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I don't see anything wrong with what you did. I only wish that blonde took you up on that motorcycle offer! 
Sarah |
Homepage |
05.19.04 - 12:13 pm | #
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You never know sarah, she said she might!
Nate |
Homepage |
05.19.04 - 12:23 pm | #
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My friend used to date a Mormon stripper. How about that for a paradox?
Ben |
05.19.04 - 12:55 pm | #
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Mormon strippers..
Now that rocks.
Nate |
Homepage |
05.19.04 - 12:57 pm | #
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As usual, Nate stole my thunder. Nighthawk - the fact that these women couldn't face up to a single man in his own front yard, what good were they really doing?? How effective are they?? To have an ignorant redneck swilling beer (every offense intended, Nate) and slicing their religion to ribbons and not being able to defend it... what is their belief?? Who sent them out in the big bad world to be this kind of "missionary?"
As to your children Nighthawk - can they defend their faith? Not just a canned script, but be willing to go nose to nose with those who are better equiped to challenge those beliefs you hold dear? If not, make sure they read Nate's post. Might harden them up some. Might make them think about what they do believe.
Red |
05.19.04 - 1:01 pm | #
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I think you're right in that they should be prepared for the challenging questions. Most of them probably aren't, which makes me feel sorry for them in a way. They're being forced into this a lot of times before they are at an age to choose differently. A lot of the boys that come in our neightborhood do not look anything near 18, but I'm not sure what the rules for mission work are excatly. Also, does anyone else notice more Mormons out on rainy days - it's like their church is trying to make them suffer all the more. Maybe it's just a coincidence...just seems to happen a lot.
RJK |
05.19.04 - 1:09 pm | #
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What's funny is that I think that these girls CHOSE to do this, not like the guys. I worked with a Mormon guy out in Oregon who had gone to Brazil for two years as a missionary, and he told me that girls can go on missions after a certain age IF they want to and get permission (from parents and church I think). Does anyone know the policy for sure? I suppose it might be different in different places...
RJK |
05.19.04 - 1:17 pm | #
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ah, with your luck Nate...
Sarah |
Homepage |
05.19.04 - 1:21 pm | #
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So, were these gals Mormon feminists??? At this rate, they'll be the ones asking for multiple husbands in a few years.
Red |
05.19.04 - 1:27 pm | #
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and Red... I'm a beer-swilling redneck? hrmmm... yeah. and?
Nate |
Homepage |
05.19.04 - 1:28 pm | #
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yeah, but you're swilling Corona. THAT'S what I'm talking about you swilling!!!! Get some better beer!!!!
Red |
05.19.04 - 1:32 pm | #
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I'm not demanding any type of apologies, here. Just pointing out some things.
Actually, "tracting" isn't as counterproductive as you might think at first. I know a lot of members of our church who were found tracting. I know more who were inactive ("lost") and appreciated having been found by missionaries.
You are absolutely right that they need to be prepared, including realizing that there can be dangerous people out there. But even more than "swelling the ranks" of the Church, these young people are going through tremendous learning experiences, including learning how to defend their faith. Some lose their faith as well.
(cont.)
NightHawk |
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05.19.04 - 1:37 pm | #
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(cont.)
BTW, young men are NOT required to go on missions. I never went. I joined the USAF instead. Young women are encouraged, if they so desire, to go on missions, after they are 21 years old. Young men are strongly encouraged, after they are 19 years old. But, the Church recently "raised the bar", requiring that the young men be better prepared doctrinally and spiritually.
NightHawk |
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05.19.04 - 1:39 pm | #
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Nighthawk,
“I would like to know if you would like to have THEM treated the way YOU treated the Mormons. Also, if you are Christian (which from other comments I assume you are), is this the way that God wants you to treat other people?”
I realize how hard it is to discuss religion on the internet. In light of your challenge concerning Nate’s lack of manners, I would appreciate your thoughts on the way I was treated by one of your bishops.
I was a backslider at the time I was dating a Mormon girl and was semi serious about changing myself to conform to her expectations in order to move our relationship along. She was sharing her faith with me and I was asking questions.
One night after work at about 11, seven men from your church, one Bishop and 6 “angels” showed up at my apartment and graphically described how they would gut me alive and watch me die if I ever talked to Jill again.
The only reason they gave was in regards to Galatians 1:6-12.
