Oh, look at this! Blogger restored Day 3 five days later!! LOL! Its sort of a repeat of the *other* day 3, but I'm posting it anyway :)
These are the continued questions from the article FOX News ran in December 2007. The portions in blue were part of the original .
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe Jesus appeared in North America after his crucifixion and resurrection? If so, when did this happen? And under what circumstances?
A: The appearance of Jesus in the Western Hemisphere shortly after his resurrection is described in the Book of Mormon. Mormons believe that when Christ told his disciples in the Bible He had other 'sheep' who should receive his message he was referring to those people in the Western Hemisphere.
Joni’s addition:
Man! They leave out so much here! It was a very important part where Jesus ditched the Jews after his crucifixion and went to North America to reveal himself to the Native Americans (who were actually descendents of a lost tribe or Israel that came over to America in a boat in 600 BC). I am disappointed that the Church didn’t give the full story to Fox.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe its followers can become "gods and goddesses" after death?
A: We believe that the apostle Peter’s biblical reference to partaking of the divine nature and the apostle Paul’s reference to being 'joint heirs with Christ' reflect the intent that children of God should strive to emulate their Heavenly Father in every way. Throughout the eternities, Mormons believe, they will reverence and worship God the Father and Jesus Christ. The goal is not to equal them or to achieve parity with them but to imitate and someday acquire their perfect goodness, love and other divine attributes.
Joni's Addition:
I think they should have said yes to the gods and goddesses question! Thats a huge selling point for me, personally. I mean, being immortal and living eternally is great and everything, but its nothing compared to running my own little planet and having god-like powers.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that women can only gain access to heaven with a special pass or codewords?
A: No.
Joni’s Addition:
Well, when two people are sealed, the wife gets a new name that is a secret from everyone else. This is so when the man dies and goes to eternity, he can call his wife by her special name and she can come to him. I like this and I think it is sweet and speaks to the sanctity of marriage.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that women must serve men on both Earth and in heaven?
A: Absolutely not. Mormons believe that women and men are complete equals before God and in relation to the blessings available in the Church.
Q: Is there such a thing as Mormon "underwear"? if so, are all Mormons required to wear it? What does it symbolize?
A: Like members of many religious faiths, Latter-day Saints wear religious clothing. But members of other faiths — typically those involved in permanent pastoral ministries or religious services — usually wear religious garments as outer ceremonial vestments or symbols of recognition. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, garments are worn beneath street clothing as a personal and private reminder of commitments to God.
Garments are considered sacred by Church members and are not regarded as a topic for casual conversation.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe in the existence of another physical planet or planets, where Mormons will "rule" after their death and ascension?
A: No.
Joni’s Addition:
Well, this was a poorly worded question, in my opinion. The LDS Church does believe that the 3rd heaven is where a man is god over his own planet. Now, whether they are “other” planets? They are already out there. Its more like this: If Heaven is where God lives, it is possibly the planet(star) Kolob. If God promises that, assuming you make it to the 3rd heaven and are like him, you, too, (if you are a man) would be God over your own Heaven or planet (star). Its logical.
Q: What specifically does the Mormon Church say about African-Americans and Native Americans?
A: Mormons believe that all mankind are sons and daughters of God and should be loved and respected as such. The blessings of the gospel are available to all.
Joni’s Addition:
This stance was only official in 1978 when the church made other races in America outside of white eligible to hold the priesthood.
Q: What are or were the "Golden Plates"?
A: The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith from records made on plates of gold, similar to metal plates that have been found in other ancient cultures. It contained a history of peoples in the Western Hemisphere including an appearance by the Savior to them. As such, the Book of Mormon is considered a second testimony of Jesus Christ.
Joni’s Addition:
Man, what I wouldn’t give to see those golden plates…
Q: Are consumption of alcohol and tobacco prohibited or simply discouraged? Does the Church also ban the consumption of "hot drinks"? And does that apply specifically to caffeinated drinks?
A: It is against the teachings of the Church to use alcohol and tobacco or to drink tea and coffee.
Joni’s Addition:
Q: Why do Mormons go from door to door?
A: Christ admonished his disciples to take the gospel to the world. The Church follows that admonition and sends missionaries throughout the world.
Q: What do the Mormons believe about the family?
A: Mormons believe that the family is the foundation for this life and the life to come.
Joni’s Addition:
And that, if you are saved and accept the Church, you will have eternal life and reunion with your family after death. This is an important selling point.
Q: Can someone who may never marry in life have eternal marriage?
A: God will not withhold blessings from any of his children who may not have the opportunity to marry in this life.
SOURCES FOR DAYS 1, 2, and 3 Mormon 21 Questions
Works Cited
FoxNews.com. (2007, December). 21 Questions Answered About the Mormon Faith. Retrieved May 2011, from FOXnews.com: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317272,00.html
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (n.d.). Study Helps. Retrieved from http://lds.org/: http://lds.org/
These are the continued questions from the article FOX News ran in December 2007. The portions in blue were part of the original .
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe Jesus appeared in North America after his crucifixion and resurrection? If so, when did this happen? And under what circumstances?
A: The appearance of Jesus in the Western Hemisphere shortly after his resurrection is described in the Book of Mormon. Mormons believe that when Christ told his disciples in the Bible He had other 'sheep' who should receive his message he was referring to those people in the Western Hemisphere.
