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.
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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.
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Was not talking about other then Churches that follow Christ.
I was talking about the differences in the teachings of different Christian Churches, and how you have a core standard of belief that makes them a true church or not a true church.
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na, this truth didnot take many words.
Your exact quote below does not specifically say this.
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.
I was talking about the differences in the teachings of different Christian Churches, and how you have a core standard of belief that makes them a true church or not a true church.
And I made that clear too in my respose. And your point is......?
Truth that is an untruth huh F - a little mormonliciousness per chance? I am not forbidden by the scripture from challenging doctrines from cults claiming to be Christian. Clearly your prophets and apostles make clear the teachings of your religion that we have no claim to being Christian. So spare us the overused victim card. You believe you will be a god - shout it from the roof tops. Just don't expect it to pass examination by the bible.
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You teach that there is only one true church and all others are wrong.
And you teach it is wrong for others to also say there is only one true church.
OK for you to do it, but wrong for others.
I believe Jesus is the only way. I believe it to be wrong when mormonism misrepresents that belief (Christianity), tries to claim they are Christian just like us, yet behind their closed doors Christians are condemned to hell because we reject J. Smith and his 'revelation'. That is talking out of both sides of their mouth. That is where I say you are 'wrong'. Your prophets were at least honest in their vilification of Christianity, now lds want to be accepted as what was once reviled. Again - go ahead and state your faith if it is the truth, and state your teachings clearly what lds believe about Christianity - be wide open about it - just don't expect it not to be challenged as you are trying to force here - a non-negative zone for mormon presentation (thats what caucuses are for)
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Thanks for affirming that you also say, by using your beliefs, that there is only one true church.
So, please stop saying it is wrong for others to also say there is only one true church according to their beliefs.
As soon as mormonism stops masquerading around as Christianity :)
I don’t know how you could have mistaken it for anyother.
Your personal insight on this point are collaborated by many, many ex-lds statements that I have either heard or read over the past year(s), thank you for it. It is apparent why they have to hide this (as well as other things) from the general public's examination. The internet age has not been favorable to control the release of this (and other) information regarding mormonism. The strength of their testimony appears to wither in the face of projecting a popular image of mormonism.
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you still seem not to want to look at what I am really saying.
I speak not of which church is correct, I speak of you and your history of saying something is bad and that you choose to do it anyway.
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I keep seeing this used as if it were bad.
It is one of the small sound bites many use to pretend this teaching is something that it is not, and to mislead people.
You might find it interesting if you study the whole of the teaching for yourself and find it does not mean what your writings seem to imply it means.
That is if you want to.
LOL, do you know what you are saying sometimes.
I speak not of which church is correct, I speak of you and your history of saying something is bad and that you choose to do it anyway.
My history LOL. First and formost, the context IS mormonism's emphasis that theirs is the only true and correct church as well as the only legitimate Christian Church. Just like you don't like the association of the FLDS as 'mormon' based upon doctrine, Christianity has the right to reject mormonism's claim to be Christian - on the basis of doctrine. In the further context of what is 'bad', mormonism started it all in 1830 (or 1820 if you believe the official first vision account). You know I can supply volumes of those quotes - straight our of lds sanctioned text. No, my history is consistent F.
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Yes, I speak of how your “do as I say and not as I do” actions stop people from wanting to learn from you.
F, I am secure in what I post and do not have to hide it in spin, distortions or misdirections. Can you say that for your mormon presentation? :)
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