I wasnt like "oh my gosh, how dare he" offended.. I'm sure that some people may do that.. There are small communities in utah and idaho that claim to follow the "true mormon beleifs", which some are quite extreme..As far as my experiences, they have been great. In the temple, you are required to be covered from your neck to your ankles(both men and women)because it's a holy place for us. Our bishop does not have the right to tell us what to do or be like, but we do speak about keeping the law of chastity, meaning being a virgin until you're married..

Bidwell

I truly am sorry once again those who wish to be decietful are posting thier trash again, I would like you to support what you have written in something more than your own opinion. Being that you obviously have written what you believe to be true I challenge you to show me in any church doctrine anything you have posted in your Points of Bull$hit. This thread is a direct attack on a faith that reads and uses the Bible as regularly as any other Christian faith, and for you to spout mis-information as you seem to do so often goes beyond belief.

It seems direct attacks on ones faith is becoming the norm around here. Personally if I were you I would stick my head back into the sand because where it is right now is a lot darker and you look funny walking backwards.

Oh and what facts do you drill anyone with? I would like to know because in my book Facts can be supported by written evidence.



G

anoasis,

You speak of extremists or deviant of the Mormon faith without understanding or having the proper knowledge of this faith. One thing that comes to mind is that most members will never speak out as I do on a regular basis for one reason, they are told that without proper knowledge or wisdom of the facts specified they are not to engage in this type of discourse.

I for one have no problem with this type of discourse or discussion on the facts of The LDS faith, I have knowledge of this religion as I do several other religions that are discussed here. However when someone posts incorrect information on any religion I have an expertise in I will do the same to them and ask them to post substantiating facts to go along with it. I happen to know that Bidwell CANNOT post Facts to back up most of his statements AND a few that he has posted are only partially correct!

It seems that once or twice a month someone else comes in here and attacks the LDS Faith and it seems that it is allowed to post false information without any relevant facts to substantiate the claims they make.



G

Oh and by definition ALL Religions are Cults, so to use the term in a question as Bidwell has is not only misleading, it is implying it is something that it is not.



G

Gryphen- I think you will find that I have *never* attacked anyones faith. I have asked questions about things others have said or that I have seen but I would only question, not attack....

Also, I posted the definition of cult a few posts up on this thread and yes several people noticed that all religions are cults by definition.

When looking back through the religion posts it did seem that there were many related to LDS. Maybe someone does have a personal issue with this faith... I do not.

I am glad you feel comfortable speaking out. We should all feel free to share our knowledge and question what we do not understand.

Peace.

anoasis,
I was not implying you had attacked anyone, I do apologize if I gave you that impression. I am outspoken on many things especially when there is no basis or fact to stand by. As several have learned in the past I am a *****cat until you ruffle my fur or make false allegations, then the Lion comes out in me. Glad to see you posting and reading what is at times true and other times not quite.

Welcome to the boards of JSH.



G

Thanks Gryphen.

(BTW- what's wrong with saying "*****cat"?)

OK ANSWER THESE ARE THEY TRUE ABOUT YOUR CHURCH
1.CHRISTIANS BELIEVE Most Christians accept only the Bible as authoritative scripture

MORMONS Mormons believe the Bible is sacred. They add three other documents--The Pearl of Great Price, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Book of Mormon--to their canon.

WERE IN THE BIBLE ARE THESE MENTIONED
2.For most Christians, church teachings stem from scripture. Leaders of the early church sought to specify the core of Christian belief in order to ensure the soundness of Christian teaching. At meetings in Nicea and Chalcedon in the fourth and fifth centuries, these leaders established the canon of scripture and proclaimed the basic elements of acceptable Christian doctrine.

Mormons do not affirm any of the creeds as stated, though they share some of the theological ideas in the creeds. They believe that after the death of the early apostles, the Christian church fell into apostasy. The church needed to be restored in the latter days, which Mormons believe were begun in 1820, when Mormon founder Joseph Smith was visited by God the father and Jesus Christ.
WERE IS JOSEPH SMITHS NAME IN THE BIBLE ISNT THE BIBLE PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE

3.For most Christians, the Godhead is composed of three persons of one substance, power, and eternity-the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. These Three are One. This triune God is without "body, parts or passions."

The LDS Church also teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost comprise the Godhead. But Mormons believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bones as tangible as human beings, while the Holy Ghost "is a personage of Spirit." Mormonism also teaches that God the Father was once a man. He is married to a "heavenly mother" and is the literal father of all mortal spirits.

IS THIS TRUE LOL DONT LIE

4.Most Christians believe that Jesus Christ was "truly God and truly man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united." He is the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Mormons believe that Jesus is the Son of God in the most literal sense. He is eldest brother of all mortals and firstborn spirit child of God. He was Jehovah of the Old Testament but became Jesus Christ of the New Testament when he was born into mortality. They believe that from Mary, a mortal woman, he inherited the capacity to die, and from God, an exalted being, he inherited the capacity to live forever.

