Some interesting doctrines of LDS

[yellows23]

Why was the priesthold restored??? In Hebrews-new testament,Jesus replaced the priesthood of the old testament. Did John the Baptist come to Joseph Smith in a vision for the restored priesthood??? There are some doctrines I am curious about.Garden of Eden be located in Independence,Missouri-Joesph Smith vison??? Second coming of christ,Jesus will come to mIssouri-USA first??? Biblical scholars claim Garden of eden is in Middle East-Iraq or somewhere.God has a wife in heaven.God is flesh and bones with wife,makes spirit children.Why does Book of Mormon say that God is a spirit not flesh and bones?? In Doctrines and Covenants say that God is flesh and bones. Baptism for the dead.If I a good non-lds church member-saved,I can only get to the second heaven.Unless I am a good lds member,will go the highest heaven-first heaven.

[the_jason]

Why was the priesthold restored???

Because it was lost with the Great Apostasy. God called Joseph Smith to restore the Church, and if the Church is God's church it must include his authority. Thus, the restoration of the priesthood

Did John the Baptist come to Joseph Smith in a vision for the restored priesthood???

John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood. Peter, James, and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood.

There are some doctrines I am curious about.Garden of Eden be located in Independence,Missouri-Joesph Smith vison??? Second coming of christ,Jesus will come to mIssouri-USA first??? Biblical scholars claim Garden of eden is in Middle East-Iraq or somewhere.God has a wife in heaven.

We don't know, and don't need to know. If we are faithful, God will make known to us all the mysteries of the kingdom.

Why does Book of Mormon say that God is a spirit not flesh and bones??

It doesn't say that. Read again.

Baptism for the dead.If I a good non-lds church member-saved,I can only get to the second heaven.Unless I am a good lds member,will go the highest heaven-first heaven.

Baptism for the dead gives all people the opportunity to accept the gospel. If they do, they will be part of the first resurrection.

[Shadow]

Why was the priesthold restored??? In Hebrews-new testament,Jesus replaced the priesthood of the old testament. Did John the Baptist come to Joseph Smith in a vision for the restored priesthood??? There are some doctrines I am curious about.Garden of Eden be located in Independence,Missouri-Joesph Smith vison??? Second coming of christ,Jesus will come to mIssouri-USA first??? Biblical scholars claim Garden of eden is in Middle East-Iraq or somewhere.God has a wife in heaven.God is flesh and bones with wife,makes spirit children.Why does Book of Mormon say that God is a spirit not flesh and bones?? In Doctrines and Covenants say that God is flesh and bones. Baptism for the dead.If I a good non-lds church member-saved,I can only get to the second heaven.Unless I am a good lds member,will go the highest heaven-first heaven.

Here I will give you what the Bible says about this.

The Priesthood Authority:

Very true Jesus Christ is the last one to have the Priesthood authority (The Melchizedek - Which replaced the Aaronic- Read Gal 3:24; 4:7 ; 1 Peter 2:1-10 and Read Heb. 4:11-14, 5:1-10; 7:11-28 and read Chapters 8-9), the only one that the LDS church could have is the Aaronic Priesthood which, God states has to be a Levite and descendant of Aaron and that was replaced by Jesus Christ. So there is only one priesthood which Jesus Christ carries

The Priesthood Restored:

No, John the Baptist did not restore the priesthood this is because Jesus Christ is the eternal priest. The only reason the priesthood would change was due to the death of the priest, since Jesus Christ is eternal he never has to change the authority.

The Garden of Eden being in Missour:

This is not really important to the concern of Salvation.

The Second Comming of Jesus Christ to the USA first:

Well, this is wrong being that all will know his comming, it won't be like, these people saw, then these. All will know when he is hear. Also Joseph Smith prophesied that Jesus would come during his "Generation no less than 56 years", which 56 years has gone and passed an we are yet to see it happen.

God being Spirit:

God is spirit, it states that over and over in the Bible (Read John 4:23-24 just for reference).

Multiple heaven:

This is only true in the text it was taken in. The first heaven they talk about is the sky(known as the heavens), the second one they refer to, the heavens, refers to the stars (Ancient astronomers referred to the sea of starts as the heavens) and then they go on to state a 3rd heaven which is the spiritual heaven in which God and his angels are in. There are not three stages

Baptism for the dead:

This is 100% unbiblical as there is no accounts of anyone preaching about the baptism for the dead.

