Posted on 08/18/2010 1:22:01 PM PDT by Normandy
By Elder Quentin L. Cook
Earlier this year, Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke to a crowd of 13,000 students at Brigham Young University about the importance of working together to preserve religious freedom. The cardinal's eloquent and poignant speech at the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was evidence of significant progress in the growing relationships between our faith and other faiths that share similar concerns regarding issues of tremendous importance.
Cardinal George said, "I'm personally grateful that after 180 years of living mostly apart from one another, Catholics and Latter-day Saints have begun to see one another as trustworthy partners in the defense of shared moral principles and in the promotion of the common good of our beloved country."
Becoming partners in the defense of shared moral principles starts with sincere efforts by religious faiths to understand and learn from each other. One of the sweetest experiences I've had is to accompany other faith leaders on tours of our newly built temples, our most sacred buildings, when they are open to the public. As a result, these religious leaders come to know and understand us better. Likewise, we gain a greater understanding and appreciation for their beliefs. It's heartwarming that those of other faiths would take the time to appreciate something that is deeply personal and meaningful to me and other Latter-day Saints.
With this newfound understanding, no faith has a desire to compromise on its doctrine or beliefs. These relationships are not ecumenical; that is, we are not trying to come to an agreement on principles of doctrinal practice, but instead there is a mutual respect for each other's beliefs and a desire to collaborate on important issues where we find common ground.
Finding common ground has translated into interfaith initiatives having lasting, positive effects throughout the world. For three decades, we've worked with other faiths and aid organizations to provide humanitarian aid in 178 countries to those in critical need. As we've partnered with Catholic Charities, Muslim organizations, the Red Cross, and many others, there is joy and excitement that comes from putting into action what we jointly view as good and needed for our fellow men and women.
These interfaith efforts are not limited to Church leadership. The most humbling experience for any ecclesiastical leader is seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ being lived through the membership of the Church. Recently, we sponsored a project where hundreds of thousands of volunteers from community and faith-based organizations worked together in an unprecedented single day of service across eleven Southern states to bring relief to those struggling because of the economic downturn. In one project, half a dozen religious leaders worked together to build a home for Habitat for Humanity.
Similarly, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, members of our Church and other faiths spontaneously rose to the occasion to help relieve the suffering. This was so fittingly illustrated when a United Methodist congregation in Slidell, Louisiana, graciously offered their church as a place to sleep to Mormon volunteers from Houston, Texas. When the congregation arrived for services on Sunday, they found that the Mormons had cleared trees and other debris from their churchyard. As a show of thanks, our members also mounted their hurricane-damaged flag as a keepsake and flew a new banner from the flagpole. During the shared worship service, the pastor voiced a feeling of unity shared by those of both denominations: "The Mormons are now our friends."
Whether it is helping the victims of disaster through humanitarian aid, providing relief to communities in economic need, or supporting religious liberty, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members often stand shoulder to shoulder with other faiths. The future of Mormonism in the public sphere will, in part, be a shared one as we work with other like-minded faiths to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ in reaching out to our fellow citizens.
Elder Quentin L. Cook has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since October 6, 2007. Prior to being called to full-time church service, he was a business lawyer, a managing partner of a law firm in the San Francisco Bay area, and a healthcare executive. He has also been a board member of several profit and not-for-profit corporations. He received a B.A. in political science from Utah State University, and a J.D. from Stanford University.
Your action reveal you are so far removed
From mormonism - most certainly, the moldy corpse of a rotted man devised religious scam.
Don’t get personal resty or the rm will have to put you in timeout again.
Trying to intimate are we?
__
Do you believe I follow the apostate religion that has prevailed in the world since the apostles?
I don’t know what religion you follow because it surely is not been revealed by your attitude.
Trying to intimate are we?
No, just reminding you not to start getting personal
Z - Do you believe I follow the apostate religion that has prevailed in the world since the apostles?
R - I don’t know what religion you follow because it surely is not been revealed by your attitude.
