Haven't Anti-Mormons Completely Destroyed the Credibility of Mormonism?

jefflindsay.com ^ | Nov. 5, 2006 | Jeff Lindsay

[Zakeet]

farmer18th: What do Mormon scholars say about that critique of Mormon church holy writ? [i.e. Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price]

restornu: I see you did not read this thread ... this is my thread you can do what you like on your thread!

Up to now, Free Republic has been devoted to the idea persons may openly discuss virtually any topic pertaining to general gist of the topic providing the poster does not resort to obscenity, profanity, racism or radical ideology.

In my opinion, Farmer18th asked a valid question relating to the topic of Mormon apologetics. If interested, you can see a detailed answer, and learn why Mormons such as restornu take great umbrage at the mere mention of the topic by clicking HERE.

[restornu]

That is not true you distorter I encourage him to start another thread on his topic, so this thread could stay on the topic.

He was conciderate knowing to continue his question would hijack this thread!

So I did not stop him from his question had he started a thread on this I would have join him!

You are out of line by trying to assign motives to me!

[restornu]

What did the Mormons ever do to you personally I would like to know?

[restornu]

It seems it is you Zakeet who rejects Jesus Christ Church so it is the other way around big boy!:)

[restornu]

Excuse me as far as I am concern it is the Tanner’s who lack discernment!

are you related to me like their son or something?

[Elsie]

Haven't Anti-Mormons Completely Destroyed the Credibility of Mormonism?

Good Title!

---

Now it's time for...

 

 Why Hasn't All the Things That Headquarters of LDS, Inc. Published Over The Years Completely Destroyed the Credibility of Mormonism?

[Elsie]

Excuse me this is the Religion forum, there is no Romney here, you should try the News/Activism forum!

What a coherent sentence!

One can even understand it!

[Elsie]

Hello farmer18th this is my thread you can do what you like on your thread!

Translation: if you start posting things I don't like; I'll tattle on you and get them pulled.

[Elsie]

But when someone strives to stir up anger toward the Church and relies on misinformation or half-truths, then I'm inclined to apply the anti-Mormon label--especially when they do it for a living.

Mindreading and intent.

[Elsie]

There are ways to ask questions and people have ways of couching questions to muddy the water before the person can respond to and I think that there in lies the crux of the problem.

If some one was sincere or curious and wanted to know that is different than so many time a strawman type questions that makes it impossible at the moment to answer the question.

I have tried to put the question on level playing ground but with many who have an agenda that is not going to happen!

Who ever typed this reply, #11, is NOT the Restornu we have come to know in these threads.

[Elsie]

It might interest you to know that LDS is currently listed as the fastest expanding protestant religion in the U.S.

THIS is an example of not 'a half-truth', but a complete lie!

LDS Inc. is NOT a 'protestant' group!!

[Elsie]

“They ain’t black; they ain’t even old timey!”

[Elsie]

 

At the same time there's another group...

 

 

 

 But WAIT!!  There's MORE!!

 

---

---

"We do not indorse the teachings of any so-called Mormons or Latter Day Saints, which are in conflict with the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as taught in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. They have departed in a great measure from the faith of the Church of Christ as it was first established, by heeding revelations given through Joseph Smith, who, after being called of God to translate his sacred word--the Book of Mormon--drifted into many errors and gave many revelations to introduce doctrines, ordinances and offices in the church, which are in conflict with Christ's teachings."

-- David Whitmer (an elder in the Church of Christ), 1887

 

