Why does Mormonism want to be Associated with Christianity?

[TasteForTruth]

I don't think it's that difficult.

John 10
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.



I trust Him.

I appreciate your faith in Christ, and your dedication to what you believe. I also trust him, but I don't take for granted that it is always so easy to pick his voice out from the "crowd." Maybe for some. But some people really struggle. Let's not cheapen the challenge they face with platitudes.

 

[TasteForTruth]

Katie asks a very reasonable question.
How can you force LDS doctrine on mainstream Christians?

We can't. And we're not trying to. Some mainstream Christians embrace us as fellow-Christians. Protestants, Catholics... Are they wrong for doing this?

Would there be a seat at the LDS table for one who refuses to accept Joseph Smith as a true prophet?

Yes.

If that one says that he is a phony, will he be welcome in your company?

If he wants to be, yes. But I've met few Christians who felt Joseph was a phony and who also wanted to be among us. I say "few," because I have met some, believe it or not. In fact, there is one in my current ward. Well, he felt the way you describe about 10 years ago, anyway. I once asked him point blank why he joined the Church, considering his bleak view of Joseph Smith. He cited other things that drew him. He now has a testimony of Joseph's prophetic role. But he wasn't denied baptism, nor was he booted to the street, because he didn't have a testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet.

To mainstream Christians the idea that God is nothing more than an "exalted" man, and that there are who-knows-how-many such "gods" is pure anathema. How can you expect to share a table with them?

If you can't, you can't. But as I mentioned, other Christians do. Apparently, they feel that those things that we have in common outweigh those things that we don't.

 

[katerinah1947]

Hi,

The reverse. The reverse. This thread reworded by me is: How can the LDS, merge with mainstream Christianity and why do they want to do that, when so far they have not shown us mainstreamers, how to do that, if they are right?

(This has noy been answered yet.)

Hi,

Again, (second request)
Why do you want us to merge with you, when we have the restrictions on us that we have???

You are asking us. It is us that must change, hypothetically.
(i am being asked to change.)

Again,
Since you want us to change, how can someone like me do that, and not violate what God has shown me to be true, and shown so many others here, that it is True?
(not answered yet)

How is it, you expect us to merge with you, while God is telling us otherwise?

How is it, you expect us to throw out anything that God has revealed, such as The Bible, as we have it now, in order to merge with you?

Your religion is claiming superiority.
Show us how we can change, without violating God, The God.

LOVE,
...Katherina., .... .

Hi,
Anyone care to answer this, from the LDS viewpoint?
LOVE,
...Katie., .... .

 

[TasteForTruth]

Hi,
Anyone care to answer this, from the LDS viewpoint?
LOVE,
...Katie., .... .

I feel that I already have addressed the points or questions you raised. Maybe in a post that preceded it. Other LDS may still have something to offer, though.

 

[Rescued One]

I appreciate your faith in Christ, and your dedication to what you believe. I also trust him, but I don't take for granted that it is always so easy to pick his voice out from the "crowd." Maybe for some. But some people really struggle. Let's not cheapen the challenge they face with platitudes.

Those who know Him know His voice. There's nothing cheap about that.

 

[Rescued One]

Hi,
Anyone care to answer this, from the LDS viewpoint?
LOVE,
...Katie., .... .

The LDS teach that theirs is the Kingdom of God. Others are deceived by men. They can't safely answer your question because of forum rules.

 

[Rescued One]

We can't. And we're not trying to. Some mainstream Christians embrace us as fellow-Christians. Protestants, Catholics... Are they wrong for doing this?

If we were regarded as true Christians who have the gift of the Holy Ghost, Mormons would stop trying to convert us.

18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.

19 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.”

- so claimed Joseph Smith

 

[Norah63]

There is hope for anyone who feels a victim, either in religious circles or forums.
Could we all point out each others faults, yes endless it would go on.
However to walk in love is to allow the different levels of faith without holding on to the flesh.
Worry robs peace. There is room at the table for all who love and serve.
My prayer is to have our focus so much on our soon coming King Jesus that we see only the glory that is just ahead.
Praise His Name!

 

[Rescued One]

There is hope for anyone who feels a victim, either in religious circles or forums.
Could we all point out each others faults, yes endless it would go on.
However to walk in love is to allow the different levels of faith without holding on to the flesh.
Worry robs peace. There is room at the table for all who love and serve.
My prayer is to have our focus so much on our soon coming King Jesus that we see only the glory that is just ahead.
Praise His Name!