Resispa |
05.19.04 - 2:13 pm | #
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Resispa, I wouldn't have any idea about such things. I was excommunicated from my church when I was 20. I know many other people who have left it. Some have returned, others haven't. I know quite a few who are actively working against it. I have never heard of anyone being threatened, in any way. I also know a LOT of women who have married outside of the Church, including two of my sisters and many cousins.
Sounds something like a local version of the KKK to me.
NightHawk |
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05.19.04 - 2:20 pm | #
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They used Galatians 1:6-12, even though the very core of Mormonism is preaching another gospel? Wow.
Astrosmith |
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05.19.04 - 2:36 pm | #
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I'm Mormon and I served a mission. (Actually in West Virginia) I had experiences like yours where people thought it was funny to do stuff like that. I enjoyed it too. It's all part of the stories you get to go home and tell your family. I'm sure the legend of Nate will live long in Utah or Idaho or wherever they were from.
What I loved was talking about Christ with people of all faiths. It helped me to better understand the power and love of Christ to see how His influence works in the hearts of all men. Truly the faith of those I met, be it Baptist, Methodist, or Episcoplain strengthened my own faith and love of Christ.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 2:37 pm | #
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cont...
I know that getting knocks on the door can be a pain, but instead of trying to humiliate or have fun with the people on the otherside of the door, be it Mormon, JW, or Baptist, maybe we can understand they are just trying to spread the word of God. They are truly following Christ's Admonition to become fishers of men. It may not be the way you belive but they have heard the call in their heart and they are following it.
If we all could be as committed to preaching and building the Gospel of Christ as those trying to tear down the religous foundation of this country, we might not be circling the drain as a nation as it seems to be now.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 2:37 pm | #
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Astrosmith,
No, I had asked her about it a few days earlier.
Resispa |
05.19.04 - 2:44 pm | #
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'those trying to tear down the religous foundation of this country'
Well, athiests, left wing Christians, secular humanists et. al. do not go to door-to-door that I know of.
Sarah |
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05.19.04 - 2:47 pm | #
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Sean,
“If we all could be as committed to preaching and building the Gospel of Christ as those trying to tear down the religous foundation of this country, “
Feel free to respond to my post addressed to Nighthawk. Apparently murder is part of your gospel.
Before you go off on some tangent about mainline LDS vs. splinter groups, Jill’s father is/was a Senator and apparently respected in your church.
Resispa |
05.19.04 - 2:51 pm | #
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Oh. You asked her about that passage and it's relation to the BoM, PoGP, and all that other stuff.
Astrosmith |
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05.19.04 - 2:52 pm | #
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Well, athiests, left wing Christians, secular humanists et. al. do not go to door-to-door that I know of.
No need, they slither in through your TV.
Bill |
05.19.04 - 2:52 pm | #
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You mean that this girl's last name was Hatch? Whoa!
Astrosmith |
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05.19.04 - 2:53 pm | #
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Sarah, they don't have to. They can just have justices legislate it and have the mass media repeat the lies to you so many times that you start believing them. One step away from hypnopaedia.
Anonymous |
05.19.04 - 2:53 pm | #
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No, Sarah, they teach it to the children through public schools, TV, radio, and other types of media.
Those going door-to-door are putting forth some effort to counteract it.
Tracting door-to-door is a very minor part of what the missionaries do.
There is a saying that one of our Prophets frequently used to the effect that, "the Gospel doesn't change the ghetto, it changes the man (person) and then he gets himself out of the ghetto." (Little sayings like that don't have much effect on me, so I don't remember them well.)
As for what Sean said, if all of us who claim to be Christian, of whatever type, were to actually live our religions, and preach with humility and patience, maybe things would really change. And, yes, I am including myself in that statement.
NightHawk |
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05.19.04 - 2:55 pm | #
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Sorry, the Anonymous | 05.19.04 - 2:53 pm was me.
High King Frog |
05.19.04 - 2:56 pm | #
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Resipa,
I read your post and it was disturbing that anyone would do that. I can honestly tell you that disembowling people is not part of the LDS beliefs. It sounds like it was the actions of an upset father and his buddies.
Here's the problem that I have with stories like that is that people will blame the entire church for the dumb actions of a few people. I might just be sensitive, but it seems with the LDS church this especially seems to be the case. So some nutjob tried to intimidate you, this must be how all Mormons behave. Any church is made up of people. People are imperfect. They do human things which equates to stupid things. Does every Catholic beleive in Child Molestation because there were some sick priests?
