True Blue Mormon

[Thinkpolicy]

I’m a father of 7 kids and five stepchildren,
I was a Capitol Hill staffer for 20 years,
I’m falling backward in my learning faster than I’m moving forward,
I try to follow the Spirit wherever He takes me,
I’m a skateboarder, … and,
I’m a Mormon.

[marc]

Welcome!

[kathyn]

Thinkpolicy, welcome to the Forum. Tread these waters carefully.

[BroJones]

Welcome; why do you call yourself a "True Blue Mormon"? what does that mean?

PS - I'm a True Blue Christian, because I follow Jesus. Reading his words this morning in John 17 - wonderful!

[Obrien]

thinkpolicy - greetings from flyover country. enjoy the forum, but do tread carefully - that's always good advice.

if you lasted 20 years in DC, I'll have to watch you awhile before I can" trust" you.

[SpeedRacer]

Staffer for 20 years? You live in VA or DC or MD?

[Thinkpolicy]

Staffer for 20 years? You live in VA or DC or MD?

Manassas

[Thinkpolicy]

Welcome; why do you call yourself a "True Blue Mormon"? what does that mean?

It means I recognize I cannot be exalted without the ordinances offered by the key holders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sure, I need the Holy Spirit of Promise to confirm that I've lived up to those ordinances before I can join the Church of the Firstborn, but without the ordinances I have nothing to live up to.

I had read enough posts to realize I should stake out my position early.

.

[oneClimbs]

A "Mormon" is one who adheres to the revelations and teachings pertaining to Latter-day Saint theology.

A "Christian" may be defined by many people in many different ways. Typically a "Christian" is one who believes in Jesus Christ, however, the term Christian for hundreds of years has applied to denominations that have defined core doctrines and creeds as pertaining to Christianity.

Because of a significant enough departure from these beliefs, Mormons are not classified as "Christian" in the traditional sense. The Mormon response is usually, "Hey, but I do believe in Jesus, I AM a Christian!" I think more and more, people are getting us and have no problem with the fact that we do believe in Jesus, but I don't think they feel comfortable lumping us in with traditional Christianity.

To be honest, I don't want to be lumped in with traditional Christianity. I love what the restoration brought and I don't really care what labels people want to put on it or not. I'm perfectly fine with being seen as different, because it's those differences that make our theology what it is.

The beauty of our theology is that we hold to a philosophy that encompasses all truth. We can search out and find truths anywhere in this world. A Latter-day Saint should have no problem reading the Koran, Nag Hammadi Library or even Buddhist texts and finding nuggets of truth. Other faith traditions have a much more narrow scope. Point A is you are a fallen sinner and point B is you are saved and there doesn't seem to be anything more for you than that.

Our theology is vast, rich and all-encompassing. It "should" appreciate all the good that God inspired in mankind that is manifest everywhere. We believe that things organized here on earth were meant to last eternally. We see a vision of a heaven filled with families and children, of trees, animals, homes and the powers of creation taken up by God's children for the endless expansion of his glory as well as our own with him.

If that is what a Mormon is, then I am one. I'm also a Christian in that I do believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but I am not a Christian according to the definitions of traditional Christianity. So it all depends on the dictionary you are using I guess.

[Thinkpolicy]

5Tev3,

I agree in toto.

I was trying to distinguish myself from those on this forum who believe they've moved "beyond" the Brethren of the LDS church.

I have read those texts (and libraries) you mentioned and found many treasured truths. I've been led to read books that are 99 percent Satanic to find the 1 percent truth that answered my question of the Father.

I have no problem with the idea of letting the dirt sift through and holding to the nuggets I find. Although I'm always working on my discernment.

But I've never found a nugget, no matter how STRANGE, that I couldn't get a confirmation of in the scriptures or from the Brethren. I keep thinking I've found something that I could NEVER get a confirmation of, and then HF finds a way to confirm it through those steady sources.

The Brethren aren't perfect, and either was Joseph Smith. They have all said things that weren't perfect Doctrine, but they and the scriptures remain my touchstone for truths I'm given.

.

[Robert Sinclair]

Moroni came back to Joseph Smith three times to go over that the things written in the book of Joel, that were not quite just yet but would soon be. Take a look at http://bloodmoonscoming.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


You nor the whole earth will ever witness again on the High Holy Days a giant super harvest blood red moon on September 28th 2015. This is a one time sign, not to be witnessed again, smaller blood moons yes, but not a super giant harvest moon turning blood red during these days.


