abqfriend

Hi I would agree with you that reading the Book of Mormon is a start, but one should also read the Doctrines and Covenants which are equally important as they further define LDS Doctrines and teachings. The Pearl of Great Price /Selections from the Book of Moses as revealed to Joseph Smith would also be appropriate. The Book of Abraham as translated from the Papyrus by Joseph Smith would also be helpful--so just start with the Book of Mormon-but do not end there. Catholics believe the Holy Spirit is given to us at our Baptism, so the Holy Spirit is already present in our lives. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit works in us through The Word of God and the Sacraments of the Church I agree with you that it is good to learn about other faith traditions than our own and let the Holy Spirit guide us in seeking Truth. -Carol

Hi August-you may wish to define Dogma vs Teaching and anything else within the Catholic Church not considered as Dogma. Trinity and the Virgin Birthh are two examples of Catholic Dogma while priestly celibacy and rules on fasting in Lent are teachings but not Dogma. The LDS Church has Dogma too-although they may not define it as such-and I would think that their core teachings or Statements of Faith--they would consider as without error. -As this is an LDS site-I have learned much from many wonderful members of the LDS Church. --Perhaps let's find common ground that unites us-rather than divides us. -Carol

The Pope or the Catholic Church-would give no new revealed information on Moses, Abraham, etc, other than what is revealed in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Traditon and as defined by the Teaching Magesterium of the Church. Additional information of a historical nature may be found on these Bible persons through archeology and similar scientific methods of discovery. -Carol

Although not an official LDS WEB site-the site gives much information on the LDS view of many things. Thanks for sharing. Carol

The Catholic view is not Sola Scriptura-or Sacred Scripture alone. Some of our doctrines and teachings rely on church tradition. We have the "Teaching Magesterium" of our Church that we believe are guided and directed by the holy spirit. Our Pope -"Papa"-"Father" is not a prophet-but what he says in matters of faith and doctrine we accept as truth and that he is guided by the Holy Spirit. The Sola Scriptura concept which you alude to is a result of the Protestant Reformation. Many Protestant Churches have Scripture/The Bible alone in the formulation of their doctrines and teachings. This is not the Catholic viewpoint. Here are related links: Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 1 SECTION 1 CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE 2 see section 85 Catechism of the Catholic Church - Christ's Faithful - Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life See sections 880-892 On Revelation: Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText See 65-67 "Christian faith cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfilment, as is the case in certain nonChristian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such "revelations". Carol

Nowhere did I say the story is fiction. I said I did not take it as literal. Catholic Answers is not an official Catholic site-although a very good one I must admit. I prefer use of the Catechism. I have no problem with Adam and Eve Story-I take it as figuratively as the Catechism indicates it can be taken. Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 1 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 1 ARTICLE 1 PARAGRAPH 7 How to read the account of the fall 390 The account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeval event, a deed that took place at the beginning of the history of man.264 Revelation gives us the certainty of faith that the whole of human history is marked by the original fault freely committed by our first parents.

I am not a fundamentalist. No where does the Catholic Church say I have to take the genesis account as literal. The message meaning is what counts-and I have no problem with Genesis account if taken as a whole story with a divine purpose. I am an evolutionist and the Catholic Church does not forbid a belief in that either-as long as the belief involves that evolution is the work of God. Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 390 states that: "The account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeaval event..." -Carol

Hey Carl/Ceebo, I do not take the Genesis story literally. I am for equal rights--and equal blame. The story tells us that mankind went apart from God's desire-or sin -as we sometimes call it. Augustine-called this theology "original sin" and in Catholic theology-that concept is very important. BBC - Religion & Ethics - Beliefs: St Augustine and original sin Carol

There is some interesting discission here-but we are off topic. Perhaps another thread needs to be started. I/we are here to learn, study and grown in our faith tradition-and to learn about other faith traditions-and in my case learn and interact with members of the LDS Church who I deeply respect and hold much in common with. I and my husband are Catholics. -Carol

