HAVE YOU NOTICED THIS ABOUT MORMONS?

Various | April 17, 2011 | Vanity

[greyfoxx39]

HAVE YOU NOTICED THIS ABOUT MORMONS?

 

If you were to desire to enter the exclusive LDS-Mormon club, you would have to be agree to the church doctrine including this:

 

First Presidency Doctrinal Statements
It is not only his discourses that form the basis of Joseph F. Smith's doctrinal legacy. During his presidency, several important documents signed by the First Presidency and/or the Twelve were issued that still serve as a touch stone of Latter-day Saint belief. One such document, The Origin of Man: By the First Presidency, was issued in 1909 during a time when evolution was gaining attention in the academic world.

They wrote:

"In presenting the statement that follows we are not conscious of putting forth anything essentially new; neither is it our desire so to do. Truth is what we wish to present, and truth--eternal truth--is fundamentally old. A restatement of the original attitude of the Church relative to this matter is all that will be attempted here. To tell the truth as God has revealed it, and commend it to the acceptance of those who need to conform their opinions thereto, is the sole purpose of this presentation. 'God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.' In these plain and pointed words the inspired author of the book of Genesis made known to the world the truth concerning the origin of the human family."

They added:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, basing its belief on divine revelation, ancient and modern, proclaims man to be the direct and lineal offspring of Deity. God Himself is an exalted man, perfected, enthroned, and supreme. By His almighty power He organized the earth, and all that it contains, from spirit and element, which exist co-eternally with Himself. He formed every plant that grows, and every animal that breathes, each after its own kind, spiritually and temporally--'that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal, and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual.' He made the tadpole and the ape, the lion and the elephant but He did not make them in His own image, nor endow them with Godlike reason and intelligence. Nevertheless, the whole animal creation will be perfected and perpetuated in the Hereafter, each class in its 'distinct order or sphere,' and will enjoy 'eternal felicity.' . . . Man is the child of God, formed in the divine image and endowed with divine attributes, and even as the infant son of an earthly father and mother is capable in due time of becoming a man, so the undeveloped offspring of celestial parentage is capable, by experience through ages and aeons, of evolving into a God."

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/biography/000128jfsdoctrinelegacy.html 

AND THIS: The non-creedal creed of the LDS church

 

 

The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
   
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
   
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
   
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
   
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
   
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
   
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
   
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
   
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
    
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
    
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
    
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Joseph Smith

http://lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.1-13?lang=eng#1

You would be required to: Become baptized, because the mormon church does not recognize Christian baptism as do many Christian denominations;  then become confirmed a member ot the mormon church; then become worthy to be "ordained" into the two "priesthoods"; (IF you are male.)

May 15, 1829, while Joseph translated passages of the Book of Mormon about the necessity of baptism, he and Oliver Cowdery had asked the Lord who had to baptize in His name. "The voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us," Oliver later wrote, and a heavenly messenger, John the Baptist, "came down clothed with glory." He conferred upon the two men the , which holds the "of the gospel of repentance, and of for the remission of sins."

John the Baptist directed the two men to baptize each other, and they soon also baptized others converted to the restored gospel. Through priesthood ordination they authorized others to perform baptism by immersion. From that small beginning, many millions of people worldwide have been baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Weeks later, Peter, James, and John, who possess "the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times," appeared to Joseph and Oliver and conferred upon them the . Now the fulness of the gospel could be restored, the Church of Jesus Christ could be organized to "roll forth," and all the necessary for the salvation of God's children could be performed—including bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Because were restored to Joseph Smith, all of God's children can receive the ordinances of salvation such as baptism administered by those called of God to act and speak in His name.   D&C 13:1.2. D&C 128:20.3. D&C 65:2. 

priesthood keys

Keys are the rights of presidency, or the power given to man by God to direct, control, and govern God's priesthood on earth. Priesthood holders called to positions of presidency receive keys from those in authority over them. Priesthood holders use the priesthood only within the limits outlined by those who hold the keys. The President of the Church holds all priesthood keys (see D&C 107:65–67, 91–92; 132:7; The Guide to the Scriptures, "Keys of the Priesthood," 141).  Note: Women are not eligible to become "Priesthood Holders".

Then, if you become "worthy" according to mormon requirements, which include among other things, obeying the Word of Wisdom;

Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, 27 February 1833 (see History of the Church, 1:327–29). As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently, he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.