These days are soon upon us. The call of the Lord if you will but look in the book of Joel to the Saints is to sound the alarm. The commandments of God to be equal in our temporal things and this by giving inheritances of covenants and deeds that cannot be broken into the hands of the poor and needy has been 100% rejected by the old men and administers of the law of God.(see section 42 of the D&C) Awaken to what is written in this book and blow the trumpet in Zion that they may hear and awaken and give ear to these things, as is written in the book of Joel. And return with broken hearts and contrite spirits to keep this law given them in D&C 42 which if you look is called the "law unto his church". Keeping the commandments given herein is considered "embracing the law" of the church. You know Washington D.C., know this the book of Joel has something to listen to. ♡

[Rose Garden]

I am no longer LDS, but I am still a Mormon.

Mormonism is truth; and every man who embraces it feels himself at liberty to embrace every truth: consequently the shackles of superstition, bigotry, ignorance, and priestcraft, fall at once from his neck; and his eyes are opened to see the truth, and the truth greatly prevails . . .

The first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right too embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or without being circumscribed or prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men, or by the dominations of one another, when that truth is clearly demonstrated to our minds.

—presbyterians any truth. Embrace that. Baptist. Methodist &c. get all the good in the world. Come out a pure Mormon.

Mormonism, so-called, embraces every principle pertaining to life and salvation, for time and eternity. No matter who has it. If the infidel has got truth it belongs to ‘Mormonism.’ The truth and the sound doctrine possessed by the sectarian world, and they have a great deal, all belong to this Church. As for their morality, many of them are, morally, just as good as we are. All that is good, lovely, and praiseworthy belongs to this Church and Kingdom. ‘Mormonism’ includes all truth. There is no truth but what belongs to the Gospel. It is life, eternal life; it is bliss; it is the fullness of all things in the gods and the eternities of the gods.

We claim the right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship who, where, or what they may.

“Wherein do you differ from other in your religious views?” In reality & essence we do not differ so far in our religious views but that we could all drink into one principle of love One the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth let it come from where it may.

—Joseph Smith

[pjbrownie]

5Tev3,

I agree in toto.

I was trying to distinguish myself from those on this forum who believe they've moved "beyond" the Brethren of the LDS church.

I have read those texts (and libraries) you mentioned and found many treasured truths. I've been led to read books that are 99 percent Satanic to find the 1 percent truth that answered my question of the Father.

I have no problem with the idea of letting the dirt sift through and holding to the nuggets I find. Although I'm always working on my discernment.

But I've never found a nugget, no matter how STRANGE, that I couldn't get a confirmation of in the scriptures or from the Brethren. I keep thinking I've found something that I could NEVER get a confirmation of, and then HF finds a way to confirm it through those steady sources.

The Brethren aren't perfect, and either was Joseph Smith. They have all said things that weren't perfect Doctrine, but they and the scriptures remain my touchstone for truths I'm given.

.

I certainly honor the Brethren as our leaders, but I don't place everything they say on the level of Scripture, precisely because they are imperfect, and because they've been wrong in the past and have corrected themselves. That's just a fact, not a criticism. I listed to the Holy Ghost and what God is trying to say to them when they are giving a message, and sometimes its different than the words spoken. Sometimes the Spirit whispers to me that what they are saying is off course. I'm grateful they do give us messages, but they are merely imperfect carriers.

[oneClimbs]

All things temporal are imperfect, and that's the miracle of it. The scriptures, church leaders, anything really in and of themselves are flawed and bear the fingerprints of fallen man, yet we allow power to flow through these things by the faith we invest in them.

An investment of faith can pull living water from a stone, how much more through an ordained servant of The Lord? I believe this is how we were meant to use these flawed things God has given us. It is precicely because of the flaws that make the process that much more miraculous.

The more flawed things become, we should respond in kind with increased faith to sustain what God has established lest we be found accountable for stepping aside to watch God's work come crashing down. We could be a lot more forgiving and merciful, we could see things with an eye of faith instead of the eye of the accuser.

"Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."
Revelation 12:10

[Robert Sinclair]

Sounding the alarm because of love for your brethern is what the Lord has asked. There is no accusing in Jesus Christ even though all his Wo, Wo, Wo unto you scribes and others. For he said I accuse you not before the father.
Understanding is a great thing. When a warning is sent forth and an alarm from one who loves you, you will not find them accusing you to the father. Just trying to warn you out of love. Why else is it written in the book of Joel for to sound the alarm if not for love of the family of God?



