SBC vs. LDS

In a number of the complaints (right word?) about the LDS, you really do have plausible arguments. I was talking with a close friend, a retired Baptist preacher, and we went over some of those. I will look into more of them, and perhaps give a response if the opportunity presents itself.

So while I, a mere lowly individual, cannot justify or excuse what has been said or done, I can argue in how *I* ended up with such a rock solid testimony in the LDS. And I know this is a given for many Mormons. To start with let me reflect on contact with Christian/non-LDS missionaries.

There is something about being in a conversation with one of your missionaries, and to be besieged by "points of concern"(right description?) such as what some of you have presented, in a manner where they "spew out" their argument fast enough that I (or we) cannot get word in edgewise only for them to roll their eyes after smarting off "and you don't even respond!" I understand that you feel you know the truth, and again you could very well have a point with some of what is said, however....

What created my testimony is how often I hear the same lines in the same manner. It doesn't matter how truthful you are, if you shove it down someone's throat they will refuse to listen.

A good example is during the Manti Mormon Miracle Pageant last year. The last year it will be shown. That's in my "backyard", so I was there. I encountered numerous Christian/non-LDS missionaries. Some were pretty cool about it. I actually enjoyed talking scripture with them. Then there are those that were on attack mode, cornering people and attacking them engroupe the same way- asking what they think of this or that but never giving much chance for the cornered person to respond. Do the Christian/non-LDS missionaries understand what they are doing? Are they truly reaching out to bring people closer to God, as they claim, or are they really pushing people away from what could be their last chance for (your concept of) Salvation?

I'm not attacking you guys, really, just expressing what has been on my mind. I will dig for the truth on the issues you bring forth and I'll bring you answers.

 

After discussing this with a couple of m brethern (LDS), this is the best answer I can give-
1. Yes sometimes things were said that aren't true. Even our Prophet can make mistakes. Even our Prophet IS human. He may be a Prophet, but he's just as imperfect as you and I.

2. Even though a Prophet may say something "is" does not mean all members consider it "so". Case in point, the Devil being Jesus' brother. No, the Holy Bible says the Godhead is made of God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost (Spirit). It does not say God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and the Devil. We're talking about a Triune God, not a quadroon god.

3. In line with #2 is our justification for this. Article of Faith #11.
"11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
Some of us follow the Holy Bible, and some even consider it to be a curse. In the end, we know that unless you have been where we have been and are now, you'll never understand our testimony. I will not belittle God, Jesus or the Holy Ghost. Jesus is my Savior, not Joseph Smith (another error from long ago).

If you want to ask me questions, I'll be sure to do my best to either answer them honestly, or look for the answer.

 

I think I'll throw the towel in on this thread. Really, it's not my place to preach the LDS to anyone, because if you recall, I'm on my way out as it is. So preaching for something I'm no longer with is pretty dumb.

I will say though, the harder people push on the LDS the harder it will be to take it down. I know that when I'm confronted in the manner I have described before, it makes my testimony even stronger. That's normal for all people, really.
Enough said....