Jane_Doe

Then break up. NEVER ask loved one to choose between you and God.

You girlfriend is NOT a Protestant. Do NOT ask her to convert as a condition of marriage. Do NOT ask her to choose between you and God.

(Pardon me, but I need to ask this bluntly. I don't mean to come off as attacking here at all, so please don't take it that way) Since all Christians churches are the same to you, why don't you just attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with her since it's not "same difference" to her? Please don't answer anything involving trivial window-dressings like music or sermon style. Why are you instead find to awkward to get to know her (and yes her beliefs are part of her)? Do you have any idea the magnitude of sacrifice she is making by being part of an inter-faith marriage?

Normally I don't agree with Vort at all, and I don't agree with him being quite so blunt here. But I do agree with his point: holding a different view than someone and disagreeing with their actions is not "cruelty" at all. I"m going to share some perspective here--- Correction on the belief here: there is NOTHING special about homosexual sexual activity that makes it so bad. ANY sexual misconduct is a horrible sin, because it is misuse of the powers to create and bond lives. Would you prefer us to evangelize young children and tell them "hey, God created sexual activities to be between a husband and wife. Your daddy's and papa's relationship is a huge offense to God." NO!!! That is a horrible situation to put a kid into!! We are not going to make a little kid go through that, therefore such kids are off-limits to evangelizing and baptism. We don't want to put anyone in that predicament. An adult can grasp and weigh the bigger picture, but we're not going to put any kid there. The USA is a democracy, and people are allowed to vote for issues as they see them. 2008 for this issue was simply an example of democracy functioning as intended. I didn't vote in Prop 8 (I'm not in California) but I never feel bad about studying out an issues, having a viewpoint, and voting about it. I did so last election cycle and intend to so every other cycle as it is part of my civic duty to do such research and vote.

I have a friend (male and married) whom is sexually attracted and infatuated with a different married woman, and the infatuation was returned. Do you find it equally "cruel" that LDS Christians believe that these two individuals not to pursue each other? I'm all for explaining different perspectives-- I find that learning how other people think & value things to be a critically important step for empathy and loving other individuals.

Why be sad about getting to know the person you love? Such is a joyous time! *Time out* Did she not tell you that she is an LDS Christian and is uninterested in going to another church and processing a different beliefs? Then why are you making it a condition of marriage that she attend and different church that presents different beliefs? That is the DEFINITION of making her choose between you and God.

*Thumbs up* I completely acknowledge their convection and right to practice their beliefs. The 11th Article of Faith is a HUGE deal to the Church and especially to me personally. @Madam_Mim, you have beleifs that you hold dear, correct? You have reached these beliefs after pondering and study, correct? And hold to these beliefs, while respectfully disagreeing with other folks whom have done their own studies and reached different conclusions? We are the same in that regard.

What other people do is what other people do. Our concern is what disciples of Christ do. Yes, we do encourage other people to become disciples of Christ, but that change must be initiated between God and that person.

This is wise. Never have things set up to be "well, *if* you convert, then I'll marry you". That makes a person choose between the human they love and God, which is never a place you want to be or put someone in. You are wise not to do that. Bueatifully said. I would recommend taking the time to get to better know your girl, including her beliefs.

Have a good talk Do let us know how it goes or if there's anything we can do to help.

Salvation is about the state of your heart. If you are in that state of rebellion, and downright refuse to get baptized ever, yes, that is a major problem with your salvation. If you are in that state of humility and obedience, then being baptized and following Christ's command (like baptism) is something done with celebration.

Haha-- I actually find Baptist beliefs to be just as complicated as LDS when you actually get into the meat and potatoes of their theology. For example, a the subject of baptism is one with a LONG conflicted history in Baptist theology.

Note: LDS don't believe a person has it held against them if they never have the opportunity to be baptized in this mortal life. Such a person can (and many many will) rejoice with Him forever (this is actually a big topic). It is the deliberate and unceasing refusal to be baptized, despite being taught the Gospel and given plenty of opportunity where problems are coming up because that is not accepting Christ in the least.

A disciple of Christ is not a person who ignores Him to instead make out with Satan all day long. A fruitless faith is dead.

For LDS Christians, part of that accepting Christ and becoming the new creation is following His command to baptized. We don't ignore our King's commands. Stressing this again--- the mere act of getting dunked isn't going saving anyone. It is faith that saves. Living faith.

