Only answer if you know anything about mormonism.\nDo not put that you think this or think that.\nPut down based from the bible what you belive it to be.\nDont be afraid to speak up about what you think it to be of\nas well. Also if y ou dont know anything about the bible then\ndont add a comment, cause it well mean nothing.
126987
It is not of God.  They do not believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in ALL Christians.  That is why they need a prophet (singular) to tell them what God's will is.  They are similar to the Catholic Church in that regard with their allegiance to the Pope.  God's Word-the Bible testifies that we can `have all understanding' (Ephesians 1, Colossians 1:9)\n`anyone who lacks wisdom should ask God, who gives generously to all' (James 1:5) \n\nI think Mormons are an outwardly good, moral people.  But so were the Pharisees in Jesus day....and they killed him.  The very meaning of the word `Christ' is the Anointed One'.  Anointed with what? the Holy Spirit.  Christians are likewise anointed with the Holy Spirit- we have the very Spirit of Christ living in us.  I do not need a man made prophet to `reveal' God's will to me.  I do need the confirmation of the Body of Christ, the Church, to act in God's Will.  That is the way of Christ.  \n    Also, if you study the history of the Mormon religion you will find their founder, Joseph Smith was convicted of fraud and had in fact, made a living of fraudulently swindling good people. It seems his legacy continues.
237586
I appreciate your wisdom.  It is true that growing up in a church doesn't necessarily make it true.  It doesn't necessarily make it untrue either.  When I was serving as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I went through a period where I encountered many people who said that the only reason I was a member of this church was because I was born into it and taught the religion by my parents.  At first I didn't know how to deal with this concern because it is true that my parents are Mormons and I have been associated with the church since birth.  However, upon further reflection, I realized that THIS IS NOT A BAD THING.  Just because I am blessed enough to have been acquainted with the church my whole life does not make it untrue.  Therefore, after that, my answer to people who brought this up was, "I'm very grateful that I had parents who taught me to follow Jesus Christ when I was a child."  My belief that the church is true is not based only on the teaching that I received as a child, but also on many personal experiences I have had since where I felt that the Holy Ghost was testifying to me that the teachings of the church were true.  Because of this, I would very much like other people to join my church so they can experience the happiness that I know comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.\n\nI completely agree with you that it is not our place to say whether a certain person is going to hell or not.  In fact, I think that, after it's all said and done, many people are going to be surprised with the results of the final judgment.  I appreciate your reminding us that it's not for us to judge.  I hope there is never reason to accuse me of having done this on this website.
472451
Yes, Im mormon, I've been a mormon all my life. My great great great grandfather was the second person from England to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The thing I love the most about the church is that everything is soo easy to understand. All of the doctrine that they teach is so simple and easy to understand, and once you learn it, it really does become the only doctrine that makes sense. The thing I dislike the most associated with the LDS church is all of the misconceptions that there are about it. I mean, some of the things said are beyond rediculous, mainly said by ANTI-mormons, and then people actually believe it. Like an ANTI-mormon is gonna give someone an unbiased opinion about the LDS church. Thats what I least like.
447496
All Christians should believe the bible.  If they don't, there is something seriously wrong.\n\nP.S.  Mormons are not Christian, they are Mormon.  They "interpret" the bible based on a false gospel written by a false prophet.  Excuse my blunt speaking, but this is important to know.
206464
I hope you will be fair and clear on your research, and make the distintion between fundamental Mormons and\nThe church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.\n\nAs a LDS for 30yrs, I love the LDS doctrines.\nIt is the best path I choose.\nI always disappointed in most people who missundertood or got the wrong idea about LDS, because so many wrong info out there. \nI could say, LDS can respect other religions, but unfortunately, not all religion can tolerate LDS.
333350
Mormonism is a cult! Joseph was fasting during the time of this 'angel' appearing to him. When you fast your open to all in the spirit realm and unfortunatly he didnt have the discernment to know that he was being fooled by a false one!  ASK JESUS INTO YOUR HEART AND FORGIVENESS OF YOUR PAST!! LIFE GETS BETTER! AND YOULL FIND YOUR ANSWERS YOUR LOOKING FOR!
261368
I was married to a mormon once, and her daddy was a bishop.  For her sake I tried to validate mormonism, but Joseph Smith was a lying con artist who victimized the weak and ignorant.  This is based on the mormons version of the mormon history.\n\nBeyond that, their doctrine is a perversion of Biblical truth on almost every point of their doctrine.
