Let's assume Joseph was on the right track in thinking God wants his real church restored for his people.
What would that look like? How would it differ from today's LDS church? How would it be the same?
The real church of Jesus Christ
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_harmony
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_Runtu
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Re: The real church of Jesus Christ
harmony wrote:Let's assume Joseph was on the right track in thinking God wants his real church restored for his people.
What would that look like? How would it differ from today's LDS church? How would it be the same?
I don't really know. I think it would emphasize the two great commandments, as you said, and it would be instrumental in bringing peace and love to the world. I don't think there would be the weird focus on minutia.
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_truth dancer
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Hey Harmony,
I've thought about this so much over the years.
It would be a church were everyone was welcome and equal. None of this special, elitism stuff. No discrimination based on race, skin color, gender, sexual orientation... everyone welcome. No care for appearances. No concern for the whole PR thing. The words, "come unto me" would be a welcome invitation for all.
The teachings would consists of the sermon on the mount, and the two great commandments.
Love God, love each other. Simple, Pure, Clear.
There would be no elaborate ostentations buildings in which to meet. No need for fancy clothes. No heirarchy. No special privileges for the wealthy and powerful.
Women would be treated respectfully and equally.
Children would be valued and cared for.
No praise for past men who claimed to have spoken to God. No need for all the ritual, conformity, and interviews.
I picture a place of peace, an emphasis on being meek, humble, peacemakers. Doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. A supportive, accepting group who doesn't delight in harm, arrogance, egocentric needs to be cruel, fight, be right, in control, or powerful.
Ahhhh it is a nice vision, prehaps a fantasy but nice nontheless. :-)
~dancer~
I've thought about this so much over the years.
It would be a church were everyone was welcome and equal. None of this special, elitism stuff. No discrimination based on race, skin color, gender, sexual orientation... everyone welcome. No care for appearances. No concern for the whole PR thing. The words, "come unto me" would be a welcome invitation for all.
The teachings would consists of the sermon on the mount, and the two great commandments.
Love God, love each other. Simple, Pure, Clear.
There would be no elaborate ostentations buildings in which to meet. No need for fancy clothes. No heirarchy. No special privileges for the wealthy and powerful.
Women would be treated respectfully and equally.
Children would be valued and cared for.
No praise for past men who claimed to have spoken to God. No need for all the ritual, conformity, and interviews.
I picture a place of peace, an emphasis on being meek, humble, peacemakers. Doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. A supportive, accepting group who doesn't delight in harm, arrogance, egocentric needs to be cruel, fight, be right, in control, or powerful.
Ahhhh it is a nice vision, prehaps a fantasy but nice nontheless. :-)
~dancer~
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_the road to hana
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Re: The real church of Jesus Christ
harmony wrote:Let's assume Joseph was on the right track in thinking God wants his real church restored for his people.
What would that look like? How would it differ from today's LDS church? How would it be the same?
Would that be a little like God having to ask Joseph Smith to look for his lost keys?
The road is beautiful, treacherous, and full of twists and turns.
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_MormonMendacity
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Re: The real church of Jesus Christ
harmony wrote:Let's assume Joseph was on the right track in thinking God wants his real church restored for his people.
What would that look like? How would it differ from today's LDS church? How would it be the same?
There would be one commandment: do no harm.
"Suppose we've chosen the wrong god. Every time we go to church we're just making him madder and madder" --Homer Simpson's version of Pascal's Wager
Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool.
Religion is ignorance reduced to a system.
Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool.
Religion is ignorance reduced to a system.
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_Brackite
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Re: The real church of Jesus Christ
harmony wrote:Let's assume Joseph was on the right track in thinking God wants his real church restored for his people.
What would that look like? How would it differ from today's LDS church? How would it be the same?
Hi Harmony,
The real Restored Church would be based on the two Great Commandments that Jesus Christ gave. Here they are:
Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)
37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Footnotes:
Matthew 22:37 Deut. 6:5
Matthew 22:39 Lev. 19:18
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_moksha
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truth dancer wrote: The teachings would consists of the sermon on the mount, and the two great commandments: Love God, love each other. Simple, Pure, Clear. There would be no elaborate ostentations buildings in which to meet. No need for fancy clothes. No heirarchy. No special privileges for the wealthy and powerful. Women would be treated respectfully and equally. Children would be valued and cared for. No praise for past men who claimed to have spoken to God. No need for all the ritual, conformity, and interviews. I picture a place of peace, an emphasis on being meek, humble, peacemakers. Doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. A supportive, accepting group who doesn't delight in harm, arrogance, egocentric needs to be cruel, fight, be right, in control, or powerful.
~dancer~
Can you start this close by my house?
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
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_MormonMendacity
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truth dancer wrote:Love God, love each other.
~dancer~
Why do you think God would need our love -- or us to love him -- in his church?
"Suppose we've chosen the wrong god. Every time we go to church we're just making him madder and madder" --Homer Simpson's version of Pascal's Wager
Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool.
Religion is ignorance reduced to a system.
Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool.
Religion is ignorance reduced to a system.
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_Jason Bourne
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Re: The real church of Jesus Christ
harmony wrote:Let's assume Joseph was on the right track in thinking God wants his real church restored for his people.
What would that look like? How would it differ from today's LDS church? How would it be the same?
in my opinion take 1829-1835 and stop there and I think you have it.
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_Lucretia MacEvil
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Re: The real church of Jesus Christ
the road to hana wrote:harmony wrote:Let's assume Joseph was on the right track in thinking God wants his real church restored for his people.
What would that look like? How would it differ from today's LDS church? How would it be the same?
Would that be a little like God having to ask Joseph Smith to look for his lost keys?
I think you've got something there!
Maybe what God would like us to know is that He does not participate in this world and that we should quit trying to restore stuff that never worked in the first place.