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If Mormonism is 'anti-Christian,' then how can it be considered 'Christian?'
Colofornian | Dec. 13, 2011 | Colofornian [Vanity]

Posted on 12/13/2011 7:53:56 AM PST by Colofornian

This seems like a basic enough question that needs addressing by Mormons.

Where does this article go?

1. The Mormon church claims to be a “Christian” church – much like fundamentalist Mormons (fLDS) who claim to be "Mormon." Mainstream Mormons object to that inclusion -- much the same Christians object to counterfeit religions claiming authenticity -- at the expense of Christians, of course!

2. Where might boundaries be established and respected when it comes from moving from one religion to another? Where are Mormonism's misguided boundaries?

3. Does it sound very “civil” for Mormon “prophets” to label all those who don’t confess Joseph Smith as “of Antichrist” – as Brigham Young did...or ‘Church of the Devil’ – as BYU professors applying an obvious Book of Mormon text do with sanction of the Mormon church?

4. What other proof is offered that Mormonism is “anti-Christian?” Is Christian church 'of the devil?' per Mormonism?

5. FAQ: Still not convinced that the Mormon church has “fronted” itself as outright “anti-Christian?” Then please read this FAQ on: Who are the Christians and What is Christianity, per Mormonism? An 'Interview' Across the Generations with the mouthpieces of the Mormon god, the Lds 'prophets' and 'apostles':

1. The Mormon church claims to be a “Christian” church – much like the fundamentalist Mormons (fLDS) claim to be Mormons

* ”Of course, we are a Christian Church. The very name of the Church denotes that. The central figure of our worship is the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Lds “prophet” Gordon B. Hinckley, 'A better understanding' to come of world's visit, LDS Church News, Sarah Jane Weaver, March 2, 2002 A Better Understanding to Come of Worlds to Visit)

* This is especially important in our interactions with members of other Christian denominations. (Lds “apostle Robert D. Hales, official Lds Ensign magazine, November, 2008 Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship Christian courage)

*”The following are some of the more important differences in belief and practice between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Christian churches. (Core Beliefs: Why and How are Mormons Different)

Mormon Bloggers have made similar claims:

* ….the ways they are similar to many other Christian churches. (http://mormon.lds.net/)

* I think other Christian faiths and Mormons can agree on the importance… (http://www.mormonbloggers.com/tag/prophets)

*other Christian faiths… (http://en.fairmormon.org/Anti-Mormon)

One thing for certain: Mormon references to a generic "Christian Church" certainly constitutes a major improvement over what Mormon leaders have specifically called Christians ever since the Book of Mormon claimed Christians fell under the umbrella of Satan's church (1 Nephi 14).

2. Where might boundaries be established and respected when it comes from moving from one religion to another? Where are Mormonism's misguided boundaries?

* In John 14:6, Jesus draws the line at Himself: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me"

Mormons? They draw the line at places like Joseph Smith and the Lds Church!

Drawing the line at the Mormon church:

* "This Church is the ensign on the mountain spoken of by the Old Testament prophets. It is the way, the truth, and the life" Lds "First President" Marion Romney -- one of top three ranking hierarchical Mormons (Conference Report, April, 1961, p. 119)

* See also Lds Doctrine & Covenants 1:30...no true church outside of Mormon church.

Drawing the line at Joseph Smith:

* "If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [Joseph Smith]; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him [Joseph Smith]" ("Apostle" George Q. Cannon, as quoted in 1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p. 142)

* [There is] "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (Lds "prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190)

* "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith...every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are... [Joseph Smith] reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will exclaim—"Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!" But it is true." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p.289-91)

* "He that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is anti-christ" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p.312)

* "Whosoever...does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist...," (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, p. 176)

3. Does it sound 'civil' for Mormon 'prophets' to label all those who don’t confess Joseph Smith as 'of Antichrist' – as Brigham Young did

...or ‘Church of the Devil’ – as BYU professors applying an obvious Book of Mormon text do with sanction of the Mormon church?

