Latter Day Saints Or Assemblies Of God?

[prisonchaplain]

Next week I will begin teaching an adult Sunday School class entitled, "An Assemblies of God Look at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." The course is expected to last two to three weeks. Primarily, we will use the following "quiz." Students will first list their own guesses, then we will walk through them, using the LDS Articles of Faith and the Assembliies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths as primary sources.

See what you think of the questions and post your answers, if you wish. I'll use this week for fine-tuning. Our ultimate goal is to learn more about ourselves as we learn about others.

AN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD LOOK AT THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Instructions: For each answer, write AOG (Assemblies of God) or LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) in the blank, to indicate which church is most likely to make or support the teaching.

Questions 1-9 use near-direct wording from official church sources:

http://www.ag.org and

http://www.lds.org

1. We believe the Bible . . .

_____ to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; . . .

_____ is inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.

2. We believe concerning God . . .

_____ There is only one true God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

_____ God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. The Father and the Son each have a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.”

3. We believe, concerning the image of God . . .

_____ Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

_____ In the Old Testament God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Jacob declared he had seen God “face to face.” ... In the New Testament ... Jesus told his apostles, “handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” ... We are created in his image.

4. Concerning where we came from . . .

_____ You didn’t suddenly spring into existence the moment you were born. You were happy in Heavenly Father’s presence . . . So He sent you to Earth, hoping that you would return to Him and receive everything He has to offer you.

_____ God is Creator and Adam was the first human created. We sometimes say that God created the world, including humanity out of nothing. Literally, however, humanity was created, “out of the dust of the earth.”

5. Concerning salvation we believe . . .

_____ When we sincerely repent, we: confess the sin to both God and anyone who has been harmed by our sin; ask forgiveness from God and from anyone we have harmed; when possible, repair the damage we have done; forsake our sins; and strive to keep the commands.

_____ Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. It is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ...being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life.

_____ Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

6. Concerning church leadership, governance, and spiritual authority . . .

_____ We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. ... that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

_____ A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world, (2) worship of God, and (3) building a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.

7. Concerning the nature of humanity we believe . . .

_____ Though originally good, man willingly fell to sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

_____ Men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

8. Concerning the Final Judgment we believe . . .

_____ There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life . . . will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, and which is the second death.

_____ In the scriptures, hell is spoken of in at least three senses: (1) That condition of misery which results from disobedience to divine law, whether the individual acknowledges the consequences of their actions or not. (2) The condition of misery experienced by those individuals who did not repent while on earth and who will live in a world of spirits after their demise on earth. It is a temporary state of existence until they have repented and are resurrected and stand at the final judgment. (3) The permanent habitation of Satan and those who follow him and who have knowingly rejected and denied the influence of righteousness, goodness, and God their Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

9. Concerning the church we believe . . .

_____ Salvation is not through church membership or ordinances. We associate and cooperate with other churches of “like precious faith”–those adhering to common evangelical doctrine.

_____ Having been lost because of the Apostasy, Christ’s Church and His authority were to be restored to the earth. This Restoration would make available the opportunity for all to receive once again all of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is one church today that has the spiritual authority to present the restored Good News.

The following questions use paraphrase and summary, rather than near-direct wording.

10. Concerning the afterlife, we believe . . .

_____ There is a single heaven where those who’s names are found in the Lamb’s Book of Life, will reside.

_____ The heaven wherein the Heavenly Father resides is reserved for those who endure to the end, who earnestly seek God, who embrace all that He reveals–including latter day revelations and truths, who are obedient to God’s commands, and who complete the ordinances of the church.

_____ Those who were sincere seekers of God, but who fell short of totally embracing what He has to offer, may yet finding a heaven of blessing. However, they will not enjoy the residence of the Heavenly Father.

_____ Families are forever. Those families who embrace all that God has to offer, and who embrace all the ordinances of the church, can live together for all eternity.

_____ In heaven we will rule and reign with Jesus Christ. However, we shall, like the angels, no longer give or be given in marriage. Seeing as Christ sees, and enjoying resurrected bodies, our love for one another will no longer necessitate separate family living.