1–9, The use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks is proscribed; 10–17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18–21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.

You may then appear before your "spiritual leader" or Ward Bishop, to answer these questions:

Temple Recommend Questions:

 1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

 2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?

 3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?

 4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?

 5 Do you live the law of chastity?

 6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?

 7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

 8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

 9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?

10 Are you a full-tithe payer?

11 Do your keep the Word of Wisdom?

12 Do you have financial or other oblgations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:

     Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?

     Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?

14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?

 

If you pass the Recommend test, you will be issued a piece of paper with a bar code on it that will allow you to enter the temple,  No one may enter except those with "recommends"  You will then take part in arcane rituals and are described as "Covenants"...covenants that are said to bind YOU and also to bind GOD.  In this "temple session",  you will be required to take this oath:

You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the Law of Consecration as contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, in that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion .

NOTE:  This vow has been taken by Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, Harry Reid, Orrin Hatch and ALL others who have a position in the US Federal Government who are "worthy" members of the mormon church including FBI, CIA, Secret Service, etc. and by "worthy" members of the mormon church in your city, state, on your school board...wherever a position of authority is available.

After you take part in the temple rites, you are required to wear a specific underwear garment for the rest of your life.

Those baptized members including girls and women, who are too young to take part in the temple rituals will be required to take part in "proxy" Baptism for the Dead after they also acquire their own "temple recommend".

There are several religions larger than most Christian denominations, and together they are larger than all of them combined. Their adherents for centuries have lived and died and never heard the word baptism. What is the answer for them?

That is a most disturbing question. What power would establish one Lord and one baptism, and then allow it to be that most of the human family never comes within its influence? With that question unanswered, the vast majority of the human family must be admitted to be lost, and against any reasonable application of the law of justice or of mercy, either. How could Christianity itself be sustained?

When you find the true church you will find the answer to that disturbing question.

If a church has no answer for that, how can it lay claim to be His Church? He is not willing to write off the majority of the human family who were never baptized.

Those who admit in puzzled frustration that they have no answer to this cannot lay claim to authority to administer to the affairs of the Lord on the earth, or to oversee the work by which all mankind must be saved.

Since they had no answer concerning the fate of those who had not been baptized, Christians came to believe that baptism itself was not critical in importance, and that the name of Christ may not be all that essential. There must, they supposed, be other names whereby man could be saved.

The answer to that puzzling challenge could not be invented by men, but was revealed. I underline the word revealed. Revelation too is an essential characteristic of His Church. Communication with Him through revelation was established when the Church was established. It has not ceased and it is constant in the Church today.

As I address myself to the question of those who died without baptism, I do so with the deepest reverence, for it touches on a sacred work. Little known to the world, we move obediently forward in a work that is so marvelous in its prospects, transcendent above what man might have dreamed of, supernal, inspired, and true. In it lies the answer.

In the earliest days of the Church the Prophet was given direction through revelation that work should commence on the building of a temple, akin to the temples that had been constructed anciently. There was revealed ordinance work to be performed there for the salvation of mankind.

Then another ancient scripture, ignored or overlooked by the Christian world in general, was understood and moved into significant prominence: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:29.)

Here then, was the answer. With proper authority an individual could be baptized for and in behalf of someone who had never had the opportunity. That individual would then accept or reject the baptism, according to his own desire.

This work came as a great reaffirmation of something very basic that the Christian world now only partly believes: and that is that there is life after death. Mortal death is no more an ending than birth was a beginning. The great work of redemption goes on beyond the veil as well as here in mortality."

“The Redemption of the Dead,” Ensign, Nov. 1975, 97

Now,  this is just a part of what is required to call yourself "Mormon".  Even sects that adhere more closely to the teachings of Joseph Smith, such as the FLDS have been excommunicated for practicing polygamy which is STILL part of mormon "scripture"

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, as also plurality of wives. HC 5: 501–507. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831.

, Exaltation is gained through the new and everlasting covenant; , The terms and conditions of that covenant are set forth; , Celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit enable men to become gods; , The strait and narrow way that leads to eternal lives; , Law given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; , Promises of eternal increase and exaltation made to prophets and saints in all ages; , Joseph Smith is given the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven; , The Lord seals upon him his exaltation; , Emma Smith is counseled to be faithful and true; , Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.

  1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many ^a and ^b—

  2 Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter.

