Posted on 04/22/2011 9:22:03 AM PDT by Colofornian
answered by a former leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
EASTER PAGEANTS
Most temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) perform pageants. Some, such as the temple where I live in Mesa, Arizona, choose to annually perform a beautiful “Easter” pageant. Mormons and Christians do not share the same understanding of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. In years past, the pageant was performed depicting events in accordance with Mormon teachings. Apparently, in more recent years, when LDS leaders realized that this was offending Christians, they began presenting the Christian view of Easter. The main purpose after all seems to be to draw non-Mormons. During this show, one may find the grounds teeming with Mormon missionaries. They use this performance to get visitors to fill out a card which results in later home visits from missionaries. The non-LDS person rarely knows that the pageant is used for that purpose.
CELEBRATION OF RESURRECTION SUNDAY
Resurrection Sunday itself is pretty much a non-event for Mormons. Although this religious holiday is mentioned among Mormons, I know of none that actually celebrate it in a major way. Most use the time to either view the annual LDS conference televised from Salt Lake, Utah, or discuss the conference or prepare for it.
CHRIST’S DEATH
The Mormon's concept of Jesus is different than the Bible's. When their Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane, he shed there his blood for the transgression of sins. The LDS Church does not accept the biblical idea that Christ's blood was shed on the cross to wash away our sins - present, past and future. Mormons fail to realize that the empty cross is for Christians the symbol of their salvation and the fulfillment of God's promise.
Under the Mormon system of theology, one must in effect, earn their way into heaven. In the LDS Articles of Faith, Mormon apostle James Talmadge states that since your "sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements - 'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the [LDS] Gospel.'" [James Talmadge*, Articles of Faith, p. 87.] "Christ's atonement makes it possible to be saved from sin if we do our part," says Elder Boyd K. Packer, an apostle of the LDS Church. Doing “our part” refers a need to work out our own salvation. This is in disagreement with the New Testament's teaching of grace (See Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-25; Romans 5; Titus 3:5; Luke 18:10-14, Romans 4:5, Galatians 3 and 5:4). According to the Bible one cannot work their way to Heaven. Salvation is by faith alone - acceptance of God's gift of salvation and reliance on Christ's promise of what will happen after our earthly death. Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24).
The Bible says…
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9
THE RESURRECTION
Mormons believe that Christ's resurrection is their personal guarantee that they and everyone else will also be resurrected. But where they go after death is determined by the number of works they perform in this life and whether they are good Mormons.
When Mormons are asked, “If you were to die at this very moment, where would you go?” If they are honest, they will reply, “Well, I hope that I've done enough good works that I can progress to the highest heaven, the Celestial Kingdom.” Mormons believe that there is a “paradise” or spirit world where all humans go after death. In this spirit world, there are supposedly Mormon missionaries who give you one more chance to accept or reject the message of Mormonism. If you accept, then you are baptized by proxy into the church here on earth. This is known as baptism for the dead. Those that have accepted LDS teachings go to one of the Mormon heavens (Celestial, Terrestrial or Telestial), depending on their earthly works.
Author: Jim Robertson, Concerned Christians. Editor: Paul S. Taylor, Eden Communications.
Reference Note
* Although there are “13 Articles of Faith” in the LDS religion, there is also a book written on the subject called Articles of Faith by the late LDS apostle Dr. James E. Talmage, first published by Deseret Book Co. (the LDS religion's publishing company) in 1899. Mr. Talmage served in the LDS religion as an apostle between December 7, 1911 and his death on July 27, 1933. His book is considered to be an LDS classic. The quote can actually be found in chapter 4, at the top of p. 79 of “Articles of Faith.” (Bob Betts, Concerned Christians)
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The Mormons thought them impudent and “saucy.”
http://1857ironcountymilitia.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.96.orderdheading
Why is it you feel that calling out mormonISM is hate?
Why because they don’t. P mormons teach the price was paid in the garden not on the Cross, where you not aware of this?
mormons teach that Salvation is earned not of Grace IE “after all you can do”, where you not aware of this?
I counter your comment that grace is central to Mormon theology by quoting Mormon general authorities.