11. Concerning human nature we believe . . .

_____ We have a part of us that is an eternally premortal essence. There is a cognitive aspect of our existence that has always been with the Heavenly Father, but which is currently dormant behind a veil of forgetfulness.

_____ God created everything. Prior to God creating anything, it had no existence.

12. Bonus question: What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do to those members found to be practicing polygamy?

[Princess3dward]

3. We believe, concerning the image of God . . .

_____ Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

_____ In the Old Testament God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Jacob declared he had seen God “face to face.” ... In the New Testament ... Jesus told his apostles, “handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” ... We are created in his image.

4. Concerning where we came from . . .

_____ You didn’t suddenly spring into existence the moment you were born. You were happy in Heavenly Father’s presence . . . So He sent you to Earth, hoping that you would return to Him and receive everything He has to offer you.

_____ God is Creator and Adam was the first human created. We sometimes say that God created the world, including humanity out of nothing. Literally, however, humanity was created, “out of the dust of the earth.”

12. Bonus question: What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do to those members found to be practicing polygamy?

I GOT THE BONUS! Excomunicate!

I wanna hero cookie!

The questions that I left up, I need help with..(except the bonus)

And number 11... can you clerify what YOU believe about that please?

Something about that sparked my intrest.

[prisonchaplain]

3. We believe, concerning the image of God . . .

For this answer, look for the one that hints at God the Father, and the Son having a physical body. That would be the LDS answer.

4. Concerning where we came from . . .

For this answer, look for the one that hints at the pre-Creation existence of humanity. That would be the LDS answer.

12. Bonus question: What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do to those members found to be practicing polygamy?

I GOT THE BONUS! Excomunicate!

I wanna hero cookie!

How about a round of . . .

The questions that I left up, I need help with..(except the bonus)

And number 11... can you clerify what YOU believe about that please?

Something about that sparked my intrest.

For #11, the one that hints at humanity not having a pre-creation existence would be the AOG answer.

[Princess3dward]

<div class='quotemain'>

3. We believe, concerning the image of God . . .

For this answer, look for the one that hints at God the Father, and the Son having a physical body. That would be the LDS answer.

Didn't they both?

For #11, the one that hints at humanity not having a pre-creative existence would be the AOG answer.

You believe that you were created on earth? Souls and all??

We believe that only our bodies were created on earth (as you know)...

but... why do you believe that our souls lived before?

[prisonchaplain]

Desire, the Assemblies of God, and every other Christian church I know of (other than the COJCLDS) do not believe in the premortal existence of humanity. In other words, when Genesis one says, "In the beginning God created...on the sixth day he created them . . . male and female," we believe that it was at this creative moment that the first people came into existence. Prior to the creation of Adam and Eve, there was no human existence. We are not immortal. We began, body, soul and spirit, with the creation moment. There is no veil. We've forgotten nothing. Likewise, the COJCLDS is one of very few religious groups that believes God the Father has a physical body.

[Princess3dward]

I see.... well... I believe different. lol.

Yours depresses me a little, which is probably why I am LDS and not pentecostal.

Thank you for explaining it though! :)

[JoshuaFKon]

1. We believe the Bible . . .

LDS to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; . . .

AoG is inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.

2. We believe concerning God . . .

AoG There is only one true God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

LDS God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. The Father and the Son each have a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.”

3. We believe, concerning the image of God . . .

LDS Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

AoG In the Old Testament God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Jacob declared he had seen God “face to face.” ... In the New Testament ... Jesus told his apostles, “handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” ... We are created in his image.

4. Concerning where we came from . . .

LDS You didn’t suddenly spring into existence the moment you were born. You were happy in Heavenly Father’s presence . . . So He sent you to Earth, hoping that you would return to Him and receive everything He has to offer you.

AoG God is Creator and Adam was the first human created. We sometimes say that God created the world, including humanity out of nothing. Literally, however, humanity was created, “out of the dust of the earth.”

5. Concerning salvation we believe . . .

AoG When we sincerely repent, we: confess the sin to both God and anyone who has been harmed by our sin; ask forgiveness from God and from anyone we have harmed; when possible, repair the damage we have done; forsake our sins; and strive to keep the commands.

AoG Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. It is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ...being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life.

LDS Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

6. Concerning church leadership, governance, and spiritual authority . . .

AoG We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. ... that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

LDS A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world, (2) worship of God, and (3) building a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.

