And their minions like FAIRLDS that try to spin those beliefs into 'christian' ones.
Posted on 10/06/2008 10:58:58 AM PDT by Zakeet
Mormons should never respond with arrogance or hostility to attacks on their faith, but be peacemakers among themselves and in the community of faith, said several speakers at the 178th Semiannual LDS General Conference on Sunday.
"More regrettable than the [LDS] Church being accused of not being Christian is when church members react to such accusations in an un-Christlike way," Apostle Robert D. Hales said on the second day of the two-day conference. "Surely our Heavenly Father is saddened - and the devil laughs - when we contentiously debate doctrinal differences with our Christian neighbors."
Sometimes, the best response is to say nothing at all, Hales said. "Meekness is not weakness. It is a badge of Christian courage."
Hales was speaking to more than 20,000 gathered in the LDS Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City and millions more watching on TV, the Internet or via satellite to LDS meeting houses across the globe.
One Sunday speaker, Apostle Russell M. Nelson, made a veiled reference to the church's opposition to same-sex marriage.
"The subject of marriage is debated across the world, where various arrangements exist for conjugal living," Nelson said, adding emphatically, "Marriage between a man and a woman is sacred - it is ordained of God. . . . [And] a temple marriage is the highest and most enduring type of marriage that our Creator can offer to his children."
Comparing wedding choices to shopping, Nelson said, "Some marital options are cheap; some are costly; and some are cunningly crafted by the adversary. Beware of his options. They always breed misery."
Not all Mormons in California agree with the church's support of the state's traditional marriage initiative, which may have prompted Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the church's governing First Presidency, to discuss the need for unity among members.
As the church attracts members from diverse backgrounds and experiences, true peacemakers recognize they have more in common than they have differences, Eyring said. "God will help you see their differences not as a source of irritation but as a contribution. In a moment, the Lord can help you see and value what the other person contributes which you lack."
For his part, Pres. Thomas S. Monson, who became the 16th leader of the 13-million member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February, spoke personally and emotionally about accepting change.
"Some changes are welcome, some are not," Monson said during his morning address. "There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure."
The 81-year-old leader reflected on his years as an LDS apostle, watching the 14 men ahead of him in the church's hierarchy pass away until the death of longtime LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley, which elevated Monson to the position.
"Of course, there's no going back, only forward," Monson said. "Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future."
Several other LDS authorities discussed the best way to handle critics and disagreements.
Apostle M. Russell Ballard said in the last few decades the LDS Church had experienced "unprecedented ideological attacks on our people, our history, and our doctrine through the media."
In a possible allusion to the critics of Mormonism that emerged during Mitt Romney's failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination, Ballard noted that in the 1920s, LDS apostle Reed Smoot was elected to the U.S. Senate but had to fight to be seated.
"A great deal was said of the church and its teachings at that time - much of it hurtful and directed toward [LDS] President Joseph F. Smith and other church leaders," Ballard said. "However, some newspaper articles began to speak of the members of the church as contributing citizens and good people."
From the church founding in 1830 to today, Ballard said, "persecutions have raged. Calumny, lies, and misrepresentation have attempted to defame. But in every decade . . . the truth of God has gone forth boldly."
Monson closed the conference in the afternoon with an appeal for tolerance and kindness.
"We are a global church," he said. "May we be good citizens of the nations in which we live and good neighbors in our communities, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to our own. May we be men and women of honesty and integrity in everything we do."
He thanked members for their generous contributions, which help the church continue its humanitarian work. He urged them to offer every kind of assistance to those in need.
"May we ever be mindful of the needs of those around us," Monson said, "and be ready to extend a helping hand and a loving heart."
The conference was adjourned until April, 2009.
"Thats the kind of statement that suspends disbelief".
well, I haven't.....sure, those door knockers but just like the Jehovah Witnesses, they go away with a simple NO....
I'll say that nobody has ever told me they were Mormon...they don't mention it unless you ask....of course certain things are tell tale....large families for one....and yes, most of them ARE nice.....
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, `You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
The message NEVER changes...
The message NEVER changes...
True—and that goes for both Mormons AND non-Mormons alike.
Don't you mean, MormonDude, that YOU can post....but NON-mormons can't reply? Hiding under the cover of "closed" threads?
Would I be overly bold to ask why you left the LDS church?
Don't often get to ask, you see.
NO!!!
I am SHOCKED!!
Shocked I tell you!
Tired of getting whooped by their own founders I guess.
I was trying to be gentle.
And their minions like FAIRLDS that try to spin those beliefs into 'christian' ones.
