Acts 17:28 Question

[RockHopper]

Hi, I'm new to the forum.  I'm an evangelical, but very LDS friendly :).  And unlike many evangelicals, I'm hopeful, that despite our differences, we are worshiping the same God and doing our best to follow the same Lord and Savior.  So with that all on the table, I'm very curious about how most Mormons view God, in the sense of His presence.  In Acts 17:28 it says: 

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

What does this mean to most Mormons?  Do they believe that the Father is all around us, that our very existence is tightly coupled with His presence?  My view is that the Father is omnipresent and can see/hear everything.   He knows our thoughts, He hears our prayers, He knows our motives and our deeds.  And through the Father, His Son is also present in the same way.

Thanks for any thoughts anyone would like to share.

[Bobbieaware]

15 minutes ago, RockHopper said:

Hi, I'm new to the forum.  I'm an evangelical, but very LDS friendly :).  And unlike many evangelicals, I'm hopeful, that despite our differences, we are worshiping the same God and doing our best to follow the same Lord and Savior.  So with that all on the table, I'm very curious about how most Mormons view God, in the sense of His presence.  In Acts 17:28 it says: 

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

What does this mean to most Mormons?  Do they believe that the Father is all around us, that our very existence is tightly coupled with His presence?  My view is that the Father is omnipresent and can see/hear everything.   He knows our thoughts, He hears our prayers, He knows our motives and our deeds.  And through the Father, His Son is also present in the same way.

Thanks for any thoughts anyone would like to share.

Greetings! With regard to your question, the following verses of LDS scripture describe what we are taught concerning the nature of of God’s presence and influence in our lives:

40 For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things.

41 He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever. (Doctrins and Covenants 88)

Edited January 10, 2018 by Bobbieaware

[RockHopper]

So His presence is all around us and through all things.  That's sounds like the same God I believe in.  Does this also include the presence of His Son?  Meaning is Christ through His Father all around us, etc.?

 

[Josh Khinder]

1 hour ago, RockHopper said:

Hi, I'm new to the forum.  I'm an evangelical, but very LDS friendly :).  And unlike many evangelicals, I'm hopeful, that despite our differences, we are worshiping the same God and doing our best to follow the same Lord and Savior.  So with that all on the table, I'm very curious about how most Mormons view God, in the sense of His presence.  In Acts 17:28 it says: 

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

What does this mean to most Mormons?  Do they believe that the Father is all around us, that our very existence is tightly coupled with His presence?  My view is that the Father is omnipresent and can see/hear everything.   He knows our thoughts, He hears our prayers, He knows our motives and our deeds.  And through the Father, His Son is also present in the same way.

Thanks for any thoughts anyone would like to share.

 

According to Gordon B Hinckley Mormons worship a different God or Christ 

The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak as been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. He together with His Father, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in the year 1820, and when Joseph left the grove that day, he knew more of the matters of God than all the learned ministers of the gospel of the ages." (Church News, June 20, 1998, p70) Gordon B Hinckley

We Look to Christ 2002 General Conference April

https://youtu.be/bkks2O6erGU

 

[Bobbieaware]

1 hour ago, RockHopper said:

So His presence is all around us and through all things.  That's sounds like the same God I believe in.  Does this also include the presence of His Son?  Meaning is Christ through His Father all around us, etc.?

 

The following verses of LDS scripture have specific reference to the presence and power of Christ being everywhere present through the light of Christ that fills the immensity of space.

 

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;

9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;

10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.

11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—

13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. (Doctrine and Covenants 88)

[RockHopper]

Well, that really doesn't answer my question.  If you think I worship a different Christ, fine.  But, I'm just asking how you (or Mormons in general) view God the Father and Christ the Son, in relation to the scripture I quoted.

