With Mitt Romney trying to get the Republican nomination there are so many things going around about the Mormon church from "Mormons are not christian", to "Mormonism is a cult". Both of which are extremely ridiculous notions. Here is a message from Jeffery Holland on "Mormonism and Christianity". I love how this man speaks. He is straight forward, doesn't mince words and asks us to do our best.
I will say I am proud and happy that I am Mormon. :) If you get right down to it, ask this question. Why do people even care that people are mormon? I mean seriously. This is 2011 people!! We are past that whole lets kill and persecute the religious people phase! It just tells me that there must be something to the Mormon faith for people to be so threatened by it's teachings. Right path maybe? :)
9 comments:
http://timothytennent.com/2011/10/11/is-mormonism-a-cult-or-a-christian-denomination/
Dr. Timothy C Tennent--- president of asbury theological seminary and professor of world christianity... Thank you for you concern that me being mormon can't be a "real Christian" Thank you. Although this is my personal family blog, I thank you for you willingness to "set me straight"..... Maybe in the future if you want to really truly know about the church step inside it and actually see if this church of mine is truly christian. Thanks.
www.sacajaweasinging.blogspot.com
post entitled: "Ask a Mormon...ME"
Dr. Tim
Have a look and then check that Phd. status of yours friend :)
Hello Kari,
I wanted to reply to some of your comments at Dr. Tennent's blog, but the 'reply' function seems to be a bit wonky over there right now. For what it's worth, I doubt Dr. Tennent is the one who stopped by your blog to post the link; as president of a large institution, he's pretty busy. I'm one of the students at that institution, and I also run a blog (study-and-faith.blogspot.com) devoted to friendly dialogue between Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals.
For what it's worth, I also disagree with Dr. Tennent about the use of the word "cult", though I do agree with Dr. Tennent about the estrangement between traditional LDS teachings and the historic Christian faith. I did want to focus in mainly on what you said: The word “cult” is so harsh. The Mormon church would NEVER use that word to describe any of the churches. In fact you will NEVER hear the church downing other religions EVER.
I don't think that's quite right. Many early LDS leaders were openly derogatory toward the other churches, beginning with Joseph Smith's report that, according to Jesus, all the other churches' cherished statements of faith were nothing but "abominations", through Brigham Young's statement that members of other churches were "not Christians", to John Taylor's statement that non-LDS Christians were the worst of "fools" when it came to the things of God, to Parley Pratt's identification of all non-LDS Christianity as the harlot in Revelation. Even as recently as the 1980s, BYU professor Kent Jackson declared that non-LDS Christianity has replaced God with Satan. (And this is skipping over any of Elder McConkie's infamous statements about other Christians going to "the mythical throne of a mythical Christ".) I think both sides of this have a distance left to go when it comes to striking a balance between honestly stating what we believe and doing so without sacrificing Christ-like kindness towards one another.
God bless,
JB
Ok so maybe I should have taken out the word "EVER" lol. It probably is not right because peoples mouths do sometimes say things that don't align with our church teachings.
That professor at BYU is not the church and doesn't represent the churches teachings. The church as a whole stays away from picking on other religion. I can't say that of past... people on both sides were constantly bickering about what church was correct and throwing grenades left and right at each other.
I was making that reference to my short 36 years as a member. I go to church not hearing bad things about other churches, nor do I near them ever during conferences. We are taught to stay away from that sorta stuff. I separate its people from the church because people can be idiots and say stupid things and the church as a whole tries to refrain from that. (as we all should do for all religion).
I absolutely agree with you on being christlike! We are all in this together and we should band together as such. :)
Thanks for replying, Kari! I can say that the statements from that BYU professor were from an article published in the Ensign (http://lds.org/ensign/1984/12/early-signs-of-the-apostasy?lang=eng), so I would surmise that it's a bit closer to an 'official-ish' voice (though not official per se) than most comments from BYU professors. But I can definitely agree that disparaging comments about other churches are seldom heard in LDS meetings - though in the times I've visited, I have heard some, which is only natural. For what it's worth, during years of attending Evangelical churches, I think I've heard only one reference to Latter-day Saints at all, and it was a passing statement without any intent to condemn.
My personal opinion is that, especially on today's moral issues, Latter-day Saints and members of other Christian groups really do need to stand together and re-learn to love one another, reaching out in friendship. On the other hand, part of me is sad that certain features of the early LDS movement have faded over time - including their sort of rough-and-tumble readiness to challenge other churches, stick to their guns, and proclaim everything they believed without worrying about what anyone else thought. If there's one thing they could almost never have been accused of, it's a lack of boldness, that's for sure! That's why I love reading 19th-century LDS literature. The sermons were bold, the tracts were bold, the letters were bold, even the poetry was bold. Sometimes abrasive, sure, but they sure made sure it was never dull!
Oh, and thanks for your comment on my friend's guest post. :)
God bless,
JB
If you listen to some of Jeffery R hollands talks his are all full of passion, fire and brimstone sorta stuff. That is why he is my FAVORITE Person to listen to. He says it how it is and doesnt mince words. :) Go check out his conference talks on LDS.org. I also like christofferson (spelling sorry lol)
I personally think the fire and brimstone speeches are few and far between because we are more leading and being a example my kindness and love now. Love, kindness, and truly charity are really the only things that turns peoples hearts, plus feeling the spirit. If that makes any sense to you. But Joseph smith, Brigham Young, plus others were definitely very dynamite I'd have to say. People loved that back then!! Not as much today. :)
Thanks for your kind comments!!
kari
Thanks, Kari! I have enjoyed some of the things I've heard from Elders Holland and Christofferson so far. I also subscribe to General Conference on iTunes, but I haven't gotten around to listening to anything there yet. I still have to say that I miss some of the approaches of the early LDS leaders... but hey, there's still Elder Packer. ;)
But yes, I believe it's very important to disagree in a way that lets people from all parties become good friends through it all. I talk a bit more about my approach in the introduction post at my blog (http://study-and-faith.blogspot.com/2010/11/welcome-and-introduction.html); I'm not sure if you've had a chance to look at it, but I give some autobiographical material there too.
Oh, and if you haven't seen it, your comments to my friend Kirk inspired me to dedicate a more recent post to you two: http://study-and-faith.blogspot.com/2011/10/orson-whitneys-home.html
I really hope I get to hear from you more often; I'm sure you'd have a lot of valuable feedback on the things I post from time to time. You might even find some of it inspiring or devotionally helpful. :) Also, if there's ever any way I can pray for you and your family, please don't hesitate to let me know!
God bless,
JB
I saw your post thank you!! :) I will read your blog as I am one that appreciates differences and a good topics.
Just a little of my background. My parents converted to the Mormon religion when I was 1 year old. My mom was Epicipalian and my dad was dutch reform. All my relative on my side are not members of the church. Although when my grandma was alive and wanted a blessing she would call the missionaries to come to her house to do it because she believe (never joined) lol. I am I guess you can call me a second generation Mormon. I didn't have to long history of a Mormon family like some do. My mom converted because of a dear friend who sent the missionaries to her and my dad spent the next 4 years deciding if he wanted to convert in which he eventually did :)
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