I am doing an intensive study of both the Mormon and the Jehovah's witness religions. What more can I learn?

Question

I have found that both religions have certian doctrians that seem rather intreging to me, such as no trinity, no pastors/teachers other then white men, the addition of their transtations/books, and most of all the lack of expertise or schooling! why are these so intreging you ask, because I am tring to keep an open mind and bridge the gap of divitions amongst religions

Answer 1

The question's so-called "intensive study" doesn't seem to involve investigating actual Jehovah's Witness beliefs.

For example, the majority of Witness teachers are women. Secondly, more than 10% of their Governing Body are black, not white.

The question seems to be the opposite of real scholarship and 'keeping an open mind'. Instead, its spelling and grammar errors expose the questioner's ignorance, and his attempts to demean and insult the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses expose the questioner's bigotry and prejudice.

Interestingly, such "hatred" should be expected by true Christians in this time of the end, and it actually helps identify Jehovah's Witnesses as Christ's true disciples:

(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.

(Luke 6:22) Happy are you whenever men hate you, and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man.

(1 Peter 4:4) Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

It seems signficant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2003/3/1/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2002/4/1/article_01.htm

Answer 2

Another thing, Jehovah's Witnesses DO NOT CARE WHAT COLOR YOU ARE! Black, Red, Yellow or White, EVERYONE is welcome at the podium to give a talk or speech (SO YOU HAVE THAT WRONG!). They feel that their god Jehovah created people different colors, so that over their Eternity on Earth they will not be "so bored" but have brothers and sisters in Christ that will always have different lifestyles and things to share with them, and they with them. They do NOT tolerate bigotry. Ever. Everyone in the Kingdom Hall is equal and had better be treated equally! They feel skin color is a GIFT FROM GOD and not anything else, that to treat it as an excuse to discriminate is "intolerable and inexcusable and simply unforgivable."

Also, Jehovah's Witnesses may not have years of College or University Study, but they can discuss scripture with a Theologian anytime, and J.W.'s are one of the ONLY Christian organizations where everyone believes the same thing. In say a Baptist Church you can ask three people what the Trinity means and get 3 different answers, in the Witnesses Kindgom Hall you will get 3 answers that sound the same. Why? Because, if you follow the Bible, there can be only ONE Truth and only ONE Way, and as Christ said, "narrow is the path and few finding it" not "wide is the path and many finding it."

Which is what MOST CHURCHES SAY! All you have to do is have a good heart and that's enough to get you to god, "yeah, whatever."

Answer 3

I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses and I belong to a Spanish congregation. All of the elders are Spanish. One is Cuban, one is Colombian and the others are Mexican. They asked me to come and join because we don't allow people who are breaking the law, i.e., illegal immigrants to be used as teachers and so we don't have a lot of qualified men in my area. I have had several Mormon friends in my life, I have found them to be a fun group as individuals. One of my Mormon friends told me that his elder told him that they have to be nice to JWs though because we might be angels, not the whole group, but an individual. I don't believe that to be a doctrine teached by the LDS church though. As for your comment on schooling. At first it was recommended that higher learning was not really needed to be a servant of God, which really it isn't as long as you have a firm grip of whatever language your bible is translated into and have enough intelligence to understand it(often you can find this among everyday people). But now it is fully supported and recommended that we do seek some secular schooling. I don't know why the no trinity is intriguing to you, even after you said you are trying to bridge the gap, but it if you would like to learn more I suggest what I would do when I want to know something I sit down with someone who knows and talk about it. You don't need to invite one of us into your house, I actually feel slightly uncomfortable in peoples houses, you can just ask a quick question if you feel like it and tell them, "If I can think of something else I'll answer the door next time you come by in three months," or however often you get your door knocked on.

Answer 4

It is good that you want to learn more about these different religions. However, I think many of the people who read your comments misunderstood some of the things you wrote because you lumped the two religions together. The teachings of each religion are not the same. The only thing that is remotely similar is we are both known for preaching. As was mentioned, Jehovah's Witnesses do not favor one race above another. There are over 95,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide and the ones taking the lead in the congregations come from all walks of life. As far as most lacking the schooling, Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to get the most out of their education. Many choose to get vocational training so that they can find a good job. But we do take learning seriously because we need to represent our God in a fine way, and if we can't read or speak in an intelligent way, how could that draw people to want to learn more about our creator?
I am going to provide you with a link to an article that discusses Who Jehovah's Witnesses are and from that page, you can discover what we believe.
http://www.watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm?article=article_01.htm

Answer 5

I have read all the input on your question and like most of them I think what you need to do is go to the JW and Mormons to hear what they have to say rather than what every one else has to say about them.
I can tell you that they both have very good web sites I have visted both and use info from them as well.

and no I am not a Mormon but yes I was a JW fo over 9 years but that is another story lol.