I hope my question isn't coming across as threatening in any way.  I just moved to Utah county and have been helping out with Young Men's and attending some services with the local ward.  No one has questioned my understanding of who Christ is.  They're just eager for me to believe in the Book of Mormon, etc..  My approach to all of this has always been in the spirit of what lslslsl wrote:

[RockHopper]

Ooop didn't finish the post.  I was saying my approach has always been in the sprit of what President Boyd K. Packer wrote in Who is Jesus Christ? https://www.lds.org/ensign/2008/03/who-is-jesus-christ?lang=eng

The Prophet Joseph Smith was often asked, “What are the fundamental principles of your religion?”

“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”¹

[RockHopper]

7 minutes ago, Bobbieaware said:

The following verses of LDS scripture have specific reference to the presence and power of Christ being everywhere present through the light of Christ that fills the immensity of space.

 

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;

9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;

10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.

11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—

13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. (Doctrine and Covenants 88)

That's cool, I really like those passage.

 

[Bobbieaware]

5 hours ago, RockHopper said:

Well, that really doesn't answer my question.  If you think I worship a different Christ, fine.  But, I'm just asking how you (or Mormons in general) view God the Father and Christ the Son, in relation to the scripture I quoted.

I hope my question isn't coming across as threatening in any way.  I just moved to Utah county and have been helping out with Young Men's and attending some services with the local ward.  No one has questioned my understanding of who Christ is.  They're just eager for me to believe in the Book of Mormon, etc..  My approach to all of this has always been in the spirit of what lslslsl wrote:

I can’t imagine how the  question you asked could be any more benign and and any less threatening to the Latter-Day Saints. Yours is a perfectly reasonable question to ask.

I immediately discerned you are being being sincere when you say you feel friendly toward the LDS Church, unlike many of the other Evangelicals who participate on the board, and that you don’t automatically presume we are not worshipping the same God. This attitude is a refreshing change.

I personally believe one of the main reasons why many Evangelicals have such negative attitudes toward the Latter-Day Saints is because they believe the members of the LDS Church are going to spend all eternity suffering unimaginable, unremitting agony in hell because — among other things — we dare to believe God is much more compassionate, patient and merciful than they do.

[bluebell]

8 hours ago, RockHopper said:

Well, that really doesn't answer my question.  If you think I worship a different Christ, fine.  But, I'm just asking how you (or Mormons in general) view God the Father and Christ the Son, in relation to the scripture I quoted.

I hope my question isn't coming across as threatening in any way.  I just moved to Utah county and have been helping out with Young Men's and attending some services with the local ward.  No one has questioned my understanding of who Christ is.  They're just eager for me to believe in the Book of Mormon, etc..  My approach to all of this has always been in the spirit of what lslslsl wrote:

Josh isn't LDS. I think he's trying to convince you (someone he would view as a fellow Christian, unlike us mormons) that your view of us is wrong.

[Tacenda]

9 hours ago, RockHopper said:

Well, that really doesn't answer my question.  If you think I worship a different Christ, fine.  But, I'm just asking how you (or Mormons in general) view God the Father and Christ the Son, in relation to the scripture I quoted.

I hope my question isn't coming across as threatening in any way.  I just moved to Utah county and have been helping out with Young Men's and attending some services with the local ward.  No one has questioned my understanding of who Christ is.  They're just eager for me to believe in the Book of Mormon, etc..  My approach to all of this has always been in the spirit of what lslslsl wrote:

Wow, are you talking about Young Men's in the LDS church? How did you manage that? I think them being exposed to someone of another faith is great. Growing up I rarely knew someone outside of my faith. Welcome to the board!

[Josh Khinder]

10 hours ago, RockHopper said:

Well, that really doesn't answer my question.  If you think I worship a different Christ, fine.  But, I'm just asking how you (or Mormons in general) view God the Father and Christ the Son, in relation to the scripture I quoted.

