What topics are usually addressed at Mormon sermons?
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You are welcome to attend services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon church).  In fact, our church has a website to help you find a meeting near you: www.mormon.org.\n\nTypically, church services are three hours long, and are made up of three meetings.  The main meeting is called Sacrament Meeting.  This is the meeting where we take bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christ, as well as listen to sermons.  The other meetings are comparable to Sunday School classes in other churches.\n\nOne sacrament meeting a month is called "Fast and Testimony Meeting".  This is usually on the first Sunday of the month.  During this meeting, no pre-planned sermon is given.  Instead, people in attendance are allowed the opportunity to bear testimony about the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  \n\nDuring the other sacrament meetings each month, the leader of the congregation (we call him a "bishop") or his counselors typically ask members of the congregation to give short sermons on different topics.  Typically the members of the church will base their talks on scriptures and personal experiences.  Examples of such topics are faith, repentance, baptism, how to love your neighbor, and so forth, although the topic can be basically anything assigned by the bishop or his representative.  Occasionally the topic is left up to the member who is preparing the talk as well.  \n\nSacrament meetings also involve singing of hymns and often musical performances by members of the congregation as well.  The meeting typically lasts about an hour and ten minutes.\n\nI hope you do take the opportunity to attend services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!
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Here are some things that I wish I had learned before my mission:\nI wish I had learned better to recognize how the Holy Ghost answers prayers in my life.\nI wish I had learned better how to get along with different kinds of people, and show my love for them in ways that they'd appreciate, not the ways that I like best.\nI wish I had realized that it doesn't matter how educated you are, but it does matter how wise you are.\nI wish I had learned not to be snotty, and to appreciate the value of every person and the place I'm in.\n\nAs you can guess, these are all things that I learned on my mission, but it would have been great if I had known them before.\n\nI would like to make the following recommendations:\nIf you haven't yet read the Book of Mormon or another of the Standard Works, read it and make sure that you have a testimony that it's true.  Also, be sure that you have a testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet.  You don't have to have one powerful experience to know that something is true.  The comforting, satisfying feelings from the Holy Ghost are enough.\n\nYou can get a copy of "Preach My Gospel" and study the gospel principles taught in the lessons.  It's good to have a complete knowledge of the basic doctrine before you go on your mission.\n\nLearn to establish good habits, such as getting up at a reasonable time, studying the scriptures daily, eating healthy, spending your money wisely, and taking care of your body appropriately.  If you feel you are weak in any one of these areas, it's a good opportunity to learn these skills from your parents.\n\nLearn how to bear simple testimony, and be sure to do it often.\n\nLearn some hymns of the church that you can sing at opportunities when you'd like to bring in the Spirit.  I found that singing hymns is a very effective, consistent, and quick way to invite the presence of the Holy Spirit to any situation (tracting, teaching, companion study, whatever).  It doesn't matter whether you think you have a beautiful voice or not.  The words of the hymns are true, and the Holy Spirit testifies that.\n\nBe aware of the symptoms of mental illness and know how to recognize them in missionaries you know.  Many missionaries discover that they have mental problems they didn't know about before, because being on a mission puts them in circumstances they haven't been in before.  Uninformed companions can cause them even more suffering by judging them as lazy or controlling when they are really in need of help.  If you find yourself in a situation like this, tell the mission president immediately.\n\nWhatever you do, always refuse to hear gossip about anyone you know (missionaries or members) and don't participate in it.  You'll be a lot happier.\n\nDon't worry about not being able to watch television, listen to music, and so forth.  You'll find that these are choices, not necessities.  When you get home, you'll discover that you haven't really missed a thing.\n\nDon't be afraid of your mission president.  He's there to help you, and he's the only person to whom you can tell ANYTHING.  Use him as a resource.  Tell him things that he needs to know.  Mission presidents care very, very much about their missionaries.  You have no reason to be ashamed with him, unless you have done something wrong, in which case you need him all the more.\n\nDon't be intimidated by the sisters.  If you are attracted to a sister in your mission, there is no need to annoy her by teasing her or something.  Just don't act on your attraction.  Sisters and elders have very different styles of doing missionary work sometimes, and you can learn a lot from each other.\n\nDon't be surprised if you discover that a mission is a lot of fun.  I expected to work hard, but I never expected to have such a great time doing it.  It's the funnest adventure I ever had.
