Posted on 07/10/2011 3:56:37 PM PDT by delacoert
Mormons often say that Christians that write or speak about the Mormon Church and Mormonism as being contrary to the gospel that Christ and His apostles taught are Anti-Mormon. But the Mormon Church and Mormon Church leaders have a long history of declaring Christianity to be false, fallen and contrary to true doctrine. By the Mormon standard of Anti-Mormon, is the reverse scenario that Mormons are Anti-Christian? The Anti-Mormon Label: Mormons and the Mormon Church often and freely throw around the term “Anti-Mormon”. The Mormon Church often labels anyone who speaks anything about Mormonism or the LDS Church that does not promote faith in it or that does not portray it a positive light as Anti-Mormon. But the term Anti-Mormon really is far too broad a brush and is used far too frequently where it’s not warranted. Certainly, there are some that may certainly qualify as Anti-Mormon in the sense that they hate the Mormon Church (most of those are individuals who have belonged to it at one point). However, just because one seeks to get the message out to the Mormon people that there are credibility problems with the Mormon Church and/or that Mormon Beliefs are in conflict with the Word of God does not mean that there is hate or attack in the message. But the term Anti-Mormon indeed carries an inference of hate and/or religious bigotry. However, kindly proclaiming truth in love and with real concern for the spiritual welfare of a people is not hateful - it is not Anti. I think most Christians would not condone any behavior that is truly disrespectful to the Mormon people, such as defiling Mormon Temple Garments in public or chanting Secret Temple phrases on the streets. Those who do engage in such conduct, should examine the Word of God and re-think their approach. If the truth cannot be proclaimed in love, it probably should not be proclaimed, unless and until it can be proclaimed in such manner. Proclaiming the Truth in Love: It is a legitimate for bible-believing Christians to bring to light doctrines that truly are contrary to the Word of God - the bible. Neither Jesus nor His apostles would hold back in calling out false doctrines and practices and giving a warning. Here is an example of some of their warnings: "[B]ut there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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." Galatians 1:1-8 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth ANOTHER JESUS, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive ANOTHER SPIRIT, which ye have not received, or ANOTHER GOSPEL, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 In fact, past LDS Church Leaders in the past have proclaimed that if the Mormon Church or its scriptures be proven false that it should be exposed to the world as a fraud. Here's an oft-quoted example: Orson Pratt made this statement concerning The Book of Mormon: "This book must be either true or false. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from God... If false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions... The nature of the message in the Book of Mormon is such, that if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it; If false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it... If, after a rigid examination, it be found an imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments on which the imposture was detected, should be clearly and logically stated, that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of deception, and to be reclaimed, and that those who continue to publish the delusion may be exposed and silenced, not by physical force, neither by persecutions, bare assertions, nor ridicule, but by strong and powerful arguments - by evidences adduced from scripture and reason..." (Orson Pratt's Works, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, Liverpool, 1851, pp. 1-2). There are in fact many evidences that show that the veracity Mormon Church, the Book of Mormon and other Mormon Scriptures and teachings are, at worst, false - or, at best, seriously in question. Although it may make some uncomfortable, there should be no harm in letting the facts be illuminated so that they can be seen for what they are (in fact, that should be encouraged): "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:20-21 What is truth will not mind being examined for what it is. After all, it is the truth that shall make us free. Are Mormons Anti-Christian? For the reverse scenario, consider some of Mormonism's many statements against Christianity:
"What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world," (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 270) (Emphasis added)
"We talk about Christianity, but it is a perfect pack of nonsense.... Myself and hundreds of the Elders around me have seen its pomp, parade, and glory; and what is it? It is a sounding brass and a tinkling symbol; it is as corrupt as hell; and the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century," (John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, 1858, p. 167) (Emphasis added)
"The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:171)
"With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:199)
"And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God [Mormon Church] belongeth to that great church which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth" (1 Nephi 14:10)
"And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth [all churches other than the LDS Church], whose foundation is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence. . ." (1 Nephi. 14:17)
[There is] "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God" Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190
"You call us fools; but the day will be, gentlemen and ladies, whether you belong to this Church or not, when you will prize brother Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Living God, and look upon him as a God, and also upon Brigham Young, our Governor” Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5, p. 88
"One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation," (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206)
"This is the only true church ...This is not a church. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. There are churches of men all over the land and they have great cathedrals, synagogues, and other houses of worship running into the hundreds of millions of dollars. They are churches of men. They teach the doctrines of men, combined with the philosophies and ethics and other ideas and ideals that men have partly developed and partly found in sacred places and interpreted for themselves" (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.421)
"[H]e that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is anti-christ" (Brigham Young , Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p.312)
"Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 10:230) (Emphasis added)
"Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 255) (Emphasis added)
With declarations such as these from the Mormon Church and Mormon Leadership, should we then refer to Mormons as "Anti-Christians"?
