Ask a Mormon, Part 3

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well, sorry, man.

 

[gangleri2001]

Eran, why don't you capitalize the second m of the title?

 

[downtown]

Eran, why don't you capitalize the second m of the title?

You mean MorMon?

Because thats not what we're called.

 

[gangleri2001]

Well, it's only to avoid what has happened to me just right now: reading moron instead of mormon.

 

[downtown]

Well, it's only to avoid what has happened to me just right now: reading moron instead of mormon.

I think thats one of the reasons Salt Lake is pushing "Latter Day Saint" over Mormon as the term we use.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Happens a lot.

Then again, the word Mormon appeared in the English language in 1830, and moron only dates to 1910 (other than its single use in the Book of Mormon), so there.

 

[gangleri2001]

moron only dates to 1910 (other than its single use in the Book of Mormon)

What? In the book of mormon appears a word that even didn't exist at that time?

 

[downtown]

What? In the book of mormon appears a word that even didn't exist at that time?

If I remember correctly, its used as a proper noun. Somebody is actually *named* Moron.

 

[gangleri2001]

Do you mean that there's ....some ....sort of ...Saint Moron?

Sorry... but...

LOL!

The Aesirs and the Vanirs bless Joseph Smith!

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

That's right, a Jaredite king. I only know that because I looked up "moron" on wikipedia to confirm the year the word was coined in psychology.

 

[gangleri2001]

Now I understand why the jaredites disappeared. Somebody should have told them who might be king and who not.

 

[zxcvbnm]

As I hinted in the thread on the problem of evil, at least to my view there is something about morality that is as inherent to the universe as mathematics. In other words, just like 2+2 will always equal 4, some things will always be morally correct, or morally wrong. But on the other hand there are also lots of things that even in our world are moral or immoral depending on the situation.

Such as? Can you give me any deeds that would be right or wrong in every situation imaginable?

As far as your second question, it is just like salvation in general. Although everyone must accept the truth and receive the ordinances, performed by someone having the proper authority, it isn't strictly necessary to do it in this life. Given the tiny fraction of humans who have ever lived who were Mormon, or even had the slightest chance of becoming Mormon, it would be unfair otherwise.

So it's not necessary to become a mormon in life? Hey, that's great! I'll live as an atheist, but if after my death I notice that you guys were right after all then I'll join you. Deal?

Oh Eran....you guys are never going to get anywhere with an attitude like that. People don't want to be told "Oh, most people will get it, at least in some form, eventually." They want to be told that "Oh no, most people won't. Only people in our special club can...."

And that's one of the worst injustices of many religious groups. Denying salvation/whatever from others.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Do Mormons consider themselves protestants?

 

[holy king]

As I hinted in the thread on the problem of evil, at least to my view there is something about morality that is as inherent to the universe as mathematics. In other words, just like 2+2 will always equal 4, some things will always be morally correct, or morally wrong. But on the other hand there are also lots of things that even in our world are moral or immoral depending on the situation.

is rape among animals good or bad or neutral? (and yes, i believe it's number three)

edit: ah, i'm gonna start a new thread

 

[downtown]

Do Mormons consider themselves protestants?

Not really, since we didn't "break off" from any previous church. I do think we're closer, both theologically and culturally, to most protestants than we are to catholics though.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Such as? Can you give me any deeds that would be right or wrong in every situation imaginable?

Deeds, as in actions? Well, a lot of acts (such as taking a human life) are sometimes morally acceptable, but something like child rape springs to mind.

So it's not necessary to become a mormon in life? Hey, that's great! I'll live as an atheist, but if after my death I notice that you guys were right after all then I'll join you. Deal?

What do you mean, "live as an atheist"? If you mean that you sincerely cannot believe in God, for whatever reason, but still live a good life, and are willing to admit that you were wrong about it and accept God when you meet Him, then you are good. If for some reason you mean "do whatever you want without regard for the consequences" (which is how I think some people see it) then you would have a problem. One should become a Mormon because they believe it is the truth and will help them to live a better life, not to get a better deal in the next life.

is rape among animals good or bad or neutral? (and yes, i believe it's number three)

Animals, not having an understanding of good and evil as we do, can do things that are morally neutral but would be good or bad if done by humans.

 

[holy king]

What do you mean, "live as an atheist"? If you mean that you sincerely cannot believe in God, for whatever reason, but still live a good life, and are willing to admit that you were wrong about it and accept God when you meet Him.

well if i died and met god i surely had problems not accepting him.

 

[Elrohir]

And that's one of the worst injustices of many religious groups. Denying salvation/whatever from others.

That was sarcasm.

 

[zxcvbnm]

Deeds, as in actions? Well, a lot of acts (such as taking a human life) are sometimes morally acceptable, but something like child rape springs to mind.

What if a terrorist will blow 10 000 people up if you refuse to rape a child?

What do you mean, "live as an atheist"? If you mean that you sincerely cannot believe in God, for whatever reason, but still live a good life, and are willing to admit that you were wrong about it and accept God when you meet Him, then you are good. If for some reason you mean "do whatever you want without regard for the consequences" (which is how I think some people see it) then you would have a problem. One should become a Mormon because they believe it is the truth and will help them to live a better life, not to get a better deal in the next life.

I sincerely cannot believe in God, because I can't see any religion having proof that it would be any more right than the others (at least most of them, scientology can be left out from the equally possible-group) or that there would be any gods actually, but still try live as good life as I can, and am willing to admit that you were wrong about it and accept God if He exists and I meet Him, then I am good. Ok. Deal.

 

[Ansar]

Are all your "churches" or whatever you call them as cool as the one in Downtown's avatar?