an inquiring non-member

[scitor]

Hi there
I am new. I am a Christian whose faith includes the Old and New testaments. I joined because I do not know any mormons and i would like to ask some questions about the Mormon beliefs. Mormonism has come much into the public eye of late due to the presidential election and i am tremendously confused. However, I read the rules for the site which include "no apostate behavior" I need to have this clarified as i am not sure what that sort of behavior entails and I do not want to cause upset.

So if you could tell me what I am not allowed to do I would appreciate it.

[truthseeker]

Hi Scitor, welcome.

If you are interested in learning about lds beliefs, this may not be the best site for it. This site has a lot of topics related to end times and our political situation - there is less information about general beliefs and the gospel.

I would recommend taking a look at http://mormon.org/. This site is completely dedicated to people who want to find out about Mormon beliefs. There is a lot of great information there and there are also people there who will answer questions and chat live.

I think there are people here who would be happy to answer any questions you have as well, but I still feel the other site would probably be better.

[Elizabeth]

Scitor, you will also find the answers at the following links. Keep an open mind and pray for understanding.
http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.j ... 5e340aRCRD" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://lds.org/?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[NoGreaterLove]

Hi there
I am new. I am a Christian whose faith includes the Old and New testaments. I joined because I do not know any mormons and i would like to ask some questions about the Mormon beliefs. Mormonism has come much into the public eye of late due to the presidential election and i am tremendously confused. However, I read the rules for the site which include "no apostate behavior" I need to have this clarified as i am not sure what that sort of behavior entails and I do not want to cause upset.

So if you could tell me what I am not allowed to do I would appreciate it.

What is not allowed would be bashing our religion. Honest questions and concerns are welcomed! If you are here to learn, we would love to help. If your are here to drag our religion into the mud, we would ask you not to.
If you have heard something about our religion that concerns you, please ask.
Welcome to the forum. We will do our best to help you.
Robert

ps
We are human. So do not expect perfection.

[LukeAir2008]

Hi there
I am new. I am a Christian whose faith includes the Old and New testaments. I joined because I do not know any mormons and i would like to ask some questions about the Mormon beliefs. Mormonism has come much into the public eye of late due to the presidential election and i am tremendously confused. However, I read the rules for the site which include "no apostate behavior" I need to have this clarified as i am not sure what that sort of behavior entails and I do not want to cause upset.

So if you could tell me what I am not allowed to do I would appreciate it.

Hi Scitor, welcome to LDSFF. Im sure there are many on this site who would love to answer any questions you have about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Its a privately owned site and so the owner, BrianM, ultimately decides what is acceptable to him or not as the case may be.

[mes5464]

Hi Scitor, welcome.

If you are interested in learning about lds beliefs, this may not be the best site for it. This site has a lot of topics related to end times and our political situation - there is less information about general beliefs and the gospel.

I would recommend taking a look at http://mormon.org/. This site is completely dedicated to people who want to find out about Mormon beliefs. There is a lot of great information there and there are also people there who will answer questions and chat live.

I think there are people here who would be happy to answer any questions you have as well, but I still feel the other site would probably be better.

I agree. Scitor, I recommend starting with mormon.org and speaking with missionaries.

[Original_Intent]

Welcome Scitor,

You are certainly welcome here, please rest assured that those who are directing you to other sites which might better suit your needs do so out of concern for your welfare, not to make you feel unwelcome.

[NoGreaterLove]

Welcome Scitor,

You are certainly welcome here, please rest assured that those who are directing you to other sites which might better suit your needs do so out of concern for your welfare, not to make you feel unwelcome.

+1

[scitor]

Thank you all for allowing this discourse

One thing I have noticed about this and several other Mormon blogs dis how articulate everyone is, and for the most part polite.
I understand people can get hot under the collar when speaking on a topic they find particularly frustrating.

A question I have tried to answer, with little success, by going to Mormon sites is what is the difference between an NOM and a TBM.
The reason I ask is because Jon Huntsman is described as the latter and Mitt Romney the former.

thanks again for your time and patience

[NoGreaterLove]

Thank you all for allowing this discourse

One thing I have noticed about this and several other Mormon blogs dis how articulate everyone is, and for the most part polite.
I understand people can get hot under the collar when speaking on a topic they find particularly frustrating.

A question I have tried to answer, with little success, by going to Mormon sites is what is the difference between an NOM and a TBM.
The reason I ask is because Jon Huntsman is described as the latter and Mitt Romney the former.

thanks again for your time and patience

Not sure. Where are they described as such?

