I recall that the LDS book 'o Mormon originally (or still does??) had spelling/grammatical errors. In addition, it seems to be stuffed full of contradictions.
Compare that to the original texts of the Bible....
Yes I'd say that ole Joe Smith was up to some imaginary polytheistic treasure digging just as his father was "consumed ... with imaginary treasure digging (including the booty of Captain Kidd)".
http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/Mormons.html
Mormons
I met with the missionaries last night. They brought another Mormon who lives in my neighborhood who is older, presumably for local connection purposes. The whole conversation was couched in polite terms and they could be described as the essence of "nice", which is probably why many folks find them appealing.
I didn't learn much about Mormons that I hadn't previously known. The elders (Mormon missionaries) did their presentation that included the following:
- the assertion that they believe in Jesus and the atonement
- the great Apostasy and the LDS restoration of the Gospel
- Joseph Smith's encounter with Jesus and the Father
- the priesthood, apostles and prophets (as they see them)
- the Bible and the Book of Mormon are complementary and compatible
- that knowing the truth about the Book of Mormon cannot be realized until one prays, reads it and gets a "feeling."
This last point seemed to be the "foundation" to which they returned over and over. It was an interesting and telling moment when one of the elders asked me to really listen to my feelings as he recounted the story of how Joseph Smith met the Father and Jesus in the woods. He stared directly into my eyes, and I had the thought that this is what hypnosis is like.
My questions/challenges to them included:
- Why do I need another book besides the Bible?
- What if our feelings are wrong? Are we sure we can trust them? Don't people have good "feelings" about opposing viewpoints? How can we know who is right?
- If the Book of Mormon disagrees with the Bible, which one should supercede the other?
I felt somewhat frustrated by the encounter as it seemed that my questions to them bounced off their confidence in this "feeling" they have that the LDS is the true church. My goal in meeting with them was to give them reasons to doubt, but I saw no evidence of it. I can see why they "witness" in groups of 2 or more as there is safety in numbers from questioning.
When they left, I was asked when we could meet again. I told them that I was willing to meet if I could get some answers to my questions as I felt that none of the answers given were sufficient.
Any thoughts on -
How do you know when the discussions with cult missionaries are meaningless?
Should a Christian's approach with Mormons be through asking questions or making assertions?
Dave
I didn't learn much about Mormons that I hadn't previously known. The elders (Mormon missionaries) did their presentation that included the following:
- the assertion that they believe in Jesus and the atonement
- the great Apostasy and the LDS restoration of the Gospel
- Joseph Smith's encounter with Jesus and the Father
- the priesthood, apostles and prophets (as they see them)
- the Bible and the Book of Mormon are complementary and compatible
- that knowing the truth about the Book of Mormon cannot be realized until one prays, reads it and gets a "feeling."
This last point seemed to be the "foundation" to which they returned over and over. It was an interesting and telling moment when one of the elders asked me to really listen to my feelings as he recounted the story of how Joseph Smith met the Father and Jesus in the woods. He stared directly into my eyes, and I had the thought that this is what hypnosis is like.
My questions/challenges to them included:
- Why do I need another book besides the Bible?
- What if our feelings are wrong? Are we sure we can trust them? Don't people have good "feelings" about opposing viewpoints? How can we know who is right?
- If the Book of Mormon disagrees with the Bible, which one should supercede the other?
I felt somewhat frustrated by the encounter as it seemed that my questions to them bounced off their confidence in this "feeling" they have that the LDS is the true church. My goal in meeting with them was to give them reasons to doubt, but I saw no evidence of it. I can see why they "witness" in groups of 2 or more as there is safety in numbers from questioning.
When they left, I was asked when we could meet again. I told them that I was willing to meet if I could get some answers to my questions as I felt that none of the answers given were sufficient.
Any thoughts on -
How do you know when the discussions with cult missionaries are meaningless? Should a Christian's approach with Mormons be through asking questions or making assertions?Dave
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
When a Mormon gets trapped in a theological corner, he chants the following: "I bear you my testimony, that I know this is true...". This a mechanical response drilled into them from an early age. Be bold and interrupt them. But do it in Christian love. Say "How do you know this?". "Where is the evidence?" Ask them to open their Bibles to Romans 10. And read verses 1-13.schoel wrote:Any thoughts on -
Your goal is to peel back their false doctrines, and demonstrate where they deviate from true Christianity. Don't debate their points, but lovingly try to expose their deviation.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Agape,
loaves
"And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves...And they did all eat, and were filled" (Mark 6:41-42)
loaves
"And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves...And they did all eat, and were filled" (Mark 6:41-42)