Partnering with our Friends from Other Faiths (By LDS Apostle Quentin L. Cook)

Earlier this year, Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke to a crowd of 13,000 students at Brigham Young University about the importance of working together to preserve religious freedom. The cardinal's eloquent and poignant speech at the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was evidence of significant progress in the growing relationships between our faith and other faiths that share similar concerns regarding issues of tremendous importance.

Cardinal George said, "I'm personally grateful that after 180 years of living mostly apart from one another, Catholics and Latter-day Saints have begun to see one another as trustworthy partners in the defense of shared moral principles and in the promotion of the common good of our beloved country."

Becoming partners in the defense of shared moral principles starts with sincere efforts by religious faiths to understand and learn from each other. One of the sweetest experiences I've had is to accompany other faith leaders on tours of our newly built temples, our most sacred buildings, when they are open to the public. As a result, these religious leaders come to know and understand us better. Likewise, we gain a greater understanding and appreciation for their beliefs. It's heartwarming that those of other faiths would take the time to appreciate something that is deeply personal and meaningful to me and other Latter-day Saints.

With this newfound understanding, no faith has a desire to compromise on its doctrine or beliefs. These relationships are not ecumenical; that is, we are not trying to come to an agreement on principles of doctrinal practice, but instead there is a mutual respect for each other's beliefs and a desire to collaborate on important issues where we find common ground.

Finding common ground has translated into interfaith initiatives having lasting, positive effects throughout the world. For three decades, we've worked with other faiths and aid organizations to provide humanitarian aid in 178 countries to those in critical need. As we've partnered with Catholic Charities, Muslim organizations, the Red Cross, and many others, there is joy and excitement that comes from putting into action what we jointly view as good and needed for our fellow men and women.

These interfaith efforts are not limited to Church leadership. The most humbling experience for any ecclesiastical leader is seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ being lived through the membership of the Church. Recently, we sponsored a project where hundreds of thousands of volunteers from community and faith-based organizations worked together in an unprecedented single day of service across eleven Southern states to bring relief to those struggling because of the economic downturn. In one project, half a dozen religious leaders worked together to build a home for Habitat for Humanity.

Similarly, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, members of our Church and other faiths spontaneously rose to the occasion to help relieve the suffering. This was so fittingly illustrated when a United Methodist congregation in Slidell, Louisiana, graciously offered their church as a place to sleep to Mormon volunteers from Houston, Texas. When the congregation arrived for services on Sunday, they found that the Mormons had cleared trees and other debris from their churchyard. As a show of thanks, our members also mounted their hurricane-damaged flag as a keepsake and flew a new banner from the flagpole. During the shared worship service, the pastor voiced a feeling of unity shared by those of both denominations: "The Mormons are now our friends."

Whether it is helping the victims of disaster through humanitarian aid, providing relief to communities in economic need, or supporting religious liberty, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members often stand shoulder to shoulder with other faiths. The future of Mormonism in the public sphere will, in part, be a shared one as we work with other like-minded faiths to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ in reaching out to our fellow citizens.

Elder Quentin L. Cook has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since October 6, 2007. Prior to being called to full-time church service, he was a business lawyer, a managing partner of a law firm in the San Francisco Bay area, and a healthcare executive. He has also been a board member of several profit and not-for-profit corporations. He received a B.A. in political science from Utah State University, and a J.D. from Stanford University.

See, that’s one of the many problems with Mormonism Resty. all the words of the prophets of Christianity are documented in the bible. We never have to go back and make excuses for them, or explain them away, or stop publication of their books. They spoke the truth and the truth never changes.

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You would not know what you would do if all the secular history of pros and cons showed up of former prophets!

I read the horible things written about Mary and Jesus from the secular world as well as other faiths that also contended.

It would make your hair curl...

You antis are following likewise in their footsteps!

Well actually Norm, I lived in Utah almost ten years and had a pretty good opinion of Mormonism. The people were so nice, I appreciated the wholesome values, envied their sense of family and community.

It was only when I began my own search for the truth that I discovered all the ugly, dirty little secrets hidden in Mormonism.

I began to seriously study the bible and talked to Mormons, former-Mormons and Christians and the pieces started falling in place.

I can’t beleive all of this was going on right under my nose and I couldn’t see it. Mormonism is a fake and a fraud and an abomination to God and I will never stop fighting against it because I am required by God to expose the truth.

Oh, I think you are very, very wrong about one thing - Mormonism may not be stopped right away and I’m sure I’m just a tiny drop in a very big bucket, but it WILL be exposed. God’s timing is always perfect, but I grieve for the people who are so deceived by it and refuse to open their eyes.

Best wishes Norm.

You would not know what you would do if all the secular history of pros and cons showed up of former prophets! I read the horible things written about Mary and Jesus from the secular world as well as other faiths that also contended. It would make your hair curl... You antis are following likewise in their footsteps!

I am usually pretty good at deciphering your posts but I really don't know what this means.

I will restate my point - All the words of the ONLY TRUE PROPHETS OF GOD are documented in the bible. They are not "opinions", they never have to be hidden away, every single prophecy so far has come true, there are no false prophecies, later prophets never contradicted early prophets.

stick to the bible and the truth and you never have to keep making up more ridiculous "doctrine" to cover for the trail of inconvenient and embarrassing writings left behind by false modern day "prophets".

Do not make this thread "about" individual Freepers. That is also a form of "making it personal."

I found out some anti liars and jerks!

Dear Screwtape:

You have learned well!
Continue using SOME and MOST of the time the RM cannot ZOT you as being PERSONAL!
(It will ALSO cast doubt on ALL of them; just like that phrase "as long as it's translated corretly" does for the entire Bible!)
That is PURELY diabolical!!
(I wish I'd thought of it!)

Uncle Wormwood.

I think I understand where you are coming from, you have formed your opinion about Mormonism,

but I think fighting against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a waste of effort and counterproductive.

Yeah: it's called... The BIBLE!

OPINION follows:

Galatians 1:7-10
7. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
14. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Revelation 13:13-15
13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/19#19
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.”

It appears that EXPERIENCES can be deceiving...

If one believes the Bible is correct, then, by that Standard, Mormonism fails the test.

If, however, you are convinced that the Bible is either in error, been corrupted or mis-interpreted, then you are free to believe whatever you wish.

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