Utah trails Bible Belt states in religious commitment

Mormon Times ^ | Jan. 13, 2010 | Joel Campbell

[Colofornian]

Utah, where most surveys show just more than two-thirds of the residents are Latter-day Saints, is the 12th most religious state in the United States. Utah takes a back seat to 11 Southern states, most in the Bible Belt.

According to a new analysis released by the Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life, the most religious states are Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky. The rankings were based on a question about how important religion was in people's lives taken during a 2007 Religious Landscape Survey. States where religion is least important are New Hampshire, Vermont, Alaska and Massachusetts. Not surprising, Northeastern states had some of the lowest measures in four categories of religious commitment.

Utah did rank much higher in worship attendance -- about 56 percent of Utahns surveyed said they attend church at least once a week. Only Mississippi had a higher percentage of people who attend church at least once a week, at 60 percent. In terms of frequency of prayer and belief in God, Utah ranked 10th in both categories.

Caution should be used in trying to use the data to classify Mormons -- Utah does have members of other faiths. Most significant in what demographers have reported is Utah's Catholic population, which is about 5-6 percent of the Beehive State's population.

Nonetheless, the numbers are interesting.

Nationally, on average, about 56 percent of Americans rated religion important in their lives. About 39 percent attend religious services once a week, about 58 percent have frequent prayer and 71 percent have a belief in God.

[Colofornian]

Sounds like Utah is becoming more ripe every day as a mission field, especially since its demographic population is the youngest and more are likely to turn away from Mormonism in the next 20 years than ever before. Evangelicals, do we hear the call?

Utah sends its Mormon missionaries to proselytize others from the Christian church; will the Evangelicals attempt to reach out to the homes where these potential proseletyzers are coming from?

[kbennkc]

Utah is second only to Wyoming in charitable giving .

[kbennkc]

Will the Evangelicals attempt to reach out to the homes where these potential proseletyzers are coming from?

What is stopping you ?

[Colofornian]

What is stopping you ?

(Actually I'm working on it...thank you for asking)

[Tennessee Nana]

Utah, where most surveys show just more than two-thirds of the residents are Latter-day Saints, is the 12th most religious state in the United States. Utah takes a back seat to 11 Southern states, most in the Bible Belt.

——— the most religious states are Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky.
_______________________________________________

ROFLMBO

[Colofornian]

Utah is second only to Wyoming in charitable giving.

When 56% of its population is told:
(1) "You won't receive temple access unless you tithe
-- which we check by a periodic 'temple recommend' interview with the bishop";
(2) "...and unless you are a temple Mormon, you won't go to the highest realm of glory -- the celestial glory";
(3) "...and if you don't go to celestial glory, you're putting in jeopardy living forever in the proximity of your immediate family to whom we seal you in our temples"...
...then, of course...charitable giving to the Lds church seems to flow quite readily!!!

Now what if those Christian churches in those 11 Southern states mentioned in this article said: "You won't go to heaven unless you tithe." (Then it'd be way up there, too)

[999replies]

You are rolling on the floor laughing your butt off over stuff like this? WOW, girl needs get out more.

[AzaleaCity5691]

Since when is Louisiana a part of the Bible Belt?

I grant you the northern part of the state is but not anything in the southern part of the state (where most people are)

And I’ll already tell you you’ll never break the Mormon church in Utah. You have to be Mormon in most of the state to even be viable, except for Salt Lake City, and the non-Mormons in Salt Lake City tend to be very liberal because they go out of their way to be the “non-Mormon” and as such try and be the polar opposite of whatever Mormons are on any given issue.

And I suspect that the youth who are leaving the Mormon church are leaving because of it’s social restrictions such as those on alcohol and tobacco and I’d imagine they also intend to leave the state. I don’t know how that makes them ripe coverts for the SBC but then again I’m Catholic.

[Tennessee Nana]

Welcome to FR n00b...

You’re new so I will cut you some slack...

Stick around kid...