Also the book of mormon doesn't teach that God has flesh and bones. The book of mormon also doen't teach about the three levels of glory and heavens and the book of mormon doesn't teach that temple participation is necessary to be exalted.

Hope this helps with your further understanding.

Shadow,

These are not LDS beliefs, but rather belong to a narrow sectarian Protestantism. You are welcome to participate on these boards, but you will do so respectfully.

In accordance with the board rules, you will also refrain from proselyting against the Mormon Church and deliberately misrepresenting their beliefs.

Your portrayals of scripture are inaccurate. Try reading them instead of milk-sopping from your pastor.

Honos

[darrel]

I think someone should help you understand LDS doctrine shadow. I believe your explanation is very misleading and not our doctrine. I believe you have it all wrong.

[the_jason]

I agree, Darrel. Shadow's understanding of the doctrine doesn't sound like it's from the church I'm a part of. It's unfortunate that some people pass of their own personal beliefs as official doctrine.

[NeuroTypical]

Shadow's post does not represent what LDS teach and believe.

[darrel]

Thank you for clarification on his position. I would hope when we post our opinions we should say it our opinion and not as doctrine.:)

[prisonchaplain]

I'm guessing that Shadow was sharing his own understanding of these doctrines, in contrast to the LDS doctrines.

[Misshalfway]

Shadow,

I am guessing that you are not LDS. Where are you getting your information? It is a new interpretation of the LDS faith that I have not heard before. And being a life-long member I can verify that it is not accurate description of the LDS doctrine.

[Shadow]

I am very sorry for putting that up without explaining from where I am coming from. I am bringing this information from a Christian perspective, not from an LDS (Mormon) point of view. This is probably why it is different from what you have been taught. If you have any questions about what I said or any Bible verses that contradict what I said, I would most willing go through them with you.

Oh, and also you may be saying that Christian doctrine and LDS doctrine are the same and I will have to say Hinkle said it himself that he did not believe in the God of Christianity.

[Moksha]

I'm guessing that Shadow was sharing his own understanding of these doctrines, in contrast to the LDS doctrines.

Yes, but what about that milk-sopping from your pastor part? I have never even heard that expression before. Is it a sectarian protestant practice?

[Alaskagain]

and what is your purpose here, Shadow?

[tubaloth]

Why was the priesthold restored???

Because, Gospel that Christ brought was rejected. The priesthood was then taken from the earth, revelation stopped, and thus no prophet to lead the church.

Did John the Baptist come to Joseph Smith in a vision for the restored priesthood???

As Joseph Smith was going through the translation of the Book of Mormon it was evadent that Baptism is a central part to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry went out to the woods and inquired of the Lord about this matter. In Joseph Smith’s history it states:

72 The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized.

73 Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should shortly come to pass. And again, so soon as I had been baptized by him, I also had the spirit of prophecy, when, standing up, I prophesied concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men. We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation.

(for of what Oliver Cosdery’s account see here)

Garden of Eden be located in Independence,Missouri-Joesph Smith vison???

More a revelation on it.

Second coming of christ,Jesus will come to mIssouri-USA first???

I don’t recall that Jesus would come there first, but yes it well part of the places he well visit as the second coming comes forth.

Biblical scholars claim Garden of eden is in Middle East-Iraq or somewhere.

That is fine… Either we can either believe God or scholars? When we are talking about religion some faith is required.

God has a wife in heaven

Yes we do assume this. I don’t know if anybody would say this is any official teaching of the Church. We believe that to have Father, there most be a mother, why not? I don’t see how this is so strange of teaching?

God is flesh and bones with wife,makes spirit children.

Something like that…

Why does Book of Mormon say that God is a spirit not flesh and bones??

What do you mean? I think you mean a passage that is referring to God as “The great spirit” in this case it was more trying to make the connection of who God was, not necessarily of what form He is in.

Do you believe that after the resurrection we gain our bodies back of “flesh and bone” do you not believe that God would in a similar state?

