LDS: Is the name "Nephi" a derivative of "Nephilim"?

[Esdra]

Our culture is immensely secularized and St. Benedict says that after our own purgation and purification in the American Church, it is time now to evangelize by Christianizing our culture.

You are so right there. And actually, this is what especially sects like Mormons or JWs are doing (evangelizing), but also Protestant Churches like Baptists or Pentecostals.
And I think they are quite successful.

But guess what: even in our Catholic parish the need to “evangelize” people has come up and priests are going from house to house and talk to those who are interested. No joke!
°
But what is really worse is that there are other sects, non-Christian, out there who do the same. They seize the time right now where hardly none knows sth about his/her faith.
And this is what strikes me! Sects like Wicca, Satanism, Scientology etc.

I read a Catholic article last night, and Europe is now considered a pagan continent and needs to be re-evangelized.

I am a European…
And now my question: Are the Americans any better?

So people should read the right sources to bring the truth of Christ and His message of redemption and salvation to others. Europe has no experience in dealing with all the different denominations there like we do here.

Of course they should. But, actually most don’t.
I think in this, our time, everyone, no mather whether Catholic, or Baptist or Lutheran or what ever should evangelize! Should help to plant seed (again), so that in the Last Day we can harvest!

Esdra

PS: But actually this is off-topic!

 

[RebeccaJ]

I am a European…
And now my question: Are the Americans any better?

No, just behind Europe in scope.

 

[KathleenGee]

Esdra,

When it comes to America, we are the Mother Lode of splintered Christianity. I was tempted to put the article in here.

Pope Benedict issued a Motu Proprio directive…meaning under his own authority by establishing a dicastery…Vatican Office for a new evangelization.

This is directed to countries where the Gospel was proclaimed many centuries ago, but daily Christian life is now lost.

Europe, the United States, Canada, and Latin America are all post-Christian. Cardinal Wuerl was interviewed the other night and said what the Church must react to now is the tremendous secularization and invasion of it into all facets of our lives.

We are all to live our baptismal vocation to work for the Lord. For Catholics, we must live from within the heart of the Church. We finally got EWTN, the American Catholic television network back on our cable. And with all the secular and world news, I am tending to keep this set on as best I can…to permeate the life of Christ in the Church through my home. We have several tv sets and they can watch their own shows. But I am preferring to keep the one in our living room where we gather as a family for EWTN.

Although America is considered one of ‘the most “religious” in the world, there is little evidence of the influence of religious faith in its daily life.’

Also quoted was Venerable John Paul II’s letter to us, “The new Evangelization calls for a clearly conceived, serious and well organized effort to evangelize culture. The Son of God, by taking upon Himself our human nature, became incarnate within a particular people, even though His redemptive death brought redemption to all people, of every culture, race and condition. The gift of His Spirit and His love are meant for each and every people and culture, in orer to bring them all into unity after the perfect unity existing in the Triune God.”

The focus is on Christianizing the culture. I know the Italian priests take the monstrance of the Blessed Sacrament and process in the public streets. We should do the same, and also have rosary walks for the sanctity of life, right down the main downtown streets. We need to restore the reality that God is among us.

 

[SteveVH]

Deceive or no deceive. Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). He uses the “fishing” tactic to find an reclaim His lost seep. So your comparison with fishing was evidently an appropriate one.

Jesus never taught his disciples to deceive in order to “catch” men, zerinus. The Mormon church does, but not Jesus and His true Church. His true Church gives real food, the bread of life, of which you have neither eaten nor know anything about.

 

[KathleenGee]

Deception is the work of the Evil One. We must all keep ourselves far from the Evil One and his ways.

 

[zerinus]

Jesus never taught his disciples to deceive in order to “catch” men, zerinus. The Mormon church does, but not Jesus and His true Church.

How does the Mormon Church deceive people?

His true Church gives real food, the bread of life, of which you have neither eaten nor know anything about.

It looks like we have something in common. We have the same opinion of each other!

 

[SteveVH]

COLOR=“DarkRed”]How does the Mormon Church deceive people?

See my post #71.

It looks like we have something in common. We have the same opinion of each other!

Its not my opinion of you, zerinus. I know that you are sincere. It is my opinion of the LDS organization in its attempts to appear to be something it is not. From its commercials, to its withholding of certain beliefs from new members, to the couching of heretical beliefs (polytheism) in Christian terminology (God-head). I could go on.

I mentioned the Eucharist in this context because Jesus is Truth, not deception. If you could experience this Truth in the intimate relationship found in receiving the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist you would never be the same. He is true food, not artificial (like the fly), and is the source and summit of our faith. There would be no Catholic Church without the Eucharist.

 

[zerinus]

See my post #71.

