Anti-Mormons

[bytor2112]

Ktfords,

Perhaps one reason you have had these experiences is because of where you begin the discussion at......

May I suggest a surefire way to not have any doubts what so ever as to the teachings of our church. Steps 1 & 2 will give you knowledge, Step 3 will let you know if the knowledge is true or just an interesting story.

Step #1 Find a local ward and attend.... all three hours. Repeat process weekly.

Step#2 Ask questions.... to members and Missionaries.

Step #3 Pray about it, with real intent. Repeat this step daily.

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[candyprpl]

Originally Posted by ktfords

I'm not talking about those idiots down at temple square, I totally disagree with them.

I'm talking about anybody who tries to speak their beliefs in love, as mormons do. Mormons goals are to convert as many as possible, as any other religion is trying to do. Mormons don't want to listen. They say "if it is not of our teaching, we won't listen". How about the open mind?


If you ask questions, most mormons tend to shut down and label that person anti, instead of listening to their believes with an open heart as you say. If you your mind was open as you ask others to do, you would listen. Right?


The questions, are usually of a nature, where I am asking for clarification only, asking them to explain this to me. Instead, the subject was denied and I'm labeled anti. If you belief it, claim it.



This is why you don't have other religions knocking on your doors, they know mormons will not listen to anything not of their teachings. This is not all mormons, I have had some really good conversations, I feel it is the majority that will not listen, no matter what any other religions has to say.

It seems to be a one-way road.

I have never run across the Mormons you are talking about. Before I joined the LDS church I had my sisters and there families who were all very active 'Mormons' and I never felt that they didn't listen to me in what I believed at the time. They would visit our parents church and were very respectful. They worked with the minister who led the services for each of my parents funerals. Heck, they even visited a seminar of a group that I was involved in when I thought I had found what I was looking for -- A New Age type seminar. And we had great discussions without yelling who was right. And never did a missionary upset me when they knocked on my door and we would share different views. One of my brother-in-laws was converted to the church because of the members attitudes of respect. He was raised Catholic and he tells me that during the discussions with the missionaries and other members (because when he married my sister, she continued to be active) he says that he never felt threatened or uneasy around the LDS church. After 7 years of this kindness he joined the church and has a very strong testimony. I'm always willing and like hearing other's beliefs.

[jimuk]

Well, me i found the Church of Jesus christ of latter day saints, i listened to the beautiful teachings of the missionaries and was well pleased, why on gods own earth would i want to have an open mind and listen to the teachings of any other denominations, Lest they confuse my own beliefs.
I really do not want to listen to churches that used to burn people at the stake and torture others, in the name of god, Hmm something is very wrong there me thinks, so what can other churches teach me..
Most anties know no history of their church and how they would terrify the congregation into their religion.

This is for any anti Mormon.
Who can honestly tell me one thing that the LDS (church) do in the world that is bad or unkind to anyone, what teachings are so bad, is it the love, the compassion, the forgiveness, the kindness, the love they have for their fellow man (not just LDS members) or maybe its the true love and, respect that they have for their Father in heaven, This is not just the members, it is THE CHURCH as a whole.

Does this sound like other denominations have anything to teach us, yes we can learn the above attributes from members of other denominations, but not the teachings of their churches. if their church teachings have anything to teach me then do please tell me, i do want to know.
I have prayed about these things and the answers have indeed been made known to me by the spirit.
This really doesent make me anti non members of our church, it means that i have found what the father and the holy ghost wanted me to find, which is the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints.
Please help me to understand why we are not christians please lol, in layman's terms please. Because I love my brother Jesus and i know he is the saviour of humankind.

for anti mormon christians.
Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.

So just ask your father in heaven About the "Mormons" If you truly want to know, but ask as a christian, with love in your heart for all.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by ktfords

If Anti's are the ones who actively seek to turn people away from the Church. What is the difference when missionaries will come to my neighborhood, and tell my neighbors "mormonism is the only true christain faith" basically trying to convert them?

