LDS Ephesians 2:1-10

[Rescued One]

You said: "The non-LDS are referred to as Gentiles:" Nope.

You are wrong and you can't fool me. It's ridiculous for you to make that statement when you know I'm here with the truth.

Mormons frequently change their habits and teachings and love to say there are multiple meanings with this particular word. Your church changes anything to lure more people in. They allow blacks to hold the priesthood, they changed the most offensive parts of the temple ceremonies, they will go to any lengths to paint those "who fight against Zion" as evil people or misguided people or people who never understood Mormonism.

Well, it ain't gonna work here at CF!

 

[Rescued One]

Non-LDS are Jews, Gentiles or apostates.

The Patriarchal Blessings in the last century told each member "you are the tribe of Ephraim (or another tribe). "

The first page of the Book of Mormon explains that it is a record of God's dealings with the "remnant of the house of Israel" in America and that the record was preserved to "come forth in due time by way of the Gentile" (non-Israelites). Armand Mauss observed:

Here Gentiles apparently included the white LDS custodians of the Book of Mormon . . . Later in the nineteenth century, such passages were reinterpreted to mean that white Mormons, though part of a Gentile nation, were actually Ephraimites. As indicated in [2 Nephi 3:6-13] . . . the Book of Mormon contained a passage seeming to identify its translator, the prophet Joseph Smith, as a descendant of the biblical patriarch Joseph, but an awareness that Mormons more generally could be literal Israelites seems to have developed only gradually. The original understanding seems to have been that all whites or Euroamericans were Gentiles, but those who joined the LDS Church were repentant Gentiles who could then be "grafted" into the house of Israel and become fully "Abraham's seed" . . .
Curse of Cain? Racism in the Mormon Church Part One

"Having in mind the principle that Gentiles are adopted into the lineage of Israel when they accept the gospel, and that those who fail to believe the truths of salvation (no matter what their lineage) lose any preferential status they may have had, it is not inappropriate in our day to speak of members of the Church as Israelites and unbelievers as Gentiles."
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Second Edition, 1979, p. 311
_______________________________________________________________
Daniel H. Ludlow, Of the House of Israel, Ensign, January 1991:

...The basic meaning of the word Gentile is “foreign,” “other,” or “non.” Thus, to a Hebrew, a Gentile is a non-Hebrew; to an Israelite, a Gentile is a non-Israelite; and to a Jew, a Gentile is a non-Jew. In this sense, some Latter-day Saints have referred to those who are not members of the Church as Gentiles, even though the nonmembers might be Jews!

The word Gentile might also be used in several different ways to refer to family, religious, political, or even geographical relationships. For example, a person might be considered an Israelite in a family or blood sense, but might be called a Gentile in a political or geographical sense because he lives in a land or nation that is primarily Gentile, or non-Israelitish.

Patriarchs have also been counseled: “A vital part of every patriarchal blessing is the declaration of lineage. … The patriarch should be responsive to the whisperings of the Spirit as he identifies lineage and the special promises and blessings attendant thereto. … The declaration of lineage is to come by the promptings of the Holy Ghost. This inspiration can come to the patriarch regardless of the race or nationality of the person receiving the blessing.” (Information and Suggestions for Patriarchs, p. 4; quoted by permission.)

In view of the foregoing statements, we can see that the lineages declared in patriarchal blessings are almost always statements of actual blood lines; they are not simply tribal identifications by assignment.....

[LDS Scripture]Abraham 2:9–11: “Thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; and I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father; … and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.” [Abr. 2:9–11]

Doctrine and Covenants 86:8–9: “Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers—for ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God.” [D&C 86:8–9]
Of the House of Israel

My patriarchal blessing told me I was of the lineage of Ephraim.

 

[Rescued One]

All those who keeps the commandments will live with God. He has promised it:

(New Testament | John 14:23 - 24)

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. Trinitarians believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are of one substance. Jesus has a resurrected spiritual body so that means they all have a resurrected spiritual body. However the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit.

Mormons list temple marriage as a commandment, so you must be referring to members of your church.

D&C 105
32 That the kingdoms of this world may be constrained to acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion is in very deed the kingdom of our God and his Christ; therefore, let us become subject unto her laws.

The word Zion has various meanings in the scriptures. The most general definition of the word is "the pure in heart" (D&C 97:21). Zion is often used in this way to refer to the Lord's people or to the Church and its stakes (see D&C 82:14). It has also been used to refer to specific geographical locations.
Zion

D&C 82
13 For I have consecrated the land of Kirtland in mine own due time for the benefit of the saints of the Most High, and for a stake to Zion.
14 For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.

