TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-growing-rapidly-africa It is good our church is growing rapidly in Africa and South America. The Holy Ghost must really like those regions
TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 I just wonder what is wrong with the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia
ksfisher Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 "...he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." 2 Nephi 26:33 I don't think God plays favorites, except to the extent that people are obedient.
Popular Post Maestrophil Posted March 2, 2016 Popular Post Posted March 2, 2016 2 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-growing-rapidly-africa It is good our church is growing rapidly in Africa and South America. The Holy Ghost must really like those regions Or maybe He likes humble people who choose to listen to Him - which we seem not to be in N. America as much. 5
TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Maestrophil said: Or maybe He likes humble people who choose to listen to Him - which we seem not to be in N. America as much. Define humble. You mean not arrogant and more compassion for others? if that is what you mean by humble, trust me, South America is not more humble than N. America. The Book of Mormon says "he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty." Edited March 2, 2016 by TheSkepticChristian
Maestrophil Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 10 minutes ago, TheSkepticChristian said: Define humble. You mean not arrogant and more compassion for others? if that is what you mean by humble, trust me, South America is not more humble than N. America. The Book of Mormon says "he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty." I think your quote addresses exactly what I meant. I think more people (not all) in those countries are a little less arrogant in their 'knowledge' and education than we seem to be - more willing to trust spiritual things. I have never seen a time in my life where more people around me seem to "know" everything and are armchair 'scientists' thanks to the mighty interweb. Also, the scripture does not say that people who are compelled to be humble will not be blessed. In fact, it says they WILL be blessed, but people who do it willingly will reap more blessings.
Kemara Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) 3 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said: The Holy Ghost must really like those regions You are equating growth in these regions with the Holy Ghost liking those regions, presumably more than regions that are not growing at the same rate? Can you please explain how you arrived at this position because it makes no sense whatsoever. Edited March 2, 2016 by Kemara 1
cinepro Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, it seemed many members of the Church took great pride in our growth statistics, with some even theorizing a relationship between the growth of the Church and the truthfulness of the gospel. I guess we might have to get over that (and apparently many already have).
Kemara Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 9 minutes ago, cinepro said: Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, it seemed many members of the Church took great pride in our growth statistics, with some even theorizing a relationship between the growth of the Church and the truthfulness of the gospel. I guess we might have to get over that (and apparently many already have). Of course there are those members of the Church who never believed such a theory, so of course they are the lucky one's, having never had the need to get over it. 1
pogi Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 3 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said: I just wonder what is wrong with the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia A study of the B of M might help explain it some. It seems to me, that the more affluent we become, the less interested we are in God (generally speaking). This might explain the higher baptism rates in places like Africa, Central and South America, the Philippines (which is in Asia by the way), etc. 4
cdowis Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 I remember a church leader telling us about the high missionary success in a certain area of Florida. When asked why this was so, he said that there had been a very destructive hurricane in this area a few years ago, and the people became very humble.
VideoGameJunkie Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 That's good that so many there are being baptized, but I hope they actually stay members. My brother served a mission in South America and noticed a lot who were baptized went inactive quickly.
pogi Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 5 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said: The Holy Ghost must really like those regions It is not about favoritism, you have to account for the hearts of men.
TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 2 hours ago, Maestrophil said: I think more people (not all) in those countries are a little less arrogant in their 'knowledge' and education than we seem to be and? but they are more arrogant in other things. Many people in South America don't tolerate gays, atheists, non-catholics. Many people in Mexico don't tolerate people from central america. So I don't know how your more humble example helps.
Avatar4321 Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 7 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said: Define humble. You mean not arrogant and more compassion for others? if that is what you mean by humble, trust me, South America is not more humble than N. America. The Book of Mormon says "he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty." https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng "Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing. The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us. Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.” As Paul said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” (Philip. 2:21.)" 1
Alan Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 Personally, I think with the African situation we are seeing the evidence of a truth that the "first shall be last, and the last shall be first". 4
Maestrophil Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 19 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said: and? but they are more arrogant in other things. Many people in South America don't tolerate gays, atheists, non-catholics. Many people in Mexico don't tolerate people from central america. So I don't know how your more humble example helps. No one is saying they are perfect and without pride. Just apparently more willing to humble themselves to the spirit. Of course many antagonistic towards religion might just say it is because they are "poor, desperate, and dumb."
