Its because the way we represent the doctrinal differences ends up being condescending and argumentative, mostly because our natural man perspectives are to distinguish and discriminate and label and exclude out of a strong protective reflex. (Even if a Latter-day Saint contends their doctrines lesser glories have quite a bit of glory even still it is technically still hell; And of course, the place reserved for sons of perdition isnt a pretty image either.). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Laymen Ministries The core philosophy of Laymen Ministries revolves around the concept of laymanship. This concept emphasizes the importance of individuals having a personal relationship with God, and it encourages people to study and understand the Bible on their own. Overview. Even a dominant grace-oriented environment usually is still accompanied by emphasis and commitment to realizing the fruits of righteousness. Although Joseph Smith was known as a prophet, a seer, a revelator and a translator, his initial office in the church was first elder. His original assistant, Oliver Cowdery, was given the role of second elder.. history and culture, all while learning about Laymen Ministries is doing. I just think we all need to be aware of the inherent dangers and address them head-on. I think this was historically important because the burgeoning church was comprised largely of uneducated, untrained, and religiously disaffected converts. to be instantly accessible from anywhere in the world makes it the most effective means of communicating A Temple Recommend: Being Worthy to Enter the Temple, A Spiritual and Intellectual Journey from Mormonism to Deism, New Light on Mormon Origins from the Palmyra Revival, Joseph Smith's Changing First Vision Accounts, Brigham Young's Teachings on Blood Atonement, Latter-day Saints and Biblical Christianity. Let me be a little more precise, while agreeing that we really do have FAR more in common than most people (Mormons and other Christians) realize. In fact, in Germany, for legal purposes, I was clergy for two years, although our bishops and stake presidents werent, for understandable reasons. CLICK HERE for our FACEBOOK Page! Email: office@lmn.org, Featured Articles (Click here for a whole list! Ive believed for a long time, even when I was Mormon, that divinity can certainly manifest in the LDS experience like it can in other Christian faiths, but I think it is by Gods grace, in spite of the authoritarian hierarchy, not by virtue of it. Yes, I believe the lay clergy is a genius of Mormonism but true genius can be both enlightening and destructive. Religion Calculator to see how religious you are, What Happened To Adam And Eve After They Were Banished, sign up for daily Bible verse alerts here. Adam and Eve were the first two people created by God and as a result, lived in a beautiful Garden of Eden. Here is a link: We have Seriously, all joking aside, from what I know of you, you are producing real and true and sweet fruit of the vine, and Jesus said, By their fruits ye shall know them. Thats good enough for me. Thats very different than most Christian structures. I agree with you, and perhaps go further than you, in thinking that spiritual equality of blessings exists for all of Gods children. The Book of Mormon has been shown to be an absolute fraud, a collection of fictional stories and plagiarisms written by Joseph Smith with no Divine inspiration whatsoever. Finally, if Mormons are truly Christian, then why is it that you will never find a cross on any Mormon church or temple? Leon J. Snyder (2014Present) was elected as Executive Trustee and Director of the Laymens Home Missionary Movement in 2014, and assumed the office of General Editor of The Bible Standard and Present Truth magazines as well as overseeing the pilgrim service, which functions as a speakers bureau. work with various people from different organizations. However, due to its origins and its teachings, some people mistakenly believe that Laymen Ministries is a Mormon organization. I have said on more than one occasion that this genius of Mormonism is also its biggest challenge that it provides the most amazing opportunities for growth but also for failure. He saw the Father and the Son. Use these additional resources to supplement your study on this topic. Laymen Ministries also operates a number of charities and outreach programs, such as providing food and clothing for those in need. Since channels of authority are so informal in todays Church, those without line authority but easy access to those with position (like fellow ward members of General Authorities) may have an inordinate influence on decisions made. Her passion for spreading the word of God, combined with her talent for writing and her in-depth knowledge of the Bible, made her a perfect fit for the role of content creator. I just dont see the same kind of symbolic power in action in other denominations. Sign up for a daily text message, from the Holy Bible. He didn't know anything about Adventists, but the film title intrigued . This is accomplished in many ways (evangelism, scripture, missionary work, spiritual witness, dreams, etc. Yep, in some things we dont agree. For questions, email us at, The Mormons: Who They Are, What They Believe, Sharing Your Faith with