"If it FEELS good, then it must be right." -Mormons

[rinnie]

Latter-day Saints believe that there was a spiritual creation and then a physical creation which followed the same pattern. In our current mortal journey we are spiritual beings lost in a physical world. In the physical world we see with our eyes. But the Apostle Paul tells us that the way we see in our spiritual world is through faith:

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight).” (2 Cor. 5:6-7)

In the physical world we see through our eyes by the light of the sun or other forms of light energy. In the spiritual world we see through faith by the light of Christ:

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

In the physical world we discover truth by observing with our physical senses or though seeking physical evidence. However, we are told in Hebrews 11:1 that when seeking (spiritual) truth, that “faith… is the evidence”. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb11:1)

I recently watched a show on television about the conflict between a mother and her son. The mother sought for the answers to life’s questions through her faith and her son sought for these same answers through Science. I recognized that their conflict was based on a false premise. Both science and faith are ways of finding truth. Science uses physical tools and physical experiments that help us understand the physical world. Faith starts at the other end of the spectrum and teaches us about our spiritual world. Someday, when all truth is known, and the two ends of the spectrum come together, there will be no conflicts. Never-the-less, Paul teaches us the folly of trying to understand our spiritual world by using the tools of the physical world when he writes:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14)

I am not seeing what you are saying in this scripture, if in fact I am understanding you corrrectly. I do not see St Paul saying we can ever understand the Spriitual world by using the tools of the physical world.

I am actually seeing the opposite. What St.Paul is saying is a Spiritual Person is someone who has been given knowledge of what pertains to God.

What St. Paul is saying is we can never know the mind of God because we think like this world. Do you remember how he told his Apostles that time after time. Look at St. Peter, he wanted to hide Jesus, he did not want Jesus to die, he also was thinking like this world.

But until he was given the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost he himself did not understand. Did Jesus not say to the Apostles when the Spirit comes it will be with my Voice you will speak, That is why the CC is in one mind with Christ. He promised us that.

We may have the gift of the Holy Spirit in baptism, but if you read scripture the HS has many gifts and we are called to do many things. BUt not all are called to teach. As you cannot teach, and I cannot teach, simply because we do not have the mind of Christ.

But the Church can teach, because the Pope and the Bishops are all of one mind that was given to them by the Holy Spirit when they received the Holy Spirit by the Laying of Hands which we call Holy Orders. (the Priest also has this gift). But we cannot think like Christ, we can teach one another, but only by the teachings that Christ appointed for us. The Church.

IF this were not true, we would not be separated in mind as we are right now. But the CC is not divided, it is one teaching. Because there is only ONE truth, not many.

 

[ADouglass]

Also, everyone should know that not everything in the LDS Standard Works (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price) is considered scripture to them. They only believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. They use the King James Bible in their Standard Works, which is only to be accepted when it agrees with their doctrine. Granted they have footnotes of some of Joseph Smith’s alterations of the KJV.

 

[rinnie]

I would think the the principle of non-contradiction would apply to the teaching that the Mormon Church has a ‘Prophet’ with ‘continuing revelation.’ They seem to want it both ways at time.

Exactly, I mean what did Jesus forget? What is left to reveal. He told us all we needed to know. He showed us how to have eternal life in Christ. He left us the Church, he said the Church is the Pilar of all truth.

While revelation has ceased, our knowledge and understanding of it can grow and grow, probally until the day we die, but there is nothing left out, Christ revealed it all to us.

If God was to send another Prophet, why gather up the Apostles and leave us the Church? And why not reveal to us a new Prophet will come. But he said listen to the Church, the Church has all truth, he did not say I am sending another Prophet. Jesus was the last that was predicted to be sent, and he fulfilled everything.

The next Prophet to come is revealed in the N.T. and Jesus said I will come down from the sky the same way I went up.

 

[ADouglass]

I would think the the principle of non-contradiction would apply to the teaching that the Mormon Church has a ‘Prophet’ with ‘continuing revelation.’ They seem to want it both ways at time.

Truly, there are a multitude of ways one can rule out the LDS faith by abiding by the law of non-contradiction.

