How common is it for leaders of other religions to visit BYU?


prisonchaplain

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  • 3 weeks later...

Dear Chaplain: Most LDS do not even know this.(Military)LDS Chaplains are supervised and endorsed by the Military Relations Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ (for approximately 50 years now.) The MilRelCom is very supportive and ecumenically, embracing of all Chaplains of all denominations.

If a prospective Chaplain visitor wanted to visit BYU (or any) LDS institution and contacts the MilRelCom, I believe they will "roll out the red carpet" and facilitate and host the visit in any way possible...provide guides,escorts and a welcoming hand...including introductions,answering questions etc.

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In the military Chaplaincy...Chaplains care for all, as children of the same Heavenly Father. They help LDS be better LDS, or a Catholic be a better Catholic or Lutheran be a better Lutheran or Jew be a better Jew etc. The Army Chaplain motto is "cooperation without compromise"....and the mission is to provide for the free exercise of religion, by supporting the living and honoring the dead. It is accepting and embracing of the common truths and values which all people of faith share, inclusion,not exclusion, rather than emphasis on the devisive differences of theology and doctrines. It is so much more rewarding and edifying than the civilian clergy boundaries...that it hurts to see the contrasts....within any religion....

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PC. It is common for various religious leaders to visit and speak to students as part of the "Forum and Devotional" curriculum. This is a lecture series that takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays (when I was at BYU it was at the 10 to 11 am hour). The Forum lectures (Thursdays) are associated with political and business subjects and the Devotional lectures (Tuesdays) are associated with religious subjects.

College credit is offered for the lectures (4 years of attendance would count as a religion class credit towards graduation at BYU) - and I enjoyed them especially because there were no test or other work (reports) required - attendance was by honor. But almost always there was a question and answer session that followed the lecture where students could come to a more intimate format and pose questions - this part I enjoyed the most. There was no extra credit for attending the question session and even though it was somewhat open the university monitored the questions closely and asking an inflammatory question would get one removed quickly from the session. Sometimes questions had to be approved (not sure but I think it was up to the visiting individual if questions were pre-approved.

I remember several non-LDS religious speakers coming - one in particular stands out in my mind because it was a Jewish Rabbi and at the beginning of his lecture he said that as far as he knew this was the only place in the world he could come and be called a Gentile - a comment that brought the house down with laughter. One point that I remember as being the most common among our visitors was an expression that the Student were unique and remarkably different (both in appearance and spirit) and that the visitor felt that the students would make a needed difference in the world. I do not recall any hostel exchanges or comments from students or visitors but I am sure that over the years there has been at least one. :(

However, according to your reference to the leader of you "Church" I am thinking that this may be a first time at BYU for one or your leaders. I would be interested in any inside information that you may have concerning the visit and impressions that you may have heard that you could pass on from your side.

The Traveler

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Traveler, we have a history of avoiding any semblance of ecumenism. We're not part of the World or National Council of Churches. Many of us believe that part of the End Times tribulation will be the rise of a one world religion--probably some amalgam of several religions, with an emphasis on openness and tolerance.

So, there was some concerns raised. There are those who believe that any kind of public show of openness and graciousness will be confused with endorsement and approval. Such fears are heightened by the current prevalence of post-modern thought, which favors relationships and feelings, while considering doctrine to be secondary and subjective.

On the other hand, many are pleased that Dr. Wood has led us in an intentional effort to embrace the gifts of the younger generations, and to affirm and support them in any way possible. So, seeing him reach out to a non-Pentecostal university audience fits his vision well.

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Traveler, we have a history of avoiding any semblance of ecumenism. We're not part of the World or National Council of Churches. Many of us believe that part of the End Times tribulation will be the rise of a one world religion--probably some amalgam of several religions, with an emphasis on openness and tolerance.

So, there was some concerns raised. There are those who believe that any kind of public show of openness and graciousness will be confused with endorsement and approval. Such fears are heightened by the current prevalence of post-modern thought, which favors relationships and feelings, while considering doctrine to be secondary and subjective.

On the other hand, many are pleased that Dr. Wood has led us in an intentional effort to embrace the gifts of the younger generations, and to affirm and support them in any way possible. So, seeing him reach out to a non-Pentecostal university audience fits his vision well.

Thank you for your additional comment above. It is an LDS doctrine that freedom of religion is essential to those that covenant with G-d. This doctrine is a strong part of the Book of Mormon. As part of freedom of religion LDS (at least in doctrine) believe in open a frank religious discussion - both within the faith and with our neighboring religions. I personal believe that such discussion is necessary for harmony in communities.

Though discussion is promoted contention is not and is considered evil - that contention is of the Devil. Thus if contention takes over a discussion that Satan is in control. This is understood to be the case even in discussions between a husband and wife. With this in mind the idea that we set a "snare" (something I seem to push the borders - but in my defense my purpose is to generate thinking rather than prove - but still I realize that sometimes I go two far) is a fine line because often Jesus asked questions - the difference being the the ancient Pharisee intended to condemn and create contention and Jesus asked with the intention to uncover and teach a point of doctrine.

I am interested in your end of time point of view. The LDS point of view is that as the time of Christ's return come closer that there will be two great camps arise to which all of mankind will align and find allies. One camp will be known as Zion and her allies (the pure in heart) and the other Babylon - the church of the Devil - and her allies. It is my understanding that Zion will be a minority in this conflict - A conflict that is characterized as war including the final conflict of Armageddon.

With this point of view LDS believe we ought to make allies as characterized in scripture with the Gentiles - and to gather from among the Gentiles not only converts to Christ and his restoration but allies in the conflict with evil. That those that will not ally with us will of necessity ally with Babylon.

The Traveler

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Here is a link to another interesting article about religious leaders speaking at BYU

CougarFan.com Link: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865588850/At-BYU-Baptist-says-Mormons-and-evangelicals-may-go-to-jail-together.html

I thought it was interesting when he said - we are not likely to go to heaven together but may go to jail together.

The Traveler

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