Example A – Brigham Young: "...EVERYevery spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel to and through him, is of Antichrist..." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 435; also found in Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, p. 176)

Young also similarly said: "He that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is anti-christ" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p.312)

Example B – Spencer W. Kimball, Lds’ 12th “prophet”: "Presumptuous and blasphemous are they who purport to baptize, bless, marry, or perform other sacraments in the name of the Lord while in fact lacking his specific authorization." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 494)

Alongside this quote we need to recognize that Lds teach ALL authority for this priesthood ability rests ONLY in the Mormon church. Therefore, they label ALL Christian pastors and priests who ”baptize, bless, marry, and perform …sacraments” as engaging in “blasphemous” behavior. In other words, skewed doctrinal beliefs lead to “uncivil” accusations.

Example C – Lds leaders: "Since whoever does not belong to 'the church of the Lamb of God' belongs to 'the church of the devil,' as Nephi announced then all systems of worship outside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be classified as 'the church of the devil' by Nephi's definition (Kent B. Jackson, "Watch and Remember" etc. from publication By Study and Also by Faith: Essays in Honor of Hugh W. Nibley on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday, 3/27/90, vol. 1, p. 87)

Thus, how “hospitable” is it for the Mormon to claim that all other churches are part of “the church of the devil”?

I suppose we could conclude that “Hey, if all they are doing is teaching what their 'word' says, how can that be deemed as ‘uncivil?’”

For starters, most Christians seem to own up to the implications of John 14:6 (or, at least, at one time did). In contrast, Mormons tend to shy away from "owning" up to the implications of…

…D&C 1:30 (which claims the Mormon church is the ONLY true and living church on the face of the earth)…

…1 Nephi 14:9-10 (which labels all churches not recognized by the Book of Mormon as part of the umbrella “church of the devil”)…

….and Joseph Smith – History, vv. 18-20 (which labels 100% of Christian creeds as being an “abomination” and 100% of professing Christians as “corrupt”).

In other words, while LDS tend to play “victim” and say “woe is us” – look at how Mormons are being treated …they seemingly downplay the negative and oppressive words aimed at Christian sects – words originating out of official Mormon sources with tithing funds.

* As mentioned above, Jesus draws the line at Himself in John 14:6; Mormons? They draw the line at whatever extra-biblical “revelation” catches their current “prophet’s” fancy. For example, even if the Mormons were to get Christian concession that the apostle Paul taught three degrees of salvation, there's nowhere in the Bible that says the bottom two degrees = banishment from being in God's presence forever, which is official Mormon teaching.

4. What other proof is offered that Mormonism is 'anti-Christian?': Is Christian church 'of the devil?' per Mormonism?

Joseph Smith himself:

Joseph Smith, Jr.: “…all the priests who adhere to the sectarian religions of the day with all their followers, without one exception, receive their portion with the devil and his angels.” (The Elders Journal, Joseph Smith Jr., editor, vol.1, no.4, p.60).

Late 19th century:

George Q. Cannon, member of First Presidency with four different Lds "prophets": "AFTER the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, there were only two churches upon the earth. They were known respectively as the Church of the Lamb of God and Babylon. The various organizations which are called churches throughout Christendom, though differing in their creeds and organizations, have one common origin. They all belong to Babylon" (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, pg.324).

45 years ago:

* Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie: McConkie says all non-Mormon churches are "...the great apostate church" [that's us -- the Christian church] "as the anti-christ...This great antichrist...is the church of the devil." ("Apostle" Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine p.40)

* Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie: "What is the church of the devil in our day, and what is the seat of her power?…It is all the systems, BOTH Christian and non-Christian, that perverted the pure and perfect gospel….It is communism, it is Islam; it is Buddhism; it is modern Christianity in ALL its parts. It is Germany under Hitler, Russia under Stalin, and Italy under Mussolini" (Millennial Messiah, pp. 54-55).

* Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie: "The church of the devil is the world; it is all the carnality and evil to which fallen man is heir; it is every unholy and wicked practice; it is every false religion, every supposed system of salvation which does not actually save and exalt man in the highest heaven of the celestial world. It is EVERY CHURCH except the true church, whether parading under a Christian or a pagan banner." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:551)

Note, per Mormon doctrine, McConkie’s reference to “the true church” applies only to the Mormon one, supposedly the "only true and living church on the face of the earth." (D&C 1:30).

BTW, the Doctrinal New Testament Commentary was cited by the official Mormon church as a commentary to 1 Nephi 14:10:

* The church of JC LDS: Seminaries and Institutes of Religion: Book of Mormon Student Manual: Chapter 4: 1Nephi 11–14 : Notes and Commentary

* It was also cited among study guides commonly used in the Mormon church as published by Cedar Fort out of Springville, Utah...in these two 2007 books:

* Randal S. Chase, Making Precious Things Plain: A Book of Mormon Study Guide: Volume 1: 1 Nephi-Alma 16 Cedar Fort, Springville, UT, 2007 p. 40

* K. Douglas Bassett, PhD, Doctrinal Insights to the Book of Mormon: Vol. 1: 1 Nephi through 2 Nephi Cedar Fort, Springville, UT 2007, pp. 62-63

27 years ago -- Official Lds church magazine, Ensign:

The “man of sin,” generally equated with Satan, would exalt himself over all that is divine and assume the place of God in the Church. Of historical and theological significance is the fact that in Paul’s prophecy the church structure survives. But God is not at its head, making that church—following the appearance in it of Satan—no longer the church of God....How appropriate, therefore, is Paul’s description of him sitting in the place of God in the church of the apostasía. Kent P. Jackson, Early Signs of the Apostasy, Ensign, December 1984 Early Signs of the Apostasy

This BYU professor is commenting on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 here...which Christian commentators reference as future. Lds leaders constantly reference 2 Thess. 2:1-12 as past tense -- evidence of the great apostasy...Jackson calls it a "drastic" apostasy. Lds doctrine is that it was total or all but a handful...and those handful of escapees from apostasy were never made "public."

5. FAQ: Still not convinced that the Mormon church has 'fronted' itself as outright 'anti-Christian?'

Consider FAQ:

Who are the Christians and What is Christianity, per Mormonism? An 'Interview' Across the Generations with the mouthpieces of the Mormon god, the Lds 'prophets' and 'apostles'

Q. Who is the Christian Jesus?

A. Lds "apostle" Bruce McConkie: ...virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal uncreated, immaterial and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit" (Mormon Doctrine, p.269).

Q: Who is the Christian God?

A. Lds "prophet" Brigham Young: The "Christian God is the Mormon's Devil..." (Journal of Discourses, Volume 5, page 331). “…the God whom the ‘Christians’ worship is a being of their own creation…” (Apostle Charles W. Penrose, Journal of Discourses 23:243).

Q. Who inspires Christians?

A. Joseph Smith: "What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.270).

Q. Where did Christianity in its form between 100 & 200 AD through the 19th century originate?

A. Lds "prophet" John Taylor, who was with Joseph Smith when Smith died: Christianity was "hatched in hell" (Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, page 176) and "a perfect pack of nonsense...the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century..." (Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, page 167).

Q. Who is classified as part of the "church of the devil" according to the Book of Mormon?

A Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 14:10: “Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the Church of the Lamb of God [i.e.. the Mormon Church] and the other is the church of the devil [for example: the Christian Church]; wherefore whosoever belongeth not to the church of the lamb of God belongeth to that great church; which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.”

A. BYU professor Kent B. Jackson: "Since whoever does not belong to 'the church of the Lamb of God' belongs to 'the church of the devil,' as Nephi announced then all systems of worship outside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be classified as 'the church of the devil' by Nephi's definition (Kent B. Jackson, "Watch and Remember" etc. from publication By Study and Also by Faith: Essays in Honor of Hugh W. Nibley on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday, 3/27/90, vol. 1, p. 87, citing 1 Nephi 14:9-10 from the Book of Mormon)

Q. What is the church of the devil in our day?

A. Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie: "What is the church of the devil in our day, and where is the seat of her power?.... It is all of the systems, both Christian and non-Christian, that perverted the pure and perfect gospel....It is communism; it is Islam; it is Buddhism; it is modern Christianity in all its parts. It is Germany under Hitler, Russia under Stalin, and Italy under Mussolini." (The Millennial Messiah, pp. 54-55.)

