Posted on 07/10/2011 3:56:37 PM PDT by delacoert
Mormons often say that Christians that write or speak about the Mormon Church and Mormonism as being contrary to the gospel that Christ and His apostles taught are Anti-Mormon. But the Mormon Church and Mormon Church leaders have a long history of declaring Christianity to be false, fallen and contrary to true doctrine. By the Mormon standard of Anti-Mormon, is the reverse scenario that Mormons are Anti-Christian? The Anti-Mormon Label: Mormons and the Mormon Church often and freely throw around the term “Anti-Mormon”. The Mormon Church often labels anyone who speaks anything about Mormonism or the LDS Church that does not promote faith in it or that does not portray it a positive light as Anti-Mormon. But the term Anti-Mormon really is far too broad a brush and is used far too frequently where it’s not warranted. Certainly, there are some that may certainly qualify as Anti-Mormon in the sense that they hate the Mormon Church (most of those are individuals who have belonged to it at one point). However, just because one seeks to get the message out to the Mormon people that there are credibility problems with the Mormon Church and/or that Mormon Beliefs are in conflict with the Word of God does not mean that there is hate or attack in the message. But the term Anti-Mormon indeed carries an inference of hate and/or religious bigotry. However, kindly proclaiming truth in love and with real concern for the spiritual welfare of a people is not hateful - it is not Anti. I think most Christians would not condone any behavior that is truly disrespectful to the Mormon people, such as defiling Mormon Temple Garments in public or chanting Secret Temple phrases on the streets. Those who do engage in such conduct, should examine the Word of God and re-think their approach. If the truth cannot be proclaimed in love, it probably should not be proclaimed, unless and until it can be proclaimed in such manner. Proclaiming the Truth in Love: It is a legitimate for bible-believing Christians to bring to light doctrines that truly are contrary to the Word of God - the bible. Neither Jesus nor His apostles would hold back in calling out false doctrines and practices and giving a warning. Here is an example of some of their warnings: "[B]ut there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:1-8 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth ANOTHER JESUS, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive ANOTHER SPIRIT, which ye have not received, or ANOTHER GOSPEL, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 In fact, past LDS Church Leaders in the past have proclaimed that if the Mormon Church or its scriptures be proven false that it should be exposed to the world as a fraud. Here's an oft-quoted example: Orson Pratt made this statement concerning The Book of Mormon: "This book must be either true or false. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from God... If false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions... The nature of the message in the Book of Mormon is such, that if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it; If false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it... If, after a rigid examination, it be found an imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments on which the imposture was detected, should be clearly and logically stated, that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of deception, and to be reclaimed, and that those who continue to publish the delusion may be exposed and silenced, not by physical force, neither by persecutions, bare assertions, nor ridicule, but by strong and powerful arguments - by evidences adduced from scripture and reason..." (Orson Pratt's Works, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, Liverpool, 1851, pp. 1-2). There are in fact many evidences that show that the veracity Mormon Church, the Book of Mormon and other Mormon Scriptures and teachings are, at worst, false - or, at best, seriously in question. Although it may make some uncomfortable, there should be no harm in letting the facts be illuminated so that they can be seen for what they are (in fact, that should be encouraged): "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:20-21 What is truth will not mind being examined for what it is. After all, it is the truth that shall make us free. Are Mormons Anti-Christian? For the reverse scenario, consider some of Mormonism's many statements against Christianity:
"What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world," (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 270) (Emphasis added)
"We talk about Christianity, but it is a perfect pack of nonsense.... Myself and hundreds of the Elders around me have seen its pomp, parade, and glory; and what is it? It is a sounding brass and a tinkling symbol; it is as corrupt as hell; and the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century," (John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, 1858, p. 167) (Emphasis added)
"The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:171)
"With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:199)
"And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God [Mormon Church] belongeth to that great church which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth" (1 Nephi 14:10)
"And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth [all churches other than the LDS Church], whose foundation is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence. . ." (1 Nephi. 14:17)
[There is] "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God" Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190
"You call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a God, and also upon Brigham Young, our Governor” Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5, p. 88
"One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation," (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206)
"This is the only true church ...This is not a church. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. There are churches of men all over the land and they have great cathedrals, synagogues, and other houses of worship running into the hundreds of millions of dollars. They are churches of men. They teach the doctrines of men, combined with the philosophies and ethics and other ideas and ideals that men have partly developed and partly found in sacred places and interpreted for themselves" (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.421)
"[H]e that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is anti-christ" (Brigham Young , Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p.312)
"Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 10:230) (Emphasis added)
"Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 255) (Emphasis added)
With declarations such as these from the Mormon Church and Mormon Leadership, should we then refer to Mormons as "Anti-Christians"?
