DiscussMormonism.com

The pastor of the UMC congregation I attend called and asked me to give a presentation on Mormon Theology in two weeks.

This is a crummy time for me to do such a thing. I've been under lots of stress lately, but I think this is an opportunity I should take, so I'm going to do it. I'll be speaking to a big crowd--about six hundred--and I'm already nervous. I've signed hymns for the congregation before, but speaking is an entirely different matter. I despise my voice and when I'm nervous it gets shaky. I'll need to practice my delivery a lot.

I have only twenty minutes to speak, so there's no way I can cover much. I need to focus on the most important issues.

To be frank, my pastor believes Mormonism to be in error and not a part of traditional Christianity, as do most other pastors. I agree that there are differences in theology and I need to narrow down those differences to the most important single issue, I think.

I've been thinking for the past couple of hours, and I've just about decided the most important single issue separating Mormonism from traditional Christianity is the nature of God. But, I'm open to other suggestions, especially from Latter-day Saints.

There is no desire on my part to be anything other than completely honest about Mormon theology. I want to be accurate, as well. I do not intend to use Ed Deckeresque tactics or go for shock value. I don't seek to be inflammatory.

Have I honed in on the most important distinction?

The nature of God in LDS theology is fairly clear to me, having been a Mormon for so long, but I need to find good sources so that I do not rely simply on memory. I'll be looking for sources over the next several days, and any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Kimberly Ann

I prefer Jeff Tweedy's musings on the nature of God:

"No love's as random as god's love...I can't stand it, I can't stand it."

silentkid wrote:I prefer Jeff Tweedy's musings on the nature of God:

"No love's as random as god's love...I can't stand it, I can't stand it."

Me, too!

"I know you got a God shaped hole. You're bleeding out your heart full of soul."

I'd like to thank you for nothin'. Thirty-six times. :)

KA--whose prayers will never be answered again.

Thankfully, it'll be an extremely short presentation. According to our friends at MA&D, Mormonism doesn't have a theology.

Hi KA,

Obviously, the nature of God is an important difference. But I think the nature of revelation is probably equally if not more important. Perhaps these two idea could be treated together, since continuing revelation is the source for the Mormons' unusual God-concept, and the idea of progression is inherent in both (as well as in Mormonism's concept of salvation, which most Mormons themselves would probably consider the most important aspect of their theology).

Just a few thoughts to chew on.

Best,

-Chris

Dr. Shades wrote:Thankfully, it'll be an extremely short presentation. According to our friends at MA&D, Mormonism doesn't have a theology.

Dang, you beat me to it ;)

Sounds like a lot of fun. You could even follow the outline of the missionary discussions as a general outline (God, Jesus, Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Atonement, apostacy etc.)

Kim,

Present the idea that God is our Father in Heaven, and that Christ is the Son. That means two Gods, with one beign the Elder and senior. We only worship the Father in the name of Christ. As the intercessory prayer states, the Father and Son are one, and if we are dealing with the Son, it is no different than dealing with the Father.

That is our goal as children of God, to follow in our elder brothers footsteps, he beign our great example. Christians falsely believe that we are a seperate creation and are not literally children of God. This is a false teaching. We are literally children of God, and have the potential to be Christlike.

Also it would be good to touch on authority and the Holy Ghost. Use Acts 13:1-3, Acts 18:24-19:1-6. Also discuss the Mormon view on the Melchizedek priesthood as presented in D&C 84:19-27 in conjunction with that last Acts reference.

Its a real shame you only have 20 min. That doesent really give oyu enough time to cover Abr.3:22-25, and 2 Nephi chp.2. So so much to teach.

Be gentle with them. They arent used to deep water.

Gazelam wrote:Be gentle with them. They aren't used to deep water.

Or quicksand

KimberlyAnn wrote:I've been thinking for the past couple of hours, and I've just about decided the most important single issue separating Mormonism from traditional Christianity is the nature of God. But, I'm open to other suggestions, especially from Latter-day Saints.

Kimberly Ann

Being derisive in what you say to this group about Mormons, may appeal to their baser instincts, and may have them yearning for the good old days of burning heretics, but will it really make them better people? Shooting for a message that will encourage love and understanding seems to me to be much more spiritually uplifting in the long run for this group.

Hope this helps.

If it were me, I'd basically go over the outline of the former "six discussions", adding some "meat" along the way that the discussions try to avoid. I think Mormonism is vacuous enough that you can sum the main stuff up in 20 minutes.