DAVEH wrote: > I explained that we have always considered ourselves > (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day > Saints) to be Christian. Our Church is even named after > him. Is yours??? The term "Mormon" was given to us by > our detractors, and it kinda stuck. We don't feel ashamed > of it as the anti-Mormon folks from the early days had hoped. > We still are Christians, as Jesus Christ is the focal point > of our religion. We believe in his miraculous birth, death > and resurrection. ... Mormons are Christians despite what > you may believe or think.
Excellent debate point, Dave. The church of the Mormons is named after Christ, while the Wesleyans are named after a man. Nevertheless, surely you must consider that while you claim to be after Christ, your organization is inexplicably tied to Joseph Smith, much more so than Wesleyans are tied to John Wesley. Consider that a modern Wesleyan may readily repudiate much of what John Wesley taught. For example, a modern Wesleyan may readily reject infant baptism, yet infant baptism was ardently taught and commanded by John Wesley. On the other hand, a Mormon may not reject Joseph Smith. If I considered Joseph Smith to have misrepresented the Book of Abraham and that he falsely claimed to be able to translate it, could I still become a member of your church? If I reject the Book of Mormon as not being Scripture, can I become a member of your church? If I consider several prophecies of Joseph Smith as recorded in the Doctrine & Covenants to be false, can I be a good Mormon? Surely you must recognize that the answer to all these questions is no. This is the dissimulation that strikes many of us as repulsive. You claim to follow Jesus Christ, but in practice your religion is based in Joseph Smith. Lutherans, Wesleyans, and Calvinists might emphasize various teachings of the men who gave them foundation, but ultimately they will lay aside the teachings of these men to emphasize that which Jesus taught. Please do not misunderstand. I consider it carnality to use these labels of men, and something clearly condemned in 1 Cor. 3. Nevertheless, I recognize that in actual practice, they do not follow a man as closely as the Mormons follow Joseph Smith. Do you disagree? Stated another way, it seems clear to many of us that despite the name of your church, Joseph Smith is the cornerstone of your faith. Would you agree? Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
