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What is the Significance of Easter for Mormons?
Christian Answers.Net ^ | 1998 | Jim Robertson

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.


TOPICS: Other Christian; Religion & Culture; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: easter; inman; lds; mormon; pageant
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To: restornu

You haven’t answered. You have gone off on tangents that aren’t relevant to the question.

Did Christ LIE?

Since you appear to have alot of “resources” at your disposal, ask them.

I sense much fear from mormons on this topic because it not only discredits JS’s lies created in the grove, it shows him to be the heretic and blasphemer that he truly was.

Christ was/is not a liar as JS made him out to be.

The church just has to be true and protected over what Jesus said. Claim to worship Him all you want, but mormons dismiss and discard His very words on the topic.

What a shame, it’s just so patently obvious to those who read Christ’s words without the biases imposed by mormonism.

There was no “complete apostasy”, Christ did not lie, thus mormonism is false.

There, I’ve answered it for you. See how easy that was?


241 posted on 04/28/2011 8:11:35 AM PDT by SZonian (July 27, 2010. Life begins anew.)
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To: SZonian; restornu; Lurker
Bluntly there was no Apostasy, great or otherwise. The Mormon group is making up fairytales. There was no Apostasy and J. Smith came 1800+ years later and made up a story with such fake items as "Reformed Egyptian" (big laugh) and the fake "Book of Abraham" -- both of these works of fiction he could make because hieroglyphs hadn't been deciphered yet. However, we can now read hieroglyphs and KNOW there was never any "reformed Egyptian", we know that what is purportedly the Book of Abraham is just a copy of the ancient book of the dead dedicated to the ancient egyptian God Osirus and Anubis.

How can intelligent people believe in this fiction? It's wilder and less sensical than what Scientologists believe in.

242 posted on 04/28/2011 8:19:53 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: SZonian
J Smith supposedly knew of an Apostasy that started with the Apostles -- quite a shocker eh? And how did J Smith know about this, 1800 years later? fantasy...

If there really was a complete apostasy, how do we explain our Lord's claim that his Church never would be overcome, "Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:19)? What about his promise that he would be with his Church until the end of time (Matt. 28:20)? What about his promise to send the Holy Spirit as a guide who would abide with the Church (John 14:16, 26)? What about the Holy Spirit guiding the Church into all truth (John 16:13)?

No Mormon can say exactly WHEN this supposed apostasy took place, it's just fantasy

243 posted on 04/28/2011 8:28:09 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: Cronos

Exactly. That’s the crux of my argument with the mormons. JS cherry picked a few examples of apostasy related in the Bible, then expounded upon it.

Took it to a whole other level. Created the first vision account out of whole cloth. People suspended reason in believing that JS could actually be permitted to lay eyes upon God and live.

Suspending reality in believing that Jesus would actually be that impotent or duplicitous as to permit His church to completely apostasize even though He stated otherwise.

It’s just not possible to claim a belief in and follow Jesus while claiming a belief in mormonism.

One is false.


244 posted on 04/28/2011 8:41:03 AM PDT by SZonian (July 27, 2010. Life begins anew.)
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To: Cronos
No answer from lds defends will come, if they answer truthfully then joseph smith was a liar and js cannot be a liar otherwise their belief systems is destroyed.
245 posted on 04/28/2011 8:43:04 AM PDT by svcw (Non forgiveness is like holding a hot coal thinking the other person will be blistered)
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To: svcw; Cronos; restornu

So they obfuscate, dance, twist, squirm, etc. because they cannot confess that one or the other is a liar.

They have to protect JS as you said in order to protect their belief system.

If they confess Christ lied, or was impotent, then the jig is up. They aren’t Christian because God is perfect, He is incapable of lying. And if He couldn’t keep His church, then He is not omnipotent.

Oh what a twisted web of deceit JS and subsequently, SLC has woven...

I can’t begin to describe the overwhelming sensation/feelings of joy and freedom I have in knowing that I’m now free of that web.

Jesus plucked me out of the web.


246 posted on 04/28/2011 8:51:17 AM PDT by SZonian (July 27, 2010. Life begins anew.)
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To: SZonian

Amen brother!


247 posted on 04/28/2011 8:58:47 AM PDT by svcw (Non forgiveness is like holding a hot coal thinking the other person will be blistered)
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To: restornu

Folllow your GOD!

Quit eating MEAT!

WOW dc89


248 posted on 04/28/2011 3:09:13 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
There is a vast different when the Lord’s anointed was upon the earth and gave instructions

Ha ha!

Why don't you APOSTATE mormons FOLLOW them then??


D&C 89

12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
14 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

249 posted on 04/28/2011 3:18:13 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
Knowledge of the Lord comes through revelation to His annoited sevants not from a committee which was form by man of the wolrd.

WHAT!?

Then WHY, in GOD's name, does MORMONism have a COMMITTEE to VERIFY what GOD told the ANNOINTED One??


250 posted on 04/28/2011 3:21:11 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: SZonian
So they obfuscate, dance, twist, squirm, etc. because they cannot confess that one or the other is a liar.

It's no WONDER that young MORMONs are ABANDONING the faith!

251 posted on 04/28/2011 3:23:35 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: svcw

I prophecy:

an image of JS will turn up soon;
and he will sport Bieber hair!


252 posted on 04/28/2011 3:24:53 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie
Egypt Smilie Pharaoh LOL Funny Laugh Laughing Pharoah King Tut Egyptian Ancient Egypt Luxor Smilies Smiley Smileys Icon Icons Emoticon Emoticons Animated Animation Animations Gif Gifs Pictures, Images and Photos
253 posted on 04/28/2011 3:27:19 PM PDT by svcw (Non forgiveness is like holding a hot coal thinking the other person will be blistered)
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To: Elsie

if figures you do not know the difference between world and Heavenyly calling!


254 posted on 04/28/2011 4:45:31 PM PDT by restornu
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To: restornu
I DO know that what MORMONism DOES and what it has WRITTEN are two things that do not agree; therefore it is a FALSE religion - founded by a PROVEN conman after listening to TWO demonic Angels of LIGHT.
255 posted on 04/28/2011 5:55:19 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu
if figures you do not know the difference between world and Heavenyly calling!

Then perhaps YOU can explain it to us all; RIGHT?

Or just point us to some scripture to back up what you so vaguely claim.

256 posted on 04/28/2011 5:56:38 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: restornu; Elsie
Yea, Constantine had a calling and the gang of 12 do not.
257 posted on 04/28/2011 6:01:38 PM PDT by svcw (Non forgiveness is like holding a hot coal thinking the other person will be blistered)
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To: restornu; Godzilla; SZonian; aMorePerfectUnion; caww
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—”built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

...have been restored...

(So much for JESUS saying "...the gatesd of HELL shall NOT prevail against it...")


To have a 'restoration', one must have a NEED for it.

What we have HERE is a CLAIM of 'restoration' with ZERO evidence ever being produced to show that the 'church' NEEDED restoring!


Therefore, RESTORNU is a.....

258 posted on 05/13/2011 4:10:53 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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