Nah!
You GOTTA be kidding: right?
good point, no apology, just “I’m sorry they were caught”
Remember the SCRIPTURE:
The
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 71
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, December 1, 1831. HC 1: 238–239. The Prophet had continued to translate the Bible with Sidney Rigdon as his scribe until this revelation was received, at which time it was temporarily laid aside so as to enable them to fulfill the instruction given herein. The brethren were to go forth to preach in order to allay the unfriendly feelings that had developed against the Church as a result of the publication of some newspaper articles by Ezra Booth, who had apostatized.
1–4, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are sent forth to proclaim the gospel; 5–11, Enemies of the saints shall be confounded.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that the time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will.
2 Verily I say unto you, proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, and in the church also, for the space of a season, even until it shall be made known unto you.
3 Verily this is a mission for a season, which I give unto you.
4 Wherefore, labor ye in my vineyard. Call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and bear record, and prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.
5 Now, behold this is wisdom; whoso readeth, let him understand and receive also;
6 For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power.
7 Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.
8 Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.
9 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;
10 And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time.
11 Wherefore, keep my commandments; they are true and faithful. Even so. Amen.
The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Gotta admire your firm grasp of the Rod of Iron!
Well, I haven’t met one in real life, but reaganaut’s point makes me think I should change my earlier statement.
Sadly, that is also typical.
The biggest crime these boys committed (in the eyes of Mormons) was they violated the PR. They made ‘the Church’ look bad (not Christ, not God, but ‘the Church’).
I cannot tell you the number of times it was drilled into my head to ‘avoid the APPEARANCE of evil’ because it might make ‘the Church’ (always capitalized btw)look bad or ‘don’t do anything to make ‘the Church’ look bad’.
The LDS are VERY VERY VERY concerned with outward appearances but in reality are often not what they appear. I found out the hard way. Their obsession with outward appearances is done (they are even told this by their leaders) in order to get people interested in converting.
Now, compare that with Christians, for whom it isn’t about an organization (at least it shouldn’t be) but it is about Christ. We do good things and are nice, not to get converts to our denomination but to show the light of Christ to others. It is all about motivation and who/what the focus is.
Mormons hire Mormons, rent to Mormons, buy from Mormons... STEAL from MORMONs...
- - - - -
Now Elsie, that’s not fair, they steal from Christians too!
You must be confused if you are going to try another route to try to take away our freedom of speech. Christians have the freedom of speech too.
The defenders of Mormonism are primarily made up of freerepublic’s atheists, anti-social conservatives, anti-Christians, ex Romneybots, current Romneybots, and anti-conservative bottom feeders of every stripe, in huge numbers.
Check the defenders of Mormonism and attackers of Christianity here and you will see that they are mostly made up of our most liberal freepers.
Good post.
I was simply asking you to confirm what you wrote in two posts, “defenders of Mormonism are ... anti-conservative..”
And no one is taking away freedom of Religion, but you do want Christians to stop speaking out.
The defenders of Mormonism are primarily made up of freerepublic’s atheists, anti-social conservatives, anti-Christians, ex Romneybots, current Romneybots, and anti-conservative bottom feeders of every stripe, in huge numbers.
Check the posting history of the defenders and promoters of Mormonism and attackers of Christianity here and you will see that they are mostly made up of our most liberal freepers.
This at least my third post pointing out this simple fact.
Seems to me...your religion's founder...Joseph Smith, did just that!
Not really. Same ol’ tired recycled spam from previous moronic threads. don’t you get bored?
Yes I know a lot of good Christians as well....and by them BEING Christians, they don’t belong to a cult and I’ve never heard them attack anyone at all.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Yes; the MORMONs, bless their little pea-pickin' hearts, DO keep coming up with the same old losing arguments, but when your only tool is a hammer, EVERYthing is a nail.
I have no clue if new folks are tuning in or not; so I have to go on faith that the parable of the sower is true.
Sure, there's rocky soil, travled soil, dry soil, but BOY!, when that GOOD soil appears; it is WELL worth all my efforts!
Here is a Mormon thread at Catholic answers where you can go and defend Mormonism to “pitchforks and torches” carrying Catholics.
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=217310
(Woohoo, I finally made to an anti Mormon thread.
Wow this is cool.
I don’t recall any Mormon that I have met, want to cut my head off. I have met a few of THAT other religion that does. Oh and they express that exact desire directly to me.
What is it about Mormons that people get so uptight about)
Its not about a Morman wanting to cut off you head. It’s a false religion, with a false prophet. They may be nice people, but the religion is blasphemous. That is the point.
....than the LDS people were treated by the local “Christians” when the Church was centered in New York, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri in the 1800s
Prove it. Submit sources and links. We will then provide sources and links that show your mormon propaganda is full of lies and slander.
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