Mr.Peepers: I have a question about one of your answers?

Question

I'm not trying to be contentous, I just want more info on your point of view, not that I'll ever change my pov.
In this question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AodNXdrAEslEhG4LYAdKNHbsy6IX?qid=20070731191425AA8mOzw
Your answer included: "...The mormon Jesus is different than the traditional Jesus.
The mormon prophets are different than the traditional prophets.
The mormon angels are different than the traditional angels.
The mormon trinity is different than the traditional trinity.
The mormon teachings are different than Biblical teachings.
The mormon temples are different than biblical temples.
The mormon approach to religion is more corporate than personal. ..."

My question to you specifically, but anyone else generally, is How?
I make the following concessions: The mormon trinity is different than the traditional trinity. The mormon teachings are different than Biblical teachings. The mormon temples are different than biblical temples.

But with the following comments about my concessions:
First, different isn't necessarily bad.
Second, it's different teachings as in more complete teachings, not different teachings as in completely different concepts with nothing the same being taught.
And third, I think we do have some things that are different in the temple, but the purpose of drawing closer to God, making and keeping covenants, and having a special, unique, set apart place to do so is the same.


Like I said, I'm not "calling you out" or anything. I just want an answer straight from the source.
Thanks.

Oh, and one more thing, as to your comment about the church being corporate and not personal.
IMO, that is outright false.
While the church does have what you MIGHT consider a corporate side, in that it has an organizational structure, and due to zero debt it has bought pieces of land to develop and in some cases will undoubtedly use to insulate members from protestors near the Conference Center and Temple Square, it's not "corporate" as in greedy or selfish. The church goes to great lengths, IMO, to instill in members that it is a VERY personal relationship with God that is required, and that the church itself only serves to strengthen that relationship and to do what it can to make sure things are done with order, as God requires.

Jim, thanks for your answer. It's the type of answer I was looking for - that is, a heartfelt, respectful answer, and not something that tries to convince me that I'm going to hell or something. Thanks for not going into explicite detail about what happens in the temple, that alone is much appreciated and it helps me respect you to know that while you disagree with my beliefs, you can still treat what I hold dear with respect. And thanks for your prayers too, it's always nice to have someone praying for you.

Mormon Kid: Thanks for your testimony

Wahnote: Thanks for your comments. I'm choosing not to respond about the content of the answers, but on whether or not the question is answered and the tone of that answer.

Answer 1

I'll have to email you via YA with a more concise response. The boss just walked in...

>>>To be totally honest, the differences between mormonism and traditional christianity make little difference to me, but seem to be a bone of contention with mainstream christians. I just remember being taught "We are a peculiar people." Not much has really changed fro that assessment. Hell, I'm different.

I think our department just got dissolved this afternoon...

Answer 2

Since the Bible has many passages of scripture that are not clear nor precise, many of the current denominations' position on doctrine comes from various "interpretations" of the doctrine. The theology of the ""traditional trinity" did not come directly from Bible scripture, but was a "consensus" of opinion when the Christian religionists of 324 AD met in the Council of Nicea and debated what that doctrine (of the Trinity) should state, In other words, it was formed from the opinion of man.
What puzzles me about the "Mormons are not Christian" debate is this thought: What if the traditional view is all wrong? What if the Mormons have it right? Would not a sincere searcher of truth at least want to check it out first hand before dismissing it as "non traditional?"

As a Mormon, I testify that we got it right!

Answer 3

The LDS Jesus is the Jesus of the bible. He is the Great I Am and an eternal God, for we are all eternal and he is a god to us. He is one of the three Gods, one in porpose. And that porpose is to delever us home and prepare us for eternal life. There is God the Father, God the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and God the spirit and testifyer. These three personages work together for a similar cause and with out one of them, the plan could not work. This makes them essentially one God, inseperatable. They all work towards the same porpose. They are each an essential key.
LDS Prophets are the same as the biblical prophets. They are called of God, and not voted or called upon by men. They are called by direct revelation of God. The sustaining of the Prophet is not some sort of voting, rather it is for the individual. If he (the individual) does not feel that the prophet is worthy, then he must pray and seek out the truth for him self, sometimes with help and guidance from the church leaders.
The LDS angels are the same as biblical angels. They are Gloified Spirits who are in waiting to be resurected. These spirits are the ones who will be on the right hand of God and be resurected and receve the highest degree of glory.
I already covered the LDS Godhead(trinity)
The Biblical teachings are the same as LDS teachings, but some things that the LDS church is revalated, but does not contradict the bible.
Because Heavenly Father loves us, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to voluntarily suffer and pay for your sins, pains, sicknesses, and sorrows. Through His grace? and the mercy of this Atonement?—the most important event in the history of the world—He can help you in your trials and relieve you of the guilt and shame that result from your sins.

As you rely on the Atonement, you will feel the love of God and He will help you endure your trials. You will experience joy, peace, and consolation through the mercy of your loving Heavenly Father.

Though He paid for your sins, Jesus did not eliminate your agency? or personal responsibility; He will not make you clean against your will.