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My brother is a Mormon (LDS). I've heard the strangest things about how they sacrifice animals and they have more than one wife (not true of LDS - only of fundamentalist Mormon denominations, which are few and far between), and they are so annoying and this and that on and on. When I hear people talk about them, I usually just listen and say, "Really?" every now and then until they are finished. Then I tell them that my brother is a Mormon. That usually produces a Kodak moment :) \n\nI don't agree with the Book of Mormon (see link for good reasons why) or some of the doctrines, but neither have I ever met a Mormon that I didn't like. Even Trey Parker and Matt Stone were man enough to portray them as really nice and loving people.
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I am not 'Mormon' but have read about and understand your point of view. My unbiased opinion is that if you are targeting a large audience and want to incorporate your beliefs, emphasize your basic belief that through serving others, people can experience joy and be drawn closer to God. This underlying theme will attract the largest group of people and spread a good message, as I believe your goal is. It is, aside from the value of family, the message that most people can relate to and benefit from amongst the LDS doctrines.
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Matt 7:15\n"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?\n\nWhy Mormon can not be Christians\n1. They teach Ascension (Man becomes God)\n2. They teach Jesus and Satan are brothers\n3. They teach the corruption of the bible immediately after the last Apostle died.\n\nThese teachings are in direct contrast to Christian doctrines
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Try the story of Ammon.  He set a great example by serving the king very diligently while keeping his sheep.  The excellent service that Ammon gave to the king made the king want to listen to his message.  Eventually many people were converted as a result.\n(It's in the Book of Mormon, but I don't want to look it up right now.  Just look up "Ammon" in the Index, and you'll find it.)\nAnd I completely agree with destiney that it's not the missionary who converts people, it's the Holy Ghost.  Brigham Young taught this quite clearly.
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The response to the question "Is Mormonism Christian?" depends on the substance of the question and its context. If the inquiry is more theological and religious than theoretical and academic, then the question and answer are normative and depend upon the presuppositions that underlie the query. However, the question can be examined by asking about the significance and implications of labeling and naming in the world of religion. While much modern Latter-day Saint literature has emphasized elements in common between the LDS Church and other Christian denominations, the frequent use of "Mormon" among the early Saints shows that the unique doctrines and beliefs of the Saints—such as the Book of Mormon, the gathering, and the leadership of the prophet—enabled the Saints to withstand the centrifugal pull of Protestant hegemony and establish their own identity. Likewise, the Saints referred to everyone outside of their religion as "Gentile," a practice that continued into this century. Now, with their identity firmly established, the Saints no longer feel constrained to be segregated from other denominations. At the same time, however, new conservative Christians have adopted the label "Christian" to unite themselves and to exclude outsiders or those who may differ in their doctrinal beliefs. The need to show this divergence has grown with the increased prominence of the Church and its members and with the realization that conservative Christians share with the Saints a common social and political agenda.\n\nWhile the debate usually centers on determining whether certain Latter-day Saint beliefs and practices should be considered Christian, there are renowned and influential spokesmen and writers in all the major wings of Christendom who have defended and taught ideas that Joseph Smith taught almost alone a century and a half ago. For instance, in the 1960s many were beginning to question the impersonal nature of God, preferring to see him in terms of a more definite personality. Also, many writers emphasized the divine within man and pointed out man's potential. In contrast to the feelings of earlier centuries, theologians feel a need for continuing revelation and unity, rather than diversity, in the body of Christian churches. Certain trends emphasize spiritual gifts and the sacred nature of marriage, both important to Latter-day Saint beliefs. Finally, the explosion in the discovery of ancient documents also presents parallels between ancient Christian and modern LDS beliefs. As of 1974, patterns of revision in some churches reflect growing similarities between these churches and Latter-day Saint practices. It must be acknowledged, however, that these movements have correspondingly powerful countermovements, and there exists a tremendous chasm between what professional writers say theologically and what actually penetrates to the grassroots.