Read some of the 1000s of comments ...

The point here is its laughable...

Based on the history of the past posts about mormons and their (better than anyone else) devotion level to their religion ???

ROFLMBO...

[MSF BU]

...and last in percentage of veterans in the total population I was shocked to find out. I think that may have to do with the younger average age though.

[AzaleaCity5691]

Just a thought. Mormon’s are a Christian church too. Granted a church that contains many ideals that are heretical and have long been heretical but they still are a Christian church.

I am not a huge fan of Mormonism and I can’t say I’d be comfortable with having one in the White House but you have to be careful with how far you take that. A good number of our Republican primary voters did not like McCain last year. Those who opted not for him had a remarkable characteristic.

Catholics, Episcopalians and Mainline Protestants and Jews (Catholics especially) opted for Romney over Huckabee and as a result this became one of the only two high vote counties in the state where Romney outran Huckabee.

Their reasoning was simple. Huckabee was a Southern Baptist preacher and they believed his campaign had used Romney’s non-Evangelical religion to attack him and down here, we’re sensitive to that. So I understand where you Evangelicals are coming from, but I also have the experience of a Southern Catholic in a Catholic dominated town in a Southern Baptist dominated state. Be careful because there’s always a backlash that can be provoked.

[T Minus Four]

Now what if those Christian churches in those 11 Southern states mentioned in this article said: "You won't go to heaven unless you tithe." (Then it'd be way up there, too)

Not really, because most of those folks are not brainwashed robots. They have the authority of God's Word, the Holy Bible, in their hands and hearts and they know what is true.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

CC has been an integral part of a “former mormon” Christian
Church that is growing rapidly. The fields are white for
harvest!

[T Minus Four]

ping-a-ling

[Colofornian]

Mormon’s are a Christian church too. Granted a church that contains many ideals that are heretical and have long been heretical but they still are a Christian church.

Listen, no "Christian church" I know teaches you that you are a "god-in-embyro" (google the term & you'll see the Lds leader references) & that you can be a god of your own star/planet. Likewise, no "Christian church" I know teaches that multiple gods exist and that you yourself can add to that total by becoming one.

If polytheism = "Christian" then "Christian" means nothing.

A good number of our Republican primary voters did not like McCain last year. Those who opted not for him had a remarkable characteristic. Catholics, Episcopalians and Mainline Protestants and Jews (Catholics especially) opted for Romney over Huckabee and as a result this became one of the only two high vote counties in the state where Romney outran Huckabee.

Well, maybe you've seen some voting results sliced & diced that I've haven't seen -- re: how Catholics, Episcopalians and Mainline Protestants actually voted in the last primaries.

But I can tell you from one Gallup poll going into those primaries that when three groups were polled (self-identified conservatives, moderates & liberals) about whether they would vote for a Mormon POTUS or not...
...Moderates were 11% LESS likely than Conservatives to vote for a Mormon POTUS...
...and Liberals were 9% LESS likely than Conservatives to vote for a Mormon POTUS.

Now, certainly, these numbers change over time (for example, liberals may be even LESS likely than the above to vote for a Mormon POTUS since Prop 8 passage). But as it applies to your comment, it was actually the moderates in the GOP who drove the vote for McCain because the "11% less" number above drove many away from Romney. And where do you think the moderates reside a few Sunday mornings a month? (Mainline Protestantism; Episcopalians, and Catholics)

Now I'm not saying those moderates were Huckabee-happy. (Obviously they weren't). But you see, the moderates united in their vote behind McCain, whereas the more conservative voters split their vote behind Huckabee, Romney, Thompson, Ron Paul & earlier in the race the others who were still in it for a brief time.

[Alan2]

Now what if those Christian churches in those 11 Southern states mentioned in this article said: "You won't go to heaven unless you tithe." (Then it'd be way up there, too)

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

The Bible already teaches that you are cursed if you don't pay up.

