I am David. Raised Catholic, after jumping into the hippy thing during my teenage years and trashing myself, I became a devout Evangelical Christian at the age of 21, and was for many years. My Evangelical Christian experience was frustrating & often disheartening. I have now become a Latter Day Saint. My Evangelical friends have deluged me with anti-Mormon RU-vid Videos, which I have watched. They think I should find them convincing but are shocked to find that I think much of what these videos say to be pretty shallow and simply untrue to a careful consideration of the Bible. To me it seems the Bible clearly supports Latter Day Saints teaching!
Amen brother David, too many LDS are afraid to defend the truth of the restored gospel and shamefully hide their candle under a bushel. We have to boldly testify of the truth and be valiant in the testimony of Christ if we want to rid our garments from the sins of the world, but we also need to beware of pride and need to be careful not to entertain foolish claims put forth by dishonest gainsayers who only wish to sow the sseds of doubt.
How funny! I knew the Hatfields growing up, went snowmobiling with their family and to school with their son. Hi Hatfields! Many blessings on your mission!
David there's a guy called Travis who runs Missionary Discussions He often talks to these Apologia Characters who pull him up on the street to argue about the Bible and has put up live videos of his Discussions with them.
This is one of my favorite videos of all time! I 100% agree. I asked the Lord about this in prayer while I was investigating, and He spoke to me clearly and opened my mind to His plans and desires for His children, even though I too once thought that His plan for my eternity would be to behold His face and praise Him forever and ever and that is all I would do. He told me differently. If anyone is wondering about this question, they don’t need to ask the Apostles, they just need to ask Heavenly Father himself! He will gladly reveal to you what he wants for His children.
WOW! 300 head quarters. We used to take our kids to play at the Focus on the Family playground in the summer because it was inside. We used to have a satellite campus of Fuller Theological Seminary and a Seventh Day Adventist collage but sadly both have shut down. I was very bummed as I was going to try taking classes.
What I would like to have in my hands to study and refer to is a document that states evangelical beliefs and the few scriptures they use to justify their doctrine and then a statement on our belief on the doctrine with the plethora of scriptures we have to blow out of the water the evangelical's erroneous beliefs. For example: Topic - Trinity and where we can show the vast amount of scripture from the Bible to denounce their deception. Then next topic: Bible Only: Then have a plethora of Bible and historical references we can study to present and denounce Bible Only. Apostasy and Restoration: A) The Christian couple of verses that they cling to and then B) The plethora of Bible verses and historical need that the apostasy occurred and the references as to the fact that it would be restored. Etc, etc for each doctrine we have, and the doctrine Evangelicals have with their associated verses and evidences. In other words, if we each had a comprehensive, at a glance chart we can refer to and study so we can put that in our hearts and then be able to contend and denounce effectively with power and love.
Dear David Again There is a different between contention and confronting, confronting with the truth. Use of which avoids the use of the word contention.
Also, Elder Neil Andersen spoke in General Conference April 2022 about being peacmakers. He said "Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior's way." He also said. "How does a peacemaker calm and cool the fiery darts? Certainly not by shrinking before those who disparage us. Rather, we remain confident in our faith, sharing our beliefs with conviction but always void of anger or malice."
David, Elder Quentin Cook has spoken about what you are calling 'good contending." He has said (I'm summarizing) that we can and should disagree on various doctrines with others, but have "civil" dialogue or civil conversation. We should remain respectful.
Very good point David. I believe far too many members do not defend the restored church due to this belief on contention but it Truth is so easily dismissed then far more of our Heavenly fathers children will be decieved a give up. It’s time the defenders of the faith step forward and endure some persecution for the faith and practice of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Yes there is a misconception in the church members in this respect. The Truth is worth proclaiming an testifying boldly for we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (:
Yes there is a misconception in the church members in this respect. The Truth is worth proclaiming an testifying boldly for we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (: Yes another profound point to use all of the Bible scriptures which support the restored truths(;
David, perhaps you could make a list of those Biblical scriptures which uniquely support the restored Church of Jesus Christ. I'm thinking this may be quite a long list and a big job, but it would be very helpful for "good contention". I started a similar list here... dansarenaifyoudare.blogspot.com/2023/06/scriptural-enigmas.html
According to the bible, Jesus is not created, he is God, He is the Alpha and the Omega, this is the first thing and most important thing that makes Mormonism NOT Christian. Mormonism believes Jesus is created in heaven the first spirit child. Yes, believers of Christ can be like Him, but we are never a god . We can never be God. Mormonism believes that man can exult to a god, this is a pluralistic religion, they believe in more than one God. This is stated in the writings and sermons of Joseph Smith. There is only one God, this is stated in the bible. Mormonism is unbiblical.
Both contexts are used in scripture. Compare verses 3 and 9 of Jude 1. This begs the question which words were used in the original and how else they might be translated.
This is totally off topic, but Br Alexander, I would love for you to do a follow up video on your first temple experience of going for your endowments compared to going through now a couple of months later. In other words how do you feel now as compared to back then and I'd love to hear what you would say to our newer brothers and sisters who will be going to the temple in the near future. What would you want to day to them? Thank you and much love in Christ to you!
Chief midegah of the ojibwe nation is leading the charge in sharing thier visitations by christ in the America's. Which the lds church has ignored over the years. (I am lds in Australia). Many nations from all over north America are gathering in September 2024 to reveal more so they arent ignored anymore. I also liked finding out and reading the nemenhah records. And another thing to open minds, watch "New Zealand skeletons in the cupboard "
My greatest desire is to see my children successful and happy. I'm sad when they are sad. I cringe when i see them making mistakes that hurt their lives but I patiently wait as they mature and learn from them. I have one child that makes the same mistakes over and over again. . and it's very sad to watch. I can only imagine that I have the tiniest glimpse of what Heavenly Father feels as HE watches us learn and grow. And is His greatest desire for us is our happiness..
