What do Mormons really believe? Let's discuss Mormonism!!! (abomination, Commandment, religion)

[urbanlemur]

Way to go fireman Alpha!!! Thanks, I was beginning to think I could start warming my hands on the computer screen here!!!

[annibelle]

I have a friend who left the church years ago. And yes, we're still friends. We go at it all of the time. That's good because it keeps me on my toes. These are some problems with the doctrine that she has: (1) temples are sacred places only for those who have temple recommends. I like the fact that not just anyone can go. It wouldn't seem so special then if anyone, even those who don't seek to live a higher standard, could just waltz through there. But my friend feels that it should be open to all. After 13 years, we still disagree on that one. (2) My friend thinks that the seership (I don't know how to pronounce that) of a stake patriarch is the equivalent of a fortune teller. I always have to laugh at that one. But, that's her beef.

[stycotl]

i want to get back to the title of this thread. i'm gonna share with you the core of my beliefs. i hope that they can be received in the spirit that they are offered.

i believe that Christ is my savior. i believe that God the Father knew, even before He ever sent me down here, that i would need a Savior. i believe that He planned this from the beginning, to offer me the chance to live, to experience, to fall and scrape my knees, to struggle to get back up, to realize that i cannot get back up without divine aid, and then to finally accept His offering, the atonement of Jesus Christ.

i believe that if i truly feast upon the words of Christ, that i will plant a seed of desire, a seed of faith in my heart. this desire will encourage me to walk closer to my Savior, to get to knw Him, for only by getting to know Him and understanding the nature of His sacrifice can i ever truly learn to appreciate it, and to augment my faith in Him.

i believe that one day, if i excercise faith in my Savior, He will raise me up above the reach of my own imperfection, and i will find peace and happiness for eternity, with my family, with those that i care deeply about in this life.

this is the root of my faith.

aaron out.

[Preterist]

Originally Posted by zimbabwe

Preterist:

If you could be as succinct as possible in explaining the Trinity, it would be appreciated. Keep it to the least common denominator regarding what you consider every Christian, who can be called a Christian, must believe.

Zimbabwe: I'm sorry but this sounds like a "simply raise your hand" question as evidenced in one of the Republican debates! I will not share my beliefs apart from sound Scriptural documentation and support. And that takes time and space. You already know the basic belief of Christian churches concerning what I prefer to call the Tri-unity. And it is fundamental and necessary for any group to rightfully call itself "Christian."

The key to this entire argument centers around the person and work of Christ. How one perceives Him allows or disallows that one the right to call himself a Christian. Again, that is the issue. None of this has anything to do with the right of Mormonism to exist. All of this debate has come about from the insistence of Mormonism that it be allowed to fall under the umbrella of Christianity. In that sense, it is Mormonism that has begun the debate despite some here who claim that others are unjustly attacking their faith. The bottomline for most of us is that it is not an attack but a defense for it was not we who sought inclusion in Mormonism but Mormonism which seeks inclusion in Christianity. We have every right to draw a line of demarcation and scrutinize the core beliefs of any who seek to be included among us. I do not understand why some here do not understand that and take everything we say as a personal attack.

Again, the Jesus of Mormonism is NOT the Jesus of Christianity. I hear Mormons here objecting to that but they give no scriptural support from their own teachings that uphold their claims. Without such support, this entire debate becomes a matter of personal opinions and beliefs. Rather than ask us about our belief in the Tri-unity, why don't Mormons boldly tell us why they deny it and why after their denial they still think they have the right to be considered a part of the Christian community?

Here's the bottomline--WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? If we are going to claim His name, then let us be clear about WHO HE IS!

Also, Zimbabwe--I would be happy to discuss the doctrine of the tri-unity on another thread unless Mormons on this thread would like to discuss here why they deny it.

Preterist

[coolcats]

Originally Posted by Preterist

You already know the basic belief of Christian churches concerning what I prefer to call the Tri-unity. And it is fundamental and necessary for any group to rightfully call itself "Christian."