[scitor]

http://www.sltrib.com/csp/cms/sites/slt ... d=51850027" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

here is the site on which I read it.

[Jason]

TBM, or “true blue [or believing] Mormon,” is attached to members with orthodox beliefs and practices; while NOM, or “new order Mormon,” suggests a Latter-day Saint who may not accept all the historical teachings or doctrines, but still enjoys worshipping with members.

In a recent column at religiondispatches.org, Joanna Brooks called Mitt Romney a TBM, while she described Jon Huntsman Jr. as a NOM.

http://www.sltrib.com/csp/cms/sites/slt ... d=51850027" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

....its just an opinion with no clear definition (not widely used - at least to my knowledge). Both of them are at odds with the religion in terms of the political ideas that they endorse/espouse....same with Harry Reid!

[NoGreaterLove]

http://www.sltrib.com/csp/cms/sites/slt ... d=51850027

here is the site on which I read it.

This boils down to the foundation of our religion. We are built upon the Rock. That is we have the restored Priesthood which is the authority given to man to act as if God himself were present. This authority is only given by those commissioned of Jesus Christ to members who have shown themselves worthy to receive such. Christ has chosen President Thomas S. Monson to hold all keys to that authority on earth, just as he chose Peter in earlier times.
So if one believes whole-heartedly in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then one believes in the authority of that prophet to proclaim the word of God. So if a prophet speaks to us and gives us direction, it is as if God himself has spoken to us.
Those who do not except all the doctrine of Christ's church but still want to socialize, are in essence proclaiming they do not accept this authority as binding. Therefore they expel either the scriptures, prophets words (by the way where did our scriptures come from anyway? Prophets), or the gift of the Holy Ghost that will give us direct revelation.
If one learns to use all three sources with complete faith, humbly realizing God reveals unto man line upon line, precept upon precept, exercising patience with the information he is given from these sources, he will find they all harmonize together and one does not contradict the other. It is man's imperfection that cause him to not understand how they harmonize and thus cause him to choose one above the other.
If the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it truly Christ's Church, then all of it's doctrines are true, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Thomas S. Monson is his prophet and we have the power of Christ in our midst by use of the Priesthood of God.

It either is true or it is from Satan.
I testify in the name of Christ it is true.

[bbrown]

I hadn't heard those terms before...But there have been similar efforts at distinctions made in the past. The terms are different but the concept is the same. One instance was a widely spread talk where the different names were "Liahona" members and "Iron Rod" members. This talk is, just like the above, one man's interpretation and not that of a Prophet of God. Below I will link to that article, "What the Church Means to People Like Me," and then the response of one of the twelve apostles in the first presidency of the Church, later a Prophet himself, to such thinking and rationalization. If you have to read just one, read "The Iron Rod" by President Lee at the bottom. It is very fitting for this topic and timeless in the questions it answers.

"What the Church Means to People Like Me" (the description and justification for such labels among members, starts on page 107, scroll down on the left and click on the individual pages): http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/docume ... 2869&REC=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Sorry it is difficult to read, the only other place I could find it was my friend's website and he had a problem where the program doubled what he typed...It isn't much better, but here it is all on one page if it helps: http://www.zionsbest.com/people.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And here is President Harold B. Lee giving a great response to that sort of belief in General Conference: http://lds.org/ensign/1971/06/the-iron-rod?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

None of the three mentioned LDS politicians (Romney, Huntsman, or Reid), in my opinion, proclaim and practice politics that agree with the principles taught by the leaders of the Church. Nor will they recieve my vote.

I hope that helps to explain things. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

CBrown

[freedomforall]

TBM, or “true blue [or believing] Mormon,” is attached to members with orthodox beliefs and practices; while NOM, or “new order Mormon,” suggests a Latter-day Saint who may not accept all the historical teachings or doctrines, but still enjoys worshipping with members.

Taken from the website posted by Scitor

[davedan]

We have a strong Ron Paul contingent here on this forum. I personally cannot in good conscience support Ron Raul because of his support for legalizing Cannabis. The US did away with alcohol prohibition in 1933 just before going into the depths of the Great Depression. I see every day the harm that both Cannabis and Alcohol do. The THC content is Cannabis today is 300x that of previous varieties which produces significant paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, and apathy. Unfortunately, we are seeing history repeat itself. In addition to the Cannabis Legislation, I had a business associate who is a national Tea Party/Libertarian organizer who I know to be a fraud and globalist controlled.

