Formal Mormon Theology

The catch-all forum for general topics and debates. Minimal moderation. Rated PG to PG-13.
Post Reply
User avatar
Dr. Shades
Founder and Visionary
Posts: 2795
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2020 2:48 pm
Contact:

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by Dr. Shades »

I Have Questions wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 11:13 pm
Ego wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 10:58 pm
Agreed, I seem to remember from D&C 19 that those who do not repent supposedly have to suffer just as Jesus did in the Atonement before they inherit their glory.
Which would defeat the purpose of the Atonement. If people have to atone for their own sins, then why did Jesus need to do it as well?
The Atonement covers those who DO repent. It's only those who DON'T repent who must atone for their own sins (according to LDS doctrine).
I Have Questions
God
Posts: 2103
Joined: Tue May 23, 2023 9:09 am

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by I Have Questions »

Dr. Shades wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 6:12 am
I Have Questions wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 11:13 pm
Which would defeat the purpose of the Atonement. If people have to atone for their own sins, then why did Jesus need to do it as well?
The Atonement covers those who DO repent. It's only those who DON'T repent who must atone for their own sins (according to LDS doctrine).
And that’s why Mormons aren’t Christians. Because Christian belief is that the Atonement covers everyone, unconditionally.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
huckelberry
God
Posts: 3449
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 3:48 pm

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by huckelberry »

I Have Questions wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 11:13 pm
Ego wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 10:58 pm
Agreed, I seem to remember from D&C 19 that those who do not repent supposedly have to suffer just as Jesus did in the Atonement before they inherit their glory.
Which would defeat the purpose of the Atonement. If people have to atone for their own sins, then why did Jesus need to do it as well?
Questions,

Thinking in general Christian terms including, LDS I think, the individual suffering is inadequate without the atonement. Even with it we all have some suffering.
User avatar
sock puppet
First Presidency
Posts: 807
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:29 pm

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by sock puppet »

huckelberry wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 4:33 pm
I Have Questions wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 11:13 pm
Which would defeat the purpose of the Atonement. If people have to atone for their own sins, then why did Jesus need to do it as well?
Questions,

Thinking in general Christian terms including, LDS I think, the individual suffering is inadequate without the atonement. Even with it we all have some suffering.
That is as I recall the Mormon take on the Atonement. It is not absolute--doesn't do the trick by itself--but it is a necessary component.
"The truth has no defense against a fool determined to believe a lie." – Mark Twain
I Have Questions
God
Posts: 2103
Joined: Tue May 23, 2023 9:09 am

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by I Have Questions »

huckelberry wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 4:33 pm
I Have Questions wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 11:13 pm
Which would defeat the purpose of the Atonement. If people have to atone for their own sins, then why did Jesus need to do it as well?
Questions,

Thinking in general Christian terms including, LDS I think, the individual suffering is inadequate without the atonement. Even with it we all have some suffering.
So the Atonement is either Jesus doing half a job of suffering for our sins, or God demands a double amount of suffering for our sins.
Last edited by I Have Questions on Wed Jun 25, 2025 5:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
MG 2.0
God
Posts: 5718
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:45 pm

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by MG 2.0 »

I Have Questions wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 9:59 pm
MG 2.0 wrote:
Mon Jun 23, 2025 7:16 pm
Yep. And somehow the Atonement bridges that gap between us and a perfect being where we, through our faith and works...and Jesus' grace, can receive a kingdom of glory.
Everybody, regardless of faith, regardless of works, receives a kingdom of glory. You’re conflating exaltation with salvation.
Everyone receives a kingdom of glory. And yes there is a difference between exaltation and salvation.

Regards,
MG
MG 2.0
God
Posts: 5718
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:45 pm

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by MG 2.0 »

I Have Questions wrote:
Wed Jun 25, 2025 4:30 pm
huckelberry wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 4:33 pm
Questions,

Thinking in general Christian terms including, LDS I think, the individual suffering is inadequate without the atonement. Even with it we all have some suffering.
So the Atonement is wither Jesus doing half a job of suffering for our sins, or God demands a double amount of suffering for our sins.
Accountability for sins that we don't fully repent of is not an unreasonable concept.

What part of that accountability Jesus paid for is probably above our pay grade to try and determine.

And I'm sure it varies from person to person depending on how much light and knowledge they had. Obviously, accountability would be associated with that.

You may be more accountable than the next person.

Regards,
MG
MG 2.0
God
Posts: 5718
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:45 pm

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by MG 2.0 »

I Have Questions wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 8:39 am
Dr. Shades wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 6:12 am
The Atonement covers those who DO repent. It's only those who DON'T repent who must atone for their own sins (according to LDS doctrine).
And that’s why Mormons aren’t Christians.
Latter-day Saints are Christian. That is something that you are unqualified to determine.

Regards,
MG
Marcus
God
Posts: 6753
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2021 10:44 pm

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by Marcus »

I Have Questions wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 8:39 am
Dr. Shades wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 6:12 am
The Atonement covers those who DO repent. It's only those who DON'T repent who must atone for their own sins (according to LDS doctrine).
And that’s why Mormons aren’t Christians. Because Christian belief is that the Atonement covers everyone, unconditionally.
I also don't think of them as Christians because they specify that those not deeply enmeshed in the Mormon religion and only the Mormon religion (I.e. those not paying into the Mormon corporation) will NOT reunite with family or experience joy.

Nelson was pretty clear about this, and what he thinks is in store for non-LDS people in his 2019 gen conf talk as prophet of the LDS church. It's pretty sick:
...I also weep for such friends and relatives. They are wonderful men and women, devoted to their family and civic responsibilities. They give generously of their time, energy, and resources. And the world is better for their efforts. But they have chosen not to make covenants with God. They have not received the ordinances that will exalt them with their families and bind them together forever...

They need to understand that while there is a place for them hereafter—with wonderful men and women who also chose not to make covenants with God—that is not the place where families will be reunited and be given the privilege to live and progress forever. That is not the kingdom where they will experience the fulness of joy—of never-ending progression and happiness.

Those consummate blessings can come only by living in an exalted celestial realm with God, our Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and our wonderful, worthy, and qualified family members.


https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... n?lang=eng
Note that "worthy and qualified" first and foremost requires paying a lot of money for one's entire life to receive that designation. Unless of course, you reach the upper layers of this pyramid scheme. Then you no longer have to pay, instead you get to spend other people's tithing money on your personal worldly needs and pleasures, while you preach to everyone else about the necessity of continuing to give money, even before caring for children, paying bills, or saving for retirement.

That's the single most formalized "Mormon theology" in my opinion. You have to pay money in order to worship the Mormon god properly. That's not a christian way of life.
User avatar
Everybody Wang Chung
God
Posts: 2686
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 1:52 am

Re: Formal Mormon Theology

Post by Everybody Wang Chung »

MG 2.0 wrote:
Wed Jun 25, 2025 5:11 pm
I Have Questions wrote:
Tue Jun 24, 2025 8:39 am

And that’s why Mormons aren’t Christians.
Latter-day Saints are Christian. That is something that you are unqualified to determine.

Regards,
MG
We are not Christian. This is something MG is completely unqualified to determine.
"I'm on paid sabbatical from BYU in exchange for my promise to use this time to finish two books."

Daniel C. Peterson, 2014
Post Reply