MikeMalone

Thanks for your reply. I have enjoyed our little discussion. I know we don't always agree, but it has been an interesting one. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to search the scriptures for these discussions. If anything else, it has really allowed for personal growth. Most of the churches I have attended, such as baptists and no denominational, do not have national leaders. The church is entirely run by local people. This often creates controversy because a similar Christan church across the street will disagree with their neighbor. Please correct me if I wrong, but it sounds like you are looking at every Christian denomination as one church. I can agree that every Christian church has truth to it, and if you put them all together they would have almost all of these 17 points; but I don't think it would be fair to compile all of the denominations and call them one true church. Each denomination will always contend with one another. When my family left the Baptist church to join the Methodist, we were told that the Methodists were false and we were making a horrible choice. I, being a young man, did not understand how joining another Christian church would make us bad. We still believed in Christ and praised God. But I assure you that this was mild compared to the criticism I receive for joining the LDS church. And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. I am not familiar with that. Could you please provide a scriptural reference? It sounds like it conflicts with this scripture. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Hewbrews 5:4. As you know, Aaron was authorized to baptize. that is why the authority to baptize is known as the Aaronic priesthood, or Licaevitl priesthood. Because the tribe of Levi had the same authority. This scripture seems to say that you need to be authorized as was Aaron. So couldn't anyone have baptized Jesus? No, he had to go to John the Baptist because he was the only one who was authorized at that time, because he was a son of Levi. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying by any means that those who were baptized in your church will be condemned. Please forgive me if I made it sound like that. I misread your original quote. I would never, nor would I be authorized to judge you or your people. I believe in praying over the sick, but what I was saying, is that we anoint the sick's head with oil that has been blessed and consecrated, like it suggests in James. I have a lot of trouble with this one. It seem very conflicting. You say they are together yet separate, I would very much like to see scripture to back this one up. There doesn't seem to be a lot of scripture that describes God in detail, but we do know that we were made in his image. We having body of flesh and bone, it sounds like his image is the same. And also, Jesus descended into heaven to sit on the right hand side of his Father. I don't recall seeing anything about them merging together to become one. Again, some scriptural reference would be helpful here. I will do some research on my own as well. Please read this scripture. It is obvious that we do not attend the same church, nor do we agree on all doctrines. But we are both for Jesus Christ. That being said, thanks for being my fellow, follower of Christ. I wish you the best of luck in all things. I would very much like to stay in contact with you. I have enjoyed our discussions. Peach be with you.Love, your neighbor, Elder Michael Malone.