Q: Do LDS considers themselves one legitimate church among many?

A. Lds "prophet" Joseph Smith: "This [the LDS] Church...is the ONLY only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30). Lds "prophet" Ezra Taft Benson, who served in the Eisenhower administration: "This is not just another Church. This is not just one of a family of Christian churches. This is the Church and kingdom of God, the ONLY true Church upon the face of the earth..." (Teachings of LDS prophet Ezra Taft Benson, p.164-165). The Lds church "is the ONLY true church upon the face of the earth..." (D&C 1:30)

Q. What then, are the rest of the churches? Apostates?

A. Lds general authority B.H. Roberts: "Nothing less than a complete apostasy from the Christian religion would warrant the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Introduction to the History of the Church 1:XL). Lds "apostle" Bruce McConkie: "Apostasy was universal...And this darkness still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol 3, p.265); "Thus the signs of the times include the prevailing apostate darkness in the sects of Christendom and in the religious world in general" (The Millennial Messiah, p.403); "a perverted Christianity holds sway among the so-called Christians of apostate Christendom" (Mormon Doctrine, p.132); " “The Christian world, I discovered, was like the captain and crew of a vessel on the ocean without a compass, and tossed to and fro whithersoever the wind listed to blow them. When the light came to me, I saw that all the so-called Christian world was grovelling in darkness.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 5:73).

Q. While we all know not every member of a Christian church is a true Christian, what difference is there between Christians in Christian churches and Mormons who reference themselves as 'Christians?'

A. Brigham Young: "Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity" (Journal of Discourses 10:230).

Q. Go ahead and let it out. How do you really feel about Christians?

A. Lds "apostle" Orson Pratt: "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (The Seer, p. 255).

Q. Can we at least commend some of the teachings of the Christian church as "truth" and "light" to the world?

A. Lds "prophet" Brigham Young: "With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Journal of Discourses 8:199) "The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God" (Journal of Discourses 8:171);

Q. "Do you believe the Bible?"

A. Lds "prophet" Joseph Smith: "'If we do, we are the only people under heaven that does, for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do'.(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).

Q. 'Will everybody be damned, but Mormons?"

A. Lds "prophet" Joseph Smith: 'Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).

Q. When the so-called Great Apostasy hit the early Christian church, would you say the Christian church was still better off then -- or 17 centuries later?

A. Lds "apostle" Orson Pratt: "This great apostasy commenced about the close of the first century of the Christian era, and it has been waxing worse and worse from then until now" (Journal of Discourses, vol.18, p.44)

Q. Lds "prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith...would you like to add anything to this question?

A. Lds "prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith (10th LDS President) -- "For hundreds of years the world was wrapped in a veil of spiritual darkness, until there was not one fundamental truth belonging to the place of salvation that was not, in the year 1820, so obscured by false tradition and ceremonies, borrowed from paganism, as to make it unrecognizable; or else it was entirely denied ...Joseph Smith declared that in the year 1820 the Lord revealed to him that ALL the `Christian' churches were in error, teaching for commandments the doctrines of men" (Doctrines of Salvation 3:282).

Q. What else did you claim in that vision, Joseph?

A. Lds "prophet" Joseph Smith: " for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible" (from Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-History v. 12).

Q. Is that all?

A. Lds "prophet" Joseph Smith: I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong) and which I should join. 19 I was answered that I must join NONE of them,

or they were ALL wrong;

and the Personage who addressed me said that ALL their creeds were an abomination in his sight;

that those professors were ALL corrupt;

that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History -- vv. 18-19)


TOPICS: Apologetics; History; Other Christian; Other non-Christian; Theology
KEYWORDS: antichristian; christian; inman; lds; mormon
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To: Elsie
 

Temple Recommend Questions



1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?

