I'd rather have Lds like yourself state their views -- with some thought put into them like what you have offered -- than simply sulk or hurl invectives or judge motivations.
We are fortunate to live in circumstances where we are free to worship according to the dictates of our own consciences.
My Q back to you JTT...I know this is your 11th article of faith...and therefore you seemingly "have" to believe it...It's tantamount to a "creed..." But have you ever dissected what this means -- if thoroughly applied?
I mean, JusttheTruth, what if I took Smith's "civil" tolerant sounding statement and started applying it theologically?
What? Mormons believe that smoking peyote or something more -- if done under a religious conviction -- is a "privilege" unto man and that God sanctions people "worship[ing] how...or what...may"???
Would that include Manasseh & others engaging in child sacrifice in the OT?
Or what about prostitutes @ some of the pagan temples? This is a god who sanctions that as an endorsement to the point He's willing to build an "article of faith" around it? Wow! (Mormons are pretty liberal, after all)
So the next time a head-hunting, head-shrinker or voodoo thread comes up, should I say, "You Mormons be sure to peep up and 'bless' that with your 'article of faith' endorsement, too"??
You know, JTT, for some reason, the Mormon god contradicts the god of the Bible: "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods." (Deut. 12:31)
So did you know that the 11th article of faith contradicts the Old Testament?
You know, I RARELY agree with Lds "apostle" Bruce McConkie...But even the Lds “apostle” Bruce McConkie got this one right (I know, quite rare):
“True and saving worship is found only among those who know the truth about God and the Godhead and who understand the true relationship men should have with each member of that Eternal Presidency.” [Come Unto Christ Melchizedek Priesthood Personal Study Guide, p. 45 (1983, 1986)]
Free to worship... while also being subject to laws...
In general, we’re fortunate in the USA that conflicts between these two have been infrequent. I fear that in an increasingly secular and “Godless” world, such conflicts are only going to increase as the laws of man are altered to be contrary to the laws of God.
As an unrelated side note, at some point it would be interesting to learn what facts, events, circumstances, individuals or information caused you to become so singularly focused and apparently relentlessly committed to your ongoing attempts to discredit the LDS church through FreeRepublic.com. I’m not young nor inexperienced, but I don’t think I have encountered someone so dedicated to your anti-LDS cause.