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Views on Mormonism

This is a discussion for you to express your views, thoughts, and opinions on the Mormon (LDS) religion, as well as comparing it to your own. As one, I'd like to know just what my fellow Mythical Beasts think of my religion.

 

This is not a thread for insulting, discriminating or mudslinging against this religion, or any other religion. Be respectful.

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Permalink Reply by The Grand Master-Funk ☣Zombie☣ on September 26, 2012 at 4:16pm

K-ModPermalink Reply by Gumbo123 on September 27, 2012 at 3:53pm

I've yet to meet anyone who says they are a Mormon and chose to be one solely on their own after study and thoughtful prayer. It tends to be the "family religion" that they just carried on without question, much like my own family which is 99% Roman Catholic. Instead I have read the Bible and chosen for myself a conservative, fundamental, independent Baptist church because it is the closest you can find today to a first century New Testament church.

I'm afraid that the wee bit that I truly understand about the LDS (Mormon) faith is that their doctine does not dispute that the man known as Jesus of Nazareth actually lived - - a historically documented fact - - but it doesn not share the basic Christian belief that He actually is the Son of God in the triume godhead, Creator of all things and Saviour of our souls.

 

Are Mormons Christian?

Permalink Reply by Robby S. ( Lemunaed ) on September 28, 2012 at 11:06am

Actually, Mormons do believe in Jesus, and how he is the Son of God.

And, in case people think we don't believe in the Bible, we do. Book of Mormon is simply another testament.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Eaton (Fire Wolf) on October 25, 2012 at 10:19am

What? Really?  I've been studying Mormonism for a few years now, and nowhere in its teachings have I  ever found that Mormons believe that Jesus is God.  Mormomism teaches that Jesus is a prophet, not the son of God. 

Permalink Reply by Ethan(Unicorn Space Commander) on October 25, 2012 at 4:21pm

I feel like people should be viewed based on the character of their actions and not what book he or she does or doesn't believe in.  So for that, Mormonism is just as valid a religion as all the others.  btw, Mormons do believe that Jesus is the son of god.  Otherwise, they wouldn't be considered christian.  Seriously, Andrew.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Eaton (Fire Wolf) on October 25, 2012 at 8:56pm

Yes, seriously.  Mormons are not Christians.  They are Mormons. Christian means follower of Christ.  Mormons do not follow Christ as God.  

If you are going to tell me that I am wrong, please do your research first. 

Permalink Reply by Ethan(Unicorn Space Commander) on October 26, 2012 at 3:30pm

Mormonism is a sect of Christianity.  It's just a fact. You may not agree with Mormons  but, that doesn't make them "not christian".  Mormonism, Catholicism, and Protestantism are all sects of the same religion, Christianity.  All Christians (and by extention Mormons) believe that Jesus is the son of god or else they wouldn't be Christian.  I suggest you take your own advice and take the 5 minutes it takes to look at Wikipedia.  I highly doubt you know what Robby believes in better then he does.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Eaton (Fire Wolf) on October 26, 2012 at 4:34pm

I just did look it up and here's what it says.

"During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself from traditional Protestantism. Mormonism today represents the new, non-Protestant faith taught by Smith in the 1840s." 

 

I can understand how the similarities make it a "sect of the same religion."  I get what you mean by that.  

 

However I am talking about the core basics that really set us apart.  The are fringe things that may seem the same, but the differences in core doctrine make them almost obsolete.   

The core Christian doctrine is this: The mainstream Christian belief is that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully humanand the savior of humanity. Because of this, Christians commonly refer to Jesus as Christ orMessiah.[4] Jesus' ministry, sacrificial death, and subsequent resurrection are often referred to as the Gospel, meaning "Good News" (from the Greek: εὐαγγέλιον euangélion). In short, the Gospel is news of God the Father's eternal victory over evil,[5] and the promise of salvation andeternal life for all people, through divine grace.[6]

If you want more wikipedia, here it is:

 "Mormonism's differences place it outside the umbrella of Christianity altogether."

 

This is what Mormons believe:  Mormons believe that in the beginning all people existed as spirits or "intelligences," independent of God.[29] In this state, God came among the intelligences and offered a plan whereby they could progress and "have a privilege to advance like himself."[30] The spirits were free to accept or reject this plan, and a third of them, led by Satan rejected it.[31] The rest accepted the plan, coming to earth and receiving bodies with an understanding that they would experience sin and suffering.

 

That text is absolutely heretical to the Christian faith!  

I see no similarities that would really place Mormons and Christians  as the same.

And for your sake I used all my citing from wikipidia.

Permalink Reply by Ethan(Unicorn Space Commander) on October 26, 2012 at 11:33pm

That is a misquote the full quote is "To those for whom Christianity is defined by that orthodoxy [(in other words according to orthodox christians)], Mormonism's differences place it outside the umbrella of Christianity altogether." which doesn't really advance your point.  All you are saying is that you don't believe they are christian.  On the contrary not but 2 sentences earlier wikipedia said this "According to Bruce McConkie, a general authority of the LDS Church, 'Mormonism is indistinguishable from Christianity'".  So Mormons do claim to be Christian whether you accept it or not.  They know what they believe, you don't.  Your definition of "Christianity" it different from theirs and is no more valid.


