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Archiver > RHEA > 1998-04 > 0892171104


From: "Nick Literski" <>
Subject: Re: [RHEA-L] LDS
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 20:18:24 -0500


I am shocked, both at the nature of the below tirade, as well as the
inaccuracies contained therein.

> I must say you folks out there have really amazed me with your ways of
> fully understanding the morman faith.

Coming from a woman who can't even spell "Mormon," this is an interesting
statement. For the record, "Mormon" is a nickname for the Church. The
actual name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.

> I really don't think you born again
> christians really know the teachings of the morman church. Anyhow in the
> first place they worship a man who died in prison while running for
> president of the USA.

Nonsense---TOTAL nonsense. Latter-day Saints worship God, the Eternal
Father, in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ. "Mormons" most definately do
NOT worship any "man."

> They teach baptizing for the dead, ok!

Just as did the early Christian Church, as referenced by the Apostle Paul.
Baptism is performed by proxy for departed ancestors, who still live in the
spirit. Those for whom the ordinances are performed have every opportunity
to either accept or reject that work. It is a work of love---both for
Christ and for our forebears.

> just suppose
> some young person with no christian background just happens to be told
this
> while searching his genealogy, I ask you folks to please stop and think
are
> we helping to send people to hell,

Helping to send WHOM to hell? Young people searching out their genealogy?
Those ancestors for whom ordinance work is done? Nonsense.

> oh by the way mormans don't believe in
> this place called hell, They also believe none of us will enter Heaven.

Any "Mormon" who said such a thing is (a) sadly misinformed, and/or (b) a
very closed-minded person. (Perhaps much like people who say that Mormons
are all going to Hell?)

> Have you ever tried to give any of them a cross, well if not try it
> sometime, you see I have!

Latter-day Saints choose to focus on the Resurrected Christ, who rose from
the dead after atoning for the sins of mankind, rather than on the manner
of His death. For this reason, Latter-day Saints choose not to wear
crosses or crucifixes. Latter-day Saints ALSO respect the right of others
to use that symbol, and realize that for others, it is considered a direct
reminder of His Sacrifice. It is simply a difference of viewpoint here,
rather than real theology.

> I wonder if any of the mormans celebrate Easter,

Absolutely! What better event to celebrate than the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, who paid the price for our sins???

> well the ones I knew did, when I ask them why they said because everyone
> else does.

Well, that may be the answer some "Mormons" gave to Ms. Summers. It
certainly isn't the answer that I, or any well-informed Latter-day Saint,
would give to her.

> Also most of their records are wrong, as a fellow traced me
> through the morman records and found some very interesting info. as my
son
> born a certain year with a name I'D never heard of, now that really
amazed
> me seeing as how I was never able to bear children. I suppose some family
> member will get baptized for him.

I don't know whether "most" records gathered by the Church are wrong, but I
suspect this is a rather strong exaggeration. The Church would be
delighted, by the way, to have you correct that information!

> The morman church also speaks of family values well I assure you they
> should practise it more often.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the family is
THE single most important relationship among mankind, short of our
relationship with God and Christ. "Mormons" DO make many mistakes, as all
men sin and fall short of the glory of God. I'm sure ALL Christians,
including Latter-day Saints, would agree that we ALL need to live more
fully according to what we know are true principles.

> As my husband has been at deaths door with
> no-one but me to care for him, for the past two years his family of
mormans
> who live a couple mile away, has never once phoned to say hello.

I don't pretend to know the circumstances involved in Ms. Summer's
husband's family, though such a situation certainly sounds tragic. Not
only is it sad for this couple, but those who are one day left behind will
have terrible feelings of guilt for such actions.

> one
> member of this family of mormans just so happens to wear the name-tag
> Bishop. Are we ready to explain to God why we supported this kind of
false
> teachings, when he ask why we were a part of something that condems his
> teachings of John 3:16.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in NO way condemns the
glorious Gift which God gave to us---that of His Only Begotten Son, who
paid the price for our sins to bring us forgiveness. I simply do not
understand how Ms. Summers could say that we condemn such teachings.

> I'm sure you wont hear from me anymore, should you wish to contact me
> you may do so through my Email address. I just felt I must take a stand
for
> the man who died on the cross for us.

I'm glad you wish to take such a stand. Perhaps we should all, during this
Easter season, focus on showing our love for Him in the way He directed:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments," and "As I have loved you, love one
another."

> I feel any christian person out there
> should do the same.

Absolutely!

> believe me you can find your genealogy without their
> help.

Of course you can! Isn't it nice to know, however, that the Church readily
shares the records they have microfilmed from tiny villages and parishes
around the world, along with many other records, with ALL who wish to use
them?

Thank you for wishing us a happy Easter, Ms. Summers. We all wish you the
same.

Nick Literski

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