Moses 7
18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it is now constituted is the kingdom of God on earth."
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1979, p. 415

 

[He is the way]

You are wrong and you can't fool me. It's ridiculous for you to make that statement when you know I'm here with the truth.

Mormons frequently change their habits and teachings and love to say there are multiple meanings with this particular word. Your church changes anything to lure more people in. They allow blacks to hold the priesthood, they changed the most offensive parts of the temple ceremonies, they will go to any lengths to paint those "who fight against Zion" as evil people or misguided people or people who never understood Mormonism.

Well, it ain't gonna work here at CF!

You said: "The non-LDS are referred to as Gentiles:" I said Nope because we do not refer to a non-LDS person as a Gentile. Basically Gentile refers to people of non-Israelite or Jewish lineage. Sometimes it refers to nations that are without the gospel, but we don't refer to people who aren't members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints as Gentiles. We use the word non-member.

(Guide to the Scriptures | G Gentiles:Entry)

GENTILES

As used in the scriptures, Gentiles has several meanings. Sometimes it designates people of non-Israelite lineage, sometimes people of non-Jewish lineage, and sometimes nations that are without the gospel, even though there may be some Israelite blood among the people. This latter usage is especially characteristic of the word as used in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.

Israelites were not to marry non-Israelites (Gentiles), Deut. 7:1–3. The Lord would come to be a light of the Gentiles, Isa. 42:6. Peter was commanded to take the gospel to the Gentiles, Acts 10:9–48. God also granted repentance to the Gentiles, Acts 11:18. We are baptized into one church, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, 1 Cor. 12:13. The Gentiles should be fellowheirs in Christ by the gospel, Eph. 3:6. The Book of Mormon was written to the Gentiles, Title page of the Book of Mormon (Morm. 3:17). A man among the Gentiles went forth upon the waters, 1 Ne. 13:12. Other books came from the Gentiles, 1 Ne. 13:39. The fulness of the gospel shall come to the Gentiles, 1 Ne. 15:13 (3 Ne. 16:7; D&C 20:9). This land shall be a land of liberty to the Gentiles, 2 Ne. 10:11. The Gentiles are a likeness of a wild olive tree, Jacob 5. The gospel is to come forth in the times of the Gentiles, D&C 45:28 (D&C 19:27). The word will go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then unto the Jews, D&C 90:8–10. The Seventy are to be special witnesses to the Gentiles, D&C 107:25. Send forth the elders of my church to call upon all nations, first upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews, D&C 133:8.

 

[Rescued One]

"Having in mind the principle that Gentiles are adopted into the lineage of Israel when they accept the gospel, and that those who fail to believe the truths of salvation (no matter what their lineage) lose any preferential status they may have had, it is not inappropriate in our day to speak of members of the Church as Israelites and unbelievers as Gentiles."
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Second Edition, 1979, p. 311

 

[He is the way]

Mormons list temple marriage as a commandment, so you must be referring to members of your church.

D&C 105
32 That the kingdoms of this world may be constrained to acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion is in very deed the kingdom of our God and his Christ; therefore, let us become subject unto her laws.

The word Zion has various meanings in the scriptures. The most general definition of the word is "the pure in heart" (D&C 97:21). Zion is often used in this way to refer to the Lord's people or to the Church and its stakes (see D&C 82:14). It has also been used to refer to specific geographical locations.
Zion

D&C 82
13 For I have consecrated the land of Kirtland in mine own due time for the benefit of the saints of the Most High, and for a stake to Zion.
14 For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.

Moses 7
18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it is now constituted is the kingdom of God on earth."
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1979, p. 415

None of these scriptures or quotes mention temple marriage. However we do believe that temple marriage is necessary to get into the highest degree of the Celestial kingdom:

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 131:1 - 3)

1 IN the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.

However it is not a commandment nor is it a necessary ordinance for a person to get into the celestial kingdom (heaven).