Baptism for the dead

I’m not sure if you are a believer in Christ or not, but I assume you are. As one that believes in Jesus Christ and his Atonement you do believe that Christ atonement reaches beyond those that lived with Christ. The Atonement of Christ covers all that have lived on this earth correct? I also have to assume that as Christ taught we need to be born of the water and of the spirit. We believe that baptism (or more, making that covenant with Christ) is necessary for salvation. We believe that we offer this help to mostly our ancestors that didn’t have that chance to make this covenant with Christ. It is still up to them to choose to accept it. (free well is not taken away even after death). To me this shows the not only the Love of God, but also how powerful the atonement of Christ really is.

If I a good non-lds church member-saved,I can only get to the second heaven.Unless I am a good lds member,will go the highest heaven-first heaven.

This is kind of true. But not completely. We are judged on what truth we follow (in this life and the next). We do believe that those that have learned to feel of the spirit and follow the truth that they have found well be judged accordingly. That’s really what it comes down to.

I do suggest if you are still troubled by some of this doctrines (and if you are serious about learning more) I suggest you pick the topic that is most troubling and lets talk about it. What is the problem with it, what have you learned (how have you learned this) and so forth. Most of these types of things are kind of hard to explain in some message board but we can always try.

[john doe]

Oh, and also you may be saying that Christian doctrine and LDS doctrine are the same and I will have to say Hinkle said it himself that he did not believe in the God of Christianity.

Which Hinkle, Tom or Jim? Because if it was Tom, I can say right now he's a liar. He once told me my pants weren't too short, so when I went to school I got laughed at and kids teased me about my 'high-waters'.

Now, Jim, if that was who said it, maybe he just meant it in a different way than what you remember he said it. Maybe he said that he doesn't believe in the made-up God of Mainstream Christianity, because the God of Mainstream Christianity isn't biblical or the full truth and understanding of the nature of God. But I don't know what he meant because I wasn't there. You apparently were there, just what exactly were his words to you on the subject?

[prisonchaplain]

Yes, but what about that milk-sopping from your pastor part? I have never even heard that expression before. Is it a sectarian protestant practice?

That was Honos' edit, so ask the one who dished it out. If I had to guess, I'd say that it was a subtle reference to those who receive "the milk of the word," but are not yet ready for "the meat." (in other words, a suggestion that the commentary was 2nd-hand from the poster's pastor, and of a very elementary level).

[Shadow]

Here are some more quotes by the Apostles of the LDS Church,

"And virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ."

-Apostle Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 269

"Several church councils, in which men fought for their own theories, foisted upon the Church the incomprehensible and unnatural doctrine of "one in three and three in one." . . . This false doctrine, which has been nurtured through the centuries, in an excellent illustration of philosophical-theological error and nonsense."

-Apostle John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations 1:58

"Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God. I say that is a strange a God anyhow - Three in one, and one in three! It is a curious organization .... All are to be crammed into one God, according to sectarianism. It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God - he would be a giant or a monster."

-Joseph Smith

"To those who are bound to defend the amass of confusion in the creeds of Christendom, the concept that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God is totally incomprehensible.They are baffled by their beliefs, confused by their creeds, unconverted by the incomprehensible. Their only recourse is to glory in the mystery of godliness and to suppose there is something wonderful in worshiping a spirit nothingness that is neither here nor there any more than he exists now or then. The total inability to know God becomes the most basic tenet of their religion and closes the door to that

progress which lead to exaltation and Godhood."

-Apostle Bruce McConkie

Here are some fine examples that Mormon's don't believe in the same God as the Christians do. And also before you call me a liar please reference your doctrine.You should know it better than I do.

My purpose here was to answer the question(s) that were posted at the beginning of this thread.

If you could please point out exactly what offends you, please let me know and let me know what your biblical support is and we can go through it together.

[Moksha]

That was Honos' edit, so ask the one who dished it out.

Your explanation sounds adequate. I couldn't tell if it was a zinger or not.

[inthearmsofsleep]

Zing! You got me, Shadow. Actually, I don't understand the point of preaching stuff contrary to LDS belief on an LDS forum. I'm not trying to be mean in saying this, but you aren't going to convince anyone that their religion is wrong. There's no need to "educate" us or "enlighten" us.... we believe what we believe because we think it's true. Some of us will even go as far as saying we know it's true, and not out of arrogance or self-affirmation... but out of conviction and in the spirit of sharing what's made life a joy to live. There are many things in this faith that the world would say are controversial, but that's where the principle of faith comes into play. Start from scratch. Read your scriptures. Pray about them. Offer up all the desires of your heart to God and he will tell you if what we believe is true or not. The Holy Spirit is the bearer of ALL truth, so have no shame or fear in seeking what you really need to know.

