Thoughtful Faith is a channel and forum discussing faith, spirituality and philosophy through the lens of reason. While the author is a Latter Day Saint all faith traditions and perspectives are welcome to join in the discussion.
When you seek answers from the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible, God can't help you because you have turned your back on Him. Therefore this leaves the door open for Satan (II Corinthians 11:14-15) to step into your life with a false christ or prophet showing you signs and wonders to lead you away from the real Jesus of the Bible who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God. God Himself warns us about this in: MATTHEW 24: 23-24 "Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect..." Mormons teach and believe that their jesus is the brother of Satan, which contradicts what God says in His Bible that Jesus is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God. So Mormons, which Jesus do you believe in? A. Your jesus of the Book of Mormon, who is the brother of Satan. OR B. The Jesus of the Bible, who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God.
MORMONS, NO RESTORATION IS NEEDED. Because Jesus already has established His Church. MATTHEW 16:18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it..." ALSO JUDE 3 "While I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints..." Jesus already has established His Church and built it on a rock so the gates of Hell shall not prevail against. Also the faith was ONCE and for all already delivered to the saints. No mention of any Mormon restoration in the past, present, or future.
It was a blessing to many. They found out they were stronger emotionally than they ever imagined, and made more of an effort to connect in other ways. But it was blown way over the top with the media paranoia.
What amazes me is that in a time in church history when doctrinal evedence of ancient origin in our favor comes out, is when we develop passive testimonies
Here's an idea for a podcast to balance out Jonh Delin's " Mormon Stories" and all of the cheery picked anecdotal "horror" stories sbout the church , he has posts 9n his channel( while still recognizing that members and Leaders make mistakes and can cause pain and suffering to others- which constitutes an extremely small minority),Lets create a Latter -Day Saints Stories channel- A podcast that shows the overwhelming evidence that the Church and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ fruits are goodness, positivity, healing, service, love, joy and light and that is what it brings to its members and the world!
This story reminds me of the exchange from "The Princess Bride" Inigo: "I can give you my word as a Spaniard!" Wesley: "No good! I've known too many Spaniards!"
If heaven is really unknowable and beyond comprehension, then why philosophize beyond what we know? Any abstract guess is likely to be wrong. The less abstract you are, the less you are likely to get wrong