Comments on: My Mormon Experience http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/ Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:21:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Scott http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-6238 Scott Sat, 02 Jun 2007 07:06:50 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-6238 One of my best friends is a member of the Latter Day Saints. God knows I've pray for him until I don't know what else to pray and I've shared the true gospel with him over and over. Ultimately, it is in the Lord's hands, although one day I did ask him (my friend) what it would take to open his eyes to the truth (of course I know it would take the Holy Spirit doing it), but his response was interesting. He said just continue with your gentle prodding. My military responsbilities have taken me to a new location, so I don't get to talk to him much. But I pray that the seeds that were planted will be watered by others and that God will ultimately open His eyes that he might see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the very image of God! One of my best friends is a member of the Latter Day Saints. God knows I’ve pray for him until I don’t know what else to pray and I’ve shared the true gospel with him over and over. Ultimately, it is in the Lord’s hands, although one day I did ask him (my friend) what it would take to open his eyes to the truth (of course I know it would take the Holy Spirit doing it), but his response was interesting. He said just continue with your gentle prodding. My military responsbilities have taken me to a new location, so I don’t get to talk to him much. But I pray that the seeds that were planted will be watered by others and that God will ultimately open His eyes that he might see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the very image of God!

]]> By: Mason http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-6084 Mason Thu, 03 May 2007 05:41:04 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-6084 To Chris: I very much agree that our understanding of Christ is fundamentally different. I know that my concept of Christ is in no way complete but I would submit to all reading that the way in which Jesus and his teachings have been understood have greatly shifted throughout time and space. In realizing my own ignorance on all things eternal I hope with all my heart to be able to take different perceptions of Christ (and Truth for that matter) and use them to inform my own understanding. I would also submit that through the Atonement of Christ we have in reality become united in the purpose of this existence. So it is only in a hope to align myself with Truth and with all of my brothers and sisters that I speak of unity. Thank you very much for your testimony of the Son. To Chris: I very much agree that our understanding of Christ is fundamentally different. I know that my concept of Christ is in no way complete but I would submit to all reading that the way in which Jesus and his teachings have been understood have greatly shifted throughout time and space. In realizing my own ignorance on all things eternal I hope with all my heart to be able to take different perceptions of Christ (and Truth for that matter) and use them to inform my own understanding. I would also submit that through the Atonement of Christ we have in reality become united in the purpose of this existence. So it is only in a hope to align myself with Truth and with all of my brothers and sisters that I speak of unity. Thank you very much for your testimony of the Son.

]]> By: Chris http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-6080 Chris Thu, 03 May 2007 01:44:42 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-6080 @Mason: Thank you for those words. I don't want to come off the wrong way, but our understanding of Jesus is fundamentally different. I do want to hold every thought captive to Christ and display humility in our dialog, but it wouldn't be truthful or loving of me to avoid truth for false unity. Please do understand that I was encouraged by your words, and I hope you will come back often to bat around the great questions of our day to honor Christ. @Mason: Thank you for those words. I don’t want to come off the wrong way, but our understanding of Jesus is fundamentally different. I do want to hold every thought captive to Christ and display humility in our dialog, but it wouldn’t be truthful or loving of me to avoid truth for false unity.

Please do understand that I was encouraged by your words, and I hope you will come back often to bat around the great questions of our day to honor Christ.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-6078 Aaron Wed, 02 May 2007 23:22:14 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-6078 On "contention": http://mormonwiki.org/Contention On “contention”:

http://mormonwiki.org/Contention

]]> By: Mason http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-6077 Mason Wed, 02 May 2007 22:59:10 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-6077 @Chris: I appreciate the time and effort you have put into exploring the LDS religion. As a Latter-day Saint I have met many offer very resistant critiques from a foundation of ignorance in not only my own religion but theirs as well. I love to see religious discourse happening in an increasingly secular and cynical world. I feel that if we can continue discussing the differences in our points of view while keeping our hearts at peace with one another that we will be doing the Lord's work. I would submit that any discussion based in contention invites only contention and therefore is working against the love of God. Thank you for your testimony of the Christ. I too have a testimony of Jesus and believe that I will always be a unprofitable servant because of the eternal sacrifice of Christ. Once again, thanks for your consideration in spite of our disagreements. @Chris: I appreciate the time and effort you have put into exploring the LDS religion. As a Latter-day Saint I have met many offer very resistant critiques from a foundation of ignorance in not only my own religion but theirs as well. I love to see religious discourse happening in an increasingly secular and cynical world. I feel that if we can continue discussing the differences in our points of view while keeping our hearts at peace with one another that we will be doing the Lord’s work. I would submit that any discussion based in contention invites only contention and therefore is working against the love of God. Thank you for your testimony of the Christ. I too have a testimony of Jesus and believe that I will always be a unprofitable servant because of the eternal sacrifice of Christ. Once again, thanks for your consideration in spite of our disagreements.