1. Harry Reid: He is a more recent convert to the LDS faith and is a member in good standing. Most LDS find it difficult to understand how Senator Reid could in good conscience do and say many of the things he does. Based on his works, I believe he is an infiltrator. The LDS faith does not investigate its members. It gives them many opportunities to give confession and declare their worthiness.

2. Jon Huntsman: Huntsman gave a very wishy-washy answer in an interview about how his LDS faith would influence his politics. His father was my local church leader (stake president) . Jon Jr. is also an LDS member in good standing. However, my older brother went to school with him (Jon Jr) and did not and does not see him as a person of integrity. His father is a great, devoted, faithful, and generous man. The son is overly ambitious which has led him to join the CFR. He is a political unknown who has top globalists telling him he should run for POTUS and helping him raise money. Unfortunately, he is looking to be very compromised and controllable.

3. Mitt Romney: Mitt is a member of very good standing and has served in LDS Church leadership positions (Stake President). However, he is not perfect. Mitt is also very ambitious and plays to the establishment and crowds. He got himself in trouble for giving some wishy-washy statements in early elections in Mass. The global elite have really made him pay for that. Mitt's problem is that he is not as awake to the reality of the global conspiracy. Or, at least, he doesn't give away that he is. However, I am not sure how he could remain asleep after witnessing Mike Huckabee and McCain's backroom deal in WVirginia on Super Tuesday last Election that destroyed any momentum going into the critical Florida vote that sank his candidacy.

I think he has some sense of the corrupting power of "special interests" in Washington and truly would like to "clean up washington." Mitt's biggest pros are that he is a man of integrity and faith, he actually has the talents and abilities for the job, and he is not an "insider" . The Powers that Be obviously do not want him as president and that is why we have seen a the GOP loaded with all sorts of candidates looking to shave votes from Romney.

Bachman - women
Ron Paul - 18-35 year-olds, Libertarian, 22 million illegal drugs users
[http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k9NSDUH/2k9Results.htm#Ch2]
Huntsman - Western States
Gingrich - Regan Conservatives, McCain Moderates
Herman Cain - Conservative Black
Pawlenty - Conservative South, Midwest

I am voting for Mitt Romney in 2012. But I don't think any president can stop the direction that this country is going, LDS or not. The burning of Babylon and the invasion of heathen armies is plainly described in Joel 1-3 and Rev 18:18.

However, my dream candidate would be someone with Mitt Romney talents, Ron Paul rhetoric, minus the Cannabis.

[oneClimbs]

Seriously, guys, I'm a little disappointed that we begin by pushing a visitor off to mormon.org right off the bat. I think Mormon.org is great and all and am very happy with how well they have improved the site over the years, but as each member is an ambassador for the faith, we are all perfectly well qualified to provide answers to a guest who would like to take part in our conversation.

Moving on to the candidates, especially the Mormon ones, I personally do not approve of the labels given to these men or others of any faith. We have no right to judge any of these candidates on their spirituality, only by their works as representatives of the people and the policies that they support.

My vote goes to the person who supports the principles of our constitutional Republic, no matter the man's faith. I agree with CBrown that I will not be voting for any of them.

[LukeAir2008]

Seriously, guys, I'm a little disappointed that we begin by pushing a visitor off to mormon.org right off the bat. I think Mormon.org is great and all and am very happy with how well they have improved the site over the years, but as each member is an ambassador for the faith, we are all perfectly well qualified to provide answers to a guest who would like to take part in our conversation.

Moving on to the candidates, especially the Mormon ones, I personally do not approve of the labels given to these men or others of any faith. We have no right to judge any of these candidates on their spirituality, only by their works as representatives of the people and the policies that they support.

My vote goes to the person who supports the principles of our constitutional Republic, no matter the man's faith. I agree with CBrown that I will not be voting for any of them.

+1 Exactly. What ever happened to every member a missionary? We get an investigator and we tell him to go away. And why are some people so frightened of anything which might threaten their own ideas or beliefs. Don't they have the strength of testimony to stand and bear witness of the truth. Maybe not?

[scitor]

Wow, you all are incredible. This is the most informative articulate site I have ever been on.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful answers, I got much more from you than I did from any news article or site.
I am a.... well, I am not sure what you guys call us non- Mormon Christians. Old Time Christians? Anyway, we also have our equivalent of the NOMs we call them Emergent Church and Seeker Church. They are a brand of Christians that don't like sound doctrine. They just want their senses tickled and to feel that they are a "good" person. Truth is hard, mostly human beings just want to know what they want to know.