There is another being of darkness that continually accuses before God even with Job tried to find a way to accuse him. Their is a difference between this being, and brethern that love you and their only concern is for the welfare of your souls. ♡

[oneClimbs]

Great point, Robert. There are many that feel offended as their paradigms shift. Time often brings understanding. Most of these issues are self imposed, I think.

We speak of "our beloved prophet" and throw lavish birthday parties for him but are we not led by councils? Doesn't D&C 107 indicate that these councils must unanimously agree? No one man leads the body of the church, we sustain 15 as prophets, seers, etc. Christ tells us that we must become one, so why separate and single the president out?

I think these things reflect our fallen nature. There is no reason to accuse but instead to show patience and increased faith. Remember the weak-armed Moses who instead of being accused because of his weakness, was lifted up by his brethren who saw his weakness and came to help him fulfill his God-given role. By preserving Moses the preserved themselves. What you do for another equates to what you do for God.

So yeah, you'll see stuff. Little mess ups and perhaps even monumental errors. Remember who is really in charge and who always issues judgement and mercy in perfection.

Remember the same measure you mete will be measured against you.

[Robert Sinclair]

Always good to measure with love. ♡ ♡

[Showella]

It is easier to say true blue Mormon then true blue member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The name defines us. Mormon and lds are just easier to say. If you take the name you should do your best to honor it. Break offs have tried to keep as much of the name as they can. Reorganized church of ..., restored church of..., fundamentalist church of..., and now some just try to our nickname ,Mormon,. I really don't know why since the true and only relevant reformers did not try to keep the catholic name. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and so on. The church is restored with Christ at the head. Whatever leaves the body is just the waste.

[Robert Sinclair]

Waste can be recycled. Remember the story of Jesus Christ how when the invited guests would not come, he went without to get guests for his wedding supper. All the invited guests had to do was prepare a feast of fat things for the poor of inheritances in the lands of promise with covenants and deeds that cannot be broken into the hands of the poor and needy among them. That they become equal in their temporal things and then having brought his bride out of the closet clothed with equity and justice and righteousness and goodness, and come and see if the bridegroom comes forth as you have answered his invitation. ♡

[Steve Clark]

It is easier to say true blue Mormon then true blue member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The name defines us. Mormon and lds are just easier to say. If you take the name you should do your best to honor it. Break offs have tried to keep as much of the name as they can. Reorganized church of ..., restored church of..., fundamentalist church of..., and now some just try to our nickname ,Mormon,. I really don't know why since the true and only relevant reformers did not try to keep the catholic name. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and so on. The church is restored with Christ at the head. Whatever leaves the body is just the waste.

Does that make us a break off since we added "of Latter-day Saints" on after the fact?

[Showella]

Waste can be recycled. Remember the story of Jesus Christ how when the invited guests would not come, he went without to get guests for his wedding supper. All the invited guests had to do was prepare a feast of fat things for the poor of inheritances in the lands of promise with covenants and deeds that cannot be broken into the hands of the poor and needy among them. That they become equal in their temporal things and then having brought his bride out of the closet clothed with equity and justice and righteousness and goodness, and come and see if the bridegroom comes forth as you have answered his invitation. ♡

Yes waste can be recycled and we can repent and come back.

[Robert Sinclair]

The wedding invitation given from Jesus Christ himself through Joseph Smith in D&C 58 still stands. It not everlastingly too late yet. ♡

[Showella]

It is easier to say true blue Mormon then true blue member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The name defines us. Mormon and lds are just easier to say. If you take the name you should do your best to honor it. Break offs have tried to keep as much of the name as they can. Reorganized church of ..., restored church of..., fundamentalist church of..., and now some just try to our nickname ,Mormon,. I really don't know why since the true and only relevant reformers did not try to keep the catholic name. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and so on. The church is restored with Christ at the head. Whatever leaves the body is just the waste.

Does that make us a break off since we added "of Latter-day Saints" on after the fact?[/

I believe our savior feeds us a little at a time. If I recall it was a revelation given to Joseph smith to change the name from the church of Christ to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am not sure what the original name was but the church is the same. Same head (Christ) same body (members active and inactive) I believe in the savior and I will heed the words of the leaders he chose for us. Waste can be recycled. I meant waste as those who have apostosized. If The Lord wants a application or practice changed in his church it will be revealed through his prophets.