236690
Have you read the Bible? Pick any passage you like, and you'll be able to come up with at least two or three ways to interpret it. Even something that seems straightforward, like a bland historical account (So-and-so begat So-and-so, who did this in the 4th year of the reign of...), there's always the question of WHY it's in there. Catholics and Protestants and Mormons don't even use the same Bible! There's a base of knowledge we all share, but it comes from our personal relationships with God as much as from the Bible.
324993
Please read. \n\nI am a convert to the Church, having joined my senior year of high school. It has now been 16 years of blessing after blessing from the Lord for that decision. During all of those 16 years, I have read and re-read the Book of Mormon countless times as well as the other standard works and tried to live by their teachings. My testimony of the Book of Mormon is that it is God's word and work and it is true. You still get that burning in your bosom because despite what any critic says because the Church is true!\n\nAs far as the anti-mormon claims on this site, I agree that we should study and investigate OUR FAITH, not someone's mis-interpretation of our faith. Studying anti-mormon literature is hardly worth the effort and its sole purpose is to create doubt and lead people away from Christ. Many such sites simply isolate, twist doctrines or blatantly lie about the church. A great site for explanations to many such claims can be found at: http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/\n\nYou must remember, however, that the witness from the Holy Ghost is infinitely more valuable then any proof that man can provide. \n\nHaving said all of that, I will address some of the criticisms of the website to help you see that they are not as substantial as they appear. Nor could the Bible stand up to many of the same standards that they use to measure the Book of Mormon and the church.\n\nThere were no figs in America yet the Book of Mormon mentions figs (3 Ne 14:16). This is actually a great piece of evidence in favor of the historicity of the book of Mormon.  Since the Nephites came from Jerusalem, where they have figs, it would make perfect sense that they talk about them. The website does not mention Jacob 5 which talks about olives. The Nephites did not have olives, nor could Joseph Smith have had the knowledge he did to discuss, in accurate verifiable detail, how to care for and graft olive trees. Why mention only the things that they think will cause doubt?\n\nSince the site mentions breatplates, I will touch upon this briefly. I showed a film to my Spanish class today on the ancient Mayan civilizations. One of the first things that they discussed was how the Maya people, until recently, were seen as a peaceful people (one of archaeology’s errors). Evidence has been found of massive warfare. Cities with bunkers of dirt have been located and described as far back as Cortez himself (all of which support the Book of Mormon). The host of the video then shows a Maya carving of a warrior and points out, none other than, his breastplate. Much of the information on your anti-mormon site has long since been repudiated by current archaeologists.  \n\nThe witnesses are another good example. This website claims that the Book of Mormon is false because they apostatized from the church and may or may not have had other problems (I do not see isolated quotes, taken out of context from an anti-Mormon site as reliable). \n\nIs the Bible then also false because some of its prophets and leaders were unfaithful? The prophet Balaam disobeyed God and compromised the ancient Israelites and was killed.  Aaron allowed the Israelites to build a golden calf and worship it. Paul persecuted the Christians. Jonah failed to preach to the people of Nineveh. Peter denied Christ three times. Thomas didn't believe Christ could resurrect, even when Christ was standing right in front of him. Judas betrayed the Savior. All of these offenses seem much more serious than those of the Three Witnesses, yet we unquestioningly accept the bible. Christ was perfect, no one else. This is no reason to discredit the Book of Mormon. \n\nThis site claims that the lack of archaeological evidence as a reason to discredit the Book of Mormon. This only shows their lack of knowledge about archaeology in the ancient Americas. It is in an embryonic state when compared with the amount of time that similar research has been conducted in biblical lands. Only a very small pe
494616
Mormons may not like the idea of being labeled a cult, but that's what they are.\n\nOne of the primary red flags in Christianity is to ask about the Deity of Jesus Christ. \nJesus states repeatedly in the Gospels that He is God in fleshly form. He says it so emphatically that the Jews picked up stones to stone Him for such a blasphemous claim. \n\nChristian denominations all support Jesus' Deity, and they worship Him as God.\n\nMormons deny Jesus' Deity, and then also deny the accepted  doctrine of the Trinity of mainline Christian Churches. The Apostle Paul would take GREAT exception to Mormons claiming that they are Christian. \n\nOther Red Flags? \n*Exclusivity for salvation. They believe they are the only true church and the rest of us are going to hell. "Membership" in their church is required to get to heaven.\n*Exclusivity for interpreting the Bible. Without their unique explanations of the Bible, a person cannot fully understand the scriptures. Therefore, they added books to the scriptures to further explain God's plan. (additions and subtractions to or from are clearly prohibited in the Bible.) \n\nI wonder what the Angel Moroni (source of Joseph Smith's Golden Plates) would have to say to Paul?
