Mormon bashers (anti mormons, etc) ....what do you TEACH???

Question

There are lots of people (anti-Mormons, ex-Mormons, Christians, Atheists, Agnostics, etc) on here that spend lots of time and energy talking about what Mormons do or don't believe and why you shouldn't listen to Mormons, read the book of Mormon, etc.

What I'm interested in knowing is this:

What is it that you actually believe and teach??? (so leave out anything regarding the mormons).

Good example: My belief is that Christ is my savior.
Bad example: My believe is that Buddha is NOT my savior.

(I realize that this will be very hard for you to do without bashing Mormons, but please exhibit your intelligence and try)
I understand that you think "Joe Smith" was a phony, that you don't think we believe in "your Jesus", that the Book of Mormon is a counterfeit, etc, etc, etc. Please don't post that here. We can read it anywhere.

What is it that you actually believe???

(And again...no bashing on this post...lets see if you can do it)

....did I mention no bashing here???

I am a member of "The Church of Jesus Christ" aka Mormons. I am a Christian. I suppose I should have written Mormons vs "Other Christians" to be technically correct.

You clearly don't like Mormons, however you failed to mention what it is that you do believe while subtly bashing Mormons. This wasn't a difficult thing to do, yet you screwed it up and went straight into bashing and failed to tell us what you actuall beleive.

Answer 1

I believe god sent his son jesus to die for my sins and because of this i can go to heaven. I can never be good enough to go to heaven i must rely on the grace of god. however this doesn't mean i am in free and i can go about my life and do as i please. when i made my decision to live a christian life i basically promised myself and god that i would do the best i could to live a life pleasing to him. i don't believe there is one right church. i believe as long as you live for jesus he will iron out the fine details when we die or when he comes again. amen.

Answer 2

You're putting an awful lot of disclaimers, caveats and conditions to answer your question in order to get the most correct answer as far as you can translate it correctly.

That being said, I'm mindful of your intent, so I'll try to be civil wilth a response.

First, anything "anti' or 'bashing' of mormondom is a result of the application of 'critical' thinking. I don't presuppose mormonism is wrong for their concept of a deity, but the doctrine and history of the church is still recent enough to undergo critical revew. So can Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientologists to name a few.

Mormons aren't the only faith-based concept undergoing review. I apply the same methodology to christianity as mormomism - the history and doctrine, etc. Catholicsim contains the most plentiful accounts of early christianity, but is that too based on earlier mythology? It's more difficult to analyze, as I don't have the knowledge of the languages and culture of the period.

I don't think it's correct to apply 21st century 'western' standards to 1st century semites living under an occupying Roman presence. We can imagine, but it's all a guess. The more eduation you have, the better your approximation of life 2000 years ago might be. I like the Discovery Channel, but I don't hold it as gospel.

Conversely, the time and place of early mormonism, the doctrinal talks and violent history (on both sides) of the church is totally foreign to our present. Sure poligamy is abhorent to our sensibilities, and the racial ephitets by McConkie are inappropriate to our ears. But, it's all recorded in English from numerous sources, the history is only 200 years old, and it has been passed of as 'thus saith the lord', if not to you, perhaps your grandparents. It *was* doctrine, like it or not.

My main issue is this: After 50 years, of 'knowing it to be true', I applied critical thought to the Book of Mormon and the canonical books. I read other authors who were critical because I wanted to know why they were 'anti' against the obvious word of god. I wore your shoes fo half a century.

My conclusion is this: The Book of mormon is not false doctrine. It's not 'doctrine' at all - It is an imaginary tale of imaginary people interwoven with tales of morality. It reflects the 'Yankee' environment of the early 1800s.

Likewise the Book of Abraham. - I've read the FARMS defenses, Jeff Lindsay's blog, but I've deduced and reasoned it simply is not what I was taught - an actual genuine codice written by Abraham.

The conlusion is this is what I do not believe: that JS was a prophet, nor anyone else who claims to be. I do not believe in the BoM, D&C nor the Bible to be 'words of god,' period.

