Posted on 10/17/2005 6:28:59 AM PDT by NYer
You've simply transfered the question of our origins to another planet or galaxy.
Where did the space travelers come from?
Did somebody seed them, too?
Sooner or later you have to confront the same question, don't you?
Where and how did life originate?
Aren't Branch Davidians just an offshoot of Seventh Day Adventists?
Please correct whichever of the author's assertions are incorrect, and provide a source. Thanks!
"You've simply transfered the question of our origins to another planet or galaxy."
Good point. While I personally favor evolution, you could argue that even if we were seeded here from another planet, that planet's population may have been created by God.
I guess the thing is, even if that is what happened, it would still mean that our existing theology was incorrect.
The author says that Mormons believe we are saved by the grace of God alone without works. Which is false. We belive that trhough Christ's atoning for our sins do we find salvation, but with good works as well. To repent means not to repeat the behavior. If I repeat the sin, then I need to repent again, and work hard not ot repeat the sin. The key word being work.
Also if I do not serve my fellow man as Christ taught, then I will not gain salvation by faith alone.
That is where the author is wrong. The source is me. I have been a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since I was eight years old.
You know, I really have no problem at all with people of other faiths or their beliefs. I believe that anything that brings one cloer to God is a good thing. I firmly belive that Mother Teresa will get to Heaven on better standing than I will simply becuase of her good works. I try very hard to have respect and understanding of other people's choices of who and how they choose to worship. I also try very hard to respect what they worship. The same goes with one's political and philosophical beliefs as well. I feel sorry for those that feel need to point out inaccuracies of other's beliefs. I am appalled that other members of my faith would engage in such practices. Discussions like these always remind me about anti-mormon protestors outside of the Temple and Conference Center in Salt Lake City. They use foul and hate filled language in the name of our Savior, and I know that depite what anyone believes, our Savior would not approve or condone such behavior.
Normally I avoid reading articles like this on this website because many who profess to be Christian have said some pretty rude, terrible and disrespectful things about my personal beliefs which I hold sacred. Perhaps this is why the monitors shut down these threads after a while.
I hate to get on a soap box, but I just had to get that off of my chest.
No... he created the heaven and the earth....why would he stop us?
Even if we found "life" on other planets, that would still not explain away God.... or his creating us in his image or Jesus Christ.... it's nice to see that at least your curiosity is piqued.
I think some of the greatest Christian writers and theologians started as agnostics or atheist, looked at the question seriously and then logically came to the conclusion that there must be a "God"... and then under more observation and thought came to Christianity.
Good luck to you on your quest. I think we're all stumbling around and I do believe that we are given all the information and free will we need to make the right choice..
I, for one do appreciate your getting up on your 'soapbox'...you have pointed out something which I have noticed on so many of the 'religious' threads, which usually always prevents me in ever participating in them...namely, the discussion and conversation so often does not remain a 'friendly' discussion, but quickly downward spirals into a barrage of insults, name-calling, nasty remarks and the like...
Now, I will not identify myself as a Mormon, or a Catholic, or a Baptist, or a member of any organized 'church', as I dont belong to one...instead I am a person, who has gone to various different churches, has read the Bible, and most importantly, I am seeking after the truth as well as I can discern it...
It never helps when a Catholic gets on a post, and insinuates that all Protestants are 'snake handlers', because there exist small groups of protestants who use snakes in their religious services, and it never helps when Protestants call Catholics 'cannibals', because of their belief concerning communion, and it never helps when members of mainstream religions call those who belong to what may appear to be outside of mainstream, as 'cults', and it never helps when members of one church decide that members of another church are simply not Christians...and I have seen all these ideas and worse posted on what are supposed to be religious threads...
I try to read all the religious threads, for information, for enlightenment, for perhaps something that will help me better understand...when I see insults, slurs, airs of superiority, namecalling, and nasty, nasty remarks, thats a sure turnoff...How people can engage in such discourse, ,and then call themselves 'Christians', is really way beyond me...
To me, those who try to keep Christ as a role model, would not engage in such behavior...civil discussions, disageements, points of contention, yes...just being plain rude and nasty, no...But thats just me...
