abqfriend

Speaking as a Roman Catholic (one branch of the Catholic Church), Papal Infallibility is just one part of how the RC Church views infallibility. We do not have a prophet. The Pope-also called the Bishop of Rome works closely with his Cardinals and Bishops in development of doctrine or teaching. Doctrine is something that cannot be changed-teachings can be changed. Priestly Celibacy is an example of a teaching. Believing that Jesus was born of a virgin is considered a doctrine. Doctrines and teachings generally come out of church councils. In the RC church-we do not have a Quorum of 12, but we do have a College of Cardinals who advise the Pope. Generally doctrines of the RC church come after the College of Cardinals meet in a council with the bishops of the Church--such as Second Vatican Council held during the 60's. After such a council-teachings or doctrines are defined or further clarified. The Pope himself has only once used papal infallibility coming from him directly-and that was in 1950. Papal infallability has only been a doctrine of the RC church since 1870, although the development of such an understanding has much earlier roots Source: Papal infallibility - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thank you Candace for such a nice message of welcome. Welcome to you also. New Mexico is indeed a wonderful place! Thank You for your prayers. God bless your journey of Faith. -Carol

I am not a member of the LDS. Your original post sounds great! The LDS Church should be complemented for using personal one on one contacts with others is sharing your faith message. The LDS should be further complemented in using the Media to reach others. Many Christian groups including my own-The Roman Catholic Church-are not as Media friendly or one-on-one friendly in sharing their faith. The Internet is indeed how many of us communicate and get to know others. What you suggest sounds great. What the members of your church mention to you sounds great too. God bless your ministry in reaching out to others.

Although the official Roman Catholic and Orthodox positions as well as many other Christian statements of faith-may limit the term of "Christian Church" to those that believe in the Trinity-I do not hold such a view. I am a Roman Catholic. Many individual Christians of many faith traditions-including myself do indeed believe that Latter Day Saints are Christians and that the LDS Church is a Christian Church. We may have our differences in faith-but I believe LDS members are indeed Christians. The theological concept of "Trinity" which most Christians adhere to has been debated for hundreds of years in the early history of Christianity. It is still debated today by many Christians. Let us continue to focus on where we agree-and there is so much we agree upon. I am glad to see that the LDS Church and its members are working with other churches in areas of social concern-to name one area. My readings and seeing many of his messages on BYU -TV of the late Gordon B. Hinckley--showed a man full of the true spirit of love in his words and actions as related to other Christians. His message on the "Be-Attitudes" was especially wonderful! One could feel the light and love of God radiate from him. God bless each and everyone of you!

Thank You for clarifying what is permissable and not permissable for members of the LDS church to drink. No disrespect was intended in my response. You have clarified what WoW means. Like any faith tradition-the LDS Church has terms that are used in that faith tradition-which those outside the faith tradition do not understand. ---but I am slowly learning some of them on this site. As this Gospel Board is about "Learn About the Mormon Church"--I encourage LDS members to use or explain terms than a non-LDS member may wish to know and understand more fully. I and many on this web site are seekers of the Truth and wish more information to Learn about the Mormon Church-as this Thread title is defined.

A very good and timely article-thanks for sharing the link

Oprah had one college professor from Carnegie Mellon University-he has pancreatic cancer-so I can relate. He gave a lecture to his students-which became the basis for his book-called The Last Lecture-and now a best seller. I heard his lecture on YouTube-very inspiring-short on religion-but inspiring for real-life suffering and one's reaction to that. He has young children-which makes it even more difficult for him and his family. CS Lewis-often quoted on this board-wrote a book-the Problem with Pain-I will probably read that again too. Suffering of my husband and family members and others I do not know-is difficult to deal with-especially when it hits close to home. All of us are ultimately effected by suffering. I think what appears to be the randomness of it sometimes gets to me more than anything. I probably-wrongly -have less sympathy and understanding for a 3-pack a day smoker who gets lung cancer than someone who does not smoke and gets lung cancer. Case in point-Christopher Reeves -wife-got lung cancer. She did not smoke-she stayed with him after his total paralysis-and she gets lung cancer-life does not seem fair sometimes. I guess I have much to work on at this point. II Corinthians 11 16-32 has been a help to me. It looks like Paul had lots of suffering -and still persevered. God bless each of you! -Carol

Thank You so very much! -The link is great-and almost everything organized and in .PDF file!-Wonderful--Thank You!

A very timely question for me as my husband-who is 59 and is a registered nurse-has terminal pancreatic cancer. Why suffering? Why earthquakes that kill thousands? Why what seem like senseless murders, killings, etc? I do not see a loving God as being the cause of all suffering as much as allowing that suffering to happen. I have read several books on the subject-including the main thread title-Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People. The book is by Rabbi Harold Kuschner. No easy answers for me-none at this point. My husband is accepting of his ultimate death-as he is also accepting in the sure knowledge and his faith in the resurrection. -Carol

I am a non-LDS member. I have the Book of Mormon as well as Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. -any suggestions on a good commentary to explain more of what I am reading? -Like reading Sacred Scripture/The Bible -I find reading the Book of Mormon to be difficult to read at times. -and a good basic commentary would be a great help. It is very interesting-but entirely new to me. Thank You -Carol

I'm a non LDS member on this group on learning about the Mormon Church. What does WoW mean? What is the problem with some teas? The initial question asked "Can Mormons drink? I assume Mormons drink water? and some sodas?-or does "drink" refer to prohibition against alcohol and caffeine? Anything else? I am confused-obviously.

Great Web site and lots of Links-to spend my days reading!---thank you very much for your efforts at dialog with Christians of other faith traditions.

Hi-My husband and I are Roman Catholic. We joined this site to meet others and learn more about the LDS Church. Many of our friends are members of the LDS Church. We are supports of BYU TV and love the programs we see.-so different and uplifting compared to main-stream TV. We celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary last November. My husband has terminal pancreatic cancer. He is a Registered Nurse but now on medical disability. I have been an accountant most of my life-but now I am helping him with his care. He is doing great-as the doctors said he would not live past last November! We have one daughter and one grand daughter. God bless each and every one of you on this site. Thank You for having us. Your prayers for us and especially my husband are welcome. Our God is a God of Love!