So what is known of Mormonism?

[Fushigi na Butterfly]

I find the belief that America will be the new Zion to be quite interesting. What evidence do the LDS have for this belief?  

[The Amazing Ryuu]

Priestley

Those passages don't state that souls exist before people are born. What they imply is that God had a plan and a purpose for creating each individual. One must think up an idea, make a plan, before one can execute it. As for Judas, if he wasn't born, he would not have committed the sin of betraying the Son of Man. That is all. Not being born doesn't imply existence before birth.

*shrug* I suppose they just speak to me differently. I'd be a little more concerned if various pastors hadn't only agreed with me, but taught it themselves. Not saying that I disagree with you. You're just right in addition to things I already hold true. smile

Fushigi na Butterfly

I find the belief that America will be the new Zion to be quite interesting. What evidence do the LDS have for this belief?

I think that it's based on something that was once said to Jospeh Smith, but my reading of the Book of Mormon was long, LONG ago and I'm not sure. Or, it could be the very idea that Jesus was last seen on earth in the Americas and therefore that is where his kingdom will be set up. Feel free to correct me though.  

[zz1000zz]

ryuu_chan

Priestley

Those passages don't state that souls exist before people are born. What they imply is that God had a plan and a purpose for creating each individual. One must think up an idea, make a plan, before one can execute it. As for Judas, if he wasn't born, he would not have committed the sin of betraying the Son of Man. That is all. Not being born doesn't imply existence before birth.

*shrug* I suppose they just speak to me differently. I'd be a little more concerned if various pastors hadn't only agreed with me, but taught it themselves. Not saying that I disagree with you. You're just right in addition to things I already hold true. smile

I wholeheartedly disapprove of this attitude. I could use the exact same approach to say, "Those passages show abortion is a sin." The passages clearly say neither, but if you accept the approach, it is legitimate.

ryuu_chan

Fushigi na Butterfly

I find the belief that America will be the new Zion to be quite interesting. What evidence do the LDS have for this belief?

I think that it's based on something that was once said to Jospeh Smith, but my reading of the Book of Mormon was long, LONG ago and I'm not sure. Or, it could be the very idea that Jesus was last seen on earth in the Americas and therefore that is where his kingdom will be set up. Feel free to correct me though.

Of course, if you accept the made up history sponsored by the Mormon religion, I suppose logical inconsistencies are not that big of a leap.  

[Priestley]

I also don't agree with the Latter Day Saints movement's belief that there was period of apostacy in the church that was ended with Joseph Smith establishing Mormonism.

It's basically saying "everyone else was/is wrong and we are correct".  

[zz1000zz]

Priestley

I also don't agree with the Latter Day Saints movement's belief that there was period of apostacy in the church that was ended with Joseph Smith establishing Mormonism.

It's basically saying "everyone else was/is wrong and we are correct".

Based entirely upon Joseph Smith. I mean, every Christian he/she is wrong because of the word of one man?

Define cult, perhaps?  

[Priestley]

zz1000zz

Priestley

I also don't agree with the Latter Day Saints movement's belief that there was period of apostacy in the church that was ended with Joseph Smith establishing Mormonism.

It's basically saying "everyone else was/is wrong and we are correct".

Based entirely upon Joseph Smith. I mean, every Christian he/she is wrong because of the word of one man?

Define cult, perhaps?

Must be how the Jews felt when Jesus came along.  

[zz1000zz]

That almost sounds like comparing Jesus to Joseph Smith.  

[Priestley]

zz1000zz

That almost sounds like comparing Jesus to Joseph Smith.

For all intents and purposes, Christianity was as much a cult of Judaism in its infancy, led by Jesus of Nazareth, as Latter Day Saints movement is a cult of Christianity, led by Joseph Smith. That's as far as the comparison goes. I was in no way legitimising the LDS movement or reducing the Christian faith by doing so.  

[zz1000zz]

Christianity was just a continuation of Judaism, whereas the origin of Mormonism is not in the least bit rooted in Christianity.

Similar to Lutheranism, I do not think it qualified as a cult (given the vague definition of "cult," it is hard to say for sure).  

[Romjacks]

KraylorDePanthro

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our [own]1 conscience, and allow all men the same privilege[,] let them worship how, where, or what they may.

[Emphasis added]

...Did that just say what I think it said? Correct me if I'm wrong but did that just say that it's okay for Mormons to worship whatever they want as long as it's okay in their conscience? If not, someone please tell me what it really means.  

[Priestley]

Spike Zantren

KraylorDePanthro

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our [own]1 conscience, and allow all men the same privilege[,] let them worship how, where, or what they may.

[Emphasis added]

...Did that just say what I think it said? Correct me if I'm wrong but did that just say that it's okay for Mormons to worship whatever they want as long as it's okay in their conscience? If not, someone please tell me what it really means.

I'll correct you. It means that every Mormon claims the privilege of worshipping Almighty God as his/her conscience sees fit to do so. It also means that Mormons will allow other people the privilege of being free to choose whether or not to worship whatever they choose. It is a statement to say that Mormons will not infringe on a person's right to faith.  

[Romjacks]

Priestley

Spike Zantren

KraylorDePanthro

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our [own]1 conscience, and allow all men the same privilege[,] let them worship how, where, or what they may.

[Emphasis added]

...Did that just say what I think it said? Correct me if I'm wrong but did that just say that it's okay for Mormons to worship whatever they want as long as it's okay in their conscience? If not, someone please tell me what it really means.

I'll correct you. It means that every Mormon claims the privilege of worshipping Almighty God as his/her conscience sees fit to do so. It also means that Mormons will allow other people the privilege of being free to choose whether or not to worship whatever they choose. It is a statement to say that Mormons will not infringe on a person's right to faith.

Thank you for clarifying.  

[Priestley]

Spike Zantren

Priestley

Spike Zantren

KraylorDePanthro

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our [own]1 conscience, and allow all men the same privilege[,] let them worship how, where, or what they may.

[Emphasis added]

...Did that just say what I think it said? Correct me if I'm wrong but did that just say that it's okay for Mormons to worship whatever they want as long as it's okay in their conscience? If not, someone please tell me what it really means.

I'll correct you. It means that every Mormon claims the privilege of worshipping Almighty God as his/her conscience sees fit to do so. It also means that Mormons will allow other people the privilege of being free to choose whether or not to worship whatever they choose. It is a statement to say that Mormons will not infringe on a person's right to faith.

Thank you for clarifying.

'Sokay, that's why we're here.  

[Autie Lady]

I had asked another person on Gaia who is a Mormon if it's true they convert their dead relatives to Mormonism, and they said it is true. It kinda creeps me out, I would certainly mind if somebody converted me to a religion I disagree with!  

[KraylorDePanthro]

Baptism and other ordinances for the Dead are basically done so they have the option of accepting them on the other side, where spirtual missionaries will bring the good news to those who didn't get a chance to hear it, or have thought better of it.

Only Satan, his angels, and the sons of Perdition (those who deny the Holy Spirit and won't accept forgiveness end up in the outer darkness.)
As far as I know.

The 3 Realms of Glory, the Tietiary Heaven, The Telestial Heaven and the Celestial Heaven (Which has it's own levels), are for the other people respectfully.