Anti-Mormons - Page 15

Abraham · #**141** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 04:31 PM

Hi,

John tells us that the Savior was hated before we were so we are in noble company.

Also, see Alma 24:30, and other related scriputres about having the truth taken away once one rebels against it (Him).

Abraham

Antis are poor excuses for Chritisans. Any christian who preaches destruction is not on the Lord's side in any way.

peanutgallery · #**142** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 04:46 PM

I think it is human nature to justify your reasons for doing something you feel guilt about. It's just like the guy who cheats on his wife and then says she was a bad wife so it's all her fault.

prisonchaplain · #**143** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

I doubt there are any such other Christian churches (or many such) where they can get the kind of commitment from it adherents as the LDS Church gets from it's 19 year old youth (missionaries who spend 24 hours a day for 2 years preaching the gospel) or bishops (full time work in addition to their regular job) or stake presidents (12 years of full time committment, or thousands and thousands of retired couples who become full time missionaries, for the 2nd of third time in their lives.

A couple years ago the principle struck me as I read a newspaper article about a new mission president. The CEO of a major US corporation - Sutter Health in Northern California resigned abruptly at the pinnacle of his career and became a mission president doing grunt work thousands of miles away from his home. How does that sort of thing happen? The CEO gets a call from and LDS authority who says 'we'd like you to quit your job, move thousands of miles away from home and do grunt work for 4 years' and the CEO says, "okay."

... and that happens over and over and over.

Sure people volunteer for all sorts of good endeavors in all sorts of Church. I'd suggest that there is a much different scope and intensity in the LDS Church.

And interesting but simple illustration of that (and the Church's extraordinary organizational structure - all run by volunteers). There could be a of sort sort catastrophe - a fire, earthquake, etc. An authority to start the ball rolling by making one phone call and 90 minutes later you could easily have 20,000 able bodies LDS elders on the scene with picks and shovels ready to help. I've been part of such an incident with a flood. Granted, that doesn't require extreme commitment but it does require extreme organization.

You probably just gave me the best description I've heard of the benefits of having a hierarchical, and yet nearly all-volunteer church.

omega0401 · #**144** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by candyprpl

When I joined the LDS church I knew that I would at some point receive "a calling." At first I was quite afraid of what I might to be called to do. I didn't see myself as a very capable person. After a while through this conversion process I had a realization, a personal revelation that the Lord was preparing me. My prayers became thankful for this preparation and fear that I would be called to do something I didn't think I could do went away. I was soon called to teach in Primary (Sunday School) and 11 yr. olds were my students. I also have a calling as Assistant Activity Day Leader. I've had these callings for almost 2 years and I feeled blessed to be doing my part to build God's kingdom. I put in as many hours as I need to through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the blessings are too many to count! My testimony of this gospel has grown so much in such a short time. That's worth more than money.

Thank you Candy. What a great testimony you shared with us. And for what it's worth I think most of us feel we aren't capable when a calling comes. We all trust in the Lord that He is there to help us as well as our member friends. And then we grow closer to the spirit as we serve. And what a great feeling that is when we feel the spirit with us. And we learn and we grow and it wouldn't have happen if we didn't accept the calling.

What I think it amounts to is, the Lord wants a willing heart. He doesn't want or expect us to be perfect in our calling. Just a willing heart to do our best and to trust in Him for guidance.

omega0401 · #**145** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

Regardless of whether the poster merits respect for being a human being, rejecting the Lord's teachings is hardly a valid reason for respecting someone as omega said.

Snow, I was respecting her opinion not that I agree with it.

What would you think I should do? I can either respect her opinion or disrespect it. There is no inbetween.

Should I disrespect people because they don't believe in what I believe? Should I disrespect a Jew, a Muslim, a Hindu, an atheist because they reject Christ and His teachings? I just don't think that's a Christ-like thing to do. I'm just curious because I'm trying to figure out where you are coming from with this.

OtterPop · #**146** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 07:26 PM

[QUOTE=bytor2112;231623]OtterPop,

This is from a talk by President Gordon B. Hinkley. It seems that he feels as though the war continues as well. You were correct in that the Savior won, but the fight continues.....

Well, certainly President Hinkley has the authority to interpret/explain Mormon doctrine! I stand corrected.

bytor2112 · #**147** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 08:01 PM

OtterPop,

My original point was that I think because this war is still going on..... many will be decieved and led astray........

Bettina · #**148** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanutgallery

I think it is human nature to justify your reasons for doing something you feel guilt about. It's just like the guy who cheats on his wife and then says she was a bad wife so it's all her fault.

I agree wtih you.

OtterPop · #**149** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bytor2112

OtterPop,

My original point was that I think because this war is still going on..... many will be decieved and led astray........

Yes, I know, and on that point I don't disagree that this is what Mormonism teaches and -- as far as I'm aware -- has always taught.

I'm not sure what your point in this current post is about, though.

OtterPop · #**150** (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanutgallery

I think it is human nature to justify your reasons for doing something you feel guilt about. It's just like the guy who cheats on his wife and then says she was a bad wife so it's all her fault.

I think this is true. I also think it is also human nature to justify decision we've made that have resulted in a large investment of our personal resources. in fact, research shows that people tend to do this.