I’m trying to understand more about the mormons. This video is good, except that Jesus after being resurrected from the tomb, showed himself to 500, before his ascension to the right hand of God, on the throne. Thank you for this video, it’s nice to know your beliefs about Jesus Christ. Let me ask you some questions. The money side of your religion: is it true that you have to give ones house to the mormons in order to be accepted Into the church? And, is it true that the more babies a man fathers the closer he is to God? Is this your belief? These don’t sound like Jesus’ teaching to me. Please clear up these misconceptions for me. I don’t know of anywhere in the Bible that says Jesus showed himself to any one in ancient america, before his ascension. Remember the Bible says that cursed will be those who add, or take away anything from God’s word in His book! Ps. The reason I want to know about you is because I know Glenn Beck is a mormon and I think he ‘s inspired, when he speaks.
4 Responses to “I’m trying to understand more about the mormons. This video …”
Samuel Santana
2010-09-20 04:33:07
A statue of Jesus Christ at temple square in Salt Lake City.
Hi Larry. Thanks for your question! The video you watched was a brief summary of Christ's life. Unfortunately, it was not possible to include all of the many important things the Savior did in so short a video clip.
Regarding your specific questions, it is not true that Mormons give their houses to the Church. Most Mormons either rent or own their own homes. Also, it is not true that we believe a man who has more children is closer to God. The number of children a man has has no bearing on his relationship with God.
Mormons do believe that Christ appeared to other peoples after his death, resurrection, and ascension. The Bible makes it clear that Christ did many things that are not recorded in the Bible (John 21:25). Additionally, Jesus Himself said that He intended to visit "other sheep" that were not of the Israelite fold (John 10:16). However, aside from the Bible, the Book of Mormon is the only record we have of Christ's dealings with an ancient people. Mormons don't believe the Book of Mormon is a substitute for the Bible; rather, it complements the Bible. Both books teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many mistakenly believe that Revelation 22:18-19 implies that the scriptural canon is closed. That scripture reads: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
However, objective scholars agree that this scripture applies only to the Book of Revelation, not to the whole Bible. They reach this conclusion based on three important facts:
At the time the Book of Revelation was written, the Bible had not been compiled into a single book. Revelation 22:18-19 cannot refer to the entire Bible because the Bible did not exist at the time.
A similar scripture warning against making additions can be found in Deuteronomy 4:2. If we decide that statements like these apply to the whole Bible instead of the single book in which they are found, then we are forced to throw out much of the Old Testament and all of the New Testament. Obviously this is not a conclusion that either one of us would accept.
In fact, the scriptures provide no indication that the scriptural canon should be closed. If God communicated with prophets and apostles anciently, He can communicate with them in our days. If those men were to write down God's message, those words would also be scripture.
Larry King
2010-09-20 13:17:35
Thank you for your recent answers to my questions.
Do the mormons take care of their own followers; making them sure of a good education, helping them find somewhere acceptable to live and the like?
Don't you have to be rich to be a mormon, making it a closed society?
Why are mormon churches like temples and why does money and power play such a great part in the mormon religion? For example, isn't true that the mormon's own the Marriot hotels?
Thank you for your answers to these.
Samuel Santana
2010-09-26 03:26:28
Mormon Helping Hands volunteers have been major contributors in relief efforts to help people whose lives have been devastated by natural disasters.
Good to hear from you again, Larry. Thanks for your follow up questions. Mormons have undertaken many humanitarian projects to help both members of our church and those of other faiths. For example, we have a program called the Perpetual Education Fund that provides low interest loans to empoverished people in the developing world so that they can get a good education and lift themselves out of poverty. The program started in 2001 and had helped over 40,000 people as of late 2009. Mormons also have a welfare program that helps those in financial need, with a special emphasis on helping them become financially independent so they can maintan their self respect.