So let God and his word (Holy Bible) be your teacher for no matter what religion you pick it must follow God and his word.

and as far as the trinty there are a lot more churches than just those two that do not support the trinity.

3 in 1 or all 3 separate: the imporant thing is do you belive that there is GOD, Jesus and his Holy Spirit thats what matters.

if we spend more time in doing Gods will rather than fighting over the trinity I think we would be a lot better off.

God Bless.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Answer 6

Well you're wrong in a lot of your findings... at least in reference to the LDS church. I cannot speak for the JW. In the LDS faith, we believe that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are different beings entirely, but the same in purpose. We have teachers of all races in our faith, and all bishops or sunday school teachers, such as myself, are volunteer and are not paid as in other faiths. And I beg your pardon with no expertise or schooling? In our faith, besides a typical education in grade school, college, or doctorate level... we take classes our entire lives about faith. Well, I didn't because I am a convert. But kids learn about faith and religion from the moment they are 18 months old until they die.

In order to get correct answers about a religion, you need to go to the source. Visit www.lds.org to learn more about the LDS faith. As for the JW... call them up and schedule an interview with your questions. You wouldn't ask a Chevy dealer about a Ford, now would you?

Answer 7

Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians, Mormon is a nickname. We believe in the Godhead. The Father, Son, Holy Ghost being three separate and distinct beings. The first two have physical bodies the Holy Ghost being a personage of Spirit.

We most certainly have teachers and pastors, you are misinformed on that. I am a woman and a teacher. We have plenty of ethnic variation within the church.


2 Nephi 9:28

O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

The major difference between the true Church of Jesus Christ and all others is that we have the gift of the Holy Ghost given by one who has been given authority by God personally to baptize. Modern day revelation is a key element to the true church as well. All the miracles, angels and divine occurrences you will only find in the true and LIVING church.

Answer 8

I don't know anything about Mormons, but I know a lot about Jehovah's Witnesses because I used to be one for many years. You are correct that Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the trinity, but it is definitely not true that only white men can be teachers. Women cannot be 'elders', but a man of any color is eligible.

You are also correct that they discourage higher education for the most part although in recent years they have relaxed their position on this somewhat. Still it's frowned on as being a waste of time since supposedly this system of things is going to come to an end any day now. Many older Witnesses followed this adivce in their youth and are now finding themselves ill prepared financially for retirement since they were promised they would not grow old in this system of things. In 1969, the Awake! journal stated: "If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this system of things..as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers."

So if you decide to become a Witness, you may want to consider that they don't always give the best advice.

Answer 9

The word trinity seems to be taken a few ways. In the Mormon faith, we believe that there are three beings in the Godhead; Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. They are three seperate and distinct beings. We believe that when the scriptures say that they are "one" , it is refering to them being one in purpose, as described in John 17.

We don't have any paid ministry. Every congregation is lead by a bishop that volunteers his time. But any man of any race can hold any position in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, not just white men.

Every member is encouraged to attend three hours of meetings on Sunday. Each family is encouraged to hold a Family Home Evening once a week (usually on Sundays) where they discuss gospel topics. Once a person reaches the age of twelve, he/she begins attending another meeting at night once a week. High school students are encouraged to attend an early morning class before school called seminary every day where they learn more about the scriptures and the gospel. A similar program is set up for college students that we call Institute. Every member is encouraged to continue to study every day, individually and with their families.

If you want to know more go to
www.lds.org
www.mormon.org

Answer 10

Excuse me but I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. While you, hopefully, did not intend to be offensive the wording of your questions was very rude. You say you wish to learn more about Jehovah's Witnesses. Apparently you do not know anything about my religion. We do not favor any nationality. Our religion is centered on the Bible. I take umbrage at the suggestion that we lack schooling. We do not deign to keep someone from education, just as we do not keep someone from making money. It is a matter of personal choice. If you attend a meeting at a Kingdom Hall you will see various ages, nationalities and socioeconomic groups intermingling freely.