Odd question for Mormons

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NeuroTypical said:
That makes a little more sense.

Do I understand correctly that Catholics believe mysticism to be a welcome and genuine part of their spiritual existence?

I don’t think I’ve really ever encountered the word at church. But yes indeed Mormons believe in person experience of and communion with God, through the Holy Ghost. I’m much more familiar with terms like “personal revelation” or “spiritual confirmation” or “witness of the spirit”. (And I’m not sure if the word ‘communion’ means the same thing to me as it does to Cathoics.)

You can’t swing a dead cat in a room full of Mormons without hitting a few who are willing to share experiences of receiving personal communication from deity. I have a few experiences, as does my wife. A mormon’s testimony of the truthfulness of the BoM and prophet is often (usually?) based on a spiritual witness.

Would this BoM scripture be an example of what you’re asking about?
Moroni 10:4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
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Rightly understood, mysticism goes beyond and deeper than that. For what you are describing is what people of various faith denominations experience and experience frequently.

Mysticism is even deeper than that. It’s a gift that is developed thru contemplation and not everyone becomes a mystic.

It’s a unique grace.
 
NeuroTypical said:
That makes a little more sense.

Do I understand correctly that Catholics believe mysticism to be a welcome and genuine part of their spiritual existence?
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Most Catholics will never have a mystical experience. It is not something one can attain of their own ability. Mystical prayer is beyond the human intellect and therefore cannot be attained at will. It is a profound union with God, the experience of which cannot be explained in human language. St. Francis of Assisi would levitate during his mystical experiences.
NeuroTypical said:
I don’t think I’ve really ever encountered the word at church. But yes indeed Mormons believe in person experience of and communion with God, through the Holy Ghost. I’m much more familiar with terms like “personal revelation” or “spiritual confirmation” or “witness of the spirit”. (And I’m not sure if the word ‘communion’ means the same thing to me as it does to Cathoics.)
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Not at all the same thing.
NeuroTypical said:
You can’t swing a dead cat in a room full of Mormons without hitting a few who are willing to share experiences of receiving personal communication from deity. I have a few experiences, as does my wife. A mormon’s testimony of the truthfulness of the BoM and prophet is often (usually?) based on a spiritual witness.

Would this BoM scripture be an example of what you’re asking about?
Moroni 10:4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
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No, it is not the same thing. We have all had experiences of closeness with God; certain spiritual consolations which bring us closer and build up our faith. What the mystics experience is beyond our human understanding, even their understanding. It is complete union with God.
 
NeuroTypical said:
**You can’t swing a dead cat in a room full of Mormons **without hitting a few who are willing to share experiences of receiving personal communication from deity. I have a few experiences, as does my wife. A mormon’s testimony of the truthfulness of the BoM and prophet is often (usually?) based on a spiritual witness.
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Oh my! :eek: Is that part of a temple ritual? 😃

Sorry, I just had a picture of someone swining a dead cat around and hitting people with it then yelling, “have you had a personal communication from a deity?” Made me laugh…I had to share. 🙂
 
Sounds like a wonderful thing - quite outside of my experience.

Full disclosure: I’ve neither levitated or swung a dead cat.
 
NeuroTypical said:
Sounds like a wonderful thing - quite outside of my experience.

Full disclosure: I’ve neither levitated or swung a dead cat.
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You’re not alone, it’s outside most people’s experience (along with swinging a dead cat, I hope).
 
There is always a part of me that is in a state of “pause” when someone who is LDS, facing something that they never antipicated goes “but A…B…C…”

And seems to not be able to get past the most obvious “a…b…c…'s” facing them…

🤷
 
Porknpie said:
Are LDS apostles always so … “Old” ?
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The short answer is “yes”…

More business men than disciples…

And that is said not by way of offense but observational…

The men in the up ranks of Mormonism are decent men of business…

But I dont get the sense that they strive for discipleship…

I could be wrong though… 🤷
 
Porknpie said:
Are LDS apostles always so … “Old” ?
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LDS Apostles are called for life so some of them can get up in years. Perhaps since the Pope is so youthful you thought things would be similar in other denominations…
 
So would God, Jesus (x2) and the Virgin Mary appearing to me be mystism? It is not something I asked for but ive been blessed, and humbled by their appearences. Also, would it be a revelation by God and Jesus when God said "You know my Son died for your sins? and Jesus saying “Go out and protect this Rock, it is sacred”
 
gazelam said:
LDS Apostles are called for life so some of them can get up in years. Perhaps since the Pope is so youthful you thought things would be similar in other denominations…
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Ok, I did not know. Wiki says that 57% of Mormons live outside of the USA. How many of the 12 Mormon apostles are from outside the USA? Do they come from across the globe?
 
Porknpie said:
Ok, I did not know. Wiki says that 57% of Mormons live outside of the USA. How many of the 12 Mormon apostles are from outside the USA? Do they come from across the globe?
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So, the Prophet has two counselors, all of which form The First Presidency which is the highest governing body of the LDS church. One of them is a German citizen.

lds.org/church/leaders/first-presidency?lang=eng

The next governing body is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. All appear to be US citizens (although a crafty Canadian may have snuck in - who would even know?)

Below the Apostles are the Seventy, who support the Apostles in their assignments. You’ll find more non-English names there.

lds.org/church/leaders/quorums-of-the-seventy?lang=eng

The above three groups are known as “General Authorities”. Under them are local authorities who run the individual congregations (stakes, wards, and branches.)
 
gazelam said:
So, the Prophet has two counselors, all of which form The First Presidency which is the highest governing body of the LDS church. One of them is a German citizen.

The next governing body is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. All appear to be US citizens (although a crafty Canadian may have snuck in - who would even know?).
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Why are all 12 apostles from the USA if two-thirds of the church is from outside the USA? Is this doctrine?
 
Porknpie said:
Why are all 12 apostles from the USA if two-thirds of the church is from outside the USA? Is this doctrine?
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This is neither doctrine nor policy. When President Monson passes away the First Presidency will be dissolved and Dieter Uchtdorf (the German) will return to the Quorum of Apostles. The the next prophet will then select two counselors which will constitute a new First Presidency. If Dieter Uchtdorf is not selected to be a counselor to the new prophet he will resume serving as an Apostle.
 
Porknpie said:
Why are all 12 apostles from the USA if two-thirds of the church is from outside the USA? Is this doctrine?
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Read Mike Quinn’s books on the Mormon Hierarchy. The apostles, with the exception of two (and they were appointed AFTER Quinn’s book) are descendants of the core group of founders. Critics call them Mormon Royalty, and they run the church.
 
LongJourney said:
Read Mike Quinn’s books on the Mormon Hierarchy. The apostles, with the exception of two (and they were appointed AFTER Quinn’s book) are descendants of the core group of founders. Critics call them Mormon Royalty, and they run the church.
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If its not doctrine, why do 10 of 12 the apostles come from descendants?
 
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