Sean |
05.19.04 - 3:19 pm | #
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cont,
I'm sorry that this happened to you. But I have a feeling that no matter what I say, especially in the realm of a faceless blog, you will always harbor animosity towards Mormons because of this. I'm not sure what you were looking fo as far as an answer, but I can tell you that what he did is wrong and has no place in the Church and will receive judgement for his actions in the next life, if he does not in this.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 3:20 pm | #
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Ok, yes Frog, Bill, Nighthawk..you're right...
Sarah |
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05.19.04 - 3:33 pm | #
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People need to be challenged about their beliefs. If you believe someting, you should be prepared to intellectually defend that belief...
Jeanne |
05.19.04 - 3:44 pm | #
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Challenge away!
(But you might want to do it somewhere other than here.)
NightHawk |
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05.19.04 - 3:52 pm | #
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Nighthawk,
I'll do it here or in person, any time the situation is appropriate. My comment is in reference to the people who showed up on Nate's doorstep. That is an appropriate situation in which to challenge someone and they better be prepared to meet the challenge. Nate handled it just fine, while simultaneously creating a hilarious story.....
Jeanne |
05.19.04 - 4:10 pm | #
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Jeanne,
You make a good point but you must remember that no matter how much you know, someone always knows more. It's faith in Jesus Christ that gets us all through life, not being able to quote chapter and verse. Not that there is anything wrong with having an awesome knowledge of the scriptures.
All I can talk about is my experience. I felt the call to serve a mission. If I waited until I knew everything to counteract any argument, I would be old and gray. I had the glad message of Christ and I wanted to share it with my brothers and sisters. I can attest that the communication of the Holy Ghost between someone teaching and someone needing the message is more powerful than even the most learned scholar.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 4:28 pm | #
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Sean,
how long have you been in the mormon sect?
Nate |
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05.19.04 - 4:53 pm | #
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I was born into it, but my Dad left the Church when I was one or two and my mom has been inactive my whole life. I never really attended until I graduated from High School. So the techical answer is since birth, the real answer is when I was 17. I'm 30 now. So that's 13 years I guess.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 5:01 pm | #
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As far as being rude and being prepared, both situations are reversable. I have spoken to the visitors who approach my residence (one in fact while Dr. Who was talking my wife into having me rearrange my living room, which she appears to have a habit of). If spoken to in a calm and respectable way they will eventually get around to challenging YOUR beleifs. After all, that's what they are there for, eh? Nate just beat them to the punch...it's a race and the most prepared wins.
Though I respect anyones right to beleive whatever they wish, I do not beleive that Christ visited the americas, I do not beleive in stories that have faded into time without leaving a mark on history, and I do not beleive that there is a limit to those that can get into heaven...It is very innapropriate to challenge this in front of my children, which the aforementioned visitors often do. Out reach should be done in a public manner...that's the way Jesus did it.
Shane Smith Esq. (VRWC) |
05.19.04 - 5:34 pm | #
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I would add that I don't believe that God used to be some guy on another planet, and that if I'm good enough, I will get my own planet to be the god of.
The Bible says that God created the heavens and the Earth, that He always was, is, and will be. He didn't used to be anything but God!
Astrosmith |
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05.19.04 - 6:08 pm | #
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Astro,
The girl is no relation to Hatch that I know of.
Sean,
Her father had nothing to do with the situation that I know of, he was over 1500 miles away. Jill’s roommate worked for me and told me that Jill had come back to her dorm crying saying the local Bishop forbade her to speak with me again, after that I got the visit.
When it comes to LDS I don’t hold one threat against them. Having lived in WY & MT I’ve seen them do exactly what I’ve posted more than once. Ex LDS are fired form their job if they don’t comply with the Bishop. Kids turn up dead/missing etc… I know several “jack Mormons” who pay the 20% because they couldn’t do business in town if they didn’t.
Some of the bloggers mentioned doctrine, I don’t even to get into that because I see your fruits (LDS not you personally).
I never owned a hand gun prior to the Bishops visit.
Res Ispa |
05.19.04 - 7:04 pm | #
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I'm not sure that this is the place to get into a doctineral discussion about the deeper points of the Gospel. Things like that sound ridiculous when taken out of context, I hold those things precious and it would not be right for me to discuss them in such a setting.