[T Minus Four]

Oh I’m not saying don’t give. But when, where, to whom, and how much is between you and God.

And I don’t see anywhere where it says, “do this or you won’t go to heaven”

[T Minus Four]

Here, this should help clear it up. It’s from www.gotquestions.org :

Question: “What does the Bible say about Christian tithing?”

Answer: Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing. In some churches tithing is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord. Tithing/giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

[colorcountry]

CC has been an integral part of a “former mormon” Christian Church that is growing rapidly. The fields are white for harvest!

You can't believe how the Christian Church is taking roots and exploding in growth here in Salt Lake City, UT.

The congregation I attend will be five years old in February. We have outgrown our present location in a warehouse and have begun taking donation to procure a building where we can house our 300 members.

The Big Dream

[colorcountry]

CC has been an integral part of a “former mormon” Christian Church that is growing rapidly. The fields are white for harvest!

You can't believe how the Christian Church is taking roots and exploding in growth here in Salt Lake City, UT.

The congregation I attend will be five years old in February. We have outgrown our present location in a warehouse and have begun taking donations to procure a building where we can house our 300 members.

The Big Dream

[Colofornian]

The Bible already teaches that you are cursed if you don't pay up.

But what is the purpose of "paying up" (to find favor with God?) No, 'cause the Bible equates the word "favor" with grace. And God finds favor with us because HE is the author of grace through looking @ us via the lens of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Do we "pay up" to please God's desires? Well, what did God tell Hosea: For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)

Now that doesn't mean we don't set apart our resources and ourselves. What it does mean, though, is that if we go on a formula of 90% of our resources belong to ourselves, and 10% belongs to God, then we haven't read the Bible very carefully. Because the Bible makes it clear that He owns it all (He owns cattle of 1,000 hills, says the Psalmist). And since He is Lord, we belong to Him, too.

So, He owns 100% of us; 100% of our resources. If our resources aren't share-able, then that's a problem. And, BTW, I'm preaching to myself here 'cause I know I fail & fall in what I'm saying.

[Colofornian]

You can't believe how the Christian Church is taking roots and exploding in growth here in Salt Lake City, UT. The congregation I attend will be five years old in February. We have outgrown our present location in a warehouse and have begun taking donations to procure a building where we can house our 300 members.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

[kbennkc]

Now what if those Christian churches in those 11 Southern states mentioned in this article said: "You won't go to heaven unless you tithe." (Then it'd be way up there, too)

I don't know ? Fine by me . Maybe they should if they want to beat Wyoming . I am surprised you could scare Utahns and Wyomingers with threats of hell . They are already in Utah and Wyoming . I don't care what anybody tells anybody . Don't all superstitious nuts have some kind of Holy Book that lays out the rules of who goes to heaven and hell ? If I wrote one i would have that rule up front . Pay 10% or go to hell , your choice . First though I would probably make it clear that this way was the only way , or you guessed it , you go to hell with the tithe deadbeats .

[Elsie]

Utah trails Bible Belt states in religious commitment

Well - DUH!!

They take all that PROZAC® so they don't get committed as often!

[Colofornian]

I am surprised you could scare Utahns and Wyomingers with threats of hell . They are already in Utah and Wyoming.

LOL (tho I'm sure some residents of each state would take issue with this...but I'll assume you meant it as a humorous rejoinder)

[Elsie]

Based on the history of the past posts about mormons and their (better than anyone else) devotion level to their religion ???