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"Frost: Do you believe in the Sermon on the Mount?\n\nGates: I don't. I'm not somebody who goes to church on a regular basis.  The specific elements of Christianity are not something I'm a huge believer in.  There's a lot of merit in the moral aspects of religion.  I think it can have a very, very positive impact.\n\nFrost: I sometimes say to people, do you believe there is a god, or do you know there is a god? And, you'd say you don't know?\n\nGates: In terms of doing things I take a fairly scientific approach to why things happen and how they happen. I don't know if there's a god or not, but I think religious principles are quite valid."\n\nHe seems a little agnostic.
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What bothers me most about Mormons are their false scriptures and false prophets. They have three false scripture-the book of Mormon, a Pearl of Great Price and Doctrines and Covenants. Starting with the founder Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and all their church presidents are false prohphets. What changes would I recommend. Throw out their scriptures, read their Bibles and forget about their prophets. \n\nA short summary for those not familiar with Mormonism\n\n\nThe Mormon church has some very unusual doctrines and beliefs and is considered to be a cult by most conventional Christian denominations.\n\nFor example, they believe their God has a number of heavenly wives. They believe God lives on a planet near a star names Kolob. They believe that they can become gods in the afterlife. They believe in a three tiered heaven which can only be reached through works including marriage to another mormon. Single Mormons can not reach this third level of their heaven. They believe their God used to be a man of flesh and bones and later became God. They believe God came down to earth as a man to impregnate the virgin Mary. \n\nThey believe Satan and Jesus are brothers. They believe everyone has two sets of parents-heavenly parents that create spirit babies and the earthly parents who create the bodies into which these supposed spirt babies go. The reason Mormons have so many children is that they believe that there are a surplus of spirit babies and so members are encouraged to have as many babies as possible to make a place for the spirit bodies to live.\n\nThey believe in marrying and baptizing all their dead relations into the Mormon church, hence the interest in geneology. They have also baptized most dead US presidents and a number of holocaust victims until they got quite a few complaints from members of the Jewish faith. \n\nThe church is very controlling and a person must pass an interview with a church official each year to get a temple recommend pass-this includes a promise of tithing, believing the prophets, work in the church, etc. \n\nThe mormon church was founded by Joseph Smith a local ne'r do well, who spent most of his time treasure hunting, and one day ta-dah he discovered supposedly gold plates from the angel Moroni in New York. The book of Mormon, as opposed to the Bible is historically and archeologically unsound. For example, Bethlehem and Jericho existed. Not so for the locations in the book of Mormon. Joseph Smith as a child made up lots of involved stories regarding Indians and other inhabitants of America. Not so surprisingly the same type of stories are in his book of Mormon, which he claimed came down on gold plates from God. According to Mormon doctrines dark skinned people were dark skinned because of a "curse" placed on them.
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lol I used to be anti- mormon and trust me this post wont change there ways! lol they have heard rumors and been to sites such as \nCurt van den Heuvel's Page. Deals with the Book of Mormon, history and various other subjects.\n\nTough Questions For Mormons. Questions that Mormons are supposed to be having difficulty with.\n\nExMormons Page. Phenomenal links to the anti-Mormon issues. Quite comprehensive and well done in my opinion. \n\nH. Michael Marquardt's Mormon History Homepage. A well done anti-Mormon page of historical research into Mormon History, the Book of Abraham, etc.\n\nOn the Book of Abraham Papyri. Discusses the classic 1968 anti-Mormon stance against the Joseph Smith Papyri and Book of Abraham.\n\nMore Tough Questions For Mormons. Apparently Mormons are unable to answer these questions.\n\nMark D. Champneys ExMormon Christian Site.\n\nEd Decker, Saints Alive in Jesus.