How do you think Christians should interact with Mormons?

[Wrangler]

If one is going to socialise with mormons then one should be as well read about what the 'church of later day saints' does teach and practise so as to be able to evangelise among them.

Oy vey! Evangelize, you call it? One thing I passionately hate is proselytizers.

I prefer the experience I've had with Mormons much more than Catholics or Eastern Orthodox. And I prefer to live with them in Spirit, not lecture them endlessly about how their doctrines - IMHO - are wrong.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

If one is going to socialise with mormons then one should be as well read about what the 'church of later day saints' does teach and practise so as to be able to evangelise among them.

A better idea would be to just ask that person directly what they believe and talk WITH them about it. That person is the sole the expert on what they believe, not any other source. Any other source, no matter how well intentioned, will get things wrong.

You don't win people over by rehearsing scripts or viewing them as a target for evangelizing. Such is intrinsically de-humanizing.

The Spirit alone testifies of Truth & wins hearts.

 

[Windmillcharge]

Oy vey! Evangelize, you call it? One thing I passionately hate is proselytizers.

I prefer the experience I've had with Mormons much more than Catholics or Eastern Orthodox. And I prefer to live with them in Spirit, not lecture them endlessly about how their doctrines - IMHO - are wrong.

yet Jesus commands us to do just that.

 

[Windmillcharge]

A better idea would be to just ask that person directly what they believe and talk WITH them about it. That person is the sole the expert on what they believe, not any other source. Any other source, no matter how well intentioned, will get things wrong.

You don't win people over by rehearsing scripts or viewing them as a target for evangelizing. Such is intrinsically de-humanizing.

The Spirit alone testifies of Truth & wins hearts.

Mormonism is not like protestant Christianity with everyone deciding what they do or do not believe.
Mormon doctrine is set out and that is what one believes. Largely they are far better educated in what they belief than the average Christian.

Once one knows there formal believes then yes talk with them ask them what they believe. Knowing what is perscribed nean one is able to ask intelligent questions, as well as know when they are being economical with the truth.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

yet Jesus commands us to do just that.

Mormonism is not like protestant Christianity with everyone deciding what they do or do not believe.
Mormon doctrine is set out and that is what one believes. Largely they are far better educated in what they belief than the average Christian.

Once one knows there formal believes then yes talk with them ask them what they believe. Knowing what is perscribed nean one is able to ask intelligent questions, as well as know when they are being economical with the truth.

The core of an LDS Christian's walk with Christ is: Christ, and that relationship with Him. If I want to know if something is of Him / is His Truth: I get on my knees and ask Him directly. I am continually learning more of Him, as our my fellow brothers & sisters. There is variety. And frankly, vast majority of non-LDS Christian sources on the subject are really low quality and completely mess up even the basics (like the importance of Christ).

Approaching somebody with a script in hand to try to trick them is a move commonly found in the Bible: the Pharisees loved that method. Versus Jesus whom took the time to know people individually and reach out with love individually.

 

[Pearl]

How do you think Christians should interact with Mormons?

Same way as they should interact with anybody, just like Jesus did with the misfits he came across in his ministry. He was polite and never rude and answered questions in a kind a gentle way just as the bible tells us to do. He made his points but didn't coerce people into accepting his teachings.​

 

[LouisWilliams]

The core of an LDS Christian's walk with Christ is: Christ, and that relationship with Him. If I want to know if something is of Him / is His Truth: I get on my knees and ask Him directly. I am continually learning more of Him, as our my fellow brothers & sisters. There is variety. And frankly, vast majority of non-LDS Christian sources on the subject are really low quality and completely mess up even the basics (like the importance of Christ).

Approaching somebody with a script in hand to try to trick them is a move commonly found in the Bible: the Pharisees loved that method. Versus Jesus whom took the time to know people individually and reach out with love individually.

I don't think that the LDS Church necessarily was inspired by "lower" things per se - but I do think there are significant differences between the teachings of the Book of Mormon and mainstream Christianity.

But this confuses me, and I am not the most expert theologian myself - because most Mormons also embrace the Bible, and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, so by definition of faith, they are also essentially "saved" even if some of their teachings might be erroneous or distorted from an outside perspective...are they not?

