being ‘born again’ is a work of God.

Most often the LDS DO use the terms ‘born again’ in a derogatory way to speak of ‘gracers’ or ‘reborns’.

I remember being LDS and talking about those who claimed they were ‘born again’ could sin all they wanted because they could just get ‘saved’ again on Sunday. That is a horrible (and common) misconception the LDS have about what being “Born Again” really is.

If you are interested in reading about someone who was Born Again (in the Evangelical sense) while LDS, check out this book (you can download it for free):

http://www.bornagainmormon.com

[reaganaut]

I lie in the arms of the True Christ nestle with the blanket of truth. I sleep with a guilt free conscience for I have no lies to defend nor a false prophet that I have worshiped for I praised no man that day.

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AMEN!!

[reaganaut]

ping to #353

[reaganaut]

Further he bristles at the term Christian and states that unil just a few years ago no lds would want to be referred to as such.

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In the 80’s and early 90’s (when I was LDS), we only said we were Christians with the qualifier that we were the only “true Christians”. Otherwise we tended to avoid the term (both in Utah and out).

[reaganaut]

Wow, Amp! Great observations.

[reaganaut]

This is one of the truths restored in the latter days so many in mainstream thought are stuck in depravity and filthy rag thinking

Which in the end they are denying the Savior ability and gift to us to believe the Lord provided us a way to wash ourselves off from the dirt of the world when we humbly repent and be baptized and receive the sacrament often.

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Oh Resty, you have it backwards babe. We are born in a state of depravity, not God’s children. Before we are Born Again all of our works are ‘filthy rags’. But God sent Jesus to pay for ALL of our sins, all we have to do is believe, and then we are ‘born again’. Once that happens our works are pleasing to God because they are not OUR works, they are HIS works.

Baptism and ‘the sacrament’ has NOTHING to do with us becoming or being clean. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change (a public declaration of a faith we already have and a salvation that is already secure). Communion is a remembrance the Christ paid our sins not that we need to be cleansed, we already are. God looks at us and doesn’t see us, He sees the Blood of Christ that covers those who believe.

It amazes me how much LDS doctrine feeds human egos.

[reaganaut]

I like that. :)

[Normandy]

I have no problem with being referred to as Christian. I think it accurately describes me as one who has faith in, and a desire to be a follower of Jesus Christ.