Posted on 11/14/2012 10:44:44 PM PST by reaganaut
Members of the LDS Church are familiar with the charge that Mormonism isn't a Christian faith. They hear it often enough, but they really don't understand why people think that. "We are Christians," Mormon President Gordon B. Hinckley insisted. "We have the name of Jesus Christ right in the name of our Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We follow Christ. We worship Him. We love Him. He is the center of all we do"("Inspirational Thoughts," Liahona, June 1999, 3; 2 Nephi 25:24-29).
In the summer of 2005 we asked Mormons in Nauvoo, Illinois to take a quiz we called "Guess Who?" The quiz consisted of 15 relatively recent statements made by LDS leaders; we asked the participants to see if they could determine who their Church leaders were talking about. We invite you to take the same quiz. The answers will be at the end; see if you can do this without scrolling down for the answers.
His teachings "are the foundation of our faith. Everything we have is a lengthened shadow of [him]."
"I pray we may learn from his example, that we might incorporate into our lives the great principles which he so beautifully taught; that we ourselves might emulate him;..."
"I honor and revere [his] name... I delight to hear it; I love it. I love his doctrine... I am his witness."
"He died for those he loved. He reigns in the realms above."
"The more I learn of him, the more I love and revere him."
"I look to him. I love him. I seek to follow him."
"He not only gave us joy, happiness and opportunity here, but also a great hope in the life to come."
"Today, this Sabbath day, in many thousands of congregations, perhaps as many as twenty-one thousand, in many areas of the earth, our people have sung or will sing the praises of [him]."
"Of noble seed, of heavenly birth, he came to bless the sons of earth."
He was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief."
"Church members are interested in learning more about [him] because they love him and they love the gospel he brought forth."
"How great indeed is our debt to him. ...Great is his glory,... We stand in reverence before him... Let us not forget him. Let not his memory be forgotten in the celebration of Christmas."
"...and he shall stand in due time on the earth, in the flesh, and fulfill that to which he is appointed."
"The light, provided to the world by [him], illuminates the confusion, clarifies the principles of the gospel, and helps lead men and women to their own eternal reward, if they will but endure to the end."
The "work that has been carried out by President Young and his brethren [of the Twelve] has been in accordance with the plans, and designs, and Spirit, and instructions of [him]."
How did you do?
If you thought these statements were about Jesus—the One Mormons claim to worship and adore, the One they say is the center of all they do—you are incorrect. In each statement above, the speaker was talking about Joseph Smith.
Quotes with References
His teachings "are the foundation of our faith. Everything we have is a lengthened shadow of [him]." (15th President Gordon B. Hinckley, Church News, 3/19/2005, p.3.)
"I pray we may learn from his example, that we might incorporate into our lives the great principles which he so beautifully taught; that we ourselves might emulate him;..." (Thomas Monson (First Presidency), Ensign, 6/1994, p.7.)
"I honor and revere [his] name... I delight to hear it; I love it. I love his doctrine... I am his witness." (2nd President Brigham Young, quoted in Ensign, 1/1996, p.7.)
"He died for those he loved. He reigns in the realms above." (3rd President John Taylor, Hymns #296, "The Seer, Joseph, The Seer." While this hymn was written in the 18th century, it is still in use as evidenced by its performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during the 175th Semi-Annual General Conference of the LDS Church in October, 2005.)
"The more I learn of him, the more I love and revere him." (Apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin, Church News, 2/19/2005, p.5.)
"I look to him. I love him. I seek to follow him." (15th Gordon B. Hinckley, Church News, 12/13/2003, p.3.)
"He not only gave us joy, happiness and opportunity here, but also a great hope in the life to come." (Apostle L. Tom Perry, Church News, 7/3/1993, p.4.)
"Today, this Sabbath day, in many thousands of congregations, perhaps as many as twenty-one thousand, in many areas of the earth, our people have sung or will sing the praises of [him]." (15th President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, 9/1994, p.62.)
"Of noble seed, of heavenly birth, he came to bless the sons of earth." (John Taylor, Hymns #296, "The Seer, Joseph, The Seer.")
He was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." (BYU Professor Robert Millet, Ensign, 9/1994, p.19.)
"Church members are interested in learning more about [him] because they love him and they love the gospel he brought forth." (LDS Church Historian Glen M. Leonard, Church News, 12/6/1997, p.4.)
"How great indeed is our debt to him. ...Great is his glory,... We stand in reverence before him... Let us not forget him. Let not his memory be forgotten in the celebration of Christmas." (15th President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, 12/1997, p.2.)
"...and he shall stand in due time on the earth, in the flesh, and fulfill that to which he is appointed." (Church News, 7/19/1994, p.5.)
"The light, provided to the world by [him], illuminates the confusion, clarifies the principles of the gospel, and helps lead men and women to their own eternal reward, if they will but endure to the end." (Church News, 12/13/1997, p.16.)
The "work that has been carried out by President Young and his brethren [of the Twelve] has been in accordance with the plans, and designs, and Spirit, and instructions of [him]." (George A. Smith (First Presidency), quoted in Church News, 12/20/1997, p.7.)
And yet, here you are, on the RELIGION forum.
Make up your mind, will you?
Acts 11:25-26 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
If you deny being a Christian, then you are not a disciple (follower) of Christ.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ, then you are a Christian, by default.