Today, there are as many as 100 organizations claiming to be a part of the Latter Day Saint movement, most centered in Utah or Missouri. Most regard their own group, however small, to be the only legitimate Christian church. Most of these organizations are very small, but overall, but the second largest denomination, the Community of Christ, reports over 200,000 members.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ, and the LDS) is by far the largest Mormon denomination. It is a continuation of the "Rocky Mountain Saint" branch of Mormonism.
• The more liberal Community of Christ (formerly called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is second in size. It is a continuation of the "Prairie Saint" movement. Although generally referred to as "Mormons," they do not use the term themselves, because of its association with polygamy and because they believe the name was not part of the original church.
• Many additional small Mormon faith groups, including:
  • Aaronic Order: unknown membership; 6 centers; 20 ministers
  • Apostolic United Brethren: about 7,000 members. They disagree with the LDS' decision to allow ordination of African-Americans and allowing women to assume leadership positions.
  • Church of Christ (Fetting/Bronson): about 2000 members
  • Church of Christ (Temple Lot): about 2400 members
  • The Church of Christ "With The Elijah Message," established anew in 1929 12,500 members worldwide
  • Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite): about 2700 members
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: about 11 million members
  • The Community of Christ: about 250,000 members. This denomination was formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- the "RLDS Church". It was formed in 1860 by remnants of the original church who did not make the trek to Utah. They reject certain beliefs and practices of the LDS church, including marriage sealing for eternity; they allow both men and women into the priesthood; their services are open to the public. They have about 250,000 members.
  • United Order Effort: a polygamy practicing group, excommunicated by the main LDS church,  of perhaps 10,000 members
  • The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It split from the Reorganized Church in 1991 because of the latter's liberal theology. It is centered in Independence, Missouri, and had an estimated membership of 2,500 in mid-1996. They publish a periodical "The Restoration Advocate" six times a year.

---

(So much for having the RESTORED truth!!)

[Elsie]

Another entry for our Oxymoron list!

 

intellectual  Latter-day Saints

10. Pretty Ugly
9. Head Butt
8. Working Vacation
7. Tax Return
6. Virtual Reality
5. Dodge Ram
4. Work Party
3. Jumbo Shrimp
2. Healthy Tan
1. Microsoft Works

[muawiyah]

Well, whatever. There's this situation where there was a falling out among Smith's group on their way West (across Ohio). That's when the Church of the First Born abandoned Smith, and he them.

What I'm trying to discover is how it happened that he ever got mixed up with the COTFB folks.

[Elsie]

 

“Anti-Mormons” are not the ones that started this fight way back in the 1820’s when some dude from the backwoods of New York claimed to have found golden plates and then started attacking all other churches.

 

You mean THIS???

 

 

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/19#19
  17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
  18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
  19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
  20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” 
 

All of you MORMONS reading this:

 

Show proof that this has been rescinded by your Organization, and THEN we might have a common ground to start talking to you.

[Elsie]

 

Now I know many for what ever reason feel differently but there are about 13 millions of us who did receive a witness from the Lord!

 

I see that you have quoted from Isaiah in the BIBLE:

 

 

 

For ANYTHING to trump the existing bible we have, it HAS to pass THIS test:

 

 

Galatians 1:7-10
 7.  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
 8.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
 9.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

 

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
 14.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
 15.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

 

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/19#19
  17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
  18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
  19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
  20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.”  

 

 

 

If one believes the Bible is correct, then, by that Standard, Mormonism fails the test.

 

 

If, however, you are convinced that the Bible is either in error, been corrupted or mis-interpreted, then you are free to believe whatever you wish.

 

 

 

 

 

[Elsie]

 

sorry don’t understand you question!

 

 

Number 17...

 

How Mormon's deal with data presented to them by those they call ANTI's:

  1. How you interpret it is wrong...
  2. You are too ignorant to really understand it because you are not a member....
  3. You're not qualified to judge because you're no LONGER a member...
  4. You are just a bigot for bringing the whole ugly truth to light ...
  5. So’s yer Mama!
  6. Laugh it all off and post some silly image.  
  7. Jump down the rabbit hole; Alice!
  8. Bait & Switch
  9. The OTHER 'half' of the truth is what we are avoiding.
10. "I Know It When I See It"
11. Hand waving...
12. YOU play defense for a while.
13. HEE Hee hee... let's get the Calvinists and the Armenians fighting!
14. GREAT FUN! Let's get the Catholics and the Protestants fighting!
15. Huh? Did you say something?
16. If I repeat this enough times some folks will be fooled into thinking it's true.
17. Playing dumb.

 

[Elsie]

Popcorn placemarker ... you seem to have closed some mouths!

Now our prayers are that HEARTS will be opened!

[Elsie]

Worth repeating.

Got 'cher back!