I'm starting this topic to "continue" a conversation started in the Christians vs. Catholics thread. I will include some of the details from there, but the rest are up to anyone new to read up on. I will specifically post the contents of one post, more or less.
We did not baptize Adolf Hitler. That is a lie. After people baptized for Obama's mother, an official release was sent out saying that unless you specifically know the person who's name you are bringing in to do temple work for (not the names that they already have) or they are in your family, you cannot do temple work for them.
We are not barred from being around ex Mormons. We do not necessarily believe they are with Satan. We excommunicate people for their good. In our views, it gives them a second chance. They can rejoin the church later, and their sins will be gone, just as they were when they were first baptized. I know many ex Mormons, and I do not get in trouble for being with them.
South Park is in no way an authority on anything. The fact that you're trying to cite that is pathetic.
Yes, there was polygamy. But it was revoked in the 1890's (even if only for legal reasons). Joseph Smith did not try to burn down a newspaper place. He was taken to jail for no real reason. If he shot back, it was only because they were shooting at him.
The reason non members are not allowed in the temple is because of the sacred things that go on in there. If just anyone was allowed in, the spirit would be disrupted. I will expound on this if needs be.
I am personally ashamed of the acts of other Latter-Day Saints who have done temple work for people without permission from relatives of that person. It is wrong, and we know it.
Tithing... It was actually in Christ's day when it started. The only reason it affects our worthiness to enter the temple (not our standing in general). The Lord gave us everything we have, and all he asks is 10% of what we earn. I'd say that's a pretty small price for life, liberty, and happiness.
Also, we believe in Agency and Accountability. You can choose to do what you want, but you will have to accept the consequences.
I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. He is my savior and my redeemer. I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today. I believe the Bible to be true as far as it is correctly translated. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven for our sins and return to live with our Heavenly Father. I have seen the Atonement in action in my life. I know that God listens to all prayers to him. He answers them in his own way. I know that I can make it to the Celestial Kingdom if I but do my best to keep the commandments of God.
I don't have a problem with Mormons' lifestyle. It is their choice to live that way and believe the things they do. As long as they don't force it upon others, which they don't (actually discriminate it), I'm fine.
I don't have a problem with Mormons' lifestyle. It is their choice to live that way and believe the things they do. As long as they don't force it upon others, which they don't (actually discriminate it), I'm fine
Yeah I have to agree with Kevin on this on. I really don't care what religion people follow, but it's when they start shoving it down my throat that I get upset.
The church poured millions of dollars and manpower into the prop 8 campaign to deny gay couples the right to marry. As long as a former polygamist group tries to ironically deny another group a right to marry, they should be denounced.
Mormomism is quite silent compared to other religious groups however.
i have a lot of mormon friends. They are great people. Mormonism is just misunderstood, like islam.
Thank you for speaking up, Bearsal1121. Just because one or some of us do you wrong does not mean we as a whole are evil. I'll speak more on this later.
@E1337 don't open that up again. I'm done with that. Your complaints about it now fall on deaf ears because, quite frankly, I'm tired of your arguments being the same thing over and over. I can't force you to accept my religion, just like you can't force me to accept homosexuality as an acceptable practice. Instead of fighting over where we are different, why don't we celebrate where we are the same? We both stand firm in our beliefs, no matter how different they are. That's a good trait. So, unless you have anything new to contribute to the conversation, please do not post unless you feel it has not been fully addressed. ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' I find it ironic that many people will assume something about a group before actually taking the time to understand the group, and yet take severe offense when someone does the same to them. I know I am guilty of this, and I'm trying to improve on that. I think we all, as a society, need to take some time to do that.
i think mormons are just as crazy as any other religion.... i mean whats worse belive Joseph smith or to belive that a man is 900 years old, somone survives in a whale for 3 days or speaking snakes... basicly its all the same crap they sell the invisible good of salvation
besides of that ... i mean ... seriously what is this? ITS MORMON UNDERWEAR .... go on google it its PART OF THEIR RELIGION!!!
I must say I'm disappointed in where this thread has gone. It has gone away from asking questions or making points to ridiculing. I would like to get this on the right track.
I haven't posted in a while. Part of it is because people started posting on this thread to ridicule me, part of it is that I've been struggling with life recently.
I think I'll get this on the right track by saying this: While I can change my faith, as E1337 pointed out, I choose not to. This is because I believe it to be true. I've gone through a lot that would cause one to lose faith, yet every time I am inspired to push forward. I can't quite explain it, but I feel like I'm missing something when I choose not to continue.
I would like to restate that it is not simply being gay that is wrong. In fact, that alone will not bar you from entering the temple. It is the actions and choices associated with it that are wrong. I can't think of a simpler way to put it than that.
Yes, garments are to keep evil away, but they are not a catch-all, if you get what I'm saying. Just because one wears garments does not mean that they are going to be completely shielded from evil. That would be preposterous to believe.
@MageGrayWolf: Kudos for the Doctor Who reference :P.
E1337, you can do whatever you want. I personally don't care. We have agency for a reason, and that reason is so we can choose our path. I've chosen my path, and you can choose yours. You're not Mormon, and I doubt you ever will choose to be, so go ahead and do what you want, if it's what you think is right. It doesn't matter what others think, which is why I'll continue doing what I think is right. And what is right is not persecuting you or anyone else for their beliefs. That is one of our aims. But you don't have to believe that. Just know that it's my aim, at least.
Yes, garments are to keep evil away, but they are not a catch-all, if you get what I'm saying. Just because one wears garments does not mean that they are going to be completely shielded from evil. That would be preposterous to believe.
Since the garment lies so close to our bodies, it serves as a constant reminder to do the right things in our lives. Making the decisions that will help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father as well as our fellow man.
