LDS church publishes an article teaching about Lent

  • Thread starter Thread starter zaffiroborant
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
lax16 said:
I have heard comments from Mormons like this for years. We also commit sin all week and then go to confession on Saturdays.

I was also told by a Mormon that the Catholic Church sponsors Mardi Gras in New Orleans and condones all of the rowdy behavior in preparation for Lent.

Never bothered to check the facts.
Click to expand...
I did a bit of checking. The article is written by a 24 year old RM who has aspiration of being a writer. He was a bit older when he went on mission (21) and so hasn’t been home very long.

Since the article has been removed, I’m guessing that the website knows he got it wrong.

Looks like the editor of the website didn’t do their job.

With that in mind, the title of this thread is wrong. The LDS Church didn’t write this article. Just one of their naive RM’s
 
Marie5890 said:
I did a bit of checking. The article is written by a 24 year old RM who has aspiration of being a writer. He was a bit older when he went on mission (21) and so hasn’t been home very long.

Since the article has been removed, I’m guessing that the website knows he got it wrong.

Looks like the editor of the website didn’t do their job.

With that in mind, the title of this thread is wrong. The LDS Church didn’t write this article. Just one of their naive RM’s
Click to expand...
RM?

And glad the website saw the error of what they posted if that’s in fact why they took it down.
 
Marie5890 said:
I did a bit of checking. The article is written by a 24 year old RM who has aspiration of being a writer. He was a bit older when he went on mission (21) and so hasn’t been home very long.

Since the article has been removed, I’m guessing that the website knows he got it wrong.

Looks like the editor of the website didn’t do their job.

With that in mind, the title of this thread is wrong. The LDS Church didn’t write this article. Just one of their naive RM’s
Click to expand...
Hi Marie -
Sounds about right. It’s good to point out that the LDS church didn’t write it.

Most Mormons I know, or live around here in Utah, do not understand Catholic teaching nor do they ask. This is an example of the many misconceptions that go unchecked.
 
I have found that most have thoughts about other churches that are not accurate.

I guess sometimes it is best to look at what unites us
 
TexanKnight said:
I have found that most have thoughts about other churches that are not accurate.

I guess sometimes it is best to look at what unites us
Click to expand...
Hi Texan Knight -

Yes that is true.

Missionaries are not discussing what unites us, I am sure, because they want to convince others to leave their faith for Mormonism.

Mormonism is built on being different than other religions, wouldn’t you agree?
 
lax16 said:
Hi Texan Knight -

Yes that is true.

Missionaries are not discussing what unites us, I am sure, because they want to convince others to leave their faith for Mormonism.

Mormonism is built on being different than other religions, wouldn’t you agree?
Click to expand...
I think most Churches are built on being different. When I was Catholic, we Catholics prided ourselves on being different.

The Missionaries are discussing their beliefs to people like Catholic Missionaries do. But, this is not the mission field for either. This is a debate/discussion board. I have seen many posters proclaim things about other churches that are not accurate. It happens when we do not know the full stories.

So, we DO have many ideas that unite us. As I watch the state of the world, I believe it would be much better for believers to unite in faith…that is not to say that we all become one Church (Though the Book of Hebrews DOES talk about One Faith, One Hope). Just that beievers stand against those who would practically criminalize believing in God.
 
TexanKnight said:
I think most Churches are built on being different. When I was Catholic, we Catholics prided ourselves on being different.
Click to expand...
Different than who?
The Missionaries are discussing their beliefs to people like Catholic Missionaries do. But, this is not the mission field for either. This is a debate/discussion board. I have seen many posters proclaim things about other churches that are not accurate. It happens when we do not know the full stories.
Click to expand...
I have seen posters claim things about a religion that they used to belong to then do a 180.🤷
So, we DO have many ideas that unite us. As I watch the state of the world, I believe it would be much better for believers to unite in faith…that is not to say that we all become one Church (Though the Book of Hebrews DOES talk about One Faith, One Hope). Just that beievers stand against those who would practically criminalize believing in God.
Click to expand...
Yes, we can find common ground in certain areas.
 
lax16 said:
Hi Texan Knight -

Yes that is true.

