Last week my cover was blown and I revealed to the assembled (shock horror!) that I am in fact a Mormon. They've probably spent the last week "researching" loads of anti-Mormon stuff, which will probably be a lot of nonsense. What questions am I likely to face, will they throw me off the course, and will you pray for me to be a good ambassador for Christ and the church to these poor, misguided people, and to know how to respond to them?
It starts half an hour from when I post this question (7.30 pm my time).
Before anyone asks: I enrolled in the course in the first place to be sure I knew what Evangelicals believed prior to writing a book about the differences between Evangelical and LDS belief. I didn't deliberately fail to tell them I was LDS - no one asked anything at any point about my background.
2007-11-14 06:02:14 · 13 answers · asked by sunnyannie 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh, gee- where to start?.... Start with telling them that if they want to know what we believe, you'll be happy to explain what we believe and why, but that your intent is NOT to convince them of anything, merely to explain your perception... and you'd appreciate the same respect....
They'll probably ask...
1) What exactly do Mormons believe about the nature of God? Because there are passages in the Bible to support both the trinitarian and the non-trinitarian view, there's no way to definitively say one way is right and the other is wrong, just from the Bible. The only way to get conclusive evidence (as it were) either way is to go to the Source of all truth.... Get on your knees and pray.
2) Are Mormons Christian? Bare your testimony, baby- with the fire of the Holy Ghost flowing in your veins!!!!! Tell them who Jesus is to you. Let them know what you think of Him, what He has done for mankind, for you personally, and how you feel about it.
3) Salvation through faith, works or a combination of both? Ask them to find James 2:19-20 and ask them what that means to them. Maybe then tell them my rope analogy... Here's the link- PlastikPunk asked the question, and gave me best, so my answer will be nice and easy to find!http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjJdmHsoi6iVqZ1cM9bN0zDty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071106102413AAgawVG&show=7#profile-info-WBzWt14Vaa
3) Rationalize the Book of Mormon. "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold.... Cross-refference John 10:16 and 3 Nephi 15:21.... Actually, ask them to look up the passage in John, then ask them if they think that what He said to those "other sheep" could be useful, and direct them to the 3Ne passage.
There's also Ezekiel 37:16&19. Explain what "sticks" are (think- ancient "books", aka scrolls rolled around STICKS). Lord says He will make the sticks (books) one in His hand.
Then of course there's all the historical stuff they'll bring up... Brigham's Adam/God comment, polygamy....
I'd almost suggest that you bring notes on the questions that you know, and say that you'll address those issues now, anything else isn't really relevant at this moment and can wait.... but be prepared for it... Remind them that we believe that contention is of the devil, and you really don't want to argue. You'll be happy to explain what we teach, but if their intent is to show you the errors of your ways, then they need to find a more gulible Mormon to fight with.
Pray before you go- ask for strength and for the Spirit.... Good luck!
2007-11-14 10:21:08 · answer #1 · answered by Yoda's Duck 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Sorry this answer is probably a bit late. I have been on the Alpha course and think they are meant to stick to the topic and not go off into their problems with Mormonism. Probably they will have been praying for you if nothing else, and may mention this whole thing in the prayers during the course.
Probably the best thing to say if they start on a load of "anti-Mormon" stuff is to try to get them back on topic.
Unless you start blatantly trying to convert others on the course, they won't throw you off as it's supposed to be an open discussion about Christian beliefs.
2007-11-15 00:46:42 · answer #2 · answered by claude 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sunny, i don't know if you have heard this before ~ God is interested in the content our hearts.
You probably won't be asked about your background unless you choose to share anything ~ because you will be accepted just the way you are ~ ppl are there to guide you to Salvation through Jesus Christ ~ only by God's grace can we be saved.
By the time you read your answers you will have been to tonight's meeting ~ i trust you were in the presence of our Lord God..
From A Born Again Messianic Christian
Shalom
2007-11-14 07:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by ;) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pray and have confidence in yourself. Stand up for what you know and the Spirit will direct you in the right direction. It doesn't matter what you say to some because all they want to do is argue and not find the truth. Everything they will throw at you can be refuted. If you have any concerns later on send me an email. There are a few of us on here that can help you out if you need it.
2007-11-14 06:22:23 · answer #4 · answered by plastik punk -Bottom Contributor 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Pray that the spirit attends, and you are able to answer their questions with upfront answers. Also pray that your mind will be opened to their point of view, so you will learn something also. Pray for calm and peace and to know the words needed. Whatever you do, don't fight. Let them know that you aren't against what they believe, and are willing to learn about them. That was your main intent and you feel it will help you out in life to know more about what other people believe.
If they start to try to fight with you, leave. No one is holding you there, and you can show them all that you are a better person and leave instead of getting mad. Just point out that Christ would want them to be considerate, kind and to try to accept that you believe something somewhat different to them. Pray before your meeting that you will be lead to information that will help you to explain things, then sit down with your scriptures and start looking. The bible would be a great place to start. Let the spirit guide you and you will be fine!!
2007-11-14 06:13:23 · answer #5 · answered by odd duck 6 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Well, you will probably hear both the "your not Christian" and the "No adding to the Bible" things. Easy enough. Have a Bof M with you to show them where it testifies of Christ (most specifically 3 Nephi 11) and the not adding to is easy enough, since the verse that states that in revelation was added to the bible aroung 300AD. Plus there are the verses in Ezekiel that testify of the Book of Mormon. (Stick of Joseph, Stick of Judah. The Bible is the Stick- scroll- of Judah, the B of M is the Scroll of Joseph)
After that, there are all sorts of things they could throw at you. The best advice I always teach is to testify of Jesus, of His impact in your life, and of the Happiness that the gospel brings you. Nobody can argue with the peace that you feel on a personal level, and the Spirit will testify of truths to you and to those who listen. Don't get into a bible bash, as that never proves anything. Rely on your testimany and the power of the spirit. Remember, we are all seeking truth, so respect them as much as you want to be respected.
2007-11-14 06:12:02 · answer #6 · answered by alwaysa(ducky)bridesmaid 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Hopefully you will learn about creation science (www.creationscience.com) instead of the science of the BofM, and the christian verson of satan ezekiel 28:12-19, and ahout being saved...http://www.gotquestions.org/sinners-prayer.html and about the Trinity:.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity. What a Rhema is, something I never got from any scriptures used by the mormons:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhema
That there are dinosaurs in the bible: Dinosaurs in the bible...believe it or not
http://www.angelfire.com/mi/dinosaurs/be...
Abd it is best to know both sides of the story so I applaud you...bravo.
2007-11-15 14:52:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell them that it's not the time nor the place to ask those things, and that if they were truly interested you would be more than willing to answer any questions when the time is appropriate..
2007-11-14 06:14:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
38 ¶ And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
2007-11-15 03:21:18 · answer #9 · answered by Isolde 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They probably feel the same way about you.
2007-11-14 06:07:58 · answer #10 · answered by jeanimus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