3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?

4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?

5 Do you live the law of chastity?

6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?

7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?

10 Are you a full-tithe payer?

11 Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?

12 Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:

Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?

14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?

101 posted on 12/15/2011 4:13:19 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Godzilla

102 posted on 12/15/2011 4:16:28 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: restornu; Saundra Duffy; Ripliancum; Normandy; Jeff Head
So what is the name of your anti Mormon web site on line or do you work for one? You should get a nice size bonus this Christmas for all of the propaganda you posted this year.

Resty, I love you. I really do. Not being sarcastic. You are already "worthy" in God's eyes. Not because of anything you've done. But because you are a person of tremendous worth.

Of such worth, Jesus Christ died for ALL of your sins (and mine) and for your sin nature you had at birth -- a sin nature that was mine as well.

He did that because of His graciousness. He freely extends that grace -- as free as the loving gifts your own parents gave you at any Christmas as you grew up. Because He loves you like your parents did; only infinitely more.

Your parents didn't give you conditional Christmas gifts. They loved you because you were you. And if you've been a parent, you know that from experience. Think of the pure love in your heart when/if you've gifts to your child/children.

(Saundra, Ripliancum, Normandy, Jeff...the same above is so for you as well)

Restornu, I know you want to superimpose false motives on why somebody does what they do. It's easier to explain someone having $ motives than to think they do so for the plain reason of truth and tough love.

Restornu, there's no linkage $-wise to anything I've posted.
I don't charge anybody for anything.
No Mormon article I've posted links back to any Web site I've had a hand in constructing or leading.
I receive no compensation other than what the Lord Himself gives me DIRECTLY. (He Himself is my "compensation" - my Treasure -- in life)
Although I see nothing wrong were somebody to do this and tell their supporters about their ministry to Mormons, I don't even do that.

Truth is truth. The Living Truth (Jesus, John 14:6) is Living Truth. Just as we follow Him wherever He goes, and bow down at His Great Name, we follow truth where it leads and serve its bidding.

If you want to accuse me of spreading "propaganda," I cannot make you stop uttering falsehoods. If you believe it's "propaganda," it's up to you to try to prove it.

Most of the time you and your fellow Mormons don't even try that course. Instead, on occasion, some of you resort to spreading false motives, another sin. I forgive you for spreading a false rumor. I forgive you for impugning my inner motives.

Restornu, one of the great things about this forum is that I've been able to meet people like you and Saundra and Ripliancum and Normandy and Jeff. You are real people. You share what's on your heart and mind. You've been willing to invest in a "relationship" of sorts with some of us Flying Inmans.

It may not be what you prefer it to be. But it is for what it is...a relationship built around a common interest in all things Mormon...Mormon culture...Mormon truth claims...the Bible...the Gospel and competing Gospel accounts, etc.

I want to thank you -- and those Mormons I've interacted with -- for taking the time to invest in this relationship. Getting down to what is true under layers of religion is a struggle. But a necessary one.

So, to wrap this up. Back to compensation. My "compensation," Resty is people like you. I get the unique privilege of getting to know wondrous people like you, and Saundra, and Ripliancum, and Normandy, and Jeff. People that the Lord has uniquely created. People that the Lord has blessed mightily. People that He wants a full reconciliation as they are; and not simply an "ideal" that we always tend to strive for to "present" to God as "hopefully" (hopefully in the weakest sense of that word) will accept.

We're already accepted. In Christ. In HIS righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30); not ours.

On that end, please have a wonderful and joyous Christmas, Restornu. Know that you are loved. And appreciated. Just for who you are.

It's been my privilege to having met you. And loved you. Including loving you with the truth. And THE (Living) Truth.

Merry Christmas, Restornu! May the Christ child who was the Son of God from eternity past be the One who embraces you like Mary embraced that child during those manger days.