It's got nothing to do with religious activities.
You cannot control me, and that is all there is to it.
And you cannot control us.
That is your belief system, it isn’t mine.
And I never said I could control you, but I can call you out on Mormon bashing.
If you can’t leave others be, then you can expect the same.
Yep, gee, I wonder how that happened...
Last time I checked, Mormons aren’t taking heads off with dull knives if you don’t believe.
It’s amazing to me how intolerant “christians” are when it comes to christianity.
It is quite shocking.
But according to them, God commands it, so they believe are justified.
This is why I drew comparison to similar behavior of others who believe that their God has commanded them to do something, and they also feel justified.
I really can’t see the difference between the two, and I do not want any part of that.
I’m not going to burn in Hell because I am not of your religion.
That is so incredibly obnoxious. Quit trying to control people with garbage like that.
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Well, that is your decision, Christ said he was the ONLY way and Christianity IS my religion. So, take it up with Christ - not me.
You condemn yourself to Hell by not following him.
I’m not trying to control you, I’m trying to show you that your claims don’t hold water.
Either you are a Christian or you are not. WHAT you believe about Christ matters. If you are not a Christian then you don’t have a dog in this fight. If you are a Christian, (which you stated you are not), then you wouldn’t be berating us for speaking the truth of Christ.
BTW, my mom has been lurking on this thread and thinks you were abused and that is why you are so angry. She said she would add you to her prayers.
Jesus was neither zealous nor was he obsessed.
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You haven’t read the Bible, Chris, have you? Jesus was zealous and obsessed with the truth.
He didn’t adopt a ‘live and let live’ policy. He turned peoples worldviews upside down and confronted false teachers. As his followers how can we do any less?
I could imagine you in a high school & college history course...where every other phrase uttered by you in response to what the teacher/prof said would be, “they weren’t there, they do not know. What you are discussing is opinion.”
- - - —
As a former college professor of history, I would have kicked him out of class for that for disruption.
And yes, my heart is with Jesus, and no I’m not going to join your religion or any other religion,
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Law of non contradiction applies here. If your heart were with Jesus you wouldn’t be saying you are not a Christian.
You cannot be both. Christianity is a religion - either you are FOR Jesus or AGAINST Him. And from your posts - I’m thinking against Him.
I know, simple right?!
You posted on FREErepublic.
It is my FREEDOM to be able to reply to anyone I wish.
If the CONTENT of something I post, whether TO you or not, is something YOU'D like to comment upon; you also have the FREEDOM to do so; or not.
If what I post offends someones sensibilities; then they are FREE to analyze it and re-post my offenses for the world to see.
I have a tough skin. I can take it.
If I can be convinced that I've done something wrong; then the chances are very good I'll correct it.
If I prickle someone's deeply held beliefs, and they get doubtful; then they are probably (if they are honest with themselves) going either find out that I am wrong, or that THEY are.
Caucuses are where birds of a feather hang out; this forum is for eagles and hawks - not sparrows and canaries.
I do not like what you and others in these threads are doing in terms of bashing Mormons, and yes it upsets me, but hate is not an emotion that I feel towards either religion. At the same time, I also do not wish to join or practice either.
So; to use the logic of our offended MORMON friends on FR; you are a SELECTIVE religion hater.
Now; there is NOTHING wrong with that; no matter HOW much the MORMONs howl and complain.
But; if you take your statements above, and merely change a few words; we could have a highly DEVOUT MUSLIM posting on FR (they ARE free to do so; right Jim?) complaining that CHRISTIANITY should be HATED because it claims that Mohammed (PBUH) was a False Prophet.
I do not like what you and others in these threads are doing in terms of bashing MUSLIMs, and yes it upsets me, but hate is not an emotion that I feel ... my religion represents.
Well; that IS interesting!
The only religion that I hate, and that is a strong word and I will use it here, is Islam.
You seem obsessed with Mormonism.
While you, OTOH, seem obsessed with ISLAM.
The
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 71
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, December 1, 1831. HC 1: 238–239. The Prophet had continued to translate the Bible with Sidney Rigdon as his scribe until this revelation was received, at which time it was temporarily laid aside so as to enable them to fulfill the instruction given herein. The brethren were to go forth to preach in order to allay the unfriendly feelings that had developed against the Church as a result of the publication of some newspaper articles by Ezra Booth, who had apostatized.
1–4, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are sent forth to proclaim the gospel; 5–11, Enemies of the saints shall be confounded.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that the time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will.
2 Verily I say unto you, proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, and in the church also, for the space of a season, even until it shall be made known unto you.
3 Verily this is a mission for a season, which I give unto you.
4 Wherefore, labor ye in my vineyard. Call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and bear record, and prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.
5 Now, behold this is wisdom; whoso readeth, let him understand and receive also;
6 For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power.
7 Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.
8 Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.
9 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;
10 And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time.
11 Wherefore, keep my commandments; they are true and faithful. Even so. Amen.
| The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Rights and use information. Privacy policy. |
That THAT; JESUS!
You big control freak!!!
Poor Chris; shown to be wrong in front of the class.
Better put some ice on it.
Why stop at scholars?
Then just WHY is your dog in this fight?
So; you have NO interest in whether the MORMONs or the CHRISTIANs are actually right; you merely what to jump into the middle of a domestic disturbance and egg them on.
I got it now...
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