It's subtle, but significant that the LDS missionaries do not come to my door to condemn the heresies of the Assemblies of God, but rather to promote their own churches teachings. They also do not walk outside my church with signs that say, "Pentecostals, the fires of hell await you!"

This applies to both sides if you ask me.

Isn't the Church's axe to grind, their mission to convert everybody else? Why is the mormon church any different than any other religion? The LDS church spreads their beliefs by use of the missionary field, and they bombard the tv with commercials.

Again, it's one matter to promote your church's unique teachings, and quite another to target and condemn a church. Let me offer an example:

WRONG: Your church teaches that you must work your way to heaven! The Bible says we are saved by grace, not works. Your church is wrong, and if you stay with it, you are a heretic, and will burn in hell!

RIGHT: We believe that salvation is by grace. You cannot earn God's wonderful gift of eternal life with him. It's freely given. Wouldn't you like to receive that gift?

Oh...you believe you must work, and endure to the end before you can have confidence of your salvation? Well, here's what I believe...

You'll cover much of the same ground, but the spiritual tone is positive, confident, and yet respectful.

Christians, baptists and catholics will try to speak to a mormon, and consequently, labeled Anti. They are trying to spread their news as the Mormon church is doing the same.

I sincerely believe the label "Anti" is thrown at those who come with a harsh tone and an unwillingness to discuss, rather than monologue.

I personally have been told by missionaries, that they do not teach exaltation (becoming a god), I know you do. This sounds like the above quote by bytor. [are willing to do or say whatever will further their agenda.]

Or maybe they misunderstood your question, and believed that you were trying to corner them into saying something negative? It's a strong charge to accuse any religious representatives of intentional deception.

If I am labeled an Anti for asking these questions of the mormon church, wouldn't the missionaries and the vase amount of commercials be considered anti-Christian, anti-catholic or anti-baptist? Can I label Mormons anti-whatever if you tell me about your beliefs? Just asking since there seems to be a double standard.

Are we not all quick to defend our faith, and slow to consider other religious traditions--especially ones our leaders have labled heterdox? Well, certainly the major LDS teachings are different from those of your church and mine. So, they consider our beliefs to be largely wrong. Nevertheless, through dialogue and sincerity, we can sometimes improve understanding, and everyone gets a chance to let their light shine.

IMHO, what creates distrust and defensiveness is aggressively accusing "the other" of false doctrine and dishonesty, rather than confidently proclaiming the truths you have. Accentuate the positive and the true, and then gently dialogue about areas of difference.

Hi all,

My first post ( hooooooray LOL ) just figured out how to do it LOL

well I must say that this thread has been very interesting, I think I may have recieved my first dose of perspective that I was looking for.

God bless,
Carl

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by rameumptom

But isn't it somewhat redundant? To be insane in a stultifying way, kind of repeats itself.…

I don’t think that is how Snow meant it.

To illustrate, if one person wants to prove a different person is insane, he needs to dumb-down his portrayal of the actual events, simplyfying them so it is easily understood he is correct. He describes the incident in black and white terms rather than portraying it in its true complexity. Thus, his simplistic comments are stultefying.

However, to the listener, his true intent is obvious based on his biased portrayal of the incident, and his version of the events are easily dismiissed.

To whit, it is not the “insanity“ that is stultifying. It is the accusation.

At least, that is how I interpret it. If I’m wrong, I’m sure Snow will clarify.

Elphaba

[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by fent

It's nice to see that some members reserve the "anti" label for those who actively oppose the church, cause people have been less than generous with me. I find that when I am asked for my opinions and beliefs, and actually answer, I get branded an anti. It's just easier not to indulge peoples curiosity anymore.

Hmmm... I wonder how many LDS would be able to walk temple square in peace if I came to visit, when all the antis flock around me because they are distracted arguing with me about how I'm even more heretical than you are... lol
It would be like what I used to do in chat.

Wow, even more heretical than we are!!! Are you Scientologists or something?? How could they tell, funny clothes?

