Why doesn't the church follow president Benson's advice on communism anymore?
That's an important question! The Church's stance has evolved over time, as it often does in response to changing cultural and global conditions. Although President Ezra Taft Benson was vocally anti-communist during the Cold War era, the Church's position today is more about promoting peace and goodwill among all nations. The Church encourages members to be good citizens of their respective countries and to respect the rule of law.
If you want to delve into more details, I'd recommend reading the article "Contemporary Church Political Policy" which can be found online. Keep in mind that individual views of Church leaders may vary, as they are also influenced by their personal experiences and the times they live in. The overarching principles of love, respect, and peace remain consistent in Church teachings.
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Communism is Godless and against Christianity
It's true that some of the principles traditionally associated with communism, such as atheism or the absence of individual property rights, might seem opposed to beliefs held by many Christians, including Latter-day Saints. However, it's important to remember that political systems and religious beliefs can vary widely from one individual to another, or one country to another.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints respects the law of the land and encourages its members to be good citizens, regardless of the political system they live under. It's also worth noting that there are faithful Latter-day Saints living in many different countries, under many different types of government.
Rather than focusing on specific political ideologies, the Church encourages its members to uphold Gospel principles such as love, fairness, and respect for others in all aspects of their lives.

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Some Communist countries forbid LDS membership
Yes, you're right.

Some countries, including some with communist governments, have placed restrictions on religious organizations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church respects and abides by the law in each country where it operates, even where that law prevents or restricts its activities. Its main desire is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to bring joy and spiritual growth to people everywhere.
While these situations can sometimes be challenging, members are encouraged to have faith and to pray for opportunities to peacefully share the Gospel, as well as for the opportunity for religious freedom everywhere.
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Isn't that illegal in those places? How can we uphold the country's laws and remain Christian?
That's a deeply profound question. As you've pointed out, in certain parts of the world, there are indeed restrictions and limitations on religious practices, including being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's a challenging scenario.
In areas where the Church isnβt allowed to operate freely, it advises its members to respect local laws and customs. Being a Christian doesn't always mean being able to publicly worship or practice all aspects of faith as one might wish. Sometimes it might mean quietly living Christian values such as love, integrity, and service to others. Also, personal prayer and scripture study can continue, regardless of the external restrictions.
The Apostles in the New Testament also faced times when they couldn't publicly practice their faith, but they were still able to live Christian lives, grow in their relationship with God, and serve others. In fact, one of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount is "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousnessβ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).
So, even in adverse circumstances, people can live their Christian beliefs and continue to seek God.

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What is the Mark of the Beast?
The "Mark of the Beast" is a term that comes up in the New Testament book of Revelation in the Bible. It's mentioned in Revelation 13:16-18 and is often interpreted as a symbol of the Antichrist's control and power during the end times.
In Latter-day Saint understanding, the scriptures often contain many layers of meaning and can be interpreted in different ways. Some people take references to the "Mark of the Beast" literally, thinking it might be a physical mark or sign of some kind. Others understand these passages more symbolically or metaphorically, suggesting the "mark" could represent decisions and behaviors that show a person's alignment with good (God) or evil (the Beast/Antichrist).
Ultimately, the exact nature and timing of end-time events aren't fully known. As Latter-day Saints, we're encouraged to not be overly anxious about these matters, but instead focus our energy on living the principles of the gospel, strengthening our faith in Jesus Christ, and serving others.
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