Why Dont Christians Accept the Book of Mormon as Valid? (Jesus, Earth)

[Rolling_Stone]

Originally Posted by nutshell

I too have never had some "burning." Rather, I received confirmation from the Spirit of the Father in the same way that Peter received confirmation that Jesus is the Christ.

Really? It's an incredible feeling, but it's not emotional. For me, it radiates outward from the middle of the chest, but it's like trying to describe the flavor of salt to someone whose never tasted it. Anyone can have it from anything. The first time I experieced it was reading The Prophet by Khalil Gibran and knew was an affirmation of truth. Further experience, from reading books like the Bhagavad Gita and The Impersonal Life, made me realize that it was not an affirmation of The Truth, but the affirmation of direction. That, I think, is the mistake of "kool-aid drinkers": thinking the "burning in the bosom" is informing them of Truth itself. They get stuck, but in truth non-movement is impossible and there are only two directions: "up" and "down."

Since we all have different temperments, come from different backgrounds and have different experiences, we respond to different catalysts.

[silvermoon383]

Originally Posted by neillien

I would agree with that in the same sense that anyone born in America is an American. But there's a difference between the George Washington American and the Benedict Arnold American. One of them is not truly American.

I do believe you've just committed the "True Scotsman" fallacy.

[neillien]

I'll try to be brief . . . and colorful.

Originally Posted by Katzpur

. . . One might guess you have something of an agenda here . . .
are there no others that interest you, or is your sole purpose for being here to insult the
LDS posters?

I'm not sure what you mean by agenda.
I'm sure other forums would interest me.
My intention is not to insult (hence, I type with caution, one example being using the term LDS instead of Mormon).

Originally Posted by Starfish

. . . Have you never felt the influence of the Holy Ghost? . . .
whether one feels the Holy Ghost through a bossom-burning sensation, or by another way, it's
a true principle . . .

When I was young, a holy man stood in front of a group of us and we all passed out.
When I was older I prayed for God to speak to me. 5 minutes later a stranger came up to me
and said God told him to give me a message (which he then did).
Would you consider these events from the Holy Ghost?
[Caution: you may not like the man's message]

Originally Posted by Starfish

. . . And your advice to know the contents is exactly right. Read
the book. Then pray about it.

If the way you know truth is through a spiritual
encounter, the initial reading is unnecessary.

Originally Posted by Scott C.

. . . what I consider to be non-biblical doctrines, such as the Trinity, no
need for Priesthood, no need for living prophets . . .

* I do not believe in the word Trinity. I do believe, though, that God has revealed himself
through three beings: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
* I do believe in living prophets.
* The Bible does say that Christ is our priest and every man/woman believer is a priest, also.

Originally Posted by nutshell

. . . I received confirmation . . .in the same way that Peter
received confirmation . . .

If someone receives confirmation that
the Bible is the only book that will ever come from God,
and there will never be a time in history that another book will come from God,
should the person who received that message say
"I'm not going to trust this confirmation because it just doesn't sound right (although it feels right)" ?

[nutshell]

Originally Posted by neillien

If someone receives confirmation that
the Bible is the only book that will ever come from God,
and there will never be a time in history that another book will come from God,
should the person who received that message say
"I'm not going to trust this confirmation because it just doesn't sound right (although it feels right)" ?

I received confirmation the same way Peter did. Sorry if that's not good enough for you.

Regardining your own experiences - how do you know the messengers were sent from God and not the Devil?

[neillien]

Originally Posted by nutshell

I received confirmation the same way Peter did. Sorry if that's not good enough for you.

What's good enough for God is good enough for me.

Originally Posted by nutshell

IRegardining your own experiences - how do you know the messengers were sent from God and not the Devil?

Is there a way to "test the spirits" as the Bible says?

[nutshell]

Originally Posted by neillien

Is there a way to "test the spirits" as the Bible says?

If the Bible says there is a way then there is.

[madhatter85]

that's cool, there is a way to "test" messengers described in the Doctrine & Covenants. It's a wonderful book as well.

[neillien]

Originally Posted by sojourner

Actually, it fulfills, not "ends" the [Old Covenant].

That is correct. I should've said that Christ’s work is the end of being under the law of the O.C.

The law for a Jew was
* Follow 613 commands (always unsuccessfully).
* Bring a perfect animal to temple because of sin.
* Have the priest sacrifice in your name.
* Go home, still without your sins gone or a clear conscience.

But now, he/she can:
* Believe on Christ

This is slightly different for us who are not Jewish.
Like Abraham, we were never under the law, yet we partake of the same righteousness by having the same faith. And we, too, are free.

To understand this freedom, it would be as if
* Joseph Smith fulfills his mission, so you can
* Pray over the Book of Mormon
* Receive confirmation and then believe that it is true.
* Know that you are righteous in God's eyes at that moment.
* Become part of the Royal Priesthood (all men and women).
* Instantly enter any temple of God
* Run your life by direct Spiritual leading, not by humans that do the thinking.

Coming to God through Christ has not changed. There is nothing to restore with this theology. But LDS belief is in conflict with it.

I look forward to correcting my new mistakes and accepting your grace that comes with it.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Cherithim

It is too much of an Accident, too much of it smells smack of Fr eemasonry of which Joseph Smith was such a relevent part and Iroquis myths

Fascinating observation. Specifically, which verses smack of Freemasonry? And which Iroquis myths are you referring to?