7. Concerning the nature of humanity we believe . . .

LDS Though originally good, man willingly fell to sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

LDS Men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

8. Concerning the Final Judgment we believe . . .

LDS There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life . . . will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, and which is the second death.

LDS In the scriptures, hell is spoken of in at least three senses: (1) That condition of misery which results from disobedience to divine law, whether the individual acknowledges the consequences of their actions or not. (2) The condition of misery experienced by those individuals who did not repent while on earth and who will live in a world of spirits after their demise on earth. It is a temporary state of existence until they have repented and are resurrected and stand at the final judgment. (3) The permanent habitation of Satan and those who follow him and who have knowingly rejected and denied the influence of righteousness, goodness, and God their Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

9. Concerning the church we believe . . .

AoG Salvation is not through church membership or ordinances. We associate and cooperate with other churches of “like precious faith”–those adhering to common evangelical doctrine.

LDS Having been lost because of the Apostasy, Christ’s Church and His authority were to be restored to the earth. This Restoration would make available the opportunity for all to receive once again all of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is one church today that has the spiritual authority to present the restored Good News.

The following questions use paraphrase and summary, rather than near-direct wording.

10. Concerning the afterlife, we believe . . .

AoG There is a single heaven where those who’s names are found in the Lamb’s Book of Life, will reside.

LDS The heaven wherein the Heavenly Father resides is reserved for those who endure to the end, who earnestly seek God, who embrace all that He reveals–including latter day revelations and truths, who are obedient to God’s commands, and who complete the ordinances of the church.

LDS Those who were sincere seekers of God, but who fell short of totally embracing what He has to offer, may yet finding a heaven of blessing. However, they will not enjoy the residence of the Heavenly Father.

LDS Families are forever. Those families who embrace all that God has to offer, and who embrace all the ordinances of the church, can live together for all eternity.

LDS In heaven we will rule and reign with Jesus Christ. However, we shall, like the angels, no longer give or be given in marriage. Seeing as Christ sees, and enjoying resurrected bodies, our love for one another will no longer necessitate separate family living.

11. Concerning human nature we believe . . .

LDS We have a part of us that is an eternally premortal essence. There is a cognitive aspect of our existence that has always been with the Heavenly Father, but which is currently dormant behind a veil of forgetfulness.

AoG God created everything. Prior to God creating anything, it had no existence.

12. Bonus question: What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do to those members found to be practicing polygamy?

Excomunicate?

Josh B)

[prisonchaplain]

I see.... well... I believe different. lol. Yours depresses me a little, which is probably why I am LDS and not pentecostal. Thank you for explaining it though! :)

Your welcome. I'm curious--why do you find the non-LDS view of God's and humanity's nature depressing?

[Brother Dorsey]

Next week I will begin teaching an adult Sunday School class entitled, "An Assemblies of God Look at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." The course is expected to last two to three weeks. Primarily, we will use the following "quiz." Students will first list their own guesses, then we will walk through them, using the LDS Articles of Faith and the Assembliies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths as primary sources.

See what you think of the questions and post your answers, if you wish. I'll use this week for fine-tuning. Our ultimate goal is to learn more about ourselves as we learn about others.

AN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD LOOK AT THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Instructions: For each answer, write AOG (Assemblies of God) or LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) in the blank, to indicate which church is most likely to make or support the teaching.

Questions 1-9 use near-direct wording from official church sources:

http://www.ag.org and

http://www.lds.org

PC....I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS AND CORRECTED THEM AT THE SAME TIME....FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DOING RESEARCH I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GOT IT SO WRONG.....OR IS THAT THE ANTI COMING OUT IN YOU LOLLOLOL!

1. We believe the Bible . . .

__LDS___to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; . . .

_AOG____ is inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.

2. We believe concerning God . . .

_AOG____ There is only one true God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

_LDS____ God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. The Father and the Son each have a “body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s.”

3. We believe, concerning the image of God . . .

_LDS____ Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

__LDS AOG___In the Old Testament God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Jacob declared he had seen God “face to face.” ... In the New Testament ... Jesus told his apostles, “handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” ... We are created in his image.