Sleeper Cell Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 21 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said: and? but they are more arrogant in other things. Many people in South America don't tolerate gays, atheists, non-catholics. Many people in Mexico don't tolerate people from central america. So I don't know how your more humble example helps. There must be many others in South America who do tolerate non-Catholics. Or, at least, humble enough to rise above their intolerance of non-Catholics (which, in some ways, would be even more admirable). Otherwise, how could our church be “growing rapidly in Africa and South America?”
ALarson Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 (edited) On 3/2/2016 at 8:05 AM, TheSkepticChristian said: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-growing-rapidly-africa It is good our church is growing rapidly in Africa and South America. The Holy Ghost must really like those regions I agree. I do wonder how many in Africa have computers or access to the internet (I'll look for info on that too)? It may not have anything to do with that though. The reason I thought of this is that we just had the missionaries over for dinner last night and they are very frustrated. They are having a difficult time finding anyone willing to take the discussions and they finally found a very nice young couple and had taught them 2 discussions, when the wife did some searching on the internet about the church. This couple now will not set up any other appointments and have told the missionaries they are not interested in hearing more. According to these missionaries, other missionaries are having the same type of experiences. . Edited March 3, 2016 by ALarson
thesometimesaint Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 3 minutes ago, ALarson said: I agree. I do wonder how many in Africa have computers or access to the internet (I'll look for info on that too)? It may not have anything to do with that though. The reason I thought of this is that we just had the missionaries over for dinner last night and they are very frustrated. They are having a difficult time finding anyone willing to take the discussions and they finally found a very nice young couple and had taught them 2 discussions, when the wife did some searching on the internet about the church. This couple now will not set up any other appointments and have told the missionaries they are not interested in hearing more. According to these missionaries, other missionaries are having the same type of experiences. . Lies have traveled half way around the world, in the internet age all the way, while truth is just getting out the door.
ALarson Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 17 minutes ago, thesometimesaint said: Lies have traveled half way around the world, in the internet age all the way, while truth is just getting out the door. Well, some of what they read are lies, but much is the truth (with just different conclusions). I asked the missionaries what most investigators find that have issues and they both immediately said Joseph Smith and polygamy. I've found that the missionaries really aren't prepared to discuss that topic as well as they should be....but that may be changing with more encouragement to read the new essays, etc. 1
USU78 Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 On 3/2/2016 at 9:05 AM, TheSkepticChristian said: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-growing-rapidly-africa It is good our church is growing rapidly in Africa and South America. The Holy Ghost must really like those regions 1 Ne 8:26-28 Quote And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. 2
Russell C McGregor Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 On 3/2/2016 at 8:39 AM, Kemara said: You are equating growth in these regions with the Holy Ghost liking those regions, presumably more than regions that are not growing at the same rate? Can you please explain how you arrived at this position because it makes no sense whatsoever. It makes sense to me -- because I read the OP as essentially sarcastic. 2
UtahTexan Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 On 3/2/2016 at 2:03 PM, VideoGameJunkie said: That's good that so many there are being baptized, but I hope they actually stay members. My brother served a mission in South America and noticed a lot who were baptized went inactive quickly. Define a lot...and define the point? And tell me if they are still inactive now? Are you always the "glass-half-empty" guy?
Russell C McGregor Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 14 minutes ago, SpeakTheTruth said: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tIQHvNhFlg What Mormons Actually Believe use your own common sense do these people believe what the bible teaches? This is simply a warning to anyone in the Mormon religion, according to the Bible, you would not enter heaven when you die. Repent to Jesus, turn from your sinful acts. Time is so short now a days. Teaching that God used to be a man? do you people actually believe what your saying? Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that person be condemned! Two points: It's rude to use someone else's forum to proselyte for your religious views. (Unless you're gay, in which case you have a right to hijack all forums.) We've all seen and/or heard the rantings of bibliofanatics before. You're not telling us anything new. 4
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