Wealth simply does not play the role in Mormon culture that you suggest. In fact, anyone can be a Mormon, regardless of his or her financial situation. Ours is a very open society. It's true that the current CEO of Marriott International, J. W. Marriott, Jr., is Mormon, but for every Marriott there are about a million "po-mos" (poor mormons) like me! In all seriousness, a recent survey by the Pew Forum showed that the average American Mormon is middle class.
The Church's missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics.
Mormons invest a lot in their temples, not as a show of wealth, but as a sacrifice to God. This practice is not so unusual. The ancient Israelites constructed temples to honor God, Catholics have constructed beautiful cathedrals, Protestants have created impressive mega-churches, Hindus have built beautiful temples like the Prambanan and the Akshardham temple in New Delhi, Buddists have the beautiful Mahabodhi temple, etc. I don't think God cares that we build beautiful buildings to honor Him, but our willingness to sacrifice is important. The beauty of our temples is a symbol of the beautiful love we feel from God.
Feel free to contact Mormon missionaries in your area as well, if you'd prefer a face-to-face conversation. God bless.
Richard
2010-09-27 21:16:25
Is it true that you have to give your house to the mormons in order to be accepted into the church? No. And, is it true that the more babies a man fathers, the closer he is to God? We are commanded to multiply and replenish the earth, and children are a blessing, but it's not the number of kids that gets you into heaven but the type of man you become with or without kids.
Regarding your specific questions, it is not true that Mormons give their houses to the Church. Most Mormons either rent or own their own homes. Also, it is not true that we believe a man who has more children is closer to God. The number of children a man has has no bearing on his relationship with God.
Mormons do believe that Christ appeared to other peoples after his death, resurrection, and ascension. The Bible makes it clear that Christ did many things that are not recorded in the Bible (John 21:25). Additionally, Jesus Himself said that He intended to visit "other sheep" that were not of the Israelite fold (John 10:16). However, aside from the Bible, the Book of Mormon is the only record we have of Christ's dealings with an ancient people. Mormons don't believe the Book of Mormon is a substitute for the Bible; rather, it complements the Bible. Both books teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many mistakenly believe that Revelation 22:18-19 implies that the scriptural canon is closed. That scripture reads: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
However, objective scholars agree that this scripture applies only to the Book of Revelation, not to the whole Bible. They reach this conclusion based on three important facts:
- At the time the Book of Revelation was written, the Bible had not been compiled into a single book. Revelation 22:18-19 cannot refer to the entire Bible because the Bible did not exist at the time.
- Most scholars believe the Book of Revelation was written in 68 or 69 A.D., meaning it was likely written before some of the other books of the New Testament like the Gospel of John, a book I think we both consider to be valid scripture.
- A similar scripture warning against making additions can be found in Deuteronomy 4:2. If we decide that statements like these apply to the whole Bible instead of the single book in which they are found, then we are forced to throw out much of the Old Testament and all of the New Testament. Obviously this is not a conclusion that either one of us would accept.
In fact, the scriptures provide no indication that the scriptural canon should be closed. If God communicated with prophets and apostles anciently, He can communicate with them in our days. If those men were to write down God's message, those words would also be scripture.Do the mormons take care of their own followers; making them sure of a good education, helping them find somewhere acceptable to live and the like?
Don't you have to be rich to be a mormon, making it a closed society?
Why are mormon churches like temples and why does money and power play such a great part in the mormon religion? For example, isn't true that the mormon's own the Marriot hotels?
Thank you for your answers to these.
Wealth simply does not play the role in Mormon culture that you suggest. In fact, anyone can be a Mormon, regardless of his or her financial situation. Ours is a very open society. It's true that the current CEO of Marriott International, J. W. Marriott, Jr., is Mormon, but for every Marriott there are about a million "po-mos" (poor mormons) like me! In all seriousness, a recent survey by the Pew Forum showed that the average American Mormon is middle class.
Feel free to contact Mormon missionaries in your area as well, if you'd prefer a face-to-face conversation. God bless.