Why should that matter resty? Do you accept those statements or not? Use your words resty.
I really like being around folks like him and there are so many out there that are not like these curmudgeon who want to contend all the times.
It really is a good feeling and comradery is going to be a blessing to this nation and across the world!
I hear you. :)
Do you strive to keep the Lord’s commandments and to Love One Another?
Hi Colofornian,
I am truly thankful to my Father in Heaven for providing a way (Jesus Christ) for me to overcome my sins. I know that God loves me and wants me to return to His presence so I am concentrating right now on working out my salvation with fear and trembling.
I really have very little understanding of what God has prepared for those that love him, but I do have a hope of future blessings, and I want to be in God’s presence with my loved ones some day. I trust in God’s promise that I can be a joint-heir with Christ, if it so be that I suffer with him.
Best,
Normandy
I worship God, the Eternal Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Both are indeed eternal and unchangeable, almighty and perfect in every way.
Wow! What a distortion!
ALL FOUR of the Mormon earth gods were created. Mormons worship created, sinful beings that LATER achieved Mormon hostile.
You forgot to mention that, Normandy.
Ampu
Great video resource to understand the perversion of mormonism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TL7EhzWRj0&feature=player_embedded#!
I guess you are desiring to avoid being identified as being in lock step - part of the hive no less. If the REAL Jesus resided in you as your Savior you would not have to strive resty.
RECAP
Z - Do you believe I follow the apostate religion that has prevailed in the world since the apostles?
R - I don’t know what religion you follow because it surely is not been revealed by your attitude.
Why should that matter resty? Do you accept those statements or not? Use your words resty.
To: Godzilla
Do you strive to keep the Lord’s commandments and to Love One Another?
***
Don’t change the subject which is you, you ask a question and now you want to change the focus of your inquiry.
These are directives from the Lord Godzilla also are you working out my salvation with fear and trembling
You would do well to read 2 Peter
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_pet/1/10
Correction
These are directives from the Lord Godzilla also are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling
Hi Ampu,
To clarify who Latter-day Saints worship
From Doctrine and Covenants Section 20:
17 By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them;
18 And that he created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them;
19 And gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship.
20 But by the transgression of these holy laws man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen man.
21 Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him.
22 He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.
23 He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day;
24 And ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father;
25 That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved.
Best,
Normandy
“To clarify who Latter-day Saints worship”
Talk is cheap.
you quoted this: “from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God”
Did the god you refer to as Heavenly Father used to be a man?
If so, clearly he wasn’t always god, nor was he unchangeable.
You just can’t claim contradictory things that are mutually exclusive and think you have a lucid or valid argument - or expect that people will respect you when you do so.
Either he was always God or he was not. You can’t have it both ways. If he wasn’t always God, he is never god.
Well?
ampu
“These are directives from the Lord Godzilla also are you working out my salvation with fear and trembling”
I don’t think Godzilla can work out your salvation resty...
I do fear for you.
best,
ampu
I am sure you read the correction in post # 54 but could not resist the opportunity of a mistype, this reveals that you harbor the spirit of vindictiveness and the Lord has warned about that....
A true Chritian strive to a void being petty and vindictived!
Don't forget "very conciliatory towards Islam".
Latter-day Saint Interest in Muhammad
Really? You mean like this?
are not like these curmudgeon
Your action reveal you are so far removed
but jerks keep trying to imply
You really should stop taking yourself so serious
You are a nut go aroung provoking others and than yell foul!
You are a throw back from the 50’s and never left bet a lot of infighting on religion in your family and neighbors!
Just another hidden cyber kook!
You should be ashame of your self because this is kind of talk is not of the Lord!
Is it not true you run on emotions and not reason nor logic?
Oh snootie patootie
Yawn Oh snootie patootie
don’t mean a thing you have nothing zero....
Amazing how dense some are.
Hello bias RM you let all these making it personal post stay I got your number!
I don't see any "petty" or "vindictive" comments there, no way, no how. What a way to "improve the image of mormons".
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