Missionaries are not discussing what unites us, I am sure, because they want to convince others to leave their faith for Mormonism.

Mormonism is built on being different than other religions, wouldn’t you agree?
Click to expand...
I think it’s fair to say that they don’t really know enough to discuss what is similar, at least not beyond a very surface, “we have this in common”.

Any one who is well versed in their own faith’s theology will soon run into those core differences quickly, at least when it comes to non-Trinitarian sects like Mormonism or JW etc.

And if anyone’s main goal IS conversion, that tends to end a discussion.
It’s one thing to share one’s beliefs as a way of building bridges. It’s another thing to share one’s belief in order to convert.

In this informational and technological age, at least in the developed countries, it’s really kind of funny in my mind.
People can do their own research and ask for clarification if needed. Active convert seeking really isn’t necessary.
 
Marie5890 said:
People can do their own research and ask for clarification if needed. Active convert seeking really isn’t necessary.
Click to expand...
I would disagree. Jesus taught in person, and that still is the best method today-- be the light and the salt of the world. Face-to-face communication is most effective: you see a whole person, their faith, fears, desires, humanity, etc. You can listen to them and share yours. Face-to-face communication also allows for personalization of the conversation, getting your specific questions addressed. You’re also generally get better information than a random Google search.

When I was trying to understand Catholicism better, I went to the local parish to ask questions and learn… honestly it didn’t go over very well (I’m guessing due to bad luck). I then turned to on-line searches, got bombarded with all sorts of info- much of it obviously junk, and little of it which seemed to directly address my questions. I then came to CF to talk to people here, and had a bit more luck.

I wish that they did have a Catholic missionary I could have just talked to-- it would have greatly simplified my quest and saved lots of angry frustration.
 
jane_doe said:
I would disagree. Jesus taught in person, and that still is the best method today-- be the light and the salt of the world. Face-to-face communication is most effective: you see a whole person, their faith, fears, desires, humanity, etc. You can listen to them and share yours. Face-to-face communication also allows for personalization of the conversation, getting your specific questions addressed. You’re also generally get better information than a random Google search.

When I was trying to understand Catholicism better, I went to the local parish to ask questions and learn… honestly it didn’t go over very well (I’m guessing due to bad luck). I then turned to on-line searches, got bombarded with all sorts of info- much of it obviously junk, and little of it which seemed to directly address my questions. I then came to CF to talk to people here, and had a bit more luck.

I wish that they did have a Catholic missionary I could have just talked to-- it would have greatly simplified my quest and saved lots of angry frustration.
Click to expand...
Who did you talk to at the parish - a priest? What bad luck did you have?
 
jane_doe said:
I would disagree. Jesus taught in person, and that still is the best method today-- be the light and the salt of the world. Face-to-face communication is most effective: you see a whole person, their faith, fears, desires, humanity, etc. You can listen to them and share yours. Face-to-face communication also allows for personalization of the conversation, getting your specific questions addressed. You’re also generally get better information than a random Google search.

When I was trying to understand Catholicism better, I went to the local parish to ask questions and learn… honestly it didn’t go over very well (I’m guessing due to bad luck). I then turned to on-line searches, got bombarded with all sorts of info- much of it obviously junk, and little of it which seemed to directly address my questions. I then came to CF to talk to people here, and had a bit more luck.

I wish that they did have a Catholic missionary I could have just talked to-- it would have greatly simplified my quest and saved lots of angry frustration.
Click to expand...
But the people who Christ taught came to Him. He didn’t go around knocking on doors. He just made Himself available to those who choose to sit and listen. And when they walked away, He didn’t go after them. He let them walk away (John 6).