[Shadow]

Zing! You got me, Shadow. Actually, I don't understand the point of preaching stuff contrary to LDS belief on an LDS forum. I'm not trying to be mean in saying this, but you aren't going to convince anyone that their religion is wrong. There's no need to "educate" us or "enlighten" us.... we believe what we believe because we think it's true. Some of us will even go as far as saying we know it's true, and not out of arrogance or self-affirmation... but out of conviction and in the spirit of sharing what's made life a joy to live. There are many things in this faith that the world would say are controversial, but that's where the principle of faith comes into play. Start from scratch. Read your scriptures. Pray about them. Offer up all the desires of your heart to God and he will tell you if what we believe is true or not. The Holy Spirit is the bearer of ALL truth, so have no shame or fear in seeking what you really need to know.

Preaching things Contrary to the LDS belief may be the case. But I know quite a few LDS believers and they say they believe in the Bible too (One works in the Temple), and all I am doing is quoting the Bible. The Chapters in Hebrews that I quoted states in black and white that the priesthood is held by Jesus Christ and none other can posses it because he is eternal. If you refer to why the priesthood was transfered, it was because the old priest was restricted by death (But Jesus Christ is not). So maybe I am stating things that are contrary to the LDS belief but it stands in line with the Holy Bible (which is what the LDS missionaries carry with them on their mission trips).

So you would have to make a stand here.... Is the Bible correct or LDS Doctrine? There are many other instances where the LDS Doctrine doesn't match with the Bible (You could review my first post on this thread - that sparked some excitement ), so on all those you will still have to make the same decision.

Also please note that I am not stating these things to "Get people", if you have any problems with what I am stating then, please let me know what is wrong and state why I am wrong and we can go over this together, instead of just stating that I am not in line with LDS Doctrine.

[darrel]

Snow, I appreciate your offer to explain these issues from you view. I guess I feel uneasy about non-lds belief being presented as facts on this forum. I appreciate the opportunity for open discussion of the various views this fourm allows. I know Christian forums will not allow lds views posted on them without quick removal of the poster.

Also Snow, it is evident that you have a firm stand on your beliefs as we do. The truth of all things is made known only through the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost , whom the Lord sent. Reasonable discussion will present differing views but no one and I mean NO ONE will be Convinced of truth by Verbal Debate.

In my 65 years I have received a conviction by the Spirit of the truth of the "restored" doctrines of Jesus Christ which are taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I firmly believe the precepts of men mingled with scripture are what most "Christian" Churches teach today. How else could so many different religions teach so many different concepts of God and Jesus Christ.

[the_jason]

I am very sorry for putting that up without explaining from where I am coming from. I am bringing this information from a Christian perspective, not from an LDS (Mormon) point of view. This is probably why it is different from what you have been taught. If you have any questions about what I said or any Bible verses that contradict what I said, I would most willing go through them with you.

However, the original post was asking for clarification on LDS doctrine, not other Christian doctrine. If you are not LDS or do not have knowledge of LDS doctrine, then spouting off your own beliefs is counter-productive and does not satisfy the query of the original poster. In the future, make sure your answers line up with the question that is asked.

[prisonchaplain]

Snow, I appreciate your offer to explain these issues from you view. I guess I feel uneasy about non-lds belief being presented as facts on this forum. I appreciate the opportunity for open discussion of the various views this fourm allows. I know Christian forums will not allow lds views posted on them without quick removal of the poster.

Darrel, as the non-LDS mod here, perhaps I can offer some history that might help you better understand the culture of this site. Until a couple of months ago or so, there were two site. The larger one, LDSTalk, was independently owned. It was clearly LDS in nature, but allowed fairly open discussions of doctrine and beliefs, including from non-LDS posters. Of course, those who simply came to bash were banned, and those who just came to preach their own doctrines would quickly grow frustrated and leave. Nevertheless, discussions were open, sometimes pointed, and a great deal of liberty was allowed.

The other site (name escapes me right now), did have a more conservative, faith-promoting culture, with less tolerance for criticism or antagonism from non-LDS posters.

With the merger, and our new sponsorship, the site has become more advanced, and more heavily visited. At the same time, there has been the natural tension between those who appreciate the open discussions vs. those who want a safe, faith-affirming site.