Not at all. All the things I listed are part of various religions here in the US.
I expect consistency from you and I’m not getting it.
You are the one that has twisted the constitution and the First amendment, not me. I apply it to both sides.
They can practice their religion, and I can speak out against it and tell them they are going to hell.
Let me guess you are an ‘ex Christian’, right?
BTW, are you aware that aside from the US “Mormon War”, there was an extermination order in the State of Missouri against the Mormons? It was brought about after the Mormons (who declared a theocratic state in opposition to the US) attempted to assassinate the Governor.
Furthermore, there was a de facto theocracy in the early days of Utah and in many ways there is still one today.
So does your freedom of religion rant extend to the overthrow of the US government?
defend anyone’s right to practice a religion, free from persecution...
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So you agree with 9/11 ???
Those Moslems only wanted “to practice a religion, free from persecution”...
Kid you cant make blanket statements
AND THEN pick and choose...
You seem to want us to take you at your word...
You’ve already lined some of the Inmans up against the wall....
and shot us for our cheek at practicing our religion...
You missed Elsie and got one of his goats...
Did Willie Mitty teach you to shoot ???
"The defenders of Mormonism are primarily made up of freerepublic’s atheists, anti-social conservatives, anti-Christians, ex Romneybots, current Romneybots, and anti-conservative bottom feeders of every stripe, in huge numbers."
Yes, the old "speak out of both sides of their mouths trick." On the one hand, they like to very openly & publicly say, "We're Christians, too."
But if they were "Christians" -- and we're "Christians"...they wouldn't proselytize Christians so hard...nor would they ex-communicate Mormons for persistently attending Christian churches.
But if they were Christians the way they define us in at times a more lower profile way, they'd REALLY be saying, "Hey, we're Christians, too. We're 'apostates' just they are."
It must get dizzy switchin' the PR button on & off their mouths: In one sentence we're apostates; in the very next sentence, they desire to nab our brand name!
Courtesy PING to #62
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Firstly, don't curse. Secondly, the First Amendment to the Constitution begins: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
Perhaps you need someone to explain that to you? It's about freedom of religion, not freedom from ridicule. People laugh at Tom Cruise because his religion (Scientology) was invented as a tax dodge by a science-fiction author. Likewise, Mormonism was invented as a get-rich-quick scheme by another science-fiction author, Joseph Smith, Jr.
Personally, as a Christian, I don't laugh at Scientologists or Mormons - I weep for the loss of their souls to eternal damnation. Feel free to laugh at me for this; it it you right, after all.
Retread troll, or second account?
Grunthor
“ No....most I know are pro-mormon.”
I agree , they are pro-mormon lifestyle (no lying, no cheating, no stealing , no assault , no covet, etc.) that conventional members of Christian Churches espouse .
To the Mormon , it is a lifestyle , and not just an hour or two , weekly religious celebration.
(Nice to know you're not bigoted vs. Christians or anything /sarc)
WEelcome to FRee Republic n00b
Did you sign up today just to bash Christians ???
Welcome to FRee Republic n00b
Did you sign up today just to bash Christians ???
Welcome to freerepublic, this is probably all very new to you.
Both probably
Deja vue 2008
the RomneyBots are thick as flies
Pimping for their master...
I think from the looks of things true Christians are going to have to get rather tuff skinned.
Very well stated, Tennessee Nana. We lived in a small town in Utah in the eighties for a year. Generally speaking the more dedicated a Mormon was toward his church the worse he was his non-Mormon neighbors and co-workers.
Welcome to FRee Republic
Mormonism was founded on the principal of anti-Christian behavior and lifestyle...
Joey Smith wrote doctrines which blasphemed every one of the Ten Commandments of the Christian Bible
It was his “lifestyle , and not just an hour or two , weekly religious celebration.”
Most of his waking moments were spent thinking up ways to spit in the face of God...
All mormons rever and “sustain” everything Joey Smith ever did or said or wrote...
BTW did you know that Joey Smith committed adultery with at least 40 women ages 14 and up ???
He had most of the women in the last 2 years of his life...
He was finally shot for his philandering among other reasons...
the worse he was (TO) his non-Mormon neighbors and co-workers. ???
People who ar epro-Mormon are ignorant of the Christian faith or just anti-Christian
Well I never said they were Christians, just good people.
The Bible clearly speaks agaiinst the rosary recoitations, are you unaware of that?
Mt 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mt 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mt 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
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