tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.comments2023-05-09T02:58:55.115-07:00Escaping Godhood~Lee~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204490718754636262noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-9040576514170414192015-10-16T11:13:41.569-07:002015-10-16T11:13:41.569-07:00the Atheist has no respect for the Holy Bible, he ...the Atheist has no respect for the Holy Bible, he would make a Good Mormon, completely decievedAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15026008127453065686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-55745712002679549172014-10-10T20:34:53.085-07:002014-10-10T20:34:53.085-07:00Love your insight! Thanks for sharing!Love your insight! Thanks for sharing!michellehttp://lifeafter.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-52323898324552668922014-08-23T06:48:24.088-07:002014-08-23T06:48:24.088-07:00Hi Johnny. If you give me your email, I'd be h...Hi Johnny. If you give me your email, I'd be happy to email you and talk about things. I won't publish the comment with the email address in it if you prefer. ~Lee~https://www.blogger.com/profile/04204490718754636262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-45388069044128340742014-08-22T10:28:11.741-07:002014-08-22T10:28:11.741-07:00Hi Lee,
I am sorry this comment is not related to...Hi Lee,<br /><br />I am sorry this comment is not related to your current post. However, I couldn't find your email for me to write to you. I was hoping to discuss a few things about Mormonism as I am thinking of joining. I hope this will not be of any inconvenience.<br />Regards,<br />J.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01430085985861439016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-77474117846103283112014-08-13T08:39:57.381-07:002014-08-13T08:39:57.381-07:00I would urge you to start reading the New Testamen...I would urge you to start reading the New Testament in your search for answers. And so you know whether you can trust what you're reading, watch this:<br />http://marshill.com/media/best-sermon-ever-2014/is-what-we-have-now-what-they-wrote-then<br /><br />It is more common for a woman to change her faith when her husband does than vice versa. This is especially true if it looks like your change in faith has produce positive effects in your life, which I truly believe coming to the Jesus of the Bible would do for you. If you need any help or resources, feel free to ask me. I can help you or direct you to help.~Lee~https://www.blogger.com/profile/04204490718754636262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-79456844649664765742014-08-03T09:43:57.671-07:002014-08-03T09:43:57.671-07:00I fell away from the Church for a while but decide...I fell away from the Church for a while but decided to come back after my wife was baptized. Sitting in it all again the same old issues keep springing up, this is one of them. I wish all Mormons could understand how serious Joseph's claims are in regards to the papyri being written by Abraham. If they knew they would understand how false he was. I wish I could leave the Church soon, but I'm so confused as to where to turn, and what to believe anymore.Kenny "Poogi" McLeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04853357348125336265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-53660983552763720362014-04-06T21:06:14.465-07:002014-04-06T21:06:14.465-07:00My wife is Hispanic,and we were ostracized for let...My wife is Hispanic,and we were ostracized for letting our kids play with non member Hispanic kids. We were warned by the bishop that they weren't a good example, but im not going to let the bishop tell me who my kids can and cant play with. Evantually our kids lds friends were told not to play with my kids, and eventually the social workers were called on us and we had to undergo an investigation. Thank goodness our children were not removed during this time, and the accusations were considered frivolous by the workers. We had done nothing wrong other than extend a hand of friendship to a non lds family. I never returned to church, and since have a loathing hate for those people that has consumed me. I really hate those people and hope I can let it go someday. I don't know why that church creates so many hateful people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-73097245443940792182013-12-19T16:22:06.220-08:002013-12-19T16:22:06.220-08:00The fact that some people outside of the Mormon ch...The fact that some people outside of the Mormon church aren't as outwardly happy as some of the people in it does not mean that the Mormon church is true. It might mean that the Mormon church teaches some values and lifestyles that tend to help people live better, more productive lives, but that is not exclusive to the LDS church. <br /><br />Nor would I say that happiness is necessarily an indication of truth. Do you think Jesus was happy when he was persecuted, tortured, and crucified? Did he live like a typical Mormon; as a middle class citizen with a family, never touching alcohol and asking people to start to conform to the "standards" before they joined his religion? Not at all.<br /><br />It's also not completely true to say that Mormons are happier than non-Mormons. Utah has one of the highest rates of anti-depressant use in the nation, particularly for women, as well as one of the highest suicide rates for young men. That doesn't sound like happy people, yet Mormons are the religious majority in the state. A lot of people feel pressure, guilt, and inadequacy because of the Church's standards and the assertion that you are not "worthy" if you do not measure up. The fact that many of the standards are not supported by the Bible makes it even worse. At least true biblical living by believers is Spirit-empowered and in clear accordance with God's Word. The same cannot be said for Mormon standards of living, which would condemn even Jesus as "unworthy," as the Pharisees did.