Doubt

[Jane_Doe]

14 minutes ago, Larry Cotrell said:

Do you consider Muslims followers of Christ or followers of a false Christ?

Muslims do not follow Christ and are very open and honest about that.  While they error in this, they do however follow many of God's other teachings- something they should be acknowledged and respected for.

Mormons undeniably believe that there is 1 Truth.  But we also acknowledge that we are all learning this Truth and in the meantime each have our understanding of truth (little t).  Our little t understanding of truth is the understanding each of us have a limited sinful mortals, striving towards a deeper understanding of ultimate Truth.  In the meantime, we should not persecute those whom are on a different spot along the path of understanding.

 

Edited October 7, 2016 by Jane_Doe

[Larry Cotrell]

18 minutes ago, Jane_Doe said:

Muslims do not follow Christ and are very open and honest about that.  While they error in this, they do however follow many of God's other teachings- something they should be acknowledged and respected for.

Mormons undeniably believe that there is 1 Truth.  But we also acknowledge that we are all learning this Truth and in the meantime each have our understanding of truth (little t).  Our little t understanding of truth is the understanding each of us have a limited sinful mortals, striving towards a deeper understanding of ultimate Truth.  In the meantime, we should not persecute those whom are on a different spot along the path of understanding.

So you believe that Muslims follow the same God, but that they don't understand him well?

Edited October 7, 2016 by Larry Cotrell

[Jane_Doe]

5 minutes ago, Larry Cotrell said:

So you believe that Muslims follow the same God but don't understand him well?

Ultimately there is only one God and all things Good come from Him and all Good things are a tribute to Him.  Conversely all things evil likewise have their father. 

Does that make sense?

[Larry Cotrell]

4 minutes ago, Jane_Doe said:

Ultimately there is only one God and all things Good come from Him and all Good things are a tribute to Him.  Conversely all things evil likewise have their father. 

Does that make sense?

Yes, so you are saying Hindus, Christians, Muslims, etc. all worship the same God but that only Mormons have the complete picture and doctrine?

I'm just trying to understand.

[Traveler]

21 minutes ago, Larry Cotrell said:

Do you consider Muslims followers of Christ or followers of a false Christ?

I consider that a follower of Christ to be identified by their love of their fellow men - as Jesus indicated that his disciplines shall be know (identified) – that true believers in the true Christ - love one another.  I believe the Scribes and Pharisees believed in a false Christ – even thought they had accurate scriptures that testified of Christ and claimed to believe in their scriptures according to their long standing traditions. 

 

The Traveler

[Just_A_Guy]

I think "doubt" has become such a theologically loaded--even politicized--term in modern Mormonism; that I frankly don't really know what to do with it.

Here's my approach:  I think that the vast majority of folks are on some level--maybe even subconsciously-disposed either to believe, or not to believe.  This, disposition, I think, is basically a result of the sorts of experiences they have already had with their own spirituality and, to a lesser extent, with the LDS Church as an institution. 

When a challenge comes, one is intrinsically going to face that challenge in one of two ways:  Either a) something along the lines of "How do I reconcile this new information to the things I know I have experienced?", or b) something along the lines of "could it be that everything I know I have experienced is somehow wrong?".  I, personally would consider a) as "questioning" and entirely appropriate; but b) I would label as problematic because we are allowing external factors to come between ourselves and our God--and a big part of our baptismal covenant was that we wouldn't choose to do that anymore. 

[Jane_Doe]

5 minutes ago, Larry Cotrell said:

Yes, so you are saying Hindus, Christians, Muslims, etc. all worship the same God but that only Mormons have the complete picture and doctrine?

I'm just trying to understand.

If a Hindu, Christian, or Muslim teaches/believes a that they should always be honest, that is a teaching/belief from God.  If a Hindu, Christian, or Muslim loves their neighbor, that is a tribute to God.  

If a Hindu, Christian, or Muslim teach/believe that they have no need of a Savior, then that is a teaching of Satan.  If a Hindu, Christian, or Muslim hurts another, then that is a tribute to Satan.  

Having more knowledge of Truth increases a person's opportunity AND responsibility to act on that Truth.  Currently we LDS have a much more complete knowledge/responsibility of Truth than a Hindu (for example) but we do not have 100% of the Truth yet-- God still has many great and marvelous to teach us.  

[Just_A_Guy]

31 minutes ago, Larry Cotrell said:

Yes, so you are saying Hindus, Christians, Muslims, etc. all worship the same God but that only Mormons have the complete picture and doctrine?

I'm just trying to understand.

Speaking for myself:  I would be loath to generalize.  But I think it's safe to say that God is the author of all truth, regardless of where that truth is found or what heresies it may have subsequently become mixed with.  I think it's further safe to say that there are sincere followers of nearly every religion who are seeking truth, have cleaved to the portion of truth that is in their own religion, and have a natural affinity for the Author of that truth even though they may yet have some very big misunderstandings about His identity and nature.  

I don't think there are actually demons named Allah, Brahma, Amatsu-Kami, Ahura Mazda, and so on who are somehow aggrandized through the prayers of Muslims, Hindus, Shintos, Zoroastrians, etc. Rather I think God the Father (through His Son Jesus Christ) hears all of those prayers, accepts them as being directed towards Him, answers them in His way, and takes appropriate steps to ensure that at some future date these children of His will know Him for who He is.

Edited October 7, 2016 by Just_A_Guy

[Traveler]

22 minutes ago, Larry Cotrell said:

Yes, so you are saying Hindus, Christians, Muslims, etc. all worship the same God but that only Mormons have the complete picture and doctrine?

I'm just trying to understand.

Mormons believe in a restoration of covenants and priesthood authority - it seems to me that doctrine is often over rated and is the primary reason that I believe the Scribes and Pharisees rejected Christ.  My experience with G-d has resulted in an understanding that loving others is more important than doctrine.

 

The Traveler

[Traveler]

Am I so different from everyone else and their experiences with doubt?  I thought to give another example.  I doubt that the last days are understood very well – Sometimes I think I can see certain signs and then find out that I have not interpreted the signs entirely correctly.

My doubts extend beyond my personal interpretations to what other are indicating – including our prophets.  There seems to be some concern about a possible time table but for me I am not sure (doubt) that anyone has a good understand what is meant by having oil in our lamps.

But my greatest doubt and concern about the last days is that in general it seems that everybody seems to think because of their belief and hope in G-d and Jesus that they personally will be spared any difficulty and hardships.  That others will suffer and not them.  But then as I view history (Job) it seems that the greatest sacrifices and hardships are suffered by the more righteous.  So I wonder – if we believe we will be spared suffering because of our love of G-d – and we are called to endure suffering – if we will believe we are not worthy and be part of those that turn away from G-d.

 

The Traveler