Mormons

[christianley]

Seems I’m posting this link a lot. truthinlovetomormons.com/site_map.htm

This is by far the best information about the LDS available. Not because of the thoroughness of the material, and it is thorough, but because of the spirit in which it is presented. LOVE
I read the book several years ago and now the author, a Lutheran pastor (but don’t let that put you off) has added more material to his original writing and made a website.
Anyone who MIGHT have an encounter with an LDS, especially a “missionary,” would be well advised to be familiar with this information.

Peace,
+Nathan

That web site turned me off immediately. I’m not convinced Mormons are going to hell just because they are Mormon as that site seems to insinuate. Mormons will be judged based on their lives in accordance with the knowledge and light they have. My guess is many Mormons will be saved inspite of their misunderstanding about Jesus because their lives are more Christian than many Christians. I believe God will be able to save Mormons inspite of their misunderstanding. We need to tell Mormons the truth, but starting with the idea they are going to hell if they don’t have a complete understanding of Jesus is probably getting started on the wrong foot. They need a positive reason for becoming Christian – telling them they are going to hell if they don’t change doesn’t seem to be the way to go. Invite them to listen to the fulness of truth.

 

[PaulDupre]

I’m with you, Christianley.

Paul

 

[frnate]

Well, I’ve been a Mormon for the past 24 years.

A very good LDS friend of mine sent me this joke and I thot the good folks on this thread might enjoy it.

A catholic priest was walking down the street when he saw two LDS missionaries walking towards him. He greeted them by saying, “Good morning sons of the devil!”
Without missing a beat they both replied, “Good morning father!”

Peace,
+Nathan

 

[frnate]

That web site turned me off immediately. I’m not convinced Mormons are going to hell just because they are Mormon as that site seems to insinuate. Mormons will be judged based on their lives in accordance with the knowledge and light they have. We need to tell Mormons the truth, but starting with the idea they are going to hell if they don’t have a complete understanding of Jesus is probably getting started on the wrong foot. They need a positive reason for becoming Christian – telling them they are going to hell if they don’t change doesn’t seem to be the way to go. Invite them to listen to the fulness of truth.

If you had continued to explore the site you would have discovered that the author would never be so crass as to tell anyone right off the bat that they are going to hell. He does expect that he can be candid with “those of us who know the real truth.” I am not necessarily advocating his views on salvation or any other doctrine so much as his insight as to how to “become all all things to all men” when we encounter an LDS and have an opportunity to share with them our faith. They are a culture unto themselves with their own language and customs. The author knows this and knows the best way to reach out to them in the context of that culture. We as catholics do not have to espouse the author’s doctrine and Theology but he has supplied us with a trove of principles which can be employed to reach some, and do it more effectively. That website is not meant for LDS seekers but rather for those who seek to be most effective when ministering to an LDS.

My guess is many Mormons will be saved inspite of their misunderstanding about Jesus because their lives are more Christian than many Christians. I believe God will be able to save Mormons inspite of their misunderstanding.

I tend to agree with you on this, in fact I have been accused of Universalism because I extend that belief to the entire world. Have you ever read “The Last Battle” by C.S. Lewis? There is a good illustration of this in the final pages of that story. On the other hand, we must be careful that we do not become lax in evangelization. It is not our place to deny any man access to the catholic faith. Especially out of sloth.

No acccusation intended…except for at myself.
mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa

 

[frnate]

After careful consideration (and suddenly realizing while brushing my teeth this morning, that christianley was correct) I have decided to revise my reply, please disregard the previous one. Thanks +N

If you had continued to explore the site you would have discovered that the author would never be so crass as to tell anyone right off the bat that they are going to hell. He does expect that he can be candid with “those of us who know the real truth.” I am not necessarily advocating his views on salvation or any other doctrine so much as his insight as to how to “become all all things to all men” when we encounter an LDS and have an opportunity to share with them our faith. They are a culture unto themselves with their own language and customs. The author knows this and knows the best way to reach out to them in the context of that culture. We as catholics do not have to espouse the author’s doctrine and Theology but he has supplied us with a trove of principles which can be employed to reach some, and do it more effectively. That website is not meant for LDS seekers but rather for those who seek to be most effective when ministering to an LDS.

I was wrong when I said the author was not suggesting that we tell the LDS they were going to hell. In fact he does. This may sound crass to many and in most circumstances it is terrible form. However it goes back to the point that the LDS are truly a foreign culture, both religious and social. They have have been insulated from the culture of the rest of this country for so long and for various reasons that we won’t expound upon here, that while they may speak English there is greater possibility of confusion and offense taking. On both sides. So, curiously enough, while telling someone from our culture that they are going to hell, even in a calm and reasonable tone of voice is highly offensive, doing so to someone from the LDS, especially missionaries, is rarely offensive to them because they are taught from childhood that they are far, far superior to those outside their church. They take most of what we say with a grain of salt because we are ignorant of their “special knowledge.”

