THE IMPOSSIBLE GOSPEL OF MORMONISM: PLAN OF SALVATION

Mormon Infographics ^ | November 27, 2012

[Elsie]

[Elsie]

List of 613 Mormon Rules, Commandments, suggestions, and beatitudes.

Then there is the 167 subset just for the fresh faced missionaries that appear at your door...

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The Rules

1. Learn and obey all missionary rules.
2. Keep your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with the gospel message.
3. Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.
4. Don't debate or argue.
5. Center your mind on your mission.
6. Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. Sisters: conservative colors and skirts that cover your knees. No floor-length skirts or dresses.
7. Cut your hair regularly.
8. Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style.
9. Be neat and clean.
10. Bathe frequently.
11. Use deodorant.
12. Polish your shoes.
13. Iron your shirt and business suit.
14. Arise at 6:30 A.M.
15. Study for 2 hours every morning.
16. Proselytize for 10 hours between 9:30 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.
17. Turn off your lights at 10:30 P.M.
18. Exercise regularly.
19. Write in your journal regularly.
20. Follow the "Missionary Gospel Study Program" (31157) for your personal study.
21. Regularly study the Missionary Guide and the Discussions.
22. Attend Sunday priesthood or Relief Society meetings, Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
23. Attend the general session of Stake Conference.
24. Attend general conference broadcasts if available.
25. Avoid all other church meetings unless you have a special assignment or are brining an investigator.
26. Proselytize as much as possible on weekends and holidays because this is when you'll find people home.
27. End your preparation day at 6:00 P.M. and proselytize from 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
28. Wear your missionary uniform in public on preparation day while not engaged in recreational activities.
29. Arise at 6:30 on preparation day and study for 2 hours from the approved books.
30. Take care of your physical preparation for the week on preparation day: wash your clothes, clean your apartment, wash your car, get your haircut, and shop for groceries.
31. Write to your parents every week on preparation day.
32. Write less frequently to your siblings, friends, and acquaintances.
33. Don't communicate with any friends or acquaintances that are within or close to your mission boundaries, except as a part of official mission business.
34. Plan safe, wholesome, and uplifting activities for preparation day.
35. Stay with your companion during all activities.
36. Do not go on road trips.
37. Do not leave your assigned area without permission
38. Do not watch television.
39. Do not view unauthorized videocassettes.
40. Do not listen to the radio.
41. Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CD’s.
42. Do not participate in musical groups.
43. Do not participate in athletic teams.
44. Do not sponsor athletic teams.
45. Do not engage in contact sports.
46. Do not engage in water sports.
47. Do not engage in winter sports.
48. Do not engage in motorcycling.
49. Do not engage in horseback riding.
50. Do not engage in mountain climbing.
51. Do not embark on a private boat.
52. Do not embark in a private airplane.
53. Do not handle firearms.
54. Do not handle explosives.
55. Do not swim.
56. Do not play full court basketball.
57. Do not play basketball in leagues.
58. Do not play basketball in tournaments.
59. You may play half-court basketball.
60. Never be alone.
61. Seek advice from your mission president if your companion is "having difficulties".
62. Be loyal to your companion.
63. Ask your mission president for help if your companion doesn’t obey the rules.
64. Pray with your companion every day.
65. Study with your companion every day.
66. Plan your work with your companion every day.
67. Take time at least once a week for companionship inventory.
68. Seek to be one in spirit and purpose and help each other succeed.
69. Always address your companion as Elder or Sister.
70. Sleep in the same bedroom as your companion.
71. Do not sleep in the same bed as your companion.
72. Do not arise before your companion.
73. Do not retire after your companion. (apparently, being together is more important than getting the correct amount of sleep that your unique body requires.)
74. Frequently study with your companion the Missionary Guide section on companions.
75. Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.
76. Never associate inappropriately with anyone of the opposite sex (conversely, they don't mention whether or not it is against the rules to associate inappropriately with anyone of the same sex).
77. Do not flirt.
78. Do not date.
79. Do not communicate via phone or letter with anyone of the opposite sex living within or near mission boundaries.
80. Do not visit a single or divorced person of the opposite sex unless accompanied by a couple or another adult member of your sex.
