Gazelam wrote: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
OK I am being as polite as possible... Gaz, all of the above came from a man.
Gazelam wrote:You seem to take a scientific view of things, am I wrong?
What is your take on the purpose of Life?
Gaz
I am impressed you picked up on that. I have to say that this is an example of "the power of discernment". Yes, I believe that the significant advances in knowledge will come from scientific inquiry, including the reality of spiritual concerns. in my opinion, religious dogma tends to inhibit the range of scientific investigation, and completely stultifies the thought processes of some people.
My take on the purpose of life? I have found, what is to me at least, undeniable evidence that we are all on a path of spiritual evolution, driven by our individual concepts of universal love. Universal, unconditional love is a quantum reality with eternal implications.
I'm not really convinced that I need a Church. I still believe a lot of things in the gospel and I think hope and faith are important things.
1. Why do I need a prophet to tell me right from wrong, truth from error, if I have the Holy Ghost to tell me this?
2. If I want to do something righteous, why not just go do it? Why do you need to sit in a meeting hearing the same things over and over again? What good does that really do anyone?
And when the confederates saw Jackson standing fearless as a stone wall the army of Northern Virginia took courage and drove the federal army off their land.
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
Hi Gaz,
I have a problem with the way you've worded part of your post. You ask,
"What alternative faith do these people offer once they have torn down our faith?"
If your post is mainly directed toward ex-LDS...the faith that was torn down...was their own.
ajax18 wrote:I'm not really convinced that I need a Church. I still believe a lot of things in the gospel and I think hope and faith are important things.
1. Why do I need a prophet to tell me right from wrong, truth from error, if I have the Holy Ghost to tell me this? 2. If I want to do something righteous, why not just go do it? Why do you need to sit in a meeting hearing the same things over and over again? What good does that really do anyone?
Exactly.
Mormons are also told to study it out in their own mind, all things from all leaders and decide for themselves.
Lip service I say, because it is not acceptable to come to any conclusion that falls outside of the status quo, on either side.
Case in point, I pray and receive a witness that drinking coffee is fine. The scripture does not specifically use the name coffee. Yes, I know that several leaders, include Joseph Smith, have stated that Joseph Smith meant coffee and tea for the hot drinks. How am I to discern whether they were just speaking as a man and giving out their own advice? ESPECIALLY if I prayed and received my own witness that coffee and tea are fine for me?
But the post is actually directed to anyone who questions the doctrines of the church. I am just asking people to offer alternatives to the doctrines they have a problem with. For instance, if the Mormon teachings concerning modern revelation are a problem, then offer from the scriptures or a favorite commentary your alternative view.
I especially would like to hear from porter how he finds the teachings in the two other churchs hes visited. Are they edifying?
Your observations are always fun to read Jersey, and I'd love to hear a testamony of your foundations for why you believe what you do.
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
"I hear repeatedly here in this message board how wrong the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is."
---The Gospel is perfect it is men who change.
"What I never hear is where these doubters go to worship and find truth. "
---As for me, I left physically 20 or so years ago followed by severe verbal beating from a BAC which was a turning point for me. "The Church of Jesus Christ", NOT (THE CHURCH OF Jesus Christ) was put here for the sole purpose of teaching the milk, Faith, Repentance, Remission of Sins and Baptism, (receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.) not membership into a corporation. The meat is found elsewhere.
"What alternative faith do these people offer once they have torn down our faith? "
---Is there such a thing as "Alternative 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."
---I have left the physical body of the church and do not know whether I will return as the body is sick and the milk is soured.
Yet make no mistake, It is the Lords Gospel, and his Church. Isaiah has made it clear that one will be sent to set it in order, I wait for that day.
"Also please state doctrinal differences and their replacements, with scriptural references if possible."
---That would be a great undertaking.
It is not my aim to tear down anyone in their belief. If the milk is what you desire, then drink it. If it is the meat you lust after then seek it with all your heart mind and soul. Those who seek to disprove, must in all fairness seek to prove also, Otherwise they will find exactly what they seek.
Daniell wrote:"I hear repeatedly here in this message board how wrong the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is."
---The Gospel is perfect it is men who change.
"What I never hear is where these doubters go to worship and find truth. "
---As for me, I left physically 20 or so years ago followed by severe verbal beating from a BAC which was a turning point for me. "The Church of Jesus Christ", NOT (THE CHURCH OF Jesus Christ) was put here for the sole purpose of teaching the milk, Faith, Repentance, Remission of Sins and Baptism, (receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.) not membership into a corporation. The meat is found elsewhere.
"What alternative faith do these people offer once they have torn down our faith? "
---Is there such a thing as "Alternative 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."
---I have left the physical body of the church and do not know whether I will return as the body is sick and the milk is soured. Yet make no mistake, It is the Lords Gospel, and his Church. Isaiah has made it clear that one will be sent to set it in order, I wait for that day.
"Also please state doctrinal differences and their replacements, with scriptural references if possible."
---That would be a great undertaking. It is not my aim to tear down anyone in their belief. If the milk is what you desire, then drink it. If it is the meat you lust after then seek it with all your heart mind and soul. Those who seek to disprove, must in all fairness seek to prove also, Otherwise they will find exactly what they seek.
First time Post, Hello, I am Daniel.
Hi Daniel. Welcome. :-) Are you the Community of Christ Daniel from FAIR?