Joni’s addition:
Man! They leave out so much here! It was a very important part where Jesus ditched the Jews after his crucifixion and went to North America to reveal himself to the Native Americans (who were actually descendents of a lost tribe or Israel that came over to America in a boat in 600 BC). I am disappointed that the Church didn’t give the full story to Fox.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe its followers can become "gods and goddesses" after death?
A: We believe that the apostle Peter’s biblical reference to partaking of the divine nature and the apostle Paul’s reference to being 'joint heirs with Christ' reflect the intent that children of God should strive to emulate their Heavenly Father in every way. Throughout the eternities, Mormons believe, they will reverence and worship God the Father and Jesus Christ. The goal is not to equal them or to achieve parity with them but to imitate and someday acquire their perfect goodness, love and other divine attributes.
Joni's Addition:
I think they should have said yes to the gods and goddesses question! Thats a huge selling point for me, personally. I mean, being immortal and living eternally is great and everything, but its nothing compared to running my own little planet and having god-like powers.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that women can only gain access to heaven with a special pass or codewords?
A: No.
Joni’s Addition:
Well, when two people are sealed, the wife gets a new name that is a secret from everyone else. This is so when the man dies and goes to eternity, he can call his wife by her special name and she can come to him. I like this and I think it is sweet and speaks to the sanctity of marriage.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that women must serve men on both Earth and in heaven?
A: Absolutely not. Mormons believe that women and men are complete equals before God and in relation to the blessings available in the Church.
Q: Is there such a thing as Mormon "underwear"? if so, are all Mormons required to wear it? What does it symbolize?
A: Like members of many religious faiths, Latter-day Saints wear religious clothing. But members of other faiths — typically those involved in permanent pastoral ministries or religious services — usually wear religious garments as outer ceremonial vestments or symbols of recognition. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, garments are worn beneath street clothing as a personal and private reminder of commitments to God.
Garments are considered sacred by Church members and are not regarded as a topic for casual conversation.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe in the existence of another physical planet or planets, where Mormons will "rule" after their death and ascension?
A: No.
Joni’s Addition:
Well, this was a poorly worded question, in my opinion. The LDS Church does believe that the 3rd heaven is where a man is god over his own planet. Now, whether they are “other” planets? They are already out there. Its more like this: If Heaven is where God lives, it is possibly the planet(star) Kolob. If God promises that, assuming you make it to the 3rd heaven and are like him, you, too, (if you are a man) would be God over your own Heaven or planet (star). Its logical.
Q: What specifically does the Mormon Church say about African-Americans and Native Americans?
A: Mormons believe that all mankind are sons and daughters of God and should be loved and respected as such. The blessings of the gospel are available to all.
Joni’s Addition:
This stance was only official in 1978 when the church made other races in America outside of white eligible to hold the priesthood.
Q: What are or were the "Golden Plates"?
A: The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith from records made on plates of gold, similar to metal plates that have been found in other ancient cultures. It contained a history of peoples in the Western Hemisphere including an appearance by the Savior to them. As such, the Book of Mormon is considered a second testimony of Jesus Christ.
Joni’s Addition:
Man, what I wouldn’t give to see those golden plates…
Q: Are consumption of alcohol and tobacco prohibited or simply discouraged? Does the Church also ban the consumption of "hot drinks"? And does that apply specifically to caffeinated drinks?
A: It is against the teachings of the Church to use alcohol and tobacco or to drink tea and coffee.
Joni’s Addition:
Doctrine and Covenants 89I don’t know where they get the no caffeine thing – I couldn’t find that in the Book of Mormon or Pearl of Great Price, or Doctrine and Covenants…
4Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of bconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
5That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
6And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
7And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
9And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
Q: Why do Mormons go from door to door?
A: Christ admonished his disciples to take the gospel to the world. The Church follows that admonition and sends missionaries throughout the world.
Q: What do the Mormons believe about the family?
A: Mormons believe that the family is the foundation for this life and the life to come.
Joni’s Addition:
And that, if you are saved and accept the Church, you will have eternal life and reunion with your family after death. This is an important selling point.
Q: Can someone who may never marry in life have eternal marriage?
A: God will not withhold blessings from any of his children who may not have the opportunity to marry in this life.
SOURCES FOR DAYS 1, 2, and 3 Mormon 21 Questions
Works Cited
FoxNews.com. (2007, December). 21 Questions Answered About the Mormon Faith. Retrieved May 2011, from FOXnews.com: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317272,00.html
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (n.d.). Study Helps. Retrieved from http://lds.org/: http://lds.org/
Curious: I'm a Mormon. But I was never really taught that I would get my own planet. I've heard that discussed in anti-Mormon literature (such as The Godmakers), but not in official church literature. But I could be wrong. Do you have a source for the Planet doctrine? :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as I understand it, celestial beings will become gods and goddesses who have eternal increase (I think I could only speculate about what that means) and still worship Heavenly Father.
I don't have a problem with the planet doctrine exactly, although it seems more likely to me that as gods and goddesses we will be given room to create planetS. And stars. And galaxies. And children.
Someone said something similar on another post - and I guess I was sort of not going into detail here, but the idea is that if you become like God, gods and goddess in your own rite, it would follow that you would also have a kingdom planet or place, whether it was created by you or for you... the mormon literature I have read implies that you will have your own, but perhaps not one that is already created?
ReplyDelete