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Religion Forum Index » Mormon Forum » WHO WANTS TO APOLOGIZE?...
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| Exposing the Mormon Church... |
 Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:28 pm |
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Mormons told to avoid faith-related arguments
By Peggy Fletcher Stack
The Salt Lake Tribune
10/05/2008
Mormons should never respond with arrogance or hostility to
attacks on their faith, but be peacemakers among themselves and in the
community of faith, said several speakers at the 178th Semiannual LDS
General Conference on Sunday.
"More regrettable than the [LDS] Church being accused of not being
Christian is when church members react to such accusations in an un-
Christlike way," (were you listening woody?) Apostle Robert D. Hales
said on the second day of the two-day conference. "Surely our Heavenly
Father is saddened - and the devil laughs - when we contentiously
debate doctrinal differences with our Christian neighbors." (will you
listen woody?)
Sometimes, the best response is to say nothing at all, Hales said.
"Meekness is not weakness. It is a badge of Christian courage."
Hales was speaking to more than 20,000 gathered in the LDS
Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City and millions more
watching on TV, the Internet or via satellite to LDS meeting houses
across the globe.
One Sunday speaker, Apostle Russell M. Nelson, made a veiled
reference to the church's opposition to same-sex marriage.
"The subject of marriage is debated across the world, where
various arrangements exist for conjugal living," Nelson said, adding
emphatically, "Marriage between a man and a woman is sacred - it is
ordained of God. . . . [And] a temple marriage is the highest and most
enduring type of marriage that our Creator can offer to his
children."
Comparing wedding choices to shopping, Nelson said, "Some marital
options are cheap; some are costly; and some are cunningly crafted by
the adversary. Beware of his options. They always breed misery."
Not all Mormons in California agree with the church's support of
the state's traditional marriage initiative, which may have prompted
Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the church's governing First
Presidency, to discuss the need for unity among members.
As the church attracts members from diverse backgrounds and
experiences, true peacemakers recognize they have more in common than
they have differences, Eyring said. "God will help you see their
differences not as a source of irritation but as a contribution. In a
moment, the Lord can help you see and value what the other person
contributes which you lack."
For his part, Pres. Thomas S. Monson, who became the 16th leader
of the 13-million member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
in February, spoke personally and emotionally about accepting change.
(NEW REVELATION FORTHCOMING! GAYS ARE GOOD?)
"Some changes are welcome, some are not," Monson said during his
morning address. "There are changes in our lives which are sudden,
such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness,
the loss of a possession we treasure."
The 81-year-old leader reflected on his years as an LDS apostle,
watching the 14 men ahead of him in the church's hierarchy pass away
until the death of longtime LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley, which
elevated Monson to the position.
"Of course, there's no going back, only forward," Monson said.
"Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today,
of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for
the future." (yeah, let's forgot about the false mormon prophets!)
Several other LDS authorities discussed the best way to handle
critics and disagreements.
Apostle M. Russell Ballard said in the last few decades the LDS
Church had experienced "unprecedented ideological attacks on our
people, our history, and our doctrine through the media." (exposure is
not an attack)
In a possible allusion to the critics of Mormonism that emerged
during Mitt Romney's failed bid for the Republican presidential
nomination, Ballard noted that in the 1920s, LDS apostle Reed Smoot
was elected to the U.S. Senate but had to fight to be seated.
(polygamy was a crime and smoot was a polygamist)
"A great deal was said of the church and its teachings at that
time - much of it hurtful and directed toward [LDS] President Joseph
F. Smith and other church leaders," Ballard said. "However, some
newspaper articles began to speak of the members of the church as
contributing citizens and good people." (polygamy was a crime and joe
f smith was a polygamist)
From the church founding in 1830 to today, Ballard said,
"persecutions have raged. Calumny, lies, and misrepresentation have
attempted to defame. But in every decade . . . the truth of God has
gone forth boldly." (on the bogusness of mormonism)
Monson closed the conference in the afternoon with an appeal for
tolerance and kindness. (monson forgot to tell ballard)
"We are a global church," (barely) he said. "May we be good
citizens of the nations in which we live and good neighbors in our
communities, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to our
own. May we be men and women of honesty and integrity in everything we
do."
He thanked members for their generous contributions, which help
the church continue its humanitarian work. He urged them to offer
every kind of assistance to those in need.
"May we ever be mindful of the needs of those around us," Monson
said, "and be ready to extend a helping hand and a loving heart."
http://www.truthandgrace.com/Mormon.htm |
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