Also, one might ask about God the Father being a man at one point “like Jesus Christ.” Even if you grant him the abilities of Jesus Christ when he was a man at one point, then you also have to admit that at one point he didn’t have a body. Oh, and what do mormons think is necessary for full God-hood? That you need a body. Look it up.

 

[campeador]

Truly, there are a multitude of ways one can rule out the LDS faith by abiding by the law of non-contradiction.

Also, one might ask about God the Father being a man at one point “like Jesus Christ.” Even if you grant him the abilities of Jesus Christ when he was a man at one point, then you also have to admit that at one point he didn’t have a body. Oh, and what do mormons think is necessary for full God-hood? That you need a body. Look it up.

Yes, that’s why I’ve wondered how the Holy Spirit fits into LDS beliefs about exaltation and God-hood.

 

[KathleenGee]

Campeordor,

Exactly about the Holy Spirit. And the Mormon idea of the apostasy…as if Christ came at the wrong time and withdrew His spirit…that was supposed to direct us…

The Holy Spirit abdicated His mission to show us many things, to comfort us. The Holy Spirit was and is supposed to be the breath and spirit of the Church to carry us forward.

 

[ADouglass]

Here’s an update: unless you search for “This is the way our Heavenly Father became God. Gospel Principles 47” you might not be able to find that phrase in a Gospel Principles book.

For example: here is where you can find it: lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=7eab7befabc20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Here is where you can’t find it: lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-47-exaltation?lang=eng

They like to do a bit of revising every now and then, even with what is in their Standard Works. For example, 1835 edition of Doctrine and Covenants section 101:4

“Inasmuch as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy, we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife, and one woman but one husband, except in the case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again.”

And why would this need to be removed? See their current edition of section 132:61

“And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse aanother, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.”

Really, you can’t trust that even the most widely accepted doctrine won’t at some point be removed from the LDS canon.

Also, I did some research at a LDS bookstore. They have two versions of Gospel Principles: one is called Gospel Principles and one is called Gospel Fundamentals, Gospel Fundamentals contains selections from Gospel Principles, in the sense that it doesn’t have all the chapters that Gospel Principles contains. Many of the chapters are exact duplicates. I asked the store clerks what the difference was between the two books. Their answer: Gospel Principles is for people who are already members, Gospel Fundamentals is for people who are investigating the church who aren’t members yet. Guess what is missing from Gospel Fundamentals? Chapter 47 on exaltation. This is inline with the missionary strategy of “milk before meat.”

 

[mtolympus]

Thank you for that commentary it was very informative, except for the part of you quote “In our current mortal journey we are spiritual beings lost in a physical world”, is very debatable.

These are my own words and I agree they may be debatable. But I think they would be accepted by most LDS.

Forgive me if I was not clear in my question, about an LDS giving witness to his/her faith publicly?

I can speak from experience here, when an LDS expressed to me personally, who presented to me, an LDS exercise to read the scripture from the bible and correlate my feelings from the scripture reading;

My revised question is: How do you give witness of your LDS faith, by applying this exercise based from “feelings” and how does this “feeling” exercise relate to the Spirit? or is this not an official exercise presented by LDS members giving witness to their LDS faith?

I hope I understand your question. First of all the witness of the Spirit “feeling” is hard to explain. It is different with different individuals and in different situations. It could be a warm feeling in your heart, or clearity of mind and thought; or less often, like electricity that goes from your head down through your entire body; but most commonly it may simply be a feeling of well being.

The first experience may be dramatic but often it is not. Some say they did not feel anything. However, I have never seen anything happen until someone offers a prayer combined with an act of faith; such as read the Book of Mormon (act of faith) and prayer. I never seen anything happen without prayer.