A disciple of Christ is a follower of Christ (that's the definition of disciple). True living faith isn't that wherein a person says whimsically "yeah I believe in Christ" and then completely ignore Him to live the same-old life of sin and following mammon. Again, your works are NOT what saves you. Rather it is faith-- real living faith in Christ-- that the old sinner dies and the new disciple of Christ emerges.

You are mixing up a couple of different topics here. Let me clarify LDS Christian beliefs here-- 1) Salvation is a gift from God, by His grace. 2) Nobody can work their way to Heaven. Such an idea is downright laughable. 3) Faith is an action word. Living faith does include action. A person is not baptized because they are trying to work their way to heaven. Rather, they are baptized because their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ commanded it and they follow Him. Likewise with repentance. It is not a "work based gospel", rather a Gospel of living faith in Christ.

This brings us to the classical question: what if a person never has the opportunity to hear about Christ and accept Him? Christians have a wide variety of answers to that question. The LDS Christian answer is: God, being eternally just, does not condemn a person because they have never had the opportunity to hear about Christ and accept Him. Therefore, He paves the way for ALL persons to hear about Christ and accept Him, whether that opportunity happens in this mortal life or after.

My husband and I are unified over the important things. We do disagree on some points, as do your mom and dad. Our little girl does just fine. I agree with this Awesome! Tis the most important thing! Baptists debate this regularly and fiercely. I am on the fence with it. Would it be a deal-breaker if your wife did believe a sinner needs to repent? I don't believe this is necessary for salvation. Ok. Is it a deal-breaker to have a wife who does believe a believer should be baptized. (Side note: majority of Protestants do believe that repentance and baptism are part of a believer's life. My husband and I are on the same page in this regard). I believe this happens to all believers baptized or not. Ok. Speaking personally, my husband holds the same beliefs as you here. It's not something either of us consider to be a key issue and we don't loose sleep over it.

It is possible to be in a LDS-Protestant marriage (as I happily am), but you do want to spend the time to get to know the other person well (including their beliefs) and talk about things before getting married. Ok, so I'm going to go over this more in-depth, in 21st century lingo that'll be easier for you to understand. In order to to saved, a person first and foremost have faith in Christ. He is the Lord, the Son of God, and redeemer of mankind. This faith is the foundation of a Christian life. Faith is a gift from God, which He offers to each and every person. Now, once a person accept's God's gift of faith, He tells them "come, follow me". We leave our old sinful lives behind us, and are reborn in Him. Hence the second part here is repenting-- allowing your old sinful self to die and turning away from it. And the third of being reborn in Christ. This is shown symbolically in baptism-- the old self is buried and the new self arises out of the water. All of our old sins are washed away and we take on His name. Note: it's not the act of getting dunked itself that does any saving, rather Christ does the saving, we are just following His commands. The next piece fo this rebirth is the baptism by fire-- having the Gift of the Holy Ghost, so that He may always be with you and always guide you. Any questions on this, places you want me to elaborate, any particular comparisons, or _____ ?

Beliefs about Jesus and Atonement match. Would you like to talk about any of the 13 Articles in particular? (It seems logical to start talking about 1 point where your most interest/concern is, rather than throwing an entire school bus of information at you).

We're telling you standard beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We do not know your girl, and do not know the extent to which she holds these beliefs. As the hiding it-- I don't think this is a case of hiding anything, rather just poor communication. Thus far everything you've stated about the specific beliefs you hold is the exact same as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We're both Christians, hold that relationship with Christ, etc.

JAG, ease up. A young couple failed to communicate about an important topic. It happens, we've all been there. That's why there is an engagement time period and why you look into things (to which I give Abram points for). It's perfectly understandable to be upset/angry in the moment. That's why you cool down and then talk about thing.

Thank you. It's a big deal to have your loyalty to God acknowledged. LDS 100% agree with all the bolded statements. They are SUPER important and the core of being a Christian. Are there any other ones / specifics you consider important and would like to talk about it? Something more elaborate that "just standard christian beliefs".

LDS Christians fully acknowledge your love of Christ and relationship with Him. There are disagreements about some aspects of theology, but that in no way causes your love of Christ to be ignored.