Please keep in mind that it can be offensive sacred beliefs slagged, especially in a place, where up till this discusion thread, we all seemed to have similar points of view. I respect everyones religion and beliefs. Please have the courtesy to show mine the same respect.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 7:13 pm | #
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Sean,
I did not indicate omniscience whatsoever, merely an ability to defend one's beliefs intellectually and historically to the best of one's ability and to always be prepared. If you are going to go door to door and speak of your beliefs, you better be ready to answer the questions and challenges thrown your way. Otherwise, you just look foolish.....
Jeanne |
05.19.04 - 7:14 pm | #
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Res Ispa,
I certainly mean no disrespect, but I find those claims outrageous, not because I'm Mormon, but I would find it ridiculous if it was Baptists, Buddhists, or Episcopalians. I would hope that everyone would take such stories with a large grain of salt. Take the Mormon out of the story and is it even slightly believable?
Sean |
05.19.04 - 7:18 pm | #
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Sean,
Why is this not the place? The gospel, and doctrine(s) in general, can be preached, discussed and argued anywhere at anytime. Jesus hung out with harlots and spoke the gospel. You will come to my door at suppertime while I am in my bathrobe and attempt to talk to me as well. Surely then, an internet website is just as appropriate.
With all due respect, your avoidance of the issues raised does little but lend even more creedence to the doubts many harbor toward your beliefs.
Jeanne |
05.19.04 - 7:19 pm | #
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Jeanne,
I understand what your saying, but I think you may have missed what I was trying to say.
It's obvious that the Apostles didn't know the answer to everything. They were often rebuked by Jesus for their lack of Faith when it came to proclaiming the Gospel and working miracles in His name. The bottom line is that He called and they answered. All I'm saying is that missionaries feel the same way. And I'm not just talking about Mormon missionaries. I'm talking about any one that feels the call of The Lord.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 7:27 pm | #
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cont.
My knowledge of the Gospel was very weak when I started my mission. I got lambasted a few times, but I had a testimony in my heart of what I was doing and that was all that mattered. I was serving my Lord, and I would not be content to bury the talent he had given me. Could Nate, or Astrosmith, or you blow me away in a Bible Bash? More than likely. I'm not as learned as I should be, but I know what has been witnessed to me and i cannot deny it, even if most every one out there is smarter than me.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 7:27 pm | #
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The reason this is not the time is that this thread is fastly becoming an attack on Mormonism.
It's not the place because I can't defend a small part of a vast Gospel without spending time building the foundation on which those beliefs stand. A single brick isn't that impressive but together with many other bricks they can build something special. Is anyone interested in spending the time to understand such things? If they were we probably wouldn't be talking about how we behave towards missionaries knocking on our doors.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 7:43 pm | #
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cont...
Also I'm not interested in discussing things that I hold sacred with people who's only interest in hearing it, is so that they can use it to belittle what I hold dear. If you were truly interested, I would love to have a conversation with you, but I can't tell what anyones intentions are on a message board.
I don't believe that I'm avoiding any issue. You said you don't believe in the things of my religion. I don't have a problem with that. I haven't tried to convince you otherwise. However I want to understand what is expected of me as a Mormon in this thread? What issue should I not avoid, that apprantly I have?
Sean |
05.19.04 - 7:43 pm | #
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The things people say to belittle what I believe rolls off me like water off a ducks back. I regularly get grief because I believe Christ returned in 70 AD, or even for believing in Christ at all for that matter. I get grief from Christians because I drink and hold (in their opinion) odd views, and am not a "spiritual" (by their definition) Christian, and I get grief from atheists of various stripes because I believe Christ was a real live person that died to redeem any that call him Lord. It's part of life, if it weren't Christianity, I'm sure folks would come up with another reason to throw rocks - it's called "Sin Nature."
Bill |
05.19.04 - 7:57 pm | #
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Jeanne,
As I said elsewhere, if anyone would really like to explore issues such as this in detail, I have several different ways to do so, without cluttering up Nate's blog.
Click on my email, send me a question or comment, and I will attempt to answer it on MY blog, and welcome comments there. I am also active on a couple of forums, including Flannel Avenger's, where such discussions might work well.
