Posted on 01/30/2011 5:57:11 PM PST by Colofornian
Mission Prep Midterm ...terms
| SNIP | |
| In D&C 31:5, what is the blessing associated with those who thrust in your sickle with all your soul? | Your sins are forgiven you, you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back |
| According to the manual, what is personal worthiness necessary for and what does it allow us to do? | To enter the temple and perform missionary work |
| When asked what potential missionaries should focus on becoming, what was Elder Richard G. Scott's answer? | Worthy (so the spirit can guide them) |
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| What did President Howard W. Hunter teach about temples and potential missionaries? | Every missionary should prepare to enter the temple worthily |
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| What are the two strongest pieces of counsel Elder Glenn L. Pace gives to prospective missionaries? | Stay Worthy, Get yourself worthy before you enter the MTC |
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| What lesson about following the Spirit did President Boyd K. Packer learn from his experience as a mission president? | The Spirit withdraws from us if we fail to follow its promptings |
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| What does the Manual say about people who are experiencing significant changes in their lives | They are often ready to learn about the restored gospel |
| SNIP |
(Excerpt) Read more at quizlet.com ...
1. From the Mission Prep Midterm: In D&C 31:5, what is the blessing associated with those who thrust in your sickle with all your soul? Your sins are forgiven you, you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back
Do you see how Mormonism stresses how forgiveness is directly linked to how hard Lds work for that forgiveness? Can you imagine your child asking for forgiveness on something not involving restitution (which is a separate issue), and you tell them they have to work for that forgiveness?
But how coincidental this all is. You'll note that the next three questions all deal with the so-called "worthiness" of the Mormon missionary. On Sept. 4, 2009 -- over a year before this quiz was posted, I posted a BYU article (see Professor focuses on the strength, blessings of grace) and in my comment (post #5) I not only focused heavily on Mormon "worthiness" -- but even cited D&C 31:5 which Mormon leaders use in their missionary training...
I've since taken that excerpt & built upon it as follows:
According to Mormon writings, what makes you "worthy?" (Why, your perfection...see 3 Nephi 12:48; Mt. 5:48)
[Whereas, in contrast, a good definition of a "Christian" is someone already perfect in the Father's eyes thru Jesus sacrificial death (Heb. 10:14) -- where His perfect righteousness is substituted for our imperfect righteousness. (1 Cor. 1:30). Heb. 10:14 ...because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.]
Just to be sure, I looked up "worthiness" (a key Lds concept) in the 1977 "Topical Guide to the Scriptures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" published by church-owned Deseret Publishers.
I found verses like Doctrine & Covenants 59:4: "And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time--they that are faithful and diligent before me."
"Commandments not a few"? -- sounds like a long checklist to me.
I then looked at the 1979 "Topical Guide" in the Lds version of its KJV -- and turned to the "worthiness" entry there: It tells me right up top its related to the concept of "qualifying for" & then proceeds to verses like D&C 31:5: "Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live."
Ah. There it is: The Mormon "strategy." Don't "trust" for your salvation, "thrust in your sickle"
So it sounds like the Mormon god wants plenty of soul labor -- paid labor -- spiritual hirelings -- earned labor for salvation. No free gifts here. No grace here. Just follow the rules, ma'am.
Indeed, the LDS are the "rules oriented" ones: The purity and perfection we seek is unattainable without this subjection of unworthy, ungodlike urges and the corresponding encouragement of their opposites. We certainly cannot expect the rules to be easier for us than for the Son of God... (Lds "prophet" Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 28)
Just look @ all the "rule extensions" Lds have imposed upon their followers in order to make it to the highest degree of afterlife:
(1) You have to be obedient to all the commandments & ordinances of the Mormon god
(2) You have to tithe -- what Lds reference as the "Law of consecration"
(3) You have to obey the "Word of Wisdom" -- not drink coffee, etc.
(4) You have to get married -- sorry, no never-married single people allowed
(5) You have to have as many children as possible
(6) You have to perform temple work for the dead
(7) You have to perform endowments essential for this highest degree of salvation
(8) You have to be a member of the right church (Lds)
(9) You have to receive & perform the rites and ordinances established by that church
(10)You have to have Joseph Smith's consent to enter into your highest afterlife
That is 19th-20th-21st century legalism!
2. From the Mission Prep Midterm: According to the manual, what is personal WORTHINESS necessary for and what does it allow us to do? To enter the temple and perform missionary work
Hey, why don't we talk about "worthiness" as Jesus sees entering His Kingdom beyond this earth? Luke 20:34-35: "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage." "But [which means "But" as in a contrast] those who are considered WORTHY of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead (and BTW, "worthiness" is one of a Mormon's highest goals--as in being "temple worthy") WILL NEITHER MARRY NOR BE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE..."
Why, that's interesting. Here, Mormon leaders claim marriage is an ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT re: living with Heavenly Father forever. And yet Jesus says the worthy won't be married because 'tis a difference between "that age" and "this age"...(And if there's NO difference, why bother even mentioning it?