I hope my question isn't coming across as threatening in any way.  I just moved to Utah county and have been helping out with Young Men's and attending some services with the local ward.  No one has questioned my understanding of who Christ is.  They're just eager for me to believe in the Book of Mormon, etc..  My approach to all of this has always been in the spirit of what lslslsl wrote:

This picture distinguishes the Mormon Jesus versus Mormon Christ

 

[RockHopper]

3 hours ago, Bobbieaware said:

I can’t imagine how the  question you asked could be any more benign and and any less threatening to the Latter-Day Saints. Yours is a perfectly reasonable question to ask.

I immediately discerned you are being being sincere when you say you feel friendly toward the LDS Church, unlike many of the other Evangelicals who participate on the board, and that you don’t automatically presume we are not worshipping the same God. This attitude is a refreshing change.

I personally believe one of the main reasons why many Evangelicals have such negative attitudes toward the Latter-Day Saints is because they believe the members of the LDS Church are going to spend all eternity suffering unimaginable, unremitting agony in hell because — among other things — we dare to believe God is much more compassionate, patient and merciful than they do.

Great!  Glad to hear

Many Christian denominations believe other Christian denominations are lost.  But personally I don't think this is the source of the animosity.  I think it's more rooted in concern over "false teachings".   I know Baptists, who have a much more negative view of Catholicism.  Why, because Catholicism is so prevalent and thus it is leading (has lead) BILLIONS away from God. 

Regarding negative attitudes towards Mormons, I personally think it really boils down to:

1) Having extra sacred texts (Book of Mormon, D&C, Pearl of Great Price, etc.)

2) Having modern prophets, starting with Joseph Smith and down the line

3) Historical baggage (older, controversial LDS church practices)

I mean right from the start, Mormons were persecuted for these things, and so it created a stigma that's been hard to shake.  I used to be extremely judgemental/elitist.  But a little(maybe a lot of) humble pie has forced me to reassess what I consider debatable and non-debatable issues.   I still believe the way to life is narrow and the path to destruction is broad (Matthew 7:13-14), but I also believe a tree is known by it's fruit (Luke 6:43-45).   When I look at the lives of many Mormons, I see a lot of fruit.

 

[RockHopper]

1 hour ago, bluebell said:

Josh isn't LDS. I think he's trying to convince you (someone he would view as a fellow Christian, unlike us mormons) that your view of us is wrong.

Ah, that makes more sense now

[RockHopper]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

Wow, are you talking about Young Men's in the LDS church? How did you manage that? I think them being exposed to someone of another faith is great. Growing up I rarely knew someone outside of my faith. Welcome to the board!

Thanks.

As I mentioned, my wife and I recently moved to the heart of Mormon country.   So, we are pretty much the only ones in our neighborhood who are not LDS.   I have a couple teen boys and we were invited to the YM's activities.  So, that's how I ended up helping out.  It's not an official role, more of a helping out where/when I can.

[bluebell]

22 minutes ago, RockHopper said:

Ah, that makes more sense now

It can get confusing when people answer questions meant for one group of people, without explaining that they aren't actually a part of that group.

To address the your opening post, besides that Bobbie has said, it helps to remember that LDS believe that being an offspring of God means that we (all of humanity) have inherited spiritual divine DNA (for lack of a better term).  In that sense, His presence is literally a part of us.

[RockHopper]

31 minutes ago, Josh Khinder said:

This picture distinguishes the Mormon Jesus versus Mormon Christ

 

Hey Josh, Sorry I was a little confused about your earlier posts, now I understand where you're coming from I guess I can respond with a little different perspective.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:18  No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Colossians 1: 15-17   Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible.  This makes me question when believers make their version of the Trinity a salvation issue.  Personally, I don't agree with much of the LDS doctrine on the origins of the Father and the Son.  But, I don't  agree 100% with the Protestant/Catholic view of the Trinity either. 

Fore example, I believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.  So was He always with the Father, or was He begotten by the Father?  If he was begotten then He had beginning, a beginning that was before all of creation for sure, a beginning outside of time, but nonetheless a beginning.  Jesus is different in that He wasn't created, He was begotten.  In fact, He was the only being ever begotten by God and He is of the same essence/nature as His Father.  Every other being was created, and not of the same essence/nature of God the Father.

