Better relations with LDS?

[Moksha]

Could members of other faiths enjoy better relationships with Mormons? Could other faiths enjoy better relations with the LDS Church?

How?

[john doe]

1. yes
2. yes
3. by being more Christian towards each other

[S2LR]

Originally Posted by Moksha

Could members of other faiths enjoy better relationships with Mormons? Could other faiths enjoy better relations with the LDS Church?

How?

Absolutely! I think we as Mormons have many things in common with members of other faiths that we can all leverage to foster better relationships. I think we all believe in strong morals, strong families, the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, just to name a few. We believe in the Bible, in God and Jesus Christ much like the rest of our Christian brothers and sisters. Sure, there are differences in certain doctrinal points but we shouldn't let those things get in the way of practicing the teachings of Christ as given in the Bible, namely of loving our neighbor as ourselves. I for one, hold members of other faiths in high regard. I respect them for what they believe. In the world in which we live, I believe we can collectively strengthen each other by our faith no matter what Church we may belong to. Christ's teachings and example apply to all and is the common bond that binds us together as believers in Christ.

Thanks for your questions...

[Dale]

It's hard to work with certain faith's opposed to the LDS. Some are opposed to working on good causes with LDS. They want to witness to LDS not dialogue with them. But not all Evangelical's are that extreme, but some are.

Evangelical's are not the same group though under an umbrella term.

[prisonchaplain]

We can all work well with those who work well. :-)

[Moksha]

Years ago I ran across the movie, Baptists at Our Barbecue. I remember suggesting to my Bishop, that we should perhaps have a ward picnic and invite one of the local Christian congregations as a gesture of goodwill and harmony. The idea was received like a lead balloon.

Since that time, I have mentioned this idea and found that wards in various parts of the country have indeed met with success in fellowshipping with other congregations in order to create good will. They have participated in such activities as fund raising, potlucks and even hosting a Christmas concert together. Ideas are certainly out there.

Do you have any such experiences?

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

We have great relations with the community church across the street. They rented space for us when we were building our branch. We lent them our chapel when theirs was damaged by weather.

We do a yearly joint cantata, trading off which building it's held in. They got a new pastor last year and we didn't do it, which worried me. But we're doing it again this year - hooray!

LM

[Canuck Mormon]

In my last ward we used to run a Nativity Pageant every year on church grounds. While the pageant was running every 30 minutes or so, there were Nativity Sets on display inside the gym and choirs singing in the chapel. There would be a Mormon choir and a local Catholic choir that would sing Christmas Songs. Every year the community association would ask us if we were doing it again. They would advertise it and everything. It was great.

[cgrantreed]

Every other year we host a Luau and invite other faiths and advertise it in their buildings. We cook up 600#'s of pig in big cookers and we have a BLAST. People from all the churches come and its fun times. We have a Christmas gig every year and again, its all faith. We have done community projects together and we announce over the pulpit other church activities that they have invited us to. Not that its perfect but it works. Its about being civil regardless of what EXACTLY they believe in.

A local congregation was building a new chapel for their faith and it coincided with the remodeling of our chapel and we gave them all of our pews for their building. I believe that we even delivered them to their chapel:-) Our town of 3500 people has 25 churches and 4 bars... thats got to say something We try and keep in contact with other faiths but i would have to say that even with this... people are still snotty about the not mingling with others beliefs.

[Brother Dorsey]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

We can all work well with those who work well. :-)

That's right...I have calmed way down since I came here and have accepted PC as my brother....even though he's darn near as tall as the Statue of Liberty!