4. Concerning where we came from . . .

_LDS____ You didn’t suddenly spring into existence the moment you were born. YOUR HUMAN BODY WAS CREATED OUT OF THE DUST OF THE EARTH...AND You were happy AS A SPIRIT CHILD OF HEAVENLY FATHER AND YOU LIVED IN HIS PRESENCE in Heavenly Father’s presence . . . So He sent you to Earth, TO GAIN A BODY LIKE HIM ALTHOUGH NOT GLORIFIED AS HIS IS hoping that you would FOLLOW HIS COMMANDMENTS SO YOU COULD return to Him and receive everything He has to offer you.

_AOG____ God is Creator and Adam was the first human created. We sometimes say that God created the world, including humanity out of nothing. Literally, however, humanity was created, “out of the dust of the earth.”

5. Concerning salvation we believe . . .

__LDS___ When we sincerely repent, we: confess the sin to both God and anyone who has been harmed by our sin; ask forgiveness from God and from anyone we have harmed; when possible, repair the damage we have done; forsake our sins; and strive to keep the commands.

__AOG___Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. It is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ...being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life.

__LDS___ Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws OF GOD WHICH INCLUDE THE ORDINANCES and ordinances of the Gospel FOUND IN THE BIBLE AND BOOK OF MORMON AND DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS

6. Concerning church leadership, governance, and spiritual authority . . .

_LDS ____ We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. ... that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. WE ALSO BELIEVE IN A NON-PAID MINISTRY, THAT ALL OFFICES AND CALLINGS OF THE CHURCH ARE VOLUNTEER FROM WITHIN THE MEMBERSHIP SO NO ONE WILL PROFIT FROM TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD.

_AOG____ A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world, (2) worship of God, and (3) building a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.

7. Concerning the nature of humanity we believe . . .

_AOG_ Though originally good, man willingly fell to sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

_LDS_ Men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. ADAM WILLING FELL SO THAT MAN COULD BE. USHERING IN SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL DEATH.

8. Concerning the Final Judgment we believe . . .

_LDS_ There will be a final judgement in which the ALL MANKIND WILL BE RESSURECTED AND JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS, THIS IS WHAT THE GRACE OF CHRIST IS....ALL WILL RECIEVE ETERNAL LIFE, THOSE WHO DENY THE SPIRIT, CHRIST AND THE FATHER WILL BE CAST OUT INTO OUTER DARKNESS, BANISHED FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD...THIS IS HELL OR THE SECOUND DEATH.

_AOG_ In the scriptures, hell is spoken of in at least three senses: (1) That condition of misery which results from disobedience to divine law, whether the individual acknowledges the consequences of their actions or not. (2) The condition of misery experienced by those individuals who did not repent while on earth and who will live in a world of spirits after their demise on earth. It is a temporary state of existence until they have repented and are resurrected and stand at the final judgment. (3) The permanent habitation of Satan and those who follow him and who have knowingly rejected and denied the influence of righteousness, goodness, and God their Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

9. Concerning the church we believe . . .

_AOG_ Salvation is not through church membership or ordinances. We associate and cooperate with other churches of “like precious faith”–those adhering to common evangelical doctrine.

_LDS_ Having been lost because of the Apostasy, Christ’s Church and His authority WERE RESTORED This Restoration makeS the opportunity for all to receive once again all of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is one church today that has the spiritual authority to present the restored gospel of JESUS CHRIST

The following questions use paraphrase and summary, rather than near-direct wording.

10. Concerning the afterlife, we believe . . .

_AOG_ There is a single heaven where those who’s names are found in the Lamb’s Book of Life, will reside.

_LDS_ The heaven wherein the Heavenly Father resides is reserved for those who endure to the end, who earnestly seek God, who embrace all that He reveals–including latter day revelations and truths, who are obedient to God’s commands, and who complete the ordinances of the church. THOSE WHO FALL SHORT OF THIS KINGDOM WILL BECOME MINISTERING ANGELS TO THOSE IN THIS KINGDOM. tHOSE WHO REACH THIS KINGDOM WILL INHERET ALL GOD HAS!

