Ballard publicly denounces Catholicism.

[_sock puppet]

shouldn't that read "Missouri?"

If it did, hardly anybody except Mormons would get the joke.

Well, then, only those that know god (per Ballard) would get the joke.

[_Maureen]

Ahh the good ole days when church leaders actually would take a stand about something...

I watched the entire talk earlier today as Elder Ballard addressed a four country conference of YA's. I think that within the contextual framework of those that he was speaking to that it made sense that he would delineate the important difference between the creeds of the early Christian churches and the restoration doctrine of corporeal and separate beings in the Godhead. That we are literally created in the image of God. The Catholics seem to be a bit fuzzy on all that...

You think Catholics are fuzzy on their belief in God, who and what God is? Really? Catholics know exactly what they believe about God, all three persons.

MG, explain to me who and what the Holy Spirit (Ghost) is, since Mormons know him so well.

M.

[Guest]

What other option do they have? It's either us or them!

Good thing you added the smiley face. Otherwise folks might get the impression that you really believe a minor American religious sect with a claimed membership of 15 million, and established a little over 180 years ago, is somehow competitive in God's eyes with a church that has 100 times as many members that has been on the Earth ten times as long.
______________________

ETA: Sorry about the extra zero in the original. 15 million to 1.5 billion is 100 times as many members.

[_mentalgymnast]

You think Catholics are fuzzy on their belief in God...

Didn't say that.

...who and what God is?

What are the attributes of the members of the Godhead and/or Trinity? When you pray, who do you pray to...God or Jesus...or Mary...or a Saint? When you pray is there a mediator or intercessory? If so, who? Is God a corporal being at this time or a Spirit? Are we created in His image/likeness in a literal sense? When Jesus was baptized who spoke from the heavens? Did the sign of the dove represent God/Christ or a third individual/entity? When Stephen was martyred did he see two personages? Who were they? In John 17 who is Jesus addressing?

Would LDS Doctrine dovetail with your answers? If not, who's right and who's wrong...assuming either the CofJCofLDS is right or the Catholic Church is right.

Catholics know exactly what they believe about God, all three persons.

Over the years my understanding of what Catholics believe remains rather fuzzy. And I've tried to understand it. I might just be me and my little brain. Sometimes the creeds might even teach one thing and Catholic folks will believe something different...as though they might even be confused/fuzzy.

No offense intended.

Maybe you can help me out.

MG, explain to me who and what the Holy Spirit (Ghost) is, since Mormons know him so well.

Here's a good place to start:

https://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&query=Holy+Ghost

If you find that any of these sources conflict with each other, point it out.

by the way, just as Elder Ballard was not dissing Catholics, neither am I.

Regards,
MG

[_mentalgymnast]

What other option do they have? It's either us or them!

Good thing you added the smiley face. Otherwise folks might get the impression that you really believe a minor American religious sect with a claimed membership of 15 million, and established a little over 180 years ago, is somehow competitive in God's eyes with a church that has 1,000 times as many members that has been on the Earth ten times as long.

Might makes right...right?

Regards,
MG

[_Maureen]

...Over the years my understanding of what Catholics believe remains rather fuzzy. And I've tried to understand it. I might just be me and my little brain. Sometimes the creeds might even teach one thing and Catholic folks will believe something different...as though they might even be confused/fuzzy...

So in other words your understanding of what Catholics believe is fuzzy. Is that what you were trying to say, because it didn't come out that way.

And by the way, I am not Catholic, I am Lutheran. But I do share a lot of beliefs with Catholics, especially the Trinity. Many Catholic posters have visited lds.net over the years and have shared their beliefs there. Their posts were very articulate and educational. They understand very well what they believe, and in my opinion, explain their beliefs in a concise and thoughtful manner.

M.

[_DrW]

What other option do they have? It's either us or them!

Good thing you added the smiley face. Otherwise folks might get the impression that you really believe a minor American religious sect with a claimed membership of 15 million, and established a little over 180 years ago, is somehow competitive in God's eyes with a church that has 1,000 times as many members that has been on the Earth ten times as long.

Might makes right...right?

Regards,
MG

Well, it's pretty clear that a delusion bought into by 1.5 billion people and led by an individual who is well known and respected the world over does have a much greater impact on humanity than a delusion with less than 1% as many adherents and led by a incestuous group of less than honest old men who regularly make fools of themselves, and a laughing stock of their religion, on the national and international stage.

[_Philo Sofee]

The real irony is that Brigham Young would have said the same thing to present-day Ballard:

He doesn't know who God is: Brigham would say, God is of course Adam who came down from Kolob with one of his wives, Eve, to start the human race. Not some being who looks remarkably like the mainstream Christian God when LDS talk to mainstream Christians, nor an ill-defined "I don't know if we preach that, I don't know if we believe that" kind of being when LDS talk to the media.

He doesn't know who the Savior is: Brigham would say, The savior is of course NOT Jehovah and really doesn't play much part in salvation because salvation is all about being sealed to the right people and making blood atonement for your sins. Not the being who sort of looks like the mainstream Christian Savior.

Nor does he know who the Holy Ghost is: Brigham would say, The Holy Ghost is definitely not the being who begets Jesus in the flesh. Adam/God definitely screwed Mary who was one of his wives. Not that pseudo mainstream Christian stuff Ballard preaches today which says that the Holy Ghost mysteriously begets Jesus.

The irony is so filthy rich!!! It's yet again, one more reason not to continnue being an apologist..... I am so very grateful to my Heavenly Father and his wife for not having to defend stuff like this anymore! Thanks Mom and pop!

[_Philo Sofee]

This is just embarrassing.

Mormons are all the time told they believe in a "false Jesus," usually be evangelic Christians.

The Mormon response is that we believe in the Jesus who is described in the New Testament; that Mormons believe in the same Jesus, but may believe in some different things about him.

This is just the same type of tactic, and it is no more salutary coming from a Mormon.

Elder Ballard should be ashamed of himself.

Time was when it was possible to say one thing publically to make your organization look like the good guy with the Pepsodent smile. Today with instant worldwide communication, the true belief and thinking comes out even when they think they have it covered. It's an amazing spectacle to behold. But then, after all, God is at the helm brethren (sistern, shut up and go make us some sandwiches while we doctrinalize! ) He is surely behind this "miracle" we call the internet. It's the best world wide communication ever invented by God through his SPirit.

[_mentalgymnast]

Well, it's pretty clear that a delusion bought into by 1.5 billion people and led by an individual who is well known and respected the world over does have a much greater impact on humanity than a delusion with less than 1% as many adherents and led by a incestuous group of less than honest old men who regularly make fools of themselves, and a laughing stock of their religion, on the national and international stage.

Delusion? Not. Neither the Catholic Church OR the LDS Church could be characterized as such. And, by the way, the Catholic Church is an organization that teaches many correct gospel truths. Pope Francis is a good man doing much good. Your characterization of the LDS Church and its members being deluded is misguided and myopic.

Which members of the 1st Presidency and/or Council of the Twelve are "incestuous"?

You seem to be a very angry old man who lies in order to get his kicks and giggles. Take you seriously, however? Nope. Not only angry, it seems, but you're also deluded to the point that you would claim that these righteous men that we just listened to at Conference are incestuous.

Shame on you. If you're even capable of feeling such.

You're not worth listening to...period...after reading this libelous post.

Good day, sir.

Regards,
MG