User:InProgress/Common questions page 2

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A FAIR Analysis of: 'Common Questions - p. 2'

21. Can you help me with my report on Mormonism?

The best place to find information about Mormonism is probably a Mormon friend, or the Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

Volunteer members also answer questions about historical or doctrinal matters from a lay members' perspective at such sites as FAIR (FAIRLDS.org) or the official site of the Church LDS.org. Many questions have already been answered as such sites as the FAIR wiki(fairmormon.org FAIR wiki) . (Note that FAIR is a private group that is not affiliated with, and does not speak for, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

22. Why would God create homosexual people?

Part of our Heavenly Father's plan requires that we be in a world where natural laws and processes operate on their own. For example, without a miracle, if someone steps out of a window, they will naturally fall to the ground.

Part of these natural laws involve imperfections--children can be born with mental challenges, or blindness, or deafness, or a physical deformity.

God did not necessarily "cause" these deformities, challenges, or problems, but he permits them to occur.

People who struggle with homosexual feelings have often done nothing to cause such feelings--just as those who are blind, or deaf, or troubled in some other way have done nothing to "deserve" them or cause them. With every difficulty, God promises that if we obey him, he will provide a way to overcome our challenges, be happy, and return to him.

• LDS Newsroom article - discussion with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman

23. I’m homosexual – will the church accept me?

The church will accept you as it will accept any other person who repents and desires to follow Christ. You will likewise be expected to keep the same commandments as other members of the Church. This means that you will have no sexual relations with anyone, unless you are legally married to a person of the opposite sex.

Those with homosexual feelings are welcome. Those who commit homosexual acts would face Church discipline. All people—in or out of the church, homosexual or otherwise—are loved and respected as children of God. But, the Church cannot approve all the acts of God's children.

• LDS Newsroom article - discussion with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman

24. What should I do if I have homosexual feelings?

Homosexuals feelings should be approached the same way we would approach any other feeling or desire which are improper or immoral, that is against the commandments of God. We all feel desires we should not express or act on: the desire to anger, the desire to steal, the desire for violence, etc. Instead of acting on our desires we should:

• avoid places, situations, or thoughts that encourage or strengthen the feeling we wish to avoid
• fill our minds, hearts, and activities with elements which encourage the desires we wish to act on
• pray to God for help in our weaknesses
• study the scriptures and understand true doctrine, which can motivate us to make wise choices
• repent of past unrighteous behavior, and resolve not to return to our sins.

Having homosexual feelings is not a sin. Acting on those feelings is.

• LDS Newsroom article - discussion with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman

25. Why does the church hate homosexuals?

The Church does not hate homosexuals. We love all our Heavenly Father's children. Since he has taught us that any sexual behavior outside of a marriage between a man and a woman will not bring lasting happiness now or after death, we share this information with others. They must decide whether to obey or not, but we would not be loving if we remained silent when someone we loved did something dangerous or damaging.

• LDS Newsroom article - discussion with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman

26. Is God real?

Yes. One of the powerful testimonies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that God is quite real and has been seen by a modern prophets. Jesus Christ Himself has visited the earth many times since the founding of the Church and directs the work of the Church. People who wonder about the reality of God are invited to study what God has said and to learn for themselves that He is not only real, but a loving father who will send His spirit into the lives of those who want to know Him.

27. Can you prove there is a God?

No. There are many evidences of God, and there are many testimonies of those who have seen or experienced God. But the only proof of God is in one’s personal experience. The only source of that experience is from God Himself through the witness of the Holy Ghost. We invite you to meet with the missionaries and to study what God has said about Himself. As you meet and honestly study with the missionaries, we believe you will experience the presence of God, and gain a witness that He loves you, in your life through the power of the Holy Ghost. As you honestly seek the witness and pray sincerly you will receive the witness of His presence that you seek.

28. Is there a heaven?

Yes. Modern prophets have not only received revelation from God about heaven, but they have been given visions of its glory. The missionaries have a lesson that explains the Plan of Salvation and that will teach you where you came from, why you are here, and where you are going after this life is over.

29. Why aren’t blacks allowed into the Mormon church?

This is a common misconception, but blacks have always been allowed into the Church. The Church never even had segregated congregations, unlike some other Christian denominations. However, for over 100 years, from the mid 1800s to 1978, blacks were not ordained to the Church's lay priesthood. This was changed by a revelation from God to the prophet in 1978. Today there is absolutely no distinction made in any way between members of different colors or races, and blacks can be found serving in all positions in the church in fully integrated congregations.

