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A Latter-day Saint Perspective on Muhammad Mormon-(OPEN)
Ensign Magazine ^ | August, 2000 | James A. Toronto,

Posted on 08/15/2010 2:44:17 PM PDT by greyfoxx39

Latter-day Saint Interest in Muhammad

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.



TOPICS: Apologetics; Current Events; General Discusssion; Other non-Christian
KEYWORDS: beck; glennbeck; inman; islam; lds; mormon; muslim
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To: 1010RD
Jonesie is Feminine?

Not in the Military were you...

381 posted on 08/22/2010 6:19:45 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
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To: ejonesie22

Jonesies is the name of a gift shop and a recipe site. I wasn’t trying to insult you. Nothing seemed especially masculine about your handle. No harm intended.

I’ve called women men on other threads. It seems a solid majority of FReepers are men except on the anti-Mormon threads. Those seem to be dominated by women.

Hence my mistake. Sorry again. Take it easy.

1010


382 posted on 08/22/2010 6:27:05 AM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
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To: 1010RD

It’s a 50-50 split at least.

Still deosn’t answer my question...


383 posted on 08/22/2010 6:36:26 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
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To: svcw

Too easy isn’t it...


384 posted on 08/22/2010 6:36:59 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
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To: All
Well I am off. Can't wait to see if my question is answered so I can be “schooled” by a cult member...

Fish in a barrel...

385 posted on 08/22/2010 6:39:34 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
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To: 1010RD
OK, while I appreciate your attempt at translation the following translations (as well as the original Greek) stand with me and the message is clear:

So interpret the greek 10 (crickets)

386 posted on 08/22/2010 6:48:06 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: ejonesie22

Yes, ejonesie22 seemed feminine to me. I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal out of it.

To my mind it sounded like “E” - Elaine, Elizabeth, Erin or something, Jones feminized by adding the “zee” sound at the end Jonesie and I took 22 to be your age or some other important event in your life. Hence EJonesie22.

It wasn’t an intentional attempt to insult and there’s really no way to know who is male or female just by their handle.

BTW what do you make of Romans 12:2?


387 posted on 08/22/2010 6:53:32 AM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
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To: Godzilla

Thank you. What shall we discuss next?


388 posted on 08/22/2010 6:55:00 AM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
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To: 1010RD
So now it has been established that the First Vision is supported in the New Testament. We have three Divine Beings, each separate persons.

begging the question 10 - the fv is not supported by the NT, because you've never established for starters WHICH version of the fv we are talking about - the one where he is 14, 15 or 17?, in the forest or bedroom, where he saw an angel, angels, spirits, unidentified personage, vision of jesus, etc; where he had his treasure seeking addressed. UNTIL you establish which version of the fv, you are just blowing smoke otherwise.

Let’s move on to the LDS position on theosis, often ridiculed, but never refuted. Interestingly the Eastern Orthodox also believe in theosis and that we are full heirs with and through Christ. Are there verses to support this? Yes.

Never rebuked - can't tell things honestly can you 10. It is called intentional deceit. Definitionally challenged too - being an 'heir' is not the same as becoming a god 10. Provide a definition of theosis 10 and we'll see just how close it comes to mormon Apotheosis

Jesus himself experiences theosis please note the following verses

Contextually challenged as well, every can see. He grew and became strong - after the temple event where he was about 12 yrs old - physically growing up, filled with wisdom - the man Jesus learned more, increased in favor of God and man - I certainly hope so.

You know 10, you are digging yourself into a hole with your lame explanations here. Jesus throughout this period was already God - and didn't need to 'become' a god. Are there verses to support this - yes.

John 1:1* ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3* All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

The above verses establish several things: 1. Obedience is critical to salvation.

The above do not say word one about salvation 10, with the exception of one - John 7:38-39 - where belief in Jesus would result in new and renewing life. You should really READ the verses you post sometime 10, it only goes to show how poorly your presentations are.

In Luke 2:40 we see the young man Jesus practicing wisdom, wisdom being the righteous application of knowledge. His actions are critical and the results clear in Luke 2:52: to “grow” in wisdom is to practice obedience to the Divine Will.

10, honesty is not strong in your presentation. Jesus never PRACTICED wisdom in any of those verses - not in those passages in either the english or greek - he was already FILLED with wisdom - strike one. Wisdom He already had as God 10, and is not restricted to the 'righteous' application of knowledge - again, your definition is not found in the passages cited. Strike 2. Finally, there is absolutely nothing in LK 2:52 to support your requirement that to grow is to practice obedience to the divine will - strike 3.

Lurkers will note that this is a gross example of trying to impose ones theological interpretations upon verses taken out of context, as well as the lamest logic one has ever seen since kindergarten.

2. They reiterate the separateness of the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ and God/Heavenly Father.

As persons within the singular Trinity - not as separate Gods.

3. They demonstrate theosis, that is the ability to grow toward godhood, through righteous living and obedience to the laws and ordinances of Heavenly Father. This growth, though is unachievable without the Grace of Jesus Christ which the Bible fully supports as well.

Epic fail - theosis is not becoming a god, and those who understand the definition will tell you otherwise. This is in essence lying about the definition of theosis and its process in the life of the believer. 10 has further failed to show just what laws and ordinances Jesus followed.

And topping on the cake is that - according to 10 - Jesus had to rely upon his own Grace to achieve it. Any one else see the stupidity of the argument?

389 posted on 08/22/2010 7:19:20 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: 1010RD
As regards blasphemy v. false prophets/prophesying:

Hey eveyone, look how 10 continues to try to dance around definitions of words - even digging back to old definitions.

