How can one challenge themselves, be open to correction, or learn anything if rather than engaging an idea, one simply closes up and merely parrots learned talking points?
Perhaps a more meaningful question: Is there anything you can learn from those from outside of your church?
I ask this, because at least as it pertains to the majority of Christians--it doesn't matter our background, our tradition, our denomination, etc--while we may be committed to those traditions by our conviction, there is still going to be a willingness and an openness to other ideas. We may consider those ideas, and reject them, or we may consider those ideas and recognize some value in them but not adopt them completely, or we may find that we have to modify previously held notions to better adapt to what is, simply, a more truthful idea.
I am a Lutheran. Naturally I confess the Lutheran Confessions. However, neither Lutheranism as a theological tradition, nor does my specific church, the ELCA, demand uncritical acceptance of Lutheran talking points. My acceptance of Lutheran confessional theology is not based upon an authoritarian model, but rather on a confessional model. "We believe, here is why we believe," with the open invitation to "come and see". I have been convinced, in my own conscience, of the truthfulness of this confession. Further, not all things are equal; the Lutheran Confessions speak of the Papacy as "antichrist", as a Lutheran am I required to believe this? Some might say yes, but no such requirement is imposed on me. I can, instead, recognize the historical context of this rather harsh language, and then evaluate if I think that this must be the case: That the specific institution of the papacy is uniquely the fulfillment of the eschatological idea of "the antichrist". Personally, no I don't believe that. I do, however, regard all which acts in opposition to Christ and His Gospel to be rightly called antichrist. To that end, yes, I would agree that in the historical context of the Reformation, the authoritarian opposition from the Roman See was acting as antichrist, not because the institution is itself eschatologically antichrist, but because anything can be antichrist when it opposes Christ. I merely bring this particular point as but an example.
Further, though I am Lutheran I do not close myself off from the larger Christian community, as though non-Lutherans have nothing of value to say or contribute to matters of faith. Because of course they do. And I have benefited frequently from non-Lutheran sources--Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant. Members of these forums have frequently been highly valuable, by their challenging me, by their providing insight to things I had not considered, by being better informed on many things I myself have little to no knowledge about. I am not an island, neither as a Lutheran am I trapped behind Lutheran walls.
In fact, without this diverse and multifaceted experience I wouldn't be a Lutheran at all. And, while I found opposition from some sectors as I began to question and challenge my own beliefs early on, I was also encouraged by many. That encouragement was important, that the pursuit of truth is valid, and shouldn't be disparaged simply because it questions the status quo.
So, my question: As a Mormon are you allowed this freedom of thought? Is there anything of meaningful value that you can learn from those outside of your religious space? Is freedom of thought and exploration encouraged or discouraged? And do you think it should be encouraged? Or discouraged? Can one still be a faithful Mormon even if one does not accept, unquestioningly, the pronouncements of those at the top? Can a Mormon prophet be challenged? Questioned? Can the Mormon apostles be challenged? Is there freedom of faith? Freedom of thought? Freedom of inquiry?
Are you allowed to hear the things I and others have been saying in these threads, and actually consider that perhaps there's some veracity to them? Or are you expected to shut down, close your mind, and merely parrot a script?
This is not mockery, this is sincere inquiry on my part.
-CryptoLutheran
Thank you first for your reply. Yes members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints are allowed freedom of thought. We are not forced to do anything. There is a lot of meaningful value I have gleaned from people outside of my religion. Not all of my friends, school teachers, family, or work mates were LDS. I have also learned many things about the gospel from my years on different forums. That being said following Jesus Christ and His teachings should be of paramount importance in our lives. Following a prophet of God is also important. People who challenge God or His prophets are asking for trouble. However neither God or His prophets will ever lead us astray. We have been shown the way to know that which is of God and that which is not of God:
(Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:12 - 24)
12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.
19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.
20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?
21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.
22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.
23 And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.
24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.
I believe that this is the litmus test for a true prophet of God. I have been shown beyond any shadow of a doubt that The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints is God's true church so perhaps I tend to come over as very bull headed or perhaps a fanatic. If so I apologize. I do LOVE God and I know that He LOVES each and every one of us and wants us to LOVE each other.