Wasatch

And, how is it the Mormon determines that a
"prophecy" is from God or not?

Great question. There has been about 12 prophets since JS. When they give sermons or talks or come up with something new they never tell you if it is a revelation or their opinion. The church has done a good job training members not to question the leaders because they are all inspired of God. One prophet said that a prophet could never lead the church astray, if he tried to do so God would remove him immediately. So as members we don’t have to worry about it. If the prophet says something all the thinking has been done.
At the same time they do encourage members to pray for a confirmation. If you don’t get the proper answer you probably didn’t prayer hard enough or something.
Another safe guard is. . . The living prophet can override a dead prophet and the scriptures. What’s better then that?????
Wasatch

Wasatch

How was the missionary experience?

For me, overall I would say good. At the time I was a TBM (true blue mormon), I was one of the Lords soldiers, I was going raise the dead and convert the world. I wanted to learn Spanish and go to a SA country. The mission was tough at times, dealing with other letter of the law type missionaries. I know some went because of family pressure. Others knew it was an important ticket to punch as a member. Especially if you went to BYU. Most girls were taught growing up to find a returned missionary and get married in the temple. It is a chick magnet at BYU. Its almost, if you don’t or didn’t go on a mission, members wonder if you weren’t worthy for some reason. A friend of mine was interviewed by his Bishop to go on a mission, my friend said “No” The bishop told him he had chosen the path to hell. Go figure.
Wasatch

Queen of Swords

Very interesting! We wondered if our previous Mormon visitor, lds, was on a mission to convert us, but lds didn't confirm it (or succeed, for that matter).

Feel free to ask any questions you like in return, Wasatch.

DarkBronzePlant

Wasatch,

Thanks for the reply... that's very interesting insight.

So when on a mission, how structured is one's "script" (for lack of a better term)? If I listened to five different missionaries, for example, would I hear basically the same approach each time? Or is it very loose... every missionary with his own style? Just curious... in part, I do wonder if the German missionary I mentioned truly was unprepared to talk to someone who doesn't believe in god, or maybe just didn't feel like spending the extra time, or whatever.

Oh, and let us know if you're getting sick of the bombardment of questions!

Wasatch

DarkBronze

So when on a mission, how structured is one's "script"

Approaches may vary from missionary to missionary and or area to area.
When it comes to formal discussions, Say, if the missionary went to your house to teach you about mormoninsm, there is a set script or discussion that they follow.
When I did it 20+ years ago we had to memorize the 7 discussions word for word.
They have modified it over the years so the missionary tries to put things into his/her own words and experiences, but still follow a set format.
Missionary knowledge about theology would vary. None are sent to any kind of a theology school. Mostly just what you learn attending church and private study. Most wouldn't know what to do with, "I don't believe in God" or know much about other religions, nor could answer many questions about polygamy, blood atonement or the Adam/God theory.

I don't mind the questions. Keep em comin.
So where do you stand on this religion issue?????
God fearing?? Atheist? Arm waving X-ian.????

Wasatch

Born Free

My ex brother in law was a mormon, he wasn't practicing but his family were and they made my sister's life hell the way they constantly tried their best to convert her. She's planning on getting even though...some day. Welcome by the way hope you may find some answers to any questions you may have.

Oh and I'm sorry but they do make me shivvverrrr

Kosh

Sound suspiciously like "showing the plan" for
Amway....

No comment.

DarkBronzePlant

God fearing, yes, but not in the usual sense of the term.

I'm an atheist. My parents raised my Episcipalian in a very casual, loose way (the family was never very religious or church-going, although my folks would always say they belived in god.) Growing up, and especially once I was out of high school, I started realizing that Christianity, in general, seemed no different than any other mythology I'd heard of studied. So I decided to start looking at things the other way; i.e. not presuming that god exists and going along with it, but presuming that god does not exist, and then seeing if there is any evidence to show that he does. That's the same way I would determine for myself the existence of anything else (Santa Claus, money in my bank account, shoes on my feet, a green light to drive through an intersection...) so why not here as well? I found really no evidence; only evidence to contradict god's existence. Moreover, it became more and more apparent to me how & why human beings could create stories such as those in the bible, and how over the years & centuries those stories could become considered fact, then doctrine.

At that point, there was no way I could believe in god, any more than I could believe in the Santa Claus, or that a red light is actually green. Thus, I suppose I am an atheist.

Wasatch

I've been tossing around this idea of god. Why does there have to be just one all mighty all powerful god?? The God of the OT was mean, jealous, had favorites etc. I have heard so many different stories about forces at work, past lives, near death, and other forces at work. There must be something out there.
Maybe a collective type force, all of us and those that have died. Maybe we are running everything. I guess this is similar to some Pagan thinking. I want to believe in life after death. Or am I just grasping at straws, and creating a God to fit my needs??????
I need a big dose of atheism.
Wasatch

Queen of Swords

I don't want there to be a life after death. There's a poem that goes something like : rest after toil, port after stormy seas, death after life, doth greatly please. My life (and I'm only 26) has been so full that I don't particularly want to keep on existing endlessly after my body drops, has several vital organs removed and is then either cremated or cut up by some med student. Geez. How would "I" even interact with the world without my senses and brain?