I am a Catholic here. I think some traditions are helpful. Traditions from man alone can get in the way of change and truth. Some traditions are good. Some of the songs/hymns in my church are over 1000 years old-they are beautiful. Sometimes our hymns/songs get stuck in the 1800's rather than today-perhaps there should be room for both. I like some modern Christian hymns/music-but I do not like others. In my church, some of the services have different kinds of music than others-so that can be helpful too. The Gospel-or "Good News" culture should be one of love and joy. -Carol

You May wish to post this poll in another section of the board - Christian Beliefs section-to see what the larger membership may say. Right now it is only asking mostly the LDS members for their opinion which I would assume would be prayers to the Heavenly Father if I understand the LDS Faith tradition. I pray largely to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I pray in a different way to the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Saints. -Carol

I am Catholic. I would not expect the LDS Church to profess the Athanasian Creed or any formal creed. The Athanasian Creed is an ancient creed of the early Church with a focus on the Trinity in objection to the polytheism taught in many parts of the world of that day. Here is a neutral link on the subject: Athanasian Creed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In the Catholic tradition, it is one of the creeds of our Church, but does not have the equality with the Nicene or Apostles Creed. In Lutheran tradition-it is one of the 3 principle creeds of their faith tradition. In the Catholic Church-the Church is based on the Bible as well as the traditions of the Church and the teaching authority/magesterium of the Church. You are correct-there was much discussion of how to best express the Christian faith in the early Church and creeds were one way to do that. As a Catholic, I believe the Creeds are imporant in the sharing of doctrine as the Catholic and many other churches understand it. There are obvious differences on how the Catholic and LDS view the history and development of the Christian church. -Carol

The Baltimore Catechism 1891, revised 1941-is no longer considered the latest official Catechism of the Catholic Church in the US -as it preceeded the Church Council of Vatican II and has a -question and answer format. It also was meant for a US audience only.-hence the name Baltimore Catechism. It also does not have the thousands of Biblical and Church documents footnotes which give a source for the Church's teaching and understanding on a given subject. The Baltimore Catechism is indeed easier to read-but it is not the latest understanding of the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church -was brought together by the Teaching Authority of the Catholic Church called the Teaching Magesterium and is meant for all to read. It is indeed first addressed to our Bishops-but then to all adult members of the Church. USCCB - Evangelization and Catechesis | The Catechism The Baltimore Catechism leaves out the changes in the Catholic Church since Vatican II. I agree The Catechism of the Catholic Church is lengthy and it is not easy reading--but it can be read by most any adult and gives an overview of Catholic teaching, practice and doctrine. It is used World-Wide. It is used in our adult classes of doctrine and teaching as the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants might be used in the LDS Churches in instruction of its members and potential members. Carol

Thanks for the great links-and much information on the LDS view of the Sacrament. The sacrament of holy communion would probably be the greatest difficulty for me in ever becoming an LDS member , so I will remain a Catholic. I find much to like about the LDS faith tradition-but the Sacrament of the Eucharist/Communion is important to me as I have learned about it and practiced it in my Catholic faith tradition. So-I will remain here as an "investigator"-but will probably remain a Roman Catholic. I have met some great people here-and most have been cordial to me on this forum-with you being one of the nicest! Peace, -Carol

There is no true Sacrament according to the- Catholic Church unless the Priest transubstantiates (I know -a big word-means "change") the unleavened bread - made of wheat and water only) and the wine--set apart for sacramental use--to the "body, blood, soul and divinity" as the Catholic Church understands it--of Christ. We believe we are taking in the actual body/blood of Christ in the Sacrament as we understand it. We also have the "reserved sacrament" which are the hosts/bread not distributed during a given service/mass. These are given to specially trained Eucharistic Ministers who can carry the sacred host/bread in a special container to the sick and shut-in of the parish as well as to Catholics in hospitals and nursing homes. - So they can partake of the Sacrament without having been to Mass through no fault of their own. Weekly Mass is a Requirement of our faith-and it is considered a sin to not go to Mass unless prevented from going so by sickness or ill health. If you visit a Catholic Church-you will see an area with a candle or light upon it always-where the reserved sacrament is placed-we consider this a very holy place. One reason why Catholics bow/genuflect before entering the pew is in humble respect for Christ being truly present as we understand it. We also make the sign of the cross as a reminder to us of our Baptism-baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit- so there is much symbolism present in our worship/liturgy to remind us of the sacraments as we understand them. We take a small amount of water-sometimes called holy water-as the water has been set aside for sacramental use-to make the sign of the cross upon us when entering and leaving church-again to remind us of our baptism. I realize the meaning of the sacraments and symbolism of our Church may be different than those of the LDS Church. -Carol -so-there would be no Mass, No Sacrament unless this were present. There is a thing called "reserved sacrament" whereby the body/host is taken in a special container to the sick and shut-ins by Eucharistic Ministers who can distribute the Eucharist. We have assistants in our Mass-specially trained people-who are allowed to distribute the Sacrament.