 

[Jane_Doe22]

I don't think that the LDS Church necessarily was inspired by "lower" things per se - but I do think there are significant differences between the teachings of the Book of Mormon and mainstream Christianity.

But this confuses me, and I am not the most expert theologian myself - because most Mormons also embrace the Bible, and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, so by definition of faith, they are also essentially "saved" even if some of their teachings might be erroneous or distorted from an outside perspective...are they not?

There are indeed theological differences between branches in Christianity. I'm not a mainstream Christian (which is the USA usually means "generic Protestant"). And that is purposeful- there's parts of generic Protestantism / mainstream Christianity I disagree with, such a Sola Scriptura. Theology is indeed super important, however it's not what saves or what makes a person a Christian. What makes a person a Christian is them choosing to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior. We all still sin and still have much more learn of Him.

 

[Gregory]

.
To All Concerned:

I strongly suggest avoiding going head to head with Mormons debating the
many facets of their teachings, beliefs, practices, and/or architecture, etc. or
you will soon find yourself tangled up in a can of worms.

The most important thing you need to know about Mormonism is that its
version of the Melchizedek priesthood is not the Bible's version. See posts
No.8 and No.13

NOTE: If Mormons challenge you to produce textual evidence to substantiate

This seems like a dumb thing to do if you are interested in what the Mormons
believe. Oh, the first thing I will do is go and see what the anti-Mormons think the Mormons believe. Wow, then you will get the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Think about it?

IOW if you are wanting to know what the Mormons believe go to an active member of the Mormon church and talk to them. I mean a member that has a temple recommend, not some slacking Mormon that hasn't been to church for 10 years. I hope this makes sense.

 

[Gregory]

The Bible informs us not to seek or pursue friendships with people that don’t believe as you do.

2 Corinthians 6:14 commands to “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” and verse 17 states to come out from relationship with those with different beliefs.

The Bible also commands us not to listen to their preaching:

Galatians 1:8-9 if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed

2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.

Obviously we will have relations and interactions with different faiths, for example I have a step-sister who is Mormon who I love very much, but if you are seeking friends you should be praying and looking for people with the same beliefs as you.

If you seek only those that believe exactly like you, you will be alone.

I challenge you to take the 15 most important principals of your belief system and compare your belief system with any person, and I tell you that only 8-9 will be like what you believe and the other 7-8 will be different. Even within your own church.

So good luck with making friends with people that believe exactly like you do. Hope it works out different, but I don't think so.

 

[Cassandra]

"As man is, God once was. As God is, man will become." Is this a doctrine of your church?

Does this mean that our God was/is not the original God, but was a man?I am not speaking of Jesus when He was on earth, I am speaking of God the Father. Does God the Father have a father?
Also, do you believe that God has a wife? And do you believe they have procreated to have spirit babies?

 

[Pythagorean12]

Treat them with respect and love.
I'm suppose to love my enemies. I think it would be a huge contradiction to then feel less than that for Mormons.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

"As man is, God once was. As God is, man will become." Is this a doctrine of your church?

Does this mean that our God was/is not the original God, but was a man?I am not speaking of Jesus when He was on earth, I am speaking of God the Father. Does God the Father have a father?
Also, do you believe that God has a wife? And do you believe they have procreated to have spirit babies?

This non-scriptural quote is speculative and very very seldom comes up in actual LDS Christian Church. By very very seldom, I mean like maybe 5 minutes in 5,000+ hours of discord. On those very rare occasions, the focus is on how disciples of Christ can become like Him through His atonement. Much more commonly discussed are verses like Romans 8:17.

LDS Christians don't have any definitive doctrine on the Father's past. We do doctrinally know that He's always existed, He's always been God, ever lasting to ever lasting. He is God because of His endless Goodness, Wisdom, Mercy, Forgiveness, etc. God is not God because men are junk/small/wicked/etc -- God's magnificence is not dependent on that. We do know that God the Son lived on earth in a mortal body, and such in no way diminishes him. One could take verses like John 5:19 literally and speculate the Father once did likewise, but such is speculation only and you'll find a million different views on such.