My own view as that LDS.net is somewhat more conservative than the former LDSTalk, but still a place that allows respectful interaction with non-LDS thought. This may be uncomfortable for some, but many LDS have viewed this as an opportunity to do mission work on the internet.

In my two plus years here, I've found many good friends, intelligent conversation, and the joy of sharing with many people who hunger and thirst for righteousness. My expectation is that if you stay with the site, you will come to appreciate the healthy balance offered, despite the occasional difficult poster.

[Shadow]

However, the original post was asking for clarification on LDS doctrine, not other Christian doctrine. If you are not LDS or do not have knowledge of LDS doctrine, then spouting off your own beliefs is counter-productive and does not satisfy the query of the original poster. In the future, make sure your answers line up with the question that is asked.

I am sorry but if you read the question he/she doesn't declare who they are talking to. Also they bring up verses from the Bible, which being a Christian that is the only Holy book that I study and so said what I and many other Christians believe. Also yes I am very aware of LDS Doctrine. I have a lot of questions regarding that. Would you mind me bringing up some questions on some of the Doctrine since no one is bring up some questions on what I said?

Darrel- I firmly believe the precepts of men mingled with scripture are what most "Christian" Churches teach today. How else could so many different religions teach so many different concepts of God and Jesus Christ.

Here is something that is very well misunderstood. Yes, there are many different teachings in different churches but what you fail to see is the differences. They lay only in the works not in belief. For example the Baptists might believe that you need to be baptized, where as another church might disagree in this, but they will both come out and state that they will both believe in the same foundation of Christianity. That we are saved by Jesus Christ alone and yes, in Christianity all the Christian churches will state that they believe in the same Jesus Christ as the rest of Christianity. The only time this is not so is with the LDS Church.

[inthearmsofsleep]

Shadow,

Yes, we believe the Bible to be the word of God, as well as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. The key here is that the KJV of the Bible isn't translated correctly, but for the most part it's the most accurate of those translations that we have. The message of the Bible does not contradict LDS doctrine. Some verses and phrases taken out of context might, but not the message that's contained within its pages and the message that is spoken to you by the holy ghost if you're in tune with it. This is why we use both. The Book of Mormon supports the teachings in the Bible and the other way around. This is why we cross-reference them, use them both in talks, in our lessons, in missionary work, etc. As for the priesthood... it is entirely necessary to be on this earth in order to govern Christ's church. By what other authority would baptism, blessings of healing, and other great blessings be brought about? It IS Christ's priesthood, but he has given it to those who are worthy to bear it in his name.

[Dale]

Here I will give you what the Bible says about this.

Shadow i will try and give my perspective on your issue's.

You:The Priesthood Authority:

Very true Jesus Christ is the last one to have the Priesthood authority (The Melchizedek - Which replaced the Aaronic- Read Gal 3:24; 4:7 ; 1 Peter 2:1-10 and Read Heb. 4:11-14, 5:1-10; 7:11-28 and read Chapters 8-9), the only one that the LDS church could have is the Aaronic Priesthood which, God states has to be a Levite and descendant of Aaron and that was replaced by Jesus Christ. So there is only one priesthood which Jesus Christ carries

Me:Christ and Melchizedek are priest's at the same time. (Hebrews 7:3) Galatian's 3:24 4:7 does not say the Aaronic priesthood had to be done away with. 1 Peter 2:1-10 and vs. 9 is an old testament verse at the same time they had a ministerial priesthood. (Exodus 19:6) So it does not preculde the existence of a ministerial priesthood. Hebrews 4:11-14. Melchizedek would be a lesser priest under Jesus, but still a High Priest. Vs. 1 say's High Priest's were still be taken from among men and still could be. Hebrew's 7:11-28. Vs. 12 teache's only that Christ's type of priesthood was changed not that the old priesthood ceased to exist. Nothing prevented Jesus from keeping, or making change's to the old priesthood. Hebrew's 8:4 admit priest's exist on earth and that that priesthood was still valid. That priesthood did not cease to exist.

Nothing prevent's Jesus from doing away with lineage pro-hibition's. The law was done away with. If Jesus decided to establish an new Aaaronic priesthhod he could do so because he is greater than Moses.