Since my view does not align 100% with the "canonized" doctrine of the Trinity, am I now following a different Jesus?   Am I now praying to different Father, through the Spirit of Christ that cries out Abba, Father, within my very being?  Would you be so quick to judge me?  I'm certainly not offended, but I would offer you a reminder from Romans.

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

As for the other points (2,3,4,5), I don't think that's an accurate description of what Mormons (in general) believe.  But, I'm more than happy to discuss it.

 

[RockHopper]

52 minutes ago, bluebell said:

It can get confusing when people answer questions meant for one group of people, without explaining that they aren't actually a part of that group.

To address the your opening post, besides that Bobbie has said, it helps to remember that LDS believe that being an offspring of God means that we (all of humanity) have inherited spiritual divine DNA (for lack of a better term).  In that sense, His presence is literally a part of us.

That's helpful.   The main thing I'm trying to ascertain is what type of "mystical view" Mormons have about Jesus.  Is it a view where His presence is all around us, and for those who have received the Holy Ghost, they have a special indwelling of His presence?  If yes, then this seems to be the same Jesus I believe in.  Now we might not agree on every single detail about the Trinity or how Christ is manifested in us, etc..  But I don't see those as being requirements for having a bona fide belief in the same Jesus.

By the way, I like your George Bush quote

[bluebell]

2 hours ago, Josh Khinder said:

This picture distinguishes the Mormon Jesus versus Mormon Christ

 

It is not Mormon doctrine that Jesus is a married polygamist.  Some mormons believe that but it's not taught.

[bluebell]

24 minutes ago, RockHopper said:

That's helpful.   The main thing I'm trying to ascertain is what type of "mystical view" Mormons have about Jesus.  Is it a view where His presence is all around us, and for those who have received the Holy Ghost, they have a special indwelling of His presence?  If yes, then this seems to be the same Jesus I believe in.  Now we might not agree on every single detail about the Trinity or how Christ is manifested in us, etc..  But I don't see those as being requirements for having a bona fide belief in the same Jesus.

By the way, I like your George Bush quote

Thanks!

Like others have said, Mormons believe in the Light of Christ, which basically powers the universe and affects us all.  This is basically the 'official' definition of the term-

The phrase “light of Christ” does not appear in the Bible, although the principles that apply to it are frequently mentioned therein. The precise phrase is found in Alma 28:14, Moro. 7:18, and D&C 88:7. Biblical phrases that are sometimes synonymous to the term “light of Christ” are “spirit of the Lord” and “light of life” (see, for example, John 1:4; 8:12). The “spirit of the Lord,” however, sometimes is used with reference to the Holy Ghost and so must not be taken in every case as having reference to the light of Christ.

The light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ. For instance, Christ is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 93:2; see John 1:9). The light of Christ fills the “immensity of space” and is the means by which Christ is able to be “in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things.” It “giveth life to all things” and is “the law by which all things are governed.” It is also “the light that quickeneth” man’s understanding (see D&C 88:6–13, 41). In this manner, the light of Christ is related to man’s conscience and tells him right from wrong (Moro. 7:12–19).

The light of Christ should not be confused with the personage of the Holy Ghost, for the light of Christ is not a personage at all. Its influence is preliminary to and preparatory to one’s receiving the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ will lead the honest soul who “hearkeneth to the voice” to find the true gospel and the true Church and thereby receive the Holy Ghost (see D&C 84:46–48). Additional references are Alma 19:6; 26:3; D&C 20:27.

[RockHopper]

42 minutes ago, bluebell said:

Thanks!