81. Try to teach single investigators in a member’s home or have missionaries of the same sex teach them.
82. Always follow the above rules, even if the situation seems harmless.
83. Use the commitment pattern to get referrals from members.
84. Keep your dinner visits with member briefs and during the customary dinner hour in the area.
85. Remember to say thank you to those who feed you.
86. Visit members and nonmembers only at appropriate times.
87. Do not counsel or give medical treatment.
88. Do not stay in the homes of people when they are on vacation.
89. Only write letters to family members and friends at home.
90. Do not telephone parents
91. Do not telephone relatives.
92. Do not telephone friends.
93. Do not telephone girlfriends.
94. Contact your mission president in case of an emergency.
95. Take problems and questions to your mission president.
96. Do not write to the President of the Church or to other General Authorities. Letters from missionaries to General Authorities are referred back to the mission president
97. Respect the customs, traditions, and property of the people who you are trying to convert.
98. Obey all mission rules.
99. Obey the laws of the land.
100. Do not get involved in politics.
101. Do not get involved in commercial activities.
102. Do not give any information about the area.
103. Respect the customs and cultures of those who you are trying to convert to your own customs and culture.
104. Respect the beliefs, practices, and sites of other religions.
105. Do not say or write anything bad about the political and cultural circumstances where you serve.
106. Do not become involved in adoption proceedings.
107. Do not suggest or encourage emigration. (This rule is a bit ironic, given the now-defunct doctrine of gathering the believers to Zion)
108. Be courteous.
109. Provide community service.
110. Do not provide community service that isn’t approved by your mission president.
111. Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.
112. Do not provide community service during the evening, weekend or holidays—those are peek proselytizing times.
113. Your mission president must approve your housing.
114. Keep your housing unit clean.
115. Do not live with single or divorced people of the opposite sex.
116. Do not live where the spouse is frequently absent.
117. Your living unit must have a private bath and entrance.
118. You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but generally the monthly fast is sufficient.
119. Do not fast longer than 24 hours at a time.
120. Do not ask friends, relatives, and members to join in special fasts for investigators.
121. Maintain your health.
122. Eat a healthy diet.
123. Sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.
124. Follow the approved exercise program.
125. Keep your body, clothes, dishes, linens, towels and housing unit clean.
126. Dispose of your garbage properly and promptly.
127. Follow the safety rules for all of your stuff.
128. Seek medical care if you are in an accident or become sick.
129. Be immunized.
130. Spend your money only on things relating to your mission.
131. Budget your money carefully.
132. Keep a record of what you spend.
133. Do not spend more than your companion.
134. Do not loan money.
135. Do not borrow money.
136. Keep a reserve fund of $50 to $100 at all times for transfers.
137. Pay your bills before leaving an area.
138. Pay cash for all resale literature and supplies ordered from the mission office.
139. Do not waste money on souvenirs.
140. Do not waste money on unnecessary items.
141. Be a frugal photographer.
142. Do not accumulate excess baggage.
143. Obey custom laws and regulations.
144. Pay fast offerings each fast Sunday to the bishop or branch president where you serve.
145. Pay tithing on outside sources of income (i.e. interest) to your home bishop or branch president.
146. Evaluate your funds a few months before the end of your mission. If you have more than you need, ask that less be sent so that you can return home without excess money.
147. Do not drive without a license.
148. Drive only Church-owned vehicles.
149. Do not drive members’ cars.
150. Do not drive nonmembers’ cars.
151. Do not give rides to members or investigators in Church-owned cars.
152. Use cars only on approved mission business.
153. Use cars only within the assigned geographical area.
154. Be conscious of safety at all times.
155. Drive defensively.
156. Wear your seat belt.
157. Pray for the Lord’s protection while driving.
158. If your companion is driving, assist him or her.
159. Do not tamper with the vehicle’s odometer.
160. Know bicycle safety rules.
161. Use extreme caution on your bicycle.
162. Do not ride your bicycle after dark.
163. Do not ride your bicycle in heavy traffic.
164. Do not ride your bicycle in adverse weather conditions.
165. Go directly to your new area when transferred.
166. Find your new companion without delay when transferred.
167. Have a maximum of two suitcases and a briefcase.