  3 Therefore, ^a thy heart to receive and ^b the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.

  4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting ^a; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye ^b; for no one can ^c this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.

Now, to those of you who are reading this I have ONE question:

If ANY OF US cannot be called "mormon" unless WE adhere to all the requirements (and more) listed above.......WHY IS IT THAT MORMONS BELIEVE THAT ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS INSIST THAT THEY BE CALLED "CHRISTIAN" AND THE CHRISTIAN WORLD IS REQUIRED TO BOW TO ITS DEMAND?

[Graybeard58]

Well, I guess both of us are censored..

Sometimes it bees that way.

[dragonblustar]

Some of you clowns living in fear of other religions really need to get a life and grow up.

[ScreamingFist]

....or do you not report yourself....;)

[wku man]

So in that case, I guess you have a problem with the Jehovah's Witnesses, too? They also go door to door, after all. What about the Catholic and Baptist Churches? They have missionaries all across the world...are they also meddling in other peoples' business? Fatal flaw? Not unless you're ready to condemn all denominations that go door to door and send missionaries across the globe.

From my experience, Mormons leave you alone if you tell them you're not interested in their church. That goes for the ones I work with, my friends that I shoot with, and the young men on their missions that ring my doorbell from time to time. In fact, they take the rejection with good humor and a smile. My friends that have offered to take me to church are still my friends, despite my declining their offers. So no, they don't meddle in my business, and I appreciate it. I repay them by not meddling in theirs.

But I guess my friends must be the few, rare, "good" Mormons, while the rest of them are evil, conniving, meddling busybodies for doing what other churches do as well, eh? Sheesh....

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[greyfoxx39]

Perhaps you should have the "boss" hang a huge disclaimer that says this is...."religion", because frankly, I have no idea what "forum" this is, I just post.

Click on the following link.

See the big black letters that state "From the Religion Forum Moderator" in reply no. 1?

[TYVets]

I thought Lent was that time of year when the FReepers traditionally gave up Mormon bashing in favor of Catholic bashing.

Call in John Ankerberg he can do a 30 minute bash of both at the drop of a dollar.

[ScreamingFist]

Sometimes it bees that way.

Fair enough. I'll try to avoid the "religious" threads.

[ScreamingFist]

Make sure you report yourself for saying the .....B word....idiot.

[ScreamingFist]

Here's one of the rules that you're not familiar with. Words like

I'm waiting.....delete you own post.

[Graybeard58]

Make sure you report yourself for saying the .....B word....idiot.

The "I" word is frowned upon too.

Not so much as the other one though.

[ScreamingFist]

Not so much as the other one though.

Well, I suggest you go to town....start with post 116.....

[ScreamingFist]

Nicely done.....see you can’t speak freely here either.

[Graybeard58]

Like I said - sometimes it bees that way.

[Colofornian]

So in that case, I guess you have a problem with the Jehovah's Witnesses, too? They also go door to door, after all. What about the Catholic and Baptist Churches? They have missionaries all across the world...are they also meddling in other peoples' business?

Boy are you confused. I was merely taking your standards at face value -- and asking why no equal application.

I was arguing according to your own standard of "No meddling...Mind your own business." (That's not mine).

When JWs & Lds come over, I welcome them. We have good convos.

I don't have this "No meddling" sign at my door like you do at the touch of your fingers on your keyboards. I don't have this "Mind your own business" sign on my property like you do under your posting name.

But you. YOU indeed have gone on the record this thread as having these kind of spiritual standards.

Why don't apply to your porch what you apply to others' keyboards???

Not unless you're ready to condemn all denominations that go door to door and send missionaries across the globe.

You are a confused poster when you see own standard extended beyond what we've talked about on this thread -- to be applied in a broader way -- and then watch you criticize it!!! How funny!

Again. If a huckster comes to my door, religious or otherwise, hey, that's a Free Republic. YOU, on the other hand, scold perceived meddlers and busybodies. Except...Mormon missionaries. When Mormon missionaries inquire into the spiritual status of people they ring doorbells on, suddenly spiritual busybodyism is A-OK with you! And once I suggest you apply your standard beyond a forum like this, you whip out your whip & start chastising such a notion.

(Maybe the two of you inside of you ought to get together & have a convo as to where you stand on "busybodyism")

Do you realize that if 52,000 Lds missionaries -- paired up two-by-two -- knocked on 39 doors a day...that's over 1 million DAILY impositions that seems to fly in the face of your "mind your own business" lecture tour?