103 posted on 12/15/2011 6:10:21 AM PST by Colofornian (Mormon polygamy: It ain't just for time anymore...Lds tie the plural knot sequentially THESE days)
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To: restornu
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

ROTFL....when will the mormons begin seeing the "gentile" as men that worketh good....

How hilarious to see this quote in a post that wishes "Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile"

Are you enjoying your mormon superiority, Resty?

better than you

104 posted on 12/15/2011 6:11:26 AM PST by greyfoxx39 (Holy, Holy, Holy..."God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity")
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To: Grunthor

They worship at the alter of a “god” named Joseph Smith.


105 posted on 12/15/2011 6:17:49 AM PST by swampfox101 (I)
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To: cricket
Should I decide that his 'Muslim neutral' view is a result of his religion; and not typical Republican acquiescence to Political Correctness; then I will reconsider.

Perhaps you SHOULD reconsider:

Muslims and Latter-Day Saints
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2568726/posts
A Latter-day Saint Perspective on Mohammad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2571152/posts

The Muslim Mormon Connection

http://mormonism.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_muslim_mormon_connection

Mormons, Muslims break the fast in Southern California

http://www.mormontimes.com/article/17754/Mormons-Muslims-break-the-fast-in-Southern-California?s_cid=newsline

"At the iftars, both Muslim and LDS leaders spoke at a brief service, after which the Muslims participated in evening prayers. Following the evening prayer, the groups met together for a meal, provided by the Muslims. There were members of other faiths at each of the dinners also, along with city officials.

In keeping with Muslim tradition, the call to prayer occurred at the time that the sun set that evening. Participants then broke their fasts with dates, bread or other simple items, before proceeding to evening prayer.

The LDS visitors were invited to observe the prayers. LDS women who attended wore head scarves, consistent with Muslim dress standards for women. After the evening prayer, the groups shared a large meal together. The dinners featured traditional Muslim foods such as lamb, couscous, rice and dates. About two dozen LDS members from each of the four stakes attended the events

"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.”


106 posted on 12/15/2011 6:43:59 AM PST by greyfoxx39 (Holy, Holy, Holy..."God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity")
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To: SENTINEL; Saundra Duffy; BlueMoose; reaganaut
"Boorish", really who uses a word like that ?

I'm sorry. I didn't realize. I'm so sorry.

Anyway, from this Baptist & fellow sinner.....

Merry Christmas, and the very best wishes of this blessed
season to my Mormon brothers & sisters in Christ.

107 posted on 12/15/2011 7:04:15 AM PST by laotzu
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To: greyfoxx39
Don't need to go there; really. And don't know if Mitt has either, for that matter. It is enough for me - for now - that Mitt is weak on our Islamist enemy 'problem' - as other Repubs - and non-Mormons; as well. Most notably; Liberal/Left Democrats.

Newt is not one of the 'blind'. A critical enough distinction, for me; for now. . .

108 posted on 12/15/2011 7:08:15 AM PST by cricket (/get the 'Occupier' out of our White House!/ and Newt 'in'. . .and it is NOT just the economy!)
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To: cricket
Don't need to go there; really.

Really? You made this comment: "Should I decide that his 'Muslim neutral' view is a result of his religion; and not typical Republican acquiescence to Political Correctness; then I will reconsider."...only to indicate you are ignoring the evidence of mormonisms attraction to islam that I posted.

Gonna make a cherry pie?

109 posted on 12/15/2011 7:15:29 AM PST by greyfoxx39 (Holy, Holy, Holy..."God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity")
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To: ejonesie22; reaganaut
Ya got to admit, it is rather amusing to be “instructed”, in that patronizing tone we see here from time to time, by folk who are shocked to see religion discussed in a forum titles “Religion”...


