The LDS view of ex-Mormons who become Christian

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by thews

As an ex-Mormon, I'm trying to figure out exactly what view the LDS would deem my fate is in the afterlife, while I am a Christian? I don't subscribe to any organized religion, other than to call myself a Christian because I do believe Jesus Christ was God, and I do not believe in the BOM.

I'm getting all the ducks in a row before I send off my resignation letter, but this is one I can't find an answer to.

Thanks

Why in the world would a Eagle peck in the dirt with Chickens?

[thews]

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

You can look in the D&C and how it describes the inhabitants of the three kingdoms. You can know that we will be judged on our hearts and our level of spiritual knowledge. If one walks away from revealed truth and denies it out of vanity or pride or love of sin or some other reason, it would be logical to think that there would be consequences. Outer darkness is something else and you can look that up as well. Might be good to study hell and get a firm grasp of the LDS concept of it.

But at the end, I come back to my first answer. If truth is what you seek.....truth about doctrine and truth about yourself.....it is God that has those answers. He is the one who makes the final decisions about people and their lives and their hearts.

OK thanks... I thought it was written down somewhere.

And you know....I wanted to add that walking away from the church isn't your only answer. If you have concerns about the BofM or other things, there are answers and supports and guidance to help you figure things out over time. Being LDS isn't an all or nothing kind of deal.

It is an all or nothing thing for me and I appreciate you answering my questions.

[thews]

Originally Posted by WmLee

This is very interesting!! You are a "Christian" but imply the LDS Church is not. And, you believe in Christ, not the B of M, another testament of Christ. I wonder if you want to deny the truthfulness of and restoration of the gospel, the authority of the priesthood and the latter-day prophets?

Let me point out that Christians don't believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, nor that the BOM is another testament. If one believes that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, then they would be defined as "Mormon" by the actual definition.

If you really don't think any of this is true, why does it matter what the church states your eternal life would be? It’s not true, correct?? What's really the bottom line here?

You make a good point. The answers to my questions aren't so much for me, but for my family members.

The gospel, the organization of the church, the idea that an uneducated boy of 15 could translate something like the Book of Mormon? Or, do you just feel more comfortable in, or is it easier to be a part of an evangelical church that has no boundaries or is guilt-free? And, by denying the church you can enter into another religion in full membership?

The counter point to this proof is that Joseph Smith didn't write the BOM, but only claimed to and it was written by someone else. I don't belong to another organized religion, but I consider my beliefs Christian by definition, based on the doctrine I place that belief in.

Thanks for the reply.

[thews]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

Why in the world would a Eagle peck in the dirt with Chickens?

What is your point by saying this? I have serious questions that I'd like an answer to. Is it your nature to mock?

[thews]

Originally Posted by john doe

Depending on how you live both here and in the afterlife, you will have the opportunity to go either to the Telestial Kingdom, or the Terrestrial Kingdom, which are both kingdoms of glory. But if you reject Christ and His sacrifice for you, then things will be a bit different..........

Thanks. For the record, I do not reject Jesus Christ.

[thews]

Originally Posted by Dravin

Why is it a big deal from your perspective? One assumes if you are having your name removed from the records you do not believe the Church is true. Do you also wonder what Islam might have to say about your fate or Scientology? Quite frankly if the Church isn't true what it thinks may be your future fate for rejecting it is of no consequence, it is only of consequence if it is true. If you believe it is of consequence you might want to get your ducks in a row and decide things before you remove your name from the records.

It's a long story, but having my name removed is something I want to explain to family members who are devout LDS. If they think I'll be sent to hell for doing so, or not, I just wanted to know the LDS stance.

Idle curiosity I can understand, and that may be what you mean and your usage of "big deal" is communicating something that isn't the case, but if you honestly think its a big deal religious wise you may want to spend some time in thought and prayer. Though if you are speaking in other senses other than religiously I can understand it being a big deal in that way. Depending on where you live and who your friends and family are, removing your name can be a big deal for cultural and relationship reasons that are completely independent of the Church being true or not.