 

[Rescued One]

[In the Bible, the Hebrew and Greek words translated into English as "Gentile" signified other peoples; i.e., "not Israelite" and later "not Jewish." For Latter-day Saints, "Gentile" generally means "not Latter-day Saint," although the meaning also extends to include "not Jewish" and "not Lamanite." These latter senses are rooted partly in scripture, where the distinction between Gentiles and Israelites or Jews is firmly maintained, and partly in the language adopted by early leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the LDS scriptural view, Gentiles play an important role in the restoration of the gospel in the latter days ( 1 Ne. 13:38-39; 22:6-11; 3 Ne. 21:1-6) and in the latter-day work of gathering Israel ( 1 Ne. 22:12; 3 Ne. 21:6, 22-29). For discussions related to this topic, see Abrahamic Covenant; Gentiles, Fulness of; Israel: Gathering of Israel; and Law of Adoption.]
Gentiles - The Encyclopedia of Mormonism

 

[Rescued One]

None of these scriptures or quotes mention temple marriage. However we do believe that temple marriage is necessary to get into the highest degree of the Celestial kingdom:

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 131:1 - 3)

1 IN the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.

However it is not a commandment nor is it a necessary ordinance for a person to get into the celestial kingdom (heaven).

Eternal life is only for worthy LDS who have been married in the temple. And temple marriage is a commandment per Mormonism.

 

[He is the way]

"Having in mind the principle that Gentiles are adopted into the lineage of Israel when they accept the gospel, and that those who fail to believe the truths of salvation (no matter what their lineage) lose any preferential status they may have had, it is not inappropriate in our day to speak of members of the Church as Israelites and unbelievers as Gentiles."
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Second Edition, 1979, p. 311

That day was 40 years ago. Times have changed, now days those who do not believe are referred to as non-members.

 

[He is the way]

Eternal life is only for worthy LDS who have been married in the temple. And temple marriage is a commandment per Mormonism.

[In the Bible, the Hebrew and Greek words translated into English as "Gentile" signified other peoples; i.e., "not Israelite" and later "not Jewish." For Latter-day Saints, "Gentile" generally means "not Latter-day Saint," although the meaning also extends to include "not Jewish" and "not Lamanite." These latter senses are rooted partly in scripture, where the distinction between Gentiles and Israelites or Jews is firmly maintained, and partly in the language adopted by early leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the LDS scriptural view, Gentiles play an important role in the restoration of the gospel in the latter days ( 1 Ne. 13:38-39; 22:6-11; 3 Ne. 21:1-6) and in the latter-day work of gathering Israel ( 1 Ne. 22:12; 3 Ne. 21:6, 22-29). For discussions related to this topic, see Abrahamic Covenant; Gentiles, Fulness of; Israel: Gathering of Israel; and Law of Adoption.]
Gentiles - The Encyclopedia of Mormonism

26 years ago.

 

[Rescued One]

That day was 40 years ago. Times have changed, now days those who do not believe are referred to as non-members.

I know when 1979 was.

Since most Mormon converts in the 1970's and 1980's were coming from a Christian background, it was becoming apparent to LDS leaders in the 1980's that ridiculing the Protestant minister in the temple film was offensive to many new converts. There were even some reports of converts attending the temple once, and vowing to never return -- sometimes even refusing to return to any LDS meetings.
Why the temple ceremony was changed in 1990

In my ward a couple went to the temple and never ever returned to the LDS church.

 

[He is the way]

Eternal life is only for worthy LDS who have been married in the temple. And temple marriage is a commandment per Mormonism.

As I said, temple marriage is not a commandment and is not necessary to get into the celestial kingdom.

 

[He is the way]

I know when 1979 was.

Since most Mormon converts in the 1970's and 1980's were coming from a Christian background, it was becoming apparent to LDS leaders in the 1980's that ridiculing the Protestant minister in the temple film was offensive to many new converts. There were even some reports of converts attending the temple once, and vowing to never return -- sometimes even refusing to return to any LDS meetings.
Why the temple ceremony was changed in 1990

In my ward a couple went to the temple and never ever returned to the LDS church.

Your quotes are not from The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. They are simply opinions from non-members. However, when Jesus instituted the sacrament a lot of His followers left:
(New Testament | John 6:56 - 66)

56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66 ¶ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

 

[Rescued One]

Mormonism changes --- that's why the Tanners wrote The Changing World of Mormonism!

D&C 93
24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;


"It [the Nauvoo temple] was finished... and was dedicated unto the Lord. The ordinances of the house of God were administered therein as they had been taught to the leading authorities of the church by the Prophet Joseph Smith himself. The same gospel, the same ordinances, the same authority and blessings that were administered by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and taught by him to his associates, are now being enjoyed by and taught to the Latter-Day Saints in the four temples... When you hear anybody say we have changed the ordinances, that we have transgressed the laws, or broken the everlasting covenants which were entered into under the personal administration of the Prophet Joseph Smith, tell them for me... and for all those who are living to-day who received blessings and ordinances under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that they are in error. The same gospel prevails to-day, and the same ordinances are administered today, both for the living and for the dead, as were administered by the prophet himself and delivered by him to the church."
Joseph F. Smith, 6th President of LDS church
Issue 75 - Salt Lake City Messenger

 

[Rescued One]

Your quotes are not from The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. They are simply opinions from non-members.