JUST SO YOU KNOW I GET MY INFO FROM THE MORMON CHURCH I WAS LDS FOR 15 YEARS UNTIL I ESCAPED THE CHURCH BY THE WAY SHOW ME IN THE BIBLE ABOUT MARY

5.According to the historic, apostolic Christian faith, salvation comes only by the grace of Christ, who "suffered, was crucified, died and was buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men."

Mormons also believe that salvation comes through Christ's atoning sacrifice. But they don't believe in "original sin" or in human depravity. Still, Latter-day Saints believe that fallen men and women do need redemption. And while works are a necessary condition, they are insufficient for salvation.

WANT SOME MORE
1. IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TRUE GOD?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that there is only one True and Living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:21,22; 46:9; Mark 12:29-34).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302).

2. WAS GOD ONCE A MAN LIKE US?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15,16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God — all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:28; Luke 1:37).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!" from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-347; Gospel Principles, p. 9; Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321). Indeed, the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a grandfather, ad infinitum (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Mormon Doctrine, p. 577).

3. ARE JESUS AND SATAN SPIRIT BROTHERS?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Jesus is the unique Son of God; he has always existed as God, and is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father (John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 2:9). While never less than God, at the appointed time He laid aside the glory He shared with the Father (John 17:4, 5; Philippians 2:6-11) and was made flesh for our salvation; His incarnation was accomplished through being conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:34-35).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ is our elder brother who progressed to godhood, having first been procreated as a spirit child by Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother; He was later conceived physically through intercourse between Heavenly Father and the virgin Mary (Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 129; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547; 742). Mormon doctrine affirms that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers (Gospel Principles, pp. 17-18; Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).

4. IS GOD A TRINITY?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost are not separate Gods or separate beings, but are distinct Persons within the one Triune Godhead. Throughout the New Testament the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the Father are separately identified as and act as God (Son: Mark 2:5-12; John 20:28; Philippians 2:10,11; Holy Spirit: Acts 5:3,4; 2 Corinthians 3:17,18; 13:14); yet at the same time the Bible teaches that these three are only one God (see point 1).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate Gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577), and that the Son and Holy Ghost are the literal offspring of Heavenly Father and a celestial wife (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 2, p. 649).

5. WAS THE SIN OF ADAM AND EVE A GREAT EVIL OR A GREAT BLESSING?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the disobedience of our first parents Adam and Eve was a great evil. Through their fall sin entered the world, bringing all human beings under condemnation and death. Thus we are born with a sinful nature, and will be judged for the sins we commit as individuals. (Ezekiel 18:1-20; Romans 5:12-21).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Adam’s sin was "a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us" (Gospel Principles, p. 33; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 2:25; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 114-115).

6. CAN WE MAKE OURSELVES WORTHY BEFORE GOD?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we are spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1,5) and are powerless to save ourselves. By grace alone, apart from self-righteous works, God forgives our sins and makes us worthy to live in His presence (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6). Our part is only to cling to Christ in heartfelt faith. (However, it is certainly true that without the evidence of changed conduct, a person’s testimony of faith in Christ must be questioned; salvation by grace alone through faith, does not mean we can live as we please — Romans 6:1-4).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that eternal life in the presence of God (which it terms "exaltation in the celestial kingdom") must be earned through obedience to all the commands of the Mormon Church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals. Works are a requirement for salvation (entrance into the "celestial kingdom") — Gospel Principles, p. 303-304; Pearl of Great Price — Third Article of Faith; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 339, 671; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 25:23).

7. DOES CHRIST'S ATONING DEATH BENEFIT THOSE WHO REJECT HIM?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the purpose of the atoning work of Christ on the cross was to provide the complete solution for humankind’s sin problem. However, those who reject God’s grace in this life will have no part in this salvation but are under the judgment of God for eternity (John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 5:11-12).

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the purpose of the atonement was to bring resurrection and immortality to all people, regardless of whether they receive Christ by faith. Christ’s atonement is only a partial basis for worthiness and eternal life, which also requires obedience to all the commands of the Mormon church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals (Gospel Principles, pp. 74-75; Mormon Doctrine, p. 669).

IS THE BIBLE THE UNIQUE AND FINAL WORD OF GOD?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the Bible is the unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God’s providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many "plain and precious parts" and does not contain the fullness of the Gospel (Book of Mormon — 1 Nephi 13:26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 190-191).

9. DID THE EARLY CHURCH FALL INTO TOTAL APOSTASY?

The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the true Church was divinely established by Jesus and could never and will never disappear from the earth (Matthew 16:18; John 15:16; 17:11). Christians acknowledge that there have been times of corruption and apostasy within the Church, but believe there has always been a remnant that held fast to the biblical essentials.

By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there was a great and total apostasy of the Church as established by Jesus Christ; this state of apostasy "still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" of the Mormon Church (Gospel Principles, pp. 105-106; Mormon Doctrine, p. 44).

u know i dont think the mormon church is any more a cult than most organized religions- which are pretty cultish if ya ask me