Well, I won't speak to RC now...(and therefore immediately convert this into a RC thread)... but the Bottom line is really this:
The LDS are the "rules oriented" ones:
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Example 1...from the Book of Mormon:
Q. According to the Book of Mormon, who initiates grace -- man or God?
A. Man
Q. Where is that found?
A. Helaman 12:24 and 2 Nephi 25:23
And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. (Hel. 12:24)
If grace is "merited" "according to...works" -- then, sorry, "grace" is no longer "free." It's been turned on its head & 100% redefined. (Just try teaching your kids to merit their birthday & Christmas "gifts" "according to their works.")
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Example Two -- From a previous Mormon "prophet": The purity and perfection we seek is unattainable without this subjection of unworthy, ungodlike urges and the corresponding encouragement of their opposites. We certainly cannot expect the rules to be easier for us than for the Son of God... (Lds "prophet" Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 28)
Just look @ all the "rule extensions" Lds have imposed upon their followers (see next post) in order to make it to the highest degree of afterlife...That is 19th-20th-21st century legalism!
In contrast, God's truth is "the concept of free and full forgiveness through Christ" rather than the "earned forgiveness taught in Mormonism."
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Example 3 -- from this Mormon Church publication piece written by one of their general authorities (Nelson), citing Mormon "scripture" Doctrine & Covenants 130:21 ... source: DIVINE LOVE (Is Also Conditional) MORMON (OPEN)
“When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” 28 ... The Lord declares: “All who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof. …
“And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God. “… The conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed … of him who is anointed, … are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead.” 30 ... Such a blessing is conditional. Those who fail to tithe have no promise.
Wow! Sounds like a good spiritual lawyer!! "The conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations...!!!
Taking a look into Nelson's "footnote 28" and its reference: “When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” 28 [Source: Doctrine & Covenants 130:21]
Do MORMONS believe that?
Do all Mormons believe that?
Do you think that ANY and ALL blessings from God are "predicated" upon "obedience to that law" that automatically triggers the blessing -- like some gambling slot machine...that if you just put in enough "obediences" out comes eventual "blessings?"
But if I could look you in the eye, and ask you, if religious legalism is "pleasant" and "forgiving" what might your response be?
Lds leaders impose law after law after law upon Mormons -- who must obey in order to be deemed "worthy"...
(1) You HAVE TO be obedient to all the commandments & ordinances of the Mormon god
(2) You HAVE TO tithe -- what Lds reference as the "Law of consecration"
(3) You HAVE TO obey the "Word of Wisdom" -- not drink coffee, etc.
(4) You HAVE TO follow the law of eternal marriage...get married -- sorry, no never-married single people allowed
(5) You HAVE TO have as many children as possible
(6) You HAVE TO perform temple work for the dead
(7) You HAVE TO perform endowments essential for this highest degree of salvation
(8) You HAVE TO be a member of the right church (Lds)
(9) You HAVE TO receive & perform the rites and ordinances established by that church
(10) You HAVE TO follow the 'prophet'
(11) You HAVE TO observe the law of the fast
(12) You HAVE TO -- as if it wasn't a "want to" -- "pray often"
(13) Instead of treating repentance as a God-given gift, you HAVE TO treat it as a "law" -- and if you commit the same sin over again, it nullifies any previous "repentance" you did regarding that sin, treating it as if you never repented
(14)You HAVE TO have Joseph Smith's consent to enter into your highest afterlife
And then, of course, there's the obvious Biblical laws (10 commandments) -- which the apostle Paul warned didn't lead to receiving the Spirit:
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is EVERYONE who does not continue to do EVERYTHING written in the Book of the Law.” (Gal. 3:1-6, 10)
LOL..you know how we operate don’t you?
Old Marty ditched the RC Cola because he was racked with scruples, remember? Spiritual warfare and saintly perfection is drilled into us as children, and hell is just one mortal sin away. Pleasant, yeah, not so much.
Anyway side note. Carry on. :)
“they just drift happily and contentedly along”
A factoid: Utah has the highest depression rates in the country.
Then you really don’t know mormonISM, it appears