Posted on 08/15/2010 2:44:17 PM PDT by greyfoxx39
One of the noteworthy examples of the Latter-day Saint commitment to treasure up true principles and cultivate affirmative gratitude is the admiration that Church leaders have expressed over the years for the spiritual contributions of Muhammad.
As early as 1855, at a time when Christian literature generally ridiculed Muhammad as the Antichrist and the archenemy of Western civilization, Elders George A. Smith (1817–75) and Parley P. Pratt (1807–57) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered lengthy sermons demonstrating an accurate and balanced understanding of Islamic history and speaking highly of Muhammad’s leadership. Elder Smith observed that Muhammad was “descended from Abraham and was no doubt raised up by God on purpose” to preach against idolatry. He sympathized with the plight of Muslims, who, like Latter-day Saints, found it difficult “to get an honest history” written about them. Speaking next, Elder Pratt went on to express his admiration for Muhammad’s teachings, asserting that “upon the whole, … [Muslims] have better morals and better institutions than many Christian nations.” 9
Latter-day Saint appreciation of Muhammad’s role in history can also be found in the 1978 First Presidency statement regarding God’s love for all mankind. This declaration specifically mentions Muhammad as one of “the great religious leaders of the world” who received “a portion of God’s light” and affirms that “moral truths were given to [these leaders] by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.” 10
In recent years, respect for the spiritual legacy of Muhammad and for the religious values of the Islamic community has led to increasing contact and cooperation between Latter-day Saints and Muslims around the world. This is due in part to the presence of Latter-day Saint congregations in areas such as the Levant, North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asia. The Church has sought to respect Islamic laws and traditions that prohibit conversion of Muslims to other faiths by adopting a policy of nonproselyting in Islamic countries of the Middle East. Yet examples of dialogue and cooperation abound, including visits of Muslim dignitaries at Church headquarters in Salt Lake City; Muslim use of Church canning facilities to produce halal (ritually clean) food products; Church humanitarian aid and disaster relief sent to predominantly Muslim areas including Jordan, Kosovo, and Turkey; academic agreements between Brigham Young University and various educational and governmental institutions in the Islamic world; the existence of the Muslim Student Association at BYU; and expanding collaboration between the Church and Islamic organizations to safeguard traditional family values worldwide. 11 The recent initiation of the Islamic Translation Series, cosponsored by BYU and the Church, has resulted in several significant exchanges between Muslim officials and Latter-day Saint Church leaders. A Muslim ambassador to the United Nations predicted that this translation series “will play a positive role in the West’s quest for a better understanding of Islam.” 12
A cabinet minister in Egypt, aware of the common ground shared by Muslims and Latter-day Saints, once remarked to Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that “if a bridge is ever built between Christianity and Islam it must be built by the Mormon Church.” 13 The examples of Latter-day Saint–Muslim interaction mentioned above, together with the Church’s establishment in 1989 of two major centers for educational and cultural exchange in the Middle East (Jerusalem and Amman), reflect the traditional attitude of respect for Islam that Church leaders have exhibited from earliest times. These activities represent tangible evidence of Latter-day Saint commitment to promote greater understanding of the Muslim world and witness an emerging role for the Church in helping to bridge the gap that has existed historically between Muslims and Christians.
Day two and still no class...
Is drop add day Friday?
I think I will see if I can get into that Mormon archeology class. Need an easy A this term and I am feeling creative...
see if you can add Smithian Biology..
We’re disecting a curelom on Tuesday...
Its unreal...
all hat and no cows.
No scalpel ???
But my class sillybus lists a lobotomy on Monday...
I have godhood preparatory classes and How to manage your celestial polygamous marriages.
I need to talk with my counselor and see if I can change my schedule and add the course you’re taking.
I could use three easy “A’s” for the semester.
LOL, I’ll stick with underwater basket weaving.
I need to talk with my counselor and see if I can change my schedule and add the course you’re taking.
You will be overwhelmed with all those classes...here, you need to relax, drink a root beer and dance to the music of The mormon rap
The problem arises when an argument started on one thread is carried over to another thread. That is flame baiting.
It is also trouble-making or stalking to follow a poster around from thread to thread waving the same post at him.
Badgering a poster on the Religion Forum by serving up a litany of his posts is “making it personal.”
Repeating or excerpting previous posts relevant to the issues is ok.
57 posted on Friday, July 16, 2010 7:34:35 PM by Religion Moderator
Blue Goose you make sure never do what you are so concerned about...
and then you wont have to worry...
Does the question make you that uncomfortable?
Since you or any other mormon appear to have an aversion to that question because not one of you have attempted to address it, why don’t you get one of the fine apologist’s from FAIR/FARMS or whichever apologist you want to use and answer the question.
Sheesh!
Picking at nits, complaining, picking at the poster, etc., etc.
Why not answer the question in an honest and straight forward manner and be done with it.
After all the answer is there and certainly one with the courage of the convictions like you should be able to answer both clearly and proudly.
Ah, the wonderful Nephite saying.
OK, let’s review the facts. I will simply ignore any opinion posted so far because its value is zero.
We’ve established the following:
1. The Bible is our source of truth(commonly accepted)
2. God speaks to men by the use of prophets (ref: Amos 3:7)
3. Stephen is a true prophet (commonly accepted)
4. Stephen was martyred by those ignorant of #3 (commonly accepted)
The most interesting thing about the martyrdom of Stephen is his dying vision Acts 7:54-59:
“54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56”Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”
NB: These verses are an absolute proof of Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
They confirm that Jesus is separate from God (Heavenly Father), but has the capacity of God to receive souls/spirits to himself.
Also, Christ has two titles: Lord and Son of Man.
True and accepted
curriculum vitae
Background: Single human brain
qualifications: Able to read & research, have a Bible and access to the Internet
May I add an additional qualification?
Rules: I will observe the Limbaugh Rule ;-]
The most interesting thing about being self-taught is you don't run into the mindblindness of groupthink, e.g. the Pharisees
I was self taught too guilded by the Holy Spirit the Lord promise us!
Who would teach us all things.
Like the Lord’s parables only those who were of Jesus Could receive.
MORMONs = The Bible is our NOT our ONLY source of truth
We figgered this out already...
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