What a dynamic presentation and fully true. You are dynamic! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this presentation. Yes! Satan hates pure truth, the Lord's true prophets, and Christ's gospel. So glad you are now among the Lord's elect, and joining the TRUE CHURCH, and your LOVE FOR and OF THE BOOK OF MORMON. WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME! Love you much! Well done!
Please don’t be weary of me saying so David…. You were born for such a time as this…. God allows us to experience adversity, all for the same purpose, to motivate us to grow close to Him! We all have something! For you it was years searching for the truth and because of your God given gifts of brain power, you were able to memorize the Bible, and wisdom to understand the truth when the time was right, and the outgoing personality to share with the world, and the courage to speak freely when opposing people try to take you down! It is so much fun working together to build a Zion Community in preparation for the Savior’s return!
😊 "There's nothing wrong with being cosmic, man!" "Our Heavenly Father has cosmic purposes for us" ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️ I love those words Br Alexander, how very true!💪💪💪👏👏👏💥💥
We are do blessed to have modern revelation, the prophets , the Book of Mormon, D&C etc,. for beautiful clarification of doctrines taught in the ancient scripture.. David once again a beautiful presentation of doctrine rooted in ancient scripture that is a product of 47 years of study with the intent of finding truth coupled with heavenly common sense. It is so cool for current members of the Church of Jesus Chrst of Latter-day Saints and an incredible blessing and opportunity for those seeking truth. A good teacher meets the student where they are at and inspires discovery and and foundation for future learning.
This discussion reminded me of a certain parable that Christ taught. After reading everyone's comments and seeing that nobody else mentioned it, I thought I would. I'm paraphrasing it here. Nobody sews a new piece of cloth into an old garment. Either the new piece of cloth will shrink over time and create a bigger hole, or the new piece will age differently and soon not match the old garment. Nobody puts new wine into old wineskins, else the new wine (as it ferments) will expand and burst the old wineskins. (When new wine is put into new wineskins, the new wineskins will stretch to accommodate the fermentation process. An old wineskin can stretch no more.) When someone has been indoctrinated into a certain belief system, new doctrines and revelations will come across to them as not matching or fitting into their old beliefs. Or, they may think that they have no room in their beliefs for new, expansive understandings and enlightenment. The teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is "new cloth" and "new wine" to the rest of Christianity even as the Gospel of Christ was "new cloth" and "new wine" to the Jews of old. Michael and Theodore are clearly old garments and old wineskins. They will not accept new teachings or revelations, but will only complain about how they don't match their own beliefs. David has mentioned in the comments that he realizes how fruitless it is to try, and that he most likely won't do this anymore. Having served an LDS mission in the "Bible belt," myself, the people we (missionaries) had the most success with teaching were the ones who weren't so indoctrinated and set in old beliefs, but had the willingness to receive more light and understanding; in other words, "new wineskins."
Trying to understand exactly what happens after this life is like teaching a child calculus… right after you’ve explained simple addition. He’s still trying to grasp addition… calculus sounds crazy 🤓
One of the best talks I have heard on this subject is a BYU Devotional talk from August 14, 2012 entitled "Our Identity and Our Destiny" By Tad R. Collister Of the Presidency of the Seventy.
It's amazing how all these other Christian denominations honestly think that they are going to be raptured up yet while rejecting the restored gospel. First off, there is no rapture, and second they all will suffer like the Jews did when they rejected Christ and the apostles. You cannot reject the restored gospel, and think you're going to be saved. Meaning that you're going to be raptured and taken to heaven and not suffer the consequences of rejecting the gospel. Those who rejected Noah were not raptured to heaven. They suffered the consequences of the flood. Those who rejected Christ and the Apostles were not raptured to heaven. They suffered the consequences of the Roman Empire destroying them, their temple, and scattering those that survived.
The beautiful thing about the Gospel is it is to save all mankind, believers and non-believers, and we have the opportunity to participate in the work to fulfill that plan.
So glad you had wonderful friends and temple workers helped you. Go back to the OFTEN as you can. The more you go, the more you will learn, understand, and apply in your daily life, and the Holy Ghost will teach you. There were no classes or books when I received my Endowment before my mission in 1977. I was blessed with dreams about what would take place, and my Bishop took me the temple. MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU!
You should have had temple preparation classes. Your ward should of had classes. Read book: The House of the Lord. I have had sisters I have taught classes and were their escort. Nothing else like it on earth than to learn and then enter in the Celestial Room and be in the presence of Father in His Holy House. ❤❤❤❤❤
Choice my brother...prepare yourself to recieve the holy preisthood, the power and authority to bless the lives of heavenly fathers children and perform all the saving ordinances.
Our Christian friends condemn us thinking that we will someday quote create our own planet.” Do they realize that we will not only create a planet, but we will create an entire galaxy! Our heavenly father did not create the entire universe. He and other Godly ancestors each have created a small portion of the universe which is forever expanding. Women also have an equally important, critical role in this creation process. I can’t wait to be exalted!
I love the song David. I don't think you've sang it before. I've heard this talk before from you and it really makes sense of what we believe as LDS members
I just want to say read psalms 82 and acts 17 where it is stated “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” Psalms 82:6 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. Acts 17:28-29