 

MORMON

ATTITUDES OF SUPERIORITY

 

  1. I’m Superior; I have a special gift of the holy Ghost -- you don’t!
  2. I’m Superior; I have God’s true priesthood power -- you don’t!
  3. I’m Superior; I can go in God’s secret Temple -- you can’t!
  4. I’m Superior; I’ve been Endowed with special Gifts and Knowledge -- you’re just normal!
  5. I’m Superior; I’ll have my family with me in heaven -- you’ll be with strangers!
  6. I’m Superior; I’m becoming a God -- you aren’t!
  7. I’m Superior; My women know their place as servants of man and yours don’t.
  8. I’m Superior; YOUR creeds are wrong because they come from man - mine comes from God (you can find each one printed in our Scriptures).
  9. I’m Superior; I don’t HAVE a creed - I’ve got 13 Articles of Faith.
10. I'm Superior; I have 4 "Bibles"-- the standard works (5 if you count the JST) -- you've only got one: in as far as it is translated correctly.
11. I’m Superior; I can lie with impunity about such things as church membership, church growth, church doctrine, church history, church influence, etc. —                           -- You can’t.
12. I’m Superior; I am right (everybody knows) when I say 'evangelical' Christians are lunatics --                            -- You’re a hideous narrow-minded bigot, who is persecuting me by practicing discrimination by saying I'm not a Christian.
13. I'm Superior; I have a testimony about a prophet -- you don't.
14. I'm Superior; I have a Scripture-producing Amos 3:7 prophet -- you don't
15. I’m Superior; I have a Living Prophet who talks to god every day -- you have a dim-witted hireling of Satan who only talks to himself.
16. I'm Superior; I have my calling & election made sure -- you don't.
17. I’m Superior; I have magic underwear to protect me from the bogey man -- you don’t.
18. I’m Superior; I have secret clasps and grips to give the angel so I get admitted to the celestial kingdom -- you don’t ;so you can’t.
19. I'm Superior; I know secret handshake codes for afterlife entrances-- you don't.
20. I’m Superior; I will see Joseph Smith setting on the right hand of GOD, when I get to Mormon heaven, and he will recognize me and judge me favorably                              -- You’re on your own; when you get to wherever you’re going!
21. I’m Superior; I’m going to hie to Kolob -- you’re going to who knows where.
22. I’m Superior; I get to have a harem and act like a celestial stud for time and all eternity -- you don’t.
23. I’m Superior; I have sun stones, moon stones, sky stones, cloud stones, Saturn stones, and the evil eye of Osirus guarding my temple                            -- all you have is a stupid cross.
24. I’m Superior; My church has billions in assets stashed away -- yours has taken a stupid vow of poverty.
25. I'm Superior; Last - we have the power to keep a whole race out of our priesthood if we wanted to reinsert our 148-year legacy  (we ARE still keeping an entire GENDER at bay!)

 

Revision 46.1

Semi-Official creed of the EXclusive club of Freeper Flying Inmans.

All rights liable to be abused.

Why can't the RESTORED gospel be found in the Book of MORMON; like Salt Lake City SAYS that it can?

[Elsie]

...and last in percentage of veterans in the total population I was shocked to find out. I think that may have to do with the younger average age though.

They wuz ALL young once!

[Elsie]

Just a thought. Mormon’s are a Christian church too.

No; it isn't.

Just because they have JESUS CHRIST plastered on the wall of the building doesn't mean they define Him as CHRISTIANS do.

[Elsie]

Listen, no "Christian church" I know teaches you that you are a "god-in-embyro" (google the term & you'll see the Lds leader references)...

Oh phooey!

Let me just post some LDS 'scripture'!

---

 

 

 

 

THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

SECTION 132

 

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, as also plurality of wives. HC 5: 501–507. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831.

1–6, Exaltation is gained through the new and everlasting covenant; 7–14, The terms and conditions of that covenant are set forth; 15–20, Celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit enable men to become gods; 21–25, The strait and narrow way that leads to eternal lives; 26–27, Law given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; 28–39, Promises of eternal increase and exaltation made to prophets and saints in all ages; 40–47, Joseph Smith is given the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven; 48–50, The Lord seals upon him his exaltation; 51–57, Emma Smith is counseled to be faithful and true; 58–66, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.

 

  1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many ^awives and ^bconcubines—

  2 Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter.

  3 Therefore, ^aprepare thy heart to receive and ^bobey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.

  4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting ^acovenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye ^bdamned; for no one can ^creject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.