It is not a one time experience. Latter-day Saints try to live by the Spirit by praying daily and continuing to live by the principles they have been taught. Obedience to the Lord’s commandments is the key to continued knowledge and understanding. Those who do not keep the commandments will lose the “Spirit” and usually become inactive or leave the church. Jesus said: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” (John 7:16-17) emphasis added

Our faith in Jesus Christ, by which we gain spiritual knowledge, is shown in our works: “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)

Acting on what we believe increases our faith, while an increase in our faith gives us a desire to continue in good works. Through this cycle of spiritual reinforcement, our faith will continue to grow. “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:22)

I would suggest anyone interested in this subject read, study and ponder the words of Jesus found in these 15 verses: Matthew 7:7-21.

Peace be with you

Thank you for your kindness.

 

[ADouglass]

Thank you mtolympus for being so specific.

The problem with attributing works with a specific act of faith is that their are many acts of faith that many religions don’t share, yet Christianity has this in common: we are to love God with all our might, mind, strength and spirit; and we are to love our neighbors as our selves. Any person who has the love of God will bear good fruit, regardless of what other doctrines you believe in (granted they aren’t seriously contradicting your love of God).

As for the specific feelings you mentioned. Do a search on the internet for people who have had similar feelings. Do these feelings always come from God? What makes you so sure that they come from God? I have had similar feelings, but guess what? If I used them as signs that something was true, then that means aliens from the planet Niburu created the human race.

I suggest going to this sight and listening the audio titled Miracles or Deceptions:

ancientfaith.com/podcasts/stevethebuilder

 

[JeanMichel]

Dude, I was LDS until I went to college. Most of my friends are LDS. You obviously haven’t read much into this because it is obvious that who is being referred to is God the Father. Notice this:

“This is the way our Heavenly Father became God. Joseph Smith taught: “It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of God. . . . He was once a man like us; . . . God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-46).”

The above quote is from an official LDS manual (on the official LDS website lds.org) titled “Gospel Principles,” from chapter 47.

What does it take for something to become canonized (considered scripture)? The main concern is that it must have been inspired by the Holy Ghost. Obviously, I don’t think the Holy Ghost inspired any of the so-called LDS prophets to reveal this. So, this leads me to investigate whether or not practicing mormons consider it inspired. They do. If they didn’t, then they obviously haven’t looked into it because every official statement by the LDS church supports this view. Answer me this: if it isn’t to be accepted as doctrine, why does the Gospel Principles manual clearly state that God the Father used to be a man like us? If it was just “musings,” why is it explicitly stated in a manual called Gospel Principles?

Dude is a little too casual for an old man; I most often prefer, “my brother in Christ Jesus”. Using such a salutation allows us to remember with whom we are speaking. I appreciate your history in the LDS Church and the fact that you have friends that are LDS at present. However, your life experience does not have a relationship to my life experience, my study, my friends, my knowledge, or my family. Let us not be too quick to judge what or who is superior. Some humility is always worth having when dealing with others.

We are discussing Mormonism which poses many questions and can easily appear to have a multitude of evolving doctrines that are not easily understood by Mormons much less others.

All I know is that it has not been added to their scripture. If it was of real value, it would have been added long ago. It was not and has not been. Why do you think that might be?

Also, if God was once a man as we are is not novel. We teach relatively often that Jesus was a man just like we are; he is our example, our Master, and our Savior. Is it shocking to you that another group would say that God was a man when we believe the same thing? Or are you saying that God was never a man? Alternatively, are you saying that our Triune God is somehow not one and it would make a significant difference that the Father was once a man and not just Jesus? For me, God condescended to be a man for each of us. Which one did it is meaningless; they are God and it was done.

Who is going to throw the first stone here? This is often used to sensationalize that which is not sensational, but is really the mundane.

 

[ADouglass]

Here are some LDS beliefs that can be used to help out the potential apostate from the LDS faith.

1. Satan and his followers knew us in the pre-existence.
2. Satan, who used to be Lucifer used to speak in authority in the presence of God the Father.
3. Satan and his followers have been on earth since the times of the Gardern of Eden, therefore, their knowledge of history (and thus, languages from all times) far surpasses any of ours.
4. Satan or any of his followers can appear as angels of light.
5. Satan mixes truth with falsehood to deceive (hmmm, I wonder what some examples of this might be?)
6. Satan does have some powers to control matter to make miracles.