The key to this entire argument centers around the person and work of Christ. How one perceives Him allows or disallows that one the right to call himself a Christian. Again, that is the issue. None of this has anything to do with the right of Mormonism to exist. All of this debate has come about from the insistence of Mormonism that it be allowed to fall under the umbrella of Christianity.

Preterist

I think you are viewing our desire to be called Christians in the wrong light. You think we want to be called Christians that are SIMILAR TO or JUST LIKE you. That is not true. We do not want to be considered just like you. Just as you consider us to be heretical, we believe you are doing the best you can with limited light because your interpretation is clouded by the apostate changes to pure doctrines. There are distinct differences. We do not want those differences to disappear, because they are the doctrinal foundation for the existence of a separate Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The issue we take is with your co-opting the term Christian for you and those like you.

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a Christian is “one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.” We certainly profess such a belief. Whether you think our belief is correct, is frankly you prerogative after you determine the best you can with the light you have available to you. But by your attempting to put us outside the dictionary definition means you are assuming de facto authority to do so, which is not granted you under the rules of the English language.

[urbanlemur]

ok, I have three questions and I hope I word them correctly so as not to confuse anyone.

1). Has the LDS church always considered itself a christian denomination seeing as how, according to LDS doctrine, God told Joseph Smith that he should have nothing to do with any of the churches at the time? If that's the case, did God not want him to associate in any way, shape or form with any of the so-called "christian" churches of that time and the present? If not, what were they to be referred to as?

2). If the term christian was coined by the people in the book of Acts, my assumption is that the term christian was derived from the following of the doctrine of that time, namely weeks after Jesus died on the cross and appeared to the disciples. Does the LDS church align itself with the doctrine of that era and/or the doctrine that was passed on to Joseph Smith? If not the book of Acts period of time, are the doctrines different?

3). If they hadn't at the time that Joseph Smith started the LDS church, when did the church begin to consider itself a denomination within the parameters of christianity as it is understood? Is it a recent alignment or has it been in effect for years and simply no one paid any attention to it?

I hope these questions make sense. If not, please say something and I'll try to elaborate on it to make it clearer. God bless.

[MomtoFour]

Urbanlemur, Jan Shipps has some interesting essays at Beliefnet that touch on the use of the term "Mormon" and whether Mormons are Christians. You might find them interesting.

[Cindy15161]

Originally Posted by bigthirsty

Thanks Alpha for the thread. I'll spend some time there.

Since the thread you linked to is already out there maybe a good thread would be:

"What do members of the LDS church feel others are most confused about"

Thanks again.

You know what I am confused about. Everyone says that LDS church believes in polygamy. Is this true?

[dojilynn]

Originally Posted by Cindy15161

You know what I am confused about. Everyone says that LDS church believes in polygamy. Is this true?

They don't practice it any more, but I'll let someone who is LDS explain it more thoroughly.

[Preterist]

Originally Posted by coolcats

I think you are viewing our desire to be called Christians in the wrong light. You think we want to be called Christians that are SIMILAR TO or JUST LIKE you. That is not true. We do not want to be considered just like you. Just as you consider us to be heretical, we believe you are doing the best you can with limited light because your interpretation is clouded by the apostate changes to pure doctrines. There are distinct differences. We do not want those differences to disappear, because they are the doctrinal foundation for the existence of a separate Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The issue we take is with your co-opting the term Christian for you and those like you.

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a Christian is “one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.” We certainly profess such a belief. Whether you think our belief is correct, is frankly you prerogative after you determine the best you can with the light you have available to you. But by your attempting to put us outside the dictionary definition means you are assuming de facto authority to do so, which is not granted you under the rules of the English language.

Thank you, coolcats. Finally someone has stated clearly and openly the truth about how Mormons view those recognized as Christians long before Joseph Smith came along and threw us out of Christendom. Who is the real co-opter? We are apostates and heretics! Joseph Smith said so.

What apostate changes, coolcats? What is my limited light? Would you please enlighten all of us.

Furthermore, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is totally inadequate in giving an accurate definition of Christianity.

Preterist