I hear repeatedly here in this mesage board how wrong the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is. What I never hear is where these doubters go to worship and find truth. What alternative faith do these people offer once they have torn down our faith?
Please state, if you have left the church or are planning to leave the church, where you go now or are planning to go.
Also please state doctrinal differences and their replacements, with scriptural refrences if possible.
Thank you
Gaz
"What I never hear is where these doubters go to worship and find truth."
I am one of "these doubters", and respectfully submit that "worshipping" and "finding truth" are mutually exclusive endeavors.
"What alternative faith do these people offer"
I would urge you to seek accurate information instead of "faith". The religious "faith" people derive from worship is an emotional response, not necessarily connected, (most likely NOT connected) to reality.
richardMdBorn wrote:Joseph Smith taught it in the King Follett Discourse. Other LDS leaders have taught it too. Do you agree or disagree with it. Does GBH teach or does he disavow it?
Joseph Smith alluded to it, others have taught it, I do not agree with it and do not believe it can be defended from LDS canon and I do not know what GBH believes about it.
Thanks alot for your post. Yours set an example that others, and hopefully more, will follow.
I understand what you mean about a sence of freedom when you set aside the church. That is one of the halmarks of the christian faith, is that God demands something of his people. between watching what you do, being aware that people watch what you do, denying yourself the ability to watch a popular movie because its rated R, spending your weekend at church. These things can build up and make you frustrated and angry if you are doing them without the company of the Holy Ghost. Even with the company of the Holy Ghost they can sometimes get frustrating. I read the biography of Bruce R McConkie and he talked about the need of finding a balance betwen church and family time. I spoke a little about this with my bishop as well, he stated that it wasn't really that great a burden to him, being a Bishop I mean, because he put that Job on a schedule. he is Bishop at church functions, on Sundays, and on Thursdays when he does his interviews. the rest of the time he spends with his family and doing normal things. He found his balance.
Why do people go to church? Because they believe in God. They believe that there is a purpose to life. What do you believe is the purpose in life gramps? Why are we here? What is your view?
As for people telling you that you will be eternally unhappy, they lack understanding. The Father will place you where you are comfortable. If you have lived your life after the manner of the world, then that is where you wil stay, among others who feel the same way. But what peopel are clumsily trying to express to you is that there is more. it is only in the highest kingdom that marriage and progeny continue. It is by accepting responsibilities in spiritual matters, eternal matters, that God can entrust you with all that he has. If that does not interest you, than so be it. I simply offer you that there is more to learn and understand.
All the best
Gaz
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - Plato
Nice to see you here. Your girly Avatar adds a nice touch to this board.
Glad to hear that you are active in the church. Can I ask you what your favorite subject is as far as your persoanl study goes? Do you have a favorite part of the scriptures that you like to read, or a go-to set of verses that are like a key to your understanding of the gospel?
What keeps you from the Temple, if that's not too personal a question. What do you yourself think of the Temple, and how do you view it from a doctrinal standpoint?
Thanks,
Gaz
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - Plato
Gazelam wrote:Nice to see you here. Your girly Avatar adds a nice touch to this board.
Glad to hear that you are active in the church. Can I ask you what your favorite subject is as far as your persoanl study goes? Do you have a favorite part of the scriptures that you like to read, or a go-to set of verses that are like a key to your understanding of the gospel?
Thanks for the scripture. I actually talked alot about the light of the gospel this sunday when I taught the lesson in priesthood. We took the story of the ten virgins invited to the wedding feast, and spoke about the oil lamps and their comparison to the Holy Ghost. That scripture would have been perfect, wish I had remembered it.
Gaz
P.S. Theres a great scripture about light in D&C 88:11-29
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - Plato
This is a great simplification, but in the interest of time...
A witness of the Holy Ghost is given by obedience to a law: Prayer
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is given by Obedience to a Law: Baptism and the laying on of hands.
In the Temple we make Higher Covenants, and thereby apply Higher Laws, which further serve to purify us and allow the Holy Ghost to further inspire and guide us.
The Human body is refered to as a type of temple. For a temple to be acceptable for the presence of God (The Holy Ghost) to dwell within it must be sanctified. Sanctification comes through repentence (A law) and obedience to Gospel principles (Laws)
Obedience to these Laws allows the Holy Ghost to purify us and prepare us to dwell in the house of God. It teaches us the mind and will of the Lord, and aquaints us with the culture of heaven, allowing us to be prepared for the Life God wishs for us to live there.
If we are not in Gods Church, Where Christs teachings are taught in their fulness, how are we then to know what the Laws are, and how they are to be applied?
Gaz
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - Plato
