Preconceptions about Mormons.

[emerald Dragon]

I am writing a thesis paper for a final exam in English, and I would like your help. I would like anyone out there to post their beliefs and understandings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please do not heckle others, I just wish to read what you understand the Church to be about. Post of such concpets of the Diety, the temple, Joseph Smith, anything at all. The only thing that I ask is that you post politely, without an attempt to degrade. This is for a paper, and I just wish to see what you see the Chruch as.

So, in other words, begin with the statement, "I understand some of the doctrine and beliefs of the LDS Church to be..."

Please, again, no bashing, no heckling, no snide remarks.

I thank you very much for your help.

God Bless,
Emerald Dragon

 

[leeuniverse]

Goodness, just read about ANY post by anyone other than LDS and you'll find a LOT of what people "believe" about us.
You know that..... It should be easy to lot's of good material???

 

[Swart]

I am writing a thesis paper for a final exam in English, and I would like your help. I would like anyone out there to post their beliefs and understandings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please do not heckle others, I just wish to read what you understand the Church to be about. Post of such concpets of the Diety, the temple, Joseph Smith, anything at all. The only thing that I ask is that you post politely, without an attempt to degrade. This is for a paper, and I just wish to see what you see the Chruch as.

So, in other words, begin with the statement, "I understand some of the doctrine and beliefs of the LDS Church to be..."

Please, again, no bashing, no heckling, no snide remarks.

I thank you very much for your help.

God Bless,
Emerald Dragon

I'd be interested in acopy of your paper when you're finished. Actually, if you would like a critique, I would be happy to help you out. PM me when your done and I'll send you my email address.

 

[ByGrace]

I am writing a thesis paper for a final exam in English, and I would like your help. I would like anyone out there to post their beliefs and understandings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please do not heckle others, I just wish to read what you understand the Church to be about. Post of such concpets of the Diety, the temple, Joseph Smith, anything at all. The only thing that I ask is that you post politely, without an attempt to degrade. This is for a paper, and I just wish to see what you see the Chruch as.

So, in other words, begin with the statement, "I understand some of the doctrine and beliefs of the LDS Church to be..."

Please, again, no bashing, no heckling, no snide remarks.

I thank you very much for your help.

God Bless,
Emerald Dragon

I would submit the following as mormon myths,

book of mormon
pearl of great price
doctrine and covenants
everything that joseph smith said
everything that brigham young said
everything said in every conference talk.


Seriously though, there is so much that we have placed on the table of what we see as serious issues within the mormon church but none of them are taken seriously. I understand this way of dealing, having been a mormon and knowing that you will be outcast for honestly dealing with the issues of mormonism but I dont know if I can take this request seriously.

 

[Ran77]

I would submit the following as mormon myths,

book of mormon
pearl of great price
doctrine and covenants
everything that joseph smith said
everything that brigham young said
everything said in every conference talk.


Seriously though, there is so much that we have placed on the table of what we see as serious issues within the mormon church but none of them are taken seriously. I understand this way of dealing, having been a mormon and knowing that you will be outcast for honestly dealing with the issues of mormonism but I dont know if I can take this request seriously.

And yet despite the request for no heckling, bashing, or snide remarks that is exactly what you provided. I believe that your inability to honor his request speaks loudly about your character.

 

[unbound]

"I understand some of the doctrine and beliefs of the LDS Church to be..."

A restoration of a lost authority of God on the earth.

Families can be together forever, and ones seed can continue on a planet that the LDS will become God over. This "eternal progression" never ends. Thus there is no end to the number of gods that exist. There is also no end to the number of gods which have existed in the past.

God is an exalted man and has flesh and bones.

Families are forever, but the LDS do not know thier heavenly grandparents.

Kolob is the governing planet.

God resides near Kolob.

God also resides in the LDS temple.

In the temple, ordinances are peformed by the authority of the priesthood on this earth.

The president of the church holds the keys to heaven.

Joseph Smith was given the priesthood and his successors have also held the keys to heaven at some point.

Some LDS think masonry is good.
Some LDS think masonry is bad, and has perverted the laws of Solomons temple.
Some LDS acknowledge the similarities between LDS temple ceremonies, and masonic ceremonies.
Some LDS deny any similarities.

LDS believe a prophet is only a prophet when speaking as such. Any other time he is free to give lectures on his own thoughts, which may be taught for edification, but it is not official doctrine. However, it is a bad thing to not "follow the prophet" , even though what he says may be from his own heart.

LDS teach that some native Americans are actually Israelites.

LDS teach that Christ made a personal appearance on the American Continent.

LDS assert stories about Quetzecoatle with Christ.

The BoM describes ancient America as having steel foundries and horses.

The LDS come in the name of Christ, but also teach that ordinances were a part of the plan of Christs salvation which were somehow lost with the authority of the priesthood on earth.

 

[emerald Dragon]

Thank you unbound. You have answered my question exactly as I wanted it. I appreciate your post very much, and your willingness to contribute to this thread. Thanks again.

Please, anyone, feel free to post.

This really isn't a thread to discuss, just to try and see what you see in the Church, and how you came to see it. I just want information, not a formal discussion. Thanks.

God Bless,
Emerald Dragon

 

[chaindog]

My only contact with Mormons have been on this board.