[Elsie]

Too bad you don’t act like one.

Oh; it could be worse...

Galatians 5:12

[Elsie]

Good ol' Ezra!!!!

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In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

Ezra Taft Benson

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)     http://www.lds.org/liahona/1981/06/fourteen-fundamentals-in-following-the-prophet?lang=eng

[Phinneous]

I’m sure you’ve assessed it’s not a coincidence. I’ve seen a lot of parallels from Judaism borrowed by Mormonism (and even Christianity adapts the Jewish festival cycle— Passover, Pentecost, etc...)

It seems their undergarments are some type of vestige of the clothing worn by the priests in the Holy Temple. Not even Jews wear anything akin to this— but males do wear a fringed garment (just go to 47th St and Madison to see) https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTNjtzmQF-Tlb_93kO7VaYaRhBYxRvG7v7_XOGSFux9Hc-HBS9g3g

[BlueDragon]

ouch

[Not gonna take it anymore]

That wasn’t posted to you.

[PeevedPatriot]

I guess our early martyrs Polycarp and Ignatius weren't 'first christians' then! Did I infer that?

What did you mean that Catholics didn't come along for 300 years? If Ignatius and Polycarp use 'catholic church' as a descriptor of the church over which they presided as bishops, are they not Catholics?

[PeevedPatriot]

We Wesleyans use catholic church, too! We just don't capitalize it!

Indeed. When I was protestant, "catholic church" was contained in our creed too. That's not so uncommon. Use of the original words of a creed isn't the same thing as profession of belief in the concepts those words referred to at the time the creed was formulated.

For example, when I was protestant, my recitation of the creed meant I believed in a universal Christian church, not a catholic church of the type and structure the phrase originally referred to as Polycarp or Ignatius would have used the phrase. Communion of saints meant fellowship with those around me in the pews and in other Christian churches, not the much earlier meaning of the phrase as unity with the mystical body of Christ in heaven.

Yes, I professed belief in the catholic church as a protestant. But no, I wasn't professing beliefs identical to those outlined in the original creed. I was professing belief in concepts altered from their original meaning to put distance between my denomination and the Catholic Church.

Peace be with you.

[Colofornian]

What did you mean that Catholics didn't come along for 300 years? If Ignatius and Polycarp use 'catholic church' as a descriptor of the church over which they presided as bishops, are they not Catholics?

C'mon...really?

The word "catholic" -- small "c" -- originally simply meant "universal"...as in the universal church.

I suppose had they had it in mind to use a parallel phrase back then...say "The Body of Christ at-large"...and then had several hundred years later a large Christian segment calling itself "The Body At-Large" emerged... you can't just simply say that anybody using the phrase "Body at large" before that segment of the church arose was automatically members of same-said church.

Now do I regard Catholics as part of the overall Body of Christ? (Yes) Are they part of the "universal church"? I believe so. Does that make them the "only game" in town? (No)

Let me provide yet another parallel, this one from the 20th century: The National Association of Evangelicals arose about 1942. A merger of two denominations brought about the Evangelical Free denomination in 1950.

Evangelical Free members can't begin to go about saying that because they are Evangelical Free, and because Evangelicals widely emerged in 1942, that anybody who called themselves "Evangelicals" in '42 were also somehow automatically Evangelical Free members...especially when that specific denomination was officially formulated AFTER the fact!

Yet that is tantamount to what you are trying to do...

[Running On Empty]

Thank you for this post.

[PeevedPatriot]

you can't just simply say that anybody using the phrase "Body at large" before that segment of the church arose was automatically members of same-said church

Sure I can because I don't buy the notion that the RCC emerged in the 300s. In my research I found numerous historical witnesses showing the continuity of the Catholic Church before and after the 300s. You are as free to reject those sources as I am to accept them.

Peace be with you.

[Saundra Duffy]

You wrote:
“Mormonism and Mitt are devoted to defeating Christianity, please tolerate Christians speaking about it.”

What an odd thing to say. You want “Christians” to tolerate the bashing of Mormonism but you do not tolerate Mormons speaking out about it.

Same old weird tactics to trash Mormons. Nothing new here.

Mormons are great people who love everyone. We are not “devoted” to defeating anything/anybody except the Father of Lies.

Have a heart, so-called “Christian” - Mormons are devoted to, worship and adore the Savior Jesus Christ. We are not opposed to you. Please do not insult my Savior and His Father, not to mention the Holy Ghost!

But cheer up; maybe you can get me banned/zotted again and then you will not have to be tormented by my comments in defense of my Church and my Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.

[Saundra Duffy]

“This is where there’s just an overwhelming disconnect between what some FREEPERs allege vs. the gaping gaps we see.”

For Goodness’ sake, I wish you would stop judging other people’s hearts. That is way above your pay grade. Jesus Christ is the Judge, not you. Any “gaping gaps” I may have are not yours to know. Only God knows my heart. You see “gaping gaps” in others. Good for you but I think you need to check out the Bible about judging.

