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I’ve been listening to the Christian Satellite Network (CSN) quite a bit lately. Some of the sermons are very interesting and I enjoy their biblical knowledge. Listening to this station has led me to appreciate to a greater degree some of the teachings of the COJCOLDS (hereafter “the church”). I have been concerned about doctrines of men being taught as doctrine in the church, so I will switch gears here and list things I believe the church has right.
(Tangent: Joseph Smith asked which sect he should join and recorded the following:
Quote: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.”
I used to think that if any church would “teach for doctrines the commandments of men” toanydegree, then it would be false. I do not have that absolute view anymore. I guess teaching the commandments of men can be one symptom of a wrong sect or a corrupt professor, but by itself does not necessarily cause rejection by God.) MarriageI heard a man on CSN talk about how he loves his wife and they have a wonderful marriage. Then he noted that their marriage would be annulled at death and they can perhaps be good friends in heaven. That’s sad to me. I don’t believe God will divide asunder a good marriage when people die.
The GodheadI believe some Christians did not want to be viewed as polytheists and therefore adopted the man-made theory that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one in substance. I do not disparage those of you here who like this theory. It just doesn’t make sense to me. The church’s teachings regarding the Godhead make sense to me in light of the scriptures, and it is bold and admirable for the church to declare this doctrine when it is rejected by just about every other Christian organization.
Baptism for the DeadThere are programs on CSN wherein callers ask questions and a couple people provide answers. I’ve heard a couple callers ask about those who didn’t have a good chance to hear the Gospel and accept Christ. The hosts of the programs try to sugar-coat their response and answer diplomatically, but what they ultimately say equates to “Well, those who didn’t hear the Gospel and accept Christ, regardless of where or when they lived, are not saved and are going to hell. There’s nothing we can do about that.”
Please note that I perceive CSN to be a less liberal Christian gig, and there are other (non-LDS) Christians who do not hold such limited views. Anyway, the teachings and practice in the church regarding baptisms for the dead are cool. We have quite a large Gospel net to catch the children the God.
I don’t see how a figurative baptism for the dead supports the argument for a literal resurrection. Yeah, these explanations just fall short. The practice does seem to be weird, but the principle is glorious.
Grace, Faith, and WorksI’ve heard over and over on CSN that we are saved by grace and not by works. I totally agree with that! However, they talk as if works are not a factor at all, or that good works are done only
afterbeing saved and are merely a manifestation of being saved. They teach that doing good works can show a lack of faith in the grace of Christ (I reckon this is sometimes true, but it’s often misapplied). I think church teachings regarding grace, faith, and works are generally correct. There may be issues with one aspect being over-emphasized at times, or one being neglected.
SOME ADDITIONSProphets and ApostlesIt makes sense to have prophets and 12 apostles in these days.
Degrees of Glory
SamBee wrote:I think the three kingdoms makes more sense than turn or burn, and also the idea of redemption for the dead.
Amen.Jesus Visiting Others / Additional Sciptures
SamBee wrote:Also regardless of the historical validity of the Book of Mormon, I agree with the idea that Jesus would appear to native Americans, and other peoples not just a few Middle Easterners.
Amen. The argument that additional scriptures cannot be produced are extremely weak. I do mean to disparage our Christian brothers and sisters who adhere to that teaching, but I think they are really missing out.Godhood
SamBee wrote:The business about gods, which is so frowned upon by other Christian churches is actually pretty well backed up by scriptures…
hawkgrrrl wrote:…the notion that we can attain godhood. Sitting on a cloud strumming a harp doesn’t do it for me. Nor does ex nihilo creation.
Pre-Existence
hawkgrrrl wrote:One other thing I really love about Mormon theology is the pre-existence…
I think teachings regarding pre-existence really help the whole plan make more sense.Sharing Responsibility
SamBee wrote:Spreading out the priesthood is also a pretty nice idea, rather than just one guy per church.
Additions on 06/04/2014
Youth Programs
SilentDawning wrote:I like the fact that the church puts its money into the youth. The personal progress plan for YW is also good.
The YM organization was a great help to me as a teenager.Open Canon and Continuing Revelation
SamBee wrote:An open canon and continuing revelation is right as well I think.
The Book of Mormon, regardless of its origins, has some very good spiritual teachings in it.
Shawn wrote:I’ve been listening to the Christian Satellite Network (CSN) quite a bit lately. Some of the sermons are very interesting and I enjoy their biblical knowledge. Listening to this station has led me to appreciate to a greater degree some of the teachings of the COJCOLDS (hereafter “the church”).
Thanks for this post. It’s too easy for me to downplay how uncomfortable I would be elsewhere.
Hi Shawn, great to have you back with us. I enjoyed your post and completely agree with your list.
One thing I’d insert into Joseph’s statement would be:
I must join none of them, for they were all wrongfor me; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight I believe God puts people in the right place and gives them opportunities to grow in the best possible way. It doesn’t always work out well based on their own choices or based on choices imposed on them by others.