_LDS_ Those who were sincere seekers of God, but who fell short of totally embracing what He has to offer, may yet find a heaven of blessing. However, they will not enjoy the residence of the Heavenly Father. THE WILL SERVE THOSE IN THE CLESTIAL KINGDOM. AND RESIDE WITH CHRIST OR THE HOLY GHOST

_LDS_ Families are forever. Those families who embrace all that God has to offer, and who embrace all the ordinances of the church, can live together for all eternity. BUT ONLY IN THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM.

_AOG_ In heaven we will rule and reign with Jesus Christ. However, we shall, like the angels, no longer give or be given in marriage. Seeing as Christ sees, and enjoying resurrected bodies, our love for one another will no longer necessitate separate family living.

11. Concerning human nature we believe . . .

_LDS_ We have a part of us that is an eternally premortal essence. GOD CREATED EVERYTHING SPIRITUALLY FIRST, THAT INCLUDES HIS CHILDREN WHOM HE WISHED FOR THEM TO RECIEVE A BODY AS HE HAS....SO THESE SPIRITS WERE SENT TO EARTH, GIVEN A BODY AND A VEIL OF FORGETFULNESS WAS CAST BEFORE THEM SO THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR PREEXISTANCE SO THEY CAN LEARN AND GROW AND GAIN EXPERIENCES AND BUILD FAITH IN THE GOSPEL & LIVE GODS COMMANDMENTS AND ORDINANCES SO THEY CAN RETURN TO LIVE WITH HIM IN A GLORIFIED STATE.

_LDS_ God created everything. Prior to God creating anything, it had no existence.

12. Bonus question: What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do to those members found to be practicing polygamy?

A TRICK QIESTION? MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS DON'T PRACTICE POLOGAMY.....THEY WOULD NOT ALLOWED MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH IN THE FIRST PLACE IF THEY DID.

[Princess3dward]

6. Concerning church leadership, governance, and spiritual authority . . .

AoG We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. ... that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

LDS A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world, (2) worship of God, and (3) building a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.

The first one is LDS!

7. Concerning the nature of humanity we believe . . .

LDS Though originally good, man willingly fell to sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

LDS Men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

I don't believe the first one is LDS... The first doesn't seem like LDS doctrine.. Am I wrong on anything?

<div class='quotemain'>

I see.... well... I believe different. lol. Yours depresses me a little, which is probably why I am LDS and not pentecostal. Thank you for explaining it though! :)

Your welcome. I'm curious--why do you find the non-LDS view of God's and humanity's nature depressing?

because I like to believe that I had a choice to come down...

and although it is depressing that not everyone chose Gods plan....

I do have a testimony that we lived in the pre-existance...

and for that testimony to be considered false makes me sad...

[prisonchaplain]

I'll just highlight the one's missed (sorry to be negative--but he got most right, so it's easier)

3. We believe, concerning the image of God . . .

LDS Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

AoG In the Old Testament God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Jacob declared he had seen God “face to face.” ... In the New Testament ... Jesus told his apostles, “handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” ... We are created in his image.

I suppose the first answer could be either one, though the quote comes directly from the AOG Statement of Fundamental Truths. The 2nd answer places more emphasis on seeing God physically, thus hinting and the Father having a physical body--and at us being literally, physically made in his image.

5. Concerning salvation we believe . . .

AoG When we sincerely repent, we: confess the sin to both God and anyone who has been harmed by our sin; ask forgiveness from God and from anyone we have harmed; when possible, repair the damage we have done; forsake our sins; and strive to keep the commands.

Note the requirements to go to others, to repair damage, to forsake sins, to keep commandments. The emphasis is on works, completing the tasks, enduring to the end. These are LDS nuances.

6. Concerning church leadership, governance, and spiritual authority . . .

AoG We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. ... that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

LDS A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world, (2) worship of God, and (3) building a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.

You got these reversed. They're both direct quotes. Note the first answers listing of apostles and prophets. The AOG has no such offices, though we do recognize the gift of prophecy.

7. Concerning the nature of humanity we believe . . .

LDS Though originally good, man willingly fell to sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

This one is a subtle nuance, but the LDS answer is very stark in saying each person is responsible for themselves. the AOG answer takes the position that humanity was not created to sin, but that we fell into sin as a species, and that is our default status.