Bashing people over the head with your judgments is not very becoming.

Jesus Christ is Lord. He suffered and died for Mormons, too.

[Saundra Duffy]

“This is where there’s just an overwhelming disconnect between what some FREEPERs allege vs. the gaping gaps we see.”

For Goodness’ sake, I wish you would stop judging other people’s hearts. That is way above your pay grade. Jesus Christ is the Judge, not you. Any “gaping gaps” I may have are not yours to know. Only God knows my heart. You see “gaping gaps” in others. Good for you but I think you need to check out the Bible about judging.

Bashing people over the head with your judgments is not very becoming.

Jesus Christ is Lord. He suffered and died for Mormons, too.

[Saundra Duffy]

“This is where there’s just an overwhelming disconnect between what some FREEPERs allege vs. the gaping gaps we see.”

For Goodness’ sake, I wish you would stop judging other people’s hearts. That is way above your pay grade. Jesus Christ is the Judge, not you. Any “gaping gaps” I may have are not yours to know. Only God knows my heart. You see “gaping gaps” in others. Good for you but I think you need to check out the Bible about judging.

Bashing people over the head with your judgments is not very becoming.

Jesus Christ is Lord. He suffered and died for Mormons, too.

[Saundra Duffy]

I believe Catholic priests wear special clothing, as do many other religious sects. I find it fascinating that many find LDS underwear fascinating. Very telling.

[ansel12]

No what that meant “”“Mormonism and Mitt are devoted to defeating Christianity, please tolerate Christians speaking about it.””” was, that of course Mormons will argue for their cult, but other Christians and atheists and other non-cult belonging people, should not be bashing Christians for speaking for Christianity, and exposing the anti-Christian cult.

Non-cult people should not be trying to shut up Christians, or anyone else who wants to expose cults, like Scientology and Mormonism and Hare-Krishnas.

[Colofornian]

I wish you would stop judging other people’s hearts. That is way above your pay grade. Jesus Christ is the Judge, not you. Any “gaping gaps” I may have are not yours to know. Only God knows my heart. You see “gaping gaps” in others. Good for you but I think you need to check out the Bible about judging.

Saundra are you judging me over my public discernment being exercised?

If your standard isn't for others to judge another publicly, then why are you violating that standard by judging me?

Shouldn't you be adhering to your personal standard of not judging another publicly?

Shouldn't you then repent? Shouldn't you apologize to me for violating this standard of yours?

Shouldn't you behave according to what you preach? Or do you get some of kind of self-exemption here?

Bashing people over the head with your judgments is not very becoming.

Well, Saundra, in this ONE post -- that you posted three times in a row -- you've...
#1... accused me of inwardly judging others...vs. discerning the public gaps I see...(Btw, I don't judge people's internal motivations)...

#2 ...accused me of trying to usurp Jesus as Judge...

That, Saundra, is a double-accusatory bash of me...from somebody who preaches, "Thou shalt not bash."

Which is it, Saundra...Don't bash? Or, bash perceived bashers?

Saundra, you can't have it both ways. If your personal standard isn't to say something negative about others, than why in this post did you say something negative about me?

Which are we to believe? Your preaching message, or your example here of bashing???

Saundra, you have refuted yourself.

Accusers of "judging" can't turn around and openly judge; accusers of "bashing" can't turn around and openly bash. (It's not very becoming, let alone consistent...and smacks of open religious hypocrisy)

[Colofornian]

For Goodness’ sake, I wish you would stop judging other people’s hearts. That is way above your pay grade. Jesus Christ is the Judge, not you. Any “gaping gaps” I may have are not yours to know. Only God knows my heart. You see “gaping gaps” in others. Good for you but I think you need to check out the Bible about judging.

Furthermore, Saundra, you took a comment I made to a NON Mormon that at best could be implied to include her as a NON Mormon in post #18...but which had no other obvious "landing pts"...
-- which is what you responded to above --
-- and somehow twisted it to be about you and your heart!

Saundra, I wasn't talking about YOU in post #18! (you haven't even been around this thread til now!!!)
Nor was I even talking about Mormons in post #18!
And anybody reading my entire exchange with Hound of the Baskervilles would know that!

Shame on you Saundra, for such open distortion! Question: Are you so into "I'm a Mormon victim" that you have to find offense where none is even given???

Do Mormons ever openly apologize for relational errors like the one you just committed? Are you just going to let it fester before the divine eyes that see it?