I have a friend whose part of some kind of Protestant Fundamentalist church and he thinks Mormons are not Christians and are going to hell. He'll talk about how LDS beliefs are "unbiblical." But the thing is the Church has Prophets who give people greater understanding. It isn't as if the Church invents totally new theology, it just brings things into focus. All Mormons pray in the name of Jesus Christ, heck the Church's official name is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"! Sounds Christian to me!
2007-07-19 14:18:45 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I tell them that whoever told them that was lying to them. That my faith in Jesus Christ is real and they can't take that away from me by lying
2007-07-19 14:30:45 · answer #1 · answered by Dionysus 5 · 12⤊ 1⤋
The responses to the above link seem mostly unfavorable to the premise. That indicates there seems to be a resistance to cease using the word yet, at least those who felt moved to answer. The choice to continue it's usage or not would have to come from the general authorities, not the membership. That's simply how the church is organized: from the top down. My turn: Sometimes a question will be posted in a certain fashion that indicates a 'side' has been chosen, and responses may be all over the board. I'm guilty on that regard, but I do not, or at least try not, to attempt to be 'inflammatory'. Being advesarial does not necessarily mean 'foe'. Answering post to preserve a point of view is equally difficult, and sometimes it's a chore to separate the poster from the post. Once again I'm as guilty as the next, but I try to at least research the 'other side of the coin', as the first side has usually been presented. I certainly never intended to become a vicious 'anti' and preceived as a villainous cretin, but I knew from the beginning this was not going to be a walk in the park. I've reread some of my past posts, and I can say that some were handled without too much sympathy or compassion; others I think are spot on. Learning to live with diverse attitudes is the beginning of acceptance. Without that, people will continue to run on emotions where reason could prevent a disaster. Like, Peace
2016-05-17 22:53:16 · answer #2 · answered by elva 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you ask a born-again what you have to do to be Christian, they will say "accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior." At the very least I have done this.
If you ask how we are saved, they will say "by faith in Jesus Christ through grace". Then at the very least I am saved.
If you ask if works matter, they will tell you no. So at the very least none of my works count one way or the other.
They can say anything about my church's theology. They can put down it's history. They can disclaim it's authority. But every one I know in the church loves the Savior, worships Heavenly Father and has the gift of the Holy Ghost. If any one from any other church feels the same way, I welcome them as Christians.
2007-07-21 09:25:44 · answer #3 · answered by Isolde 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To me, being Christian has more to do with how we act than our current understanding of the things of God. What really tests and exposes our Christianity is how we react when people treat us unfairly or even maliciously.
People are free to define Christianity however they wish -- words are simply used to convey ideas. I usually try to understand what they mean by claiming Mormons aren't Christian (e.g., we don't believe in the trinity as described in the Nicene Creed) to clarify where the differences lie. I've found this approach sometimes helps correct misunderstandings.
Regardless, we should avoid contention and responding to bad behavior in the same manner.
2007-07-20 15:02:41 · answer #4 · answered by Bryan Kingsford 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I just tell them they can believe what they want, but that if they want to really know if we are christians, to learn about the church from someone in the church.
I've had sooo many people tell me that I'm going to hell for my beliefs. I usually just tell them that God will be my judge, and it isn't very Christian of them to tell me I'm damned. Then I tell them that to me, I'm saved. I've done what I believe is right to save me.
No, we don't believe in the trinity, and I have pointed out to people that the concept of the trinity wasn't even settled until after the 3rd century, and wasn't even doctrine until after the 4th. I've told them to go back and look into what was believed before that point. There really isn't any documentation before that point to say what people really believed. Since the bible didn't continue to that point, there really is no way to tell.
They say that we have added to the bible. I tell them that we haven't added to it. If that was the case, we would have worked the BoM into the bible itself. It's a whole other book. It isn't meant to over ride the bible, or add to it, it's meant to supplament it, to make the bible more understandable and to make it more for us. They don't have to agree with it, but at least be respectful to the fact that I believe in it. So what if we have another book of scripture? Does it ever say in the bible that God's word would stop? OR there wouldn't be added revelation? I think that if more scripture were to come out, we would be much more accepting of it then other Christians would be.
I love what Annie said.. Jesus wants me for a sunbeam!!! If everyone knew that song, I think more people would understand us better. My favorite hymn is "Oh my Father". It really is a very Christian song!!!
2007-07-19 16:55:24 · answer #5 · answered by odd duck 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I usually just ignore it. My own father is not LDS and is constantly saying how he is concerned for my soul because I believe in "false doctrine"...yet I live a better life than he and many of my other family members who are anti-Mormon. There will always be opposition, satan can influence anyone and he tries his hardest. I just have faith that I am living (or at least trying to live :)) how I am supposed to and that the Lord will sort whatever out He needs to.
"Those who reject this glad message shall never such happiness know."
2007-07-20 10:08:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
If I have time, I ask them why they think that and we have an interesting discussion...if I don't have time...
I just simply tell them that we will have to agree to disagree and that I'm eternally grateful they are not the ones who will be judging where I will spend my eternity.
Give them a smile and move on.
How does it make me feel. It really doesn't. I am at peace with God and the Church. I at peace with my faith. I'm at peace with my path. Maybe sad, that there is one more person that might be mocking in the large and spacious building on the other side of the river...instead of a companion on the path to the tree of life...but each of us have our own choices to make. And the best any of us can do is just simply live our faiths.
2007-07-20 13:02:18 · answer #7 · answered by LDS~Tenshi~ 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well said. Many scriptures are open to multiple interpretation. That is why we rely upon revelation to bring the scriptures into better focus, as you said. True, many will need to look at scripture in a new light, but when they do, they see that it is all consistent and fits together neatly as a puzzle. The big picture is beautiful indeed.
2007-07-20 10:29:36 · answer #8 · answered by rac 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has their own definition of 'Christian'.
I am a lifelong LDS (Mormon) and I believe in Jesus Christ. I accept him as the Savior and the Son of God, I pray in his name and I strive to live like him and keep his commandments.
But for one reason or another, someone will tell me I am not a Christian. I realize that LDS beliefs are not like the "Mainstream" Christianity, but in my mind it is still very much a Christian church because the faith is centered around Jesus Christ.
Some people put many guidelines and restrictions on who a Christian and who isn't, though. Sometimes these restrictions are intentionally meant to exclude particular churches.
As for how I "handle" folks for saying that, I try to explain to them why I feel I am a Christian. Some people are respectful of my opinions, but others are the dogmatic, narrow-minded in-your-face types who aren't worth talking to, because they do nothing but bad-mouth anyone who doesn't believe what they believe.
I don't get too riled up about it, though. I'll defend my beliefs but I am confident enough of those beliefs to not put down anyone else
2007-07-19 14:25:38 · answer #9 · answered by Daniel 4 · 11⤊ 3⤋
Jeff Lindsay (active member of the church) has a wonderful web site that may help you respond to that. Check out this web site:
2007-07-22 08:40:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In person, I usually bear my testimony of Jesus Christ and say that I'm thankful that my judge will have perfect knowledge and mercy.
2007-07-20 09:31:29 · answer #11 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