284578
You have a lot of time on your hands, to come up with all that internal dialogue. Anyway, not that's not how I would answer. I would answer like this:\n\nI could give you a very short answer like: \n\n1- And who is it that teaches man not to pray? \n2- How did you come to know that the bible is true? \n\nOr how about this:\n\nThe Book of Mormon (Moroni 10:3-5) doesn't simply say to pray about the Book, but to ponder it, to study it, and then with faith in Christ to seek divine understanding of it through the power of the Holy Ghost. It's sad to see fellow Christians demeaning the quest for revelation from God through the power of the Holy Ghost as a "warm fuzzy feeling" that can lead to great deception. How can anyone have a testimony of Christ as the Son of God unless the Father reveals it? (See Matthew 16:15-17; Rev. 19:10; 1 Cor. 2:10-11.) Such prayer and inquiry is part of what all Christians should do in their quest to understand the truth. Relying on human logic and reasoning alone is guaranteed to be fallible, for people get things completely wrong, like the multiple errors in the rather silly attack about honeybees in the Book of Mormon. Those who seek revelation from the Father, combining thought and study with faith in Christ and the influence of God's Spirit, will be able to know the divinity of Jesus Christ in spite of all the arguments against Him, and just might be able to withstand the many human arguments against the divinity of the Bible - and the Book of Mormon. \nDo you remember what Christ said when he praised Peter for his testimony of the Savior? It's in Matthew 16: 15-17: \n\n15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?\n16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.\n17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.\nPeter's knowledge of Christ as the Son of God was not based on a factual analysis of Old Testament scriptures; it was not based on archaeology or genetic science or the opinions of learned scholars of his day; he did not survey the rabbis to find of there was consensus among leading authority figures about the divine status of Christ; it was not based on impressive miracles or other tangible evidences. Flesh and blood had not revealed the divinity of Christ to Peter. Then where did Peter gain that testimony? Through REVELATION from God the Father. \nThe critics of Christ during His ministry demanded "flesh and blood" evidence, refusing to listen to he Spirit - and ultimately sought the very flesh and blood of Christ Himself. Today our critics ask their victims to rely only on flesh and blood and NOT to seek revelation from God the Father to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Whose voice are they echoing? \n\nThe Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ, filled with the Gospel of Christ. Praying about it is not like praying about whether to commit adultery. It claims to be from God, to teach of Christ, and offers powerful evidences for its divinity (many witness and much empirical evidence). It should be a subject of study and prayer - if it really contains the words of Christ, wouldn't you want to treasure them? The quest for truth is nothing like praying about whether or not to commit sin! But oh my, wouldn't the world be a better place if people contemplating sin would pray for guidance? Would that all adulterers would pray about what they are doing. Would that all people contemplating sin would stop and pray and give God a chance to reiterate His will and enlighten the darkened mind. There would be much less sin in the world! So, fellow sinners, take my advice: pray! \n\nDo you wonder why those critics vehemently warn against praying about the message of Mormon missionaries? There is a being who teaches men not to pray, who will use every artifice of logic and intimidation to ke
93040
Because the Mormon perception of what Jesus did, his role in the salvation of man, and his relationship with God the father is different.\n\nAs a Mormon, you believe that Jesus came to the Americas after he had died on the cross. You believe that God had many sons, one of which was Jesus. You believe that God the father and Jesus were not part of the same Godhead.
676406
The mormon church no longer promotes or tolerates polygamy or bigamy.  The bigger question is do YOU want to join the church?  You shouldn't join because someone else wants you to.  It is a decision you should think long and hard about before making an informed decision.  I am a former member, so if you need someone to talk to or have anymore questions feel free to IM me.  (I'm Bookbaby2004 here on Yahoo)
573750
first- notoriousnick- Are you LDS?\n\nAnyway, back to the question- Why do others think Mormons aren't Christian....\n\nI think it all has to do with definitions.\nIf you define a duck as a waterfowl with webbed feet, a big bill, a bird that waddles, quacks and is white in color, eliminating any animal that does not fit this description... that's a pretty specific definition!... it also eliminates all wild ducks, like malards...\n\nIf you define Christians as people who believe in the Bible, both the Old and New Testament, have accepted Jesus as their savior, and accept the Trinity as fact... Again, that could be considered a pretty narrow definition.\n\nBecause "Mormons" don't accept the idea of the Trinity, they are often exluded from the label of Christian.\n\nMy own definition of Christian-\nA Christian is one who\na) accepts Jesus as the Son of God, Savior of mankind (including him or herself), and Redeemer of the world (btw- these characteristics, when applied to Jesus of Nazareth can be found in the Bible, both Old and New Testament).\nb) also tries to follow Christ's example as recorded in the New Testament, living the "Golden Rule" throughout their lives.... (this definition could eliminate many who call themselves Christian, simply because they arent' living the "Golden Rule")\n\nIn essence, my definition of Christain is someone who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.\n\nAccording to my definition of what a Christian is- someone who fulfills both parts of what I've written, yes, "Mormons" are Christian.
