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Quit pestering us, church leaders tell membership in letter
Mormon Coffee (Mormonism Research Ministry) ^ | Nov. 22, 2010 | Eric Johnson

Posted on 12/29/2010 12:07:25 PM PST by Colofornian

On October 24th, the LDS First Presidency (led by Prophet Thomas S. Monson) wrote several letters that were to be read in Mormon Sunday services around the world. According to examiner.com, the first letter was “likely spurred by Boyd K. Packer’s most recent General Conference talk entitled ‘Cleansing the Inner Vessel.’ Church Headquarters has been receiving an increased amount of correspondence from its members about doctrinal issues. Because of this influx of correspondence, the First Presidency reminded and encouraged LDS church members to utilize their local church authorities – bishops, branch presidents, stake presidents, etc — before resorting to contacting Church Headquarters.”

In other words, the Mormon laity was told to quit bothering their church leadership on issues related to doctrine. We can only wonder why the church is apparently receiving so many inquiries. Could it be that Christians are asking their Mormon friends and family members difficult questions who are unable to provide satisfactory answers? Regardless, the leadership apparently feels the number of questions is overwhelming their resources. I just can’t imagine Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Malachi writing in the Old Testament, “You people are asking too many questions. We’re too busy doing other things, so leave us alone.” Yet this appears to be the attitude of Monson and his two advisers.

Since Monson and his counselors are supposed to have a direct connection with God—they are, after all, leaders of God’s supposedly restored church—it would seem that they have the necessary resources at their disposal to provide answers. Just direct the general authorities speaking at the biannual general conferences to deal with these befuddling issues. But Monson and the other leaders weren’t born yesterday. They know that deferring to local leaders means the hierarchy can distance themselves from any answers brought forth by bishops, stake presidents, and others below the general authority level. Their answers can not be considered official doctrine, so if they come up with unpopular responses or even contradict Mormon teaching, nobody will call their answers “official doctrine.” Letting the lower leaders take the heat keeps the pressure off those in Salt Lake City. Smart move.

I can only imagine the questions being asked that the LDS leadership would rather avoid, including:

* Is it true that Joseph Smith was married to some 34 different women at the same time, 11 of whom were already married to other men and 11 who were teenagers?

* How do I answer my Christian friends who have been showing me this DNA video saying there is no scientific connection between Native Americans and the Lamanites talked about in the Book of Mormon?

* President Monson, there must be archaeological evidence to support the Book of Mormon story, but I’m being told there’s none. Can you please direct me to these artifacts?

* Is it true that three of the apostles have been spiritually married in the temple to second wives for eternity?

* If we believe in free agency, then why is our church trying to buy a street in Manti in order to keep Christians from sharing their faith near the pageant grounds?

* I’ve been shown some very difficult verses in the Bible about salvation, as my Christian friends say it’s possible to know that we are forgiven because it’s not based on my efforts. It seems to contradict the way I’ve been taught. How can I answer?

* Why does our church emphasize Gethsemane for the atonement rather than the cross?

* I need direction on the Virgin Birth. We don’t believe there was some type of physical union between Heavenly Father and Mary, do we?

Are you able to see why the church had to write this letter?


TOPICS: Apologetics; History; Other Christian; Theology
KEYWORDS: antichristequallds; antimormonbigot; antimormonjihadist; antimormonmanifesto; antimormonzealot; doctrine; lds; ldsspamkeywordsagain; mormon; mormondenial; mormonvictimcard; questions
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To: jimt
First, it's not a word I use, second, I don't hold myself out as a judge of anybody's religious beliefs.

No; you just want to JUDGE their tone of voice.

161 posted on 12/30/2010 9:46:57 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
Absolutely!

Even when faced with the FACTS that the SOURCE material cointains NOTHING that JOSEPH SMITH claimed?

162 posted on 12/30/2010 9:48:24 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
Matter of fact “The Pearl of Great Price” is a found treasure to my soul!

Way to avoid answering!