Your smoke screen is being blown away!

 

[He is the way]

Mormonism changes --- that's why the Tanners wrote The Changing World of Mormonism!

D&C 93
24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;


"It [the Nauvoo temple] was finished... and was dedicated unto the Lord. The ordinances of the house of God were administered therein as they had been taught to the leading authorities of the church by the Prophet Joseph Smith himself. The same gospel, the same ordinances, the same authority and blessings that were administered by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and taught by him to his associates, are now being enjoyed by and taught to the Latter-Day Saints in the four temples... When you hear anybody say we have changed the ordinances, that we have transgressed the laws, or broken the everlasting covenants which were entered into under the personal administration of the Prophet Joseph Smith, tell them for me... and for all those who are living to-day who received blessings and ordinances under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that they are in error. The same gospel prevails to-day, and the same ordinances are administered today, both for the living and for the dead, as were administered by the prophet himself and delivered by him to the church."
Joseph F. Smith, 6th President of LDS church
Issue 75 - Salt Lake City Messenger

Are you saying that there have been no changes in your doctrine?

 

[He is the way]

Your smoke screen is being blown away!

Resorting to the lighthouse ministry does not help.

 

[Rescued One]

As I said, temple marriage is not a commandment and is not necessary to get into the celestial kingdom.

I said temple marriage IS a commandment. You should retract your false statement. Those in the two lower levels of the celestial kingdom do not have eternal life because eternal life is not given to those who don't obey that commandment.

If you don't know the commandments, are you an inactive member? If you do know that temple marriage is a commandment but prefer to fool people into thinking that the lower levels of the celestial kingdom are for those who gained eternal life without temple marriage, I hope you will come clean.

From General Conference:
Thus, marriage is not only an exalting principle of the gospel; it is a divine commandment.

Our Heavenly Father declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”20 The Atonement of His Beloved Son enabled both of these objectives to be realized. Because of the Atonement, immortality—or resurrection from the dead—became a reality for all.21 And because of the Atonement, eternal life—which is living forever in God’s presence, the “greatest of all the gifts of God”—became a possibility. To qualify for eternal life, we must make an eternal and everlasting covenant with our Heavenly Father. This means that a temple marriage is not only between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God.

Russell M. Nelson, Celestial Marriage, October 2008
Celestial Marriage - Elder Russell M. Nelson

 

[Rescued One]

Resorting to the lighthouse ministry does not help.

I know your opinion of that God given ministry.

 

[He is the way]

I said temple marriage IS a commandment. You should retract your false statement. Those in the two lower levels of the celestial kingdom do not have eternal life because eternal life is not given to those who don't obey that commandment.

If you don't know the commandments, are you an inactive member? If you do know that temple marriage is a commandment but prefer to fool people into thinking that the lower levels of the celestial kingdom are for those who gained eternal life without temple marriage, I hope you will come clean.

From General Conference:
Thus, marriage is not only an exalting principle of the gospel; it is a divine commandment.

Our Heavenly Father declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”20 The Atonement of His Beloved Son enabled both of these objectives to be realized. Because of the Atonement, immortality—or resurrection from the dead—became a reality for all.21 And because of the Atonement, eternal life—which is living forever in God’s presence, the “greatest of all the gifts of God”—became a possibility. To qualify for eternal life, we must make an eternal and everlasting covenant with our Heavenly Father. This means that a temple marriage is not only between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God.

Russell M. Nelson, Celestial Marriage, October 2008
Celestial Marriage - Elder Russell M. Nelson

You are correct, it is a divine commandment meaning that in order to be like God and be in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom one must be married. The other two degrees of the celestial kingdom do not require celestial marriage. So as I stated before:
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 131:1 - 3)

1 IN the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.

"However it is not a commandment nor is it a necessary ordinance for a person to get into the celestial kingdom (heaven)."

A divine commandment differs from the other commandments and is not needed to enter the two lower degrees of the celestial heavens where God resides. Since you have no desire to be in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a divine commandment is not necessary for you.