Have Questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

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   Mark O Richardsonposted 3 years ago

   I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, formerly nicknamed the Mormons). I would consider myself a different kind of Christian compared to mainstream Christianity (Catholic, Baptist, etc.). If you look at the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), we have many similarities. I would be interested in helping others to better understand my faith as there are many misconceptions out there. I feel it is important to build upon common beliefs. I hope to build bridges, especially between me and those of other faiths & denominations. No matter the type of Christian, we should be kinder and more loving to others, including those that belong to other faiths. In a world that has become so divisive, let us be tolerant and to seek understanding. Some main differences: Modern Revelation (We have a Prophet, Apostles, and other scripture- The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ). I would be happy to help anyone that is sincerely curious.   Trolls/Haters are welcome to go elsewhere.
   

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      wildernessposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      What is the current church position on gays and gay marriage?

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         Mark O Richardsonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         We are pro -traditional marriage. We believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.

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            wildernessposted 3 years agoin reply to this

            Are you actively anti - gay marriage, as in still excommunicating those that are different than you?
            
            And gays in general?  Are openly gay people still barred from the church?  What about those accepting them - perhaps their parents or siblings?

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               Mark O Richardsonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

               I see you are out of Boise, so I assume you know quite a bit about my faith as there is quite a presence of my faith there. But I will give you the benefit of the doubt and some you are not trying to be antagonistic.This is like many topics that stir emotion and strong feelings.  But to answer your question... I am more pro traditional marriage versus anti-gay. We should certainly love everyone.
               The Bible speaks against homosexuality, such as with Sodom and Ghamorra. Even though that is in the Old Testament, I don't think it should be ignored. Paul also spoke of it.
               The Church does not excommunicate people unless they act upon their urges. I don't think people should try to change a church's stance on topics such as this. You can see in other denominations that divide up over this and other things. Anyone being "barred" is on a case-by-case basis. I have family that are of that lifestyle and it is their choice. You can either adjust to teachings or choose not to participate. I served my mission in Tennessee amongst many traditional/mainstream Christians. This was a long time ago, but many were told that were going to Hell by other churches. We do not do that. Love the sinner, hate the sin. I don't think anyone would choose that lifestyle, in my opinion, so there is more to it. Something to ask God about on the other side. But we have a choice on our actions.

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                  wildernessposted 3 years agoin reply to this

                  I'm drifting from asking for knowledge about the church, but...religions evolve and change just like everything else.  I would hope that at sometime in the future your church would do the same, and accept that God created people that are different than the founders were and different than you and other modern members.  It is past time that this was recognized and accepted by the church elders.
                  
                  Regardless of what the church teaches, the "choice" you say is available is between celibacy and the gay lifestyle for some people. 
                  
                  In another thread you asked why Christians fight amongst themselves; this is a prime example as some Christians believe in accepting everyone, not just those that profess (even if it is a lie) your sexual mores.
                  
                  (Sodom and Ghamorra was not about homosexuality in spite of the name.  It was about general evil and the treatment of outsiders in specific.)

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                     Mark O Richardsonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

                     You can't please everyone. Some think there is too much change, others say there is not enough.
                     But the laws of God do not change, regardless of what man thinks. I may not like the law of Gravity, but I cannot change it. It is better to please God than to please man. Churches should not be open to change just because of popular opinion.

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                        wildernessposted 3 years agoin reply to this

                        Not according to the edicts of the major churches.  Catholicism has changed radically over the centuries, as have all religions - there are no more inquisitions, no more witches for instance.  "Mormonism" is just too new to see much of that, but when it was created it was a radical change all by itself.  The changes lag considerably behind society, but they do happen in time.
                        
                        If churches do not change according to "popular opinion" there would be no followers in a few hundred years.

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                           Mark O Richardsonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

                           Indeed. The Catholic church also believes in traditional marriage, however. Inquisitions and witch trials were during the apostasy, before our Church was organized, so the Lord's church was not on the earth. So those were the beliefs of man.
                           Do you have any scripture to back up non-traditional marriage?
                           Hopefully the second coming would happen much sooner than that.

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                              tsmogposted 3 years agoin reply to this

                              "our church"? Is that the one true church? Are you saying apostasy is a period in history?

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                                 Mark O Richardsonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

                                 Yes, Good questions. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe that there was a falling away after the Apostles were killed (2 Thessalonians 2:3), then the Church of Jesus Christ was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1830.

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                              wildernessposted 3 years agoin reply to this

                              " So those were the beliefs of man."
                              
                              No, those were edicts from God - just ask those that participated in it.  Therein lies the problem, for all religions claim they are God's word, and anyone that believes differently is wrong.  That your church sprang into being much later does not change that, for you follow the same footsteps in claiming that your religion is right and all others are simply from man.
                              
                              No scripture...just moral considerations from people.  Worth far more than writings from a politically based council of people desiring to control those around them.
                              
                              Which is why religions evolve; society is evolving all the time and religions either follow along or cease to exist.  Morality is not static, and those ancient concepts and ideas are not the final word.

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                                 Mark O Richardsonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

                                 Right... To your first paragraph. Second paragraph is not about control. Think of a guideline like a string on a kite... It helps the kite too fly instead of restricting it. Right on your third paragraph. There LDS church evolves but not how/when society wants it to.

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