B
blueadept
Guest
This is a fair representation of the LDS faith. I’ve always viewed Catholicism as an inclusive faith as well. It’s too bad my LDS wife and I could make our marriage work though. She stated the irreconcilable difference was religion. Of course, she wanted a LDS Temple-worthy husband and it was apparent that I wouldn’t do that in this life time.As a Mormon I would say Miriam1947’s description does not describe my belief regarding baptism for the dead. I think it mischaracterizes the belief perhaps similar to the way you might feel when people slander relics in the Catholic Church.
In general I find the Mormon belief a very inclusive not exclusive practice that broadens a practitioner’s sense of connection to the entire human family across all boundaries. It builds empathy across barriers of time. It celebrates the justice and mercy of God. It is a manifestation of the strength of their belief in the resurrection for all who have ever lived and also the value of every soul.
It is not about turning other people’s ancestors into Mormons or even accuracy or efficiency in accomplishing the task…that’s not the point or they would go about it very differently.
The nuanced Mormon understanding of the afterlife is also not the stark Heaven/Hell divide of most of Christianity, although that imagery is also in uniquely Mormon scripture as well. The Mormon afterlife is described in terms of degrees of light and levels within levels. There will be a place for everyone and all will have the ability to choose according to their willingness to receive that light and the mercy of Christ.