<br /><br />You can believe what you want, it doesn't change reality.~Lee~https://www.blogger.com/profile/04204490718754636262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-35165261262497426542013-09-09T15:20:20.898-07:002013-09-09T15:20:20.898-07:00I was not born a Mormon but now I am, and this chu...I was not born a Mormon but now I am, and this church is true and I strongly believe you are wrong about it. I have family that is not Mormon and I can clearly see how much happier the people in the church are than them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-91725340557447198882013-06-07T11:22:35.875-07:002013-06-07T11:22:35.875-07:00Sarah, I'm glad you enjoy my posts! Just didn&...Sarah, I'm glad you enjoy my posts! Just didn't have anything on my mind to write about for a while. Life happens, you know? But when I saw this particular issue, it was certainly something worth writing about!~Lee~https://www.blogger.com/profile/04204490718754636262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-32826549548007699002013-06-05T07:12:01.049-07:002013-06-05T07:12:01.049-07:00BTW, I was so glad to see this pop up on my feedly...BTW, I was so glad to see this pop up on my feedly. I've missed your blogs.Sarahhttp://www.sarahreck.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-79878684290486596022013-06-05T07:11:21.451-07:002013-06-05T07:11:21.451-07:00I think that's a problem with a lot of religio...I think that's a problem with a lot of religious legalism, but especially with the chastity and virtue taught in the Mormon Church. It's this whole idea that a girl is doing something wrong if she doesn't come to a marriage bed as a virgin, no matter how it happened. It's shaming, is what it is. Hands-down shaming. And it has no place in the heart of a Christian, or someone who believes them-self to be a Christian, or however you'd like to define it. Not when Jesus loved all people, prostitutes and virgins alike.Sarahhttp://www.sarahreck.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-58583772887071573692013-05-09T16:08:52.927-07:002013-05-09T16:08:52.927-07:00Thank you for the great post! I was actually just ...Thank you for the great post! I was actually just thinking of this hymn. Did you know that there is a more common Protestant version, which is regarding Grace? It is in the United Methodist hymnal, and the text was written by Charles Wesley (and thus would have probably been known to Joseph Smith). It is interesting that Wesley's text of grace got replaced by this odd text.<br /><br />Also, I heard the text originally said, "There is no end to race." This was changed to "There is no end to grace" recently...one of the only mentions of grace in the LDS hymnal, and it was just snuck in to try to patch a big mistake.<br /><br />Here's a YouTube link for the Wesleyan hymn, "Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7iMfrU5LVc<br /><br />Also, if you look at the hymn "For All the Saints", you'll notice the verse on communion with Christ bringing us all up to equality is removed. Here is the exact text of the removed verse:<br /><br />"O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia, Alleluia." (Source: United Methodist Hymnal. The author is quoted as the same as in the LDS hymnal).<br /><br />Also, look at the LDS version of A Mighty Fortress is Our God -- it is a hodge-podge of verses from Luther's original (but translated) text.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431741012966569454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-61204887944636158872013-03-22T09:24:16.736-07:002013-03-22T09:24:16.736-07:00Very cool. Keep going girl! :)Very cool. Keep going girl! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12000895309904088320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-4052927874018907202012-08-01T19:46:57.120-07:002012-08-01T19:46:57.120-07:00Hello Lee, I appreciate what you are doing in shar...Hello Lee, I appreciate what you are doing in sharing your understanding of the Christian life. I pray that many people will turn to Christ through reading your Blog. I am a committed Christian and have been walking with Jesus for over 30 years and He has never let me down as I look back over my life. It is wonderful to live knowing He has my life in His loving hands, guiding and leading me each day. <br />I would like to make one comment on your statement regarding not allowing Gays to become leaders...I believe that if they are walking with the Lord and exhibiting a Godly lifestyle i.e. remaining celebate, I could not see any reason why they should not be chosen as leaders. I agree with everything else you have said, but this point I feel is quite unfair towards a Gay person and seems to run contrary to the rest of your writing.<br />This has been a big issue for myself and my husband as our son is gay and we have had to review the beliefs and theories we held previously. It is challenging to face this in our family and so I feel it is an important issue that the church has dealt poorly with thus far. <br />It is strange that we focus on this sin to such an extent when the issue of greed, legalism, gossip and idolatry of material goods is spoken about so much more by Christ than anything else.<br />How guilty of these sins are we living in the West? I know I qualify for some of these! <br />Anyway, keep up your good work and I trust God will use what you are doing to honour Him.<br />Peace to you , VictoriaVICTORIAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712020479813544071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-51023459088151700452012-06-30T20:03:20.520-07:002012-06-30T20:03:20.520-07:00Soon the whole world will see EXACTLY what goes on...Soon the whole world will see EXACTLY what goes on inside Mormon temples.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-62652702929401791152012-06-19T19:46:11.167-07:002012-06-19T19:46:11.167-07:00I love this article!I love this article!