30. Are you saved through Christ or Joseph Smith?

We are saved through Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was a prophet, like Peter, Moses, or Paul. Peter and Paul taught important things about Jesus, but their audience is saved only through Jesus, not through them.

Joseph Smith once wrote, “the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

31. Are Mormons Christians?

Yes. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, suffered and was crucified for the sins of the wold, and that he was resurrected after three days. Only through Him can we be saved.

32. Why can’t you drink tea or coffee?

We do not drink tea or coffee because God has given us this command by a modern prophet. In the Old Testament, God commanded his people not to eat pork. Later, he removed this command. It is wonderful that God will continue to give us advice and counsel for our day. Members of the Church also abstain from tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. By doing so we witness to the world that we are willing to witness through our actions that we want to obey God and do His will.

33. Why don’t you believe in the trinity?

We believe in the trinity--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bu twse beleive that they are three seperate and distinct individuals--but we do not believe ideas added to the trinity after the Bible was written. We do not, for example, believe that the trinity is one is essence. We believe they are one in intent, in goal, in love, and in purpose. This is sometimes called a form of "social trinitarianism." (For more information, see answer to Question #9.)

34. What is the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost?

The “laying on of hands” is a religious ordinance, like baptism, that is performed by a person holding the priesthood. The person receiving this ordinance will sit in a chair and one or more priesthood holders will stand around the chair with their hands on the person’s head. One of the priesthood holders will then give the person the gift of the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus Christ. Mormons believe that this ordinance was performed in the New Testament church and at other times when Christ’s church was on the earth. The person receiving the Holy Ghost is given the right and privilege to have the Holy Ghost be a constant companion to offer comfort, guidance, and protection.

35. Where are there scriptures about authority in the Bible?

The scriptures relating to authority are found in the gospels where Christ gave authority to the twelve apostles and to the seventy. Other passages can be found in Acts, Hebrews, and other epistles where authority is either given or discussed.

36. What authority did Jesus have?

Jesus had all authority in heaven and on earth. As the Son of God and as a member of the Godhead, Jesus was the agent through whom God created all things. Jesus has authority over death and resurrection as well as over all sin and redemption.

37. Why doesn’t your church have ordained clergy?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn’t have a professional clergy because Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, has directed that it should not. Jesus has revealed through His living prophets and apostles that all local leaders should be chosen from the lay membership of the congregation where they live. No one attends school or "decides" that being a minister or clergy member will be their profession or means of earning a living.

Technically, however, Latter-day Saint male leaders are ordained to the priesthood. All men and women called to serve as leaders in their congregations are “set apart” by the laying on of hands to serve in those capacities.

38. Can non-Mormons go to heaven?

Yes, if by “non-Mormon” you mean someone who never joined the Church during his or her life. The means of going to heaven are the same for everyone, and those means were chosen by Jesus Christ, the judge and redeemer of all. The missionaries have a lesson on the Plan of Salvation where they will explain where we come from, why we are here, and where we are going after this life is over. No one can be saved and live with God unless he or she has accepted Christ and covenanted with Him to become a son or daughter of God. But there are many who have lived on the earth who have never had a chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, either because of when they lived or where they lived. These people will not be denied the opportunity to hear and accept the Gospel, and they will have an equal chance to enter heaven and live eternally with God.

Everyone will be sent to a kingdom of glory where they will live in the presence of a member of the Godhead. In that sense we beleive that all will be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ. But only those that truly keep the commandments will be allowed to live with God the Father and share in His life.

39. Where does your doctrine of agency come from if the word "agency" never appears in the Bible?

The doctrine of agency, as with all doctrines, comes from God by revelation to His prophets. The doctrine that all people have the ability to choose between good and evil—and are responsible for their choices—is taught directly and indirectly in the Bible. Other terms which could be used include "free will," or "choice." ("Choose ye this day," said Joshua, "whom ye will serve" [Joshua 24:15]).

Although the word “agency” is not used, this principle has been taught and evidenced from the time of the Garden of Eden to the end of the New Testament. In fact, many of the teachings and commandments of the Savior presume such a principle and doctrine.

40. Why did God give Adam and Even conflicting commandments?

God gave Adam and Eve a number of commandments and the ability to choose between them. God’s plan from the beginning was to provide a savior for the world who would redeem men from their sins and from the effects of the Fall. As such, Adam and Eve were free to choose how they would act given their understanding of what God had said.