You:The Priesthood Restored:

No, John the Baptist did not restore the priesthood this is because Jesus Christ is the eternal priest. The only reason the priesthood would change was due to the death of the priest, since Jesus Christ is eternal he never has to change the authority.

Me:That does not prevent a Aaaronic priesthood from existing on earth.

You:The Garden of Eden being in Missour:

This is not really important to the concern of Salvation.

Me:I agree. This is an interesting topic that FAIR Wiki has delved into. I don't have a link to the article though.

You:The Second Comming of Jesus Christ to the USA first:

Well, this is wrong being that all will know his comming, it won't be like, these people saw, then these. All will know when he is hear. Also Joseph Smith prophesied that Jesus would come during his "Generation no less than 56 years", which 56 years has gone and passed an we are yet to see it happen.

Me:The 56 year prophecy has been misread. It say's should not would. Joseph smith was once told if he lived to be 85 year's old he would live to see Jesus. Since he died before that time Jesus had no obligation to come earlier. Read correctly i don't see it as a false prophecy. SHIELDS had an better in-depth explanation on it than i can give.

You:God being Spirit:

God is spirit, it states that over and over in the Bible (Read John 4:23-24 just for reference).

Luke 24:39 indicate's to me Jesus spirit was in the form of other spirit's. I get the sense in John 4:24 Jesus very imprecisely mixed the person's of the Father, and Holy Spirit together by calling them spirit. If Jesus as God had a spirit body, so can the Father. I am not sure he has a body. But nothing in either John 4:24, or Luke 24:39 prevent's the Father and Son from being person's of shape. The Holy Spirit if treated as if it were God's own spirit at time's.

You:Multiple heaven:

This is only true in the text it was taken in. The first heaven they talk about is the sky(known as the heavens), the second one they refer to, the heavens, refers to the stars (Ancient astronomers referred to the sea of starts as the heavens) and then they go on to state a 3rd heaven which is the spiritual heaven in which God and his angels are in. There are not three stages

Me:I read that explanation before. But the abode of God is still an inhabited place as opposed to other inhabited places. The future new earth and heaven will be both inhabited will it not? i see no scripture that say's all being will be crammed together on the new earth only. So i am not sure the explanation does much for a two destination idea, but to illustrate where the third heaven expression might have come from.

You:Baptism for the dead:

This is 100% unbiblical as there is no accounts of anyone preaching about the baptism for the dead.

Me:I agree. But Paul does not in 1 Corr. 15:29 say the group was errant for the practice for believing in the idea of salvation for their dead. He only say's why do it if we arn't resurrected. The authority for it is not the Bible, but modern revelation. Bible only belief is not my Community of Christ/RLDS, or an LDS belief. My church through common consent rejected the need for baptism for the dead.

You:Also the book of mormon doesn't teach that God has flesh and bones. The book of mormon also doen't teach about the three levels of glory and heavens and the book of mormon doesn't teach that temple participation is necessary to be exalted.

Me:it does teach God has a body. Ether 3:15 has us created after the image of Christ's spirit body. And that spirit now has a body of flesh and bone's. It doesn't teach the Father has a body, but i think allow's LDS to think the book does not contradict it. Mosiah 2:36-41 actually allow's for three inhabited place's. (Heaven, hell and the new earth.) It does not teach the new earth directly, but should not be read to deny it.

The Book of Mormon does teach it's not the final authority in matter's of faith and practice. So new thing's can come out by revelation not found in the book. We don't accept the idea of exaltation, or temple work. We have a temple in Independence, Missouri, but it's mostly open to the public.

You:Hope this helps with your further understanding.

Me:I took some witnessing to Mormon's study and still do. I read a lot of Evangelical material presenting their perspective on Mormonism. So i have had a lot of time to ponder the issue's. Some LDS belief's are not mine, but i try to be open to the truth in their belief when i can.

I see your concern's as sincere. I don't mind trying to help you overcome your difficulty's with Mormonism.

You Honos:Shadow,

These are not LDS beliefs, but rather belong to a narrow sectarian Protestantism. You are welcome to participate on these boards, but you will do so respectfully.

In accordance with the board rules, you will also refrain from proselyting against the Mormon Church and deliberately misrepresenting their beliefs.

Your portrayals of scripture are inaccurate. Try reading them instead of milk-sopping from your pastor.

Honos

I do not see you as intending to misrepresent Mormonism.