Like others have said, Mormons believe in the Light of Christ, which basically powers the universe and affects us all.  This is basically the 'official' definition of the term-

The phrase “light of Christ” does not appear in the Bible, although the principles that apply to it are frequently mentioned therein. The precise phrase is found in Alma 28:14, Moro. 7:18, and D&C 88:7. Biblical phrases that are sometimes synonymous to the term “light of Christ” are “spirit of the Lord” and “light of life” (see, for example, John 1:4; 8:12). The “spirit of the Lord,” however, sometimes is used with reference to the Holy Ghost and so must not be taken in every case as having reference to the light of Christ.

The light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ. For instance, Christ is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 93:2; see John 1:9). The light of Christ fills the “immensity of space” and is the means by which Christ is able to be “in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things.” It “giveth life to all things” and is “the law by which all things are governed.” It is also “the light that quickeneth” man’s understanding (see D&C 88:6–13, 41). In this manner, the light of Christ is related to man’s conscience and tells him right from wrong (Moro. 7:12–19).

The light of Christ should not be confused with the personage of the Holy Ghost, for the light of Christ is not a personage at all. Its influence is preliminary to and preparatory to one’s receiving the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ will lead the honest soul who “hearkeneth to the voice” to find the true gospel and the true Church and thereby receive the Holy Ghost (see D&C 84:46–48). Additional references are Alma 19:6; 26:3; D&C 20:27.

Ok, so that's definitely in the ball park for me.  It sounds like Mormons believe they can have a personal/intimate relationship with Christ, that He hears the prayers, knows their thoughts/deeds, etc..  I always think it's funny when people say Mormons don't talk about or worship Jesus.  Just walk into a LDS church building or go to an LDS Christmas service and you'll find that this isn't true.

[bluebell]

4 minutes ago, RockHopper said:

Ok, so that's definitely in the ball park for me.  It sounds like Mormons believe they can have a personal/intimate relationship with Christ, that He hears the prayers, knows their thoughts/deeds, etc..  I always think it's funny when people say Mormons don't talk about or worship Jesus.  Just walk into a LDS church building or go to an LDS Christmas service and you'll find that this isn't true.

Exactly!  

[Josh Khinder]

1 hour ago, bluebell said:

It is not Mormon doctrine that Jesus is a married polygamist.  Some mormons believe that but it's not taught.

Probably depends on if you believe in continuing revelation ?

“and what does he say upon the subject of Christ and his Apostles, and their belief? He says, "The grand reason why the Gentiles and philosophers of his school persecuted Jesus Christ, was, because he had so many wives; there were Elizabeth, and Mary, and a host of others that followed him." After Jesus went kern the stage of action, the Apostles followed the example of their master. … The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based upon polygamy, according to the testimony of the philosophers who rose in that age. A belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think they were "Mormons."” (Jedediah M Grant, Journal of Discourses Vol. 1, pp. 345-346)

“the great Messiah who was the founder of the Christian religion, was a polygamist … the Messiah chose to take upon himself his seed; and by marrying many honorable wives himself, show to all future generations that he approbated the plurality of wives under the Christian dispensation” (Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 253)


“Now, briefly, the reason that the Lord, through the Prophet Joseph, introduced the doctrine of plural marriage, and the reason that the Church ... has never and will never relinquish the doctrine of plural marriage, is simply this: The major purpose of the Church is to help man attain the great eternal destiny suggested in that couplet ... plural marriage is the patriarchal order of marriage lived by God and others who reign in the Celestial Kingdom. As well might the Church relinquish its claim to the Priesthood as the doctrine of plural marriage.” (John J. Stewart (1961), Brigham Young and His Wives, p. 41)


“because I said, in my lecture on Marriage, at our last Conference, that Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children.” (Mormon Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses Vol. 2, p. 210)
 

"The Scripture says that He, the LORD, came walking in the Temple, with His train; I do not know who they were, unless His wives and children ..." (Mormon 2nd Prophet & President Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, p. 309)

 

 

 

 

[bluebell]

11 minutes ago, Josh Khinder said:

Probably depends on if you believe in continuing revelation ?