Catholic missionaries are more about serving and less about preaching, so you don’t find them in the local parishes.

Not sure when you went to your local parish who you asked to talk with? The parish priest and/or deacon should have navigated you who could answer your questions. 🙂
 
lax16 said:
Who did you talk to at the parish - a priest? What bad luck did you have?
Click to expand...
This was right before Holy Week, so I didn’t want to bother the super busy priest. Nor could I if I had wanted to (lack of contact information). Instead I talked to the choir director, choir members, some important lady (I don’t remember her title, sorry), and average parishioners. Overall… I got a lot of vibes going who-is-this-random-person-and-please-make-her-go-away. Few people seemed interested in talking about their faith, or answering questions. The few that did… I found the answers very unsatisfactory and they couldn’t/won’t go deeper.

I’ve been to enough churches to know that striking out on talking to people doesn’t mean that there aren’t good people to talk to, hence I blame it mostly on luck. Maybe I just drew the short straw as far a people to talk to that day, maybe it was a bad parish, maybe I had bad breath. Something just didn’t click.

(And yes, I’ve been told to go to RCIA- the only one within 50 miles of me doesn’t match my schedule. My open time of year is spring, falls are super busy. And I’m interested in Catholicism as a matter of friendliness/respect/curiosity, not for conversion).
 
jane_doe said:
And I’m interested in Catholicism as a matter of friendliness/respect/curiosity, not for conversion).
Click to expand...
You lament the lack of Catholic missionaries to go to just to learn, and see RCIA as a method of conversion. You seem to think that LDS missionaries don’t try to convert people, that they are there just around to let people know about the LDS church with nary an idea of converting. The LDS missionaries use sales tactics (the pushy commitment pattern tactic is really annoying) to get people to commit to baptism within the first or second meeting. The person who meets with the missionaries will be added to the current missionaries list of contacts so that even if they leave the area future missionaries will continue to contact them for the purpose of conversion. Would you talk with Catholic missionaries who behaved like LDS missionaries do, would you think that someone who asked you to be baptized in the Catholic church after an hour of instruction was just teaching you Catholic beliefs?
 
Jane_Doe,

In case you ever want to do the non-personal type of research into Catholicism (which is what I did when I became curious and interested), I used such resources as the Catechism of the Catholic Church ( you can find free online copies), the Vatican website, the New Advent website, and for me, EWTN (Catholic tv station. But it has changed it’s programing significantly over the past 5 years or so). There is also a really great DVD series by Bishop Robert Barron (then a priest) called simply “Catholicism”

If you like the more personal touch, then yes, then CAF is a good place.

I think the one of the most basic things to understand Catholicism is what is known as the three legs of it. Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition (big T and not little t. There are many traditions and devotions within Catholicism that are not doctrinal, but are little t traditions. The Rosary would fall into that, for example) and the Magisterium (IE the teaching office of the Church.)

And since you are LDS, I would offer a piece of friendly wisdom. Many LDS think that Mormonism and Catholicism are similar because of the LDS is seen as the restoration and the Universal church is the remenant of an apostacy, and thus proof of that apostasy . Truth is, the more I studied, the more I realized that is really more of a myth than not. Yes both have an all male hierarchy and all male priesthood, but the “this is similar to that” really doesn’t hold up if one really understands the different teachings and different traditions.

I’ll give you a brief example. The Eucharist is like the partaking of the Sacrament each week.
No if one looks at the doctrines, the more accurate parallel would be, partaking of the Eucharist would be like going to the temple. IE a personal encounter with the Lord.