My understanding of LDS beliefs are:

1) It is a Christian sect that differs greatly from mainstream Christian dogma
2) They believe that God has a physical body and lives on another planet
3) They once accepted polygamy, probably as a survival mechanism in a very hostile environment where everyone had to treat eachother as family to survive. The federal government ignored the concept of freedom of religion and made this part of LDS religion illegal.
4) LDS have a their own prophet called Joseph Smith.
5) LDS has some tie to Freemasonry, but I am unsure as to what it is.
6) LDS believe that in certain instances, people can ascend to become gods or at least god-like beings still subserviant to God.

Chaindog

 

[chaindog]

If any of those things that I said are misconceptions, please let me know.

 

[emerald Dragon]

Thank you for our response.
The purpose of this thread is for me to gain insight on what you know or feel about the Church right now. I don't want to correct any misconceptions, unless you ask me to, and then I am willing to respond. I am sure other members of the Church would also be willing to do so.

God Bless,
Emerald Dragon

 

[chaindog]

Yup, I'm asking

Feel free to PM me if you don't want to derail this thread.

Chaindog

 

[leeuniverse]

Seriously though, there is so much that we have placed on the table of what we see as serious issues within the mormon church but none of them are taken seriously. I understand this way of dealing, having been a mormon and knowing that you will be outcast for honestly dealing with the issues of mormonism but I dont know if I can take this request seriously.

Not "dealing" with them...??? You've got to be JOKING???
Have you ever actually spent a few days reading many articles at FAIR and FARMS.
We "deal" with the anti malarky all the time.

By the way..... I've literally spent MONTHS studying Anti-mormonism.
Have you spent months studying LDS-Apologetics??? Nope, you sure haven't.

 

[SiSSYGAL]

Most of what I know comes from threads such as this one and other Mormon sites.
But, having visited a mormon meeting twice: this is what I learned. saw and was taught :
Families can be together forever. (This means immediate families--not God's family)
The work that Jesus did was at the garden of Gethsemane--not on the cross.
Mormons live by a higher standard--(not well defined in my brief visits)
Mormons tithe in order to go into the temple
The bar is being raised for missionaries (also not well defined in my brief visits)
Mormons are proud to be apart from traditional Christians and do not refer to themselves as Christians--but rather Mormon Christians. Mormons are proud of their rapid growth and their superior morality over traditional Christians.
Mormons believe you can work your way closer to God--and you should.
Mormons reserve Monday night as family night.
Mormons have frequent parties--and visitors are welcome to come.
Mormons have 60,000 missionaries in the field.
Mormons do not show reverence in their meeting halls. They run, talk, scold children read, write bills and play peek-a-boo with babies. Reverence is reserved for their visits to the temple.
Men all wear suits and ties to meeting and women all wear skirts or dresses.
Mormons have a heirarchy and their meeting halls seem like a visit to a judges chamber vs a sanctuary because stern looking men sit all in a row across the front.
There are no candles, flowers or religious symbols in the meeting hall.
These are my first hand observations and lessons. Other things that I know come second hand from forums such as this.

 

[leeuniverse]

Give me a break.....

 

[Swart]

Not "dealing" with them...??? You've got to be JOKING???
Have you ever actually spent a few days reading many articles at FAIR and FARMS.
We "deal" with the anti malarky all the time.

By the way..... I've literally spent MONTHS studying Anti-mormonism.
Have you spent months studying LDS-Apologetics??? Nope, you sure haven't.

Whilst I would prefer that you didn't always "take the bait", can you please respect ED's wishes and take this discussion to another thread?

 

[Bugmotel]

Nice sissygal--my wife, who was raised in the Mormon church has had exactly the same experience as you--very astute observations.

 

[leeuniverse]

First hand lessons based on bigoted perceptions instead of simple reality of Truth.

 

[calgal]

Thank you for our response.
The purpose of this thread is for me to gain insight on what you know or feel about the Church right now. I don't want to correct any misconceptions, unless you ask me to, and then I am willing to respond. I am sure other members of the Church would also be willing to do so.

God Bless,
Emerald Dragon

mormons worship separate and distinct godlets who were once men. And have a mute, eternally preggers goddess.
mormons are under the authority of a man who you (and only you) proclaim "prophet"
mormonism has a veneer of "pseudochristianity" covering a new age doctrinal stance.
mormon baptism is NOT recognized in Christendom as valid.

 

[Bugmotel]

First hand lessons based on bigoted perceptions instead of simple reality of Truth.

Its the Mormon mantra, chanted over every post "No, you have it wrong, dont believe your own eyes, let ME tell you what you saw and experienced, I know better, it doesnt matter that you saw this firsthand--it must be wrong!"

 

[happyinhisgrace]

sissygal said: Mormons do not show reverence in their meeting halls. They run, talk, scold children read, write bills and play peek-a-boo with babies.

Very accurate observation. That was one of the very first things I noticed when I started attending different Christian churches, they were quiet during worship hour. I remember the first few times thinking, there are young kids here, there are babies here...where's the noise like in the lds church, it's so quiet and everyone is looking at the pastor and actually listening to him, what's going on?

That is a very big difference between lds services and Christian services for sure. Plus the "chapel's" in the LDS church tend to smell like dirty diapers, cheap cologne, cheerios and baby formula....lol

Grace