batman1973,
The website
lds.org is primarily for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help them study and teach the gospel, so it does indeed contain “what is taught”, and gives it in a framework that can be cross-referenced and given context; whereas one isolated statement from someone at some time in the past, or one speculation by a past leader neither reflects “doctrine” nor reflects “what is taught”.
Just for clarification, the website contains what is taught,
now. Which, in many ways, is opposed to what was always taught in the past, when the church was founded on the teachings of Joseph Smith, which were seldom questioned by those who followed him at that time. Or, what was taught throughout the past 180 years by various other leaders, whose teachings have also been whitewashed or changed by “new revelations”, particularly when they became an embarrassment, or kept the church or its people from receiving some kind of temporal benefit, or were required to change due to the law of the land (for statehood, tax exempt status, racial equality, etc.).
“Doctrine” for active Latter-day Saints for religious purposes is what is found in the Standard Works–the Bible (KJV), the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price; and statements that are unitedly presented by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles as having been worded in the exact way that they collectively agreed upon and voted upon unanimously.
Parker, all “doctrine” is, or should be, for “religious purposes”. What kinds of doctrine taught by any church, would not be for religious purposes?
I also find it absolutely incredible that all of those men always vote unanimously on everything, unless there was some kind of expectation that forced them to do it. But, I suppose anything is possible when there is proper motivation to comply with the collective, even if you don’t actually agree with them.
I don’t worry at all that “your eternal life is at stake”. I think the principles taught by Paul in Romans 11:26-32, that God has mercy upon all and that timing is in the hands of God, apply and are true.
I find your first statement disturbing, yet very telling of the LDS attitude toward those who are not LDS, and especially toward those who have left the church. I immediately thought of Cain, who answered God’s question about where Abel was by saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”. Catholics believe that we are all our brothers’ keepers, and we also share responsibility for the state of their immortal souls. That’s the main reason why we try to correct their doctrinal errors, so they won’t follow the wrong path like Cain did. That’s also why we always pray for their souls, so they can receive the grace for the conversion of their hearts. We’re taught to be very concerned about the eternal life of all of our brothers, whether they’re Catholic or not.
CarterJoe,
The Doctrine and Covenants contains true doctrine, which ought to be studied and understood in the context in which it is presented. I don’t know what you are referring to as far as something from the Doctrine and Covenants that you think “some of these folks” presented as some kind of discrepancy from what is taught.
Perhaps, it’s due to your (and other LDS) constantly quoting the words of Inigo Montoya: “I do not think it means what you think it means.”, whenever anyone presents direct quotes from the D&C or other LDS ‘scripture’, that blatantly contradicts itself.
Let’s figure this out using Biblical teachings. If God has said “I will pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10) and if Latter-day Saints are taught that this is altogether true and is a principle of faith and of righteousness, then how would it be loving to “wink” or to say “OK you tried your best” when the Bible was very clear about the principle and the promised blessings.
That chapter was directed mostly toward the priests that were not upholding their responsibilities to God. Many of them were taking the best of the ‘tithes’ that were presented at the Temple by the faithful, and keeping them for themselves and their own purposes, while substituting them with less perfect oblations that they offered to God on the altar. In effect, they were stealing from God and it did not please Him. So, He was warning them that the Messiah was coming, and, He would cleanse His House and His Priesthood. Then, God would punish those who didn’t repent of their sins.
What about their need to truly exercise their own personal faith in God and His promises? Wouldn’t it be better to encourage the member to seek the blessings, especially for those who are going to start a family and thus it would be so important for them to have the windows of heaven opened for them?
God never closed the door of His House to anyone, whether they paid their full tithe or not. The Temple was a holy place for all the faithful to worship God, freely. He didn’t charge “admission”. He is the only One that can judge who is worthy to enter His Kingdom, and who isn’t. It has nothing to do with Him exacting payment from us in worldly goods. It’s only about showing our true love for God. You can’t buy your way into Heaven, any more than you can buy love. It’s a priceless gift from God. The true “pearl of great price” is the love of God.
