Isn't that true of all works-based religions? While I have a lot of personal respect for the Mormons whom I know, one personal characteristic is always lacking in Mormons that I see in all true Christians: joy. It should be no mystery as to why. As Christians we have full assurance that Jesus Christ has paid for all our sins and we can look forward to the judgment without fear (1 John 4:17-19). Our salvation was secured through the work of Jesus Christ. Mormons, on the other hand, are never sure if they have done enough to win God's favor.
I haven't had time to read through the thread but did that phrase by the author bother anyone else?
Well, CC it didn't bother me in the sense that the statement is totally correct.
Now, as to whether all that work really leads to salvation....that's one of the basic reasons that mormonism is not Christianity.
When you consider facts such as the exclusion of "unworthy" family members and friends from mormon temple weddings, the sacrifice of time away from family in duties to the institution, missionaries not being able to leave the mission field in case of serious illiness or death of family members, the coercive implementation of tithing used as "dues" paid to enter the exclusive temple in which the rituals therein are required to enter mormon Heaven...
Yeah, there's a lot of self-sacrifice involved. Most of which is not really voluntary. That is if, as a believing mormon, you want to spend "eternity" with your family.
While I have a lot of personal respect for the Mormons whom I know, one personal characteristic is always lacking in Mormons that I see in all true Christians: joy. It should be no mystery as to why. As Christians we have full assurance that Jesus Christ has paid for all our sins and we can look forward to the judgment without fear (1 John 4:17-19). Our salvation was secured through the work of Jesus Christ. Mormons, on the other hand, are never sure if they have done enough to win God’s favor.
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Worth a repost. You’ve got it exactly! The LDS will often say they are ‘happy’ or ‘happy in their religion’, but I can’t say I have ever heard (nor did I ever say when I was LDS) them say they have Joy.
And to them, a Christian saying they have assurance they are saved is the ultimate in arrogance whereas Christians see that the idea we can ‘do our part’ in our salvation through works is the ultimate in arrogance.