Posted on 04/04/2009 9:42:42 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
Salt Lake City, Utah – Honorable people throughout the world who are open to religious faith are often discouraged, or confused by incorrect doctrine, according to an Apostle who spoke to the 179th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
One issue has been particularly troubling, according to Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
"They have a difficult time reconciling the correct doctrine that we have a loving Father in Heaven and the incorrect doctrine that most of mankind would be doomed to eternal hell," Elder Cook explained to more than 20,000 Latter-day Saints (often referred to as Mormons) gathered in the Conference Center on Temple Square. The conference was broadcast live to the other 13 million members around the world.
He told the story of his great-great-grandfather Phineas Wolcott Cook who was investigating the beliefs of various religions in the early 1800s. He explained that there was one doctrine of concern to him, and that he was often criticized for questioning it.
"I could not believe that the Lord had made a part (of mankind) to be saved and a part to be damned to all eternity," said Phineas in a journal.
Elder Cook pointed out that scholars have the common teachings of many Protestant churches with respect to hell were incorrect. He said the Anglican Church leader and classic scholar, Frederick Farrar, gave lectures at Westminster Abbey and taught that the definition of hell of endless torment and everlasting damnation were wrong because of translation errors from Hebrew and Greek to English in the King James Version of the Bible.
Latter-day Saints believe that the Church of Jesus Christ was restored in 1830 by Joseph Smith, who they believe to be a modern prophet of God.
"At the time Joseph Smith received revelations and organized the Church, the vast majority of churches taught that the Savior´s atonement would not bring about the salvation of most of mankind. The common precept was that a few would be saved and the overwhelming majority would be doomed to endless tortures of the most awful and unspeakable intensity," explained Elder Cook.
"The marvelous doctrine revealed to the Prophet Joseph unveiled to us a plan of salvation that is applicable to all mankind, including those who do not hear of Christ in this life, children who die before the age of accountability and those who have no understanding," he added.
Elder Cook emphasized in his sermon that despite differences with other faiths, the Latter-day Saints refrain from criticism of other Christians who believe differently. "They do much good. They bless mankind. Many help their members learn of the Savior and His teachings," he said.
He also counseled members of the Church to be kind and loving to members of the Church regardless of their level of understanding, level of commitment, or activity. He said that the Savior made it clear that church members are not to judge one another, especially members of their own families. "Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up," he said.
Elder Cook pointed out that scholars have the common teachings of many Protestant churches with respect to hell were incorrect. He said the Anglican Church leader and classic scholar, Frederick Farrar, gave lectures at Westminster Abbey and taught that the definition of hell of endless torment and everlasting damnation were wrong because of translation errors from Hebrew and Greek to English in the King James Version of the Bible.
Why bother evangelizing anybody, then?
Brownie points?
There is absolutely no support in the Bible for this conclusion.
There is really no reason to be good but be good for goodness sake?
Of course mormons don’t believe in hell, they fear it. Most religions including all Eastern religions believe in annihilation.
Judgement and eternal torment frightens people. The truth is, hell exists. In fact Jesus spoke of hell more than heaven. Want a way out of hell? Jesus said we must be born again.
“There is really no reason to be good but be good for goodness sake?”
You beeter not cry or pout either...
This is all too complicated for me.
Since the 8th grade, I have been trying to figure out how Father Spink kept his glasses from falling off... he had only one ear. He loved my smile, but he never knew why.
About those water filled balloons I dropped onto a Nun cluster in the 8th grade, I am sorry, that was just too much fun to be sorry about. Sorry, I just can’t help it. Eight balloons, 8 hits from the 3rd story, and not getting caught.. how good is THAT?! Nobody has ever done that before, nobody’s that good. I sure hope that wasn’t how Father Spint lost his ear.
I am also trying to figure out if God has a sense of humor, because if he doesn’t, I am in real big trouble.
Does God laugh? I sure hope so.
Will I go to hell for the dirty jokes I told when I was a child? I mean, I wasn’t sorry for them then and it’s been so many years that I no longer remember the details, so if I said I was sorry now, it would be disingenuous.