I just have to go over the list that prisonchaplain created. Christ organized the Church (Eph 4:11-14) Your statement is False: Of course Jesus set up his church. He called Apostles, seventy and all manner of people go forth to preach the word and spread the gospel. Luke chapter 10 is a good example. You make a good point here, but what is meant is Living Apostles and Prophets. In the original church, there was a line of leadership that ran the whole church. After Jesus was resurrection, the leadership was pasted down the the senior apostle. The point being, each church was not run by individuals, but was overseen by one leadership, on who could give revelation for the whole church and every part of it where ever it may be. That is why there is so much conflict today. When you have Brother Bob's Church, Pastor John's Church, and Rev. Tony's church, each church is run by a different person with different beliefs. Jesus meant it t be one God, one faith and on baptism. Your right, some churches may come close to having the organization, but name one besides the LDS church that has everything. There is no other church that has a Prophet, Apostles, Seventy, and down the line all the way to Deacon and Teacher. The Catholic Church comes close, but still doesn't have a Prophet or Apostles. Most Christan churches do CLAIM authority from God, but where is it? Anyone can claim anything, but authority of God is the Priesthood. I only know of two churches on the earth that claim to have the true authority of God, but as we know on one of them can be correct. Paul was not paid because he belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ. Yes, I'm sure Scribes and Pharisees were paid, and other people that in the temples and synagogs. But didn't Jesus spend much of his ministry rebuking these people for their wrong doings? That's why Jesus set up his own church, because man had become so corrupt. Aren't we all to follow the example of Christ? Did he preach to earn a profit? No, he preached the word to call people to repentance so that they my be saved. We should do the same. You can not except one scripture so closely and forget the rest. For they are all important. Yes, by his grace we will be saved. But don't forget, Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5. Baptism was not just something that we can discard, it is an ordnance set for by Jesus Christ himself. It is essential. That is why we need one true church run by a prophet, that is why the book of Mormon, Doctrine and Convenience, and the Pearl of Great Price was brought forth. Because there is so much confusion in what needs to be done, the Lord had to send a prophet to clarify the truth. Just because the the confirming the Holy Ghost is not mention often, does not mean it is not important. Whey did Jesus tell his Apostle to confirm the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands if it was unimportant? Far too easy do people overlook things of importance. The world has discarded so many essential ordinances set for by Jesus Christ. Can you truly call a church that does not do the ordinances of Jesus Christ the true church of Jesus Christ? Yes, the true church must heal the sick. It is obvious that you do not have a testimony of this, so I don't expect you to understand. But I have a strong testimony of this. I have seen this done, in the name of the Lord, by the power of the holy priesthood. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Matthew 10:1. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14. As I grew up, my parents jumped from church to church. This was good for me, because I had to opportunity to learn of many different churches and what they believed. This helped me to understand how true the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is. But, I was spent much time attending the Baptist churches, along with the Methodist, and Catholic. Non of these churches believe that the Fater, Son and Holy Ghost were separate. As a matter of fact, I have never attended another church, besides the LDS church that believed so. But the more you read the scriptures, the more it testifies that Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three separate beings, but one in unity working towards that same cause. The Bibles says the we shale leave our mothers and fathers and cling unto our wife, and we shale become as one flesh. We know that his is not literal. You and your wife do now merge into one physical person, but this is a metaphor stating that you two shall work as one, to bring forth what is best for your marriage and for the sake of your children. Did Jesus not pray to his Father in heaven always? Did he not say, thy will be done? All three came forth separately in this scripture. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17. When it was all said and done, didn't Jesus descend into heaven to sit on the right side of his Father? We all know that Jesus was reselected. After the resurrection, Jesus visited this apostles in the flesh. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. John 20:27. So Jesus resurrected descended into heaven. So we know that Jesus has a body of flesh and bone. If the son has a body o flesh and bone, why wouldn't that father? And if you believe in the trinity, then none of it makes sense. This means that you believe that Jesus is the Father, that he is a spirit, but we know that Jesus has a body of flesh and bone. When I received my calling in the position I am in now, a group of people prayed about who to call, and all came together with the same answer by the power of the Holy Ghost. I have had the opportunity to call people into positions, and it is always the same. A group of us will pray, I personally had a strong impression on a name I pondered on, and we all returned with the same exact name. Once one is called, they are set apart by the laying on of hands, with the power of the priesthood, which is the athurty of God, and given the the rights and privileges to perform in that calling. Many people with higher callings, such as a Bishop, will be given keys and authority as well. What other church do you know that does this? Who else do you know that has been called in this manner? Correct I think your missing the point. The gospel much be preached to every corner of the Earth and sound in every ear. Are missionaries have helped the church reach into almost every part of the world, and continue to bring more and more people unto Christ and into the water of baptism everyday. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15 We could open a whole other forum on the Great Apostasy. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a afamine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. Amos 8:11 The great apostasy came after Jesus was crucified. Like I said, we could start a new forum on this, there is so much scripture that proves this. The Bible is vague on this topic. Again, that is why more scripture has come forth. If everyone has need to be baptized to be saved, then what about all of those who have dies and did not have the opportunity? God love us very much, and gives us many opportunities. I understand you point of view on the list. I don't know who compiled this list, or who participated. I can only bare my testimony on the things I know to be true. I don't mean any offense to anyone. I am simply stating the things I know to be true. I don't like contention, and that is not how the Holy Ghost teaches. The Holy Ghost teaches with love and truth. That is how I come before you today, with love and humility. Even thought people may be have different beliefs than I, you are all still my neighbor. We have all been commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. That's why I bring you these words with love, that it may help us all draw nearer to Christ. I have respect for anyone who has devoted their live to Christ no matter what church they belong to. I don't want to argue, but discuss the doctrine of God with the up most respect. Thank you all, I love you all, and I pray for you all. For I want peace to be upon all, and charity toward all men to commence.

Just wanted to say hi. I'm glad to be the newest member.