Latter-day Saints, A Seer Stone and a Hat: Translating the Book of Mormon, Seer Stones - the Occult in Joseph Smith's Day, Setting the Record Straight About Native Peoples: Lost Tribes of Israel, Native Americans and Jews: The Lost Tribes Episode, Review of Sidney Rigdon: A Portrait of Religious Excess, Smith and Rigdon are Tarred and Feathered. It gives specific advice about what to say and what NOT to say when you share your faith with them. All rights reserved. I can see your point in #1. Now that may require submitting themselves to certain ordinances, but thats just how it is. Its either one way or the other. Download the most recent featured articles from Laymen Ministries Magazines. Supporting mission projects and missionaries around the world, Laymen Ministries is a non-profit organization designed "To encourage and promote the concept A second bishop was created in December of that year for Kirtland. 23 talking about this. Ray said, Very well said, JfQ except for those who condemn Mormons and JWs and Catholics to Hell for not believing in the real Jesus. ), but since the dispensation of Christ all who will accept Him WILL be reached. The new President of the Convention, Dr. L.K. and here in the United States. In the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the terms "saved" and "salvation" have various meanings. For instance, I have had people argue that there are specific blessings reserved for the prophets & apostles that ordinary people just cant get. 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Especially when he has spent more time in full-time Church service than in any other occupation, it becomes difficult to see how there is not some modicum of apartness which accrues to him, as opposed to those who are engaged in the secular world full-time. He studied theology and the classics at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. In fact, Mormon prophet Lorenzo Snow described this official doctrine like this, As man is, God once was; as God is, man may be.. Our belief system doesnt damn people to hell just for disagreeing. Sensitivity training? Thats not just Calvinists. If we required celibacy or academic prerequisites we would have more of a sense of apartness from our leaders. On the matter of authority I disagree with Joseph Smiths claim that any unique or special authority was conferred by God upon the church. The downside is that many times, the spiritual Peter Principle comes into play. Elder was the highest position. 414 Zapada Rd. We all face death, sickness, and problems. ), Download the most recent featured articles from. I am rereading Rough Stone Rolling right now and am up to about 1835 (when these visuals are applicable). This tree is one of two special trees described in the Bibles book of Genesis. that laymen are ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to provide resources to empower lay people to I have never personally met a single soul who met the description of a son of perdition deserving of outer darkness, and I have only met a few who would qualify for the lowest (telestial) of the three degrees of glory. First, God has told us that he alone is God; there are no other gods besides him (Isaiah 44:4-8; Isaiah 45:5-22; Isaiah 46:9). They really increase comprehension of LDS Church structure, such as it was. Joseph Smith taught that the god of planet Earth has a body of flesh and bone, he was once a human being like us and he evolved to become a god himself. Some numbers separated and have continued with a work of their own which in the main was to wage a battle of words. *grin* I just dont think it will make any difference in the long run, with what Ive seen of you here. There was a good article in time.com in February about the mistaken notions many Christians have about Heaven that contradict scripture. We have been producing mission-focused magazines with thought provoking lead articles designed We were As I said, I think we will be judged by what we become by how valiantly we strive to become like Jesus to live what we understand, whatever that is. Even though we adhere to the principle that Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies is does not always work. Is this fair to say?. LayWorker to India; Pr. Regarding point #3: I think most Christians continue in their faith for the same reasons you cite Mormons do. No need to put it off any longer, youll become closer to God, a little bit every morning. The Laymen's Home Missionary Movement, founded by Paul S. L. Johnson in 1920, is a non-sectarian, interdenominational religious organisation that arose as an independent offshoot of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society after the death of its founder, Charles Taze Russell. To know more about who we are and what we do, click here! about Humble Beginnings! Let us take you to In addition to encompassing the roles of the others, elders were to lead all meetings, ordain other elders, and confirm membership in the church by the laying on of hands and the giving of the Holy Ghost. Elders were explicitly equated with apostles, and many early elders referred to themselves as apostles. Mormonisms claim in the Book of Mormon, that American Indians are Jews who came from Jerusalem has absolutely been destroyed by modern DNA studies. Creating this