Where did that EYE come from??
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)
Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved - except as noted on attached “Usage and Copyright” page that grants ChristianAnswers.Net users generous rights for putting this page to work in their homes, personal witnessing, churches and schools.
Tell us, Resty. Who are your titled "pastors"???
1 Corinthians 12:28 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets,
Tell us, Resty, why has the Mormon church reversed this order?
And why do you need a prophet when the New Testament says that was in former days? -- in "latter" days Jesus Christ is the Living Revelation of the Father. (See Hebrews 1:1-2)
And how many breakaways have there been from the Mormon church not very many lifetimes of men? (Quite a few!!!)
Why were there so many adjustments down through the ages with the council.
Boy this was a real laugher coming from a Mormon.
Let's see. Skin color changes for who could hold the priesthood (that's Mormonism)
Did Baptism of the dead exist 1830-into early part of 1840? (No)
What about concept of becoming a god? Taught by Mormons 1830 into early part of 1844? (No)
What about polygamy? Adjustment of heavily frowned upon in BoM...then OK'd...then frowned upon again...
What about Adam is god? Taught by Brigham Young from mid 1850s through mid 1870s...then not taught by ensuing Lds "prophets"
So Lds "prophets" can't even label who their god is...whether they should become one or not...deal with salvation after death or not? How many wives should you have? What color of race is sanctioned -- or not -- by the Mormon god?
These were not mere minor "adjustments." You've essentially confessed here with these huge Lds changes that you worship at the altar of a cult!
And GOD did NOT set in the ‘church’ lying PERSONAGES, FALSE prophets and conmen adulterers!
And GOD DID give us SCRPTURE that tells us to REBUKE and denounce false teachings: of which, MORMONism is chief!
HA ha!
The FUNDAMENTALISTs are MUCH closer to TRUE mormonism than you SLC folkjs will EVER be!
~ Wilford Woodruff, 4th LDS President
Lily-livered, scaredy-cat 'mormons'
HA ha ha!
Afriad of the US Government so they told their 'god' to take a hike!
The PERSONAGES were Angels of LIGHT that the BIBLE warns about.
Deal with it.
Ha ha ha!
Resty?
EXPLAIN???
Shirley U. Jest
And just WHERE in the MORMON 'scriptures' are found:
Elders, Quorums, Conferences, and the SECRET Temple Rituals®?
Well if all that you say were so svcw self would not get in the way when trying to do the will of the Lord!
How could there have been "a COMPLETE apostasy" if Christ stated that the gates of Hades would not prevail against His church and that where two or more gathered in His name, He would be there?
Organized religion (Mormons, Presby's, Catholics, etc.) is the thing that you appear to be stuck on.
What mormonism teaches is that Christ's church fell into apostasy. That is saying that Christ deliberately lied, which any Christian knows is not possible.
The purpose and result of the Council of Nicea has been explained to you in the past.
Has to. Otherwise the entire premise of the “restored® gospel” is defeated.
Yup.
In fact, Mormons thereby portray both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul as false prophets.
Here's the specifics as to why the Mormons label Jesus & Paul as lying false prophets.
Jesus:
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matt. 16:18)
Did these gates prevail for 1500-1800 years per Mormonism? (Ya better believe it!)
Paul:
21Unto him be glory IN THE CHURCH by Christ Jesus THROUGHOUT ALL AGE, WORLD WITHOUT END. Amen. (Eph. 3:21)
Tell us Resty. Tell us Mormons. Go ahead. Prove Eph. 3:21 false. Tell us exactly how Christ was able to provide glory to God "in the church...throughout all age, world without end" if it was in such apostasy?
Go ahead, Resty. Go ahead Mormons. Take some scissors and slice Eph. 3:21 out of your Bible if you don't believe it.
Otherwise, you have Mormons, yet again, trying to speak out of both sides of their mouth! (Which they've become WAY too good at in their p.r. ploys)
Where did that EYE come from??
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.