NightHawk |
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05.19.04 - 8:02 pm | #
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Sean, on your missionary trips, or whenever you talk to people about spiritual topics, are you willing to have your mind changed? It doesn't sound like it. If you can't handle having your beliefs criticized, you better not show up on my doorstep. But, if you can demonstrate that what I believe is wrong, I will abandon Christianity, after all "If Christ is not indeed raised from the dead, we are above all men to be pitied". Are you willing to be similarly open to having your beliefs challenged?
Larry |
05.19.04 - 8:11 pm | #
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Not totally on topic here, but I think it is interesting how others use various terms that make them sound more like historical Christianity. For instance, the JWs believe that Jesus was actually the Archangel Michael, yet still the 'son' of G-d. Mormons refer to the Christ as the "Saviour" but not for salvation from sins, but for salvation from death. In other words, Christ died that we might all be ressurected, not saved.
Erik |
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05.19.04 - 8:34 pm | #
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Now Erik... you're not supposed to point that out to a Mormon. 99 times out of 100 they don't know that their church believes that.
Nate |
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05.19.04 - 9:09 pm | #
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Nate and Erik,
The Mormon Church believes that Christ saved us from our sins and our death. We put more emphasis on the Suffering in Gethsemane than most religions. To put it in a more simplistic term than the subject deserves, we beleive that He suffered in Gethsemane and on the Cross, took our sins upon us and purchased us with His blood. It is through his atoning sacrifice that we can be saved. Without Him, we all fall short. We also believe that He rose from the tomb three days after he was lain there, and all men will be resurrected like the Lord.
Christ is my Savior from Spiritual and Physical death.
And this is basic Mormon doctorine. Just listen to the majority of any of the talks given by our leaders at any General Conference and you will see this principle taught over and over.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 9:26 pm | #
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Sean,
I realize that this is what you believe, and I commend you for it. Since Erik already let the cat out of the bag, I think its important that you should understand, that in reality, that is not what your church is based on.
This is why I asked you how long you had been a mormon.
I spoke of my friend who was a mormon. He admitted the true mormon belief to me. That they really believe that once you die, you are reincarnated. You do this until you lead the perfect life, and then, you become God of your own planet.
He said he hadn't taught his sons this yet, because they were not experienced enough in the church.
Nate |
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05.19.04 - 9:34 pm | #
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This is cooberated by any anylytacal study of the Mormon Church ever presented. Look up your faith in an encyclopedia and see what it says.
Nate |
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05.19.04 - 9:35 pm | #
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Sean
Incorrect by misleading. Saved from what? Eternal damnation? or from just plain death? LDS teaches "salvation by grace" but that is refered to as "General Salvation" meaning everyone will be ressurected and judged according to works. Read Rom 11:6 & Eph 2:8-10
And according to Brigham Young you need to certification of Joseph Smith himself to enter into the mansion of G-d
"...every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are"
Journal of Discourses, Volume 7, page 289
Erik |
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05.19.04 - 9:36 pm | #
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Larry,
I am willing to have those discussions, but I'm not looking to challenge anyone or be challenged. Maybe I'm coming off all wrong. I have been trying to be repectful and avoid delving into those realms.
I'm so grateful that there are so many followers of Christ. I wish there were more.
However, just because I'm not willing to start a debate in a blog doesn't prove that I'm not willing to change my mind. Any changes that I make in my life and my beliefs are between me and God. Not between me and Nate or you and I. You might have some enlightening points. However, since I neither challenged you or anyone, I'm not sure why I have to be challenged?
Sean |
05.19.04 - 9:37 pm | #
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Sean
Take some time to look at the discrepancies of the LDS Doctrine. 3900 changes since the BoM was first published. 27,000 words directly taken from the KJV even tho the BoM was written 1000 years before the KJV. JS's own discrepencies concerning his vision. The complete lack of archeological evidence. JS & BY taught polygamy (After JS was caught with a 14 year old I might add) even tho it is condemned in the BoM see Jacob 1:15; 2:23,24,27,31 3:5; Mosiah 11:2 etc.