8. Concerning the Final Judgment we believe . . .

LDS There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life . . . will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, and which is the second death.

This is an AOG position. The LDS stance on hell is much more reticent. Some will end up there, but only by willful choice, after many chances, both in this life, and the afterlife.

LDS In heaven we will rule and reign with Jesus Christ. However, we shall, like the angels, no longer give or be given in marriage. Seeing as Christ sees, and enjoying resurrected bodies, our love for one another will no longer necessitate separate family living.

This view specifically rejects the "families are forever" teaching, and so should be AOG.

[JoshuaFKon]

I think I accidentally mixed up some of them....

But this one:

There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life . . . will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, and which is the second death.

I am suprised this is an AOG statment...I wouldn't think they would have the phrase " judged according to their works." in there. I would have thought something about "being 'born-again'" would be there....

Josh B)

[Princess3dward]

PC... I like how much you know about LDS.

It makes me happy that non-members are not totally ignorant, and that some do know stuff!

I think I accidentally mixed up some of them....

But this one:

There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life . . . will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, and which is the second death.

I am suprised this is an AOG statment...I wouldn't think they would have the phrase " judged according to their works." in there. I would have thought something about "being 'born-again'" would be there....

Josh B)

I have never heard "born-again" as directed as LDS,

but ya... the judged according to their works is very LDS huh?

But the rest is all soo NOT LDS

[prisonchaplain]

3. We believe, concerning the image of God . . .

_LDS____ Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

This could well be an LDS response, I suppose--though it's a direct quote from the AOG Fundamental Truths. I may have to rework this particular question.

__LDS AOG___In the Old Testament God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Jacob declared he had seen God “face to face.” ... In the New Testament ... Jesus told his apostles, “handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” ... We are created in his image.

While this answer is mostly Scripture, the quotes are from LDS sources, and the focus is on us being in the physical image of our God--so it's strictly LDS.

8. Concerning the Final Judgment we believe . . .

_LDS_ There will be a final judgement in which the ALL MANKIND WILL BE RESSURECTED AND JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS, THIS IS WHAT THE GRACE OF CHRIST IS....ALL WILL RECIEVE ETERNAL LIFE, THOSE WHO DENY THE SPIRIT, CHRIST AND THE FATHER WILL BE CAST OUT INTO OUTER DARKNESS, BANISHED FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD...THIS IS HELL OR THE SECOUND DEATH.

_AOG_ In the scriptures, hell is spoken of in at least three senses: (1) That condition of misery which results from disobedience to divine law, whether the individual acknowledges the consequences of their actions or not. (2) The condition of misery experienced by those individuals who did not repent while on earth and who will live in a world of spirits after their demise on earth. It is a temporary state of existence until they have repented and are resurrected and stand at the final judgment. (3) The permanent habitation of Satan and those who follow him and who have knowingly rejected and denied the influence of righteousness, goodness, and God their Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

This one required a lot of rewording on your part because you got the answers reversed. #1 was straight from the AOG Fundamental Truths. The second response was straight from lds.org--though not the Articles of Faith.

11. Concerning human nature we believe . . .

_LDS_ God created everything. Prior to God creating anything, it had no existence.

Maybe you just got tired on this one. It specifically denies premortal existence, and so would be an AOG position.

12. Bonus question: What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do to those members found to be practicing polygamy?

A TRICK QIESTION? MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS DON'T PRACTICE POLOGAMY.....THEY WOULD NOT ALLOWED MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH IN THE FIRST PLACE IF THEY DID.

S/he could become a polygamist after joining. Or, perhaps he was before joining, but the fact was unknown and never came up. Still, you make a valid exclammation to the point.

BTW, Bro. Dorsey, I plan to review your edits. What was your source for the corrections? I simply used the Articles of Faith and the FAQs answers from http://www.mormon.org

But this one:

There will be a final judgement in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life . . . will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, and which is the second death.

I am suprised this is an AOG statment...I wouldn't think they would have the phrase " judged according to their works." in there. I would have thought something about "being 'born-again'" would be there....

The part you question is an actual quote from Scripture. The damned will be judged according to their works. It's those who are "born again" who will escape the Second Death. We too will be judged by our works. However, I sins will be covered by the blood of Jesus, so it will go much better for us.

