I forget how to direct message, so I am replying to one of your posts from a couple of days ago.
This part (which relates to the whole comment):
“Mormonism is indeed an authoritarian cult and it is not part of Christianity, regardless of what they might claim. They absolutely control the entire life of a "believer". It is horrible and those who leave are cut off.”
Sharing this via text is tough. I’ll give it my best.
Basic overview: We believe that God uses a pattern to disseminate His gospel, calling prophets. When the wicked reject and kill His prophets, He calls another when there is sufficient faith amongst the people. We believe He speaks to ALL His children, so long as they will listen, in every nation and every time (e.g., the Book of Mormon contains writings of prophets who lived in the America’s, and there could be many more scriptures out there yet undiscovered).
We believe that Christ’s church, with apostles, prophets, revelation, and priesthood, was destroyed and removed from the earth. We believe He restored His church in modern times: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Do we believe it’s the “only true church” with Christ’s priesthood? Yes. But that doesn’t mean, as so many claim (even within the church), that anyone not baptized in our church is going to hell, or whatever they claim.
The church is not perfect, not least because it is full of imperfect humans. There is a lot of deep doctrine people don’t understand, and they get wrong - including members.
To answer your question: some families or friends may shun those who leave the church. I have two brothers who have left. They are not shunned. I’ve learned that loving them is the most important thing I can do for them - and whether they return or not, not important. The most important thing is to make Christ the centerpiece of one’s life. God will sort out the details on the other side (related: we believe everyone will have a fair opportunity to hear Christ’s gospel and accept or reject it, whether in this or the next life).
On the authoritarian piece: I don’t understand this point exactly. To be a disciple is to exert discipline, which means to give up what we want, for what we know or feel is right. Every religion of any worth, requires its adepts to follow a path that leads to: peace, a better life, meaning, Christ, etc. I suppose you could call that authoritarian. Church policies may change, but the doctrine (and Christ’s gospel) do not.
I hope that’s helpful. I’m not perfect. No one you meet at the church will be either. I’ve stopped worrying about the “member vs not a member” because I finally realized that what’s most important is turning to and following Christ.
Let me know if you have more questions. Best of luck fren. - IDW
I forget how to direct message, so I am replying to one of your posts from a couple of days ago.
This part (which relates to the whole comment):
“Mormonism is indeed an authoritarian cult and it is not part of Christianity, regardless of what they might claim. They absolutely control the entire life of a "believer". It is horrible and those who leave are cut off.”
Sharing this via text is tough. I’ll give it my best.
Basic overview: We believe that God uses a pattern to disseminate His gospel, calling prophets. When the wicked reject and kill His prophets, He calls another when there is sufficient faith amongst the people. We believe He speaks to ALL His children, so long as they will listen, in every nation and every time (e.g., the Book of Mormon contains writings of prophets who lived in the America’s, and there could be many more scriptures out there yet undiscovered).
We believe that Christ’s church, with apostles, prophets, revelation, and priesthood, was destroyed and removed from the earth. We believe He restored His church in modern times: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Do we believe it’s the “only true church” with Christ’s priesthood? Yes. But that doesn’t mean, as so many claim (even within the church), that anyone not baptized in our church is going to hell, or whatever they claim.
The church is not perfect, not least because it is full of imperfect humans. There is a lot of deep doctrine people don’t understand, and they get wrong - including members.
To answer your question: some families or friends may shun those who leave the church. I have two brothers who have left. They are not shunned. I’ve learned that loving them is the most important thing I can do for them - and whether they return or not, not important. The most important thing is to make Christ the centerpiece of one’s life. God will sort out the details on the other side (related: we believe everyone will have a fair opportunity to hear Christ’s gospel and accept or reject it, whether in this or the next life).
On the authoritarian piece: I don’t understand this point exactly. To be a disciple is to exert discipline, which means to give up what we want, for what we know or feel is right. Every religion of any worth, requires its adepts to follow a path that leads to: peace, a better life, meaning, Christ, etc. I suppose you could call that authoritarian. Church policies may change, but the doctrine (and Christ’s gospel) do not.
I hope that’s helpful. I’m not perfect. No one you meet at the church will be either. I’ve stopped worrying about the “member vs not a member” because I finally realized that what’s most important is turning to and following Christ.
Let me know if you have more questions. Best of luck fren. - IDW