Also, consider that LDS members are discouraged from learning about the powers of Satan and his followers. Consider that you will find no book whatsoever in an LDS bookstore that is on the topic of demons, casting out demons, the powers of Satan, etc. But you can find LDS books that do brush on the topic. They mention that one can be decieved by an angel of light, or have an example of a man flying around a room (actual levitation and smashing into things), possessed by a demon, or they may mention the powers that pharoahs magicians had, or the Story of Job. But the thing that is emphasized is that it is not beneficial to delve into the topic.

What can a person abstract from all of this? I think it is an obvious conspiracy (yes, I said conspiracy) to avoid any confrontation about whether or not Joseph Smith was a follower of Satan. Also, see what Joseph Smith said about Mohammed, then read the Quran–nevermind, don’t do this unless you are skeptical about what Smith said about Mohammed.

 

[ADouglass]

Dude is a little too casual for an old man; I most often prefer, “my brother in Christ Jesus”. Using such a salutation allows us to remember with whom we are speaking. I appreciate your history in the LDS Church and the fact that you have friends that are LDS at present. However, your life experience does not have a relationship to my life experience, my study, my friends, my knowledge, or my family. Let us not be too quick to judge what or who is superior. Some humility is always worth having when dealing with others.

We are discussing Mormonism which poses many questions and can easily appear to have a multitude of evolving doctrines that are not easily understood by Mormons much less others.

All I know is that it has not been added to their scripture. If it was of real value, it would have been added long ago. It was not and has not been. Why do you think that might be?

Also, if God was once a man as we are is not novel. We teach relatively often that Jesus was a man just like we are; he is our example, our Master, and our Savior. Is it shocking to you that another group would say that God was a man when we believe the same thing? Or are you saying that God was never a man? Alternatively, are you saying that our Triune God is somehow not one and it would make a significant difference that the Father was once a man and not just Jesus? For me, God condescended to be a man for each of us. Which one did it is meaningless; they are God and it was done.

Who is going to throw the first stone here? This is often used to sensationalize that which is not sensational, but is really the mundane.

Yes, God became man. Jesus is God. I can’t believe you are missing the point that just because something isn’t in the Standard Works doesn’t mean that it is not scripture (they are not Catholic). Show me sources from the lds website or something of equal authority that says that just because something is not included in the Standard Works that this means it is not scripture (you won’t find any). In fact, you will find that their trust is more in the current “prophet” than in any of their scriptures.

Do you realize that the LDS people use Gospel Principles at Sunday School as the final authority in interpreting scripture (aside from their own delusions about being influenced by the Holy Ghost)? Now, why would this be? Notice how in the newer editions of Gospel Principles the words “This is how our Heavenly Father became God” are left out, for reasons apparent to all but the most deluded of mormons.

To answer the question “why isn’t the doctrine that God the Father is an exalted man in the Standard Works?” Ask any mormon with temple experience why important things aren’t in the Standard Works and they will tell you that some things are best not talked about outside of a sacred environment. Notice that members of this church break many of their rules, which is why we know about their notions about godhood and have pictures of them wearing nothing but their “garments.”

I understand that their are mormons out there who don’t accept the idea that God the Father is an exalted man (that at one point he wasn’t our God). Other doctrines that lead one to the conclusion that God wasn’t always our God have been eradicated from the Gospel Principles manual in recent editions, which seems to me that soon most mormons will reject the idea that God wasn’t always our God. Thus showing once again that mormons have a habit of contradiction as time moves on.

Anyways. I will accept your rebuke about me being disrespectful. I understand that I have been a smarta-- and arrogant, not to mention of a low-class perspective at times. I am only 23, but this is no excuse. I stand as a witness that it was my decision to act in a manner not pleasing to God.

More on what mormons believe about God being an exalted man later, perhaps in a new thread.

This thread has served its purpose to ellicit a response from a mormon about what constitutes said good feelings. I hope everyone has learned from this.

 

[Stephen168]

You may want to read John Paul II work entitled “Fides et Ratio”. It will enlighten your approach to the topic and state clearly when faith is enough when reason fails.