NT Greek - blasphemeo - 1) to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme 2) to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at

Very specific definition not corrupted by progressives

OT Hebrew - barak - 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal)
1a1) to kneel
1a2) to bless
1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself
1c) (Piel) to bless
1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored
1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel
1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself
2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse

also na'ats- 1) to spurn, contemn, despise, abhor
1a) (Qal) to spurn, contemn
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to spurn
1b2) to cause to contemn
1c) (Hiphil) to spurn
1d) (Hithpolel) to be contemned

Again, specific definitions

NT False Prophet - pseudoprophetes - 1) one who, acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet, utters falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies 2) a false prophet

Again - specific definitions for specific offenses. Being accused of blaspheme does not equate one to being charged of false prophecy

******* Nothing could be more blasphemous than pretending to be a messenger/prophet of God. Clearly the Devil appearing as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14) is both false and blasphemous. False prophecy is blasphemy by definition.

Great definition of smith.

390 posted on 08/22/2010 7:29:54 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: 1010RD
1. Why must God be in the form of a Trinity?

Because that is the form the whole of scripture indicates.

2. Why can’t God have a physical body?

Jesus said God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in Truth. God also said He is not a man.

3. Why can’t God speak in our day by way of prophets?

Never said He can't - however those who claim such inspiration MUST be held accountable to the definition of Deuteronomy.

4. Why isn’t there one united Church of Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 4)?

There is a body of Christ - unified in our common faith in Jesus, yet diverse as the parts of a body. BTW, the mormon church is no more unified by YOUR definition than Christianity.

The LDS claim that they rest on continuing revelation, but as shown their beliefs are solidly Biblical and not beyond the apprehension of those willing to read with their own minds and understand.

You have failed epically to show that their beliefs are 'solidly biblical' - on the contrary they are solidly anti-biblical.

To pretend that LDS belief is unBiblical is a lie.

There, fixed it for you.

If that were so then the LDS were/are the Church of Jesus Christ as Paul is talking to the faithful of Ephesus:

"savage wolves will come in among you" In order to come IN one must first be OUTSIDE. Reading comprehension is not that hard 10.

So if Acts 20 is referring to the true church and the LDS it is a warning to the LDS to beware of those whose pride/blasphemy will lead the flock astray.

Like smith who claimed to have done more than even Jesus Himself - gotcha.

If the LDS are not the true church then Paul’s reference is not to them at all, but to and against the members of the true church. Which is it?

Paul's reference are to those OUTSIDE who come IN later. Please stop embarrassing yourself by such lame interpretations.

391 posted on 08/22/2010 7:40:40 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: ejonesie22
You are correct indeed ejonesie22! Use of a term without defining it is intellectually dishonest to the readers. Here is another good source I've found http://orthodoxwiki.org/Theosis (“deification,” “divinization”) is the process of a worshiper becoming free of hamártía (“missing the mark”), being united with God, beginning in this life and later consummated in bodily resurrection. For Orthodox Christians, Théōsis (see 2 Pet. 1:4) is salvation. Théōsis assumes that humans from the beginning are made to share in the Life or Nature of the all-holy Trinity. Therefore, an infant or an adult worshiper is saved from the state of unholiness (hamartía — which is not to be confused with hamártēma “sin”) for participation in the Life (zōé, not simply bíos) of the Trinity — which is everlasting. This is not to be confused with the heretical (apotheosis) (1) – “Deification in God’s Essence“, which is imparticipable. (1) Apotheosis (from Greek “to deify”), deification or divinization is the glorification of an individual to a divine level.
392 posted on 08/22/2010 7:44:13 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: ejonesie22; 1010RD; Elsie
So 1010rd, I see you are still here. Why do you fear my query?

Clearly because 10's arguments will not hold water against one with orthodox background and knowledge of the issue of theosis.

393 posted on 08/22/2010 7:45:48 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: 1010RD
The Greek is "ergazōmetha" which means: "we may work". So Jesus is being asked, "How do we begin to do the works of God?"

Flawed translation 10, you can't even read a lexicon or parallel correctly. The concept of to "begin" is not found in the definition "we may work". Further just what is this WORK 10, that Jesus reveals - come on 10, even you can figure it out if you try

29. Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

And from what does this spring from - FAITH first. Jesus never said there would be need for temples, ordinances, WoW, etc.

394 posted on 08/22/2010 7:51:01 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: 1010RD; Elsie; BlueMoose; restornu; svcw; SZonian; ejonesie22; reaganaut; Colofornian
Excellent. Now we are making some progress.

Some one's been drinking too much koolaid.

By what authority is a valid question. How do you prove that God gave someone the authority to speak or act in His Name?

The passage is speaking specifically of Jesus here, not to smith. But any words must be in accordance with the Bible. All prophecy must come to pass. - smith still left on the outside wanting in (Ac 20:29)

395 posted on 08/22/2010 7:55:55 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: 1010RD
Thank you. What shall we discuss next?

start with my replies kiddo.

396 posted on 08/22/2010 7:57:54 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: 1010RD

Oh and please do sharpen your pencil better - your shoddy work is beginning to bore me.


397 posted on 08/22/2010 7:59:13 AM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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To: Godzilla

It’s not his work. It is boilerplate LDS/JW think.


398 posted on 08/22/2010 11:11:42 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
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To: Godzilla
Misrepresenting Theosis to the uninitiated makes the cultist sound old world.

But being a major concept to the Orthodox, well...

Hard to hide from one Methodist Orthodox.

I may not have been at the head of the catechism class, but I remember a few things...

399 posted on 08/22/2010 11:15:12 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
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To: ejonesie22
Misrepresenting Theosis to the uninitiated makes the cultist sound old world.

he may try to talk the talk, but is unable to actually walk the walk. Even an old pentecostal like me knows better.

400 posted on 08/22/2010 1:03:45 PM PDT by Godzilla ( 3-7-77)
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