People who identify themselves as coming from the "traditional" Bible based or historical Christianity exclude any other belief that does not conform to their own. This is peculiar because there are thousands of such denominations that have fundamental theological differences and yet they are part of the accepted Christian grouping.
Latter-day Saints are excluded based on one or more of the following reasons:
1. We do not adhere to the Nicene Creed. This creed is incomprehensible to me. It is interpreted as meaning that there is a Trinity in which God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are the same being. Most Catholics and most Protestants feel that acceptance of this 325 AD politically motivated statement is a true test of one's Christianity.
2. We believe that God the Father has an exalted body. This is blasphemy to the self proclaimed Christians. It should be an honor to acknowledge God as our literal spiritual father and we want to be like Him.
3. We believe that in addition to the Bible God spoke to prophets at other times and in other places. One such record is God's dealings with people on the American continent from 2000 BC to 400 AD. This record is called the Book of Mormon, Another testament of Jesus Christ.
4. We believe in continuing revelation from God. The self proclaimed Christians do not accept this belief. An extension of continuing revelation is that there is a living Prophet to guide us today and that authority to act in God's name is required to carry out his ordinances.
My wish is that the ancient admonition "by their fruits you shall know them" be applied to all beliefs.
5 comments:
Thanks for the summary. I'm finding it's a good thing to sort it out like you did because sooner or later it's going to come up, and having put your mind and fingers to it, puts you in a better response position. Even if you DON'T get into the details, it helps alleviate the gut reaction which gets you no where.
P.S., I thought this quote in SS today was great in that the power to deceive is part of the issue (and will be increasing):
"It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called 'the words of life' (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon." ETB 1986
I'm glad we're in a time and place where where people aren't going out to kill and get killed over minute theological details. My guess is that freedom of religion has significantly contributed to America's greatness.
I would agree with all you wrote and must say I feel sorry for those who believe God was finished with us back in biblical times and would no longer want to help us or communicate with us in these times. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, the church is named after him and yet somehow people continue to believe we aren't Christians...it boggles my mind!
Thanks, Dad. I'll go over this with the kids.
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