By telling him to read ‘Fides et Ratio,’ you are suggesting the Pope would agree with the Mormon ‘burning in the bosom” approach to faith at the expense of reason. Your suggestion if factually untrue.

 

[KathleenGee]

Feelings can refer to a number of things…falling in love, and then may be 6 months later, contempt.

What the passages of Scripture refer to are the effects after the event.

Jesus’ last visitation was at Emmaus. He interpreted everything in Scripture, and He ended with a meal and the Breaking of Bread…in essence the first Mass. He was never to come back, because His mission was now done. He was no longer needed in that form.

It was now the work of the Church to be the presence of Christ in the world, and our nurturing guide in our walk in salvation, and in extending Christ’s kingdom to others.

So to understand the continued work of Christ in people, it all does not just end with Scripture, it continues on in the Church in the lives of the saints, parishes, ecclesiastics, and the good and the bad…just as we have found in stories regarding faith in the bible.

 

[rdscheirer]

Morman is alot like Muslim in that they follow the one true path to God via what their founders said.

 

[ADouglass]

For those of you interested, here is what an LDS forum has to say about a few things that I brough up during this thread, including what is considered scripture, the nature of God, and the finality of judgement. Since it isn’t clear what is meant by eternal, they also must admit ignorance of what is meant by final, as you will see from their posts. lds.net/forums/learn-about-mormon-church/37700-attaining-god-hood.html

 

[JeanMichel]

Here are some LDS beliefs that can be used to help out the potential apostate from the LDS faith.

1. Satan and his followers knew us in the pre-existence.
2. Satan, who used to be Lucifer used to speak in authority in the presence of God the Father.
3. Satan and his followers have been on earth since the times of the Gardern of Eden, therefore, their knowledge of history (and thus, languages from all times) far surpasses any of ours.
4. Satan or any of his followers can appear as angels of light.
5. Satan mixes truth with falsehood to deceive (hmmm, I wonder what some examples of this might be?)
6. Satan does have some powers to control matter to make miracles.

Also, consider that LDS members are discouraged from learning about the powers of Satan and his followers. Consider that you will find no book whatsoever in an LDS bookstore that is on the topic of demons, casting out demons, the powers of Satan, etc. But you can find LDS books that do brush on the topic. They mention that one can be decieved by an angel of light, or have an example of a man flying around a room (actual levitation and smashing into things), possessed by a demon, or they may mention the powers that pharoahs magicians had, or the Story of Job. But the thing that is emphasized is that it is not beneficial to delve into the topic.

What can a person abstract from all of this? I think it is an obvious conspiracy (yes, I said conspiracy) to avoid any confrontation about whether or not Joseph Smith was a follower of Satan. Also, see what Joseph Smith said about Mohammed, then read the Quran–nevermind, don’t do this unless you are skeptical about what Smith said about Mohammed.

And how is this germane to the topic at hand? Strange; there is no relevance to what was being discussed.

 

[jlhargus]

Fundamentally, we come back to the same question, how do know when we are being guided by the Holy Spirit? It is a great topic.

JL: 1Jn2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 THEY WENT OUT FROM US, but they were not of US; for if they had been of US, they would no doubt have continued with US: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of US 20 But YE HAVE AN UNCTION FROM THE HOLY ONE, and YE KNOW ALL THINGS. 21 I HAVE NOT WRITTEN unto you BECAUSE YE KNOW NOT THE TRUTH, but because YE KNOW IT, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 … 23… 24 LET THAT therefore ABIDE IN YOU, WHICH YE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING. IF THAT WHICH YE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING shall REMAIN IN YOU, YE also SHALL CONTINUE IN THE SON, AND in the FATHER. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, EVEN ETERNAL LIFE. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But THE ANOINTING which YE HAVE RECEIVED OF HIM ABIDETH IN YOU, and YE NEED NOT that ANY MAN TEACH YOU: but as the same ANOINTING TEACHETH YOU ALL THINGS, AND IS TRUTH, and is no lie, and EVEN AS IT HATH TAUGHT YOU, YE SHALL ABIDE IN HIM.

