Mormon Christ "pretty close" to Christ of the Bible

[MelanieAnne]

We really need to think about Jesus when posting to this topic. Let’s not get away from that.

What did JESUS say? (sorry, that’s not meant to be a slogan!) Let’s stick with that.

It’s pretty clear who the Jesus of the Bible is. Anyone else needs to justify their position. Otherwise, they have no standing.

 

[VetA]

A lot. You would be embarrassed if I told you.

then explain if you can i can deal if i am embarrassed.

 

[why_me]

Yep…you are right, they are the wolves in speep’s clothing Jesus Himself warned us about

If you say so. I would rather have such wolves as my neighbor however, They are generally nice, good neighborly, their kids are well behaved and respect people’s property. I would prefer those wolves to some of the sheep.

 

[why_me]

What you have posted is very true and I know this because I had several mormon friends over the years I lived in AZ.
BUT, Their concern for others and their neighbors rests on whether or not that friend or neighbor is a fellow mormon or a prospective one.
If they are not in either catagory, the mormons keep their distance.
They are a lot like the jws that way.

These days many people keep their distance and not just mormons. No one really wants to interfere with other people’s lives. However, they are certainly peaceful neighbors and will be there to help you if you needed help. Neighbors just need to be friendly and not family.

 

[why_me]

I have seen several posters mention how they are shunned for either not being mormon in a mormon community, or for leaving it.

My cousin has been experiencing some of that recently since she resigned.

This is a generalization. There is no policy of shunning in the mormon church. In fact, just the opposite. Those who leave the lds church are not suppose to be shunned. In fact, they are to be loved. This is the message that members receive. Now there are people who leave the lds church who want no connection with their former mormon friends. In this case, the shunning is sponsored by the people who left the lds church. No where in lds meetings are lists made as to who should be shunned.

I never seen anyone shunned in the mormon church. And I have known many many mormons in my life.

 

[MelanieAnne]

This is a generalization. There is no policy of shunning in the mormon church. In fact, just the opposite. Those who leave the lds church are not suppose to be shunned. In fact, they are to be loved. This is the message that members receive. Now there are people who leave the lds church who want no connection with their former mormon friends. In this case, the shunning is sponsored by the people who left the lds church. No where in lds meetings are lists made as to who should be shunned.

I never seen anyone shunned in the mormon church. And I have known many many mormons in my life.

I disagree with that assessment. I have personally witnessed shunning by the Mormon church. It has happened to people I know personally. It’s true, it’s happened, it’s real and it would be inaccurate to deny that it happens because I have seen it with my own eyes. I know the people it has happened to and I know how shattering it was for them to learn that their Mormon “friends” were not friends unless they still sat in church by them. I have wiped the tears of those who cried over just such a betrayal, so you cannot tell me it doesn’t happen. It very definitely does.

The shunning may not be official, it may not be on some “list” as some official order, but it happens. REGULARLY. It has been noted on this forum repeatedly and one need to only research the topic to find the posts. It would be hard to believe that reports of the same thing all over this country does not indicate some official policy, but I am not going to “go there” I’m just going to report my own experience. I have seen it myself. Persons who were once members of the church and then leave are shunned, as if they are somehow diseased. Mormon shunning is a real thing, whether or not anyone wants to admit it or not.

 

[zaffiroborant]

I disagree with that assessment. I have personally witnessed shunning by the Mormon church. It has happened to people I know personally. It’s true, it’s happened, it’s real and it would be inaccurate to deny that it happens because I have seen it with my own eyes. I know the people it has happened to and I know how shattering it was for them to learn that their Mormon “friends” were not friends unless they still sat in church by them. I have wiped the tears of those who cried over just such a betrayal, so you cannot tell me it doesn’t happen. It very definitely does.

The shunning may not be official, it may not be on some “list” as some official order, but it happens. REGULARLY. It has been noted on this forum repeatedly and one need to only research the topic to find the posts. It would be hard to believe that reports of the same thing all over this country does not indicate some official policy, but I am not going to “go there” I’m just going to report my own experience. I have seen it myself. Persons who were once members of the church and then leave are shunned, as if they are somehow diseased. Mormon shunning is a real thing, whether or not anyone wants to admit it or not.