[JoshuaFKon]

You're right PC :)

I guess I didn't read them carfully enough. My mistake

I'm just a little off today...

Josh B)

[Princess3dward]

I'm just a little off today...

Ya. We all have those..

I think I am having an off week...

[JoshuaFKon]

<div class='quotemain'>

I'm just a little off today...

Ya. We all have those..

I think I am having an off week...

Josh B)

[boyando]

I have kind of a problem with #4.

Knowing you as I do, P.C., I know that you were not trying to leave out a whole lot of the answer, that teaches the LDS piont of view to distort our view, but to save space.

I think that I may be being a little picky, but we LDS don't need your help, when it comes to looking crazy(we have me and Ray for that, LOL). Thanks P.C. - allmosthumble

[Serg]

4. Concerning where we came from . . .

_____ You didn’t suddenly spring into existence the moment you were born. You were happy in Heavenly Father’s presence . . . So He sent you to Earth, hoping that you would return to Him and receive everything He has to offer you.

_____ God is Creator and Adam was the first human created. We sometimes say that God created the world, including humanity out of nothing. Literally, however, humanity was created, “out of the dust of the earth.”

That is a catch(or at least sound like it). If the purspose of these questions is supposed to be mingled with the idea that they freely choose an answer from among the options, then the options should not be biased.

I mean this :

The structure of the options given in this one is so different as to make it impossible for any member of the Assemblies of God to choose number 1. Look:

Premise A:You didn’t suddenly spring into existence the moment you were born

Premise B:God is Creator

Here it starts by adressing th enature of man's intrinsic origin(primal formation-whether exnihilo or molded by preexistance), but the is not fair how the premises start so differently. In A, it is given as obvious(to people that are not aquainted with such a view) the question of existing prior to birth,also, within an expression much biased "You didn’t suddenly", as in a joke or a comment by someone who is ammused to believe in such a thing. While in the second one the heading is GOD and Creator, two things to which the theist will quickly identify himself, and, there is no reason as to why not starting the premise A with the same expression of "God" the Creator9as we DO believe it is an obvious truth), we may believe in a different way of creation, but CREATION nonetheless, but in the construction of these premises, the word "creation" is used as to reffer to exnihilo, in which case, if you were not created exnihilo(a belief universal to the less prepared of theists) you are hence created otherwise, and thus you are on the mormon side. Who will pick this one in an Asembly of God?

Next

Premise A:You were happy in Heavenly Father’s presence . . .

Premise B:Adam was the first human created

This is also bad technique. the next point in the premises goes to a who(not a how of the first half of the sentence), in which the theist finds the obvious biblical answer "Adam' in B, but finds the rather rare proposition in A of "You lived there"... This is unnecesary as we also believe Adam to be the first human being. NONE of us were human beings in Heaven, but Spirits. So the theist will ultimately choose with eyes closed premise B as he relates to Adam and not the other "You".

next

Premise A:So He sent you to Earth, hoping that you would return to Him

Premise B:God created the world, including humanity out of nothing.

Now it goes as to man's origin in terms of a redundant "comunity"(i.e.humanity), and the first you notice in A, is the assertion that He SENT YOU(hence, you were already a human being that lived before earth), while in B you find humanity as created out of the dust of the earth(so God didn't send them here). Why this one's also bad? Cause we alsos believe that man was created out of the dust of the earth(at least his body). So there is no need to hide that expression from A and put it in B, so the theist will recognize "dust of the earth" and obviously choose it over A.

Finally, the problem here, is not of ill intentions, or deceit, but of structure. If the question was "Concerning where we came from", the options(possible answers) should adress the matter of ORIGIN(both the author of it, and its methods). We find that in premise A, you dont mention the origin or process, just the fact "you" existed(see closely, this answer does not say anything concerning Adam). While in B, it goes to quickly forget the 'you" and go after "he" or adam. These are two different ways of putting it. Whether you adress origin as "you" in both premises(in which case premise B would say nothing of adam but specifically about "you"-birth-conception), or BOTH should adress the matter as a "he" or adam's origin(in which case both would look uwfully similiar)and will make it tough to the ordinary theist. hence, my solutiopn is this prisonchaplain, put it this way:

Concerning Man's origin...