OK.

P.S. An Ex-Mormon converting to a different Christian faith doesn't become Christian they already if they were Mormon, assuming they actually followed the tenets of their religion at some point, they just change what kind of Christian they are.

I disagree. "Christians" believe that Joseph Smith was a false prophet of God, while "Mormons" believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and accept the Mormon doctrine of Joseph Smith. We're talking about the definition of the word "Christian" and what it encompasses vs. the definition of the word "Mormon" and what it encompasses, which is its doctrine.

Jews and Christians are separated by definition based on the doctrine they subscribe to. Claiming one is a Jew-Christian would be the same as claiming one is a Christian-Mormon. There is no denying the roots of Mormonism in Christianity, but stating "Christian" by itself would imply one does not put faith in Joseph Smith as a prophet of God. JMHO.

[bytebear]

Christianity does not exclude leaders. It's only requirement is a belief in Jesus Christ. Sure, we could say Lutherans aren't Christians because they believe in Martin Luther. Sorry, but "Christian" is not copyrighted, and as much as you want to hold to the title in exclusivity, you can't. I am perfectly content with the titles "Evangelical Christianity", "Liturgical Christianity", "Historic Christianity", 'Trinitarian Christianity" or "Creedal Christianity" but I do not accept anyone pushing someone outside the "Christian" tent because of disagreements in doctrine.

[Dravin]

Originally Posted by thews

Let me point out that Christians don't believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, nor that the BOM is another testament. If one believes that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, then they would be defined as "Mormon" by the actual definition.

Yes they do, as Mormons are Christians and they believe Joseph Smith is a prophet then there are Christians who believe Joseph Smith was a prophet. Now admittedly not all Christians, it is limited to a rather specific subset. You seem to be suggesting that because somebody who believes Joseph Smith was a prophet is Mormon they cannot also be Christian, this is much like saying because my car is a Tercel it cannot also be a Toyota.

Originally Posted by thews

Jews and Christians are separated by definition based on the doctrine they subscribe to.

Yes the belief in the divinity and teachings of Jesus Christ, this distinction does not exist between Catholics, Baptists, Anglicans or Mormons.

Originally Posted by Merriam-Webster

Main Entry: 1Chris·tian
Pronunciation: \ˈkris-chən, ˈkrish-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin christianus, adjective & noun, from Greek christianos, from Christos
Date: 1526
1 a : one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ b (1) : disciple 2 (2) : a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating from the Disciples of Christ in 1906 (3) : a member of the Christian denomination having part in the union of the United Church of Christ concluded in 1961
2 : the hero in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

Pay particular attention to 1 a, note the lack of any mention of a disbelief in Joseph Smith in the definition. We could use b 2 or b 3 or even 2 but that would exclude a lot of people generally considered Christians, if that is your definition I suppose Mormons don't fall under it but I'm guessing neither do you. Oh well, at least you aren't running the risk of using a new argument, the I'm the real Christian and you aren't game has some years behind it.

[lattelady]

Hemidakota, in reference to your comment about eagles pecking the dirt with chickens, I just thought I'd let you know that I found that to be incredibly arrogant. I have yet to encounter an attitude quite like that in my time on this website, and it's frankly appalling. You're writing that while in the Christian Beliefs forum, so my assumption is that you're aware that people of other denominations will see it--a disturbing display of pride. Christians generally believe that they are representatives of Christ, whether Protestant, Evangelical, Charismatic...your illustration of us pecking around in the dirt is demeaning and rude. I don't see much of an eagle in that.

[pam]

Hemi's remarks was not arrogant at all. Thews admitted he is an ex Mormon. At one time he had the knowledge of the gospel and would mean that he took on the covenants of baptism into the Church. Hemi's remark was only in reference to what our beliefs are concerning that.

His remark in no way was referring to people of other denominations who have not been in the same situation as thews.