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"?
I really don’t think Mormons are anti-Christian, I just think they are the most gullible bunch among religious people. And when you’re gullible, you’re almost always walking the wrong path and being lead by someone who takes advantage of it.
Frankly I see the efforts of the defenders of Mormonism as being anti-Christian and anti-conservative.
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.
Matter of fact, the Dwyer/Dyer thing was supposed to be the catalyst of Freedom of Religion in bill of rights.
Um...actually it is welcome here and it is allowed (on FR at least).
I know I’m attacking the Mormon religion, no delusion there. And that is my constitutional right and my CHRISTIAN DUTY. As a Christian (and an Ex-Mormon) I am called to speak out against any religion that mocks my Savior and teaches lies about Him while leading people to Hell.
Freedom of religion works both ways, buddy.
The delusion lies in your thinking that Mormons have a right to practice their faith unmolested and that it is in the constitution.
Do you know that the US was on the verge of DECLARING WAR against the Mormons?
so by your own admission, you’re attitude is in the minority
i defend anyone’s right to practice a religion, free from persecution... which include ridicule, as that’s where it starts.
haughty judgments by those that are ‘right’ is an affront to the Constitution... and i will attack any attempting to debase or defame another’s religion, regardless whether or not i agree with that religion. if i didn’t, i’d be a hypocrite.
I really don’t think Mormons are anti-Christian,
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Then please read my long list of quotes upthread. Mormons are very anti-Christian and it is a foundational teaching of their church.
I can give you more quotes (all from LDS sources) if you wish.
free from persecution
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Speaking the truth about a cult and countering their unbiblcal teachings is NOT ‘persecution’. Even ridicule is NOT persecution.
Jailing and killing them IS persecution and no one here is advocating that.
We want to see them saved, not dead.
LOL, No, freerepublic is not majority "made up of freerepublic’s atheists, anti-social conservatives, anti-Christians, ex Romneybots, current Romneybots, and anti-conservative bottom feeders of every stripe," those people are in the minority here, it is revealing that as a Mormonism warrior, that you would have such a twisted view of freerepublic though.
Ping to #24
The Mormons are Anti-Christians, and do not acknowledge and worship the LORD Jesus Christ of the Christian Bible
Jesus, who is Eternal..
Jesus who is from everlasting to everlasting..
Jesus the Alpha and Omega..
Jesus, the Lamb of God..
Jesus who is God...
Jesus the Word of God...
Jesus who is the Second person of the Trinity..
Jesus who is the ONLY Begotten Son of the Father...
Jesus who was born of a virgin who never had sex with man or mormon god...
Jesus who shed His saving Blood UPON THE CROSS to save us...
Jesus who died UPON THE CROSS to save us...
Jesus who rose again the third day to save us...
Jesus who was never a victim but chose to die for us…
Jesus who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings...
Jesus whom the false prophet, Joey Smith lied about...
Jesus who never lost or moved HIS Church from the Earth (and why on Earth would He ???)
Jesus the Righteous who has never needed any foul evil Joey Smith to restore HIS Church..
(Anyone saying that Joey Smith so called “restored” the Church that Jesus built is being “insulting, degrading and blasphemous” to jesus (SD))
Jesus whom Joey Smith the liar never met...
Jesus who destroyed Joey Smith..
Jesus who judged Joey Smith as an unbeliever an an enemy of God and the Church.....
Jesus who condemned the disgraceful unrepentant sinner, Joey Smith to Hell ...
Jesus who is Savior of the Christians as Joey Smith is the false savior of the mormons...
Jesus who will judge who gets into the Christian Heaven while Joey Smith who claimed falsely it would be him is screaming for help in Hell that he earned...
That Jesus...
Any other jesus is not the right one...
Well said and worth a repost. Makes you wonder why they are even here.
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. [ansel]
The Muslims must love your dedicated hard work in their behalf here at freerepublic and on the internet, I wonder if you ever fight for the Children of God cult, or Scientology, or the Hare Krishnas.
you going to start attacking any religion that doesn’t line up with yours?
then yes, i’d be standing against you
i defend anyone’s right to practice a religion, free from persecution... which include ridicule, as that’s where it starts.
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So you also support child sacrifice, rape, abuse of corpses and grave robbing?
Hmmm...I'd say that the people who attack Mormons on FR are primarily made up of Free Republic's haters, bigots, and holier-than-thou harpies who wouldn't know a good Christian or how to act like one if their eternal salvation depended on it.
oh of course, mr strawman
seriously, i think you’re unhinged
The difference is that I made an accurate assessment and observation that can be checked by looking through their posting histories, you merely wanted to do some name calling and insulting and more Christian bashing.
“I have a right to ridicule ANY and ALL religion.”
Having a right is one thing.
The manner in which you execute it is another.
Your advocacy of your “right” is weakened by your manner.
My father was an ex-Mormon, turned “Christian,” like the antis here, but far, far more civil in his manner.
In fact he would say: “How do you expect to persuade people about things, by treating them like crap.?”
Grunthor
“ No....most I know are pro-mormon.”
I agree , they are pro-mormon lifestyle (no lying, no cheating, no stealing , no assault , no covet, etc.) that conventional members of Christian Churches espouse .
To the Mormon , it is a lifestyle , and not just an hour or two , weekly religious celebration.
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