LDS and Catholic Differences

  • Thread starter Thread starter wyp8riot
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
sablouwho said:
Yes, it is a formula for prayer. But it doesn’t only have to be a formula. It doesn’t have to be an “either/or” situation. Instead, I see it as a “both/and”… Seems to me that either written prayers AND extemporaneous ones can BOTH be sincere, or insincere, depending on the heart of the person saying the prayer.
Click to expand...
Exactly. 🙂
 
sablouwho said:
That said, I have been quite impressed that some people seem to have a real gift for extemporaneous prayer. I’ve definitely noticed that among my LDS friends–I am sure practice helps!
Click to expand...
What is most important is listening to the spirit and establishing that communication so that when one prays for others, one can feel THEIR “intentions” and needs and pray for what they need as well.

I have heard many publically voiced prayers which are expressing exactly my own wishes and concerns, so that ideally every prayer becomes another example of spiritual unity in a congregation, not unlike a sacrament meeting-- that sense of “communion” and being one body can be in each offered prayer if we are filled with the spirit.

I am not saying that is not possible with a repeated prayer, but it can be an extremely touching experience to hear another actually saying the words you would say and praying for what is on your own mind and known only to you and God.
 
RebeccaJ said:
While an atheist, I was with a group of LDS around a conference table, for a business meeting, when someone said, “let’s pray”. I looked around thinking, what? Where, they all proceeded to kneel around the conference table, the guy heading our discussion looked at me and said, “Rebecca, would you like to lead us in prayer?” I hadn’t prayed one word for years, but I remembered the Mormon formula for praying, and pulled it off. Obviously, what I said in that “prayer” had no meaning to me whatsoever, other than, getting through it.

I told a friend about it later, who also knew some of the people in my meeting. She said they told her I did fine. phew!
Click to expand...
That is quite bizarre to me, to be honest.

Only in Utah, I guess.
 
AMDGtoo said:
Yes, I’ve noticed that the LDS seem to think more of “appearances”.
Click to expand...
Zing

go the strings of my heart.

And what do Catholics think more about? I bet is the “good stuff” right? Catholics are deep, Mormons are shallow.

Very good one.
 
mfbukowski said:
I am not saying that is not possible with a repeated prayer, but it can be an extremely touching experience to hear another actually saying the words you would say and praying for what is on your own mind and known only to you and God.
Click to expand...
Indeed, I have had experiences like this and they have been, in some cases, extremely moving.
 
mfbukowski said:
Zing

go the strings of my heart.

And what do Catholics think more about? I bet is the “good stuff” right? Catholics are deep, Mormons are shallow.

Very good one.
Click to expand...
As I’m sure you’re aware, we have plenty of “shallow” Catholics, trust me. People are people. To paint any group with a broad brush just isn’t fair to anyone.
 
Prodigal_Son1 said:
And Christ prayed a third time with the selfsame words. Was He not sincere?

Are those in heaven who repeat the same thing over and over without resting day or night not really singing the praises of God?
Click to expand...
And who wrote the words he prayed three times? What book did he get them out of?

There is a difference between saying the same words which you took out of your heart three times and saying something someone else wrote hundreds of times, but I guess you don’t see the difference.

And regarding heaven, I think you are right. Catholics there will have the opportunity to do exactly that, to sing the same praises eternally. I firmly believe that. That is what you expect to do, and that is what you will do.
 
mfbukowski said:
And regarding heaven, I think you are right. Catholics there will have the opportunity to do exactly that, to sing the same praises eternally. I firmly believe that. That is what you expect to do, and that is what you will do.
Click to expand...
You’re channeling ParkerD.
 
mfbukowski said:
What is most important is listening to the spirit and establishing that communication so that when one prays for others, one can feel THEIR “intentions” and needs and pray for what they need as well.

I have heard many publically voiced prayers which are expressing exactly my own wishes and concerns, so that ideally every prayer becomes another example of spiritual unity in a congregation, not unlike a sacrament meeting-- that sense of “communion” and being one body can be in each offered prayer if we are filled with the spirit.

I am not saying that is not possible with a repeated prayer, but it can be an extremely touching experience to hear another actually saying the words you would say and praying for what is on your own mind and known only to you and God.
Click to expand...
Understanding that we, as the human family, have very similar needs, concerns and longings helps in formulating spontaneous prayer and speaking to others hearts.

