Structured in other Christian demoninations?

[norah63]

Really learned a lot of how each sees the truth on this thread. What church to attend as it started.
Can we fellowship with other christians it sort of seemed like.
Having respect for all the posters in this forum is like attending with them.
Didn't Jesus say something about, ' if they are not against me , ?

[pendragon]

I think we are splitting hairs here. My point is that a woman is either pregnant or she is not...there are no inbetweens...two months or six months she is still pregnant....and I don't intend to be sidetracked by a silly issue of semantics. The only reason I asked for clarification is as I stated...LDS and non LDS often use the same terms but mean something very different as is the case with the word "salvation" as has been covered earlier in the thread.

[prisonchaplain]

Don't know if this helps, but many Christians (not all) would allow that in heaven there are varieties of "rewards," or "responsibilities." The mansions described, the streets of gold, etc. are for all. Further, everyone will find deep and challenging meaning and purpose. However, some will have more responsiblity, or greater honor. We do not know how that looks, but it is what I see in examples like the parable of talents, or the casting of seeds with 30, 60 and 100-fold results.

LDS seem to take this further, in the doctrine of three heavenly kingdoms. Of course, the LDS teachings are based on revelations that Protestants and Catholics have not accepted.

[pendragon]

I have no problem is essence with what you say but would like scriptural support...the details of heaven are IMV sketchy at best so I content myself with the idea of being present with God my Savior. I do like the scriptural idea that any accolades of life we receive through our faith will be rewarded with crowns in heaven.....crowns that we will cast at the feet of the Savior. My favorite hymn conveys my thinking in this area: "When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died. My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride." I do perhaps have a problem with the way you suggest "LDS seem to take this further". It sort of implies to me that some allowance should be made for them and that this "taking thing further" is a natural growth process of gospel understanding. IMV is it an add on that is not supported by scripture but fall into the category of "another gospel". I am sure that is not what you mean to say.

[prisonchaplain]

"Taking a doctrine further" need not imply any allowance or acceptance. In this context, I simply meant that the idea of varying rewards is taken to the point of different kingdoms, and with some of God's followers being exalted and others not, etc. Additionally, the primary foundations for the LDS teachings about these mutliple heavens comes from revelations that we traditionalist believers have not accepted.

[pendragon]

Nora: Mormons and orthodox Christians (not the best term but an easy one for distinction of the differences) cannot, IMV, have fellowship. The divisions are too deep and too substantial for meaningful fellowship on theological grounds. I know you would disagree but I believe I worship a different Jesus from the Mormon Jesus, for instance. As I understand it, the Mormon Jesus is a created being, a spirit child of a god who was once a man who was exalted to godhood to have spirit children with a spirit wife. Without getting into that debate, orthodoxy rejects that concept as heresy of the worst kind, denying Jesus the diety that entitles him to everything else. The orthodox Jesus is Emannuel, God with us....the literal human manifestation of one God..."In the beginning was the Word (Jesus is the Word) , and the Word was with God, and the Word was with God."

If one or the other's very understanding of just who Jesus is is wrong, if we perceive him in totally different ways and we clothe him in opposing theology, I don't see how one or other of us is not against him. I rest my case and my faith entirely on Jesus and the revelation of him in the Bible....from my viewpoint Mormons put a great deal of faith in the teaching of Joseph Smith so I suppose ultimately, Mormonism stands or falls on the veracity of Joseph Smith and his character above all else. I believe Mormons are sincere in their desire (Romans 10: 1-4 comes to mind) to do what is right but they place an awful lot of trust in the man Joseph Smith. Jesus only is the way, the truth, and the life. Are you sure you are placing your trust there?

[Vort]

Originally Posted by pendragon

I believe I worship a different Jesus from the Mormon Jesus, for instance.

And this may well be the case. Latter-day Saints worship the Jesus preached in the Bible. I cannot say with any authority which Jesus pendragon worships, but it indeed may not be the Biblical Jesus worshiped by Latter-day Saints.

Originally Posted by pendragon

orthodoxy rejects that concept as heresy of the worst kind

As opposed to all the other, more acceptable kinds of heresy.

[pendragon]

Vort: Now who is guilty of sarcasm? I clearly defined the Jesus I believe in supported by the Bible. If you have a reference from the Bible for God as an exalted man and Jesus as the spirit son of this exalted man and one of his spiritual wives I'd be happy to consider it. I suspect, too, that you would have trouble finding one from the Book of Mormon even. But then Mormons tend to do you take my comment out of the contect in which it was given...an explanation to Nora as to why Mormons and orthodox Christians cannot have fellowship.

[Vort]

Originally Posted by pendragon

Vort: Now who is guilty of sarcasm?

I was not being sarcastic in my comment about Biblical Christianity being the Christianity of the Latter-day Saints.

Originally Posted by pendragon

I clearly defined the Jesus I believe in supported by the Bible.

Hardly. Your views of God are based on early Christian heresies which themselves are based on neoplatonism. Of course, I don't expect you to admit this; you are much too invested in your beliefs. That's fine. I have no desire to convert you. But I take your snide remarks about worshiping "a different Jesus" at face value. I am certainly willing to accept your word that you worship a "different Jesus"; you are the ultimate authority on who or what you worship, whether the son of God or a Mexican gardener.

But you are certainly no authority on who or what the Latter-day Saints worship. I am.

Originally Posted by pendragon

If you have a reference from the Bible for God as an exalted man and Jesus as the spirit son of this exalted man and one of his spiritual wives I'd be happy to consider it.

No, you would not. You would spin the teachings to mean something else, just as you spin the clear teachings of a physical, embodied God as metaphorical.

I know of nowhere in the Bible that teaches that Jesus had two eyes or ten fingers, yet amazingly, I still believe it.

Originally Posted by pendragon

I suspect, too, that you would have trouble finding one from the Book of Mormon even.

I have much better even than the Book of Mormon or the Bible. I have latter-day prophets, including living prophets, who teach me the truths of God.

Originally Posted by pendragon

But then Mormons tend to do you take my comment out of the contect in which it was given...

I don't believe this qualfies as a meaningful English sentence.

[pendragon]

PS: Kind of you to point out the poor sentence caused by an active brain not being in tune with poor typing skills... but hopefully you got the point regardless.