If you spend some time on the New Order Mormon board you will see how many folks remain in the LDS church because of the “social aspects” many are afraid that their children will suffer (no friends) if they leave the LDS church. Many are worried they will lose their own friends if they leave. Much of this is not shunning per se but a result of the huge time commitment LDS have to the church. So much time is spent with church activities that it is more a matter if we don’t see you through the church we don’t have time to see you. And of course if you spend most of your free time in church related activities that doesn’t leave much room for developing other interests that lead to topics other than the church as a base for conversation. This in turn pushes non-members further away. There are many accounts of lost friendship on that board, very sad but such is life in the busy LDS schedule.

 

[mjf001]

I don’t know if it really matters just how close mormons are to christ of the bible. What I do know is that they live very christlike lives. In general, they look out for their neighbor and show concern for the welfare of others. And, they pray in the morning as a family and in the evening as a family. Plus, they pray over their meals and attempt to teach their children good wholesome christian values.

Now that is ‘pretty close’ to christ. And in the end, it is really the only thing that matters.

So, truth doesn’t matter? There aren’t five truths, or a truth for you and a truth for me. There is one truth. If you ask me, that’s what matters.

 

[why_me]

So, truth doesn’t matter? There aren’t five truths, or a truth for you and a truth for me. There is one truth. If you ask me, that’s what matters.

Both mormons and catholics claim truth. At the end of the day, we will find out when we die who has the truth or if either one has the truth.

 

[why_me]

If you spend some time on the New Order Mormon board you will see how many folks remain in the LDS church because of the “social aspects” many are afraid that their children will suffer (no friends) if they leave the LDS church. Many are worried they will lose their own friends if they leave. Much of this is not shunning per se but a result of the huge time commitment LDS have to the church. So much time is spent with church activities that it is more a matter if we don’t see you through the church we don’t have time to see you. And of course if you spend most of your free time in church related activities that doesn’t leave much room for developing other interests that lead to topics other than the church as a base for conversation. This in turn pushes non-members further away. There are many accounts of lost friendship on that board, very sad but such is life in the busy LDS schedule.

Activities depend on each ward in the lds church. Some have many activities and some don’t. But most active mormons do have callings in the lds church. And that can keep people busy on sunday. Without the volunteer aspects, the lds church could not function. NOM people are generally people who have left the church but can’t really leave it alone because of family connections. It would be no different with a catholic who decides that the catholic church is not true but goes to mass for the family and kids. It happens all the time in all churches.

The lds church is a social church that is for sure more so than the catholic church. But there are also catholics who attend church for social reasons, especially if there is a coffee hour after mass.

 

[why_me]

I disagree with that assessment. I have personally witnessed shunning by the Mormon church. It has happened to people I know personally. It’s true, it’s happened, it’s real and it would be inaccurate to deny that it happens because I have seen it with my own eyes. .

First, shunning is the wrong word. Mormons are not the amish. What can happen is this: a member leaves the church. Usually when they were members they would attend lds events and meet their friends at church functions.

When they are no longer members that vehicle for meeting friends no longer exists. So, they don’t meet their mormon friends anymore. And people do not have time to spend too much time with friends on a weekly basis. Plus, it may be up to the former members to keep in contact with their former friends. Former mormon friends may feel that such people who left the lds church may not want to be bothered by their mormon friends anymore.

I have seen this on exmormon boards when former members mock and bash those friends who still come to visit them believing that such mormons friends just want to interfere in their lives. And so, mormons can’t win on this issue.

But shunning is the wrong word but it does sound good to the ear of the person who may not be that positive toward the lds church because of the connotation.

 

[SirThomasMore]

First, shunning is the wrong word. Mormons are not the amish. What can happen is this: a member leaves the church. Usually when they were members they would attend lds events and meet their friends at church functions.

When they are no longer members that vehicle for meeting friends no longer exists. So, they don’t meet their mormon friends anymore. And people do not have time to spend too much time with friends on a weekly basis. Plus, it may be up to the former members to keep in contact with their former friends. Former mormon friends may feel that such people who left the lds church may not want to be bothered by their mormon friends anymore.

