One Global Faith -- Is It Possible?

candyprpl · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 02:11 PM

[font="Comic Sans MS"][size="2"]In 1907 the First Presidency presented to the general conference a declaration which includes this statement: "Our motives are not selfish; our purposes not petty and earth-bound; we contimplate the human race, past, present and yet to come, as immortal beings, for whose salvation it is our mission to labor; and to this work, broad as eternity and deep as the love of God, we devote ourselves, now, and forever." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1907)

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we seek to bring all truth together. We seek to enlarge the circle of love and understanding among all the people of the earth. Thus we strive to establish peace and happiness, not only with Christianity but among all mankind.

In the message of the gospel, the entire human race is one family descended from a single God. All men and women have not only a physical lineage leading back to Adam and Eve, their first earthly parents, but also a spiritual heritage leading back to God the Eternal Father. Thus, all persons on earth are literally brothers and sisters in the family of God.

It is in understanding and accepting this universal fatherhood of God that all human beings can best appreciate God's concern for them and their relationship to each other. This is a message of life and love that strikes squarely against all stifling traditions based on race, language, economic or political standing, educational rank, or cultural background...

Mormonism, so-called, is a world religion, not simply because its members are now found throughout the world, but chiefly because it has a comprehensive and inclusive message based upon the acceptance of all truth, restored to meet the needs of all mankind.

All men share an inheritance of divine light. God operates among his children in all nations, and those who seek God are entitled to further light and knowledge, regardless of their race, nationality, or cultural traditions. (President Howard W. Hunter, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.)

Elder Orson F. Whitney, in a conference address, explained that many great religious leaders were inspired. He said: "[God] is using not only his covenant people, but other peoples as well, to consummate a work, stupendous, magnificent, and altogether too arduous for this little handful of Saints to accomplish by and of themselves....

"All down the ages men bearing the authority of the Holy Priesthood -- patriarchs, prophets, apostles and others, have officiated in the name of the Lord, doing the things that he required of them; and outside the pale of their activities other good and great men, not bearing the Priesthood, but possessing profundity of thought, great wisdom, and a desire to uplift their fellows, have been sent by the Almighty into many nations, to give them, not the fulness of the Gospel, but that portion of truth that they were able to receive and wisely use." (Conference Report, Apr. 1921, pp. 32-33.)

Decades ago, Elder Orson F. Whitney, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, became well acquainted with a renowned Catholic scholar, versed in law, literature, science, and philosophy, and conversant in a dozen languages. This erudite friend commented to the aposle one day: "You Mormons are all ingnoramuses. You don't even know the strength of your own position. It is so strong that there is only one other poistion tenable in the whole Christian world, and that is the position of the Roman Catholic Church. The issue is between Mormonism and Catholicism. If you are right, we are wrong. If we are right, you are wrong. And that's all there is to it. These Protestant sects haven't a leg to stand on; for if we are right, we cut them off long ago as apostates; and if we are wrong, they are wrong with us, for they were part of us and came out of us. If we have the apostolic succession, from St. Peter as we claim, there was no need of Joseph Smith and Mormonism; but if we have not that succession, such a man as Joseph Smith was necessary and Mormonism's position is the only consistent one. It is either the perptuation of the gospel from ancient times, or the restoration of the gospel in latter days" (Conference Report, Oct. 1924, 19-20.)

My question -- Can we agree to disagree and be of one world faith -- each following our own understanding and hopefully ending up in the same place?

Any thoughts on this discussion?

BenRaines · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 02:29 PM

How can you agree to disagree and be one of of one world faith?

That would be like The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost being one but we don't agree on everything. You are either one or you are in disagreement.

Husbands and Wives are commanded to be as one flesh. Does it mean we are? Most likely not. Most likely we are still trying to learn what it means to be like the Father and the Son.

My vote is no.

Ben Raines

Hemidakota · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 02:32 PM

Not at this time...but eventually after the Lord has return will all nations, cultures, and people be part of one faith.

Loudmouth_Mormon · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by candyprpl

Can we agree to disagree and be of one world faith -- each following our own understanding and hopefully ending up in the same place?

Well, we'll all end up at the same place, but the folks who have an incorrect understanding about what that place is, may have a hard time adjusting.

LM

DigitalShadow · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 02:52 PM

I don't believe that any of the current religions are correct and as such I think in another few hundred years religion will be phased out almost entirely and we will look back at current religions as we now look back on ancient mythology.

If I am wrong (which is entirely possible) and one religion is correct out of the ones that exist now, I don't think we (as a planet) will ever agree on it since religions are faith based and inherently tied to the personal subjective experience which is different for everyone. Even within the same religion, there is a tendency for disagreement and breaking up into sects. I find it hard to believe the entire planet could ever agree on a single faith, even under apocalyptic conditions, every religion would try to claim the events as proof of their own faith.

Godless · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigitalShadow

I don't believe that any of the current religions are correct and as such I think in another few hundred years religion will be phased out almost entirely and we will look back at current religions as we now look back on ancient mythology.

If I am wrong (which is entirely possible) and one religion is correct out of the ones that exist now, I don't think we (as a planet) will ever agree on it since religions are faith based and inherently tied to the personal subjective experience which is different for everyone. Even within the same religion, there is a tendency for disagreement and breaking up into sects. I find it hard to believe the entire planet could ever agree on a single faith, even under apocalyptic conditions, every religion would try to claim the events as proof of their own faith.

Agreed. The world has never been able to adhere to a single religion, and I doubt that it ever will. I, too, would not be surprised if religion became obsolete over the next few centuries, though none of us will be around to see that happen. It is also possible that religion could ultimately be the bane of mankind, though probably not in our lifetimes. Either way, I don't see anyone ever uniting around religion on a global scale.

Mailis · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 03:25 PM

I liked what you wrote, but did not like the question...

"The issue is between Mormonism and Catholicism. If you are right, we are wrong.! I think that was really well put of him.

As an answer.... I think He needs to come here first so everyone will know... and YET after 1000 years, it will happen again!

We as LDS also have to become more one than what we are. Language barriers are stil huge. Conflicts with cultures are stil too big. I think we need to first consentrate on making us one people before inviting others in.

candyprpl · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 03:55 PM

Okay, well it seems as all have agreed that we can't become one faith.

(Playing devil's advocate) Why have any faith? If we can't agree and no one is right -- why play (in other words)?

DigitalShadow · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by candyprpl

Why have any faith?

Because the alternative is unpleasant. People want there to be more to life and for there to be judgement and accountability. Whether any of the current religions are correct or not, I don't think anyone can dispute that at least the vast majority of religions are man-made and are born out of those basic desires.

Palerider · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenRaines

How can you agree to disagree and be one of of one world faith?

That would be like The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost being one but we don't agree on everything. You are either one or you are in disagreement.

Husbands and Wives are commanded to be as one flesh. Does it mean we are? Most likely not. Most likely we are still trying to learn what it means to be like the Father and the Son.

My vote is no.

Ben Raines

Ditto to what he said....