TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) The Jehovah's Witnesses and "Other Christians" don't have the gift of the Holy Ghost, but they are at least growing at a fast rate. For some reason we LDS are not growing at a faster rate, I think we must Repent so the holy ghost can help us. Edit: Correction, our LDS change% is within the margin of error. President Gordon B Hinckley said in the inspired General Conference, " Last year there were approximately 300,000 convert baptisms throughout the Church. This is tremendously significant. This is the equivalent of 120 new stakes of 2,500 members each. Think of that: 120 new stakes in a single year! It is wonderful. But it is not enough." Edited March 2, 2016 by TheSkepticChristian
thesometimesaint Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 This makes two threads you've started on the Holy Ghost and the LDS. What is your point? 1
ksfisher Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 The notes at the bottom of the survey say that Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others have changed at a statistically insignificant rate within the margin of error. I don't see how you're reading growth from that for the JW's and others. 2
JLHPROF Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 26 minutes ago, TheSkepticChristian said: The Jehovah's Witnesses and "Other Christians" don't have the gift of the Holy Ghost, but they are at least growing at a fast rate. For some reason we LDS are not growing at a faster rate, I think we must Repent so the holy ghost can help us. I think it just represents a gravitation from organized denominations towards "non-denominational" beliefs. And that is something we don't want to be a part of. It's that whole false no rules-just love approach. 1
bluebell Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 7 minutes ago, ksfisher said: The notes at the bottom of the survey say that Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others have changed at a statistically insignificant rate within the margin of error. I don't see how you're reading growth from that for the JW's and others. That's what I'm wondering as well.
TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) 13 minutes ago, ksfisher said: The notes at the bottom of the survey say that Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others have changed at a statistically insignificant rate within the margin of error. I don't see how you're reading growth from that for the JW's and others. That is true, it is within the margin of error, silly me. I guess there is still hope that the Holy Ghost is helping us after all. but wait, isn't our church suppose to be growing at a faster rate? 5 minutes ago, bluebell said: That's what I'm wondering as well. he is right. Edited March 2, 2016 by TheSkepticChristian
thesometimesaint Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Who ever said we were "supposed" to be growing at a faster rate? We have Scripture that says we will be few. 1
TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 18 minutes ago, ksfisher said: The notes at the bottom of the survey say that Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others have changed at a statistically insignificant rate within the margin of error Why does that make you happy? Don't you expect more? 1 minute ago, thesometimesaint said: Who ever said we were "supposed" to be growing at a faster rate? We have Scripture that says we will be few. "Last year there were approximately 300,000 convert baptisms throughout the Church. This is tremendously significant. This is the equivalent of 120 new stakes of 2,500 members each. Think of that: 120 new stakes in a single year! It is wonderful. But it is not enough." - Gordon B Hinckley
ksfisher Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 3 minutes ago, TheSkepticChristian said: That is true, it is within the margin of error, silly me. I guess there is still hope that the Holy Ghost is helping us after all. he is right. The Holy Ghost is promised to all who are seeking the truth: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26 However, the scriptures to prophesy, and the numbers seem to bear out, that those who accept the truth will be few in number: "And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw." 1 Nephi 14:12 Nevertheless, those who accept the truth and are obedient to the commandments God has given us will be armed with great power: "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." 1 Nephi 14:14 Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are obedient to the covenants that they have made with God qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. That same spirit also attends the missionaries as they bear witness to the truth of the restored gospel and can be felt by those they teach. Even though we live in a time of great wickedness we are bless by a loving Heavenly Father with all the blessings and all the ordinances necessary to return to him. 2
TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 1 minute ago, ksfisher said: ures to prophesy, and the numbers seem to bear out, that those who accept the truth will be few in number: but President Hinckley said, "Last year there were approximately 300,000 convert baptisms throughout the Church. This is tremendously significant. This is the equivalent of 120 new stakes of 2,500 members each. Think of that: 120 new stakes in a single year! It is wonderful. But it is not enough."