I think we have been having a civil discussion and I don't believe that there has been much fault finding. Are you here to explain why Mormonism wants to be associated with Christianity?

 

[Norah63]

So all the posts of material that point out and talk of exaltation are not fault finding?
Seems like compitition as who shall sit where in the kingdom.
When has anyone ever tried to convert anyone to a level of christianity that they didnt desire?
All have the responsibility of their faith walk.
Being civil is to allow another christian the freedom to just be a christian among the great family of God.

 

[Rescued One]

So all the posts of material that point out and talk of exaltation are not fault finding?
Seems like compitition as who shall sit where in the kingdom.
When has anyone ever tried to convert anyone to a level of christianity that they didnt desire?
All have the responsibility of their faith walk.
Being civil is to allow another christian the freedom to just be a christian among the great family of God.

No one can stop a Christian from being a Christian. Why are you posting here if you don't want to answer the OP?

 

[TheBarrd]

It is a strange discussion.

There is a very basic difference here.

The Mighty God that orthodox Christians worship was always God. He was never anything else.

The god that Mormons worship was once a man.

Obviously we are not worshiping the same God.

 

[Ran77]

I think we have been having a civil discussion and I don't believe that there has been much fault finding. Are you here to explain why Mormonism wants to be associated with Christianity?

I suppose that would depend on how "much" was defined. It would be interesting to see what percentage of the non-LDS posts contain some sort of criticism or attack against LDS doctrines.

 

[Ran77]

I checked the last 50 posts from non-LDS and 18 of them included content that had the purpose of finding fault with the LDS or LDS doctrine. That translates to 36% or slightly more than a third of the posts. That also gives us a better feel for what is "not much fault finding." I am willing to concede that is a lower percentage than I am used to seeing, but I personally wouldn't feel comfortable making such a claim unless the number of occurrences was much lower. For me, under 10% would qualify for "not much."

 

[TasteForTruth]

Those who know Him know His voice. There's nothing cheap about that.

I didn't say there was.

 

[katerinah1947]

I feel that I already have addressed the points or questions you raised. Maybe in a post that preceded it. Other LDS may still have something to offer, though.

Hi,
I don't have an answer. The last time this happened to me, I had to do research and look up the answer. If Phoebe is correct, I think for me, it would not be against forum rules for you to tell me, how I can merge all that I am, into your religion, without violating anything.
I have much to do today. Later I will read all these posts again. ~I have said it before. I have God, and He is Trinitarian. I don't have God, by my own anything, but I wanted proof that God was Real, and for resons of His own, some of which I know, He decided it was good, to reveal Himself to me, while I am still on earth and still in this body.~
Note, what I am saying. I have God. This is what I am not saying, I am not saying I do not have Christ, nor am I saying I do not have The Holy Spirt, and I am not saying I do not have God The Father. I have more than that as of this year. I have said all of this because, someone had said to sit at your table, I need to have The Holy Spirit.
Now, I do have the Holy Spirit, and if I cannot sit at your table, then the spirit you have is not the Spirit I have.
With all I have, you have not shown me, how I can be a Mormon and still keep all I have.
I will give up none of God, not The Holy Spirit, not God The Father, not Jesus The Christ, and also because she is Real, I will not give up Mary.
In a revelation to you, and to me just a part of my life, God, my God, showed me quite well, that to belong to you, I must give up All of them. This too, is a part of me, that if you are right, MUST, seamlessly happen. And, you have not shown me a way to do that. Neither has anyone else so far.
Extremely pleased am I, that you have shared your faith. I have enjoyed all of those things, except when I have been misunderstood.
Even then, you and I have backed off, from our misunderstandings and gone on, with you revealing your religion. That is a pleasure.
Now, for you. I am much in the world of God, as I have been given much. I will not tell you what to do, as you seem to be male, and I have that restriction placed upon me, Biblically. Also I wouldn't know how or what to tell you to do anyway. All I can say, is please do not tread on me, if you can help it, and you have so far, almost. You have so far as you have anwered all of my questions about your religion, and have defended the accuracy of your religion against other LDS types here.
However, you have not discussed some important issues to me, like this one, and no you have not answered this question. You are only trying to tell me you have, when it is not so. To not discuss, to bow out, has a word in Psychological circles. You are doing that, on purpose or accidentally. As, I have asked the question many times, and you have avoided it now three times, The idea in Psychology, seemingly fits now. It doesn't have to be this way. It doesn't, unless you are like many others with this characteristic, then I and most people, leave you alone, as that is all that works usually, when that tactic is used.
LOVE,
...Katherina., .... .

