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?
A little sarcasm is fine. The extreme fonts and screams serves their purpose so they can sit back and say ‘oh, pity us poor persecuted ones’.
“their” implying
Mormons
That’s precious. Going into my recipe box today!
You just don’t like his answer.... LOL
There are those who are non LDS disagree in how this process was done for the data is still not availible yet and what Murphy did was use a limite version of testing there is more too it as I said when I come across that imformation what was missing and needed to such a test of that far back!
The Ten Commandments...
and Joey Smith broke every one of them in his hatred and rant against God and Christianity in his homemade religion he called mormonism...
there is no Rabbi of that name in any Jewish rabbi lists.
______________________________________________
Oh SNAP
Wrong pew sister!
_______________________________
WOW
in the church I go to we can sit anywhere...
HUH? Are you gonna put a couple of rocks in a hat and "come across the information what was missing"?
I really don't think this method fulfills the Religion Moderator's requirement for accurate sourcing of claims, (especially when one claims that God's gonna change genetics and DNA!)
Jesus: It is finished
Resty: Does not apply here
Everybody:
Resty: I know you do that is why you adhere to the Nicene Creed
I guess that first line "We believe in on God" was as far as you could get without cracking up, eh?
And the LDS are the ones who believe in personal planets you can populate with your spirit children. How ARE you going to get there, btw?
"Mother; I've learned for myself that PRESBYTERIAN is untrue."
And what would you call this LIE?
Does this guy know that you MORMONs are STILL 'baptizing' their dead ancestors?
No; it DOESN'T matter!
(It mattereth not)
Any fool can READ what they've said and SEE what they do (or don't do)
Show me a FALSEHOOD, you SLANDERer, you!
In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.
1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.
Ezra Taft Benson
(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)
“Wrong when you understand the process of DNA not some wantabe tinkering fool then one will hundreds of years. I have no doubt that there will be even another layer of genitics that Lord has yet to reveal!”
MORMONIC TRANSLATION:
“The current facts only appear wrong. Someday, God will
show us better, deeper facts. He’ll give us a restoration
of the facts! Then, those new facts will show that Taunto
is a Jew!”
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