Posted on 10/25/2010 4:50:55 AM PDT by Colofornian
Many of you won't want to wade through this lengthy article (good for you). But check out the bold faced portions.
Also, here's an 8-point summary:
1. The Mormon spirit world is "on this earth."
2. Lds "prophet" Ezra Taft Benson declared that “the spirit world is not far away. Sometimes the veil between this life and the life beyond becomes very thin."
3. The wicked go to "spirit prison," which is not eternal hell. [Note: Lds remove eternal hell from their essential theology, even though the Book of Mormon talks about it]
4. The author references a spirit prison(1 Pet. 3:18–20, 1 Pet. 4:6) but then goes on to describe it as "chiefly a place of learning and waiting, not a place of suffering." [Oh. First Mormons eliminate the eternality of hell. Then they redefine actually as a "school," which I suppose for some students of our public schools, the same thing as "hell."]
5. "In short, the spirit world is the temporary home of the spirits of all mankind, whether they are good or evil. Thus Joseph Smith could declare that “the righteous and the wicked all go to the same world of spirits until the resurrection.” (Teachings, p. 310.) Yet some have wondered why Jesus promised the dying thief that after his death he would join the Savior in paradise. The Prophet Joseph taught: “King James’ translators make it out to say paradise. But what is paradise?"
6. So, instead of teaching that the righteous go to heaven, or really any "degree of salvation," Mormonism actually emphasizes a "dumbing down" where "all mankind" originally goes to the same place, no matter what! And guess what? God isn't there! Per Mormonism, "it is NOT the place where God the Father, the resurrected Lord, and other resurrected beings dwell. Rather, it is an intermediate condition or state where people await the resurrection—a sphere where disembodied spirits live in one of several conditions according to what their mortal lives have merited."
7. So, so far, trusting in Jesus Christ and relating to Jesus Christ amounts to what your life merits. You're just a cosmic Boy Scout.
8. Thus, Mormons remain "missionaries" on the other side. It's no place of rest as the Bible describes heaven. Yup, for Mormons "...the spirit world is the place where disembodied spirits go. It is a tangible, substantial sphere incorporated with our earth, the focal point of a massive missionary effort in which we share." Thus, they get to continue to earn their way to heaven by trying to bump up others along the way!
For the rest of...
The October Other-World Series:
Are ghosts among us? Many believe in spirits, but churches offer stern warnings
The "familiar spirit" in 2 Nephi 26:16
JOSEPH SMITH, JR: Founder and first "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" (1805-1844)
JOSEPH SMITH’S INVOLVEMENT WITH MAGIC, MASONRY, AND THE OCCULT
JOSEPH SMITH’S INVOLVEMENT WITH MAGIC, MASONRY, AND THE OCCULT
GOD-MEN AND SPIRITUAL VEGETABLES: The Occult Worldview of Mormonism
When the critics cite these sources, it tends to be frowned upon by some Lds FREEPER Mormons. But when Mormons cite them, they're suddenly "A-OK."
Also, the fact that this author had to dig into 26 non-"canonized" sources to string together a Mormon doctrine of the dead and the spirit world shows you that Mormon doctrine is often laced together "on the run" and highly "experiential"...not cohesively formed based upon their "scriptures."
IOW, author had to go to these sources because no such explanation for what he came up with exists in their "scriptures." Even verses from the Bible where Jesus said, "today you will be with me in Paradise" was scoffed at by this author.
My question always has been; How can otherwise intellegent people swallow this rot, hook, line and sinker?
As someone on the outside looking in, as it were, I feel that way about all religions. To each their own.
Mormon Doctrine is foolishness: 1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
Well I agree, but it's a free country and they are welcome to believe it in peace.
The outrage is that they call this convoluted mess "Christianity". This is as far from the Gospel as Voodoo.
Nice article. Garbage assesments as usual from the anti-Mormon crowd.
Undecided readers,
If you peruse the Free Republic religion forums you will notice a pattern. There’s an anti-Mormon group of people here that spends a great deal of their time attacking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They post regurgitated propaganda on an almost daily basis.
They have a misguided obsession. You can witness many different tactics employed that you might find quite interesting. The straw man argument is a big favorite and is frequently preceded by cherry-picking quotes or other material. After the “quotation” the attacker will misrepresent what has been said or what was meant and then attack their own interpretation.
Another favorite is posting scripture or statements which on their own really present no dilemma. They make something out of nothing while never bringing up a single objection that hasn’t been addressed a hundred times before.
Sometimes they cruise the headlines of the day seeking any story that might be twisted into making the Church look bad. Anything will do, just watch the progression of posts following it and see what I mean.
After reading their posts, I invite you to seek the truth about whatever “issue” they seem to be “revealing” or “exposing”. I promise that if you do so with honest intent, the “ahah” moments you will have will be many and frequent. You will start to recognize the tactics employed to cleverly twist and attack and will likely chuckle the more you see. In actuality, there’s nothing new here. It’s all been addressed many times before.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. I have found that the vast majority of the “issues” brought up can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ but here’s more:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
Now you will likely notice the “you never address our points” posts pop up as usual. All after providing the answers just as you have here. Will you wear blinders too? Seek truth. Find out for yourself.
Mormon Doctrine is foolishness: 1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
****
Now that you can recite scripture PoloSec, please clarify the distinction between that which is of the Lord from that of the occult?
There are a lot of liberties taken in this article and yet those who act on emotion or prejudice also seem to buy it hook line and sinker!