I have seen this on exmormon boards when former members mock and bash those friends who still come to visit them believing that such mormons friends just want to interfere in their lives. And so, mormons can’t win on this issue.

But shunning is the wrong word but it does sound good to the ear of the person who may not be that positive toward the lds church because of the connotation.

Shunning was a great, and accurate word. What happens is, the friends you used to get invited to dinners, etc, no longer do that. The people who used to invite you to go hang out no longer do that.

It is shunning. Good and accurate word.

 

[SirThomasMore]

Both mormons and catholics claim truth. At the end of the day, we will find out when we die who has the truth or if either one has the truth.

No, at the end of the day those who support and defend the false prophets of the LDS Church will have some serious explaining to do…and I pray for their souls

 

[twopekinguys]

This is a generalization. There is no policy of shunning in the mormon church. In fact, just the opposite. Those who leave the lds church are not suppose to be shunned. In fact, they are to be loved. This is the message that members receive. Now there are people who leave the lds church who want no connection with their former mormon friends. In this case, the shunning is sponsored by the people who left the lds church. No where in lds meetings are lists made as to who should be shunned.

I never seen anyone shunned in the mormon church. And I have known many many mormons in my life.

No policy of shunning? Well that is debatable. I believe that one of the temple recommend questions deals with associating with apostates, or apostate groups. Anyone who leaves the mormon church is apostate aren’t they?

Now, when my cousin sent in her resignation letter, we encountered two ladies from her church/stake, whatever, in a store. When they saw us (they made direct eye contact), they turned around and went the opposite direction. Shunning? Probably.

Several weeks after that, we went out for lunch, and noticed one of the servers in the resturaunt was from her church. The server came to take our order, and the greeter came over and told her that we weren’t in her section. The server said, “I know, but X asked me to take this table.” X happened to be the woman from her church. Shunning? Absolutely.

You can speak of generalizations all you want, but these are two encounters that i experienced with her personally.

She has told me of other encounters, but since i wasn’t there, I don’t feel it is appropriate to relay them.

So, as you see, your comment about generalizations is not valid. Especially when you consider how many people on CAF, myself included have told of first hand accounts.

 

[RebeccaJ]

There is fear involved. Fear that the person who left just might be onto something. Fear that if it could happen to them, it could happen to themselves.

 

[SirThomasMore]

exactly

 

[pinay]

I disagree with that assessment. I have personally witnessed shunning by the Mormon church. It has happened to people I know personally. It’s true, it’s happened, it’s real and it would be inaccurate to deny that it happens because I have seen it with my own eyes. I know the people it has happened to and I know how shattering it was for them to learn that their Mormon “friends” were not friends unless they still sat in church by them. I have wiped the tears of those who cried over just such a betrayal, so you cannot tell me it doesn’t happen. It very definitely does.

The shunning may not be official, it may not be on some “list” as some official order, but it happens. REGULARLY. It has been noted on this forum repeatedly and one need to only research the topic to find the posts. It would be hard to believe that reports of the same thing all over this country does not indicate some official policy, but I am not going to “go there” I’m just going to report my own experience. I have seen it myself. Persons who were once members of the church and then leave are shunned, as if they are somehow diseased. Mormon shunning is a real thing, whether or not anyone wants to admit it or not.

Hello MelanieAnne, Greetings and peace.

If your conclusion of Mormon culture is true then I will have to say that Catholics shun members who leave the Catholic church.

The years after I left the Catholic church was one of the hardest in my entire life. My family did not speak to me for 2 years, my friends left me. I gravitated towards my distant cousins and several friends who had the same experience with the Catholic church (leaving them for Born Again Christianity).

So, if I was to judge the Catholic church from my experience like you have, then I would say that it is Catholic doctrine to shun Catholics who leave the church. But, none of us - not me, nor any of my cousins and friends - believe this of the Catholic church.

We all understand that this is just a product of the human condition. For my family, it was a kind of betrayal - one of their most devout leaving the faith. For my friends, they just couldn’t understand my decision and hence did not feel they know me anymore.

