Mormons answer if you want ?

Question

I have offended some and not meaning to. I am not against your relgion. I think all religions are crazy. I think the weak cant sleep at night without the hope of a higher power guiding them. My questions about Mormonism is more, What made you believe ? Because to me if some guy sitting under a tree can get a revelation from god, well then hell I get them all the time. If Joseph Smith got a revelation, then who are we to say that Charles Manson didn't ? Why because he didnt practice what is accepted by society ? Kind of convenient how when the Government decided to put the ban on plural marraige, suddenly the prophet got a revelation that plural marriage is no longer needed. And not one person actually answered my question, all you did was turn it around, preach what you believe and then tell me that I dont love thy neighboor, but it is YOUR religion that believes that anyone that is not Mormon is a gentile and going to burn in hell. But I'm wrong ? I preach what I believe, like you.

Answer 1

Why do you care about how and why I CHOOSE to believe a certain way?

You clearly have not studied ANY of our doctrines. This is indicated by your gross ignorance.

Grow up, Be on your way, and never trouble us again with your nonesense!

Answer 2

Interesting concept. I have never thought of myself as a weak person for believing in God.

Why do I believe? I believe in this gospel because I had a series of experiences involving studying the scriptures, trying to live the gospel, and lots of earnest prayer that led me here. God answered my prayers and I was baptised. A little criticism will not offend me nor tempt me from the path I have chosen.

You asked about revelation but perhaps you should be asking about authority and being a prophet. The bible is clear: ask and ye shall receive. Revelation is available to those who ask. Joseph Smith, like Moses, Isaiah, or Paul was also called of God to lead the church. Hebrews 5:4 states that: no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. The bible also teaches that by "their fruits, ye shall know them." So, no we can be pretty sure that Charles Manson wasn't a prophet and didn't receive revelation.

To clarify, we do not believe that anyone who is not a mormon is going to burn in hell. Everyone will be judged by Christ, so we typically do not even enter this debate with people about who will or will not be saved. It is completely pointless as we are not the judge.

As to the issue of plural marriage, it is not a unique LDS doctrine but has been practiced from the beginning of time. Although many Christians often ignore it, the fact is that many great prophets of the bible had more than one wife (Abraham, Jacob and others). There were also many who did not have more than one wife. So what? The gospel was also not preached to the Gentiles prior to Peter's revelation and the Levitical priesthood was only given to Levites at one point. Why is it a problem?

Answer 3

Most people have a desire to believe in a great creator, a higher power. From the earliest days, people have created gods and goddesses. They have built temples and altars to worship their gods. It is part of mankind's makeup to want to believe in a creator.

It is very hard for most people to believe that someone can receive revelation. Most people believe that the heavens have been closed since the death of the 12 Apostles. The truth is, we each receive revelation on a regular basis, but we don't know it.

Yes, it is rather convenient that the President of the Church received a revelation to end the practice of plural marriage at the same time that the government outlawed the practice. The fact is, God knew that the government was banning plural marriage, and he told the Prophet of the Church that now was the time to end it.

The Church teaches us that we have a duty to honor the laws of our country, and if the US Government says that plural marriage is illegal, it is our responsibility to obey that law. The Church will never ask us to do anything that is against the law.

You are greatly mistaken if you believe that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that anyone that is not a member will burn in hell. We do not believe that. We do not preach that. We do not even think it. We do believe that there are many good people out there that are members of other religions, or not members of any religion, and they will go to their reward based upon their acts in this life.

We do not condemn or criticize people of other religions, or those who don't believe in religion. We do believe that everyone is free to worship how, where, or what they may. We believe that no one can be forced into heaven.

Answer 4

My religion does not preach that anyone who is not a Mormon will burn in Hell. We invite all truths, and we respect all religions. We believe in both justice and mercy. All must live according to the truth they are given, and will be judged according to it. But htere are natural consequences for all truths, and we are happier when we understand more.

And yes, you can receive revelation from God. Try asking for some, sincerely, and you may find that he cares for you and hopes for your happiness. You can receive personal revelation on any truth. That is how we determine if someone is acting on true revelation or on selfishness. God answers prayers.

And yes, the revelation on plural marriage did coincide with the law coming into being as we believe in upholding the laws of the land. It was an extremely limited practice that ended when the law said it should end. Which would be the problem with Charles Manson, who was not following the norms of society. Abraham had multiple wives, but since it was acceptable to his society, it was never disputed. And nobody disputes it now either. Why?