  5 For all who will have a ^ablessing at my hands shall abide the ^blaw which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.

  6 And as pertaining to the new and ^aeverlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my ^bglory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.

  7 And verily I say unto you, that the ^aconditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, ^boaths, ^cvows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and ^dsealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is ^eanointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by ^frevelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this ^gpower (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this ^hpower in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the ⁱkeys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.

  8 Behold, mine house is a house of ^aorder, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.

  9 Will I ^aaccept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name?

  10 Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not ^aappointed?

  11 And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, even as I and my Father ^aordained unto you, before the world was?

  12 I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall ^acome unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord.

  13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by ^athrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall ^bnot remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.

  14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.

  15 Therefore, if a ^aman marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world.

  16 Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in ^amarriage; but are appointed angels in ^bheaven, which angels are ministering ^cservants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.

  17 For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are ^aangels of God forever and ever.

  18 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that ^acovenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.

  19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man ^amarry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and ^beverlasting covenant, and it is ^csealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of ^dpromise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the ^ekeys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit ^fthrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s ^gBook of Life, that he shall commit no ^hmurder whereby to shed innocent ⁱblood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their ^jexaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the ^kseeds forever and ever.

  20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from ^aeverlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be ^bgods, because they have ^call power, and the angels are subject unto them.

  21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my ^alaw ye cannot attain to this glory.

  22 For ^astrait is the gate, and narrow the ^bway that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the ^clives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.

  23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that ^awhere I am ye shall be also.

  24 This is ^aeternal lives—to ^bknow the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath ^csent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law.

  25 ^aBroad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the ^bdeaths; and many there are that go in thereat, because they ^creceive me not, neither do they abide in my law.

  26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the ^aHoly Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they ^bcommit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into their exaltation; but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall be ^cdelivered unto the buffetings of ^dSatan unto the day of ^eredemption, saith the Lord God.

  27 The ^ablasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall ^bnot be ^cforgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit ^dmurder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be ^edamned, saith the Lord.

  28 I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the ^alaw of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained by me and my Father before the world was.

  29 ^aAbraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne.

  30 ^aAbraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins—from whose ^bloins ye are, namely, my servant Joseph—which were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the ^cstars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them.

  31 This promise is yours also, because ye are of ^aAbraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.

  32 Go ye, therefore, and do the ^aworks of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved.

  33 But if ye enter not into my law ye cannot receive the promise of my Father, which he made unto Abraham.

  34 God ^acommanded Abraham, and Sarah gave ^bHagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises.

  35 Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily I say unto you, Nay; for I, the Lord, ^acommanded it.

  36 Abraham was ^acommanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written: Thou shalt not ^bkill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was accounted unto him for ^crighteousness.

  37 Abraham received ^aconcubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and ^bJacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their ^cexaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.

  38 David also received ^amany wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.

  39 ^aDavid’s wives and concubines were ^bgiven unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the ^ckeys of this power; and in none of these things did he ^dsin against me save in the case of ^eUriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath ^ffallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I ^ggave them unto another, saith the Lord.

  40 I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph, an ^aappointment, and restore all things. Ask what ye will, and it shall be given unto you according to my word.

  41 And as ye have asked concerning adultery, verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man ^areceiveth a wife in the new and everlasting covenant, and if she be with another man, and I have not appointed unto her by the holy ^banointing, she hath committed ^cadultery and shall be destroyed.

  42 If she be not in the new and everlasting covenant, and she be with another man, she has ^acommitted adultery.

  43 And if her husband be with another woman, and he was under a ^avow, he hath broken his vow and hath committed adultery.

  44 And if she hath not committed adultery, but is innocent and hath not broken her vow, and she knoweth it, and I reveal it unto you, my servant Joseph, then shall you have power, by the power of my Holy Priesthood, to take her and ^agive her unto him that hath not committed ^badultery but hath been ^cfaithful; for he shall be made ruler over many.

