Christ says - Being Mormon is not essential for eternal life

[_bcspace]

Interestingly, the actual wording is 'love thy God'.
That's either Christ acknowledging that it's okay to worship different God's or, more likely, that differing religious sects have equal claim and status on following the one true God.

Key insight!

Not at all. The verse specifies the Lord thy God thus identifying which God and therefore no relief for the apostate notion of multiple sects being acceptable. But it is true that the first two of the ten commandments alludes to multiple real and divine Gods.

1) No other (real and divine) Gods before me.
2) No graven images (idol gods).

So if there is not a plurality of real and divine Gods, then the first two commandments are redundant.

[_moksha]

But it is true that the first two of the ten commandments alludes to multiple real and divine Gods.

1) No other (real and divine) Gods before me.
2) No graven images (idol gods).

The quoted lines from Luke are not intended to sustain the laws of the Sanhedrin, but instead to irrevocably change them through introducing the meaning of the New Covenant: Replacing the rule of unyielding law with the spirit of love and compassion.

Whether there is more than one God would not be a question entertained by the legalisms of the Sanhedrin. They were clear on this through their laws and commentaries.

[_Drifting]

25 ¶And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

It dawned on me yesterday when we were discussing this during Sunday School, that as well as kindness to others, Christ was making the point that religious affiliation to any particular sect is of little consequence in terms of eternal life.

Yes, Mormons know this already, which is why we don't have Ministry's "against" other religions, and don't preach against other religions.

Except...

Joseph Smith History 1
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.

19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

[_Drifting]

The humanitarian aid wasn't the point of the story, it was an "example". Again, the service of others comes in many forms. The man at the moment needed help..... We are to help. At another time, we are to teach him the Gospel. This is also why we don't "force" the Gospel on others like Evangelicals do. We seek to find ways to serve, and to assist, if that's what's needed, and then the missionary might share the gospel if they wish to receive. Maybe you aren't aware, but the Missionary's are always looking for ways to serve, not only to teach.

ldsfaqs.

You do not seem to be familiar with the reality of what Mormon Missionaries do (noting that, if you served a mission that was predominantly service focussed, you are the exception).
I think I am correct in stating that the proportion of service related exhortation in the 'Preach My Gospel' manual amounts to two pages out of the hundreds dedicated to encouraging Missionaries to proselytise.
I think I am correct in stating that the proportion of time Mission Presidents spend discussing and measuring the service done by Missionaries, is dwarfed by the amount spent on looking at numbers of baptisms and teaching appointments.

I am saying that the Church has its priorities in opposition to the message of the Good Samaritan - that in terms of achieving eternal life it was more important to be 'humanitarian' than it was to be a member of a particular religious denomination. That principle is not displayed nor taught by the Church.

I believe that the gay, tattooed, smoking, drinking, fornicating, non Mormon's or ex Mormon's who spend a proportion of their time being good neighbourly and regularly helping at the homeless shelter, will have a better chance than most (more than 50%) Church members of achieving eternal life.

Note: that is only my opinion based on my interpretation of Christs message in the parable of the Good Samaritan and my observations of Mormonism and Mormon members that I have seen. Including myself.

In fact, I will go as far as to say that if you spent the time helping the homeless that you spend on Home or Visiting Teaching that you will improve your chances in Christs eyes. This change in balance is something that I am now going to seriously try to put into practice.

[_subgenius]

How many pages did you find about proselytising (teaching people that Mormonism is the religion they should join)?

exactly what do you think the definition of "missionary" is?

[_Drifting]

How many pages did you find about proselytising (teaching people that Mormonism is the religion they should join)?

exactly what do you think the definition of "missionary" is?

subgenius,

Excerpts From the Preach My Gospel Manual

What Is My Purpose As A Missionary?
Your commission is to teach the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ

A Successful Missionary
Your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your committment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.

Now if you have any other questions regarding what a missionary is just go straight to the manual, it tells you everything you need to know about the duty of Mormon missionary.

[_Buffalo]

Subgenius, am I right? Did you not serve a mission?

[_bcspace]

But it is true that the first two of the ten commandments alludes to multiple real and divine Gods.

1) No other (real and divine) Gods before me.
2) No graven images (idol gods).

The quoted lines from Luke are not intended to sustain the laws of the Sanhedrin, but instead to irrevocably change them through introducing the meaning of the New Covenant: Replacing the rule of unyielding law with the spirit of love and compassion.

Not at all.

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

[_Drifting]

Subgenius, am I right? Did you not serve a mission?

I see no evidence for believing he is/was even a Mormon.

[_moksha]

But it is true that the first two of the ten commandments alludes to multiple real and divine Gods.

1) No other (real and divine) Gods before me.
2) No graven images (idol gods).

The quoted lines from Luke are not intended to sustain the laws of the Sanhedrin, but instead to irrevocably change them through introducing the meaning of the New Covenant: Replacing the rule of unyielding law with the spirit of love and compassion.

Not at all.

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

I take it that you do not view Jesus as a revolutionary.