Wow! Notice the complete distortion of Christianity! Instead of the Holy Spirit coming upon the unworthy in order to be born from above and be guided by that Spirit, the Mormons make their people become subjectively "worthy" (whatever that is) in order to be guided by the Spirit! (Sorry, but Jesus died for the unworthy!)
If you don't believe Mormons teach you have to "work" for eternal life vs. Jesus giving it to us NOW in a relationship with Him that starts now? Well, first read John 17:3 -- and then compare that to what the 10th "prophet" of the Lds church said:
"Very gladly would the Lord give to everyone eternal life, but since that blessing can come only on MERIT -- through the faithful performance of duty - ONLY those who are WORTHY shall receive it." (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:5)
Outright heresy taught by a heretic!
4 From the Mission Prep Midterm: What did President Howard W. Hunter teach about temples and potential missionaries? Every missionary should prepare to enter the temple WORTHILY
Third question on worthy-this, worthy-that! (More "merit"-based Boy Scouting to get into God's eternal presence...more "performance"-based award religiosity...more "duty" obligations vs. a love relationship!)
Lds leaders ingrain D&C 31:5 to instill a works-based forgiveness; but that's not the only D&C verse where Joseph Smith highlighted that. You know one of the worst verses in the Mormon "scriptures" Doctrines & Covenant is chapter 1, v. 30 where it claims that the Mormon church is the "only living and true church on the face of the earth." But you know, the verses that immediately follow it are just as bad:
...he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven." (D&C 1:31-32) Now what does that say to the average Mormon 19 yo? (That the Lord's forgiveness is predicated on your ability to keep all God's commandments...and that if you don't keep the commandments, you are not "worthy" of God's forgiveness). What a strange demonic turn-around of the grace of God as found in the Bible -- a grace for which we are not worthy! The apostle Paul laid it straight to the Galatians: "...Seeking to be justified by law, you have fallen from grace." (Gal. 5:4)
Hear, LDS: If you expect to become worthy by your commandment-keeping works, you have fallen from God's grace!
Fourth question on worthy-this, worthy-that! [I guess you can see what the Mormon leaders at Missionary Training Center (MTC) are just a bit obsessed over it, eh?] It shows you how much the Mormon church takes the opportunity during missionary cram school to drill works-righteousness into their heads...
Of course, if you want to know one of the roots of Mormonism's pharisaical-like elitism, 'tis it right here. You see, if the focus in Mormonism is constantly this need to become "worthy" and how Mormons need the temple rituals for them to do that...then guess what? Anybody beyond the temple (non-temple Mormons; non-Mormons) are unworthy.
6 From the Mission Prep Midterm: What lesson about following the Spirit did President Boyd K. Packer learn from his experience as a mission president? The Spirit withdraws from us if we fail to follow ITS promptings
Leave it to Mormonism to keep stressing to its adherents that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal "IT."
I've got a trusty 1959 "Missionary Pal Reference Guide for Missionaries and Teachers" published by Publishers Press and written by Mormon Keith Marston.
My guess is that thousands of Lds missionaries have either used this -- or at least their families bought it for them before they left on their mission. You can see even going back half a century that the Mormonism training wasn't any better then either on the personality (Christian) vs. Impersonality (Mormon, Jehovah's Witnesses) teaching re: the Holy Spirit:
* "This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. IT is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge..." (Marston, p. 149)
* "The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. IT does not confine ITSELF to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove." (Marston, p. 276)
* "Holy Ghost and Gift of the Holy Ghost: What IT is" Keith Marston p. 77
Well, there ya go. (Now ya know what Mormon bookstores have been selling for over 50 years!)
But where does this impersonal presentation of the Holy Ghost originate? Joseph Smith himself! Smith would describe the Holy Ghost as being personal and impersonal all in same sentences!
"This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. IT is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge..." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 1938 p. 149) "The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. IT does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove." (p. 276)
As for citing Lds First President Boyd Packer, Joseph Fielding McConkie cited him in this piece, "The First Vision and Religious Tolerance," in Kent P. Jackson and Andrew C. Skinner, ed., A Witness for the Restoration: Essays in Honor of Robert J. Matthews (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2007), 177-199 -- available at http://rsc.byu.edu/pubJMcConkieFirstVision.php.
McConkie citing Packer: After restoring the Church, Joseph received the following revelation: "And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually" (D&C 1:30; emphasis added). Joseph Smith stood by this doctrine, often at the peril of his life. We do so often at the peril of social acceptance, but surely we can stand as tall as Joseph. We are not insensitive to the fact that declaring the "one true church" doctrine can generate resistance and observations that we are unchristian, narrow, and bigoted. "Should we not then make one accommodation and set this doctrine aside?" asked President Boyd K. Packer in a general conference address...President Packer continued: sadly enough, there are so-called Latter-day Saints who by comparison are not as WORTHY, for they do not keep their covenants. But it is not a matter of comparing individuals. We are not baptized collectively, nor will we be judged collectively. Good conduct without the ordinances of the gospel will neither redeem nor exalt mankind; covenants and the ordinances are essential. We are required to teach the doctrines, even the unpopular ones....There are essential ordinances just as there are required courses. There are prescribed standards of WORTHINESS. If we resist them, avoid them, or fail them, we will not enter in with those who complete the course. Do you realize that the notion that all churches are equal presupposes that the true church of Jesus Christ actually does not exist anywhere?