  45 For I have conferred upon you the ^akeys and power of the priesthood, wherein I ^brestore all things, and make known unto you all things in due time.

  46 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you ^aseal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you ^bbind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you ^cremit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven.

  47 And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless I will bless, and whomsoever you curse I will ^acurse, saith the Lord; for I, the Lord, am thy God.

  48 And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you ^agive any one on earth, by my word and according to my law, it shall be visited with blessings and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven.

  49 For I am the Lord thy God, and will be ^awith thee even unto the ^bend of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I ^cseal upon you your ^dexaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your ^efather.

  50 Behold, I have seen your ^asacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your ^bsacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you. Go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as I ^caccepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.

  51 Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to ^aprove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.

  52 And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, ^areceive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God.

  53 For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been ^afaithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him.

  54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and ^acleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be ^bdestroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.

  55 But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and multiply him and give unto him an ^ahundredfold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives and children, and crowns of ^beternal lives in the eternal worlds.

  56 And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid ^aforgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to ^brejoice.

  57 And again, I say, let not my servant Joseph put his property out of his hands, lest an enemy come and destroy him; for ^aSatan ^bseeketh to destroy; for I am the Lord thy God, and he is my servant; and behold, and lo, I am with him, as I was with Abraham, thy father, even unto his ^cexaltation and glory.

  58 Now, as touching the law of the ^apriesthood, there are many things pertaining thereunto.

  59 Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was ^aAaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that ^bsent me, and I have endowed him with the ^ckeys of the power of this priesthood, if he do anything in my name, and according to my law and by my word, he will not commit ^dsin, and I will justify him.

  60 Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him; for he shall do the sacrifice which I require at his hands for his transgressions, saith the Lord your God.

  61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse ^aanother, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.

  62 And if he have ^aten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

  63 But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to ^amultiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be ^bglorified.

  64 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.

  65 Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did not believe and administer unto him according to my word; and she then becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law when I commanded Abraham to take ^aHagar to wife.

  66 And now, as pertaining to this law, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will reveal more unto you, hereafter; therefore, let this suffice for the present. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega. Amen.

 

 

The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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[kbennkc]

and last in percentage of veterans in the total population I was shocked to find out. I think that may have to do with the younger average age though.

I believe it is due to large numbers of Utahns serving Missions for the mormon church . They don't seem to want to join up after that . A lot of Mormons who didn't go on missions joined the service , but it seemed few do both . I liked the Army fine and I would rather do that for all 4 years in Viet Nam , than to ride around on a bike , trying to talk to people who don't want to be talked to , about the most personal matters , getting doors slammed in my face . I guess it takes a powerful faith .

[Elsie]

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

The Bible already teaches that you are cursed if you don't pay up.

No; it doesn't. This was directed to JEWS and ONLY them.

---

HERE is what the NT says:

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver"
2 Corinthians 9:7

[Elsie]

I am surprised you could scare Utahns and Wyomingers with threats of hell. They are already in Utah and Wyoming

Love it!

[Elsie]

I'm sure some residents of each state would take issue with this

Sic 'em; Tractor Guy!

[Colofornian]

From the article: In terms of frequency of prayer and belief in God, Utah ranked 10th in both categories.

So, if Utah is 2nd in worship attendance but 10th in devotion, that tells us that whenever a state has this kind of "discrepancy" -- that there's a good amount of ritual religiosity going on. (It's not lived out beyond Sunday into Monday night Family Home Evenings)

Now, granted, I'm not advocating that Mormons eat up more Mormonism 24/7. The problem is too much of it is being devoured already.

But if Mormons would read more of the Bible -- and ensure their prayers are to the God of the Bible and to Jesus Christ (and Jesus is repeatedly DIRECTLY prayed to in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon...see 3 Nephi 19 for the BoM), then they can get a proper undergirding of judging the later alleged revelations (by Smith & others) BY the former ones.

