My friend told me Mormons believe Jesus was a polygamist.. She doesn’t believe me when I explain that she’s mistaken. I can’t convince her, even though I’m a member of the Church and clearly know what I’m talking about. She can’t believe I am involved with “those” peolple. What can I say to respond?
3 Responses to “My friend told me Mormons believe Jesus was a polygamist.. S…”
Anonymous
2011-06-07 05:43:55
Yep, what Grandpa Chet said. A few Mormons might think a certain way about Jesus, but that hardly means that all thank that way. This is the same as how certain Evangelicals believed that The Rapture was coming on May 21st, but that doesn't mean you should go around assuming every single Evangelical you meet believes that as well.
There are several sects of people that consider themselves Mormon, although the official LDS church does not subscribe to many of the beliefs of these break-off sects. For instance, the FLDS groups still practice polygamy, which I'm sure you know hasn't been practiced by the LDS Church for many many years.
Stereotypes and assumptions are never a good idea. If your friend believes Mormons generally believe Jesus was a polygamist, then does she also assume that all Jewish people are accountants and all people of Hispanic origin are in the country illegally? Ask your friend what her religious beliefs are, and then do some research and find all the different sets of beliefs held by different sects within that religion. And if you can't convince her to open her mind a little then don't beat yourself up over it.
Grandpa Chet
2011-06-06 15:39:51
You can't convince anyone who has already made up their mind. Only the Holy Spirit can do that, and only when the person is willing to be teachable. The Lord will never force a person to be smart.
Oddly enough, there have been and are LDS who think Jesus may have been married, and maybe more than once. But these are speculations (I've speculated about it myself.) and not doctrine. Such speculations have nothing to do with Church beliefs, nor with our eternal salvation.
And neither does winning or losing an argument with someone who won't listen to reason.
Richard
2011-06-06 16:11:45
With love and understanding as she is free to choose to believe whatever she wants and feels she needs to. Pray for her heart to be softened and perhaps one day she will accept the truth.
I personally wouldn't try to force her to believe (it doesn't work) but if she is open continue to share with her YOUR TESTIMONY about what you KNOW to be true.
Concerning her personal beliefs that LDS believe Christ was polygamist, she is welcome to believe that. Just state to her that it is not true and the fact that there is NO RECORDED occurrence even of Christ being married to even ONE.
There are several sects of people that consider themselves Mormon, although the official LDS church does not subscribe to many of the beliefs of these break-off sects. For instance, the FLDS groups still practice polygamy, which I'm sure you know hasn't been practiced by the LDS Church for many many years.
Stereotypes and assumptions are never a good idea. If your friend believes Mormons generally believe Jesus was a polygamist, then does she also assume that all Jewish people are accountants and all people of Hispanic origin are in the country illegally? Ask your friend what her religious beliefs are, and then do some research and find all the different sets of beliefs held by different sects within that religion. And if you can't convince her to open her mind a little then don't beat yourself up over it.
Oddly enough, there have been and are LDS who think Jesus may have been married, and maybe more than once. But these are speculations (I've speculated about it myself.) and not doctrine. Such speculations have nothing to do with Church beliefs, nor with our eternal salvation.
And neither does winning or losing an argument with someone who won't listen to reason.
I personally wouldn't try to force her to believe (it doesn't work) but if she is open continue to share with her YOUR TESTIMONY about what you KNOW to be true.
Concerning her personal beliefs that LDS believe Christ was polygamist, she is welcome to believe that. Just state to her that it is not true and the fact that there is NO RECORDED occurrence even of Christ being married to even ONE.