Lets suppose for a time that the Mormons were to take seriously the demand that they conform to every particular in "Christian" doctrine. Suppose The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints then, in good faith, made the attempt to do so.
Having complied with the demand, would the Latter Day Saints find themselves in total agreement with the Protestants or the Catholics?
Would they believe in Apostolic succession or in the priesthood of all believers?
Would they recognize an Archbishop, a patriarch, a pope, a monarch, or no one at all as the head of Christ's church here on Earth?
Would they be saved by grace alone, or would they find the sacraments of the church necessary for baptism?
Would they believe in free will or in predestination?
Would they practice water baptism? If so, would it be by immersion, sprinkling, or some other method?
Would they believe in a substitionary, representative, or exemplary atonement?
Would they or would they not believe in original sin? And on and on.
It is unreasonable for other Chrisitans to demand that Latter Day Saints conform to a single standard of "Christian" doctrine when they do not agree among themselves upon exactly what that standard is.
I happened to your blog from another..and knowing only of one other Mormon follower...I was curious to know more...
Please forgive me..for I know some of what I may say may sound critical...I'm not as quick with my words as you are..
I've read each and every blog you wrote and each and every comment also..and I must say it was very sad how all I saw was arguments..and insults...Many of the words you use are very intelligent words....but yet I see only double talk...I never see real answers...I hear all the reasons you say that others are against you and how their interpretations of your belief are wrong...but..never did I read a blog speaking of your religion..and your belief..of what it actually is entails....I have pulled up a few sites on your religion and will read on it..as to learn..but..I thought seeing as you a real person in the Mormon religion would be more able to explain it..instead of all the defense...why not speak of the things that make you a believer....I know our blogs are for what we want them to be...and maybe that is what you wanted your blog to be..about all the anti-Mormons....If that is the case..then so be it....I will learn elsewhere...
Again..I apologize if I said anything that may have seemed critical...that was not my intent..
You have a blessed nite and day...
Smile
SammyJo
You seem to believe that because there is very little effort in blogstream in describing who we are, there is something wrong. Well, you are correct. There is something wrong. As a case in point, I just did what you requested at AZron's blog, only to be hammered for doing it, told I was out of place, told basically that I was mistaken about my own faith. I was shouted down. And the blog owner contributed to the attack giving license to others.
I hope you are still there. I expect you are.
Mormons have long had others tell their story, contorting it as they see fit. It used to be that these folks killed us. These stories and claims about us have always evidenced a deep bigotry and evil.
If a great coordinated effort was made to promulgate vicious lies about you (I'm talking about you personally) and your character, the very ugly things you have been seen doing in the evenings with children, how would you respond? Well, the typical person would be inclined to run and hide after a failed attempt at courage in the face of that overwhelming screaming force.
Well I have a different answer.
I am not the only woman abused. Perhaps the day will come here when the bigots will be exposed by more than one or two courageous women. Perhaps there will be enough of us to BE HEARD.
Those I have characterized as anti-Mormons are well known by both my husband and I. They have been regular in their misrepresentation and unrelenting in the face of truth. Their arguments follow a classic pattern of deceit, fabrication, and twisted truths.
I expose that pattern.
But don't be surprised if we are interrupted by others.
(Because when I say them, I am screamed down much too often to make the attempt profitable here OR they are word wasted on the listener)
I will attempt here for you.
I am married to a man who has the Priesthood of God. He was chosen of God because of his mercies to my husband and because of his personal worthiness to be so ordained. His High Priesthood is a real protection to him and us. It has allowed us to be able to participate in covenants with God which extend throughout eternity based upon our continued worthiness in mortality, our willingness together and separately to be true to the Savior and our Heavenly Father, to consecrate our lives to Him. I am married to this fine man for time and all eternity. And I know it to be true.
The truth of this Restoration has been manifested to me personally and not in a dream, nor even in a prayer, nor just in my mind, but personally. In person.
As my husband's bride and as a daughter of my Heavenly Father, I am sheltered and made safe.
So here I am. I have no need to hide. I am alive in Christ. I do His bidding. And I will leave this place when He tells me it is finished. But for now I will expose that which is concealed, I will bring to light the methods of those who work though bigotry. Not to expose them but to expose their methods.
I hear you speak to me about exposing those who are close minded and that you feel speak untruth about you and your belief..That I can relate to...but..I also have been learning that it really isn't important what they think of me or believe to be true of me...As long as I know the truth and am happy with myself...
Through the years...many have been persecuted for their beliefs..for their gender...for their race..Heck..I have siblings who are deaf..and were made fun of for that reason..God gave free will to all of us...some use it wisely and some don't...that is something that will never change no matter how much we protest..that I am finding out..even in my own household..
Maybe your truth is not someone else's truth...but...does it make either wrong..I may not know all about your religion..and I may not agree with it fully..but..it doesn't mean I feel you are wrong...just as I don't feel I am wrong in my understanding of my religion...I feel there is truth and understanding to be learned from all ...That is what God wants from us..not to bicker over what we know..but to learn from each other...
You feel your words are wasted if you speak of what your religion is about....of what makes you follow it...Then how much more wasted are your words of the critical things of another's belief...I see you write things about my own Catholic belief...which..in my own know not to be the truth..but..yet you do believe it to be true..Now..no matter what I say to you...you have your proof...as well as I have my own proof..right...I'm not saying you don't have the right to speak of things that you feel are wrong with my own religion...just maybe not in such a critical or provoking way...Maybe you don't mean for it to come off that way..but..that is how I perceive it...I am always opened to learn more..even about my own religion...I don't ever mistakenly think that it is perfect and without fault...for all religions are guided by men...which are not without fault...only God is without fault..only he is perfect and without mistakes..
I've been to your hubby's blog...and there is so much beauty there that he shares...and he spoke of the great work you do with special kids...Now that is something to be spoke of..that is showing what you and your belief is about..I do understand your need to defend and protect your belief...but..don't let it make you forget what it's all about...
Ok ..I know I talk a lot..and I would apologize for it...but then it would be saying I don't like who I am..and you know what...I am starting to..yeap...I talk a lot and so what huh...lol..that is just who I am...lol...but..if you felt insulted by anything I said...then I surely apologize for that...
I hope you have a wonderful weekend...and keep smiling...God loves ya...
SammyJo..
I lived as one kind of Protestant or another for 25 years, tithing throughout all my adult years while Protestant. As for spiritual truth, we think we know it until through our enough of our own effort we find a place where all of it lives. Christ would remind that there is one faith, not many where he is truly found. This isn't to judge others or their faith. If your faith can cure the condition that gives you persistent pain, ok. If it can strengthen your family, I say you may be quite satisfied with where you are....we may be satisfied with less than that. I was, thinking I was. Time will tell however.