 

[TasteForTruth]

The LDS teach that theirs is the Kingdom of God. Others are deceived by men. They can't safely answer your question because of forum rules.

Yes we can. And I did. And I didn't violate the rules in doing it.

 

[TasteForTruth]

If we were regarded as true Christians who have the gift of the Holy Ghost, Mormons would stop trying to convert us.

Attempts to convert were not the topic. Forcing ourselves on others was. Stick to the topic.

 

[TasteForTruth]

Hi,
I don't have an answer. The last time this happened to me, I had to do research and look up the answer. If Phoebe is correct, I think for me, it would not be against forum rules for you to tell me, how I can merge all that I am, into your religion, without violating anything.
I have much to do today. Later I will read all these posts again. ~I have said it before. I have God, and He is Trinitarian. I don't have God, by my own anything, but I wanted proof that God was Real, and for resons of His own, some of which I know, He decided it was good, to reveal Himself to me, while I am still on earth and still in this body.~
Note, what I am saying. I have God. This is what I am not saying, I am not saying I do not have Christ, nor am I saying I do not have The Holy Spirt, and I am not saying I do not have God The Father. I have more than that as of this year. I have said all of this because, someone had said to sit at your table, I need to have The Holy Spirit.
Now, I do have the Holy Spirit, and if I cannot sit at your table, then the spirit you have is not the Spirit I have.
With all I have, you have not shown me, how I can be a Mormon and still keep all I have.
I will give up none of God, not The Holy Spirit, not God The Father, not Jesus The Christ, and also because she is Real, I will not give up Mary.
In a revelation to you, and to me just a part of my life, God, my God, showed me quite well, that to belong to you, I must give up All of them. This too, is a part of me, that if you are right, MUST, seamlessly happen. And, you have not shown me a way to do that. Neither has anyone else so far.
Extremely pleased am I, that you have shared your faith. I have enjoyed all of those things, except when I have been misunderstood.
Even then, you and I have backed off, from our misunderstandings and gone on, with you revealing your religion. That is a pleasure.
Now, for you. I am much in the world of God, as I have been given much. I will not tell you what to do, as you seem to be male, and I have that restriction placed upon me, Biblically. Also I wouldn't know how or what to tell you to do anyway. All I can say, is please do not tread on me, if you can help it, and you have so far, almost. You have so far as you have anwered all of my questions about your religion, and have defended the accuracy of your religion against other LDS types here.
However, you have not discussed some important issues to me, like this one, and no you have not answered this question. You are only trying to tell me you have, when it is not so. To not discuss, to bow out, has a word in Psychological circles. You are doing that, on purpose or accidentally. As, I have asked the question many times, and you have avoided it now three times, The idea in Psychology, seemingly fits now. It doesn't have to be this way. It doesn't, unless you are like many others with this characteristic, then I and most people, leave you alone, as that is all that works usually, when that tactic is used.
LOVE,
...Katherina., .... .

The minute I get accused of using "tactics" of any kind, I'm done "discussing." Just so you know.

Now, if you have a question, ask it now. Do your best to keep it to one sentence. And don't layer the questions. Ask one. We discuss it. Ask another when the discussion is at an end. That is good discussion.

 

[katerinah1947]

I checked the last 50 posts from non-LDS and 18 of them included content that had the purpose of finding fault with the LDS or LDS doctrine. That translates to 36% or slightly more than a third of the posts. That also gives us a better feel for what is "not much fault finding." I am willing to concede that is a lower percentage than I am used to seeing, but I personally wouldn't feel comfortable making such a claim unless the number of occurrences was much lower. For me, under 10% would qualify for "not much."

Hi,
Thanks tremendously for the work. My vote and my decision is to agree with your research. 36% fault finding is too much. It is too much by this amount. It only took 33% of American opposing the British, to fight them in the Revolutionaly war. 33% of the people then were for the British. The other 33/34%, didn't know what to do.
If your numbers are correct, then LDS, are being badgered here, to the extent of what happened in The Revolutionary War in America. This forum as you are mentioning, is not the battle ground for them, it is a place for us to understand them, if they will reveal everything to us.
Their extremely defensive and avoidant responses to me, are now quite reasonable, assuming of course you are right with those numbers. I am taking those number as good, for now.
I am sorry to all of you LDS, who are here now. Maybe my last question, you will not answer is because you are being attacked here, and this is not a safe place for you to share.
I will accept that also as an answer to my question now. I will accept that it is not safe here for you.
LOVE,
...Katherina., .... .