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-66745512969571604992012-04-29T12:51:51.156-07:002012-04-29T12:51:51.156-07:00Lee, that is a great analysis. I remember the arti...Lee, that is a great analysis. I remember the article and it really does raise some serious questions. The first is, do Mormons get their theology from prophets now or professors at BYU? It has been a mighty long time since any clear doctrinal teaching has come out of Mormon HQ and this is very telling.<br /><br />The Mormon attitude to Christians is also deeply insulting, as you say, and can be proved innacurate from their own official web site. Consider this from an April 2012 conference talk by Dallin H Oaks:<br /><br />"Many Christians have voluntarily given sacrifices motivated by faith in Christ and the desire to serve Him. Some have chosen to devote their entire adult lives to the service of the Master. This noble group includes those in the religious orders of the Catholic Church and those who have given lifelong service as Christian missionaries in various Protestant faiths. Their examples are challenging and inspiring"<br /><br />You can read it in context here<br /><br />http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/sacrifice?lang=eng&query=catholic<br /><br />When Mormons wish to crow about themselves and identify with "other Christians" they readily enough recognise Christian sacrifice. When they want to talk about their message they turn back to accusing us of easy-believism. The only way to counter this is to be salt and light to Mormons until they taste the goodness of God and see the truth by the light of His Spirit.Mike Teahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14505904110015305223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-55585707442441062592012-04-25T21:58:35.085-07:002012-04-25T21:58:35.085-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788920936014319970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-90440827932264565632012-04-25T10:42:11.860-07:002012-04-25T10:42:11.860-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788920936014319970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-88722663268052102312012-04-25T09:37:11.859-07:002012-04-25T09:37:11.859-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788920936014319970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-45910302362624104942012-04-25T08:57:24.797-07:002012-04-25T08:57:24.797-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788920936014319970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-12133567381011858072012-04-24T20:53:04.587-07:002012-04-24T20:53:04.587-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788920936014319970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-85532892297756456332012-04-21T23:39:08.497-07:002012-04-21T23:39:08.497-07:00Catholics are very forthcoming about their shortco...Catholics are very forthcoming about their shortcomings. Try Googling 'Pope apologises'. I have heard Catholics say, "The Church is not a club for saints but a hospital for sinners." I truly believe that by 'the Church' they mean all Christians. It is foolish as Our Lord told us to put at brothers in Christ and say 'raka!'.<br /><br />My experience living in Utah is that one of the strongest feelings to be overcome within former Mormons is that of anti-Catholicism.<br /><br />Plainly put, it is bigotry. It is pride. And, the LDS fabrication would not survive a day if it were not for it's subtle Universal Apostacy theory. There are three things God cannot resist: Humility, Humility, and Humility. C.S. Lewis writes that the devil can use even the desire to holiness as a trick and a deceit.<br /><br /><br />May the Face of Christ shine upon you.James Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03601404337397444540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522189034750413969.post-70760028916994860232012-04-21T12:58:16.535-07:002012-04-21T12:58:16.535-07:00I agree with you on this completely! I just recent...I agree with you on this completely! I just recently blogged about the LDS temple as well, coming from a Mormon-turned-Christian background myself also. My perspective was slightly different, but fits in quite well with your analysis from a Biblical perspective; thank you for this! And the willingness for a golden statue and yet condemnation of crosses is also very appalling to me as well. It's not like they say "we don't want any symbols", they say "we don't want other Christians' symbols". <br /><br />If you look at the claimed reasons for the temple, it is to redeem the dead, provide many unique ordinances, and feel close to God. You dealt with the unique ordinances claim very well. The redeem the dead function is blasphemous to me, as we aren't "Saviors on Mount Zion", Jesus is the Savior...not just for living but also for dead. A Mormon baptism, and other Mormon ordinances, all require accepting Joseph Smith, so they cannot be essential to enter heaven. And what happened to people being judged for their own sins, not Adam's transgressions? If you accept the redeem the dead function, ancestors aren't judged on their own life, they are judged at least in part due to someone else's life who didn't even know them or have any impact on them.<br /><br />The closer to God aspect I also reject. God told us we would have the Holy Spirit, a full member of the Godhead, with us, dwelling in our bodies, not because of where we are but because we accept Jesus. How much closer can you possibly get than a member of the Godhead dwelling with you?! The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing this further. Paul also teaches us that our bodies are temples; no more is there a need for that physical structure. Finally, as you point out so well, the ordinances that used to be done in the temple are not done in LDS temples, since LDS believe they were fulfilled...so why would the building continue to exist?<br /><br />Thank you for the great post!Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431741012966569454noreply@blogger.com