And what do you do? Instead of coming back with any counter argument, you launch into an ad hominen attack about some degree of "hate." (BTW, how do you determine that all critiques are hate-motivated when you can't see the inside of others' hearts? Do you use some magic urim & thummim rock or magic 8-ball or somethin?).
It's become way too typical of defenders of Mormonism. They can't answer the concerns raised. So they change the subject and launch their own attacks to brand others as "hateful" -- which if they were consistent in applying -- would = that their own comments, per their own standards, are themselves "hateful." [If it's "hateful" to critique; and you critique others; hence, your own personal standard condemns you...too many FREEPERS, especially a lot of non-Mormons defending Mormons, refute their own condemnations by engaging in the same behavior they condemn!]
Overall, your tactic isn't very nice.
Not very loving.
Doesn't stick to the issues.
Gets personal about persons they don't know.
Is a poor example for others to follow.
And leaves your lack of credibility obvious to all, thereby shooting your own respect-level in the foot, so to speak.
I suggest to you that if you're going to raise a theological claim; and somebody counters it with a counter-theological claim. Don't just come back with an ad hominen attack as a "hater."
It's not very becoming of the image the Lord originally had in mind for you.
Jesus never used the word "heretic".. but he did speak of sheep pens..
I see the sheep pens as holding tanks for those drunk on the wine of this life.. until they sober up..
After all when they listen to the voice of the "gate" calling them "OUT"(of the SP).. two choices..
They either come OUT.. or... STAY IN..
Quite a wonderful metaphor I would say... explains denominations(sheep pens)..
Is the Church of Latter Day Saints....--> a Sheep Pen?..
If you ask that... you're still a bit tipsy..
Because surely the Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, and Presbyers are.. (and many others)..
Quite a wonderful mechanism I would say.. a self sorting mechanism..
Yeah!... the Mormons are just drunk, you know..
Stupefied, excited, or muddled with alcoholic liquor: besotted, crapulent, crapulous, drunken, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated, sodden, tipsy, cockeyed, stewed, blind, bombed, boozed, boozy, crocked, high, lit (up), loaded, looped, pickled, pixilated, plastered, potted, sloshed, smashed, soused, stinking, stinko, stoned, tight, zonked.
You come out of the SP into Psalm 23..
Restornu has no gravitas.
Who knows but when I first was converted I too was like Beck and could see events unfold before they did in the world.
Now today the things Beck talked about on Nov 5, 2010 plus so many other things are unfolding as we speak on the Drudge Report!
Dollar’s Decline Speeds Up...
China planning to cut U.S. reserves by two-thirds?
Gold and silver continue to surge...
IMF: AGE OF AMERICA NEARS END
http://www.drudgereport.com/
There are many of us out there with strong discernment!
BECK Nov 5, 2011 changing of America
http://www.watchglennbeck.com/video/2010/November/glenn-beck-show-november-5-2010-prepare-dont-panic/
Terrified, sums it up nicely.
He is entertaining but not really too smart.. as I see smartness..
But then.. who is?
***
Did you watch the video unless you will not appreciate the heads up!
the second video in that group is where they talk about the IMF
Worldly information wise I like him..
Spiritually he seems to me to be infantile..
I agree.
MHG, you state, Now why have a few of your decided to attack my FRiend hosepipe? Some have even insulted hosepipe by calling hosepipe 'a Mormon'!
Why would YOU attack MY FRiends when they are just responding to someone who is obviously just trying to disrupt the thread and insult those of us who are on it?
IMO, chastisement of this nature does little to encourage respect for either your FRiend OR yourself. Perhaps some judgment should be utilized in picking one's battles......AND loyalties.
Right, got it. And just so you’l know in the future, hosepipe is as far from being a Mormon as the Pope is. The style hosepipe uses may not suit some folks’ taste, but ganging up to insult hosepipe by calling hosepipe a Mormon is out of the bounds I would set. ... Nothing further follows
I heard Beck say the sun was going to come up tomorrow.
(No need to reply, as you have me on IGNORE.)
Yup; I discern that your steno typed this.
"Mother; I have learned discerned that PRESBYTERIANism is UNTRUE."
This won’t be an agument, because I’m not going to argue back. Doing so helps no one.
Last post to the forum on this topic.
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