Mormons, when I was a Mormon, at Fast and testimony meeting people would always say?

Question

"I believe the church is true and that J.S. is a prophet, etc..."

I never heard anyone say "I believe that CHrist died for my sins, and that my faith in Him is everything to me."

The focus was always on the "church" and the prophets, never Christ. Why was that?

Now that I go to a Christian church people share what CHrist has done for them and how Christ is changing them.

Isn't that a better thing to do than to parrot off a bunch of lines that everyone is expected to say?

Gospel girl- you say you believe that you will be saved if you endure to the end...CHrist said believe in Him and you WILL be saved.

Do you see the conflict?

Answer 1

I think that the LDS religion has always been very concerned about getting and keeping members. This may be because it is relatively new and wants to grow as fast as possible to be recognized as legitimate. I have been to those meetings too. A lot of little kids go up and say, "I love my family, and I know the church is true". They say it exactly in that order, one after another, as their "own, personal" testimony. Sometimes, if the child is only about 2 years old, a parent even helps them by whispering it in their ears.

MY OPINION (take it or leave it): This helps form a connection in the brain that keeps you from questioning the faith. If you do start to question it, then you feel like you don't love your family. Speaking in front of a group, or watching others do it, and listening to phrases together repeatedly can have that effect, I think.

Answer 2

As someone else stated, some people do get carried away, although in the end, and bottom line, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the most important and central tenant of the Mormon faith. I attend a Mormon church where I actually can't recall many testimonies focusing on Joseph Smith. Some may have said that they are grateful God restored the church using Joseph Smith as a tool, but they always focus on the Lord. The average age of those I attend church with is about 70, so it could just be they are mature and truly know what they believe.

You are correct that we must accept Christ, and by doing so we can be saved. But, I also don't believe there is a problem or conflict with the statement enduring until the end. By the grace of God we are saved if we believe, but does that mean we don't need to follow any of his commandments? Certainly not, or Christ would not have said "if ye love me, keep my commandments." Nor would be Paul have taught that "faith without works is dead." You could really go round and round on this topic, but the bottom line is that Mormons believe they are saved through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, but that we must also be obedient to his commandments.

Answer 3

I am glad your are enjoying your new experience. I agree that we need to emphasize the Savior in all we do. Sometimes when people say they believe the Church or the Prophet, it is a short hand for saying they believe the whole Gospel is true, including the atonement of Jesus Christ. If I believe the Church, I believe what it teaches.

Answer 4

Unfortunatly many mormons do have a tendancy to focus on the church rather than the gospel. I wish that more people were focused on that, but when they say "I know the church is true" they are saying that they believe all thos things, that the atonement is real and that they will be saved if they endure to the end

Answer 5

When you bear your testimony you should bear witness of the Truthfullness of the Gospel,(I know the Church is true) Your belief in the Prophet, and the truthfulness of the atonement of Christ, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

Most people say all those things. There really is no rule, but that is how we are directed.

Answer 6

I'm sorry you never heard that.

Let me be your first

I believe in Jesus Christ the savior of the world and He died and was resurrected not only for the whole of creation but for me personally as well. Through Christ’s atonement He knows my pain and my sins and knows me personally and has paid the ultimate price for me and for all of you. Christ died for my sin and your sins. My faith in Jesus Christ has shown me a better way for my life has carried me through adversity and means everything to me. My faith in Christ is more important that everything, (my job, my friends and family and all that I love). Faith in Christ means that I do better at my job and I am a better father and Husband but Faith in Christ is the most important.
I know that Faith in Jesus Christ is taught in His church -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. That this church is lead by Him through revelation from the Prophet to the Relief society president in each ward to the Stake presidents and the Miamaid advisors -- all are lead by Christ through Faith in Christ.

I believe that the Book of Mormon was brought to us in this time by the power and authority of Jesus Christ. That Christ called Joseph smith to translate the BOM and it stands as another testament of Jesus Christ along with the Holy Bible. I believe that the Bible is the word of God and is THE testament of the early church in the holy land and THE testament of Christ's ministry in the Holy land and His mortal journey.

And I say these things in the Holy name of Jesus Christ Amen

Answer 7

I went morman for a bit myself.

Its because they belive that Joseph Smith Saw god and god told him no other church was true...so they try to be unlike baptist or anyone else....

I FEEL YOU GIRL!!

Answer 8

Because the mormon religion is more like a cult than a religion. I dont beleive its true and thats why they put all the focus on the church and not Jesus being our Savior.

Answer 9

You must have had a very STRANGE ward, because in my ward, everyone is always talking about the atonment.

Answer 10

This is to Desmadre I think that was funny and true.