ksfisher Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 4 minutes ago, TheSkepticChristian said: Why does that make you happy? Don't you expect more? "Last year there were approximately 300,000 convert baptisms throughout the Church. This is tremendously significant. This is the equivalent of 120 new stakes of 2,500 members each. Think of that: 120 new stakes in a single year! It is wonderful. But it is not enough." - Gordon B Hinckley Where did I say it made me happy???
thesometimesaint Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 3 minutes ago, TheSkepticChristian said: "Last year there were approximately 300,000 convert baptisms throughout the Church. This is tremendously significant. This is the equivalent of 120 new stakes of 2,500 members each. Think of that: 120 new stakes in a single year! It is wonderful. But it is not enough." - Gordon B Hinckley He said it was not enough. I agree. But that doesn't mean it is supposed to be anything.
TheSkepticChristian Posted March 2, 2016 Author Posted March 2, 2016 1 minute ago, thesometimesaint said: He said it was not enough. I agree. But that doesn't mean it is supposed to be anything. "All people will hear the fulness of the gospel in their own language (see D&C 90:11)" Gospel Principles, (2011), 251–56 that requires more missionaries, which requires more LDS.
Judd Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 1 hour ago, thesometimesaint said: This makes two threads you've started on the Holy Ghost and the LDS. What is your point? That the LDS church and its culture need to be taken down a peg or two.
thesometimesaint Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 49 minutes ago, Judd said: That the LDS church and its culture need to be taken down a peg or two. That does seem to be the case here, 1 hour ago, TheSkepticChristian said: "All people will hear the fulness of the gospel in their own language (see D&C 90:11)" Gospel Principles, (2011), 251–56 that requires more missionaries, which requires more LDS. Not necessarily, just more effective ones. My Ward has a Missionary from mainland China. 1
The Nehor Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 The tares have to be gathered and bundled too ya know.
Avatar4321 Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 Having the Holy Ghost doesn't make others believe. They still have their agency not to believe.
Kemara Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 (edited) On 2/03/2016 at 5:18 AM, TheSkepticChristian said: For some reason we LDS are not growing at a faster rate, I think we must Repent so the holy ghost can help us. Can you please advise everyone on these boards when you have followed your advice and repented so the Holy Ghost can help you. On 2/03/2016 at 6:14 AM, TheSkepticChristian said: All people will hear the fulness of the gospel in their own language (see D&C 90:11)" Gospel Principles, (2011), 251–56 that requires more missionaries, which requires more LDS. Or perhaps all it requires is for current LDS to do more missionary work. Can you please advise everyone on these boards when you have done your part in preaching the fullness of the gospel to people in their own language. You are one of the "doers of the word" aren't you? Or are you one of the "hearers only, deceiving your own selves"? Edited March 3, 2016 by Kemara 1
theplains Posted March 5, 2016 Posted March 5, 2016 On 02/03/2016 at 11:18 AM, TheSkepticChristian said: The Jehovah's Witnesses and "Other Christians" don't have the gift of the Holy Ghost, but they are at least growing at a fast rate. I wonder if any Jehovah's Witness would say a Mormon has the gift of the Holy Ghost. Jim
Storm Rider Posted March 5, 2016 Posted March 5, 2016 My that finger of judgment does get around and with a thin-skin to boot. Enlightenment is such a burden when dealing with a bunch of mediocre sinners. I am not talking about Nehor; he is my favorite perfect one on the board.....I mean besides you. You are obviously more perfect than everyone else.
sunstoned Posted March 5, 2016 Posted March 5, 2016 On 3/2/2016 at 10:04 AM, TheSkepticChristian said: but President Hinckley said, "Last year there were approximately 300,000 convert baptisms throughout the Church. This is tremendously significant. This is the equivalent of 120 new stakes of 2,500 members each. Think of that: 120 new stakes in a single year! It is wonderful. But it is not enough." Those days of big growth are over. The internet is here with instant fact checking. With our history, it is hard to recover from that. Since the advent of the internet our numbers of retention and conversion have declined. It as been gradual, but as third world areas like Africa begin to become more connected world wide web, we will see that downward trend increase.
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