Honest, if I could remember the jokes today, I’d tell them again, just so that I could say I’m sorry and really mean it.
I wonder what the “born agains” definition of ‘born again’ will be in thirty years? I wonder if the term has been slightly bastardized since Jesus spoke of it? If not, then I wonder why there are thousands of “Christian” denominations? Things to think about. I also wonder if Jesus would be proud knowing that most people who claim to be “born again”, actually run around and promote ill will and idol talk and elitism towards those that they percieve to not be born again. Oh those poor jungle natives that are going straight to firery hell.
The Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does not state that there is no hell. It simply states that the concept which is often designated as “Hell” in ENGLISH is actually from certain translations of Greek and Hebrew and that they do not all mean the same thing.
Thus, the idea of “Going to hell,” does not necessarily designate you to an everlasting and eternal torment, although I believe that is reserved for some offenses. In any event, please do not bear false witness (Not specifically you Gator)about one church’s belief when you are completely ignorant about it.
The point was that many people do not understand that the word that their speaking does not necessarily come from the same word in Bible texts. Thus, “Hell,” in spanish is often translated as “Infierno,” or “Inferno.” Additionally, when Jesus spoke to the sinner on the cross the term He used is not acurately translated as “Paradise” as in he would be fine, it is best translated as “World of the Spirits.”
Thanks, just have to set the record straight before you all decide to put words in our mouths, which has happened for nearly 200 years. Carry on, but remember false witness is no way to find out about hell either. You are entitled to your own beliefs, and the consequences of you actions, but others should not be accountable for your lies about their actions (again, not to Gator).
He (J.S.) dictated the book of Mormon to her from behind a cloth curtain. He told her that he was 'translating' the metal tablets but never let her see them.
For my money, he could have been reading the bible and making up chapters as he went along...
Hubris has no limits.
Because it is the degree of seperation from God that is the hell for eternity.
Those who are the Sons of Perdition will have a soul for eons in the outter darkness.
There are the 3 degrees of glory which man can choose where he desires to live.
It is by striving to living the Lord's commandmenet and the intent in ones heart and mind that determents that.
1 Cor 15 Christ died for our sins—He rose from the dead and was seen by many—All men will be resurrected—Paul speaks of baptism for the dead—The three degrees of glory—Victory over death comes through Christ.
the Lord's commandmenet
It is by striving to live the Lord's commandments and the intent in ones heart and mind that determents which degree of glory.
My liberal Jewish in laws said that their Rabbi teaches No hell....heaven is doubtful....you are only here to lead a good life as much as possible.
That might work for Santa Claus, not for Jesus Christ
Why are there so many LDS threads on this board??
I am with you, there. I just wonder what the Mormon’s incentive is, if indeed there is no hell. Another answered “brownie points,” perhaps that is the motivation.
I am with you, there. I just wonder what the Mormon’s incentive is, if indeed there is no hell. Another answered “brownie points,” perhaps that is the motivation.
****
I think hell is when one feel the Spirit of the Lord depart from us.
I know when I have done things that the Lord was not pleased and I also know if I repent the Lord forgives us.
There are days on earth many feel that void and maybe that is why some go on a rampage to kill innocent strangers around them, because they are in such despair and were never taught or made a ware that God dose exist and loves them.
Our world since the 60’s has been marginalizing our Creator until some born here are never aware that they are not alone!
The Only ones who never are forgiven are those who blasphemy against the Holy Ghost such as Satan aka Lucifer.
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is willfully denying Christ after having received a perfect knowledge of him from the Holy Ghost, is the unforgivable sin (Matt. 12: 31-32; Mark 3: 28-29; D&C 132: 27).
The Only ones who never are forgiven are those who blasphemy against the Holy Ghost such as Satan aka Lucifer.
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is willfully denying Christ after having received a perfect knowledge of him from the Holy Ghost, is the unforgivable sin (Matt. 12: 31-32; Mark 3: 28-29; D&C 132: 27).
It makes one wonder what really happen to Judas after he realized what he had done??
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.