What's the difference between the LDS Prophet and the Catholic Pope?

Question

My step-dad's family is mostly Catholic, and my mom's family is mostly Lutheran. However, Years ago I joined the LDS Church and got involved with it. Now, I'm finally out. My question is to understand some of the differences. Are there the same kind of requirements to treating the Pope as there are LDS Prophet? Are the Catholic standards important for salvation. Can you be a good Catholic if you disagree with the Pope's teachings?

Answer 1

One is a Prophet of God appointed by God to preach the Word of God and the other is a man chosen by men to do mans' bidding.

Otherwise, they are both the heads of the 2 largest Christian faiths in the world. Both are respected by worldwide governments and they have worked together on many occasions to do good for the people of the world.

Answer 2

The Pope doesn't have to work, the Catholics pay for him to live in the Vatican.

The Prophet does work, pays for himself, and lives in a house that no one(that I've talked to) knows where it is.(I live on the east coast)

Besides theological differences, that's all there really is. I could go into thrological differences between the Pope and the Prophet, but it's too long.

Maybe before you were 'finally out' you should've asked questions as you seem ignorant of the differences between the Catholic church and the LDS church and what they believe and why.

There are no requirements for the LDS prophet, besides being LDS and male. The Pope has many requirements, such as age, being male, and Catholic.

Differences between treating the Pope and the Prophet? You don't have to kiss the Prophets ring when you speak with him. The Prophet doesn't have a Prophet-mobile. He doesn't have fancy clothes/robes like the Pope. And I(personally) think it would be easier to speak with the Prophet than the Pope(because there is tons of security for the Pope)

The Catholic's standards can be found in the Canon Law, just like LDS standards can be found in D&C. You have to live a righteous life, etc. You have to live a good life, just like every other church believes.

No, you cannot be a "good Catholic" (religiously) and disagree with Him. He is the Father of their church (Pope comes from Papa which means Father). He claims the power to bind and losen just like the Prophet does. What he says goes until the next Pope, but the Pope can do almost whatever he wants with the doctrine and the church is expected to just accept it. The Prophet says something, and we are encouraged to pray about it if we're not sure. We're not told to follow blindly because "what I say goes" (and I don't think the Catholics are either) but the Catholics I know say "well, the Pope says this, so it must be true."

Answer 3

In the eyes of the Catholic Church disagreeing with the Pope is considered heresy. (although many Catholics do not).

Martin Luther disagreed with the Pope. Martin Luther was a Catholic Priest, and a Dr. of Theology. Lutherans hold catholic doctrine, but all doctrine is tested by Scripture, not set or regulated by the Pope. If you lean towards Catholic doctrine, try a Confessional Luther Church (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Synod, or Lutheran Church Canada.

You may be at home with your Mom's family, and the rest of us Lutherans.

Have a Blesed Christmas.

Mark.

Answer 4

I have no idea of what the Catholics believe, or think. Gordon B Hinckley. has the authority to receive modern day revelations, and to be the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
And he received the authority from Jesus Christ through a direct line of succession, to Perter, James, and John, and then to Joseph Smith, Oliver Pratt, and Martin Harris, down the generations, and from priesthood holder, to priesthood holder. It is a direct line from Christ!!
The pope, has nothing but the Catholic church behind him. And, unfortunately, without authority?, You have NOTHING.
These are the things that the LDS believe, and KNOW to be true, that Hinkley IS a prophet of god, and we KNOW this, through a testimony, that the restored Gospel is TRUE, through the POWER of THE HOLY GHOST.
This is something that is available to anyone who prays with a sincere heart, to KNOW the truth.
As for what other people think, about what WE believe?, Well I for one, could care less, what YOU, or ANYONE else thinks, about my religion, and I am positive, that none of the other members much care, either.

Answer 5

The Catholic faithful love and respect the Pope as the visible and temporal head of the Church of Christ.

1594 The bishop receives the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, which integrates him into the episcopal college and makes him the visible head of the particular Church entrusted to him. As successors of the apostles and members of the college, the bishops share in the apostolic responsibility and mission of the whole Church under the authority of the Pope, successor of St. Peter.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P4Z.HTM#9A

when there is division within the Church (as there has been throughout the centuries) once the Pope addresses the matter Catholics will accept his teaching as those of Christ. He is the successor to the Chair of St Peter, the first Pope. and no the Pope is not God, he is human like the rest of us therefore fallible. However when he addresses the multitude in matter of doctrine, dogma, morals etc using the Church's "infallibility powers" the matter is deemed decided for the Catholic faithful.

889 In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith handed on by the apostles, Christ who is the Truth willed to confer on her a share in his own infallibility. By a "supernatural sense of faith" the People of God, under the guidance of the Church's living Magisterium, "unfailingly adheres to this faith."417

890 The mission of the Magisterium is linked to the definitive nature of the covenant established by God with his people in Christ. It is this Magisterium's task to preserve God's people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error. Thus, the pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church's shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals. the exercise of this charism takes several forms:

891 "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals.... the infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council.418 When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed,"419 and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith."420 This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.421

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P2A.HTM#1FR

i dont know how mormons view their prophet but he certainly teaches a message contrary to Jesus therefore he is a false prophet

Answer 6

The Pope represents "Christ on earth". He is not a teacher or a prophet, but rather, a leader.

Lots of people disagree with some of the Pope's opinions...but most Catholics respect his position as the leader of their faith.

Answer 7

I don't think that in the eyes of the RC church you can be a "good Catholic" and disagree with the Pope's teachings but in God's eyes you can certainly be a good Christian and disagree with what the Pope has to say.

He's just a man like everyone else. He makes mistakes and he supports practices that fly in the face of what the Bible teaches like requiring Priests to remain unmarried.

First of all, the office of "Priest" was abolished because of what Jesus our one and only High Priest did.

Hebrews 10:11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

Second of all, the Bible clearly teaches that someone who holds an office in the church should have a wife of good character and be demonstrating their leadership abilities by how they raise their children.

1 Timothy 3:1 Faithful is this word: If anyone aspires to the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 It is necessary, therefore, for a bishop to be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable, skillful at teaching; 3 not given to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not loving money; 4 one ruling his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence; 5 (for if one does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a new convert, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same judgment as the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not being given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being irreproachable.

11 Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children well, and their own houses. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain a standing for themselves and much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Click on the Get Saved button @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/ and check out the My Pastor button to hear what really preaching from the Bible sounds like even if it is mixed with a touch of humor for encouragement.

Answer 8

There's nowhere in the bible that says there should be a Pope. The Pope is a man-made position, and is elected by Men. He is not infallible.

Answer 9

the pope is only a human, appointed to the position by other humans.

he lives a lavish, free lifestyle. you don't have to listen to what he says

Answer 10

The only difference between the 2 is the bucket. Follow Jesus Christ only.