Anti-Mormons

[rameumptom]

Originally Posted by twbocci

Christians (which I am) approach the issue in an offensive manner often times. Mostly due to the discrepancies that exist between the Mormon religion and what the bible teaches us. Exaltation for example. The fact that one can only enter the higher "levels" of heaven if they belong to the Mormon church. Jesus Christ is the savior and widely availableto those of different churches. I believe that Mormons can be saved by believing in Christ just as any Christian can, but worry they might be missing on the point that Jesus alone is the light of the world and he accepts Jew and Gentile alike. He examines the hearts and minds of all men and pays no attention to what church you belong to. Hope this didn't come across as anti-mormon.
Thanks

I guess it is all on how one views things. You see Mormonism as potentially offensive, because we believe that only some Mormons will be exalted. I see it as God has opened the door for many to be saved, and some to be exalted. Many Christians believe that those who have never heard of Jesus will be damned to hell for never accepting him. Mormons believe that all of them will receive a level of heaven, and that all people will have a chance to hear and accept the fullness of the gospel, if not in this life, in the Spirit World. I believe there are many millions in the Spirit World who have accepted the fullness of Christ's gospel, many of whom would have been condemned to hell by other Christians for not hearing of Christ in the past.

So, for me, I consider Mormonism's viewpoint a near universal salvation into a heaven, while many Christians have a very closed and limited atonement (TULIP, for example). Even St Augustine insisted that dying babies who were not baptized would burn in hell - not my idea of a loving and charitable God; while the LDS view is very loving and caring, showing that God truly loves all his children.

[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by twbocci

Christians (which I am) approach the issue in an offensive manner often times. Mostly due to the discrepancies that exist between the Mormon religion and what the bible teaches us. Exaltation for example. The fact that one can only enter the higher "levels" of heaven if they belong to the Mormon church. Jesus Christ is the savior and widely availableto those of different churches. I believe that Mormons can be saved by believing in Christ just as any Christian can, but worry they might be missing on the point that Jesus alone is the light of the world and he accepts Jew and Gentile alike. He examines the hearts and minds of all men and pays no attention to what church you belong to. Hope this didn't come across as anti-mormon.
Thanks

Not Anti-mormon........ just a typical lack of understanding of LDS doctrine.

[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by OtterPop

I thought that's what you were getting at, but I didn't want to assume.

Tell me, how do you determine that one has been deceived, other than concluding that it must be so just because their experience doesn't match with your own testimony and experience?

Again..... just my opinion. But I have read many accounts regarding why people leave the church and it tends to be over some historical issue that they can't reconcile and it hurts their testimony..... if indeed they had one. I know that some people had only "borrowed" testimonies or very fragile testimonies at best. The adversaries greatest asset in his struggle to lead people away is anything that can plant a seed of doubt........ like so much of the anti information does.

Maye that is not your story and I am sure others have different reasons as well. But... this is just my opinion.

[peanutgallery]

Originally Posted by Traveler

First: those that feel it is more important to teach what they think is wrong with the "Mormons" more than they are willing to teach what is right with their beliefs. This is a major red flag to me about someone's faith in the “Good News” of Christ.

The Traveler

When my niece was engaged, her fiance was investigating the church. His parents were horrified. They would tell him some of the bizarre beliefs they had "heard." He asked them to meet with him & the LDS missionaries to clear up some of their misconceptions. When he arrived, he discovered that they had brought a couple of members from their church who were experts. He said that all their experts did was talk about how wrong Mormons are. They never answered any of his questions about their faith. He said that the LDS missionaries answered every question asked. He asked to be baptized the next day.

[candyprpl]

Quote by Otterpop
"In my own case, I left the Church for spiritual reasons, gradually and gently by God. I was led to a richer belief and a richer life outside Mormonism. You could say I was "deconverted" after having been born into Mormonism. And Moroni 10 certainly had a lot to do with it."

I'm curious about this statement and was wondering if you could explain what happened. Just like us Mormons don't like people telling us what we believe I don't want to make assumptions about this statement. Some of the posters have already tried to make suggestions at why you might have left the church. Before I joined the church I was never one to be led by unjustifiable judgements and I feel even stronger about that now that I am a member. So bottom line -- I'm just curious -- I am not interested in telling you your decision is wrong because it goes against what I believe.

Care to explain for yourself?

[MichaelPAGuy]

I know I've been very anti-Mormon on this board and I feel really bad for it. It always seems every time I think I have left this church for good, something keeps drawing me back.

[bytor2112]

So... are you interested in sharing what draws you back or maybe what pushes you away?

[bytor2112]

My friend is a Baptist and has switched churches several times the past couple of years....all Baptist churches. I asked him why he was changing and he said that it was because he disagreed with the Preachers views?????

They can't agree on what is true... except that what we believe isn't true. I think the fact that we declare absolutes when it comes to doctrine...like the Catholics, and claim authority to do so, throw non LDS Christians off. Because the majority of Christendom has no real, carved in stone absolutes.

[rameumptom]

Originally Posted by MichaelPAGuy

I know I've been very anti-Mormon on this board and I feel really bad for it. It always seems every time I think I have left this church for good, something keeps drawing me back.

Maybe it is the Holy Spirit that draws you back? Careful that you don't push him away for good.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by bytor2112

My friend is a Baptist and has switched churches several times the past couple of years....all Baptist churches. I asked him why he was changing and he said that it was because he disagreed with the Preachers views?????

They can't agree on what is true... except that what we believe isn't true. I think the fact that we declare absolutes when it comes to doctrine...like the Catholics, and claim authority to do so, throw non LDS Christians off. Because the majority of Christendom has no real, carved in stone absolutes.

The Southern Baptist Convention actually agrees on a lot of doctrines and issues. The Baptist Faith & Message However, because it's governance is congregational, each church has the final authority. The national group opposes females in ordained ministry, speaking in tongues, and the inspiration of the Book of Mormon. Yet, you may see female ministers in local churches, speaking tongues, and we all know about the Baptist minister who believes in the Book of Mormon.

In my denomination, we agree on 16 fundamental doctrines, and ministers who stray will lose their ordination. Yet, still, local churches may have different schedules, different programs, different styles of music, etc.

So, you are right, that most of us do not experience the denominational unity and solidarity and conformity that your church offers.