That's what the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). That's what noble Christians of character do: They compare anything revealed in the 1800s to what was revealed in the 100-year period Christ and His disciples were around -- and they also compare all of that to the Old Testament.

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)

So make that a 2010 revelation: Study the Bible; pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and to Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

[MSF BU]

I suspect that had a lot to do with Harry Reid’s sudden conversion while in college. It was easier than doing the time and the sacrifice that military service requires. I hope, if there is ever conscription again, we lose both the exemptions for these missions along with the college deferrment.

[T Minus Four]

I am surprised you could scare Utahns and Wyomingers with threats of hell . They are already in Utah and Wyoming

That's too funny :-)

[Salvation]

**Utah trails Bible Belt states in religious commitment**

To what?

the LDS?

[Salvation]

**Evangelicals, do we hear the call? **

Catholics have already heard this call.

[T Minus Four]

Really? I’m aware of several Mormon outreach programs run by evangelicals here in Utah but haven’t heard of any Catholic ones.

[Colofornian]

Catholics have already heard this call.

(Well that's good, 'cause I've heard that there's more ex-Catholic converts worldwide to Mormonism than any other Christian background)

[colorcountry]

I’m aware of several Mormon outreach programs run by evangelicals here in Utah but haven’t heard of any Catholic ones.

I had this same discussion with another Catholic Freeper. There is no Catholic presence in many of the rural counties of Utah. NONE, nil. There are also almost no Protestant or Evangelical presence in those same rural counties. What a great opportunity for Christian outreach!

[Salvation]

**Evangelicals, do we hear the call? **

Catholics have already heard this call.

Utah

Diocese of Salt Lake City
Most Reverend John C. Wester
27 C Street
Salt Lake, UT 84103

 

[T Minus Four]

The bible-believing Christians here in Utah are taking this very seriously. Here are some of the on-going programs:

Tapestry Against Polygamy
Mormom Mission Midwest Outreach
Women’s Home Mission Society
Global Christian Outreach
“The Truth” radio, KUTR 820 AM
Berean Christian Ministry
Utah Christian Publications
Utah Partnership for Christ

The last is the dearest to my heart.

In addition, most evangelical churches have less organized and far-reaching (but still focused and determined) local programs. The church where I worship and fellowship has classes that contrast the teachings of biblical christianity and LDS doctrine. They are on-going and quite heavily attended.

Our food bank also brings in many LDS who are not able or willing to comply with the conditions of aid from their local ward.

[T Minus Four]

Yes, there is a Catholic diocese in Salt Lake. And...?

[Salvation]

And Glenn Beck is one of them. Pray for him.

[Salvation]

Great ministries there. Especially in taking food to them. You will convert some of the to Christianity.

[T Minus Four]

You can really feel the Spirit of God present on distribution days. Some amazing things have happened there.

But the word “convert” isn’t really in our vocabulary. That’s a denominational thing. We hope to bring them to Jesus Christ, so they know Him as their personal Savior. We care not if they decide to attend our church (or its denomination) or not, and in fact often steer people to a good, solid biblical church in their own neighborhood.

It’s all about Jesus.

[colorcountry]

My radio is always tuned to “the Truth” KUTR. It is a real blessing.

I also know several pastors and Church leader from different denominations and congregations, that meet together on Thursday Ministers’ Group for prayer and continued guidance with Pastor Terry Long of Calvary Chapel.

It makes me so mad when I read Mormons tell me how the different denominations war and spar against one another. This has not been my experience at all. We are one body, comprised of different parts in Christ!

[T Minus Four]

I switch between K-LOVE and KUTR :-) K-LOVE is like praying all day long to me. I can’t even bear to listen to secular music any more - it seems so pointless.

OK, I sneak in some Dr. Laura too, LOL!

[T Minus Four]

Mormons tell me how the different denominations war and spar against one another

That's what they are taught. When I was a Catholic I was taught that too.