THE ANOINTING (UNCTION) YE HAVE RECEIVED OF HIM. That is grace, the knowledge, wisdom and strength, from the Holy Spirit, the seven gifts, received thru the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. That UNCTION gives us wisdom, to hold THAT-TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL, WHICH WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING, ALLOWING IT TO ABIDE IN US. Note, not what we have read and formed our own opinion. In other words the gospel as preached by the SENT Apostolic Fellowship, the Church the pillar and ground of truth, 1Tm3:15. That which we have HEARD from the beginning, if we allow it to abide in our hearts WE KNOW THE TRUTH and will not be deceived, by those teaching another gospel.

The (UNCTION) ANOINTING TEACHETH YOU ALL THINGS. The anointing teaches those of the Household of God to remain faithful to the word, that abideth in them, that which they have RECEIVED FROM THE BEGINNING, as proclaimed in the Church by those SENT to proclaim the gospel. In unity with that TEACHING magisterium, the pope and bishops of the world, Mt28:16-20, we share in the Holy Spirit promised to lead the Church into all truth, Jn16:13. We have the knowledge necessary not to be deceived and led astray, by every wind of doctrine the mind of man can devise.

Those NOT SENT go out, on their own authority, teaching another gospel of their own design, [Acts15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that **CERTAIN which WENT OUT FROM US have troubled you with words, SUBVERTING YOUR SOULS, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: TO WHOM WE GAVE NO SUCH COMMANDMENT:] [Acts15:28 For **IT SEEMED GOOD TO THE HOLY GHOST, AND TO US, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;] The Holy Spirit guides that magisterium (TEACHING AUTHORITY) into all TRUTH.

[1Cor 1:9 God is faithful you were called into THE FELLOWSHIP OF his Son JESUS CHRIST 10 I appeal to you BREATHREN by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you AGREE that there be no dissensions among you that you BE UNITED in the same mind and THE SAME JUDGMENT.] [1Jn 4:6 We are of God Whoever knows God **LISTENS TO US and he who is not of God DOES NOT LISTEN TO US BY THIS WE KNOW the spirit of TRUTH and the spirit of ERROR]

2Cor5:20 Now then WE are ambassadors for Christ, AS THOUGH GOD DID BESEECH YOU BY US: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Therefore we do not listen to men, who go out on there own authority, the spirit of error, to be taken in by false teachers and every wind of doctrine men can devise.

[2TIM 1:13 HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS, which thou hast HEARD OF ME, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was COMMITTED unto THEE KEEP BY THE HOLY GHOST which dwelleth IN US.] The Holy Spirit KEEPs that Apostolic Tradition. Thru those given the GIFT of the Holy Spirit in succession thru Holy Orders (ordination). That TEACHING AUTHORITY (MAGISTERIUM) SENT by our Lord to TEACH his people till the END.

Mt28:16 Then THE ELEVEN disciples WENT away into Galilee, INTO A MOUNTAIN where JESUS had APPOINTED them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And JESUS came and SPAKE UNTO THEM, saying, ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. 19 GO ye therefore, and TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING ** them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS whatsoever I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: and, lo, ** I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. Amen.]

Paul even checked his teaching with that one fellowship. [Gal2:1 Then fourteen years after I WENT UP AGAIN TO JERUSALEM with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up BY REVELATION, and COMMUNICATED UNTO THEM that GOSPEL which I PREACH among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, LEST BY ANY MEANS I SHOULD run, or HAD RUN, IN VAIN.] Paul went by revelation to check his teaching with the pillar and ground of TRUTH.

 

[lax16]

Interesting story about how music is used to encourage feelings in potential convert:

ldsmag.com/index.php?option=com_zine&view=article&Itemid=3&ac=1&id=7466

 

[Annie_B]

WHile I do not agree totally with the title of this thread, I do have a question for Catholics (or any religion for that matter):
Do you or do you not “feel good” about your religious beliefs and practices? If you practice or believe something you do not “feel good” about, WHY? Just wondering…
Annie