gdemetz wrote: When I studied many other Christian religions, I found that in almost all cases, the founder of that particular religion did not even claim to be a prophet.
Isn't the purpose of a prophet (per mainstream Christianity) to proclaim the coming of Jesus prior to his birth on the earth?
I could be wrong.
But I would think this is a good reason not to feel the need for a prophet anymore.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
Ok, the Islam then. It claims Mohammed to be the prophet of Alah. Why is such a claim less valid then yours?
And the flds example also claims prophetic roots and a living prophet.
Methinks you are avoiding my questions. Here they are:
Some questions:
The process of the creation of the Quran is also quite miraculous, and the growth of Islam seems a much better match for the prophecy of Daniel in regards to the stone cut without hands filling the world. Why is Islam not the "true path"? Or is it as valid as other revealed religions?
Imagine if you would a devout FLDS sister. She has a witness of the spirit that Warren Jeffs is the true prophet of the lord, that the FLDS church is true, that the LDS church is in apostasy, and the she as a sister wife is fulfilling the will of god in regards to her life. Is your witness more valid/reliable than hers? Why or why not? They are both based on the same restoration narrative.
Tobin is a regular poster here. He believes that the Book of Mormon is a historical work detailing the events it describes and is the literal word of god translated by Joseph Smith. Yet Tobin claims that many of the current church teachings, policies, and doctrines are in error. Tobin claims to have seen god, making him in every bit of the word as much as an apostle as Paul or any of the LDS inc 15. Is Tobin's witness as valid as yours? Is his proclamation that the church is in error in some of its practices valid? He is an apostle after all.
Nighlion practices a type phrenology of mountains looking for god's will in the bumps and crags of the apocalrock. He (now correct me if I am wrong) affirms that the LDS church is in apostasy and many of its teaching are in error. Is his witness less valid/reliable than yours?
All claim the "beauty of revealed gospel" and most share a common root.
Are all correct? All equally valid? Or is one more valid/reliable/certain/correct than the others? Why or why not?
It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener at war.
Some of us, on the other hand, actually prefer a religion that includes some type of correlation with reality. ~Bill Hamblin
That's why these claims should all be investigated, but if a religion doesn't even claim a prophet who guides it, in the light of Amos 3:7, which states that the Lord will do nothing except He fist reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets, then, to me, it could not be Christ's church. Also, in answer to another question, there were prophets in the primitive church, after Christ's birth, and there also needed to be prophets to restore the church along with all of it's offices, ordinances, etc., as Peter prophesied.
Gd, The moslems have Mohammed, he flds have Warren Jeffs, Nightlion has Nightlion and Tobin has Tobin. We are replete with prophets in fact I would say we have a plethora of prophets.
Now why is yours better than the others?
It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener at war.
Some of us, on the other hand, actually prefer a religion that includes some type of correlation with reality. ~Bill Hamblin
Well, I don't want to comment about Nightlion or Tobin, I don't know them so that would not be fair. However, from what I have read about Mohammed, he doesn't impress me as one who was a true prophet, or came up with any glorious revelations, and certainly didn't fulfill Peter's prophesy concerning the restitution of all things.
gdemetz wrote:Well, I don't want to comment about Nightlion or Tobin, I don't know them so that would not be fair. However, from what I have read about Mohammed, he doesn't impress me as one who was a true prophet, or came up with any glorious revelations, and certainly didn't fulfill Peter's prophesy concerning the restitution of all things.
What glorious revelations or prophesies have come from Thomas Monson?
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
I am less.than impressed with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. I fail to see any prophecy, seering, or revelating since the vision on the work for the dead.
Please feel free to correct me.
In fact I am sure I could produce at least 1/2 a dozen failed prophetic pronouncements from the brethren since 1900 or so..... but then they would just be discounted as a prophet speaking as a man.
So produce one that was fulfilled. An example of prophecy in the last 50 years that was fulfilled.
It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener at war.
Some of us, on the other hand, actually prefer a religion that includes some type of correlation with reality. ~Bill Hamblin
Have you read the Doctrine and Covenants? If you have, then you undoubtedly noticed a big difference in those writings and the writings of their "Christian" contemporaries, haven't you?
What glorious revelations or prophesies have come from Thomas Monson?
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
