In Mormonism, Following Jesus Christ means being LDS

[_Infymus]

Get what I mean? Recently the Christmas letters have gone out like diaspora from my wifes 9 siblings and the FIL and MIL who are in SLC at the FHC. Enough acronyms?

So the letters have been chock full of platitudes about "learning the importance of following Christ. In reading this I pondered on what it was to follow Christ as a Mormon. In retrospect following Christ meant supporting Mormonism. At the core, you really DON'T support Christ as a Mormon if you don't pay your tithing...Jesus needs his ten percent. Getting married outside of the temple? Jesus, through Joe and his other "representatives" said its the only way to truly follow Jesus.

Not baptised LDS? You aren't following Jesus. The only way to truly Love Jesus is to be baptised a Mormon. Its THE ONLY WAY.

So all you Mormons out there, just remember - Without food storage, Sexual stupidity and blatant disregard for what constitutes Truth, you aren't following Christ!

Merry Effing Smithmas!

Was any of what they wrote quotes from the pulpit?

I see a lot of this Merc during this time of the year. Mormonism, it is about family... As long as that family is paying, praying and obeying. The rest that are on the outside, and well, we don't quite know what to do with them.

There is only one mold you must fit in Mormonism.

[_guy sajer]

Mormonism would be a lot more effective, if the members would actually live like Christians, instead of like Mormons.

Christianity would be a lot more effective if members of Christian sects would actually live like Christians instead of whatever they live like.

I think most practicing Mormons try to be as much of a Christian as any other Christian.

We all need work.

The Bible can be used to justify any kind of behavior, it depends on which scriptures one chooses to emphasize. Thus the statement that one should live like Christians has little meaning.

The real problem is that people are, and have been, living like Christians.

[_harmony]

The Bible can be used to justify any kind of behavior, it depends on which scriptures one chooses to emphasize. Thus the statement that one should live like Christians has little meaning.

The real problem is that people are, and have been, living like Christians.

It helps to remember that very few of the characters in the Bible are Christian. That all of the Old Testament is not about Christianity at all; it's about the Jews. That only the New Testament applies to Christianity, and even then, it's contaminated with the teachings of men. (I'll leave the individual to figure out which of those I'm talking about).

[_Inconceivable]

After paying the 10% protection money, my wife and I were tapped out. We had little left to give to those in true need for many years. I worked 10% more, I saw my children and family that much less. For what?

What a fool I was. I ought to have given it the homeless, poorer, hungrier and needier than to dump it in a bottomless pit used to help fortunate people feel more comfortable, educated and entitled.

Mormon tithing is not a Charitable Contribution.

It is neither.

[_Jason Bourne]

Mormonism would be a lot more effective, if the members would actually live like Christians, instead of like Mormons.

Christianity would be a lot more effective if members of Christian sects would actually live like Christians instead of whatever they live like.

I think most practicing Mormons try to be as much of a Christian as any other Christian.

We all need work.

I disagree, Jason. I think active Mormons are much more concerned about living like a Mormon (passing the TRI questions) than in living the gospel of Jesus Christ (loving one's neighbor, turning the other cheek, being kind to everyone). If it's not on the TRI, it doesn't get the emphasis that which is on the TRI gets.

Well we will have to disagree then. Most TRH's members I know seem to try to be as Christian as the next guy.

[_harmony]

Well we will have to disagree then. Most TRH's members I know seem to try to be as Christian as the next guy.

Each of us can only see what is within their own sphere. So when I tell you that I judge bishops by my widowed MIL's former bishop, who took one of her few remaining assets after my FIL's death, and paid only half what he promised. You will understand my jaundiced viewpoint, I'm sure. He was absolutely honest in his answer to the question: are you honest in your dealings with your fellowman...after all, she's a women, not a man, so he could cheat her all he wanted and still feel good about going to the temple the next day. Nevermind that she was old, widowed, and his responsibility. He wanted what she had and he took it.

Perhaps you can understand my inability to believe there is any such thing as inspiration in callings, when a former YM's president showed his Priests soft porn movies, and was then promoted to Bishop, High Council, and various stake positions.

Perhaps you might cut me some slack if you observed as I have, that all the ward leadership callings are concentrated in a few select families...and isn't it amazing how they're all related or the best of friends?

Or how about the bishop in a neighboring ward that was thrown out of the high school gym for screaming the F word at the refs at a high school basketball game? (his son was so embarrassed he put a towel over his head in shame).

The day the TRI questions on tithing and obedience are kicked to the curb and questions about kindness, turning the other cheek, and helping a neighbor are included, I'll believe that active TBM TRI holding Mormons actually live like Christians. No one should have to ask if someone is Christian, least of all a Mormon, a member of God's own true church; it should be obvious.