The American Religion -- Mormons Observing Lent?

Riddleblog ^ | February 19, 2015 | Kim Riddlebarger

[Gamecock]

This article caught my eye--Six Ways Mormons Can Enjoy the Spirit of Lent.  Why would Mormons want anything to do with Lent?--something Mormons have historically associated with paganism creeping into the church shortly after the age of the apostles.  Well, if American evangelicals are now attracted to such things, Mormons will do the same.

Notice the way in which the author of this essay (Kelsey Berteaux) explains how easily the Lenten season can be made to fit right in with Mormon notions of works-righteousness ("grace coupled with obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel") . . .

Though Latter-day Saints don’t observe the traditions of Lent, we can always learn a thing or two from it as we search for things that are of good report and praiseworthy. After all, we can always use a reminder to be better and have a more meaningful Easter.

Lent is well-known as a time to sacrifice. For the next 40 days (plus Sundays, which aren’t counted as part of the 40-day Lent tradition), make a “negative” change by resolving to take something bad out of your life. You could try giving up a TV program, excessive social media use, bad music, junk food, or something else you struggle with.

Here is the part that really jumped out . . .  A citation from the Book of Mormon is actually adduced to support the practice.

The idea behind this tradition is captured beautifully in the words of Lamoni’s father:

“I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day” (Alma 22:18).

There are other ways Lent can be co-opted by Mormons.

As with LDS fasting, traditional Lent followers donate the money saved from eating a sacrifice meal to the poor and needy. Consider donating the money you saved to fast offerings along with your normal monthly donation.

During Lent, incorporate the color purple into your life in some small way. Consider putting out a purple table runner, buying purple flowers, or hanging a purple picture in your home. Then, every time you see the item (or any other purple item you encounter during your day), think back on the Savior and His sacrifice on your behalf. Also remember the commitments you’ve made as part of your Lent celebration.

The point of observing Lent—however you decide to do it—is to find more meaning in the Easter season and draw closer to Christ. The best, and perhaps simplest thing you can do is resolve to learn more about our Savior and His sacrifice.

The pressing issue here, of course, is that the Mormon "Christ" is none other than the spirit-brother of Lucifer, who was raised by the Father--who, in Mormon theology, is also a glorified, immortal, and resurrected man.

Since Mormonism consistently seeks to masquerade as a "Christian" denomination, well then, if the evangelicals are interested in Lent, Mormons need to be as well.  Got to keep up with the Jones' you know.

Only in the bizarro world of American religion . . .

[DaveMSmith]

Well, I may have spoken to soon... contempt prior to investigation, as they say.

My dictionary defines deity as: 'A god or goddess (in a polytheistic religion).'

So yes, The Lord God Jesus Christ is not that!

[Utah Binger]

An update for Elsie

I look around in my town and see work what needs doin’, And it falls to me for to see that it gets divvied out.

Some work is pleasant and some work just ain’t. Please tell me you’re willin’, don’t tell me you cain’t.

Bread Loaves need baked I think ELSIE is right for that job, And David is due for a trip down to slop that old hog....

Everyone knows that there’s work to be done. Everyone knows to make hay while there’s sun. To keep order in Orderville each of us pulls our own weight, Not one complaint! There’s work to be done. Work to be done.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Not a personal attack at all. You are self-described as being involved in the Swedborgian cult.

For anyone else who is unfamiliar with the unbiblical teachings of this group, here is a link

http://www.gotquestions.org/Swedenborgianism.html

Question: What is Swedborgianism?

Answer: The New Church and the Church of New Jerusalem are alternate names for Swedenborgianism. This group, which has been around since the late 1700s, is well outside of orthodox Christianity in its beliefs and can definitely be labeled as a cult.

Swedenborgianism bases its teachings on the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1688. His training was in science, but sometime around 1750 he had a vision in which he believed God came to him and declared him to be God's personal messenger of new revelation. Further encounters with God and other beings in the spiritual realm he traveled to were the basis for his many writings.

These writings include teachings such as: God has many names, depending on the beliefs/religion of the individual; the Holy Spirit is not God; the Trinity does not exist; Jesus Christ's death did not atone for our sin; salvation comes by practicing what you believe, whatever religion it might be; the afterlife is spiritual, but dependent on how well you lived in your physical body.

