LOSTONE Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 I am attempting to set up a meeting with some local missionaries in private later this coming week. Hopefully this will be a huge help for me to understand better. I have also visited the websites people here suggested and try to read the Book of Mormon ( it was very hard for me to understand what I was reading ).I mean no disrespect, but I have noticed 2 constant issues that have my attention.The 1st is the misinformed beliefs and vast insults from non-Mormons. Alot of external judgments and just plain old mean things. That I understand in the aspect that I get the same things to from non-Christians. They think they know what they haven’t made any efforts to learn. I can deal with this issue just fine. Just annoys me given the voluntarily ignorance.The 2nd issue is the internal conflicts that are there between Mormons and LDS rules and doctrine. I expect to find conflict like this in all religions. It’s even in my own Christian religion, but not to the extent I seem to be seeing between Mormons and LDS. Why is there so much internal conflicts? Has not the doctrine and faith been accepted as truth as it is and need not to be adjusted to conform to other believes?Again, I don’t mean to be disrespecting..
Calm Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 I think a lot of what you see is exaggerated because of the media...either the Internet where those who like to debate are drawn together or the news where conflict must exist in most cases to make a story a draw. If you go to your local wards/congregations you will not see this type of conflict.There is also the issue that revealed doctrine that is binding is actually rather limited (enough to get us home, but not so much to squelch us imo) but that doesn't prevent people from wanting to put all the unrevealed ideas and opinions in stone. And something may be truth but still not binding doctrine (think law of gravity here, it won't affect our salvation if we don't believe in it). With so much out there unrevealed at this time, that makes for a lot of discussions which may at times get overheated. 1
BCSpace Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 (edited) Has not the doctrine and faith been accepted as truth as it is and need not to be adjusted to conform to other believes? It has. LDS doctrine is systematic (once one recognizes that continuing revelation is part of the doctrine). I think perhaps what you see most are the differences of opinion that fill spaces where there is no established doctrine. There is also the fact that some disagree with doctrine and many of those air it on these types of boards. As for what is and is not doctirne, all the leadership and the 'teaching corps' of the local congegations (Wards) and the training missionaries receive are on the same page. There are only three rules you need to know. 1) If it's not published specifically by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Corporation thereof, even if it's by an Apostle, the Prophet, or other General Authority, it's not doctrine. So there are many good books, videos, websites, and other works out there that contain good doctrine and are beneficial, but unless you also see it published as I described, it's not the official doctrine of the Church. If such becomes part of your own personal set of beliefs, that's generally fine unless it conflicts with something officially published. 2) If there is a conflict, because we believe in continuing revelation, the latest date of publication is official. There are indeed some unresolved conflicts, but I've never seen anything of significance along those lines. 3) Context. In official publications, you will occaisionally see qualifications such as this is not doctrine or this is of historical value or this is an alternative veiwpoint etc. Just take such at face value like you would the official works of any organization. No one is trying to subtlely deceive you. How much can you disbelieve and "get away with it"? I can't answer that until you give me an example. I'd say for myself that I don't accept 5% of the doctrine, hopefully nothing of any significance. But I would never claim that such is not doctrine in order to excuse myself. Examples imho would be local vs. global Flood as not significant, and views that oppose critical salvational truths such as agency as very significant. Edited June 23, 2014 by BCSpace 1
Garden Girl Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 The 2nd issue is the internal conflicts that are there between Mormons and LDS rules and doctrine. I expect to find conflict like this in all religions. It’s even in my own Christian religion, but not to the extent I seem to be seeing between Mormons and LDS. Why is there so much internal conflicts? Has not the doctrine and faith been accepted as truth as it is and need not to be adjusted to conform to other believes? Lostone...Mormons and LDS are one and the same.... Mormon is a nickname given to members by non-members when the Church was first established, because of the Book of Mormon. "LDS" stands for Latter Day Saints... from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints... GG 1
