Ask a Mormon, Part 3

[Nylan]

I think that there's a misunderstanding of the concept of "faith without works is dead". It's not saying that you must do the works. It's saying that if you have the faith, you will do the works. It's not contradictory to the Bible at all. Some Christians think that salvation is through faith alone, but the truth is, that if you truely had the faith you'd be doing works all the time.

We manifest our faith through our actions. I have faith that the world will be around tomorrow and I manifest this faith by setting my alarm clock. If I told you that I had faith that the world would end tonight, this would be contradicted by my setting of the alarm clock.

The works aren't a necessary component to be saved. They'll just happen if you've got faith.

Very well put. I wish I had been able to phrase it better earlier.

 

[Huayna Capac357]

My question: Why are Mormons generally conservative?

 

[Taras Bulba]

because of moral issues....

its a lose lose, the way I see it, because you can't go either way without losing something. If you go in the middle, you lose all hope of ever getting anything done

 

[Nylan]

My question: Why are Mormons generally conservative?

Taras is right, it's the moral issues for the most part. However, there are those that feel that even though they don't agree with a particular issue, they don't feel there should be a law prohibiting others from doing it if they so choose.

It's a fine line, really. One of the reasons I'm centrist.

 

[Firstlady]

Taras is right, it's the moral issues for the most part. However, there are those that feel that even though they don't agree with a particular issue, they don't feel there should be a law prohibiting others from doing it if they so choose.

That's me!

My best friend and I get into arguments about that all the time, though.

For the most part, I believe that people should be able to make their own choices when it comes to things like abortions and gay marriage. I, personally, am against them and would never even consider them as viable options but I don't believe in forcing thoses beliefs upon everyone else. I don't know, it's part of that whole agency thing, I guess. We're all accountable for our actions and choices. Why make someone else's choice for them?

 

[downtown]

My question: Why are Mormons generally conservative?

Its also worth noting that Mormonism is concentrated in some of the most politically conservative areas in the country...Idaho, Utah, etc. It isn't totally clear whether its just the Mormonism that makes them conservative, or being in such hyper conservative communities. Members of the church in places like say, Brazil, aren't as conservative as members in Provo, Utah.

In addition to "Moral Issues", an understanding of church history often leaves members distrustful of the government. Finally, an LDS Prophet had previously served in a Republican President's cabinet, which started a cultural shift. The Republican Party didn't dominate Mormons until the late 1950's I think.

 

[Fifty]

What do you guys think of the following quote (by our greatest living literary critic, Harold Bloom):

"Joseph Smith I think is perhaps the most misunderstood and undervalued major religious leader in history... a man to be immensely admired...If Joseph Smith were to appear in Salt Lake City tomorrow, they would run him out fairly quickly, because he stood for a vital and open state of continuous revelation which they still honor only in lip service as it were. They have become dogmatic."

From this interview, starting a bit past the 42min mark.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I can't download the interview from here at work . . . but I have no idea what he means. Not only do we claim to continuously receive revelation but it leads to constant modification of our practices and what we teach and emphasize. Nothing quite as drastic as what he prophesied, but why should it?

 

[holy king]

what's hell according to mormon theology?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

The short version (as I am about to leave work) is that it most often refers to one of the two places an individual may go between death and judgment and resurrection (the other usually referred to as paradise); this is for those who didn't yet receive ordinances such as baptism. It will be visited by those preaching the gospel as well.

At least, that is the way I always understood it.

 

[jeps]

What do you think of the The God Makers (and II)?

How do you respond to people who believe that (... . . . .. .. . ...)?

What is the most common misconception about Mormons that you encounter?

If you could educate every single person in the world about one aspect of mormon theology, and only one, what would it be?

 

[Firstlady]

What is the most common misconception about Mormons that you encounter?

Here's a few I've encountered multiple times:

Many people think we don't believe in Christ. (untrue.)
Mormons don't like african americans. (untrue.)
Mormons believe women are inferior. (untrue.)
Many people think we're polygamists. (untrue.)

My personal favorite is that apparently we worship seagulls.

 

[Huayna Capac357]

What is the state with the most Mormons in the east? How does the Mormon leader-guy feel about Islam? What is the Mormon leader-guy called? What's his name?

 

[jeps]

My personal favorite is that apparently we worship seagulls.

L.M.F.A.O.

wow. seagulls? at least its creative, unlike most other ones. wow. that made my day. and at the same time ruined it if someone is dumb enough to believe that.

 

[Firstlady]

What is the state with the most Mormons in the east?

Utah, if I understand the question correctly.

*disregard that...you meant the other east....which would probably mean Idaho. (feel free to correct me fellow members, but that seems the most logical since there's a BYU there.)

How does the Mormon leader-guy feel about Islam?

That's an Eran question.

What is the Mormon leader-guy called? What's his name?

The prophet or the president of the church. Currently, that's President Monson.

 

[Bigfoot3814]

Utah, if I understand the question correctly.

I'm no geography expert, but I'm pretty sure Utah counts as the West.

 

[Huayna Capac357]

I meant east of the Mississippi River... IIRC, Idaho isn't east of the Mississippi River

 

[Firstlady]

I meant east of the Mississippi River... IIRC, Idaho isn't east of the Mississippi River

I'll let Eran or downtown take over now.

 

[Taras Bulba]

I'd guess NY...... but then again.... that's because of Mormon history, and its population

other good guesses might be Missouri, Illinois, or Ohio (Ohio might be one of the better guesses)

 

[downtown]

I'd guess NY...... but then again.... that's because of Mormon history, and its population

other good guesses might be Missouri, Illinois, or Ohio (Ohio might be one of the better guesses)

Nah, its not Ohio. The Church did make their HQ in Kirtland Ohio over 150 years ago, but there Kirtland is pretty much a ghost town now, and Nothern Ohio is not exactly an LDS hotbed, even in the state.

Off the top of my head, I believe the Washington DC Metro area has the most. Atlanta also had a fair amount.