Ask a Mormon, Part 3

[Gooblah]

I'm sure this is an oft-repeated question, but how dogmatic is Mormonism (is that the correct name?)?

By this I mean do mainstream Mormons believe (or does the Church preach) that Mormonism is the "only way" to God, or are there different ways that people can use to reach God (and heaven)?

 

[Methos]

Do missionaries write down addresses so others won't waste time visiting there?

I would think they'd want to definitely come back there to hopefully persuade them to take the correct path.

Is that show any good? Have to check if its on hulu.

 

[Firstlady]

Do missionaries write down addresses so others won't waste time visiting there?

They must (write down addresses) because two missionaries I've never met visited my house and asked if they could give a lesson.

 

[Nylan]

They must (write down addresses) because two missionaries I've never met visited my house and asked if they could give a lesson.

I think you misunderstand the question.

Missionary question!

I'm watching Big Love reruns to refresh my memory in time for season three this January. There is a scene in the one I'm watching (early season 1) in which Nicky has some missionaries coming to her house. Nicky, btw, is the 2nd wife in a polygamist marriage.

Anyhoo, even though she denies it, the missionaries deduce that she is a polygamist. They basically say "we're done here" "we'll pray for you" and whatnot, but before they cycle off, they actually write down the address. I realize this is just a TV show, but is that accurate at all? Do missionaries write down addresses so others won't waste time visiting there?

I'm not a missionary yet, but I've never heard of any "blacklist". I also don't think the missionaries would leave simply because she's polygamist, but yeah it's just a show so no big deal. Like I said though, I'm no authority. I could be wrong.

 

[Firstlady]

I think you misunderstand the question.

Oh, oops. I only saw the quoted thing Methos posted and assumed that was it.

 

[Nylan]

No worries, I've had worse

 

[jeps]

are you burning your copy of Breaking Dawn, or returning it?

and is BYU 100% mormon or just mormon-affiliated but anyone could theoretically go, regardless of theological beliefs?

 

[Nylan]

and is BYU 100% mormon or just mormon-affiliated but anyone could theoretically go, regardless of theological beliefs?

You don't have to be Mormon to go to BYU, but the religion courses and following the Honor Code are required to graduate. Also, LDS tuition is cheapter than non-LDS tuition, although both are incredibly low for a private school.

I suppose I could ask for more info when I get there on Thursday.

 

[Firstlady]

are you burning your copy of Breaking Dawn, or returning it?

Did someone say Edward Cullen?

@ Nylan; do non-LDS have to take LDS religion? or their own religion courses?

 

[jeps]

apparently I could never go to BYU, wow. my hair alone violates the code. but have fun there, sounds like a good school (although certain parts of the code strike me as excessive)

to me, the worst part is students ratting out other students' violations, this reminds me too much of certain other regimes who relied on this, and has SO much potential to cause divisions.

 

[FriendlyFire]

Is it true that the Founder (Joseph Smith) of Mormans had a criminal record for Fraud ???
Or more accurately telling a huge lies about hes gold prospecting capabilities.

Meanwhile Smith participated in a "craze for treasure hunting."[6] Beginning as a youth in the early 1820s, Smith was paid to act as what was called a "seer", using seer stones in (mostly unsuccessful) attempts to locate lost items and buried treasure.[7] Smith's contemporaries describe his process for finding treasure as placing the stone in a white stovepipe hat, putting his face over the hat to block the light, and then "seeing" the information in the reflections of the stone

 

[bhsup]

Is that show any good? Have to check if its on hulu.

-I- like it. No guarantees someone else might.

 

[Nylan]

Did someone say Edward Cullen?

@ Nylan; do non-LDS have to take LDS religion? or their own religion courses?

LDS religion courses

apparently I could never go to BYU, wow. my hair alone violates the code. but have fun there, sounds like a good school (although certain parts of the code strike me as excessive)

to me, the worst part is students ratting out other students' violations, this reminds me too much of certain other regimes who relied on this, and has SO much potential to cause divisions.

Considering anything not able to be proven by hard evidence or a confession from the "perp" doesn't hold much serious water, it's not so bad. You can't be held responsible on heresay alone.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Joseph Smith was arrested a number of times but never convicted of anything, fraud or otherwise. He did almost get summarily executed once, though.

And missionaries don't have a blacklist for anyone's address. After all, people move or change their minds.

@Gooblah: I don't think that is the normal definition of"dogmatic", but to answer your question, although people can become close to God regardless of religion, only our doctrine is correct, and only the authority from God we possess can perform the ordinances necessary for salvation; but of course, being Mormon as such is not a prerequisite for salvation.

 

[holy king]

whta's the mormons' stance on drugs?

 

[Huayna Capac357]

What's your stance on other Christian groups??? Am I going to hell?

 

[Yui108]

What is the Mormon position on all this about the Reformed Egyptian stuff. All of your holy books are based on it, but it is basically something Joseph Smith made up. I know one of his followers took it to a professor and claimed he "confirmed it" but later the professor sent off a letter, furious, claiming anything but.

Also, how do you claim to be Christian if apparently you do not accept God as the only god, and if Smith claimed all the other churches were wrong.

 

[Yui108]

What's your stance on other Christian groups??? Am I going to hell?

In the Book of Mormon, Smith says that the angels told him all the other churches are an abomination in His eye.

 

[Huayna Capac357]

So I am? Yet another group to add to my list

What does Mormonism say about other religions?

 

[Yui108]

So I am? Yet another group to add to my list

What does Mormonism say about other religions?

Maybe we should wait for a Mormon to answer? But my understanding is smith created his own because god told him they were all wrong.