Where's your spiritual libertarianism when it comes to that? Why does it suddenly seem to evaporate in the wind?

[Godzilla]

Last I checked, this is America.....you know, freedom of religion.

Yes, that same freedom of religion permits Christians to challenge the beliefs of non-christian cults who WANT to call themselves Christian too.

Would you respond in like manner to mormons? After all, they have 50,000 or so missionaries knocking on doors around the world telling Christians that their church is apostate and they are the only TRUE church.

One need not roll around speaking in tongues (thought you said there was still freedom of religion - or are you a bigot against pentecostals?), just open the bible, do a little reading and research.

[wku man]

"I have to wonder if some of you even bothered to read the thread article."

I read enough to recognize yet another "Mormons are more loyal to their Church than they are to their country" article. Ho hum. I'm not Mormon, I'm not interested in being Mormon, I really don't care about Mormon doctrine and, despite the the imminent threat you evidently think the LDS Church poses, I don't feel threatened one bit by Mormons or Mormonism. In fact, I look forward to seeing some of them, because they are cheerful, pleasant people.

Plus, I've read enough Mormon-bashing articles (and Catholic-bashing, Jewish-bashing and Evangelical-bashing articles as well) over the years to recognize yet another rant that doesn't jive with what I've seen with my own two eyes.

Finally, it's just plain getting boring, I'm sorry to say.

I realize some folks who have left the LDS Church have an axe to grind, and may feel compelled to post articles entitled "HAVE YOU NOTICED THIS ABOUT MORMONS?" in caps for all FReepers to see, plain as day. So I feel compelled to ask what color is the sky on Planet I Hate The LDS Church, 'cause here on this planet I like to call "Earth", where Mormons and "infidels" can be friends and not butt into each others' business, it's generally blue on nice days.

Does that mean I'm going to vote for Mitt Romney, which I believe is the root inspiration of this, and countless other articles bashing Mormons as a whole? Not in a million years. I'd write myself in before I voted for that pro-homosexual, anti-traditional marriage, statist RINO. Romney has enough baggage without having to paint all Mormons with the same brush.

Have a pleasant rest of the evening.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[ScreamingFist]

or are you a bigot against pentecostals?

Not really. Some of the hottest women I know are Holy Rollers. This entire thread is about hating Mormons. I have no love for muslims. So what? You want to post on a thread about hating religions, then be prepared to pony up.

[greyfoxx39]

We've experienced this poster before. I have a suspicion there is a handler behind the scenes who knows very well the forum rules. IMO there are a couple here trying very hard for a thread lock, since there is quite a lot of information in the original article that is uncomfortable for mormons to see right out there in plain sight.

In any case, they are keeping this thread moving right along. ;0)

[Colofornian]

From my experience, Mormons leave you alone if you tell them you're not interested in their church

#1 - I wasn't talking about generic Mormons in this post that you responded to...I was SPECIFICALLY discussing 52,000 Mormon missionaries.

#2 - Allow me to RE-emphasize what I said in my 2nd-to-last graph of my previous post to show the contrast here:

Do you realize that if 52,000 Lds missionaries -- paired up two-by-two -- knocked on 39 doors a day...that's over 1 million DAILY impositions that seems to fly in the face of your "mind your own business" lecture tour?

There's NO WAY you can postulate on what 52,000 Mormon missionaries are doing on their 6-million-+ contacts per week around the world as to how many of them steer clear of your "spiritual meddling" standards...

If only 1% of those "contacts" each week involved spiritual "busybodyism" -- while the other 99% of Mormon missionary contacts showed a high level of "leaving people alone" per their wishes...that still means that 6,000 contacts per week may involve Mormons being busybodies about the spiritual welfare of others.

Me? If they want to do that, hey, it's a free republic.

You? You've already laid down your sword that to be a spiritual "busybody" is a "no-no" that breaks one of your stone commandments.

So, if 6,000 contacts per week among Lds missionaries violates your sacred boundary -- or if it was only half of that -- 3,000 (less than 1/2% of all contacts)...or half it again -- 1,500...tell us...why, oh multi-faced one, would 1,500 to 6,000 per week over-your-boundary contacts be perfectly acceptable to you...but one online vanity bothered you?

Where's your libertarian consistency? (It's gone AWOL)