My personal favorite is someone getting beheaded and then struggling for breath later... that would be Ether 15:31 and a great rollicking laugh
Erik |
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05.19.04 - 9:53 pm | #
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Nate,
Your firend either did a bad job of explaining or you misunderstood. There is no reincarnation. This life is our opportunity to prove ourselves. We can overcome the sins that we commit through the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Once this life is over, we die. We are then resurrected and Judged. We then receive the reward that our life on earth deserved. I know it freaks people out when they hear the doctorine that we have the opportunity to be like Heavenly Father. To me it's shows me His love towards his children.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 9:57 pm | #
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One of the things that I've enjoyed about this site Nate is when you write about the relationship you have with your son. What father would not want his son to have what he has? It seems strange to me that people believe that Heavenly Father would create millions of children, only exalt one and have the rest as his servants for all eternity. A loving Father would do all he could for his Children. That's why he sacrificed His only Begotten Son in the flesh. He wants us to be with Him and to know the joy that He has.
Sean |
05.19.04 - 9:58 pm | #
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I have to go home. My wife is going to kill me.
My question is did you all actually study this stuff yourself, or did you pull it from various anti-mormon literature?
Maybe everyone can list their denomination, and then we can spend a day disecting that religion?
Anyway, Nate, Erik, Astrosmith, and everyone else, I love you, my Christian Brothers and Sisters. I've enjoyed this much, although I got very little work done.
Have a great night!
Sean |
05.19.04 - 10:04 pm | #
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You see, I was handed this book when I was 16, and I actually have read some of it. Jacob 7:27 uses a french word several hundred years before French was spoken. And then there is the male Hebrew with a woman's name.
Erik |
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05.19.04 - 10:04 pm | #
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Sean... I can't speak for many people.. But I can speak for myself, Bill, and Resispa. I can honestly say that none of us would form oppinions without looking at every fact we could scrounge up. The three of us have the same hunger for knowledge. We dig and we dig and we dig.
That's how we came to the oppinions we have.
Nate |
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05.19.04 - 10:15 pm | #
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Include me in that also Nate. I just tend to less forceful and more pithy unless I feel strongly about the subject. That and I usually hop on too late to really participate in the convo.
Shalom
Erik |
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05.19.04 - 10:21 pm | #
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hey...keep my name out of this..."joy" 
Joy |
05.19.04 - 10:35 pm | #
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Yeah, jeez, I didn't mean to be part of the piling on of Nighthawk and Sean here, but I can't help it sometimes. Just so you know, I take what anti-anything websites say with a huge grain of salt. However, I have verified much of the stuff I have read about Mormon beliefs with actual Mormon friends of mine, and they confirmed what I had read.
ungh...I want to respond to some of the points since I last visited here this afternoon, but then I don't want to...
Astrosmith |
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05.19.04 - 10:44 pm | #
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But I have to respond, lovingly, to this point:
"What father would not want his son to have what he has? It seems strange to me that people believe that Heavenly Father would create millions of children, only exalt one and have the rest as his servants for all eternity."
Well, Jesus was not a regular man; He was the Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. Jesus was both fully God and fully Man. God did not "exalt one of his children", He instead came to earth to live among us and serve as the perfect sacrifice for all sin.
The gospel of John starts off "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Astrosmith |
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05.19.04 - 10:50 pm | #
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Another thing is that I don't want to be god of my own planet. I have enough troubles without that. All I have faith in and hope for is God's grace through my faith in Him.
Astrosmith |
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05.19.04 - 10:52 pm | #
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"only to exalt one, and have the rest as servants". The Bible doesn't say that we will be servants, but that Christ came so that we could be adopted into God's family. We are (adopted) sons and daughters of God and joint heirs with Jesus. I don't know where you came up with that other interpretation, but it's clearly wrong.
Papapete |
05.20.04 - 12:22 am | #
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Sean,
First I give you credit for establishing your position in the positive. I also agree with you that a blog is a difficult place to put forward complex ideas and I admire you for sticking to an unpopular (at least here) belief system. Please don’t feel that I disrespect you or your personal beliefs in anyway.
This blog is as good a place as any to talk about your faith; I encourage you to keep at it. Yes we hold strong opinions and some of us don’t always think out what were trying to accomplish when we fire off a point. It’s not just anti LDS; Nate has big issues with Astro’s church. Hank is anti church in general. I’ve had bad experiences with more than one denomination. I went to a Baptist school for part of my Ed and I got several stories. I’m not a fan of certain churches in general, but I’ll give anyone a fair hearing that can state what they believe in a positive way like you have.
Res Ispa |
05.20.04 - 12:53 am | #
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Cont.