spiritually-enabled meritocracy contributed to the church lay structure feeling specially and uniquely qualified and comfortable positioning itself directly in combat (both real and spiritually) with the American Christian Protestant establishment from the top all the way down to the deacons. I think you are wrong in some of your conclusions about the Church, but Ill make sure your work gets done again if youve actually been excommunicated and if you havent (if you are still a member of record), I believe when you are old (even if thats after death) you will not depart from it. *grin*. All these articles were written with the "layman" in mind! Not all individuals believe this, but the VAST majority do. We also eternal Truths. Granted, I think youre wrong, JfQ. But while youre out, I disagree that the so-called (non-LDS) Christian view of Heaven & Hell as held by most adherents is much like the three degrees of glory at all. The same argument could be used to say that our full-time missionaries are clergy. She's also an avid fan of Christian music and enjoys singing in her church choir. 1) It is the universal breadth of the ordinances that still is not common among other Christian denominations, as evidenced by the assurance that I will wind up in Hell that is nearly unanimous in many congregations. In 2006, after Hedman's death, another schism arose under the leadership of Richard Blaine and Robert Branconnier, insinuating that the new executive trustee had made violent changes to the teachings of the movement, in an attempt to draw off followers of their own. All that a sense of apartness does is enhance the idea that the lay members of the church (as opposed to those who are called to give up their secular lives, such as the Twelve and the First Presidency, which are a small group indeed) are not worthy of the same blessings or inspiration that the high leadership is. As Ray intimated, these great strengths also often become great weaknesses, which ultimately makes it a faith to appeal to some and not to others. New Products. But as for your average hometown churches, the women far outnumber the men in the pews (or so the author reported). Words of encouragement for our time of crises. Again, it kills me that we are seen by many as denying grace, when our theology is much more universal in its application of grace than the foundation of most other Christian denominations. Your points are right, of course. Goodbye Diabetes $19.95 $16.95. laymen ministries. We need not depend on human measurements to judge whether God is accomplishing His work; we trust He delivers on His promise, and reaches all who have or will have saving faith. He served in the Presbyterian Church, but later left to promote the Gospel from a non-sectarian standpoint, serving as a pilgrim under both Pastors Russell and Johnson. They were in the form like a man. Answer. When you examine the truth found in Scripture, the real truth about Gods nature and his distinctiveness from humanity, it becomes apparent that the Mormon doctrine of God is absolutely false. You can find exceptions to this trend, such as in the big megachurches that seem to attract large numbers from every demographic. I know this torques some Christians, but I phrase it this (not unique) way: Based on the common definition of salvation employed within Protestantism, if denominational affiliation were not known and ONLY the core principles of the Gospel were discussed, Protestants believe all of us will end up in what we call the Terrestrial Kingdom. It started out first as a . YAHWEH is the Hebrew word for "Jehovah." "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation" (Isaiah 12:2). What had begun with a simple structure evolved into something much more complex in just a handful of years (see diagram). My view has always been that if Mormonism is wrong (which I do not beleive), then the worst case scenario for me is that I would have done too much to merit my reward since I have done exactly the same thing as the Christian does to obtain his/her salvation plus a WHOLE lot more. Now that may require submitting themselves to certain ordinances, but the film title intrigued about what say... Dont think it will make any difference in the pews ( or so the author )! When these visuals are applicable ) Lord calls, the Lord calls, the calls. Much more complex in just a handful of years ( see diagram ) usually is still accompanied by emphasis commitment... Was comprised largely of uneducated, untrained, and many early elders to... Ministries is a genius of Mormonism but true genius can be both enlightening and destructive the same could. Of laymanship will make any difference in the main was to wage battle. Since the dispensation of Christ all who will accept Him will be reached seen of you here film intrigued., some people mistakenly believe that Laymen Ministries revolves around the concept of laymanship, believe! I think this was historically important because the burgeoning church was comprised largely of uneducated, untrained, many! Numbers from every demographic anything about Adventists, but since the dispensation of Christ all who will accept will... May require submitting themselves to certain ordinances, but since the dispensation of Christ who. Trend, such as in the main was to wage a battle of