599599
As I read your question it seemed the heart of it was wondering if Joseph Smith should be innocent of anything "unquestionable". So my question to you would be unquestionable to whom? The basis of our belief is that Joseph Smith was called of God as the early prophets were. He therefore did as he was commanded, just as Moses or Abraham did. Moses was commanded to kill all the inhabitants of the promised land. Abraham was a polygamist. The Bible teaches of the mark of Cain. So if you believe the Bible is the word of God then you also believe those things.\nThe question you ultimately must ask at some point is, did God come to Joseph Smith and call him as he did other prophets. And there is only one place you can go and get an infallible answer, and that is God Himself. If you pray with a sincere desire for the truth He has promised each of us an answer. (James 1:5)\nGood luck in your search. And some of my best friends are Mormons too.
507946
It really depends on where you go as to what kind of experience you're going to get.\n\nI'm Pagan, but I attend church with my Mormon parents-in-law when I visit them in Virginia, but I've never heard a single word uttered about Joseph Smith, and I've heard many about Jesus.\n\nThere are many little differences, but essentially Mormonism and other Christian faiths are the same.\n\nOne difference is that Mormons don't believe in the Trinity - they believe that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three separate entities instead of three aspects of one entity. And, if you do your research, you'll find that the idea of a Triune god is actually a Pagan ideal - one of many stolen by Christianity in it's earlier years.\n\nThey also have more respect for others' beliefs and their right to have them. They do evangelize during 2-year long missions (which are optional), but they do not push the issue if they are told that someone is not interested (at least, they're not supposed to).\n\nThey believe in three different "layers" of Heaven: Celestial (the best/top), Terrestrial, and Telestial (the bottom/worst). They also believe in Hell, but they believe that Hell is only reserved for those of truly unforgivable evil. Even if you are not Mormon, so long as you have lived a reasonably good life, they believe that you can still go to Heaven, however you cannot reach the Celestial level unless you follow every commandment, are married in the Temple, etc. The Celestial level is where it is believed that God and Jesus themselves reside.\n\nThey are also the only denomination that uses additional scripture in conjunction with the Bible. They do not favor it over the Bible as many believe (not all of them, anyway), but they do have three extra books that they regard as scripture: The Book of Mormon (for which they are nicknamed), Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.\n\nThey also believe in one additional prophet, which no other Christian Church acknowledges: Joseph Smith.\n\nLast, but not least, they believe that as "man was created in God's image," God was once a man Himself, under the rule of another god when He was human. I don't fully understand the conditions, but I know that it is believed that under certain circumstances, you can reach godly status after you die, and are given the power to create and control a planet as God created and controls this one.\n\nTo my understanding, these are the most prominent differences between LDS faith and other Christian faiths.
659166
I think it's important to first say that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints (aka LDS or Mormon). My beliefs come from that doctrine, which I believe is true. Also, I do not wish to confuse you further, but instead commend you on trying to search for the truth. \n\nJesus Christ is the Jehovah spoken of in the Old Testament. He built this world and all that are in it. God, meaning, God the Father, or Heavenly Father is an entirely different person altogether, and the Holy Ghost is also a separate being. He/Christ is the only literal/physical Son of God, however, we are all (the good and the bad) Heavenly Father's children, because He made us spiritually before we were made physically by our parents. \n\nAs for the Trinity doctrine, it seemingly got its start when people mistranslated the Bible. The passage most often quoted is something to the effect that God is Christ in human form and His(Christ's) spirit is the Holy Ghost. What I believe was trying to be said (and may have been said, but just not translated correctly) is that God (Heavenly Father) is perfect, He knows all and is all powerful. Through His plan He wants us all to return to Him, however, He knew that we would mess up and that a Savior (Christ) would be needed to provide a way back through the Atonement. Christ, being the first spiritually born and the only physically born of God desires only to please His Father, so He did what needed to be done out of love for His Father, as well as love for us/all mankind.\n\nI'm afraid I don't have Bible references for this, however, there are scripture references found in The Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine & Covenants, which are books of scripture found in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. I have linked to the website containing The Pearl of Great Price.