110 posted on 12/15/2011 7:19:23 AM PST by Godzilla (3/7/77)
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To: Elsie

111 posted on 12/15/2011 7:26:25 AM PST by Godzilla (3/7/77)
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To: greyfoxx39; restornu
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Not according to mormonism -

"I would rather undertake to convert five thousand Lamanites [native Americans], than to convert one of those poor miserable creatures [Jews] whose fathers killed the savior... Yes, I would rather undertake to convert the devil himself, if it were possible... I would say, leave them, and come home, the Lord does not require you to stay there, for they must suffer and be damned... [L]eave them to live and die in their sins and ignorance... [T]hey take pleasure in their wickedness..." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2, p. 143, 1854)

I wonder if resty sustains her prophets?

112 posted on 12/15/2011 7:31:18 AM PST by Godzilla (3/7/77)
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To: Colofornian

Hi there, Colofornian

Thanks for the good Christmas wishes. It’s great that we have a holiday that focuses the attention on Christ who provided the greatest gift possible to the human race.

I’ve been watching some LDS produced videos that have been made dramatizing portions of the New Testament. They are very true to the Biblical text and focus on the birth of Jesus.

http://lds.org/bible-videos/?lang=eng

Best to you and yours this Christmas,

Normandy


113 posted on 12/15/2011 8:53:21 AM PST by Normandy
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To: Normandy

Thank you.


114 posted on 12/15/2011 9:00:06 AM PST by Colofornian (Mormon polygamy: It ain't just for time anymore...Lds tie the plural knot sequentially THESE days)
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To: cricket

It isn’t that we worry over any physical threat (although there is one), it is we worry about the SPIRITUAL THREAT of Mormonism.

Again, I can multitask.


115 posted on 12/15/2011 9:50:37 AM PST by reaganaut (Ex-Mormon, now Christian "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see".)
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To: laotzu

If you really believe Mormons are ‘brothers and sisters in Christ’, you need to do your research. Your baptist faith doesn’t agree with you (and neither does any other Christian church).


116 posted on 12/15/2011 9:53:00 AM PST by reaganaut (Ex-Mormon, now Christian "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see".)
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To: reaganaut
Please, 'worry away'. . .about the 'spiritual threat'. Don't recall, Mormon's aiding and aligning with Hitler - as did the Muslims/Imams ET AL during WWII; or offering that 9/11 was 'our fault'; or threatening, pursuing change in our Constitution; or trying to shut down Christmas; but perhaps I missed this. Nor am I aware of Mormon 'jihadists' in our midst; or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

To be clear: not saying; not advisable; to keep an eye out here. ..but actively; painstakingly. . .worry?

Keep your 'multi-tasking' but don't flatter yourself; while doing it. Just wear yourself out; if that is your inclination.

117 posted on 12/15/2011 10:49:45 AM PST by cricket (/get the 'Occupier' out of our White House!/ and Newt 'in'. . .and it is NOT just the economy!)
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To: cricket

No I won’t wear myself out. And if you don’t see the threat, you are deluding yourself.

I will be a second Mohammed to this generation…whose motto, in treating for peace, was ‘the Alcoran [Koran] or the Sword,’ so shall it be eventually with us, ‘Joseph Smith or the Sword.’ ” Joseph Smith

And Mormons don’t distance themselves from his teachings, they cannot. You don’t seem to get that Mormons lie out of habit and their PR machine is very effective at spreading those lies.


118 posted on 12/15/2011 11:02:36 AM PST by reaganaut (Ex-Mormon, now Christian "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see".)
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To: laotzu
Exploding Head ALERT!!!

Merry Christmas, and the very best wishes of this blessed season to my Mormon brothers & sisters in Christ.

119 posted on 12/15/2011 6:18:48 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Godzilla
I wonder if resty sustains her prophets?

Not the SECOND one!!

He has DAMNED her!!


(Well; not BY PERSONALLY; but he has pointed it out...)


"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned;

and I will go still further and say, take this revelation, or any other revelation that the Lord has given,

and deny it in your feelings, and I promise that you will be damned.

Brigham Young - JoD 3:266 (July 14, 1855)

120 posted on 12/15/2011 6:21:41 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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