Mormons/LDS: What do you think of the following question?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070919100708AATzFw9&r=w&pa=FZptHWf.BGRX3OFMiDRXUpQ3vv.w6TmSTILaxo2iaoUKpSt8Jw--&paid=answered#R4F1InPUD3D5dBfqLthn

Rac: Sorry, I'll be a little more obvious.

Do you feel that this question regarding Jehovah's Witnesses can also be applicable to the Latter-day Saints in some cirumstances?

Ok, one more time:

I never said the two religions or "churches" had anything in common. I'm asking about the mentality that exists in the minds of believers in a "One True Church." Do you agree that BOTH the LDS and the Witnesses consider their faith to be a "One True Church"?

Answer 1

I think it would bother anyone of any religion when someone, including former members, say things about their religion. Especially if we don't agree with what they have to say. There's always at least 2 sides to every story. Here on Y!A, when it comes go former members of a religion, we usually only get one side of the story. I think it would be really interesting to hear what anyone else, who may of some how been involved with any incident, tell his or her side too.

gw

Answer 2

Well if the whole lot we want is within the bible, how come not one of the sects can agree on what's being taught? There is far that Jesus taught that's not within the bible. The bible even says that. Last bankruptcy in John. God has constantly spoken via His prophets. It simply took the sector many years to be competent to pay attention once more after the dying of the apostles. The publication of Mormon is an extra testomony of Jesus Christ. It confirms the bible. But there were many simple and necessary truths misplaced over the centuries. That is why God likes to steer His church via a prophet and carrying on with revelation. The bible even mentions how this might come approximately. It is solely such a lot folks do not know what they're studying. And the Holy Ghost isn't inadequate. The Holy Ghost testifies of all fact. We on no account says the bible isn't precise. *edit*Understandable, and I agree approximately sin, however the Warren Jeffs of the sector aren't contributors of the church whatever. They are a few twisted perversion of the reality.

Answer 3

Ok, two points. I mean, I have two parts to my answer.
First, in response to your initial question - I will answer her question at her question, but I agree with your answer to her question.
Second, I haven't read any of the other answers to this question, but I guess there needed some clarification for some, which spawned a second question. Do I think that both the JW's and the LDS believe their/our church to be the ONLY true church? Yes, I do. I believe that we each hold that belief. I also think that while there IS truth in varying degrees amongst all or almost all churches, I think that the LDS church is the only one that teaches as God would and the principles and doctrine He would if He were physically here. What do you expect? I mean, did you think I was going to say "I'm Mormon and I believe the JW's have it right." - how crazy would that be!?

Answer 4

Of course, anytime you are dealing with humans (as you are in any religion or other organization in which opinions are allowed) you are going to have people hit everywhere on the spectrum. The problem arises in the fact that people at the far ends of the spectrum, both positive and negative, are usually (by the same nature that puts them at one end or the other) very verbal about their feelings and beliefs - where those in the middle are usually quiet and non-verbal.

I think you will find disagreements on any issue where it is possible to have one.....and there will always be those who take personal offense and are affronted by your audacity at having an opinion of your own - especially if it is in disagreement of theirs. That's why the LDS people have the saying........."but the church is still true". It gives us a way to excuse those times when we say something we shouldn't have. It doesn't make it right, or any easier to take, but it is almost a given in a human who has free agency - and that would be all of us.

I like what Richard Bach said when he said (paraphrasing here) 'live your life so as not to be ashamed of anything anyone should say of you - whether what they say is true or not.'

Answer 5

To your last question, yes, we both believe that we are the "one true church" as does the Catholic church.

I don't think others comments are always with the intent to defame, slander (libel), or otherwise harm the church or it's followers. But many times, when past experiences are given, it does not seem like something I've ever encountered before. Sometimes, the intent is innocent and other times it is pretty obvious that it is derogatory or facetious.

On Y!A, I try to see each question about my faith as innocent and truth-seeking at first instead of automatically jumping to the conclusion that they are trying to make fun of it or lie about it. I think it's easy to fall into that mindset, especially on line, that everyone is attacking us, when really they aren't.

I'm not quite sure if that is what you were asking or not. I thought the original JW question was a little vague and more of an accusation than a quesiton.

oops, I forgot, Arrr, matey

Answer 6

Because most the times they are.

We Mormons have a saying. "They can leave the church, but they can't leave the church alone." I do not buy into the notion "I am just warning people against this church."

I've seen Catholics leave and convert to the LDS church. I've seen JW. I've seen just about every denomination on earth. But these people have never had a bad thought about their previous religion. In fact, Mormons are taught not to discredit others, but to recognize the good in all faiths. Missionaries are taught specifically to take nothing, but instead add to what they already know.

So to me, someone who leaves the LDS church and says bad things about it, it is strange.

Answer 7

Yeah...I think it can be applicable to any religion....

I searched the Catholic church and now I advise everyone to learn about it before they decide to Join...

ex-Mormons do the same for the Mormon church

Ex-Jehovas do the same...the same with ex-baptists, etc....

If I found someone who left the church, just because they were too busy to go to church and not because they had a bad experience then I will listen to what they say....but when someone leaves a church in anger or confusion their testimony of that church should be taken with a grain of salt....

You know what I'm saying?

Answer 8

So, you're trying to say that's what we as Mormons do... Well, in my experience, it seems as those who simply don't agree with doctrine or aren't members or were members at some point, in my opinion, twist things to make them sound scary or weird or whatever. It's one thing to say "I don't agree with this doctrine"...it's another thing to put your own spin on things and make it sound worse.
Everybody has their opinion and everybody has their right to believe what they want. I think of this as an example:
The first time I went to the temple, it was the most beautiful, holy, sacred, wonderful, peaceful, best experience of my whole life. I felt closer to the Lord at that time than any other and it truly solidified my testimony of the gospel. I learned plain and simple truths, I feel as though I was spiritually prepared for receiving my endowment and love that I received that blessing. I took it seriously because it was serious to me.
Mandy went to the temple for the first time before she was going to get married. She had been a member her whole life but never really sure if she believed the whole story of Joseph Smith, the prophets, and many other things. She had made some mistakes in her life, some left unrepented of. She felt uncomfortable the whole time, she felt weird, she felt unworthy... she since had quit attending the temple and church. She started feeling inadequate, confused, and instead of going to the Lord in prayer, she turned negative towards the gospel, the church and other members. She eventually became excommunicated and now suddenly feelings of inadequecy and doubt become hate, spreading gossip and half-truths, revealing sacred ordinances to others, mocking the gospel...
So who is "right/wrong" here?
Well, this is how it seems to go. We have doubts, confusion, and turn to the wrong places to seek answers...that is satan at work. He plants the doubt, fear, confusion, inadequate feelings...HE causes us to turn negative, he makes it very easy to be lead away from the truth if truth is what we are really seeking. He knows the gospel is true. He will do anything he can to make sure others do not.

Answer 9

Yes it is completely possible for Members of the LDS faith to think that all ex-Mormons are out to lie about the church. This isn't always the case. Many Ex-Mormons due try to destroy someone elses faith. I know many ex-mormons who let others believe in the church

Answer 10

When this applies to LDS, or ex-LDS, I am only bothered when they say things that have never been in my experience. When they say "Mormons believe this" or something, when it's something I have NEVER been taught that we believe, it bothers me.

I have read some of the "testimonies" on ex-mormon.org, and it leaves me wondering, "WHAT church are they talking about???"

And yes, I think some of them DO have nothing better to do, they seem to think that being ex-Mormon is the equivelent of being a Viet-Nam prisoner of war or something. The two are no where near the same thing.