The partaking of the LDS Sacrament would be more of a parallel of a Catholic blessings themselves with Holy Water (a renewal of baptismal promises)

Not sure if that makes sense. But I guess what I am saying is that a Mormon needs to suspend their quick and basic understanding of Catholicism in how it is similar to Mormonism because more than likely, the doctrines are haven’t been properly understood
 
zaffiroborant said:
You lament the lack of Catholic missionaries to go to just to learn, and see RCIA as a method of conversion. You seem to think that LDS missionaries don’t try to convert people, that they are there just around to let people know about the LDS church with nary an idea of converting. The LDS missionaries use sales tactics (the pushy commitment pattern tactic is really annoying) to get people to commit to baptism within the first or second meeting. The person who meets with the missionaries will be added to the current missionaries list of contacts so that even if they leave the area future missionaries will continue to contact them for the purpose of conversion. Would you talk with Catholic missionaries who behaved like LDS missionaries do, would you think that someone who asked you to be baptized in the Catholic church after an hour of instruction was just teaching you Catholic beliefs?
Click to expand...
Yes, one can’t just meet with Mormon missionaries for the sake of learning more about Mormonism without them making you a target for baptism.

They really really need to back off the whole get someone to commit to baptism PDQ. It’s like they have a monthly goal number (well, I have been told that at least in the past, they do)

And yes, they do have marketing techniques that they use.
Sad and pathetic if you ask me.
Just let them serve in the area that they are assigned and don’t aim for baptism. If people are interested, they will seek further, if not, then let them be.

🤷
 
zaffiroborant said:
Not really impressed by it, what do you think of it?
Here is the link to the church on-line magazine, to read the whole thing you have click on the link “read the rest of the story” at the bottom.
Click to expand...
They look like really nice people. I wish we were all together, working together as one instead of disjointed and broken up into competing sects. Imagine what we could achieve for humanity if we were only united.
 
jane_doe said:
This was right before Holy Week, so I didn’t want to bother the super busy priest. Nor could I if I had wanted to (lack of contact information). Instead I talked to the choir director, choir members, some important lady (I don’t remember her title, sorry), and average parishioners. Overall… I got a lot of vibes going who-is-this-random-person-and-please-make-her-go-away. Few people seemed interested in talking about their faith, or answering questions. The few that did… I found the answers very unsatisfactory and they couldn’t/won’t go deeper.

I’ve been to enough churches to know that striking out on talking to people doesn’t mean that there aren’t good people to talk to, hence I blame it mostly on luck. Maybe I just drew the short straw as far a people to talk to that day, maybe it was a bad parish, maybe I had bad breath. Something just didn’t click.

(And yes, I’ve been told to go to RCIA- the only one within 50 miles of me doesn’t match my schedule. My open time of year is spring, falls are super busy. And I’m interested in Catholicism as a matter of friendliness/respect/curiosity, not for conversion).
Click to expand...
Holy Week is the busiest time of year for a lot of people, including choirs. The Triduumm takes a lot of planning and effort by many people.

People will be at a parish for a purpose, and are focused on that purpose. Dropping in and asking questions, yeah, you’d get the what the heck look and vibe from a lot of people. It is a different culture. Mormons are ready to convert anyone at a moments notice.

RCIA is how Catholic parishes are setup to answer the questions of inquirers into the faith. That is why people keep pointing you to RCIA. Each parish runs their RCIA differently. The inquirers at my parish meet on Sunday. People go through a period of inquiry before the rite of acceptance as catechumens. Those who are not interested in converting would not proceed in RCIA past the period of inquiry.

You could also look for parish ministries, such as Bible studies, guest speakers, etc. When indicated to be open to anyone, you can just show up, or rsvp if that is requested.

Catholics aren’t Mormons. Our parishes have RCIA, not missionaries. Missions are specific ministries, that will be located in regions where there is not a Christian population. Depending where you are there may be a Catholic mission, but you would have to go to it. The people at missions are there to teach the faith.
 
lax16 said:
Different than who?

Really? Is that how you would like this conversation to go? Ok. There is no different between Catholics and other religions…is that better?

I have seen posters claim things about a religion that they used to belong to then do a 180.🤷

Have you?

Yes, we can find common ground in certain areas.

I think we can in many areas…many important ones.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top