Mormons

[GlorytoGod]

Good Bad or Spawn of Satan ?

what do you reckon to these guys ?

Personally I find them a bit creepy, not quite sure why.

Here they are on youtube, the appear to be very wealthy !
YouTube - SethAdamSmith's Channel

[lunamoth]

I have a very high opinion of the majority of Latter Day Saints whom I've met. I like their emphasis on family and sacred living. They have different understandings of Christian theology than I do, but they certainly qualify as Christians IMV: They worship God and follow Christ.

[GlorytoGod]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I have a very high opinion of the majority of Latter Day Saints whom I've met. I like their emphasis on family and sacred living. They have different understandings of Christian theology than I do, but they certainly qualify as Christians IMV: They worship God and follow Christ.

I don't really know any, maybe I should visit one of their Churches sometime.

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by GlorytoGod

Good Bad or Spawn of Satan ?

That's a pretty negative view to suggest!

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I have a very high opinion of the majority of Latter Day Saints whom I've met. I like their emphasis on family and sacred living. They have different understandings of Christian theology than I do, but they certainly qualify as Christians IMV: They worship God and follow Christ.

Certainly the Book of Mormon is extremely contentious, but I think any religious work will always fall under the same criticisms, so it's the "fruits" that matter.

Mormons I've met have generally been pretty friendly and very family orientated.

[dauer]

I've had positive experiences with mormons as well, though nothing specific comes to mind.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Certainly the Book of Mormon is extremely contentious, but I think any religious work will always fall under the same criticisms, so it's the "fruits" that matter.

Mormons I've met have generally been pretty friendly and very family orientated.

Yes, making generalizations of course, but 'by the fruit' they're a pretty good lot! The level of committment to obedience to their doctrines, upheld by the whole community, is difficult in our society that so strongly values individualism. Even as I think, well, it's not for me, I admire it.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by dauer

I've had positive experiences with mormons as well, though nothing specific comes to mind.

An interesting thing, even though I grew up in a town not ten miles from Fayette, NY, where the founders started, I did not know many LDS growing up. I now appreciate the strong link between their religion and upstate NY.

Anyway, my first knowing encounter with LDS was as a grad student, where I worked briefly with a mormon on the Ph.D program. He was well known as one of the outstanding students in the program.

Then again later I worked in the same lab as two LDS students persuing their PhDs in genetics. One was simply brilliant in evolutionary biology, both were great colleagues and, on a personal note, had lovely families.

Around the same time I was on an interfaith council for the small city I lived in, and the LDS representative on that committee was also a blessing and joy to work with. Unfortunately, the LDS in the town where I live now apparently have been 'burned' by negative reaction from our community, and so kind of keep to themselves. A shame.

[Dream]

I'd agree with Luna there. If all of a person's relations are probably Mormon, then it is actually impossible to know what that person really thinks about Mormon things. There are too many practical and psychological pressures keeping them in the fold for us to assume we know them. This principle extends to people in all religions, and a confession of faith is not merely words but consists of a right heart. There is an inner life which G!d sees that we cannot, and we ourselves are too complicated for anyone to truly know us. I suspect that Mormons are more aware of this than most people.

[17th Angel]

Oh I get to try out the reputation thingy jig....

[wil]

I've read their book, asked them questions, they seemed quite cordial, not near as in your face as other door knockers. Didn't shake off their shoes or imply I was headed to hell. A plus for some.

Anywho, I know the US state department likes them. That effort of being sent to a city new to you, and to take on a project like spreading the word. One year you learn while you do, the next year you teach while you do. Riding around town on bikes polite in their white shirt and ties. It all boils down to great trainng for embassy workers.

I've not attended their church services. I have been in their churches for vegan and live potlucks and discussions on same. As well as on merit badge days for scouts. I think that may be a requirement for all LDS boys and girls that they go through the scout programs.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by wil

Didn't shake off their shoes or imply I was headed to hell.

LDS are 'near universalist' in that they believe that you have to 1. recognize God for exactly who/what God is and 2. with that knowledge outright reject God after 3. chances not only in this life, but in the afterlife (so yes, you can change your mind after meeting God in the next life), all three of these conditions to 'qualify' for hell. What their vision of hell exactly is, I don't know.

That said, they do believe in degrees of heaven, some of which qualify as 'hell' by my view, in which hell is separation from God.

[Dream]

My opinion is the majority of Mormons think of their ritual as a shell for their chicks to break through. If you don't follow what I'm saying, then get yourself an outline of what they believe and then tell me whether you really think that's what they all think. Christian parents occasionally teach their kids that babies come from the stork, or from cabbage patches etc or they teach them about the Easter bunny. Some parents will teach their children lies in order to teach them something truth would not. Am I in agreement with such practice? No, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen or even that it couldn't work. In the Mormon community my guess is they maintain an inner mythology (stronger truth) that is unseen and protected from outside scrutiny by the outer mythology. The inner mythology holds the true explanation for decisions made by the community. Their community remains stable when what seems like a major change in their mythology is made. Its a lame theory, but its a theory.

[juantoo3]

Originally Posted by GlorytoGod

Good Bad or Spawn of Satan ?

what do you reckon to these guys ?

Personally I find them a bit creepy, not quite sure why.

I'm with those who think the language here is a bit on the strong side.

Having said that, I've had the occasion to be around some Mormons in my time. Like others, they are people, and can act good or bad or ugly at times.

The Mormons were instrumental in the founding of the state of California, if that is any indication. Wealth, at least by my understanding of what the Bible says, is not a disqualifying offense...it is a mark of G-d's providence. It is how wealth is used that becomes the ethical issue.

The Osmond family, well known entertainers in the states for generations, are Mormons. There are some rather large corporations tied to the Mormon church, or so I hear, like the Flying J chain of truck stops that span the country from coast to coast. In that regard I think it is a sign of the frugality and financial discipline displayed at the top and taught through the ranks. In that I see little difference with the Amish...they encourage outsiders to spend their money with them, while they go to lengths to keep from spending money outside of their ranks. This does have repercussions that depending on vantage can be seen and interpreted negatively...such as withholding pay from an "unbeliever."

All in all though, they are just ordinary people. They tend to limit their vices, no alcohol, no caffeine...but they make up for it with other tendencies, at least according to the one fellow I lived next door to for about 5 years.

Being a Mormon is not a disqualifying offense in my mind, but neither is it a free pass. Some are good, some are bad, some abuse the interpretation of their traditions....just like others do.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by dauer

I've had positive experiences with mormons as well, though nothing specific comes to mind.

Ironic that the "Mormons" I've met have all been Hospital Corpsmen (medics).

Well, except for the occassional adolescent "elders" that come to my door.

The Corpsmen, were absolutely the best. They just happened to be Mormon.

[GlorytoGod]

I think I have misjudged these guys on the basis of a weird dream that I had, they seem ok actually.

The story of the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith is really far out, but then again so is the Bible I suppose.

Mormonism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Articles of Faith are as follows:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

I still find some of their promotional material a bit creep though.