]]> By: Chris http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-5702 Chris Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:21:25 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-5702 @Larry: Thanks for responding, and I will happily always listen. While I do not strive to "demean" Mormons or Mormonism, I do want to stand up and proclaim that it is not the biblical view of Jesus or his teachings. A line has to be drawn in the sand. Keep coming back, asking questions, and never feel like I wouldn't listen. @Larry: Thanks for responding, and I will happily always listen. While I do not strive to “demean” Mormons or Mormonism, I do want to stand up and proclaim that it is not the biblical view of Jesus or his teachings. A line has to be drawn in the sand.

Keep coming back, asking questions, and never feel like I wouldn’t listen.

]]> By: Aaron Shafovaloff http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-5701 Aaron Shafovaloff Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:01:33 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-5701 Larry, consider the words of some Mormons: "If, after a rigid examination, it be found an imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments on which the imposture was detected, should be clearly and logically stated, that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of the deception, and be reclaimed, and that those who continue to publish the delusion, may be exposed and silenced, not by physical force, neither by persecutions, bare assertions, nor ridicule, but by strong and powerful argumentsâ??by evidences adduced from scripture and reason." - Orson Pratt, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, p. 1 "If faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak." - George A. Smith; 1871, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 14, pg. 216 "If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed." - J. Reuben Clark; D. Michael Quinn, J. Reuben Clark: The Church Years. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1983, p. 24. ". . . convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments, or by the word of God, and we will be ever grateful for the information, and you will ever have the pleasing reflection that you have been instruments in the hands of God of redeeming your fellow beings from the darkness which you may see enveloping their minds." Orson Pratt; The Seer, 1853, pp 15-16 "This book [The Book of Mormon] is entitled to the most thorough and impartial examination. Not only does the Book of Mormon merit such consideration, its claims, even demand the same." - James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith, pg. 273 It would seem you have abandoned this way of high-stakes kind of thinking for a purely self-centered feelings-oriented worldview? That is dangerous, my friend. Larry, consider the words of some Mormons:

“If, after a rigid examination, it be found an imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments on which the imposture was detected, should be clearly and logically stated, that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of the deception, and be reclaimed, and that those who continue to publish the delusion, may be exposed and silenced, not by physical force, neither by persecutions, bare assertions, nor ridicule, but by strong and powerful argumentsâ??by evidences adduced from scripture and reason.” — Orson Pratt, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, p. 1

“If faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak.” — George A. Smith; 1871, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 14, pg. 216

“If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.” — J. Reuben Clark; D. Michael Quinn, J. Reuben Clark: The Church Years. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1983, p. 24.

“… convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments, or by the word of God, and we will be ever grateful for the information, and you will ever have the pleasing reflection that you have been instruments in the hands of God of redeeming your fellow beings from the darkness which you may see enveloping their minds.” Orson Pratt; The Seer, 1853, pp 15–16

“This book [The Book of Mormon] is entitled to the most thorough and impartial examination. Not only does the Book of Mormon merit such consideration, its claims, even demand the same.” — James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith, pg. 273

It would seem you have abandoned this way of high-stakes kind of thinking for a purely self-centered feelings-oriented worldview? That is dangerous, my friend.

]]> By: Larry http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-5699 Larry Fri, 02 Mar 2007 05:26:47 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-5699 I am Mormon and am very happy with my religion. I do not know whether or not you are happy with your religion or belief system because I am not you. I really do not like it when somebody trys to put down my religion or tell me what I believe or how I feel. Mormonism is very complicated and is unique to each person. The theology is complicated but the feelings of the heart are simple and pure. I am really tired of people putting down Mormonism. I do not go around putting down Evangelicals even though I feel very bad when I am around them and their religion or whatever you want to call it sounds dumb to me. Thanks for listening. I am Mormon and am very happy with my religion. I do not know whether or not you are happy with your religion or belief system because I am not you. I really do not like it when somebody trys to put down my religion or tell me what I believe or how I feel. Mormonism is very complicated and is unique to each person. The theology is complicated but the feelings of the heart are simple and pure. I am really tired of people putting down Mormonism. I do not go around putting down Evangelicals even though I feel very bad when I am around them and their religion or whatever you want to call it sounds dumb to me. Thanks for listening.

]]> By: Chris http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-5555 Chris Fri, 09 Feb 2007 22:04:03 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-5555 Thanks for those comments Travis! Thanks for those comments Travis!

]]> By: Travis http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/my-mormon-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-5549 Travis Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:35:07 +0000 http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2007/the-mormon-experience/#comment-5549 Fascinating post. I loved it. Your knack for writing is impeccable. While I stand with you on this debate, it is also great to see your experience with Mormonism invoke a spiritual debate of sorts. Fascinating post. I loved it.
Your knack for writing is impeccable.

While I stand with you on this debate, it is also great to see your experience with Mormonism invoke a spiritual debate of sorts.

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