 

[Cassandra]

I was raised LDS in the late 50s/60s , but didn't know what the belief was. It was Mormon missionaries that visited our home that told me about God and His spirit wife, and that we were all spirit babies and the reason we cam to earth was to get bodies. And getting married in the temple for time and eternity means that you are married in the hereafter, and you can become a god and goddess and have your own planet. When I asked them how the spirit babies were made, they replied, "How do you think" I was outta there after that. God does not have a wife.

 

[Enoch111]

I was outta there after that. God does not have a wife.

Good for you. However, you will find Jane Doe in perpetual denial, regardless of DIRECT QUOTES from Mormon leaders. Which is a very dangerous place to be.

 

[Enoch111]

Treat them with respect and love.

Agreed. But at the same time show them how false their church's teachings are. Just like the Roman Catholic Church, or just like any other cult.

 

[Pythagorean12]

I was raised LDS in the late 50s/60s , but didn't know what the belief was. It was Mormon missionaries that visited our home that told me about God and His spirit wife, and that we were all spirit babies and the reason we cam to earth was to get bodies. And getting married in the temple for time and eternity means that you are married in the hereafter, and you can become a god and goddess and have your own planet. When I asked them how the spirit babies were made, they replied, "How do you think" I was outta there after that. God does not have a wife.

In excavavations in Africa dating to 200, 000 to 250,000 years in the past female figurines have been found that lead researchers to conclude the first deific image in early civilization may have been female, or a goddess.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Good for you. However, you will find Jane Doe in perpetual denial, regardless of DIRECT QUOTES from Mormon leaders. Which is a very dangerous place to be.

Agreed. But at the same time show them how false their church's teachings are. Just like the Roman Catholic Church, or just like any other cult.

Quoting doesn't equate to understanding or being truthful or loving -- "anti-cult" stuff isn't interested in that. @Enoch111 , you do NOT display respect or love to me in the slightest. You're not interested taking the time to see me, to see my current love of Christ, and help that love grow. Instead you just slap a label on me and run with that stereotype regardless of whether or not it's accurate.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

I was raised LDS in the late 50s/60s , but didn't know what the belief was. It was Mormon missionaries that visited our home that told me about God and His spirit wife, and that we were all spirit babies and the reason we cam to earth was to get bodies. And getting married in the temple for time and eternity means that you are married in the hereafter, and you can become a god and goddess and have your own planet. When I asked them how the spirit babies were made, they replied, "How do you think" I was outta there after that. God does not have a wife.

Thank you for the context of your questions/statements. As I said, that quote is very very seldom brought up in actual LDS Christian discourse. Anti folks totally love it though! I'm going to break my response up here into the different sub-topics ---

"Spirit babies": I feel that this could use some clarification. LDS Christians believe Jeremiah 1:5 literally: God literally know you before you (and everyone else) was made in your mother's womb. It is believed that each person's spirit lived with the Father before being born on this Earth. I personally have a newborn son, and I see the vibrant personality he has, and firmly believe his spirit is more than 12 months old.

A disciple of Christ's fate: is to become a joint-heir with Him, inheriting all that the Father has. The big things here are sharing His love, mercy, justice, will, etc. Far less important is the size you your "mansion". When people talk about "getting planets" they really are missing the mark on what's important here. Spending eternity with God & your family isn't about playing a harp 24/7 or "look I can make a mountain jump!" or "look how fancy my house is!".

Heavenly Father & Heavenly Mother: yes, LDS Christians believe that Heavenly Father is eternal and male. It would be grossly inappropriate to say "she" or "it" when referring the to the Father as if gender didn't matter. He is our Father & He is male. Yes, it is believed that He has a wife, Heavenly Mother -- male + female together. Heavenly Mother is another topic that not much is known about, and hence it's not talked about much. And no, they don't go making a bunch of "spirit babies via sex", that anti claim is beyond silly.

 

[Cassandra]

Does your heavenly father have a father?

And what does this mean?
"Spirit children are born of resurrected, exalted parents. They are born in the same manner that mortal children are born. However, when a celestial parent has a child, it is composed of spiritual material, not physical material."

How are spirit children born?

“I believe that the declaration made in these two scriptures is literally true … [God] created man, as we create our children; for there is no other process of creation in heaven, on the earth, in the earth, or under the earth, or in all the eternities, that is, that were, or that ever will be.”
(Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 11:122, June 18, 1865)
Journal of Discourses Vol. 11, page 122