To make His Atonement fully effective in your life, you must:

Exercise faith in Him.
Repent.
Be baptized.
Receive the Holy Ghost.?
Choose to follow His teachings for the rest of your life.
We can’t fully understand how Jesus suffered for our sins. But we know that in the Garden of Gethsemane, the weight of our sins caused Him to feel such agony that He bled from every pore ( Luke 22:39–44) .

Later, as He hung upon the cross, Jesus willingly suffered painful death by one of the cruelest methods ever known.

The Savior tells us, “For behold, I . . . have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer . . . even as I” ( Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–17).

You can be forgiven of your sins through the Atonement of Jesus Christ by the process of repentance? ( John 3:16; Mosiah 4:6-8).

To sincerely repent, you must:

Confess the sin to both God and anyone who has been harmed by your sin.
Ask forgiveness from God and from anyone you have harmed.
When possible, repair the damage you have done.
Forsake your sins.
Strive to keep the commandments.?
True repentance? brings peace and forgiveness. God has promised, “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” ( Doctrine and Covenants 58:42).

The Mormon temples are only diferent than the biblical temples because the only temples mentioned in the bible are in the old testament and have to do with the law of moses. Some things from the temple have remained the same but there is also new and revalated things that are essential for Man's salvation.
The LDS approach to religion is Personal. You must pray and receve the holy ghost who will manifest the truth unto all. The Holy Ghost can only be receveved personaly only and others have to receve on their own.
I know that this church is true because the Holy Spirit made it manifest unto me.

Answer 4

"The Mormon Jesus is different than the traditional Jesus."
Big Number one here is the Jesus that the LDS church teaches is a created being. The Jesus of the Bible is the I AM. the Eternal God.
"The Mormon prophets are different than the traditional prophets."
Biblical prophets were called directly from God with no vote, no affirmation from a church. No organization called John the Baptist to His position. He became the last of the OT prophets being directed by God directly..
"The Mormon angels are different than the traditional angels."
Biblical angels were created to be just that angels. No were is it taught they are resurrected men or men in spiritual form.
"The Mormon trinity is different than the traditional trinity."
For one thing there is no Mormon trinity. You believe in multiple Gods. Biblically there is One God. He is manifest to mankind as the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.. Three persons ONE GOD!!
"The Mormon teachings are different than Biblical teachings."
I want to let the Bible answer this point.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The LDS Church teaches that all mankind will be judged by their works.. I would say this is a huge difference..
"The Mormon temples are different than biblical temples."
You don't really want me to tell the world what goes on in your temples do you? I don't think you would like me much if I told the world. So I'll just say that the A Christian Temple is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. That is the Christian's heart. It is a place where we make sacrifices as Priests of the Most Hight God. These sacrifices are our praise to Him our contrite spirits before His glory. Every Christian is a Priest making these offerings to God. That is what a real Temple is used for to make sacrifice to God..
"The Mormon approach to religion is more corporate than personal. ..."
You leaders make all the decisions for the church. In a Christian church all the power to operate the church is in the hands of the Bride of Christ. In case you don't know who that is it's the members of the Church. All equal all with the power to act in the name of their Lord. Since the Holy Spirit is in each of us we work as one body but without any religious authority over us but that of God. You have a man standing between you and Christ that is a terrible shame..

Still I have no way to make you believe the Bible as it is. You have to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you and have His draw you to Christ. I can show you why you should re-examine the teaching of the LDS church and those of Joseph Smith, but I can't force you to yield to the world of Christ and His Apostles.
I do pray for you all corporately. Now I will pray for you personally... Jim

Answer 5

Just a note to Jim B:

Concerning Prophet: (LDS belief,) We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
(Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:5)

You said no more prophet? what about this scripture?
7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
(Old Testament | Amos 3:7)

Concerning Trinity:

We accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and redeemer, and know he is our elder brother, please ponder this scripture before making your own interpretation.

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
(New Testament | John 20:17)

Concering save by works;

You totally ignore what James said:

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
(New Testament | James 2:17 - 24)

As for temple: Where is yours? do not critized doctrines that you do not understand and do not have.

As for member of the church making decisions
When do you see in the bible that the people can make choices without the instruction of the prophet. You say we have a man between Christ and the people. Your are wrong, we have a prophet between Christ and the people of Christ.
Didn't you say man has to be called by God to do his will?
Who called your leaders, are they prophets called of God, or are they just man with gospel degrees?

As for christ being a created being .

Once again , ponder the scriture:
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

We LDS believe Jesus Christ is the God of Old testament, he created the Earth with God the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ indeed is a God. The " us" in the scripture is no accident.

26 ¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image.....
(Old Testament | Genesis 1:26)

We belief in Christ, and we worship God the Eternal Father. We pray to the Father only, just as christ have taught:

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
(New Testament | Matthew 6:6)

Answer 6

Try these links:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Gods_of_the_Mormon_Church.asp
http://www.catholic.com/library/Distinctive_Beliefs_of_Mormon.asp