I will continue by reiterating those parts of my previous reply that I still stand by.

I am not necessarily advocating the author’s views on salvation or any other doctrine so much as his insight as to how to “become all all things to all men” when we encounter an LDS and have an opportunity to share with them our faith. They are a culture unto themselves with their own language and customs. The author knows this and knows the best way to reach out to them in the context of that culture. We as catholics do not have to espouse the author’s doctrine and theology but he has supplied us with a trove of principles and methods which we can adapt to our own doctrine and theology and then employ to reach some, and do it more effectively. That website is not meant for LDS seekers but rather for those who seek to be most effective when ministering to an LDS.

They need a positive reason for becoming Christian

Following is a quote from that website:*
Instead of debating with Mormons about the nature of God, or about the relative truthfulness of the Bible and the Book of Mormon, or about the character of Joseph Smith, we need to emphasize Christ’s saving acts. We need to focus on their need for a Savior and how Jesus fully fills the need. Instead of trying to pull them out of Mormonism by stressing its negatives, we need to push Mormonism out of them by filling them up with the positives of Christianity.*
*

My guess is many Mormons will be saved inspite of their misunderstanding about Jesus because their lives are more Christian than many Christians. I believe God will be able to save Mormons inspite of their misunderstanding.

*I tend to agree with you on this, in fact I have been accused of Universalism because I extend that belief to the entire world. Have you ever read “The Last Battle” by C.S. Lewis? There is a good illustration of this in the final pages of that story. On the other hand, we must be careful that we do not become lax in evangelization. It is not our place to deny any man access to the catholic faith. Especially out of sloth.

No acccusation intended…except for at myself.
mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa

Peace,
+Nathan

 

[christianley]

After careful consideration (and suddenly realizing while brushing my teeth this morning, that christianley was correct) I have decided to revise my reply, please disregard the previous one. Thanks +N

I was wrong when I said the author was not suggesting that we tell the LDS they were going to hell. In fact he does. This may sound crass to many and in most circumstances it is terrible form. However it goes back to the point that the LDS are truly a foreign culture, both religious and social. They have have been insulated from the culture of the rest of this country for so long and for various reasons that we won’t expound upon here, that while they may speak English there is greater possibility of confusion and offense taking. On both sides. So, curiously enough, while telling someone from our culture that they are going to hell, even in a calm and reasonable tone of voice is highly offensive, doing so to someone from the LDS, especially missionaries, is rarely offensive to them because they are taught from childhood that they are far, far superior to those outside their church. They take most of what we say with a grain of salt because we are ignorant of their “special knowledge.”

I will continue by reiterating those parts of my previous reply that I still stand by.

I am not necessarily advocating the author’s views on salvation or any other doctrine so much as his insight as to how to “become all all things to all men” when we encounter an LDS and have an opportunity to share with them our faith. They are a culture unto themselves with their own language and customs. The author knows this and knows the best way to reach out to them in the context of that culture. We as catholics do not have to espouse the author’s doctrine and theology but he has supplied us with a trove of principles and methods which we can adapt to our own doctrine and theology and then employ to reach some, and do it more effectively. That website is not meant for LDS seekers but rather for those who seek to be most effective when ministering to an LDS.

Following is a quote from that website:*
Instead of debating with Mormons about the nature of God, or about the relative truthfulness of the Bible and the Book of Mormon, or about the character of Joseph Smith, we need to emphasize Christ’s saving acts. We need to focus on their need for a Savior and how Jesus fully fills the need. Instead of trying to pull them out of Mormonism by stressing its negatives, we need to push Mormonism out of them by filling them up with the positives of Christianity.*
*
*I tend to agree with you on this, in fact I have been accused of Universalism because I extend that belief to the entire world. Have you ever read “The Last Battle” by C.S. Lewis? There is a good illustration of this in the final pages of that story. On the other hand, we must be careful that we do not become lax in evangelization. It is not our place to deny any man access to the catholic faith. Especially out of sloth.

No acccusation intended…except for at myself.
mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa

Peace,
+Nathan

I would guess if this person is a Lutheran minister (probably LCMS) that he also believes Catholics are going to hell. But who knows?

 

[frnate]

I would guess if this person is a Lutheran minister (probably LCMS) that he also believes Catholics are going to hell. But who knows?

I believe he is WELS and probably does believe we are going to hell as well. How much more ironic if we use his work to expand the Kingdom of God and the catholic faith!:dancing:

Peace,
+Nathan