Things of the Lord is a mystery and since you and many of us do not know all the ways of the Lord what makes you so sure to speak on these things?
Also do not assign things to the LDS because to you it seems to be similar.
I believe we have been given a vert clear standard for this Resty. Its called the HOLY BIBLE. Also known as "The Word of God".
I couldn't agree more Resty. You did of course know that Liahona Magazine is an official publication of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, linked right off its official LDS.org website didn't you?
I was not refering to the article but more on the “articles” several related threads that Colofornian has posted to slant accordiing to he/she/ss bias which I still am after all these years trying to figure out!
I will ask you the same and if you have never had personal knowledge of one from the other your reply will have little value.
please clarify the distinction between that which is of the Lord from that of the occult?
Oh come on Resty, too late to backstroke :-).
Besides, you know we're not supposed to drag discussions from thread to thread. Stay focused please.
I already was very clear on this. I use the Bible.
What do you use?
Care to add your usual disclaimer about seeking the truth using official LDS sources?
There is no back stroking I was reading several threads around the same time think what you want....
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/lds/index?tab=articles
Ah those awful thoughts of Mormons...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naqX9iYE0V0&feature=player_embedded
I figured it out fifty years ago but had no compatriots that really understood the best ways to deal with such. Then came the internet and Free Republic. Lucky for us there are some very well read experts out here on the offense.
I am mostly a lurker but really enjoy following the weak attempts at missionary work from the Mormonists. And you must know they have all been called to do battle here. LOL
Wow...
A Mormon who does everything on feelings, who takes a gospel a mythic world that doesn't exist based on "burning bosoms" instead of the science and faith which has shown the peoples and lands in the bible do indeed exist accusing someone on acting on emotions...
Now that's worth the price of admission...
###
An Open Letter to Mormons who are reading this thread...
If you peruse the Free Republic religion forums you
will notice a pattern. There’s a group of Christians
who spend a great deal of time posting from Official
Mormon Sources - both the Book of Mormon as well as
Mormon Prophets and Church materials.
You will also notice that many of these Christians
are former Mormons who have left Mormonism and come
to know the Biblical Jesus Christ and His Gospel of Grace.
They have a passion to reach other Mormons to share what
they learned about Salvation by grace and apart from
human works. Part of this process is by necessity, negative.
To correct error, you must identify the error and explain how
it contradicts the truth.
Since you already believe in truth and falsehood, I’m
not telling you anything you don’t already know. Something
cannot be true when it contradicts something else that is
true. One must be false.
Of course, they are attacked regularly by a very small
group of self-styled defenders of Mormonism who are
zealous, but have little knowledge beyond what the Mormon
Church tells them.
You will notice that these mormons cannot identify ANY:
… Facts
… Evidence
… Logical support
... that any reasonable person could examine and conclude
that Mormonism is true.
They must content themselves with posting links from
the same official LDS sources that the Christians
quote.
Have you ever wondered why there are no facts that
can be verified? No evidence that supports the claims
of mormonism? No logical argument that supports the
claims of mormonism?
Every spade of dirt turned over in the Holy Land adds to
the facts, evidence and logical argument in support of
the Bible. Every spade of dirt turned over in America
fails to find any facts, evidence or basis for a logical
argument in support of mormonism.
If mormonism is true, there should be all three.
Right?
Yet none of those things exists to support mormonism.
None.
Why?
They do try to pass their feelings off as truth, which
of course, they cannot be, since they are subjective.
People deserve more than feelings, failure to respond,
and more official links that themselves contain no
facts, evidence, logical argument, etc.
The best the group of mormons have been able to do
is construct ad hominem attacks against Christians,
which is always a sign that they have no facts,
evidence of logical arguments.
You have certainly witnessed this here many times as
you read these threads, so I am not telling you
anything you haven’t verified with your own eyes.
After reading both sides on this thread and others,
you may very well be wondering about what you were
taught when you joined the LDS church.
You also may be wondering how to resolve the lack
of facts, evidence and illogical nature of Mormon
claims.
Many have approached those of us who are Christians
asking where to find out more and some, even, to ask
how to leave the Church and learn more about Christ’s
Gospel of Grace. How to get off the human works treadmill
and come to know the joy of salvation by grace through
faith. We’ve been happy to answer questions and share how
to know the Biblical Christ.
Many, after much honest examination of the facts, soul-
searching and wrestling, have left the LDS group to
pursue knowing the real, Biblical Christ and to accept
His Gospel of Grace.
We invite you to take a first step. If mormonism is true,
it should withstand thorough examination, right? If it is
false, it will fail the test of your mind and heart.
Christ identified the Greatest Command as “Loving the Lord
your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul and ALL YOUR MIND.
Here is a chance to begin fulfilling His command:
Here are a few links to get you started in your quest
to love God with ALL your mind and come to know the
Biblical Christ.
http://www.irr.org/mit/default.html
http://www.exmormonsforjesus.org/
http://4mormon.org/ex-mormon.php
http://www.exmormon.org/
http://www.mormoncurtain.com/
We also invite you to private freepmail any or even
every Christian on this thread to ask questions about
the concerns you find. We will always do our best to
directly answer your questions with facts, evidence
and logical support from the Bible.
There is a wonderful God of Love and Grace who offers
you salvation by both - and apart from “all you can do”.
Gifts don’t cost anything, or they are not free.
There is the gift of salvation, set aside for you to
respond to. Today is the day.
best,
ampu
###
So, what's your standard for determining what is OF God and what is OF the occult?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.