Perhaps there is a continum between being totally for God--I am not--otherwise I would be sinless ---and the most corrupt form of socialism defined by some as pure communism. Is all socialism bad? There is much difference between Russia/China and North Korea on the communism side-as one example of degrees of pure communism/socialism. Some countries have a more socialist government -such as Sweden and Denmark and now Spain-but they are quite different than North Korea. -Carol (a Catholic)

Thankyou-our views on the Sacrament and the significance or non-significance of wine/grape juice and unleavened bread are different in observance of the sacrament-thus the difference in religious tradition of each of us. Thank You for sharing.

I am a Catholic and I would agree. Dating today has changed-years ago--I am in my 50's, a date was a date!-the guy picked up the girl, met the parents, etc, etc. Today-it is less clear-unfortunately. Some teens use the term "hooking up." Unfortunately-this term sometimes mean a physical "hooking up." Which would go against my definition of correct behavior and yours. As parents-we can give our children examples-hopefully good examples that they will follow as the grow and mature in life, values and their faith tradition. A focus on a strong family environment helps much in this world of casual dating and other casual behaviors. -Carol

If you bring up a list of users-or click on each user of every post on this board-you will find that many are blank. I would encourage members to fill out their profiles-I always get frustrated when I click on a profile and find it blank. A statement of faith would also be a good option as well as a filled-out profile. Carol (a Catholic)

Hi, I am a Catholic here and feel welcome by most members. I always identify myself as a Catholic in posts-and my profile clearly states my faith tradition. I also have deep respect for other faith traditions. Hopefully-members here will not lie-but be truthful about their faith tradition. Carol

I tend to view many of the stories in Genesis in a more figurative light than a literal view. This is my own personal view and may not be the official view of my Church. The Flood story is found in many ancient cultures.. Some believe that the Gilgamesh Epoch of Babylonian/Sumerian origin has many of the same features as the Flood story of Genesis. Here is a link on Flood story narratives: Flood Stories Noah Deluge The important thing I see in the story is God's chosen people following his direction and God saving his chosen people. -Carol (a Catholic)

You can purchase the Catechism of the Catholic Church in any bookstore-or read it free at the following Link: USCCB - Catechism of the Catholic Church Here is a searchable version: English Translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church with Search Utility -Carol

Hi-I am a Catholic on here too! I would encourage you to read and study as well as visit an LDS service-I need to do that too. There are many differences in our faith traditions. I would also encourage you to talk to a Catholic Priest/Deacon as well as a missionary of the LDS Church and ask any questions you have of each. I encourage you to read the Book of Mormon as well as The Catechism of the Catholic Church-to learn more about each faith tradition including your own. We can grow by learning about other faith traditions. -Carol

As a Catholic Christian-I could not see Lemonade ever being used in the Sacrament. I could see grape juice used instead of wine-as is the case in some Protestant faith traditions-but I could not see Lemonade used. I also would have a problem with water-but more of a problem with Lemonade or the teaching/revelation that anything could be used in the Sacrament as long as with a good intention as revealed in D&C 27:2 I should attend an LDS sacramental service sometime-but I would refrain myself from taking communion-as I would do in visiting any non Catholic church. -Carol

So-or are there limitations-and who decides? This D&C was in Harmony Pennsylvania-what about before that date? so-since August 1830-the date of the D&C Section 27-has the LDS Church always used water? -Carol