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wyp8riot
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Here are some main differences between the CATHOLIC religion and that of THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day saints
I didn’t write this but I believe it clearly outlines some of the main differences and I dont agree these are three of the main differences.
"The first, and probably most important, of our differences is in the area of authority. We do agree with Catholics in that the authority to perform ordinance must come from God and in an orderly way. It must be passed down from one man with the authority to another. It is not something that someone can just take unto himself. However, we do not believe that the Popes represent an unbroken chain of authority leading back to Jesus. We believe that the authority to act in the name of God was lost not long after the end of the ministries of Jesus’ apostles. We believe that it had to be and was restored to Earth when Peter, James, and John appeared as heavenly messengers, sent by Christ, and conferred the authority on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry.
Now I wrote that this is probably the most important difference. I assert this because we can’t both be right. If the Catholics are right, then they are right about everything else they believe. The same is true if we Latter-day Saints are right about the source of our authority then we are the true church. Obviously there are sincere believers on both sides.
Another area where we disagree is in the area of a professional clergy. In the Catholic Church, as with most Christian denominations, being a preacher is a career. The minister goes to school to learn how to be a preacher. One of the problems with a professional clergy is that in many cases the minister is beholden to the people who hire him to teach what they want to hear rather then what his conscience might dictate. If he doesn’t, then his congregation is likely to fire him. (This is probably more of a problem with protestant churches that lack a strong hierarchal structure than it is with the Catholic Church.) Having a full-time minister also deprives the membership of opportunities for service. In our church, we have a lay ministry. None of the positions of authority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints are paid positions. Our leaders provide for their own material needs by working at some career. Since they are busy making a living and raising families, they don’t have time to do all of the things that a career minister would do. So, these responsibilities are spread among the members of the congregation. Those that preside over the congregation call on various members to give the sermons each week among other things. This gives us all opportunities to serve each other, draw closer together as a congregation, and better learn the Gospel.
Another area of disagreement is in the area of baptism. Catholic believe that we are all born with the stain of original sin. Therefore, we must be baptized in order to be cleansed of Adams transgression. This leads to the practice of baptizing infants lest they should die and be condemned. We believe that we are born innocent. Christ’s atonement paid the price of Adam’s transgression. It is only when we become mature enough to know good from evil that we become capable of committing sin and, therefore, it is only at that point that we need to be baptized."
I would add to the above comments that as part of the beliefs of the LDS faith as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we allow men to believe and worship as they may. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints we should not name call and call other religions cults or non Christians, etc.
My personal belief is that “Saints” and “Christians” are those that live the teachings of Christ to the best of their ability and knowledge.
I didn’t write this but I believe it clearly outlines some of the main differences and I dont agree these are three of the main differences.
"The first, and probably most important, of our differences is in the area of authority. We do agree with Catholics in that the authority to perform ordinance must come from God and in an orderly way. It must be passed down from one man with the authority to another. It is not something that someone can just take unto himself. However, we do not believe that the Popes represent an unbroken chain of authority leading back to Jesus. We believe that the authority to act in the name of God was lost not long after the end of the ministries of Jesus’ apostles. We believe that it had to be and was restored to Earth when Peter, James, and John appeared as heavenly messengers, sent by Christ, and conferred the authority on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry.
Now I wrote that this is probably the most important difference. I assert this because we can’t both be right. If the Catholics are right, then they are right about everything else they believe. The same is true if we Latter-day Saints are right about the source of our authority then we are the true church. Obviously there are sincere believers on both sides.
Another area where we disagree is in the area of a professional clergy. In the Catholic Church, as with most Christian denominations, being a preacher is a career. The minister goes to school to learn how to be a preacher. One of the problems with a professional clergy is that in many cases the minister is beholden to the people who hire him to teach what they want to hear rather then what his conscience might dictate. If he doesn’t, then his congregation is likely to fire him. (This is probably more of a problem with protestant churches that lack a strong hierarchal structure than it is with the Catholic Church.) Having a full-time minister also deprives the membership of opportunities for service. In our church, we have a lay ministry. None of the positions of authority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints are paid positions. Our leaders provide for their own material needs by working at some career. Since they are busy making a living and raising families, they don’t have time to do all of the things that a career minister would do. So, these responsibilities are spread among the members of the congregation. Those that preside over the congregation call on various members to give the sermons each week among other things. This gives us all opportunities to serve each other, draw closer together as a congregation, and better learn the Gospel.
Another area of disagreement is in the area of baptism. Catholic believe that we are all born with the stain of original sin. Therefore, we must be baptized in order to be cleansed of Adams transgression. This leads to the practice of baptizing infants lest they should die and be condemned. We believe that we are born innocent. Christ’s atonement paid the price of Adam’s transgression. It is only when we become mature enough to know good from evil that we become capable of committing sin and, therefore, it is only at that point that we need to be baptized."
I would add to the above comments that as part of the beliefs of the LDS faith as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we allow men to believe and worship as they may. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints we should not name call and call other religions cults or non Christians, etc.
My personal belief is that “Saints” and “Christians” are those that live the teachings of Christ to the best of their ability and knowledge.