It would seem your posting the words of a living Apostle here on FR fulfills that piece of his talk. In posting this article to show your disagreement you are actually drawing more attention to Mormonism and raising its prominence. My guess is most FReepers weren't aware that a General Conference of the LDS church was taking place this weekend where lay members tune in to men we consider to be living Apostles, listen to them speak and get direction and counsel from them.
Remember the adage there is no such thing as bad publicity. (e.g. John Corsi's recent trip in and out of Kenya). Your posting this article is a fullfillment of that adage. Though it may not have been your intention thank you for bringing to the attention of others the focus of Conference and the words of an Apostle.
Gotta go see the debate, have a good evening
Sounds like you prescribe to the idea that there is no such thing as bad PR.
that all other churches are of the devil?
+++++++
I keep hearing this from you folks as if it is a bad thing.
And yet, no matter what differences other religions teach, if they do not follow what you think of as the core beliefs, all other Churches are not of the Church of God.
You and yours also say that if it is not of God, the Church is of the devil or his followers.
So, if, like you say, this is a bad thing, you are also doing a bad thing, by your own teachings.
An example being, “ARTICLE 10-We believe that Christ will reign personally upon the earth”
In the explanation of this Article appeared the following:
“At the time of His glorious advent, Christ will be accompanied by the hosts of righteous ones who have already passed from earth; and saints who are still alive on earth are to be quickened and caught up to meet Him, then to descend with Him as partakers of His glory. With Him too will come Enoch and his band of the pure in heart; and a union will be effected with the kingdom of God, or that part of the kingdom of heaven previously established as the Church of Jesus Christ on earth; and the kingdom on earth will be one with that in heaven. Then will be realized a fulfilment of the Lord’s own prayer, given as a pattern to all who pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”Further along it's explained that Zion will be in the United States and from here Christ will rule.
How can this be in light of Scriptures saying Christ's throne or seat of rule is in the heavens? Appeal is made to the Book of Mormon. Doing so in contradiction to the Bible speaks out that the Book of Mormon isn't considered a “companion” to the Bible as the LDS church describes it but is rather taken as superior, a Master of whom it is never said “insofar as correctly translated”.
As you said, reading the official teaching is enough without going to the anti’s or hecklers.
I wish you well if still you search.
It is when it is applied as mormonism does.
And yet, no matter what differences other religions teach, if they do not follow what you think of as the core beliefs, all other Churches are not of the Church of God.
LOL, Christian churches are Christian because they hold to these core beliefs and we are all part of the universal Church - the Body of Christ. There may be some doctrinal distinctives among denominations that are battered about, but the fundamentals are the same. Be that Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran or Catholic, etc - however, all are of the "Christian Religion". Hinduism, etc cannot be considered a Christian religion in the slightest.
Note your own words here too.....what they teach i.e. their doctrines. There is no spiritual equivalency between for instance eastern religions and Christianity. The difference is doctrine.
You and yours also say that if it is not of God, the Church is of the devil or his followers.
Christianity (as well as mormonism) does not recognize Islam, hinduism, paganism, etc as being 'of God'. Christianity focuses in particular on the fact that they are not Biblically based. To speak that they are of the "devil" is extreme, except to the point that their rejection of Biblical Christianity will lead to their unwitting subordination to the devil.
So, if, like you say, this is a bad thing, you are also doing a bad thing, by your own teachings.
Not my point either F. mormons are among the first to squeal about persecution and saying bad things. Fact is mormonism has a 170+ year track record of attacking Christianity. You have all your 'missionaries' doing it every day. Your own prophets have challenged all to examine mormonism - that is the doctrines and teachings - and if they cannot stand up to scrutiney, whining won't help. ..by your (my) own teachings from the bible I am directed to examine teachings and beliefs said to be from 'god' and see if they stand the test of God's Word. Mormonism's doctrines and so-called pronouncements from 'god' do not meet this Biblical standard, just as other non-Christian religious beliefs around the world.
My final point that you skipped over was that IF your testamony and doctrines are so patently from God, why do you try to present yourselves as main-stream Christianity? Shout you polytheism from the roof tops. Announce to all that only those who are temple worth and perform all the ordances will live with father God forever in his presence. Show all where the Bible is mistranslated instead of relying upon the KJV which was based on lesser quality MSS to begin with. Preach the BOA, put up bill boards celebrating Smithmas. Let people know what you believe instead of hiding it.
=+=+=
It is when it is applied as mormonism does.
++++++
Another do as I say and not as I do person.
Whats the matter F, reduced by your prophet and seer to one-liners (and bad ones at that)?
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