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A Latter-day Saint Perspective on Muhammad Mormon-(OPEN)
Ensign Magazine ^ | August, 2000 | James A. Toronto,

Posted on 08/15/2010 2:44:17 PM PDT by greyfoxx39

Latter-day Saint Interest in Muhammad

One of the noteworthy examples of the Latter-day Saint commitment to treasure up true principles and cultivate affirmative gratitude is the admiration that Church leaders have expressed over the years for the spiritual contributions of Muhammad.

As early as 1855, at a time when Christian literature generally ridiculed Muhammad as the Antichrist and the archenemy of Western civilization, Elders George A. Smith (1817–75) and Parley P. Pratt (1807–57) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered lengthy sermons demonstrating an accurate and balanced understanding of Islamic history and speaking highly of Muhammad’s leadership. Elder Smith observed that Muhammad was “descended from Abraham and was no doubt raised up by God on purpose” to preach against idolatry. He sympathized with the plight of Muslims, who, like Latter-day Saints, found it difficult “to get an honest history” written about them. Speaking next, Elder Pratt went on to express his admiration for Muhammad’s teachings, asserting that “upon the whole, … [Muslims] have better morals and better institutions than many Christian nations.” 9

Latter-day Saint appreciation of Muhammad’s role in history can also be found in the 1978 First Presidency statement regarding God’s love for all mankind. This declaration specifically mentions Muhammad as one of “the great religious leaders of the world” who received “a portion of God’s light” and affirms that “moral truths were given to [these leaders] by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.” 10

In recent years, respect for the spiritual legacy of Muhammad and for the religious values of the Islamic community has led to increasing contact and cooperation between Latter-day Saints and Muslims around the world. This is due in part to the presence of Latter-day Saint congregations in areas such as the Levant, North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asia. The Church has sought to respect Islamic laws and traditions that prohibit conversion of Muslims to other faiths by adopting a policy of nonproselyting in Islamic countries of the Middle East. Yet examples of dialogue and cooperation abound, including visits of Muslim dignitaries at Church headquarters in Salt Lake City; Muslim use of Church canning facilities to produce halal (ritually clean) food products; Church humanitarian aid and disaster relief sent to predominantly Muslim areas including Jordan, Kosovo, and Turkey; academic agreements between Brigham Young University and various educational and governmental institutions in the Islamic world; the existence of the Muslim Student Association at BYU; and expanding collaboration between the Church and Islamic organizations to safeguard traditional family values worldwide. 11 The recent initiation of the Islamic Translation Series, cosponsored by BYU and the Church, has resulted in several significant exchanges between Muslim officials and Latter-day Saint Church leaders. A Muslim ambassador to the United Nations predicted that this translation series “will play a positive role in the West’s quest for a better understanding of Islam.” 12

A cabinet minister in Egypt, aware of the common ground shared by Muslims and Latter-day Saints, once remarked to Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that “if a bridge is ever built between Christianity and Islam it must be built by the Mormon Church.” 13 The examples of Latter-day Saint–Muslim interaction mentioned above, together with the Church’s establishment in 1989 of two major centers for educational and cultural exchange in the Middle East (Jerusalem and Amman), reflect the traditional attitude of respect for Islam that Church leaders have exhibited from earliest times. These activities represent tangible evidence of Latter-day Saint commitment to promote greater understanding of the Muslim world and witness an emerging role for the Church in helping to bridge the gap that has existed historically between Muslims and Christians.



TOPICS: Apologetics; Current Events; General Discusssion; Other non-Christian
KEYWORDS: beck; glennbeck; inman; islam; lds; mormon; muslim
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From the article: "The Church has sought to respect Islamic laws and traditions that prohibit conversion of Muslims to other faiths by adopting a policy of nonproselyting in Islamic countries of the Middle East.

Why the special treatment of muslims over that of Christians?

1 posted on 08/15/2010 2:44:21 PM PDT by greyfoxx39
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To: colorcountry; Colofornian; Elsie; FastCoyote; svcw; Zakeet; SkyPilot; rightazrain; ...