Yes/no must be REAL foreign concept to MORMONs.

163 posted on 12/30/2010 9:49:56 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
The Spirit of discernment helps one to know what is of the world from what is really of the Lord.

I am truly thankful for this gift!

What have you done to aggravate the Holy Ghost??

One would think that by NOW, you would have worked out what ever problems you have had with UNBELIEF and the HG would let you DISCERN just what was UNTRUE about PRESBYTERIANism that JS claimed to have LEARNED.

164 posted on 12/30/2010 9:52:19 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
Wow...

making it person
and judging another motives?

It is continually turmoil and hysteria mode...


Resty; you are one of our best sanctimonious players!

165 posted on 12/30/2010 9:54:28 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: SgtHooper
The documents are out for the world to see.
166 posted on 12/30/2010 9:55:22 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
Ha! You should READ the reviews of this 'book' found at your link! Talk about exposing MORMONism for the IDIOCY that it is!
167 posted on 12/30/2010 9:57:25 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
BTW I was taught by the Holy Ghost frist and the Chruch verified what I was looking for!

I guess the HG has given up on you!

168 posted on 12/30/2010 9:59:34 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
BTW on the DVD there is so much valid imformation it is hard to keep track!

OH yeah, PD.

So much 'truth' out there that you can't post ANY!

169 posted on 12/30/2010 10:00:25 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

Never Question Your Mormon Leaders Placemarker


170 posted on 12/30/2010 11:02:28 AM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: restornu; Godzilla
Um kay...

The final word is long past, there there is NO link in any of the indigenous races in the Americas and there is no where to hide ANY civilization of the size and technological sophistication like the ones made up in the BOM much less its entire population or its genetic lineage in preceding generations.

Sorry, but wishes and myths are not science and are even worse beliefs...

171 posted on 12/30/2010 11:26:55 AM PST by ejonesie22 (8/30/10, the day Truth won.)
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To: Elsie

(snicker)


172 posted on 12/30/2010 11:38:31 AM PST by ejonesie22 (8/30/10, the day Truth won.)
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To: Colofornian; Paragon Defender; Elsie; greyfoxx39; Godzilla; reaganaut

FLASH TRAFFIC INTERCEPT:

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FAITHFUL MORMON
FREEPER AND THE HIGH PROPHET OF MORMONISM:

[STOP]

.............................................

Dearest High Prophet Thomas S. Monson,

As a faithful Mormon who is extremely worthy,
wears the garment daily, if a full-tithe-payer
(on net, not gross, of course), and is honest
in all my dealings, I am deigning to approach
You, Your-Exalted-Highness-Who-Owns-Luxury-
Shopping-Malls to ask a small question.

I realize you have so many faithful, worthy
internet plants out here who are posting our
official links that address all things. My best
friend PD faithfully posts these official
links every day, numerous times.

And I hasten to add, Your Highness, that I’ve
read his official links. Repeatedly and faithfully.

Yet I still notice that our official links never get
around to actually answering any real questions. All
out team seems to do is “address” issues.

With great humility and worthiness, I submit that
perhaps, Dear Highness, we should actually post some
materials that answer the questions people are asking.

This would be a big help to those of us who are on
the front lines of FreeRepublic, a sorid, squalid
site, filled with people who won’t vote for our leading
star, Mitt RINOmney. Plus, they pick on us and ask
questions that are too hard to answer by ourselves!!!

I’m tiring (in a worthy way) of being unable to
answer these questions and having to post links to
the official sites.

For instance, Your-Highness-Who-Speaks-for-God-as
-Our-Living-Prophet, here’s some I can’t answer...

“How can God be omnipotent (having power over all
things completely) while we believe in more than
one God? How could Gods ALL have complete power over
each other?”

“How can God be without beginning or end when we
teach He used to be a man?”

“How can we be the restoration of the Church, when
everything unique about our teaching (polytheism,
polygamy, temple rituals, etc.) never existed in the
Church?”