Thanks, I appreciate your comments and agree whole-heartedly with you. So long as the snake handlers practice their religion outside of my living room, they can do whatever they feel within the boundaries of the law.
Anyone who wants to know what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints actually teaches would do better to ask a knowledgeable member of the Church. (Or go to the LDS Church web site.)
What, if anything, specifically?
I just want to add to logophile that the complete teachings of the LDS are not outlined on their website.
These teachings are simplified so as not to offend anyone that might be interested in becoming a member. They gloss over many of the beliefs about celestial (plural) marriage, tithing, the word of wisdom, garments, three degrees of glory (and what exactly it takes to achieve the Celestial Kingdom) etc.
Those who wish to know the teachings of the church would be wise to look into publications from other sources. I am a seventh generation "mormon" by birth, but now I'm a Christian. I've come to know Jesus as my Savior and not as LDS doctrine teaches, my "older brother," and the older brother of Satan.
In Genesis, the fallen angles described by Moses when he speaks about the earth being cleansed by flood, are called Nephilim (hebrew). Nephilim is plural for the singular Nephi. I'm sure any LDS worth their salt can tell you about Nephi and his travels to the Americas. The whole Book of Mormon is based upon the story of Nephi. Was Nephi then, a fallen angel sent to deceive mankind. If so, where does that put Mormons?
It's from a corruption of Masonic practices. The founder of the Mormons, Mr. Smith, was a Mason. He corrupted and/or simply "borrowed" many Masonic practices and inocoporated them into the initiation practices of the LDS church.
All in all, a rather juvenile way to found a religion.
Can you provide us with specifics and supporting documentation. Thanks
In Genesis, the fallen angles described by Moses when he speaks about the earth being cleansed by flood, are called Nephilim (hebrew). Nephilim is plural for the singular Nephi.
It may interest you to know that the name Nephi is NOT a Hebrew name -- it is Egyptian, as is the name of Nephi's younger brother, Sam. I always thought it was odd that a name like Sam would appear in the Book of Mormon until I learned that Sam is the Egyptian form of Shem. Also of note is the fact that Laman and Lemuel, Nephi's older brothers, have Arabic names, and the two younger brothers who were conceived during the days of their wandering in the wilderness, were named Jacob and Joseph, which ARE Hebrew names.
It is a well known fact that in Old Testament times names given were very significant and had a meaning associated with the circumstances of their birth or family circumstances -- read the OT account of the births of the 12 sons of Jacob, and you'll see that very clearly. Also note that when Jacob wrestled with God until he had received a blessing, he called the name of the place Peniel, which means "The Face of God."
Now, isn't it interesting that we find three different origins for the names of Lehi's children. The naming of the youngest two, Jacob and Joseph, clearly indicates a connection with the 400 years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness. The family of Lehi only spent 8 years, but it must have been equally challenging for them, nonetheless, during that time. Is it possible that the names of Lehi's other children similarly reflect the circumstances in which Lehi found himself at the time of their birth?
And how likely do you think it is that a young man such as Joseph Smith, with very little education, could have hit that nail right on the head if he was just making it up?
It is also the name given by God to fallen angels in Genesis.....maybe this is why ....Joseph Smith, with very little education, could have hit that nail right on the head if he was just making it up? He was given the information by a fallen angel and a minion of Satan. Does that answer you question in a way you might not have wished?
That doesn't deserve a reply.
The Book of Mormon? What exactly happened to those plates that nobody other than Smith saw?
What exactly is "reformed Egyptian?" That is, other than a made-up language?
How many "Zions" did Smith identify? He seemed to have several convenient "revelations" about this, did he not?
Have you ever compared your "temple ceremonies" to those of the Masons?
Sorry you're arguing with the wrong person. I'm on your side.
Why, if fallen angels are identified in the septuagint as Nephilim would it be a stretch to think that the Nephi who visited Joseph Smith was also a fallen angel.
Oh, I don't know about that. It would seem that colorcountry is at least acknowledging that Joseph Smith did not produce the Book of Mormon on his own -- he must have had supernatural assistance. That is progress.
Of course, she and I differ on the source of that supernatural assistance. Apparently, colorcountry believes that Satan inspired the Book of Mormon. In contrast, I believe that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God.
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