teddyaware Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 (edited) I am attempting to set up a meeting with some local missionaries in private later this coming week. Hopefully this will be a huge help for me to understand better. I have also visited the websites people here suggested and try to read the Book of Mormon ( it was very hard for me to understand what I was reading ).I mean no disrespect, but I have noticed 2 constant issues that have my attention.The 1st is the misinformed beliefs and vast insults from non-Mormons. Alot of external judgments and just plain old mean things. That I understand in the aspect that I get the same things to from non-Christians. They think they know what they haven’t made any efforts to learn. I can deal with this issue just fine. Just annoys me given the voluntarily ignorance.The 2nd issue is the internal conflicts that are there between Mormons and LDS rules and doctrine. I expect to find conflict like this in all religions. It’s even in my own Christian religion, but not to the extent I seem to be seeing between Mormons and LDS. Why is there so much internal conflicts? Has not the doctrine and faith been accepted as truth as it is and need not to be adjusted to conform to other believes?Again, I don’t mean to be disrespecting..Hi Again,Point 1) The Book of Mormon is about as difficult to understand as the Bible. There are some chapters that are quite simple, straightforward and easy to comprehend; while there are others that are quite profound and more difficult to understand. But like anything else, understanding will eventually begin to come with diligent study, pondering, application of the principles taught and prayer. In addition, if there are specific verses or passages that stump or trouble you, post them here and we'll help you come to a better understanding.Point 2) There's no surprise when it comes to the willful ignorance, unfairness, unkindness and constant unchristlike disrespect shown by the critics and enemies of the Latter-day Saints. The devil is real and he's the ringleader of all this frenzied injustice and bitterness. It is the same devil who convinced the religionists of Jesus' day that he was a drunken charlatan who was possessed by the devil, and the most wicked imposture who ever lived. Just as the devil can transform himself nigh unto an angel of light, he can also put that which is good and holy in the most negative of lights, convincing the unwary that goodness is evil.Point 3) The disagreements between Latter-day Saints you see on boards like this one are the exceptions to the rule. The kinds of LDS folks who gravitate to online LDS discussion forums are usually highly opinionated, debate-oriented bloviators (myself included). But if you were to attend LDS Church services on any given Sunday, you would see that there's a lot more unity and harmony among the main body of the members than you will ever see demonstrated here on MD&DB. LDS Church members, former members and disaffected members of every stripe, attitude point of view gravitate to sites like this one, so take that into account when you observe what goes on on the online discussion boards. The people on these boards are argumentative and often contrarian by nature, so don't make a judgment call on the unity of the Latter-day Saints until you see them in action in real-life Church settings.All the best... Edited June 23, 2014 by teddyaware
Calm Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 It may feel a little silly but it will be over with quickly...if you want to get a basic idea of what the context of the BoM is about, I would suggest using the illustrated children's version so you get familiar with the story line and can then concentrate on the more complicated and spiritual doctrine being taught:https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/book-of-mormon/book-of-mormon-storiesThere are also the options of the high school and college manuals, but me, I would prefer trying to get as much set in my mind on my own without having others' ideas imposing on me causing me to miss stuff I might have come up if not leading a different way.
LOSTONE Posted June 24, 2014 Author Posted June 24, 2014 Thanks again everyone for taking the time to share your insights. This does truly help me alot. Tomorrow ( Tues ) I will be meeting with some missionaries at a local LDS meeting house. It’s really close to where I live, but not easily spotted by any main roads. Plus, it turns out that someone that will be there is someone I already know so that helps. I know what I am seeking and what I am having troubles with so this will help me better communicate and in turn, get better shared with me. Time will tell. Thanks again. 1
Wants2know Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 Good luck lost one! My two cents.... with any diverse group of people you get many points of view. I remember some very good advice I received when investigating.... remember that the people are not perfect but the Restored Gospel is!
LOSTONE Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 I met with some missionaries yesterday at a local meeting house I didn’t even know was there. Close to home. 3 sisters and an older gentlemen. I did not feel like they were use car sales men trying to sell me something that was fake or misleading. I asked my questions and they gave e honest answers and even could back them up using scripture. We read a little out of the Bible and talked a wile. It was very enlightening. Not what I am use to from the world’s view point. I have not drawn to a conclusion yet, but so far, I am comfortable with what I am hearing and learning. Looking forward to speaking with them again. It is good to go and learn from the source rather than go with the flow of what others say.
Garden Girl Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 I met with some missionaries yesterday at a local meeting house I didn’t even know was there. Close to home. 3 sisters and an older gentlemen. I did not feel like they were use car sales men trying to sell me something that was fake or misleading. I asked my questions and they gave e honest answers and even could back them up using scripture. We read a little out of the Bible and talked a wile. It was very enlightening. Not what I am use to from the world’s view point. I have not drawn to a conclusion yet, but so far, I am comfortable with what I am hearing and learning. Looking forward to speaking with them again. It is good to go and learn from the source rather than go with the flow of what others say. Hello LOSTONE...Sounds like your meeting went well, and that is good. And you are absolutely right in that it is better to go slowly and learn from LDS for accurate information. I hope you'll continue to "investigate." GG
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