So, alas, Mormons say if they allow the Christian church to be labeled "Christian" by them, why that would...
...Presuppose "that the true church of Jesus Christ actually does not exist anymore" (no doubt based upon other slanderous things they've already said about us)
-- and so they must stand tall on their "only true and living church" doctrine & not accommodate vs. those who might call them "unchristian, narrow, and bigoted"...
...because "We are required to teach the doctrines, even the unpopular ones" -- all under this prescribed notion they have of "prescribed standards of worthiness".
So, you can see that this "standard of worthiness" by the Mormons is what, in part, generates them labeling us Christian as "unworthy." The Lds church is truly the spiritual heirs of the Pharisees!
Now you know who the Mormon church emphasizes their missionaries should pick on. The vulnerable. Those in crisis. The sick. By all means, the Lds church is teaching them (by not qualifying this comment) -- pounce on the weak while they're down & out!
What lesson about following the Spirit did President Boyd K. Packer learn from his experience as a mission president?
The Spirit withdraws from us if we fail to follow its promptings
Since even on FR the lds tell us that they apparently are terrified that the "spirit" will leave them, I can see why they cling so desperately to following directions and orders of the leaders who know best.
John 3:16&17
Yes, Mormons more than most know how to redefine and screw up the definition of the "Temple of the Holy Ghost" ... seemingly placing His presence as ever-so-tentative.
While that was true in Old Testaments, the New Testament doesn't indicate that.
So, tell me, where do we go, after we cross that tunnel of light with family members, presumably including those who hated us during our lifetimes, awaiting with open arms at the opening? Is heaven the place, as a song speculates, where nothing ever happens? Why is it that no one has ever communicated to me from the other side? Is that fair or just? My despair here turns into bliss out there? And Hugh Hefner’s earthly bliss turns into hellish despair forever?
He [Jesus] said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:2-12)
Why is it that no one has ever communicated to me from the other side? Is that fair or just?
Jesus again:
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16: 19-31)
If you had an extremely trustworthy source that the Stock market would crash, and he advised you to pull out and do what you could to mitigate the situation -- and you didn't -- would you ask if it was "fair or just" for you to lose all your $ in the crash?
Btw, as a parallel to this parable -- most Americans (including you & I) are wealthy. We're probably wealthier than 95% of those who've ever lived -- including the bulk of those around the world. We are probably wealthier, possession-wise & resource-wise, than the person Jesus had in mind re: that parable.
And Hugh Hefner’s earthly bliss turns into hellish despair forever?
Over 20 years ago, John Piper wrote a book called: Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist... Kind of a shocking title at first when you look at it.
But Piper wasn't talking about a self-centered exploitive Hefner-type lifestyle. His point to sum up a book is that, indeed we are made for pleasure -- but we have committed idolatry by looking for pleasure in everything and everyone but God. Piper emphasized those Scriptures which highlight those in Biblical history who have sought pleasure in God, Himself!
Here's where John Piper addressed the question of
If interested here's a link on Piper's book: Desiring God
(Ya gotta wonder, then, if the Mormon god has a paid architect & interior designer, too)
Acts 17:24 -24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Matthew 22:30 -For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
It's a discredit to God to say heaven would look like the hotel lobby at the Georgian Inn.
I'm sorry but this whole notion of "being worthy" just to set foot into a fancy hotel lobby is insulting. It's snobbery at best.
Few would know that prior to the Mormon church dedication of the San Diego temple in 1993, local Mormon families were given a packet entitled Family Temple Preparation Material. Included in this written material were about seven pages devoted to "true stories" of temple patrons who were visited by the dead.
Source: They see dead people?
More necromancy at work in Mormon church temples, just as Mitt Romney's ancestor, Parley P. Pratt, forecasted back in 1853.
See: Journal of Discourse, Vol. 2, pp. 44-45...doesn't matter if you go here:
Source: Journal of Discourses/Volume 2/Spiritual Communication or here: Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2, pp. 44-45 ... they both read the same...the first link is a little easier to access and read/wade through.
For a commentary on what Pratt discussed, see: Mitt's Romney's ancestor talking about the living hearing from the dead & Joseph Smith as the Mormon medium
Well, you could have set foot into it before its dedication.
But once the open house was over, they had to scrub it down to rid of all Gentile dust...Yup, with Mormons, even Jews are Gentiles...they've called Christians "apostates" to rebrand themselves as the "restored Christians"...and they've dumped the Jews to call themselves "Zion."
Being that their ultimate destiny is to become gods, can you spell a-m-b-i-t-i-o-u-s?
HMMMmmm...
Coven...
Resty; your input is needed...
1 Corinthians 2:9.
Probably the same one who designs lobbies for the Marriott hotel chain.
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