\n\nMormonism Research Minstry\n\nJerald and Sandra Tanners Lighthouse Ministry\n\nWatchman Ministry\n\nUtah Missions\n\nBerean Christian Ministries\n\nChristian Apologetics and Research Ministry\n\nProblems With Mormonism\n\nInstitute For Religious Research\n\nRecovery From Mormonism\n\nHarder Questions that Mormons Can't Answer\n\nRPCMan Anti-Mormon Pages\n\nA Closer Look at Mormonism\n\n \nthey are not interested in sites such as\n\nFAIR (Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research) A site near and dear to my heart. Outstanding articles, and a fabulous Message Boards to learn everything you need to about Mormonism, the history, doctrines and ideas and ideals, hopes, fears, etc.\n\nFARMS Homepage. The clearinghouse of scholarly information on the LDS scriptures and history. Updated news in the LDS scholarly community of events as well.\n\nSHIELDS Scholarly Website. Shields is a scholarly rebuttal of critical views against Anti-Mormonism, with updated news events. A well done site for the LDS community. Outstanding correspondence between FARMS scholars and anti-Mormons, as well as Evangelical Christians.\n\nJeff Lindsay's Book of Abraham Page. Deals with the rolls of Abraham Papyri, the length of the rolls, how much of the papyri that Joseph Smith do we now have today? etc., etc. Very well done. Rather long, because there is a lot of information here. Talks of Facsimile #2, Enoch's Pillar, etc. also. Nice information for those confused by the anti's on this subject. Truly one of the remarkable sites on the Internet!\n\nJeff Lindsay's Book of Mormon Evidences Page. An excellent site for Book of Mormon information. Many nice links also. Very nice!\n\nZions Lighthouse Message Boards - This is THE place to go for discussions of all aspects of Mormonism with Mormons, non-Mormons, Anti-Mormons, and a mix of absolutely everyone else. \n\nRussell Anderson's LDS page Lightplanet (click here) is also a very good site. Loads of great information here.\n\nBarry Bickmore's Early Christianity and Mormonism Page. Simply a must look at for information on early Christianity with many invaluable links! A very well done and scholarly site. One of the most complete sites on early Chrisitianity along with Arden Eby's.\n\nMike Ash's Book of Mormon Evidences. Nice site discussing the flora and fauna of the Book of Mormon, and dealing with various problems the Book of Mormon supposedly has, such as plagiarizing the Bible, cement, horses, etc.\n\nPacumeni's Rebuttal of the Tanner's Page. Pacumeni is not one to take lightly as he demonstrates rather well the weaknesses of the Tanner's research into Mormonism. Well done page.\n\nBrant Gardner's Scholarly Mesoamerican Research. Brant's self-published papers on Mesoamerican archaeology and history. Very nice, and quite scholarly, as Brant is a Mesoamerican scholar.\n\nNick Literski's LDS Temples Page. Nick is having fun with this devotional, yet scholarly and tastefully done page, and I can't blame him. A very nice site, well worth looking into.\n
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Simple answer:\n\nThere are 2 categories that divide the Church.\n1. Theological doctrines.\n2. Church related topics.\n\nTheological doctrines break down into two categories: Essential and non-essential. Essential doctrines are those doctrines that are necessary for a person's salvation, non-essential doctrines are anything else.\n\nChurch related topics include anything from what type of music to play in the church and what instruments one's should use, to how many times the congretions should stand during service and at what time.\n\nThe true Church, and I'm referring to Evangelicals, aren't divided as to essential doctrines. Each denomination uses the Bible alone as their guide and each believe in the same doctrines for salvation.\n\nThere are a bunch of non-essential issues though. These include how to interpret obscure Bible passages.\n\nThere is not much that divides the Evangelical church that shouldn't, and not much that doesn't that should. Aside from petty Church related topics like wallpaper and hymn lineups.\n\nBut if I had to decide, I'd have to say the issues that Evangelicals have been arguing over lately that we shouldn't be are: \n-The definition of hell and whether you are tormented forever or get anihilated\n-The rapture\n-Baptism and whether or not it is necessary for salvation\n-pornography and masturbation and whether or not it is wrong\n-Holiness and whether or not we should actively participate in it or are just supposed to let God do all the work\n\nAside from that the real problems only start to surface when you start comparing the Evangelical Church to the Roman Catholic Church, or Jehovah's Witness Church, or the Mormon Church. At this point each of these Churches are divided on Essential issues that relate to salvation. \n\nI hope this answered your questions and helps.