Answer 5

It wasn't merely a guy sitting under a tree receiving revelation. He had pondered the scriptures and was honestly asking God in faith, and he received an answer. We are every bit as entitled to answers to our prayers and said answers can come in a variety of ways. Sometimes, it's a feeling of peace or 'rightness', but on occassion, one can hear a voice or see visions or have a thought develop or read a scripture that opens up our understanding. There are prophets of God and there are false prophets. There are specific warnings and signs of false prophets. When the prophet made the proclaimation, it was after much thought and consideration, and then asking God which direction He would have the Church & the Saints go, realizing that the government had banned polygamy and the Church teaches to obey the law of the land. He received direction from on high and presented the prohibition on plural marriage to the presiding brethren and the general assembly of the church. It's partially based on faith. But we also have the ability to go directly to God through prayer and receive confirmation of His will.
We don't believe that anyone who isn't Mormon will go to hell. We actually teach that all men will be resurrected and be glorified -- the lowest level of glory is so much better than this world that were one to see it, he would kill himself to get there. We don't believe in hell, hellfire and brimstone. We do believe that people who receive the lesser degrees of glory and are therefore unable to live with God and Jesus Christ in the higher degrees of glory will be bitter about their decisions and regret the same decisions and sins which lead to their lower glory.
I'm sorry if you've been bashed for asking questions. I try to answer questions without pointing fingers or bad mouthing [I certainly have not lived my life so that I would be comfortable casting a stone] but on occassion, my sense of humor doesn't come across as I've intended.
Any time you want to have an honest discourse on the peculiarities of the Mormon Doctrine, I'll be happy to answer, whether here or in email.
Best wishes.
PS - as I posted, I realized I missed the first question: what made me believe? First, the plan of Salvation and doctrine of the Latter-day Saints makes sense to me. It's well ordered and comprehensive. Nothing is blind faith. I can take any question I have to the Lord for an answer. Second, I asked God, in the name of Jesus Christ, if the Book of Mormon was the Word of God and whether Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God to restore His gospel & priesthood on earth, and whether the prophet today is truly the Lord's prophet on earth, sent to lead, guide and direct the Church of Christ on earth. I received an answer. It is one that I cannot deny, for not only do I know it, I know that God knows that I know. Thanks for the question and the opportunity to share my testimony.

Answer 6

lds religion does not really believe in "hell", per say. We believe in a spirit prison of sorts, where souls will be allowed learning opportunities.

The difference between Revelation from God and evil (charles manson) is the accompanying spirit. And knowledge and prayer are the only tools of discernment we have available - with the emphasis on prayer of course.

Some of the revelations do seem convenient - but it is the fallacy of man that unless we are pushed, we do not normally ask, or listen to new ideas. The LDS prophets are chosen by God to do His work and be His voice to the people on earth....it doesn't now and never did (Moses, Abraham, etc) come with a suit of armor against human failings.

I did not see your original question, but I will go back and look for it.....
EDIT: I should have guessed it would be on polygamywhen you mentioned offense.
If any of the LDS members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. They are in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church. The LDS article of our faith is binding upon us - “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law”.

LDS believe that more than a century ago God revealed unto His prophet Wilford Woodruff that the practice of plural marriage should be discontinued, which means that it is currently against the law of God. Even in countries where civil or religious law allows polygamy, the Church teaches that marriage must be monogamous and does not accept into its membership those practicing plural marriage.

Answer 7

For me to know it took a lot of reading and prayer. I was a baptist before and was very much against mormons. After I read the Book of Mormon and prayed sincerely to God, I had this amazing feeling that told me it was true. I can't describe the feeling, but if you felt it too you would know for yourself. No, we do not believe you will go to hell. God knows the circumstances that you are put into and will judge you according to those things. We can not judge you and tell you that you are going to hell. Only God can do that, and pretty much the only way for that to happen is if you deny the Holy Ghost, which is nearly impossible to do unless you have like seen God. You might not go to the highest degree of glory if you were given the opportunity to learn and you denied, but once again, that is up to God to decide.

Answer 8

Religion is the absense of reason and logic as you can not argue one with the other. There is no logic to religion, nor can religion bring logic. That is why religion is Faith based, and has changed so many times over thousands of years. As your example shows, LDS used to believe in Polygamy, it also was very racist towards African Americans, but when the times changed, so did LDS. Christianity has done the same, as has Islam, Judaism, and every other form of religion in existance. You can not fight religion with logic and reason, they are as oil is to water. And those who are religious often know that their religion has holes in it, and know the inconsitancies, but it is easier to deny them, then to accept the possibility that maybe, just maybe, they are wrong, and that there is no god up there to save them from their sins, their wrong doings, to guide them through life. It is easier to live with a divine guide with a divine purpose, then the realization that each person acts as their own person, with their own purpose, towards their own goal.

Answer 9

2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.