I looked, and didn’t find anything that could be taken seriously. Why Mormons offer a free Bible? Why shouldn’t they? The Bible is as much part of our standard works as the Book of Mormon is. We believe both are scripture, and both are part of our scriptural canon. They are equal as far as canonicity is concerned. They are both equally the words of God. So why shouldn’t we offer people free Bibles as well as free Books of Mormon?

Its not my opinion of you, zerinus. I know that you are sincere. It is my opinion of the LDS organization in its attempts to appear to be something it is not. From its commercials, to its withholding of certain beliefs from new members, to the couching of heretical beliefs (polytheism) in Christian terminology (God-head). I could go on.

I mentioned the Eucharist in this context because Jesus is Truth, not deception. If you could experience this Truth in the intimate relationship found in receiving the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist you would never be the same. He is true food, not artificial (like the fly), and is the source and summit of our faith. There would be no Catholic Church without the Eucharist.

Now I think that is what is really dishonest. I was responding to this comment by you:

His true Church gives real food, the bread of life, of which you have neither eaten nor know anything about.

That says something about me; and I was informing you that I share the same opinion about you.

 

[BYUChemAlum]

Jesus never taught his disciples to deceive in order to “catch” men, zerinus. The Mormon church does, but not Jesus and His true Church. His true Church gives real food, the bread of life, of which you have neither eaten nor know anything about.

Jesus’ true Church does not deceive in order to “catch” men. I converted to the Church of Jesus Christ, and looking back, I was not deceived about anything. Also, I agree with you that His true Church gives real food, the bread of life. We disagree on what that means, but we do not deny that the Savior is the bread of life.

 

[KathleenGee]

Whatis essentially deceiving is the adversarial spirit against the Catholic Church.

 

[SteveVH]

I looked, and didn’t find anything that could be taken seriously. Why Mormons offer a free Bible? Why shouldn’t they? The Bible is as much part of our standard works as the Book of Mormon is. We believe both are scripture, and both are part of our scriptural canon. They are equal as far as canonicity is concerned. They are both equally the words of God. So why shouldn’t we offer people free Bibles as well as free Books of Mormon? ?QUOTE]

If the commercials offered a free Book of Mormon along with the free Bible I wouldn’t have mentioned it. The deception lies in the fact that they don’t, yet as you say, the BoM is considered equal to the Bible. They would not appear “Christian” if they offered the BoM and they know it. This has nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not it is a good thing to give away Bibles. Why don’t they also offer the BoM, D&C, etc. on these commercials?
zerinus;7417759:

Now I think that is what is really dishonest. I was responding to this comment by you:

OriginallyPosted by SteveVH
His true Church gives real food, the bread of life, of which you have neither eaten nor know anything about.

I was not trying to be dishonest, but I see what you are saying. My point is that if you knew the truth of the Eucharist, you would know what true food is, indeed. I was trying to say also that I do not blame you personally for the the LDS commercials or the withholding of information until after baptism.

That says something about me; and I was informing you that I share the same opinion about you.

Ok.

 

[SteveVH]

Jesus’ true Church does not deceive in order to “catch” men. I converted to the Church of Jesus Christ, and looking back, I was not deceived about anything. Also, I agree with you that His true Church gives real food, the bread of life. We disagree on what that means, but we do not deny that the Savior is the bread of life.

There are many on this forum who did not share your experience in not being deceived.

As far as “real food” is concerned, please do not try to equate Mormon “sacrament” with the Eucharist. They are not even close. Yours is a symbol, ours is “real food”; the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. I believe there is some value in symbols, but they cannot be compared in value with the very thing they are symbolizing.

 

[BYUChemAlum]

If the commercials offered a free Book of Mormon along with the free Bible I wouldn’t have mentioned it. The deception lies in the fact that they don’t, yet as you say, the BoM is considered equal to the Bible. They would not appear “Christian” if they offered the BoM and they know it. This has nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not it is a good thing to give away Bibles. Why don’t they also offer the BoM, D&C, etc. on these commercials?

While I haven’t seen any commercials offering both a Book of Mormon and the Bible in the same commercial, there are commercials offering a free Book of Mormon. Missionaries also give out pass-along cards offering a free Book of Mormon. If one goes to “mormon.org”, a website of information on the LDS Church for non-members (and the website that is advertised in commercials), right on the main page, there is a link to “Order a free Book of Mormon”. There is no deception.

 

[BYUChemAlum]

There are many on this forum who did not share your experience in not being deceived.

And there are many who do not share your experience in the Catholic Church, I am sure. Thus the point is moot.

As far as “real food” is concerned, please do not try to equate Mormon “sacrament” with the Eucharist. They are not even close. Yours is a symbol, ours is “real food”; the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. I believe there is some value in symbols, but they cannot be compared in value with the very thing they are symbolizing.

Since I did not equate nor imply equating the LDS Sacrament with the Catholic Eucharist, I am unsure of why you brought it up. Also, while we do not believe that the bread and water turn into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, that does not mean that we believe that the Sacrament does nothing. Also, as already mentioned, you are providing your belief on the issue of “real food”. LDS believe that Jesus Christ is the bread of life indeed. We don’t agree with Catholics on what that means, but that does not mean that we deny that our Savior is the bread of life or that His flesh is real food.

