spiritual discussionsThis is the place at AW for mamas to learn about all different religions and beliefs, to ask questions, to give answers- all done with respect! if you don't have anything nice to say here- don't say anything at all.
Just curious if these are some of the beliefs of LDS. C&P from a website, http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm
Thank you for sharing!
Amy
"The true gospel was lost from the earth. Mormonism is its restoration, Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie, p. 635. They teach there was an apostasy and the true church ceased to exist on earth.
There are many gods, Mormon Doctrine, p. 163.
There is a mother god, Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443.
God used to be a man on another planet, Mormon Doctrine, p. 321. Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, Vol 5, pp. 613-614; Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol 2, p. 345, Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333.
After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 345-347, 354. "
__________________
Amy, abuser of quotation marks and parentheses,
Mama to five sprites
Hi there. I just wanted to make a quick observation.... those quotes are all taken out of context and I think it is difficult to discuss them in their current form.
The C&P had a header "what LDS believe" so I didn't leave anything out, but I guess I could go back and try to find the particular book online and look it up myself? See if this man is correct?
Thanks for sharing-
Amy
I thought the idea of becoming a God was interesting - as there is a similar doctrine in my religion. I found this, but I don't know how accurate the characterization of the Mormon beliefs are.
In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic theology, theosis, meaning deification or divinization, is the call to man to become holy and seek union with God, beginning in this life and later consummated in the resurrection. Theosis comprehends our salvation from sin; is premised upon apostolic and early Christian understanding of the life of faith; and is conceptually foundational in both the east and the west.
Through theoria, the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ, human beings come to know and experience what it means to be fully human (the created image of God); through their communion with Jesus Christ God shares Himself with the human race, in order to conform them to all that God is in knowledge, righteousness and holiness. Theosis also asserts the complete restoration of all people (and of the entire creation), in principle. This is built upon the understanding of the atonement put forward by Irenaeus, called "recapitulation".
The doctrine of theosis or deification in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differs significantly from the theosis of Orthodox Christianity. In Mormonism it is usually referred to as exaltation or eternal life. While the primary focus of Mormonism is on the atonement of Jesus Christ, the reason for the atonement is exaltation which goes beyond mere salvation. All men will be saved from sin and death, but only those who are sufficiently obedient and accept the atonement of Jesus Christ before the judgment will be exalted.
the short answer to most of these is yes we believe these things. they are taken out of context and are not quotes from mormon doctrine, just someones interpretation. I have to go get dd ready for school but I will try to elaborate later.
__________________
~Amanda~
Wife to Jeremiah
Mama to Jocelyn, Tristan & Ethan
My answer will be long, but I'm going to answer your questions. Please keep in mind that although many smart and wonderful members of the LDS (mormon) church have wonderful things to say and it *may* be true, the only word we take as coming directly from God is that of the prophet. "The true gospel was lost from the earth. Mormonism is its restoration, Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie, p. 635. They teach there was an apostasy and the true church ceased to exist on earth. Bruce R. McConkie was one of the twelve apostles and an incredible man, but not our prophet.
The bible teaches us there was an apostasy, and after all of Jesus' disciples had died or were killed, the complete truth of God's church was lost. Many other churches have much of the truth, some of it, etc., but the complete truth was lost. Even the bible itself has been translated and changed so many times that it's difficult to find the whole truth.
We believe that God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, and they told Joseph that the fullness of the gospel was missing from the earth. They restored that power and completeness through Joseph Smith, so that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS, Mormon, whatever) is the same church that existed in Jesus' time... He is the head, etc.
There are many gods, Mormon Doctrine, p. 163.
We believe that God was once as man is, and that man can become as God is. Our God, the Father of our world, our spirits, etc. is the being we pray to, love, believe in, depend on, etc. However, we do believe that God had a Heavenly Father, that His Father had a Father, etc. So although we don't "know" or pray to these other Gods, it would be true to state that we believe there are multiple Gods.
There is a mother god, Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443. James Talmage was an apostle, not the prophet.
Many members of our church think there is a Heavenly Mother. Because we believe that we are literal spirit children of God, and that we were all part of a family, it makes sense that there is a Heavenly Mother. I personally think that we don't know much about or talk about her because God wants to protect her from the sorts of things people do and say about Him, but that's just my opinion, not any sort of doctrine.
God used to be a man on another planet, Mormon Doctrine, p. 321. Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, Vol 5, pp. 613-614;Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol 2, p. 345, Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333. Joseph Smith was the prophet, so I'd say this statement is true and accurate. As I stated above, we believe God had a Father. We also believe God was once a man and that He had similar experiences to our own, lived a mortal life, that He became a God, and that we, too, have that same potential.