“and what does he say upon the subject of Christ and his Apostles, and their belief? He says, "The grand reason why the Gentiles and philosophers of his school persecuted Jesus Christ, was, because he had so many wives; there were Elizabeth, and Mary, and a host of others that followed him." After Jesus went kern the stage of action, the Apostles followed the example of their master. … The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based upon polygamy, according to the testimony of the philosophers who rose in that age. A belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think they were "Mormons."” (Jedediah M Grant, Journal of Discourses Vol. 1, pp. 345-346)

“the great Messiah who was the founder of the Christian religion, was a polygamist … the Messiah chose to take upon himself his seed; and by marrying many honorable wives himself, show to all future generations that he approbated the plurality of wives under the Christian dispensation” (Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 253)


“Now, briefly, the reason that the Lord, through the Prophet Joseph, introduced the doctrine of plural marriage, and the reason that the Church ... has never and will never relinquish the doctrine of plural marriage, is simply this: The major purpose of the Church is to help man attain the great eternal destiny suggested in that couplet ... plural marriage is the patriarchal order of marriage lived by God and others who reign in the Celestial Kingdom. As well might the Church relinquish its claim to the Priesthood as the doctrine of plural marriage.” (John J. Stewart (1961), Brigham Young and His Wives, p. 41)


“because I said, in my lecture on Marriage, at our last Conference, that Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children.” (Mormon Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses Vol. 2, p. 210)
 

"The Scripture says that He, the LORD, came walking in the Temple, with His train; I do not know who they were, unless His wives and children ..." (Mormon 2nd Prophet & President Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, p. 309)

 

 

 

 

No, what is or isn't considered Mormon doctrine does not depend on whether or not a person believes in continuing revelation.  

You really have no idea what you are talking about  a lot of the time when it comes to Mormons.

[Bobbieaware]

3 hours ago, RockHopper said:

Great!  Glad to hear

Many Christian denominations believe other Christian denominations are lost.  But personally I don't think this is the source of the animosity.  I think it's more rooted in concern over "false teachings".   I know Baptists, who have a much more negative view of Catholicism.  Why, because Catholicism is so prevalent and thus it is leading (has lead) BILLIONS away from God. 

Regarding negative attitudes towards Mormons, I personally think it really boils down to:

1) Having extra sacred texts (Book of Mormon, D&C, Pearl of Great Price, etc.)

2) Having modern prophets, starting with Joseph Smith and down the line

3) Historical baggage (older, controversial LDS church practices)

I mean right from the start, Mormons were persecuted for these things, and so it created a stigma that's been hard to shake.  I used to be extremely judgemental/elitist.  But a little(maybe a lot of) humble pie has forced me to reassess what I consider debatable and non-debatable issues.   I still believe the way to life is narrow and the path to destruction is broad (Matthew 7:13-14), but I also believe a tree is known by it's fruit (Luke 6:43-45).   When I look at the lives of many Mormons, I see a lot of fruit.

 

I’m in general accord with your list, but I still believe the Evangelical perception that the Mormons are going to end up suffering the unimaginable horrors of hell forever, an attitude that approaches outright demonization, is the main EMOTIONAL driver that perpetuates the Evangelical I’ll-will toward the Latter-Day Saints. After all, if the God of perfect love, mercy and justice appears to be so callous and emotionally indifferent toward the unending eternal agonies the Latter-Day Saints will have to endure, why should mere mortal Evangelicals be expected to be any mor,e positively disposed toward the Latter-Day Saints?

Meanwhile, because the Latter-Day Saints believe the Evangelicals will be saved through Christ, and inherit a place in one of the Father’s many mansions of eternal glory, the far less intensely negative feelings they might feel toward the Evangelicals is an understandable wariness that grows out of being virtually demonized and presumptively condemned to hell by an entire religion.Two different worlds; two radically different points of view.

Edited January 10, 2018 by Bobbieaware