“Why aren’t our Temple Rituals written down in our
sacred writings? Why are they exactly like the Masonic
rituals?”

Really, your Eminent-Prophet-Highness, I grow weary
of not being able to list any:

... objective facts
... objective evidence
... objective logical argument

ANYTHING OBJECTIVE! That would support all our claims.
Do we have anything??

Oh, I still have my burning bosomatic testimony. It’s
just that, well, they (Christians!) have the Bible,
archeology, dna, history, etc. that they can point to
to support what they teach. We don’t have ANY evidence
that is objective. I am spending all day trying to
explain the whole Jewish Indian thing and overcome
the contradictory DNA evidence.

Please respond. I’ve searched through PD’s spam links
repeatedly, but our official sources don’t say anything
about that kind of thing. They’re really just feel good
pablum.

Please don’t think me unworthy, Your Prophetness. In
fact, don’t think I am not filled with feelings, but
I am not going to use my real name, just in cast you
get enraged. I’ve read our officials refuse to answer
our questions, so I am writing to you. Please have
mercy on those of us who are stuck interacting and
trying to defend the sacred Mormonic Verses.

Worthily,
Joseph Smith, VIII
...............................................

[STOP]


173 posted on 12/30/2010 1:19:53 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: aMorePerfectUnion
Oh, I still have my burning bosomatic testimony

Photobucket

174 posted on 12/30/2010 1:48:01 PM PST by greyfoxx39 (Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain)
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To: Cronos
That’s all lies! LIES, you hear???

And btw, how dare you reveal all that stuff? No one was supposed to know!!!


174½ posted on 12/30/2010 4:50:47 AM EST by JosephSmith (The Mormon Church is the only True Church!!!)

To: Cronos

Interesting

175 posted on 12/30/2010 2:21:37 PM PST by DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis (Want to make $$$? It's easy! Use FR to pimp your blog!!!)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

/Yawn

As usual, non-issue propaganda from the anti-Mormon gang.

All addressed at the links provided.


176 posted on 12/30/2010 2:41:36 PM PST by Paragon Defender
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To: Paragon Defender

Oh, I get it! Paragon Defender=PD!!!

You’re the guy Joseph Smith VIII was talking
about. The one with the official spam links!

It all makes sense now :-)


177 posted on 12/30/2010 2:43:55 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: greyfoxx39

Enough of this religious bickering!

Everyone can join my church, the New Unreformed Muggletonions.

It's real simple...

1. Sign over to me all you worldly goods and assets.

2. I say you're going to Heaven, a much easier thing to do now that you're not burdened by all those worldly possessions!

3. You get bonus points for every sucker... errr... convert you bring in who gives all their worldly goods and assets to the head of the church (me).

4. Accumulate enough bonus points and I say you're going to a higher place in Heaven.

178 posted on 12/30/2010 2:57:25 PM PST by Mogger (Independence, better fuel economy and performance with American made synthetic oil.)
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To: greyfoxx39

Enough of this religious bickering!

Everyone can join my church, the New Unreformed Muggletonions.

It's real simple...

1. Sign over to me all you worldly goods and assets.

2. I say you're going to Heaven, a much easier thing to do now that you're not burdened by all those worldly possessions!

3. You get bonus points for every sucker... errr... convert you bring in who gives all their worldly goods and assets to the head of the church (me).

4. Accumulate enough bonus points and I say you're going to a higher place in Heaven.

179 posted on 12/30/2010 2:57:45 PM PST by Mogger (Independence, better fuel economy and performance with American made synthetic oil.)
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To: Mogger

“Everyone can join my church, the New Unreformed Muggletonions. “

yes, but could I become a god, if I joined, like mormons can?
yes, but could I look forward to multiple goddess wives for celestial sex, like mormons can?
yes, but could I have my own planet like mormons can?
yes, but could I have my own worshipers like mormons can?

yes, but will you offer spam links I can post here on every thread, like mormons can?

ampu


180 posted on 12/30/2010 3:06:27 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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