Posted on 12/19/2009 7:10:18 PM PST by delacoert
I also think that some are taken out of context for these anti-Mormon essays.
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Are you (or have you ever been) LDS?
If not, then how can you be sure they are taken out of context.
I was LDS for several years. I testify that these are in context and actual beliefs of rank and file members. Some beliefs discussed are considered “meat” doctrines, therefore not commonly discussed with “gentiles” (non mormons), but the are beliefs held by many of the rank and file and/or taught by their leaders.
God, in His amazing grace, saved me and saved me out of Mormonism. I speak from first hand knowledge and experience on these threads, as do many others who were also LDS at one point.
For some, souls are more important than politics.
Do not fear those that can only destroy the body, but fear the one that can destroy the body and soul. A Muslim can only kill me, but the teachings of the Mormons can do far, far worse.
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Exactly, nosterrex.
In the heat of the Missouri “Mormon War” of 1838, Joseph Smith made the following claim, “I will be to this generation a second Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword.’ So shall it eventually be with us—‘Joseph Smith or the Sword!’ ”
Wow. That thread is still going?
This verse from Romans, although specifically about Israelites, also describes the LDS. They marry themselves to their created “Law” and seek to establish their own righteousness.
Romans 10: 1-4
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
And for others, a false dichotomy is a substitute for analysis.
It appears you aren’t “overly concerned” about the religion of atheism, or you wouldn’t waste your time putting down the LDS’s.
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Each Christian has their own calling. For some on here that calling is to witness to the LDS.
I have many friends who are called to witness to Atheists (Lee Strobel being one of them), I have friends who are called to witness to Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, even polygamists.
It is not that we are not concerned, it is being and doing what God is calling us to do.
I was, for several years, LDS. That gives me unique experiences and a common ground/knowledge when witnessing to them.
It is only by the grace of God, and a few people who did not adopt a “relativist” attitude that I was led to a saving knowledge of the Jesus of the Bible.
Wow. That thread is still going?
Yeah, apparently it is... :-)
The "wow" part for me, is just trying to get through all of those posts and see what everyone said. And I see you had an interesting conversation going with what I would call... "an angry dude"... that's my take on it... :-)
There are a lot of people, including conservatives who don't want anything to do with Christians. That's very clear from some posts that I've seen from some FReepers. They barely tolerate Christians here, so it's good to see Jim Robinson make it clear about this site.
And then, there are those who try to totally subvert Christian teachings and turn them into "cult teachings"... Boy! What a deal!
There's no way that this can be tolerated either. It's one thing to say that you believe something different, but it's totally something different to trick people into believing that you are "one thing" (i.e., "Christian") while trying to fool them into believing something totally opposed to it. It's amazing!
Such "fraud in religion" should never be tolerated here or anywhere else. At least -- "stand up for what you believe" and don't try to trick people into believing something else (like the ole "bait and switch" tactics).
And what “false dichotomy” would that be?
At least — “stand up for what you believe” and don’t try to trick people into believing something else (like the ole “bait and switch” tactics).
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You mean like telling potential converts one set of doctrines “milk” only for the converts to find out there are a whole other set of doctrines after they join “meat”?
When I was preparing for an LDS mission, I asked my instructor why we couldn’t teach certain doctrines to potential converts. I was told if we told them the whole truth, no one would ever join. That shook me.
And I see you had an interesting conversation going with what I would call... “an angry dude”... that’s my take on it... :-)
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You have NO IDEA. UGH.
I went to an LDS church a few times and intended to join. If what you say is true (and you have more experience than I, so I won’t dispute what you say), then they did a VERY good job of shielding me from their “anti-Christian” beliefs. They seemed very Christian to me.
But, I stopped going when people started visiting my house at random times to “see” how I was doing. I wasn’t ready for that level of intrusion. Then, I learned about some of the “weird” stuff (like the garment) and knew that I could never be a fully-practicing Mormon.
Since then, I have become a Methodist (which is every bit as heretical to many FReepers) and have learned the things that prove to me that Mormons are definitely wrong in their beliefs, but I still won’t call them “anti-Christian” as some have called them in this thread. They’re just misguided, just as the upper leadership of my church is.
I just get so tired of seeing these “Your Christian denomination sucks” fights. Wesleyans denouncing the TULIP of Calvinists, Baptists saying that no one else baptizes right, Protestants calling Catholics idolators, Catholics calling Protestants apostates, Mormons vs everyone, everyone vs Mormons, etc.
We all have a common enemy. The next time Mormons show up on my doorstep, I will argue with them that their are misguided but I will pray for them and with them that we all find the correct Way.
>>You mean like telling potential converts one set of doctrines “milk” only for the converts to find out there are a whole other set of doctrines after they join “meat”?
I heard the “milk and meat” mentioned and didn’t understand the context at the time. Once I left the LDS church and learned what it meant, that was an “I’m glad I got out of there” moment.
Ok; so you DON'T care about people's souls.
It's not MY job to change your mind.
So I should conclude from that then you would have no problems with religions which do crash planes into buildings? Heck, maybe all of Christianity should just surrender and let ourselves be killed by people who do wish to kill us in the name of their faith. If we do right by God, then we have nothing to worry about!
What’s your point.
Mormons do it honorably and without committing atrocities. What’s your point?
Yes it could.
Wrong is wrong.
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