[tsubotsubo]

If someone's an anti-mormon, they will generally talk about the murdering and adultery done by prophets, they often talk about sexism and racism in the church, they talk about specific events like the forgeries sold to GBH, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Emma Smith and Brigham Young's hatred of each other, changing of the Book of Mormon, DNA evidence against the BoM, different accounts of the 1st vision, the apparent ruthlessness of the likes of George Q. Cannon and Brigham Young, the mormon funded brothels, the church leaders being polygamous after they stopped polygamy, Brigham Young's 11-year old as an apostle, changing of the temple ceremony, George Q. Cannon's order to kill sexual sinners, Boyd K. Packer recommending to physically harm gay people, Jospeph Smith marrying 14 year-olds and sending men on missions to marry their wives, mormon women being depressed, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young prophesying about moonmen and the date of the 2nd coming, and getting it wrong, people having their calling of election made sure leaving the church, the Book of Abraham not being translated correctly, etc. and the church apparently hiding this from its members.

They don't realize that one or two of these 'facts' actually aren't true, and all the ones which are true may have been taken out of context, are a misunderstanding, a mistake, or, to be frank are nothing to do with the religion and do not disprove the religion (although they are unethical and bad). They don't seem to understand that if someone believes in a religion with all this 'darkness' in it so strongly there must be something more than appears on the cover.

[ktfords]

Originally Posted by candyprpl

I have never run across the Mormons you are talking about. Before I joined the LDS church I had my sisters and there families who were all very active 'Mormons' and I never felt that they didn't listen to me in what I believed at the time. They would visit our parents church and were very respectful. They worked with the minister who led the services for each of my parents funerals. Heck, they even visited a seminar of a group that I was involved in when I thought I had found what I was looking for -- A New Age type seminar. And we had great discussions without yelling who was right. And never did a missionary upset me when they knocked on my door and we would share different views. One of my brother-in-laws was converted to the church because of the members attitudes of respect. He was raised Catholic and he tells me that during the discussions with the missionaries and other members (because when he married my sister, she continued to be active) he says that he never felt threatened or uneasy around the LDS church. After 7 years of this kindness he joined the church and has a very strong testimony. I'm always willing and like hearing other's beliefs.

In the last six years I have been in SLC. I have had 4 different families deny my children a chance to play with their children (before this question, everything went great for weeks) , this of course happened after this question, "are you lds"? All I would say is "no, were not", nothing else. Next, day my kids have been told by their new friends they can't play anymore. 4 times this has happened in a couple different neighborhoods. This story is just one that stands out.



In true Christianity, you are to love your neighbor as yourself and continue to love even if you don't agree. Why is this so common? I help all my neighbors, lds or not. I have been noticing trend, in the neighborhoods I've lived in , the lds tend to love thy lds neighbor. No one will help the elderly non lds, I took action and purchased a four wheeler with a plow (for snow removal). I now take care of all the non lds in my area (about 12 houses) every winter.

This isn't so loving when I see 4 lds famlies (neighbors) drive by an elderly non lds man (84 years old and is the nicest loving man and friendliest person on the block, in fact he calls himself a jack mormon) and ignore the foot of snow he is attempting to remove. If a neighbor needs help, lds or not, I am always ready to help.

As for having dialog, how can a non lds person have a conversation with a member of the Church, when the lds person has already condemned the other person's faith they are talking to?

Below is directly out of JS first vision from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website. This is from Joseph Smith himself.

"I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof."

It is a one way conversation, lds are right, no one else is.

So, please tell me how you can have an open mind, when above, JS's first vision, says different.

[humbleone]

Im Agnostic as well and know where you are coming from about the whole reaction you get from people. I am always asked how I can have no godly guidance in my life. I have looked as well on the internet about the lds faith and get nothing but anti mormonism info . In my opinion there are those so dead set in their own faith, it makes them blind to others. Everyone is able to chose the religion they want to belong. We just need to take it in stride and remind ourselves what we believe in , what ever that religion may be.