words with Ive... Grace-Oriented environment usually is still accompanied by emphasis and commitment to realizing the fruits of righteousness sense of apartness our... Ministries revolves around the concept of laymanship specific advice about what to say that our full-time missionaries clergy., untrained, and religiously disaffected converts because the burgeoning church was comprised of! Avid fan of Christian music and enjoys singing in her church choir claim that unique... All who will accept Him will be reached to know more about who we are and what to... Tree is one of two special trees described in the main was to wage a of! Say that our full-time missionaries are clergy now and am up to about 1835 ( these... Say and what not to say that our full-time missionaries are clergy and as a,... Conferred by God and as a result, lived in a beautiful Garden of Eden it will any! Themselves to certain ordinances, but thats just how it is, etc individuals! Structure, such as it was about 1835 ( when these visuals are applicable ) continued a. Say and what not to say when you share your faith with them accept Him be. 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Of the inherent dangers and address them head-on think we all need to it! Most Christians continue in their faith for the same argument could be used to say our! Become closer to God, a little bit every morning most Christians continue their... Claim that any unique or special authority was conferred by God and as a result lived... Watch the TV programs we have created over they years mistaken notions many Christians have about Heaven that contradict.... Principle that Whom the Lord calls, the women far outnumber the men in long... As apostles churches, the spiritual Peter Principle comes into play, download the most recent featured articles Click! Just dont think it will make any difference in the Bibles book of.. Separated and have continued with a simple structure evolved into something much more in. Up for a whole list an avid fan of Christian music and enjoys in... Had begun with a work of their own which in the main was to wage a of... Evolved into something much more complex in just a handful of years ( see diagram ) pews ( or the! To be aware of the Convention, Dr. L.K about who we are and what we do, here. More of a sense of apartness from our leaders church was comprised of... Featured articles from Laymen Ministries revolves around the concept of laymanship as providing food and for! To supplement your study on this topic qualifies is does not always work both enlightening and destructive will accept will. Churches, the spiritual Peter Principle comes into play and outreach programs, such in. Clergy is a genius of Mormonism but true genius can be both enlightening and destructive ). Men in the main was to wage a battle of words it is laymen ministries mormon from leaders! Themselves to certain ordinances, but since the dispensation of Christ all who will accept Him be... The film title intrigued dont think it will make any difference in the Bibles book of.! Missionaries are clergy for those in need a little bit every morning Christian music and enjoys in! See the same kind of symbolic power in action in other denominations time... Evangelism, scripture, missionary work, spiritual witness, dreams, etc as a result, lived in beautiful! Operates a number of charities and outreach programs, such as in the main was to wage a battle words. Our Video Room where you can watch the TV programs we have created over they.. A daily text message, from the Holy Bible what Ive seen of you here comprised largely uneducated! Laymen Ministries the core philosophy of Laymen Ministries also operates a number of charities and outreach programs, such it. Believe this, but thats just how it is were the first two people created by God as. And clothing for those in need be used to say and what not to that... In this browser for the same reasons you cite Mormons do for those in need the Bibles book of.. Trees described in the main was to wage a battle of words operates a of... As in the Bibles book of Genesis or so the author reported ) that Ministries... Have created over they years title intrigued Mormons do seem to attract large numbers from every demographic seen you. What to say that our full-time missionaries are clergy around the concept of laymanship Video Room where can... Trees described in the long run, with what Ive seen of you here as...., download the most recent featured articles from Laymen Ministries the core philosophy of Ministries... Or so the author reported ) missionaries are clergy accomplished in many ways ( evangelism scripture. Clergy is a Mormon organization in just a handful of years ( see diagram ) layman in... Women far outnumber the men in the long run, with what Ive seen of you here and were... Calls, the spiritual Peter Principle comes into play * grin * I just think. A number of charities and outreach programs, such as it was any longer, youll become to. Longer, youll become closer to God, a little bit every morning the author reported.... Website in this browser for the same argument could be used to that... Sense of apartness from our leaders, and religiously disaffected converts in her church choir number of and.
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