Understand that the anti LDS “stories” that you want me to discount are first hand accounts from your own people and they jive with my personal experience. Your church (like many other churches) behaves very differently when they are a near absolute power politically and in control of the legal system.
When I started studying LDS doctrine, I had rejected my own church up bringing and experiences and had decided that church of any kind was something I was better off without. I was only interested because:
1. Very hot girl
2. I wanted a long term relationship and was willing to revisit the issue
3.
Jill respected me enough to accept that:
1. I’d convert
2. I’d continue to reject religion
3. She might change her church
4. We both would reject religion
5. We would go our separate ways over this
Res Ispa |
05.20.04 - 1:02 am | #
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Cont.
I wasn’t trying to convert her to anything other than a acceptance that I could be a good mate without going to church. I agreed to hear her out and she agreed to listen to my objections and logic. We went out on dates and talked a lot of church. We had perfectly moral relationship in every respect other than my refusal to accept religion as a part of my life.
I asked a lot of what you would call “typical” questions. How many wives can I have? Etc. My questions were out of ignorance and Jill wasn’t annoyed. She asked me if I would study the Bible as she knew I accepted that as authoritative and I didn’t know anything about the BoM.
Res Ispa |
05.20.04 - 1:10 am | #
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Cont.
During one of our talks the book of Gal. was brought up and I asked about the context of what she was saying. She started in verse one and read straight through, until she got to 6-12. We both realized immediately that this verse created problems for her faith in BoM. Understand my basic position was still one of antagonism towards church in general.
I confronted her with an “ah ha see” this is a bunch of crap, I don’t need it type of response. She was taken back and very deep in thought about what this meant to her faith in her church. I was very thoughtless and unsupportive of her. Thinking I had won and would be allowed to give up the whole go to church thing, I was smug and condescending.
Jill said she didn’t have the answers and that she would try to find out why there was an apparent contradiction. I think that’s why she went to the local Bishop.
Res Ispa |
05.20.04 - 1:23 am | #
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Cont.
The result of her religious inquiry was six men holding me down while the bishop ripped off my shirt with a knife and drew the tip across my belly and explained how they would gut me alive if I ever spoke to Jill again and what they would do to her if she spoke to me.
Do I believe stories about polygamy, yes we have it my town and throughout the mountain states. When this gay marriage thing is final polygamy will once again become part of main line LDS. Do I believe stories my friends tell me about growing up LDS and what happens to dissenters, you bet, I know them to be honest folks, and what they are saying is in line with what I know to be true from first hand experience.
Res Ispa |
05.20.04 - 1:42 am | #
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Sean,
So far you haven’t posted anything to much different about your faith than the general statements that most post here. If YOU want a chance to talk about what YOU believe, I’ll consider it. If you want to talk about the greatness of the LDS, you might want to skip that.
My challenge to you is the same as Nate, Astro, and everybody else, engage the topic of hermeneutics. How do you study the scripture? For argument sake I’ll accept the claim that the BoM is scripture and I won’t challenge you on apologetics, unless you feel that apologetics should be included.
Res Ispa |
05.20.04 - 2:07 am | #
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I know you’re a LDS. I attend an independent church. I consider myself a “mere Christian” similar to C.S. Lewis. I’m more of a Low Church congregational primitivism type.
Everybody please let Sean have a free go with this. No cheep shots about people long dead or what you think his church teaches. So far he has presented his views in the affirmative and he should be able to say what he believes without distraction.
Res Ispa |
05.20.04 - 2:07 am | #
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Sean,
Have at it.
Res Ispa |
05.20.04 - 2:12 am | #
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Since I like and respect all of you (as far as I can tell ) I would like to continue this discussion, but in a more appropriate manner. I can't go into detail of my beliefs and why I believe them with a 1k character limit. I am NOT trying to draw anyone away from the blog, or trying to make things difficult for anyone.
However, I just started a Yahoo! egroup, titled "nighthawksdiscussion". You can join by emailing:
nighthawksdiscussion-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, by going to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ni...awksdiscussion/
(I've also changed my url for this post to the above, so click on it)
I really hope that some of you will participate. I plan on keeping it unmoderated, unless someone forces the issue.
NightHawk |
Homepage |
05.20.04 - 7:59 am | #
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Sweet.
Nate |
Homepage |
05.20.04 - 8:14 am | #
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