 

[SteveVH]

And there are many who do not share your experience in the Catholic Church, I am sure. Thus the point is moot.

Fair point.

Since I did not equate nor imply equating the LDS Sacrament with the Catholic Eucharist, I am unsure of why you brought it up.

If you will read back through my posts I think you will see the context which is quickly being lost.

Also, while we do not believe that the bread and water turn into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, that does not mean that we believe that the Sacrament does nothing. Also, as already mentioned, you are providing your belief on the issue of “real food”. LDS believe that Jesus Christ is the bread of life indeed. We don’t agree with Catholics on what that means, but that does not mean that we deny that our Savior is the bread of life or that His flesh is real food.

How is His flesh “real food”? What do you really mean by that? And why would you use water when Jesus commanded us to use wine?

 

[BYUChemAlum]

If you will read back through my posts I think you will see the context which is quickly being lost.

I was referring to you stating that I was implying a correlation or equation between the LDS Sacrament and the Catholic Eucharist, when I did nothing of the sort, nor did I bring up the LDS Sacrament. It seems that you were reading into my words that I was talking about the LDS Sacrament, when I wasn’t.

How is His flesh “real food”? What do you really mean by that? And why would you use water when Jesus commanded us to use wine?

Jesus’ flesh is real food because those that come to Him never hunger, and those that believe in Him never thirst (John 6:35). We believe that to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to believe in Him and accept Him as the Son of God, our Savior. His atonement is the only means of salvation, and it was only His death, His sacrifice of His body, that could atone for our sins, and feed our souls unto salvation. That is what we believe.

We use water because we believe that Jesus provided further revelation in the latter-days on the matter.

 

[SteveVH]

I was referring to you stating that I was implying a correlation or equation between the LDS Sacrament and the Catholic Eucharist, when I did nothing of the sort, nor did I bring up the LDS Sacrament. It seems that you were reading into my words that I was talking about the LDS Sacrament, when I wasn’t.

Sorry if I misunderstood.

Jesus’ flesh is real food because those that come to Him never hunger, and those that believe in Him never thirst (John 6:35). We believe that to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to believe in Him and accept Him as the Son of God, our Savior. His atonement is the only means of salvation, and it was only His death, His sacrifice of His body, that could atone for our sins, and feed our souls unto salvation. That is what we believe.

So you basically follow the majority of Protestans in this interpretation.

We use water because we believe that Jesus provided further revelation in the latter-days on the matter.

Yes, which goes directly against Christ’s command.

In any event, I think I have sufficiently derailed my own thread at this point. Maybe we should get back on topic.

 

[zerinus]

If the commercials offered a free Book of Mormon along with the free Bible I wouldn’t have mentioned it. The deception lies in the fact that they don’t, yet as you say, the BoM is considered equal to the Bible. They would not appear “Christian” if they offered the BoM and they know it. This has nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not it is a good thing to give away Bibles. Why don’t they also offer the BoM, D&C, etc. on these commercials?

Frankly I haven’t watched too many of the commercials, so I don’t know what they offer and what they don’t; but as I said, to us the Bible and Book of Mormon are equally canonical, and we offer both for free to those who request them. Our offering of free Bibles is our affirmation to all that to us the Book of Mormon is of equal standing with the Bible as scriptural canon, and an encouragement to read both.

 

[Esdra]

Jesus’ flesh is real food because those that come to Him never hunger, and those that believe in Him never thirst (John 6:35). We believe that to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to believe in Him and accept Him as the Son of God, our Savior. His atonement is the only means of salvation, and it was only His death, His sacrifice of His body, that could atone for our sins, and feed our souls unto salvation. That is what we believe.

Today I got Barclay’s Commentary on the New Testament (from our Pastor, as an too-early birthday present), and Barclay states exactly the same concerning John chapter 6.
[The full one with ALL books of the NT. The link only provides The Gospel according to John Volume 2.]

Esdra

 

[Esdra]

Frankly I haven’t watched too many of the commercials, so I don’t know what they offer and what they don’t; but as I said, to us the Bible and Book of Mormon are equally canonical, and we offer both for free to those who request them. Our offering of free Bibles is our affirmation to all that to us the Book of Mormon is of equal standing with the Bible as scriptural canon, and an encouragement to read both.

Do Mormons really offer free Bibles? Since when?
Is the LDS Edition of the KJV used when offering Bibles for free?
I’ve always thought they are offering free Book of Mormons.
(At least myself was offered a BoM, and not a Bible.)

Esdra

EDIT: Alright, found it! Here.
Probably I didn’t get a free-Bible, as there is no equivalent to the LDS Version of the KJV in German… (However, the BoM IS of course available in German.)