What I'm about to say won't do Talitha any good, but I'm interested to learn that the FLDS do call themselves "Mormons." And while we are at it, do the various Josephite groups do that too?
We agree that other groupings of Latter-Day Saints do not, so I'm wondering if this has to do with their perspecticve on where they came from. By that I mean, the RLDS and some others never wanted to be confused with the LDS because they considered Brigham Young to be a usurper, or something like that. The RLDS of course has always maintained--with some success--that it is the original. But the FLDS may think that they are the traditionalists carrying on what the Utah church formerly did before it went astray, etc.
That would make them -- I'm thinking -- likely to call themselves by the term "Mormon" rather thabn surrender it to the LDS.
Of course I'm just thinking aloud, but does any of this sound correct from what you know?
I'm sorry for complicating matters. Since I live in Utah, I am more likely to encounter FLDS (who refer to themselves as Mormons) than RLDS. Probably in Honduras that would not be the case!
Talitha, I came across the site studyChristianity.com recently, which reminds me of what you wrote about in your OP. The site appears to be teaching Christianity in general, when really it is teaching about Mormonism. It just isn't very upfront about.
Well, I went and although I feel that it should be MORE obvious, at least they do say on the front page that the founder of the site is LDS.I visited your link. It seems pretty upfront to me. All you have to do is go to the about tab or read the apologetics and its right there infront of you.
That is what this thread is about, basically. Even if that one site didn't try as hard to hide it, there are lots of other sites - as well as physical buildings that do.I get the sense you feel they are trying to hide mormonism by calling themselves christians.
The LDS is not just another Christian organization, and neither is the RLDS. They believe things that are not consistent with the Bible. That fact is really not in dispute here. I'm concerned about the cloak.....I don't believe that to be true. They are christians who have aligned themselves with the LDS church, another christian organization.
I visited your link. It seems pretty upfront to me. All you have to do is go to the about tab or read the apologetics and its right there infront of you.
I get the sense you feel they are trying to hide mormonism by calling themselves christians.
I don't believe that to be true. They are christians who have aligned themselves with the LDS church, another christian organization.
We have to admit. The LDS church trains their missionaries to not teach/reveal certain things, as it would hinder their chances of getting converts. They call it "milk before meat."
This is just one example of many secrets, rituals and beliefs that the LDS understand needs to be concealed to successfully grow at a faster pace.
This may be related to same reason churches are being renamed; not sure. But it sounds plausible. I believe this same reason is what helped encourage them to name their church "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."
But obviously this is just speculation, and I can only assume.
Doesn't matter what you call it......would you rather we call it teaching arithmetic before calculus?
I think probably that's what the prime-rib-eaters told you.........what encouraged us to name the church that was God.
Well, they don't hide the fact that they're Charismatic......in your church, do they reveal to you everythiing God knows?
I think the 'bottom line' here is that all branches of Latter Day Saints sincerely consider themselves to be Christians--even if Christians belonging to other churches do not agree with them on that and even if LDS teaching can be considered deceptive in other regards. There is a good reason for not considering Mormons and their branches to be Christian, but that isn't going to make any difference when it comes to their evangelizing. They will represent themselves as Christian, and those who are alarmed that the unwary can be misled by this appeal will just have to be armed with the reasons why this is a questionable claim and be ready to lay it out for their friends.
In other words, there is nothing gained by focusing on whether or not Mormons are intending to deceive anyone when they represent themselves as Christian. What's needed is information from the other side that sets the record straight, not a reliance upon accusing them of being dishonest.
Doesn't matter what you call it......
I think probably that's what the prime-rib-eaters told you.........
Well, they don't hide the fact that they're Charismatic......
I've been noticing LDS and RLDS churches popping up with names like "Community Church" and "Restoration Church", giving the impression of being just another denomination or non-denomination. This bothers me, because - well, I feel like people are being deceived.
Today my husband was contacted by a man who wants to "unite the missions" in Honduras. A few minutes of research later I looked under three or four layers of pseudonyms and found out that he believes in the book of Mormon - he's RLDS. We don't want to align with that, as nice as the guy seems.
I feel it's unethical for the LDS to disguise themselves, and I know that there are many people who get involved not knowing that this is what they're involved with, until there are relationships formed.
My mother-in-law was married a few years ago; at the time she and her new husband had barely begun seeking God, and none of their friends were church-goers. Long story short, they found a pastor to counsel them and marry them, and after the wedding I discovered in a conversation with the man that he was RLDS. Imagine my trying to explain to my mom-in-law that while I was really glad she was seeking God, this was not a good thing.....
How to do that....??
blessings
tal
PS - if this is the wrong forum for this topic, mods, feel free to move, I just didn't know where to bring it up..... ~~t
Could be, but they both believe in the book of Mormon - from what I understand, the RLDS is a more fundamentalist sort of Mormon - they think the LDS doesn't follow the Book of Mormon well enough. As a Christian, I don't think that is the problem, obviously.....
Thanks, that is a help. Things have become soo confusing for people. I have also found LDS/RLDS type material here in Honduras that uses the same words to sort of advertise as the Charismatic/Prophetic churches do here - wanting people to come and hear the teachings of the "prophet Joseph Smith", and since the LDS/RLDS (is there ONE term I can use to cover all the people who believe in Joseph Smith, etc.??? ugh) is fairly new here, many people think that what they'll be hearing is fresh manna from Heaven. I want sooo much to protect the sheep......
The LDS is not just another Christian organization, and neither is the RLDS. They believe things that are not consistent with the Bible. That fact is really not in dispute here. I'm concerned about the cloak.....
blessings in Jesus
tal
No, it wasn't outreach international, but I have a problem with that one too, since it doesn't make it clear that they are LDS or RLDS or whatever on their front page. There are a lot of people who could be drawn in by that page, and I'm sure that is the intent. When I was in college I had LDS friends who used to kid around about involuntary baptisms..... Now I realize that's not funny.......
I know many people who were converted to the church and didn't even get taught who Joseph Smith was"
"I know many people who were converted to the church and didn't even get taught who Joseph Smith was"
That observation certainly seems to validate Talitha's concerns ("I feel it's unethical for the LDS to disguise themselves, and I know that there are many people who get involved not knowing that this is what they're involved with, until there are relationships formed.") .
A New Dawn - I have (and most protestants have) an issue with the foundations of the whole Joseph Smith-ian movement and the book of mormon - I cannot see them as consistent with Christianity, and both RLDS/CoC and LDS believe in those things - and also "restoration churhces" - for that reason they are in the same category. This is what Paul speaks of when he talks about "another gospel".
Friends United is the original organization the guy belongs to who contacted my husband. I don't know how he found him.....
Just out of curiosity, what difference does it make who you receive assistance from? Outreach International just offers relief services in areas where people are starving, or severe living conditions like flooding, or hurricanes, etc.
I don't mind them offering relief services as long as they don't say one word about their belief system - especially not under the guise of actual Chrisitanity. Just being honest. But I highly doubt it goes down that way......
If I may ask, why did you leave the RLDS, and do you still believe in the book of mormon?
blessings in Jesus
tal
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