None of these teachings are compatible with biblical Christianity. The God of the Bible is the only true God (Exodus 3:13-14; Isaiah 43:10). All other gods are idols; creations of man (Exodus 20:4-5). The Holy Spirit is definitely declared to be God in the Bible (Acts 5:3-4), as is Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14) and God the Father (Philippians 1:2); the Trinity is a valid, biblical reality. The Bible is also very clear on Jesus' vicarious atonement of our sin (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2), and that it is only through belief in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that salvation is possible (John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The after-life will be experienced in one of two places—heaven or hell—and that in a physical body (Revelation 22). Swedenborgianism, and its churches by whatever name they might be called, are as far outside historical, biblical Christianity as a group can get. Although they might claim to base their teachings on the Bible, every teaching is tainted by heresy, confusion, and sometimes lunacy.

[Elsie]

God isn’t alone. Heard of angels?

Sure have!

Any Everything I've ever 'heard' about them included NOTHING about ANY of them CREATING anything!

Perhaps you have some different data to show??

---

John 1 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

² The same was in the beginning with God.

³ All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made.

[Elsie]

Besides serious vocalists are scarce in this region.

That's 'cause they've migrated northward; up around the big salty...

---

(click)

Praise to the Man!

 

 

 

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus annointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Praise to his mem'ry, he died as a martyr;
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assasins,
Plead unto heav'n while the earth lauds his fame.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

[Elsie]

<interesting fella!

http://www.esplincousins.com/thomas/thomashome.html

[Elsie]

Bread Loaves need baked I think ELSIE is right for that job

Little Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Orphant_Annie

http://www.jwrileyhome.org/

[Elsie]

It's 1° here this morning!

You got the coffee on?

[Utah Binger]

Little late this morning. Snow but closer to 20° as I treaded through the new powder on my way to the man cave coffee shack.

[dragonblustar]

Frankly .... I wouldn’t want to blend in with those who believe in a three-in-one

That's because you take the all in one philandering false prophet, Joseph Smith.

Yeah, that guy who was tar and feathered by his own people because he couldn't keep his pants up. He is your prophet.... Let that sink in for a moment.

[dragonblustar]

I’m a Mormon, and I only care to blend in with My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Frankly .... I wouldn’t want to blend in with those who believe in a three-in-one, one-in-three God who needs psychological counciling for multiple personality disorder!

On the one hand, you want to blend with Jesus. On the other hand, you say he has a personality disorder.

Which is it?

[dragonblustar]

Joseph boasts that he is better than Jesus.......

[Elsie]

What I have here is powder; also.

I usually get the wet, heavy, sticky stuff.

Good for snowmen, packed down ice on the road and a sore back from shoveling.

It's been really nice to be able to use the leaf blower to swoosh it outta the way!

[Elsie]

 

 

JESUS: Hey Smith! Remember that boast you made about doing more than even I had done to hold the 'church' together?

JOSEPH SMITH: Where am I?

JESUS: Don't you remember? A few seconds ago you were in that jail.

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh; yeah; but where am I NOW?

JESUS: Don't you remember? Does bang - bang ring a bell?

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh; yeah - that crummy gun I had was about USELESS!

JESUS: I hope you left instructions on how to hold your church together.

JOSEPH SMITH: Dang! I knew there was SOMETHING I was forgetting!

JESUS: Looks like there's a power struggle going on down there.

JOSEPH SMITH: Yeah; there was always SOMEone who wanted the power that I held - especially over the LADIES - wink wink.

JESUS: No need to worry about that now; remember what my friend Matthew wrote down?

JOSEPH SMITH: This? “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30)

JESUS: That's it.

JOSEPH SMITH: I thought that was mistranslated.

JESUS: Nah - it was right.

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh well; it was fun while it lasted. My buds will still get it on with the girls.

JESUS: Uh; I'm sorry; in just a few more years; your followers will cavein to the United States government and abandon the 'Eternal Covenant' that you came up with.

JOSEPH SMITH: ME!? YOU are the one that told me to do that!

JESUS: Sorry; but you must have mistranslated what I told you. What part of Do NOT commit ADULTERY did you not understand?

JOSEPH SMITH: mumble....

JESUS: What did you say?

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh, nothing.

JESUS: Well; it was interesting talking to you; but now I must get back to perparing a place for those who believe in Me.

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh, yeah; the Celestial Kingdom.

JESUS: No...

JOSEPH SMITH: The Telestial one?

JESUS: Nope.

JOSEPH SMITH: SUREly not the TERRESTRIAL one!!

JESUS: Nope. Didn't you read that the mind of man had NOT conceived of it? Paul wrote it down in 1 Corinthians 2:9.

JOSEPH SMITH: I thought that was mistranslated.

JESUS: No; it wasn't.

JOSEPH SMITH: You SURE?

JESUS: Yes. Now I must be going: what did you say your name was again?

JOSEPH SMITH: Joseph Smith.

JESUS: Hmmmm. According to my Heavenly FAITHbook, you didn't sign in as one of my friends - sorry, I never knew you.

JOSEPH SMITH: But....