Earlier thread locked down ping.


2 posted on 08/15/2010 2:46:26 PM PDT by greyfoxx39 (The question will be: Where do you stand on shariah?” Obama stands WITH shariah.)
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To: greyfoxx39

Because they might just loose their heads? Isn’t that the only logical reason muslims receive special treatment?


3 posted on 08/15/2010 2:46:36 PM PDT by This I Wonder32460
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To: greyfoxx39
Cults of a feather...

In order for either to fully succeed, Christianity has to be destroyed.

4 posted on 08/15/2010 2:52:45 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
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To: greyfoxx39

Well, Mormonism HAS been called “the American Islam.” And God can convert both Muslims and Mormons for His glory.


5 posted on 08/15/2010 2:53:34 PM PDT by RJR_fan (Christians need to reclaim and excel in the genre of science fiction.)
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To: This I Wonder32460
Because they might just loose their heads? Isn’t that the only logical reason muslims receive special treatment?

Then I question the wisdom of even being in muslim countries.

From the article: "In a recent meeting with Muslim dignitaries, Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles focused on the common spiritual heritage of Mormons and Muslims. After quoting a verse from the Qur’an, he observed:

“God is the source of light in heaven and on earth. We share the belief with you. We resist the secular world. We believe with you that life has meaning and purpose. … We revere the institution of the family. … We salute you for your concern for the institution of the family. … Mutual respect, friendship, and love are precious things in today’s world. We feel those emotions for our Islamic brothers and sisters. Love never needs a visa. It crosses over all borders and links generations and cultures.” 23

6 posted on 08/15/2010 3:00:05 PM PDT by greyfoxx39 (The question will be: Where do you stand on shariah?” Obama stands WITH shariah.)
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To: RJR_fan
And God can convert both Muslims and Mormons for His glory.

Amen.

7 posted on 08/15/2010 3:03:09 PM PDT by svcw (It's not the situation that matters, it's the attitude toward the situation that matters.)
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To: greyfoxx39

The purpose of dredging up a ten year old article is?

...

I thought so.


8 posted on 08/15/2010 3:11:05 PM PDT by El Gato ("The second amendment is the reset button of the US constitution"-Doug McKay)
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To: greyfoxx39

The answer is simple.

Mormonism preys on Christianity. It is a parasite, following Christian missionary efforts to try to lure away the weak willed, the poorly grounded in Scripture, etc.

It doesn’t go and establish great works on its own accord. It is a cult. A heresy. An American false religion.

ampu


9 posted on 08/15/2010 3:14:23 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: greyfoxx39

I have been off the air for a few days. DW tells me the Mormons are really defending the Mosque on Facebook for some reason. Can someone bring me up to date?

And then I see this love and kisses stuff from the usual suspects here on FR.

Do I truly need to build a bomb shelter and buy more ammo? Just bought 500 rounds.


10 posted on 08/15/2010 3:15:13 PM PDT by Utah Binger (Mount Carmel Utah, where Mr. Milquetoast lives with his "Persecution Complex")
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To: RJR_fan
And God can convert both Muslims and Mormons for His glory.

Rare that is for the price to leave means basically excommunication from friends and family members....or as in Islam...you die. Because these organizations have such a stronghold on their people psychologically and otherwise thru fear and a host of other pressures, most cannot find the courage to step away from cults and those like them. So on the whole few who are willing to know the truth apart from the spirit of God moving in them to remove their blindness. It is then God has His people ready to help them come out and away....once they determine the've really been had. Thank God for the IMANS who are alert to those capable of making their own decisions and are quick to help...

11 posted on 08/15/2010 3:17:42 PM PDT by caww
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To: El Gato
So, exactly WHAT has changed in ten years between mormons and muslims?
12 posted on 08/15/2010 3:28:21 PM PDT by greyfoxx39 (The question will be: Where do you stand on shariah?” Obama stands WITH shariah.)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion
It doesn’t go and establish great works on its own accord. It is a cult. A heresy. An American false religion.