Maybe I’ve missed it in these posts, but I think that people need to realize that one of the greatest reasons for “memorized” prayers are for the purpose of a communal prayer; individuals praying together as a community. This could happen in a Church setting or even around the family dinner table. Private prayer can take various forms, but they are all legitimate. One is not necessarily better than another. To those who are not familiar with the actual prayer of the rosary, it may sound like “vain repetition”. Those that are familiar understand that the purpose of the prayer is to meditate upon the life of Christ through the various “mysteries”. Someone said “those who can’t hear the music think the dancer is daft”. I think that really applies in this situation. Sincerity is in the heart and should not be judged by anyone.
 
mfbukowski said:
There is a difference between saying the same words which you took out of your heart three times and saying something someone else wrote hundreds of times
Click to expand...
If something is said from the heart, with attention, faith, and love, it doesn’t matter one bit who first composed it or how many times anyone has said it.

If something is said without attention, faith, or love, it doesn’t matter one bit how original the composition is.
 
mfbukowski said:
And who wrote the words he prayed three times? What book did he get them out of?

There is a difference between saying the same words which you took out of your heart three times and saying something someone else wrote hundreds of times, but I guess you don’t see the difference.

And regarding heaven, I think you are right. Catholics there will have the opportunity to do exactly that, to sing the same praises eternally. I firmly believe that. That is what you expect to do, and that is what you will do.
Click to expand...
What a twist, according to your own private judgement against Catholics. :rolleyes:

And the prayer/song for Mormons is from the heart each time? There’s no difference and you’re now using a double standard. 🤷
 
sablouwho said:
If you don’t care for written or formulaic prayers, I think that’s fine. But it doesn’t mean that others don’t find them useful or deeply meaningful.
Click to expand...
As an ex-Catholic, I know that you are right about this, but I think that actually thinking about them makes it more likely that they will be from my heart.

Many’s the time I remember rattling off an “Our Father” or an act of contrition just before dozing off at night and figuring I was “covered”, which perhaps I was- at least I remembered to pray and the intention of communication was there, but I have found that now when I actually have to think about the day’s events, and review them mentally and speak to my Father it is much more likely that I will try to have genuine communication.

It’s a question, to me, of which practice makes it more likely that you will have spiritual communication, and at least for me, I find that the odds are in my favor without memorized prayer.

It’s like physical training- which exercise will get you closer to your goal, and practice makes perfect.

Your experience could vary, especially coming from a “non-praying” background- it will give you some solid roots to grow from, but maybe you will find that you will no longer need the “crutch”, and as far as I know, Catholics have no problem obviously with praying extemporaneously.
 
RebeccaJ said:
Don’t be such a fragile flower. I never said good appearances were a bad thing.

:flowers:
Click to expand...
It just gets tiring. I really don’t know why I hang out here at all

You should post at MADB - we could probably have some intelligent discussions instead of all this stuff here, but then I suppose you would be in the “hot seat”.

But honestly, I think that board is a lot more tolerant to Catholics than this one is to Mormons.
 
SteveVH said:
Understanding that we, as the human family, have very similar needs, concerns and longings helps in formulating spontaneous prayer and speaking to others hearts.

Maybe I’ve missed it in these posts, but I think that people need to realize that one of the greatest reasons for “memorized” prayers are for the purpose of a communal prayer; individuals praying together as a community. This could happen in a Church setting or even around the family dinner table. Private prayer can take various forms, but they are all legitimate. One is not necessarily better than another. To those who are not familiar with the actual prayer of the rosary, it may sound like “vain repetition”. Those that are familiar understand that the purpose of the prayer is to meditate upon the life of Christ through the various “mysteries”. Someone said “those who can’t hear the music think the dancer is daft”. I think that really applies in this situation. Sincerity is in the heart and should not be judged by anyone.
Click to expand...
I don’t think it is good to meditate with mantras, though I do meditate. I am taking you to mean “meditate” as in eastern meditation, but I suppose you are not. I think you are using the word as a synonymous with “ponder” or “deeply think about” but sometimes it is hard to draw the line.

I recall as a kid responding to litanies which I found very hypnotic. I think that is not a good thing; sometimes it felt like I was being assimilated into the Borg or something.

Whatever floats your boat I guess.
 
mfbukowski said:
It’s a question, to me, of which practice makes it more likely that you will have spiritual communication
Click to expand...
Neither practice makes communication more or less likely. Communication is not something accomplished by mere technique. 🤷
mfbukowski said:
as far as I know, Catholics have no problem obviously with praying extemporaneously.
Click to expand...
Nope. Both are entirely legitimate ways of praying. I think everyone should engage in both.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top