Davedan -Your evaluation of Jon Huntsman is disappointing but probably just exactly right. He has a polished charm about him that speaks of ambition.

The Mormon candidates are also hampered because of Mormonism. This doesn't seem to be a topic that the press are willing to address. There are no interviews concerning what Mormons believe in the main stream media.

[mes5464]

Seriously, guys, I'm a little disappointed that we begin by pushing a visitor off to mormon.org right off the bat. I think Mormon.org is great and all and am very happy with how well they have improved the site over the years, but as each member is an ambassador for the faith, we are all perfectly well qualified to provide answers to a guest who would like to take part in our conversation.

Moving on to the candidates, especially the Mormon ones, I personally do not approve of the labels given to these men or others of any faith. We have no right to judge any of these candidates on their spirituality, only by their works as representatives of the people and the policies that they support.

My vote goes to the person who supports the principles of our constitutional Republic, no matter the man's faith. I agree with CBrown that I will not be voting for any of them.

This very thread is an example of why an investigating person should not be using this site to learn about the church. We discuss "meat" issues here with which a person, just starting out, should not be concerning themselves.

[scitor]

Mesa5464 - I do not mean to turn this thread into trivial and unimportant chit-chat that wastes time for people. I understand the need for people eating meat and giving up milk. But I am new and when a new person is trying to join in they tend to put their toe in the water before jumping in. I don't really know what is acceptable "meat" to talk about here. Perhaps you could introduce a meat topic and I will see if I can join in.

[Original_Intent]

I don't think meat issues are the problem, it is that people give their personal theories as if it were doctrine. If I had a friend investigating the church, I would answer any questions that I could and testify to the truth of course, but that doesn;t mean I would recommend they come to this site for further light and knowledge.

Jumping to the conclusion that people are directing anyone away from this site due to hiding their light under a bushel or of being lukewarm disciples of Christ is typical of people getting on their high horse and flexing their pride muscles feeling so superior to others.

The recomendation(s) for mormon.org I felt were simply that it is a bit more reliable in the doctrine department - LDSFF is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

[scitor]

I don't think meat issues are the problem, it is that people give their personal theories as if it were doctrine. If I had a friend investigating the church, I would answer any questions that I could and testify to the truth of course, but that doesn;t mean I would recommend they come to this site for further light and knowledge.

Jumping to the conclusion that people are directing anyone away from this site due to hiding their light under a bushel or of being lukewarm disciples of Christ is typical of people getting on their high horse and flexing their pride muscles feeling so superior to others.

The recomendation(s) for mormon.org I felt were simply that it is a bit more reliable in the doctrine department - LDSFF is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.

Thank you for the mormon.org site recommendation, I have been reading there. I am presently reading the article about Two Churches. I think Peter put it well in his letter when he said "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1 peter 3:15)

I guess if we are going to (possibly) have a Mormon president it makes sense that Mormons and whatever-we-call-the-other-ones
should be able to talk and get along and give each other the particulars of what we believe with gentleness and respect.

[scitor]

re: meat discussions:

I believe that meat discussions are discussions about truth. So, If we were to have a meat discussion, neither of our respective religions should come first for us, just the truth.



I have been spending time reading on Mormon.org . Under the section "What Jesus Christ did for you" it says
To make His Atonement fully effective in your life, you need to:

Exercise faith in Him.
Repent.
Be baptized.
Receive the Holy Ghost.
Choose to follow His teachings for the rest of your life.
This is a great starting point for a meat discussion. I believe this is truth. Christ said " I am the way the Truth and the life" (John 14:6)

So we could discuss this little excerpt from Mormon.org as a trial meeting of Christians and Mormons, with rules of gentleness and respect per the exhortation of Peter.

[mes5464]

re: meat discussions:

I believe that meat discussions are discussions about truth. So, If we were to have a meat discussion, neither of our respective religions should come first for us, just the truth.



I have been spending time reading on Mormon.org . Under the section "What Jesus Christ did for you" it says
To make His Atonement fully effective in your life, you need to:

Exercise faith in Him.
Repent.
Be baptized.
Receive the Holy Ghost.
Choose to follow His teachings for the rest of your life.
This is a great starting point for a meat discussion. I believe this is truth. Christ said " I am the way the Truth and the life" (John 14:6)

So we could discuss this little excerpt from Mormon.org as a trial meeting of Christians and Mormons, with rules of gentleness and respect per the exhortation of Peter.

The quote is straight forward. What exactly about this do you want to discuss?