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I am a mormon. And have answered your qwestions before. All im saying are facts. Baptisms for the dead is an ordinance in the temple. People are baptized in place of one who has passed away. The Aaronic and Melchezedick (dont know how to spell it) priesthood. We do not do evil things. Families are sealed for time and all eternity in the temple. You can contact the Mormon missionaries and ask questions\nTemples are houses of the Lord, the most sacred structures on the earth. \nAnciently, the Lord directed Solomon to build a temple (1 Chronicles 28:1–6). After Jesus Christ restored His Church through Joseph Smith, He again directed that temples be built. \n\nIn temples, Church members participate in ordinances designed to unite their families together forever and help them return to God. This next part is from www.mormon.org\n\nIn the temple, members: \n\nLearn eternal truths. \nReceive sacred ordinances, including those that bind husband and wife together for eternity, as well as join children and parents (Malachi 4:5–6). \nProvide ordinances such as baptism for those who have died without the opportunity to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:29); 1 Peter 4:6) \n\nThis part is more on baptisms for the dead.\nMany people have died without receiving baptism and other ordinances that Jesus Christ taught were necessary to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). Because Heavenly Father wants all His children to have the opportunity to return to Him, He has provided a way for those who have died without these ordinances to receive them. \nIn holy temples, members of the Church can perform these ordinances on behalf of their ancestors who have died. \n\nThis makes it possible for those who have not received these ordinances to accept them, if they choose, and return to live one day with our Heavenly Father. \n\nThis part is on marraige and eternal marraige.\nWhen a man and woman are married in a temple, their family can be together forever. This is a common goal of Latter-day Saints. However, this is not always possible. One of the marriage partners may not be a member of the Church or may not be prepared to go to the temple. Some people never have the opportunity to marry. \nChurch members who have been divorced, who have never married, or who have been married outside the temple can participate in the ordinances of the gospel and enjoy opportunities for Church service. \n\nThe knowledge that a family can be together forever helps strengthen families—not only those who have been bound together through temple ordinances, but also those who hope to realize that blessing in the future. \n\nThe Savior promised that certain sacred acts performed in this life would be effective in the world to come. Consider His words to Peter: “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). \nWhen a marriage is performed by the proper authority, in the holy temple, it can last through eternity, rather than “till death do you part.” \n\nYour marriage and family do not need to end at death. This promise can give you a sense of eternal belonging and eternal commitment.
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Isn't it comical seeing people trying to explain spiritual matters when they are not guided in the least by a living prophet or modern scripture.\n\nI have a firm, unshakeable knowledge that the Lord restored His kingdom to the earth in 1830 when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized.  It contains the priesthood of Jesus Christ, restored by John the Baptist in 1829 and Peter, James and John, that same year.  It has modern prophets who can communicate the mind, the will, and the voice of the Lord to this generation.  It has a second witness for Jesus Christ--The Book of Mormon.  While most religions contain some truth and some good things, they lack much of what was lost between the death of Christ and the apostles and the raising up of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the early 19th century.
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Debating whether Jews for Jesus are evil against Jews.  Giving serious answers to important personal questions on 'Answers'\nTrying to live the best life I can.\nKeeping my financial head above the red line.\nFinding a wife.  Giving God the appreciation He deserves.  Improve my wisdom and knowledge. etc., etc., etc.,
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Mormons believe: God is an exalted man.  Elohim, the God of this universe, was previously a man in a prior existence.  As a result of having kept the requirements of Mormanism, he was exalted to godhood and inherited his own universe.  God is confined to a body of flesh and bones and yet is thought to be omniscient and omnipotent.  He obviously can not be omnipresent.  There are an infininte number of gods with their own worlds.  These too were previously men, The Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ and "Heavenly Father" comprise 3 separate and distinct gods. Heavenly Father sires spiritual children in heaven destined for human life on earth.  All humans, as well as Jesus Christ and Lucifer, are gods heavenly children.  Every human being has the potential of becoming a god by keeping the requirements of Mormonism.  The Morman plan of salvation is built on the idea that all people have eternal life, but only the most faithful Mormons have godhood or enter the celestial kingdom.  In order to obtain this ultimate step, Mormons must exercise faith in the God of Mormonism, its Christ, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; exercise repentence; and be baptisted in the LDS church.  Additionaly Mormons must keep the "Word of Wisdom" by abstaning from alcohol, tobacco, and caffiene; tithe to the church; attend weekly sacrament meetings; support the Mormon prophet; do temple works; and be active in their support of the Church.  \n\nIs this Christianity, I think not.
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Mormon heresy? OK c'mon now trask, y'know you'll full of it! someone, especially Mormon missionaries, listening to you?\nmy advise, avoid the queen of hearts\n(i.e. brainwashing=bad mojo man)
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http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/about.html\nThis site discusses topics but has a lot of scriptural references.  It's great.\n\nThe other site I recommend is\nhttp://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/