This doesn't really anser your question, by suffice to say, if your church ir true, prove it. If any christian-based church is true, offer up the undeniable evidence. I have an opinion that is substantiated with facts. Would you want to be a juror on a case were there is only the defense lawyer and no prosecutor? Would that be a fair representation?

Truth is distilled from myth by the very process you state you don't like or don't want to hear. Truth needs no explanation, faith wants none.

Answer 3

The Mormon religion was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith. He claimed to have received a personal visit from God the Father and Jesus Christ and told that all churches and their creeds were an abomination. Joseph set out to impose a brand-new religion that claims to be the “only true church on earth.” The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible. Christians have no reason to believe that the Bible is not true and adequate. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word. And all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him (2 Timothy 3:16).
Clearly there is only one way to receive salvation; to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). It is not done by works, but by faith (Romans 1:17, 3:28). When we have this faith, we will automatically be obedient to God's laws and become baptized out of love for Him, but not because it is a requirement for salvation. We can receive this gift no matter who we are or what we have done (Romans 3:22). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind people - they are involved in a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation.

Answer 4

It's funny because I see those questions directed at Mormons and I ask why? What's the point? I never answer because I obviously know nothing about the Mormon religion so who am I to judge it. In fact, of all the Mormons I know, which is a good 10 or 15 people, they are all very nice people.

Answer 5

I believe in a higher being that cannot be explained through stories or science. I don't need a savior to be happy, life is too short. I'm happy knowning something is out there responsible for our lives. I don't need to "know" why I'm here, I am here anyways so why worry about it.

chill dude, if being mormon makes you happy than more power to you!

Answer 6

I believe that the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. He is God Almighty, and salvation comes not from joining any religion or organization, but rather through faith in Christ. I believe the Bible is the only key to understanding God and what it truly means to be a Christian and spiritual. How's that?

Answer 7

The most important thing is how to be saved, or how to know you can go to heaven and be with the Lord. It is as simple as abc...

Admit That We Are All Sinners
Romans 3:10—”As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”
Romans 5:12—”Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

Believe in Jesus Christ’s Payment for Your Sin
Romans 6:23—”For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 — “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Confess Your Faith in the Work & Person of Christ
Romans 10:9-13—”That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

In a nutshell, here are the specifics of what a Baptist believes. For a more detailed explanation with Bible references, use the link below.

HISTORIC BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES
Bible - the soul authority for faith and practice
Autonomy or independence of the local church
Priesthood of all believers
T wo offices - Pastor, Deacon
I ndividual soul liberty and responsibility
S eparation of Church & State
Two ordinances; Believer's Baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper
Saved, baptized and serving members

Answer 8

I believe that anything that reaches us personally for Jesus Christ on any level is worth it. I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and L-rd. Just like you, brother....

Answer 9

I believe int he trinity (calvinist) which means that God, his son jesus christ and the holy ghost are one and the same but can work as seperate beings. Its hard to explain, but to me, being an ex-mormon it makes sence, I had a problem with the Mormons saying that Gid sent a savior to die for my sins, so when I heard about this doctrine, it seemed, in a sence that God sent himself to die for my sins instead of being a coward and sending his son to die for my sins. I believe you cannot get to heaven without being saved, the same principle as being sealed in the temple to me. That is if my whole family is saved, I will see them in heaven and not have to go to the temple to be sealed to my family, I just have to get saved which is a "Get into heaven free" card.
without explaining each and quickly...
1. total depravity- man needs god
2. unconditial election-god choices certain people
3. particular redemption-christ work on the cross saves the elect
4. irresistible grace-the elect hear the call to be saved
5. perseverance of the saints-never loose your salvation once you have excepted Jesus as your Savior and declared him into your heart.
book: "The five points of Calvinism...defined...defended... by David N. Steele and Curtis C. Thomas

Answer 10

I believe that Jesus died for my sins. and becasue of this,i am saved. Well thats just the bare bones of it. but its the most important part.