Joseph said he disliked creeds because they “trammeled” him. Joseph needed to be free of creeds to reveal some of the beautiful doctrine that he did.
Kevin Christensen is one of my favourite Mormon writers and said:
Quote:Joseph Smith opposed creeds, not because they are false teachings (“all of them have some truth”), but because “creeds set up stakes, and say, ‘Hitherto thou shalt come, and no further’; which I cannot subscribe to.”55 Joseph Smith also explained that “the most prominent difference in sentiment between the Latter-day Saints and sectarians was that the latter were all circumscribed by some particular creed, which deprived its members of the privilege of believing anything not contained therein, whereas the Latter-day Saints have no creed, but are ready to believe all true principles that exist, as they are made manifest from time to time.”56 The real problem with creeds is not their content57 but their function. When in place, creeds place a person and a society beyond repentance, beyond change. Creeds box a person in and throw away the keys to further light and knowledge. If that is not abominable, what is?
http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/sophic-box-and-mantic-vista-a-review-of-deconstructing-mormonism/ I also love this principles of believing what I want to and what works for me.
However… some people need absolutes. It’s the absolutes that motivate them. I believe God helps people believe what they need to. I believe truth is that which persuades us to do good, even if it’s a different ‘truth’ to my neighbours.
So despite strongly disagreeing with some Christians on salvation and hell, I recognise that it might be that belief that leads them to do good, to preach more earnestly and to share more willingly. I don’t always like the way they do it and I’m not saying they always get it right. But I hope that God knows the heart.
Good to see you again, Shawn. I hope you still are happy. I think the three kingdoms makes more sense than turn or burn, and also the idea of redemption for the dead. Also regardless of the historical validity of the Book of Mormon, I agree with the idea that Jesus would appear to native Americans, and other peoples not just a few Middle Easterners.
I really liked this post. Despite the doubts and concerns I may have about the LDS Church, it puts things in a whole different perspective when I consider other Christian beliefs that create an image of God as uncaring, uninterested, and different than what the scriptures indicate to me. I’ve always said to myself that if the LDS Church doesn’t contain the true gospel and authority of God, none other does…for many of the reasons you outlined. It makes me appreciate the LDS Church more. Thank you, again, for this wonderful post.
Alex
The business about gods, which is so frowned upon by other Christian churches is actually pretty well backed up by scriptures… Thanks for this Shawn. One other thing I really love about Mormon theology is the pre-existence as well as the notion that we can attain godhood. Sitting on a cloud strumming a harp doesn’t do it for me. Nor does ex nihilo creation. Spreading out the priesthood is also a pretty nice idea, rather than just one guy per church. Yes, Shawn thank you. The things I like about the LDS church may be somewhat different than your list but it is nice to share with each other. Thanks, Shawn. I really got a lot out of that. I sometimes comment, but I haven’t posted anything lately. I’m just running out of things to talk about. I have a friend from my home ward that I meant when I going to a singles branch who used to have a strong testimony but is struggling after diving deep into church history. I think I might write a post about that one. I like Mormon funerals. They are more upbeat, give cause for hope, and are very comforting for us who remain behind. I’m sure somewhere there are some duds, but after burying both parents and a brother, along with other friends & acquaintances I have always felt better and lifted up by the experience. The absolute best experience was with a ward member who was a fire fighter. The services were conducted by the bishop, but non-member firemen spoke. Those guys know what brotherhood is all about. If you get a chance go to a fireman’s funeral, especially if he was Mormon.
I like the fact that the church puts its money into the youth. The personal progress plan for YW is also good. At the end of the High Priests lesson today, one of the men suddenly got light-headed, pale and clammy. Someone went to get his wife; someone called 911; someone went to get our Bishop; someone went to find a nurse in the ward; three men went outside to direct the paramedics to the back of the building to the closest door; two men went to the kitchen to get damp cloths; two men stayed to give him a blessing; the rest of the men cleared away the chairs and other stuff so the paramedics could get in an out easily. It was quick and controlled and done completely out of love and concern for the man having the problem. Lots of other religions / congregations could have done everything that happened today, except the anointing and laying on of hands that constituted the blessing. In the midst of that type of situation, before which, ironically, we had participated in a really good discussion that involved our experiences with blessings, it was gratifying to see the essential, normal stuff taken care of and, at the same time, the spiritual stuff happen, as well.
Philosophical and intellectual discussions of blessings be damned, we get the concept right.
SamBee wrote:The business about gods, which is so frowned upon by other Christian churches is actually pretty well backed up by scriptures…
To me this is wrapped up in one scripture, although others also attest to it. Matthew 3:13-17, the baptism of Jesus. If they’re all one, is Jesus/God a ventriloquist? What about the spirit? I think the church does have this right and it’s so clear to me when I read the Bible. One of the things that drew me to the church those many years ago was that some things, like this, just made sense when the teachings of other churches did not.
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