K-ModPermalink Reply by Gumbo123 on October 26, 2012 at 5:13pm

Okay then, Ethan - - - for discussion purposes and on your own advice, although I would seldom rely solely on Wikipedia as the primary source of information for any subject - -

(NOTE: the comments in bold italics below each point are mine)

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormons#Beliefs

  • Mormons have a scriptural canon consisting of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and a collection of revelations and writings by Joseph Smith known as the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. Mormons however have a fairly open definition of scripture. As a general rule, anything spoken or written by a prophet, while under inspiration, is considered to be the word of God.  Thus, the Bible, written by prophets, is the word of God, so far as it is translated correctly. The Book of Mormon is also believed to have been written by ancient prophets, and is viewed as a companion to the Bible. By this definition, the teachings of Smith's successors are also accepted as scripture, though they are always measured against, and draw heavily from the scriptural canon.
  • Christians have only one scriptural canon - - the Bible - - all other writings of any type, whether they be historical or commentary in nature, are simply a man's opinion and not the Word of God according to any Christian church's teachings

 

  • Mormons believe in "a friendly universe," governed by a God whose work and glory it is to bring his children to immortality and eternal life.   Mormons have a fairly unique perspective on the nature of God, the origin of man, and the purpose of life. For instance, Mormons believe in a pre-mortal existence where people were literal spirit children of God, and that God presented a plan that would allow his children to progress and become more like him. The plan involved the spirits receiving bodies on earth and going through trials in order to learn, progress, and receive a "fullness of joy".  The most important part of the plan involved Jesus the eldest of God's children, coming to earth as the literal Son of God, to conquer sin and death so that God's other children could return.
  • Christians never believe that they are children of God by birthright, only that they can receive such blessings and be called the children of God by adoption.  Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and together He, the Holy Spirit and the Father join together to be one Triune being (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity).  The Bible teaches such and to believe otherwise is totally contrary to what God has to say on the subject.

 

  • According to Mormons, every person who lives on earth will be resurrected, and most of them will be received into various kingdoms of glory. To be accepted into the highest kingdom, a person must fully accept Christ through faith, repentance, and through ordinances such as baptism and the laying on of hands.
  • Mormonism teaches that a person is destined for one of six places depending on what he has done or what he has believed. These are: outer darkness (for Satan, his demons, and extremely wicked people) or one of three "kingdoms" known as the telestial, terrestrial or celestial kingdoms. Within the celestial kingdom are traditionally thought to be three levels, the highest being called "The Church of the Firstborn." It is here, and only here, that Mormon males hope to achieve Godhood and rule over their own worlds throughout eternity (source: http://www.mrm.org/heaven-and-hell )
  • Christian religions, at least all the mainstream ones, believe exactly as the Bible clearly states that after departing from this life we will spend eternity in one of two places. There is a literal place called Heaven and a literal place called Hell.  Notice that in the Wiki discussion on Mormon Beliefs the word Hell is not found anywhere, because the teachings of their church doctrine is contrary to scriptural Bible fact and doesn't line up with the "christian image" that the Mormon church is working so hard to promote.  While it is true that all will be resurrected in the end, certainly not all and not nearly most will see the glory of Heaven. 

 

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

~ Matthew 7:13-14

 

 

So, I personally decided a long time ago on three things - - -

1.  There is a God, and I'm not him. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

~ Hebrews 11:6

 

2.  That for the English-speaking people of today the King James Bible is the entire, complete and inerrant Word of God - - add nothing / take nothing away - - 

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

~ Romans 3:3-4

 

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

~Proverbs 30:5-6

 

3. That the Bible is very clear in its presentation of the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ - - but may will never understand that message because they are blinded to the fact by their own unbelief or the misdirection given by some false prophet of unscriptural religious organization.

 

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

~ 1John 5:13

 

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

~ 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

 

Would you study the Word of God and decide for yourself? 

Don't be tied to any other man's opinion of what is truth, what is important, what is necessary . . . God placed every verse in the Bible there with a purpose and reason in mind.  Who should know better than Him?

Permalink Reply by Ethan(Unicorn Space Commander) on October 26, 2012 at 11:24pm

Oh, gumbo, "2.  That for the English-speaking people of today the King James Bible is the entire, complete and inerrant Word of God - - add nothing / take nothing away".  I can quote the bible too give nothing, take nothing.

Levidicus 18:22 "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." (says homosexuality is an abomination though, in the new international version, it says that it is "detestable")

1 Timothy 2:12"And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence."(Tells wives to obey their husbands)

1 Peter: 18 "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward." (Tells slaves to obey their masters)

Numbers 31:7 "They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man." (if you read in context this is genocide)

Later on in Numbers 31 :17-18 "Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man."  (Implies rape)

Hey, look on the bright side, at least there are verses in the bible like this too

1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”

Permalink Reply by Andrew Eaton (Fire Wolf) on October 27, 2012 at 12:44am

Ethan, I agree that those verses are all true.  However, a few of your messages in the ellipses are improper interpretations of the text.  

The first three are correct views, but the last two are taken out of context.  

Numbers 31:7 If God tells then to attack an evil nation that is worshiping idols, that means war.  And unless you think all war is genocide, then your interpretation is skewed.  God's decision is just.  It is not our job to judge Him.

Numbers: 31:7 You way missed the mark on this one.  During this time, it was common place for armies to come in and after they attacked raid the buildings and take the women as their own wives.  God was actually telling them that it would be honorable to take the women who had never slept with another man, verses one who had.  This in no way implies rape! 

The thing is If I truly love you, I wouldn't want you to carry on with your life with the wrong views. It is the least I could to to help.

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