It was necessary for the Fall of Adam to occur so that Adam and Eve could have children and in that way you and I could come to earth for the necessary experience of mortal life. We beleive that the fall of Adam was a blessing for all of God's children. 1 Cor tells us that "as in Adam all died, so in Christ shall all be made alive." The fall of Adam allowed us to come to earth and the atonement of Jesus Christ gives us the opportunity to return to the presence of God the Father.

41. When is the end of the world?

God has not revealed when the world will end. There are many things that have not yet happened that have been prophesied, so one could argue that the end of the world is still a ways off. Yet God also said that the end would come at a time when people were not expecting it. God’s prophets have said that we each should be living our lives in such a way that we are always prepared for “the end,” whether that end is the end of the world or the end of our own mortal lives.

God does not wish us to live in fear and dread of the "end times." He has told us that if we have faith in Jesus Christ and keep his commandments, we will have "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (DC 59꞉23).

42. Will the world end in 2012?

There is no reason to believe that 2012 has any special significance at all. That year comes from the Mayan calendar, which will do nothing more than go through a cycle similar to our calendar’s year 2000 change.

43. Why do we need the Book of Mormon when we already have the Bible?

The Book of Mormon was given by God for several reasons. First of all, the Book of Mormon is strong evidence for the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Church. Secondly, the Book of Mormon was written specifically for our day and is not merely a collection of ancient writings. The Book of Mormon was written as a witness of the divinity of Christ and its powerful testimony of Christ has been the key to many people gaining faith in Christ and repenting of their sins. Thirdly, the Book of Mormon authors wrote about some doctrines and practices that are covered lightly or ambiguously in the Bible. The Book of Mormon thus teaches with great power and clarity some doctrines and principles that have been disputed and debated for centuries among Christians with only the Bible to draw on for authoritative statements.

44. Where is Kolob?

Kolob is mentioned in the Book of Abraham as part of Abraham’s discourse about the greatness of God. In Abraham’s cosmology, he likens the heavens to a series of concentric rings where each ring dominates in glory and power the ring beneath it. In Abraham’s cosmology, the greatest ring of heaven is the dwelling place of God, and a star within that ring has the name “Kolob.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no doctrine of any kind regarding Kolob or its location. Some members may view that as being a real place or object somewhere in the universe, while others may view it as just part of an ancient view of the world (along the lines of the "vault of heaven" and rain coming through holes in the "firmament of heaven"). That is, the Church has no doctrine about whether Kolob should be taken literally or figuratively and thus for some members Kolob is just an ancient (and unscientific according to modern standards) belief that was used by Abraham to explain that God was greater, more powerful, and more glorious than any other divine being that other nations may have worshiped. Kolob is not the place where God lives, rather it has been described as being near to the residence of God.

45. Why can’t we see the gold plates?

The gold plates were taken back by the Angel Moroni after the translation process was complete. God did permit a number of people to see, touch, lift, or hear the (rustling) plates, and we have the written testimony of their experiences. The Book of Mormon lists three people who saw the plates, saw an angel, and heard the voice of God. Also in the Book of Mormon is the testimony of eight people who saw, felt, and lifted the plates. In addition to these eleven people, we have Joseph Smith’s testimony and the testimonies of several others who were not official witnesses but who had experiences with the physical plates.

To read more: Testimony of Three Witnesses and Testimony of Eight Witnesses

46. Where are the gold plates now?

God has not said where they are.

47. If this is the true church, why doesn’t God just announce it to everyone?

God has announced it to everyone in exactly the same way that He announced the resurrection of His Son to everyone. Apostles, prophets, seventies, and other missionaries have traveled to virtually every country of the world preaching the message.

48. What’s the difference between Mormons and Christians?

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are a type of Christian. The relationship between Mormons and Christianity is the same as that between Californians and Americans—all Californians live in the United States, but there are many who live in the United States who are not Californians. In reality, members of the Church form a subset of Christianity, as do Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and members of other Christian sects.

49. Why don’t you believe in the Bible?

Members of the Church do believe in the Bible. They study the Bible for two out of every four years in Sunday School, and as teenagers in week-day instruction called "seminary."

50. Why don’t Mormons believe in hell?

Members of the Church do believe in hell. In the Church, the term "hell" can refer to more than one thing. There are many similarities, and some differences, between how Latter-day Saints and others understand it.

51. What does your church believe about evolution?

The Church has no position on organic evolution, save that it regards Adam as the primal parent of the human race, and does not see humans as merely advanced animals. Members and leaders of the Church are entitled to their own opinions on most such matters, and a variety of views have been expressed in the Church.

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A FAIR Analysis of: 'Common Questions - p. 2'