After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 345-347, 354. " I'd be REALLY surprised if that was the exact wording of this, especially since Joseph Smith didn't refer to us as "mormons" but we were given that nickname by others, but it doesn't matter. We believe that if you follow God's commandments, if you do everything He requires, if you live a good life, learn what is needed to learn and fulfill all His requests, that each person has the potential to become a God. We don't believe that families or learning end after this life... we think that we all go on, and that there will be those who can learn and grow to become Gods and Goddesses of their own worlds. You don't have to be "a good mormon" to do this... every man has the opportunity.
I hope that I've helped answer your questions. Please feel free to ask anything else, or explain why you're interested (I'd be curious to know your feelings about this, OP) and I have no problem answering any question asked... I'd much prefer you hear or read things from those of us practicing this faith then from other forums bashing our beliefs or misquoting us (not saying your references are, but there are many out there doing that) It's also okay with me if you disagree with anything stated - I don't expect my beliefs to be the only ones around!
Please feel free to ask anything else, or explain why you're interested (I'd be curious to know your feelings about this, OP) and I have no problem answering any question asked... I'd much prefer you hear or read things from those of us practicing this faith then from other forums bashing our beliefs or misquoting us (not saying your references are, but there are many out there doing that) It's also okay with me if you disagree with anything stated - I don't expect my beliefs to be the only ones around!
Hope that helps!!
Tara
I have to say ITA and Im also interested to know the source of your information Amy, if you don't mind sharing.
__________________ ~Dishka's Feedback~
Jessica
Loving Joe for Eternity
And our Babies:
MegynJames Mark and my Boob-Tick Abigail
Thank you Tara, for your response-it was so generous of your time to answers all those questions!
Here's the web address where I found the info:http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm
I included it in teh OP, too. I should've done that in the first place-sorry!
Thanks again-
Amy
Many members of our church think there is a Heavenly Mother.
It is absolute doctrine, not a belief. She is not worshipped in any form though... just like there being other gods.... it is doctrine, but LDS ppl only worship one God.
Just curious if these are some of the beliefs of LDS. C&P from a website, http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm
Thank you for sharing!
Amy
"The true gospel was lost from the earth. Mormonism is its restoration, Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie, p. 635. They teach there was an apostasy and the true church ceased to exist on earth.
There are many gods, Mormon Doctrine, p. 163.
There is a mother god, Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443.
God used to be a man on another planet, Mormon Doctrine, p. 321. Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, Vol 5, pp. 613-614; Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol 2, p. 345, Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333.
After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 345-347, 354. "
Technically they are all true (what you have above) but to get a complete understanding of these beliefs, you need to study a bit more so you get the full context of how/where these beliefs fit in to LDS belief and life.
So, yeah it is true but when quotes are short like that, they nearly always make the LDS church look wacky IMHO. Reading further, will explain better and maybe make some of it make sense to you. (even if you don't agree with it for your own life)
I forgot how tough it is trying to explain quotes to others like those above. (I've been inactive/nonpracticing LDS for more than five years now) The doctrine is so complex IMHO and multi-layered like an onion.
Michelle
__________________ "If it (salvation) is based solely on following rules, then it isn't grace via faith in Jesus Christ"
My answer will be long, but I'm going to answer your questions. Please keep in mind that although many smart and wonderful members of the LDS (mormon) church have wonderful things to say and it *may* be true, the only word we take as coming directly from God is that of the prophet.
Tara
Tara,
It has been six years since I was in a LDS meetinghouse but I had been taught (during the 10 yrs I was active) that the words in the Ensign were also to be considered doctrine. This was taught in more than one ward/branch and also at the stake level.
Is this different now? Things may have changed and I am trying to keep up with the changes since I live in a high LDS area now and am still technically a member, although I don't plan on going back.
I was under the impression that the words in the Ensign ARE in fact doctrine depending upon who those words are coming from. If its of General Authority then yeah, its doctrine, but if its just some scholar or anyone else writing an article then it doesnt necessarily mean its doctrine. Though the articles do have to have approval, it doesnt mean everything in the Ensign can be considered doctrine.
I was under the impression that the words in the Ensign ARE in fact doctrine depending upon who those words are coming from. If its of General Authority then yeah, its doctrine, but if its just some scholar or anyone else writing an article then it doesnt necessarily mean its doctrine. Though the articles do have to have approval, it doesnt mean everything in the Ensign can be considered doctrine.
Thanks...that is what I had been taught.
I did love and do still miss reading the Ensign. Wonderful magazine. I think our public library carries it. I'll peek at it next time and see if they do. (or maybe it was the New Era that they carry....isn't that the name of the teenaged church mag?)
James 
Mark 
and my Boob-Tick Abigail 
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