Therefore, for you to make that conclusion of the LDS church because of your experiences show a non-Christlike charity for your fellowmen to refuse to see that this is not a Mormon-thing but a human-thing. I apologize if this sounds harsh. But it is fact.

Peace be unto me as it be unto you.

 

[pinay]

No policy of shunning? Well that is debatable. I believe that one of the temple recommend questions deals with associating with apostates, or apostate groups. Anyone who leaves the mormon church is apostate aren’t they?

Now, when my cousin sent in her resignation letter, we encountered two ladies from her church/stake, whatever, in a store. When they saw us (they made direct eye contact), they turned around and went the opposite direction. Shunning? Probably.

Several weeks after that, we went out for lunch, and noticed one of the servers in the resturaunt was from her church. The server came to take our order, and the greeter came over and told her that we weren’t in her section. The server said, “I know, but X asked me to take this table.” X happened to be the woman from her church. Shunning? Absolutely.

You can speak of generalizations all you want, but these are two encounters that i experienced with her personally.

She has told me of other encounters, but since i wasn’t there, I don’t feel it is appropriate to relay them.

So, as you see, your comment about generalizations is not valid. Especially when you consider how many people on CAF, myself included have told of first hand accounts.

And I can give you a huge pile of accounts - my experiences included - about Catholics shunning ex-Catholics. That doesn’t make it a POLICY of the Catholic Church. See my previous post for examples.

As for the inteview questions - you cannot be a PART of an apostate group and be an LDS member at the same time. That doesn’t mean that you shun non-LDS people! It means, you cannot partake of the Catholic Eucharist and be an LDS at the same time. It doesn’t mean you cannot attend a Catholic Church baptism of your nephew or attend Catholic Mass with your family on Mother’s Day or some such.

It surely doesn’t mean you have to SHUN anybody. The story of the Samaritan is taught in LDS just as much as it is in Catholicism.

 

[pinay]

No, at the end of the day those who support and defend the false prophets of the LDS Church will have some serious explaining to do…and I pray for their souls

Thank you for your prayers. I will pray for yours as well.

 

[twopekinguys]

Hello MelanieAnne, Greetings and peace.

If your conclusion of Mormon culture is true then I will have to say that Catholics shun members who leave the Catholic church.

The years after I left the Catholic church was one of the hardest in my entire life. My family did not speak to me for 2 years, my friends left me. I gravitated towards my distant cousins and several friends who had the same experience with the Catholic church (leaving them for Born Again Christianity).

So, if I was to judge the Catholic church from my experience like you have, then I would say that it is Catholic doctrine to shun Catholics who leave the church. But, none of us - not me, nor any of my cousins and friends - believe this of the Catholic church.

We all understand that this is just a product of the human condition. For my family, it was a kind of betrayal - one of their most devout leaving the faith. For my friends, they just couldn’t understand my decision and hence did not feel they know me anymore.

Therefore, for you to make that conclusion of the LDS church because of your experiences show a non-Christlike charity for your fellowmen to refuse to see that this is not a Mormon-thing but a human-thing. I apologize if this sounds harsh. But it is fact.

Peace be unto me as it be unto you.

Unfortunately, you are missing one key element.

The Catholic church doesn’t have an official position on people who leave the Church, whereas the lds church does.

The lds consider anyone who leaves an apostate. Many mormon posters have said it themselves on these very forums.

One of the interview questions for mormons seeking a temple recommend asks if you associate with apostates. Answering yes to that question can very well effect the outcome of that interview, ultimately leading to that person not getting their recommend.

This is from the 1998 Church Handbook of instruction:

Members Whose Close Relatives Belong to Apostate Groups

Bishops and their counselors must take exceptional care when issuing recommends to members whose parents or other close relatives belong to or sympathize with apostate groups. Such members must demonstrate clearly that they repudiate these apostate religious teachings before they may be issued a recommend.

and

Priesthood leaders must take disciplinary action against apostates to protect Church members.

Now, as far as Catholics shunning, individual members may do that, and it is wrong, but it is not church sanctioned. Unfortunately, mormonism has it in their own manuals.