1)_______ Humans are literal sons of God, created out of the dust of the earth, but their spirits preexisted with Heavely Father, in a state of hapiness, and may live with Him again.

2)_______ Humans are creatures of God, with no literal relationship to Him, created out of the dust of the earth, did not exist prior to birth, and may live some day with Heavenly Father.

Here in both cases-should i stress- humans "become" children of God through Christ. But i dont mention it cause is so wide a divide as to put it here. In theism, a human is a mere creature that through Christ becomes "adopted" or elevated and can conseder himself a "son' of God. In Mormonism, although you are literally a son of God, as we become sinful, we lose every right of inheritance, and thus, are no "legal" sons anymore, thus Christ makes us new again, and gives us again(not a state of sonship in terms of nature) but a state of sonship in terms of inheritance(i.e.we are CLEAN again through Him, to reclaim every right of children to inherit with Father, as He is pleased that we do). This is a necessary statement, but not neccesary in anyway to include in the options.

regards,

[prisonchaplain]

I have kind of a problem with #4.

Knowing you as I do, P.C., I know that you were not trying to leave out a whole lot of the answer, that teaches the LDS piont of view to distort our view, but to save space.

If you have any suggested additions, I'll be glad to consider them. I just don't want the answers to be too different in length.

That is a catch(or at least sound like it). If the purspose of these questions is supposed to be mingled with the idea that they freely choose an answer from among the options, then the options should not be biased.

I mean this :

The structure of the options given in this one is so different as to make it impossible for any member of the Assemblies of God to choose number 1.

Without going into the details, you seem to have missed the purpose of the "quiz." It was NOT for students to choose the best or correct answer. Instead, they were to label the answers as being "AOG" or "LDS." So, in essence, it's not "multiple choice" but "matching." So, what I want to avoid is misrepresenting the LDS view. If I've done that, please spell it out, because those are the changes I want to make.

[CoolClarinetist1392]

Sir, thank you for this discussion! It is SO refreshing to have someone simply state our beliefs and embrace the differences and ultimately know that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The world needs more people like you.

[mnn727]

While there is probably no other non-LDS I would rather have teaching this, my question would be why do you teach about other Churches -- we never have courses on other Churches.

Are all your members so advanced that they no longer need to improve their knowledge of the gospel as your church teaches it?

Anyway, I would be interested on how the class comes out. Please let us know.

Are you planning on telling them you moderate an LDS message board?

Edited May 29, 2012 by mnn727

[prisonchaplain]

You've fallen victim to a serious case of necro-posting. This string was done in 2006. It came out fine. The purpose of the course was to gain a "postage stamp" view of some other groups, in order to better understand our own beliefs. Also, if I am not mistaken, there are occasional "firesides" in which non-LDS are invited to come and speak about their faith, or a particular issue. Such discussions and classes do not have to be negative or adverserial.

[bytebear]

I don't recall any non-LDS speaking at a fireside. Of course, I may be mistaken, and I can see, perhaps, a group containing LDS and non-LDS speaking about a common topic.

LDS do sometimes use non-LDS sources for teaching. CS Lewis is a good example, but it's never to contrast, but rather to complement the message.

I like the idea of looking at the good at other faiths, and how we can learn from them. But I don't like the contrast and critique aspect of comparative religions. Especially when they are often strawmen arguments or one sided, incomplete information.

I like the book "How Wide the Divide." Very even handed, and informative. I don't think you can read that not understand LDS's view of the Godhead correctly, which I have yet to hear a non-Mormon (and a good deal of Mormons) describe accurately.

[prisonchaplain]

Bytebear, in a sense, you made my case for the class. There were plenty of disclaimers about the study being very introductory. And, indeed, just as the evangelical, Blomberg, helped the LDS Johnson understand the Godhead better, so Johnson helped Blomberg fine-tune his understand of the Trinity.

When we contrast it can seem negative. Us vs. Them. However, "them" can help "us" understand ourselves better. Additionally, it is true that in the past evangelical courses on LDS have been negative polemics. Part of my goal was to let doctrines speak for themselves, by using primary sources (such as the Articles of Faith).