Why Do LDS Dismiss the Greater Part of the New Testament?

[_LittleNipper]

Drifting, I guess my problem with Mormon proof texts is that so often they ignore the flow and purpose of a passage. Based on the merest glimmer of a word or phrase that they like, Mormons seem to seize on it as support for some purely LDS doctrine or practice totally ignoring the context in which the words are used. The chapter in Ezekiel has nothing whatsoever to do with a book, doesn't even mention the word or even use a word that could be mistaken for book, but is seized upon as somehow upholding the Book of Mormon. Mormonism doesn't fit the description of the tiniest hair on the tail of a dog yet they claim to wag the entire religious dog. Last week, I was in the holocaust museum in Jerusalem wondering how in creation people could be so inhuman to other human beings when the realization came that that it was only by taking away the very humanity of their victims that the Nazis could justify their actions. While I don't liken Mormons to Nazis, I do liken the process to Mormonism. The big lie of Mormonism is that all Christendom is corrupt, that all who profess it are an "abomination". With this lie in place and swallowed it is easy to then supplant the Christian message with the bizarre beliefs of Mormonism because they have instantly removed the core (humanity parallel) foundation of the opposition. Smith was nothing if not devious.

I have LOTS of problems with Mormonism. But one that stands out is that Mormons will take an oddball verse concerning being baptized for the dead as literal. But then they seem to accept the beginning of Genesis as figurative. And yet there is verse after verse with the sons names and number of years listed.... I don't get it.

[_gdemetz]

I read that in context, Albion! It is you that seems to need an English comprehension course. What about those four points Albion?! What about "ordinations," Albion, and what about all the other FACTUAL BIBLICAL QUOTES I GAVE YOU!

[_moksha]

What is a nonCatholic New Testament book?

Bc is referring to Bibles without the Apocrypha. Mormons simply will not accept such non-canonical books of obscure or dubious authenticity.

[_gdemetz]

Good Morsha! I like that little penguin!

[_jo1952]

Context, gdemetz, context...I know Mormons have a hard time with that when it comes to their "proof texts" but it's all about context. Oh, and did I mention context?

What I have seen in your posts is basically worldy interpretations of scripture. How can a person's spirit become spiritually reborn when all they see in scripture is worldly meaning? Because that is the level of understanding they are ready for. Father will let the Holy Spirit know when to reveal more Truth; when Father deems the individual is ready. That Truth includes both worldly and spiritual Truth and understanding.

We are all blind; some more than others. It just depends upon where we are in our journey. We are blind to whatever part of Truth has not yet been revealed to us. Because we are blind to it, we cannot see it; thus, we don't even know that we are blind to it.

I have learned not to place God in a box; especially not in a box that I have made, or that any man has made. I think the reason that the two great commandments are so extremely important is multi-layered. One seems pretty basic in that in order for us to become "one" with God, we need to become "one" with each other. Another layer is the fruit of trying to keep those commandments. I say this because when we are asked to forgive others who have hurt us, or to love others we completely disagree with or who have entirely different world views, we MUST open our minds and our hearts and expand in order to learn how to love them. With our minds and hearts opened, the Holy Spirit is then able to communicate with our spirit and teach us more and more Truth. If our hearts and minds are closed, He cannot teach us any more than we already know. Thus our blindness and our ability to have blindness removed pretty much depends upon us and how well we keep the two great commandments. I am not very good at this; but I am getting better at it. I have noticed that the harder I try to keep these commandments, which consequently opens my heart and my mind, the more Truth is revealed to me through the myriad levels of understanding in scripture which would otherwise remain hidden.

There is great wisdom is those commandments.

Blessings,

jo

[Guest]

Bc is referring to Bibles without the Apocrypha. Mormons simply will not accept such non-canonical books of obscure or dubious authenticity.

Hi Moksha (by the way, your avatar is soooooo cute!!!)

D&C 91

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha—There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly;

2 There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men.

3 Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated.

4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;

5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;

6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen.

I believe there are some LDS, as well as some non-LDS, who are enlightened enough by the Spirit who are able to gain benefit from the Apocrypha. That is because the Holy Spirit will make apparent to them what is true and what is not true. In fact, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, those who have achieved at least a good level of spiritual awakening, CAN begin to discern Truth wherever it is. This is something which the LDS do; that is, we seek Truth wherever we can find it.

The more Truth that is revealed to an individual, the more their spirit is awakened; and the easier and easier it becomes to discern Truth whenever he/she comes across it.

Blessings,

jo

[_Franktalk]

Franktalk, I find your above post both boastful and offensive yet so typical of Mormons who appear to demonstrate an attitude that only they have this special spiritual gift to understand the more esoteric aspects of scripture.

And I find you lacking in spirituality. But I find most people lacking in spirituality including most LDS. In my life I have found only a dozen or so that I know are on the spiritual path. Even they don't agree on everything yet they know when they come across another walking spirit.

If I offend you then maybe that is what you need. Because the Word and the message will not bring peace to this world. It will divide this world until the world is ready to receive it. That day has not come yet.

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Since all truth is not something we can obtain then we will always be at odds with one another. Embrace the struggle. See it as it is. Don't be in denial.

[_gdemetz]

Good post Frank! It never ceases to amaze me the spiritual blindness that I see here! You would think that when people would notice (or should notice) the at least 30 characteristics of the primitive church and then see those same 30 or more characteristics in the restored church, that they might be able to grasp the reality of the "restitution of ALL things," but they obviously can't! I attribute a lot of that to the great deceiving and blinding power of the adversary!

[_Albion]

Unlike you, Frantalk, I make no claims about myself. As I have said before, I have nothing to commend me to God except my trust and faith in Jesus as my savior in spite of anything I mighty do. I am aware, though, that humility as exemplified by Jesus is an essential element of spirituality. I wonder where that fits into your self righteous image of yourself. Or as my grandmother always said: Self praise is no recommendation.

[_gdemetz]

Albion, it is not self righteousness. A person needs to put off the old man and become a SAINT as the scriptures state, and that is no twinkling magic. He must put his trust in Christ and strive to keep the commandments until he becomes perfect!