The basic premise of Mormonism is that the Church Christ founded somehow needed a restoration. Unfortunately, this cannot be true, unless Christ is a liar. The LDS claims that God chose Joseph Smith to reestablish the Church of Jesus Christ after it had disappeared some 1,700 years earlier following the death of the first apostles.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Mat 6:18

Here Christ says his Church will not be destroyed.

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:12-13

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15

Here Christ says, and Paul reaffirms, that the Church will always teach the TRUTH.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Mat 28:18-20

Again, here Jesus assures us that He is always with us, to the very end.

So Christ says His Church will not be destroyed or fall away from him, that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church to always teach the Truth, and He will always be with us.

The only reason for a ‘restoration’ is that Christ lied.

13 posted on 08/15/2010 3:32:49 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is evil and must be eradicated)
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To: greyfoxx39

Why the special treatment of muslims over that of Christians?
____________________________________

Nazi Germany got special treatment by the mormons during the 1930/40s


14 posted on 08/15/2010 3:33:26 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: greyfoxx39; El Gato
Nothing. lds are defending muslims with more veracity each and every day. Look at Twitter, FaceBook....look at FreeRepublic.
lds always defend muslims.
And why not Joseph Smith claimed he would be the second muhammad.
15 posted on 08/15/2010 3:33:51 PM PDT by svcw (It's not the situation that matters, it's the attitude toward the situation that matters.)
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To: FatherofFive

The only reason for a ‘restoration’ is that Christ lied
__________________________________________

Someone lied and it wasnt the LORD Jesus Christ...

the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures through all generations. Pslam 100:5


16 posted on 08/15/2010 3:38:54 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: greyfoxx39

I wonder what Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would think of the so called ‘honor killings’?


17 posted on 08/15/2010 3:40:24 PM PDT by Netizen
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To: greyfoxx39

I recently found out that a Mormon woman I know has a sister who married a Muslim. Between them they have 14 kids so far. These two religions have large families and polygamy in common. I wonder if there is anything else.


18 posted on 08/15/2010 3:47:46 PM PDT by wideminded
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To: FatherofFive

FOF,

It is instructive that the foundation of the mormonite religion is a lie - that Christ’s Church would fail.

It has a second foundation stone that also allows the individual mormonite follower to swallow all subsequent lies...

telling potential converts to “pray” about whether the booklet of moroni is “true” or not.

By doing this, they hope to move the person from the basis of objective faith onto subjective ground. Once the convert accepts feelings as the basis of truth, he can move to the next [more bizarre] stages.

These include swallowing such mormonite teachings as:

God used to be a man
There is also a Mother God
You can become a god yourself
Spirit babies are just lined up in heaven, waiting to be born into an earth suit

The deeper you go in mormonism, the more bizarre it becomes, until you realize the horror of what it is.

Mormonism doesn’t have anything in common with Biblical Christianity at all, except the Name of Jesus Christ. Even then, they mean a pathetic, created spirit being, who later came to earth to get a body and later became a god.

ampu


19 posted on 08/15/2010 3:48:01 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: Netizen
I wonder what the mormons make of this statement, found at

MissionIslam.com

Our Mission

To promote accurate representation of Islam by providing correct information thereby encouraging individual responsibility for seeking and acting upon the Truth.

To increase awareness as to the extent of oppression against Muslims throughout the world and the conspiracy that exists to exterminate Muslims and the religion of Islam from the face of the Earth.

To remind Muslims of their responsibility to participate and support their brothers and sisters in Islam who are striving on a daily basis to fulfil the commandment of Allah (Most Exalted is He) in making La illaha ilallah the law of this world, (insha'Allah).

Somehow that sound eerily familiar to me.

20 posted on 08/15/2010 3:58:40 PM PDT by greyfoxx39 (The question will be: Where do you stand on shariah?” Obama stands WITH shariah.)
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