What separates Mormonism from Christianity?

[_harmony]

This doesn't make them evil. Strange maybe. What makes them evil is that they have a different gospel where Christ is reduced to a sin janitor.

Not even that.

What separates Mormons from other Christians is the pride of our prophets, who think they are somehow elevated above everyone else. Mormons make a heirarchy where none exists. I don't recall ever hearing of another church where a member can be kicked out for criticizing the leaders. Our leaders desperately need to remember just who it is they're called to serve: that would be the members, not themselves.

[_bcspace]

I think Romans 3:19-31 explains the contrast between the two.

How so? LDS accept all Bible verses including those.

[_The Nehor]

What makes them evil is that they have a different gospel where Christ is reduced to a sin janitor.

What does that even mean? I know I don't believe it.

[_consiglieri]

What makes them evil is that they have a different gospel where Christ is reduced to a sin janitor.

It's funny you should use that expression, because that is along the same lines I concluded about twenty-years ago.

The way I put it was only slightly different, because it seems to me that more often than not, the Plan of Salvation is presented as us perfecting ourselves through strict moral effort, and Jesus is there to clean up the mess we make when we goof.

I think Mormons are slowly beginning to get past that, and to realize (as the Book of Mormon teaches) that Jesus is not just there to clean up the mess, but he is the one (and the only one) who makes it possible for us to be considered "perfect" before God in the first place; that the only way that can happen is for us to realize our "strict moral efforts" at righteousness are all as filthy rags, and ultimately to "rely wholly on the merits of him who is mighty to save."

I believe this doctrine is found throughout the Book of Mormon, and nowhere more powerfully than in Moroni 7. Mormons tend to proof-text the Book of Mormon as they do the Bible, however, and consequently miss the deeper meaning.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_Buffalo]

2. Tithing to gain enterance into the temple.

CFR

http://www.lds4u.com/lesson5/templequestions.htm

Are you a full-tithe payer? Do your keep the Word of Wisdom?

[_The Nehor]

What separates Mormons from other Christians is the pride of our prophets, who think they are somehow elevated above everyone else.

They think no such thing. They do believe that they have been called to do a difficult job.

Mormons make a heirarchy where none exists.

But it does exist. God is at the top.

I don't recall ever hearing of another church where a member can be kicked out for criticizing the leaders.

You don't know much about other faiths do you?

Our leaders desperately need to remember just who it is they're called to serve: that would be the members, not themselves.

Wrong! Wrong! A thousand times Wrong!!!!!

They are called to serve God.

[_Buffalo]

Our leaders desperately need to remember just who it is they're called to serve: that would be the members, not themselves.

Wrong! Wrong! A thousand times Wrong!!!!!

They are called to serve God.

And they should do that by....?

Come on Nehor, you should know this stuff.

[_BartBurk]

What flat out makes Mormonism evil in my book.

1. Dead redemption.
2. Laying on of hand to receive the holy ghost.
3. Polygamy in all its various forms.
4. The after life structure.
5. Handshakes into the Celestial Kingdom.
6. Their rendition of the priesthood.

What I view is somewhat evil.

1. Book of Mormon (While not true it still contains some good life virtues)
2. Tithing to gain enterance into the temple.
3. The word of wisdom (Should be left up to the individual)
4. Overly intimidating to their youth.

Good things.

1. Their Moral Conduct (a little strict, but christian like)

I don't see anything evil about wanting to save the dead.

[_consiglieri]

I don't see anything evil about wanting to save the dead.

How about when the dead want to save you?

[_The Nehor]

Wrong! Wrong! A thousand times Wrong!!!!!

They are called to serve God.

And they should do that by....?

Come on Nehor, you should know this stuff.

Obeying and serving God. Remember the "greatest commandment in the Law" thing?

Oftentimes that means doing things that tick people off. So be it.