tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post9208886662672075102..comments2024-01-27T15:21:25.414-07:00Comments on Call Her Blessed: The LDS (Mormon) Church, Part 6: How To Get To HeavenDaiquirihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-1163865905943367412009-03-09T08:06:00.000-06:002009-03-09T08:06:00.000-06:00Anonymous-I'm assuming you're quoting 1 Cor 15:29 ...Anonymous-<BR/><BR/>I'm assuming you're quoting 1 Cor 15:29 to make a cast for baptism of the dead?<BR/><BR/>If so, I invite you to read the surrounding verses and chapters to get that verse in the proper context. When you do that, you'll see that Paul was addressing a particular disbelief at that time in the resurrection of the dead.<BR/><BR/>Those same people who didn't believe in resurrection after death were baptizing for the dead! Paul was pointing out the hypocrisy of that behavior, not condoning or saying that baptism of the dead should be happening.<BR/><BR/>Please also not that Paul says "they" baptize for the dead, not "we". There is no Biblical support for the idea of the early Christian church participating in this practice. <BR/><BR/>Again - please direct your attention to the thief on the cross next to Jesus. <BR/><BR/>I think it's safe to say that Jesus would be entering the "highest" level of heaven upon his physical death (assuming that there are different "levels" of heaven). Jesus said he would be with him today in paradise. Wherever Jesus was going, that thief would be also.<BR/><BR/>And when would that happen? TODAY. Not after the guy's relatives had a chance to be baptized for him, but today.Daiquirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-12330414875013260632009-03-08T21:10:00.000-06:002009-03-08T21:10:00.000-06:001st Corinthians 15:29"Else what shall they do whic...1st Corinthians 15:29<BR/>"Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-51912485428633146272009-01-12T16:02:00.000-07:002009-01-12T16:02:00.000-07:00Hi David - As far as I'm concerned...that's good n...Hi David - As far as I'm concerned...that's good news, better news. I'm always happy to have your participation :)<BR/><BR/>To your questions:<BR/>1. "Do you believe that there is anything that is required for salvation?"<BR/>2. "In other words, does a person need to feel, do, or say anything in order to be saved?"<BR/>3. "What is the process of accepting God's grace? Or is there a process?"<BR/><BR/>First things first - when I use the term "salvation", I'm referring to both being raised from death AND to being "let in" to Heaven, as I believe the Bible defines it in Romans 5:15-16.<BR/><BR/>And to answer questions 1-3, a couple of verses immediately come to my mind. The first is Romans 10:9: <I>"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."</I><BR/><BR/>The second passage is the story of the thief on the cross next to Jesus, Luke 23:41-44, <I>"And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."</I><BR/><BR/>I believe that to be saved I must acknowledge my sinfullness, I must acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior, and I must put my personal trust in him to save me. <BR/><BR/>Must I be baptized? The man on the cross was not baptized and he was in paradise that very day with Jesus.<BR/><BR/>Must I tithe? No.<BR/><BR/>Must I perform certain good "works"? Again, the man on the cross didn't.<BR/><BR/>Must I belong to a particular church organization or partake in any particular ritual? No.<BR/><BR/>Must I live a good life? This is where it gets tricky. To many, it seems like splitting hairs...but it gets to the very heart of a person, so I think it's crucial. <BR/><BR/>So...must I live a good life to be saved? NO. I do not have to "do" anything to be saved.<BR/><BR/>HOWEVER...if I have had a true repentant heart before the Lord and have asked him to be the Lord of my life...my life should reflect that. I will want to live a good life for the sake of honoring him, but that is VERY different from doing good in order to earn something.<BR/><BR/>All that being said, I think it's pretty tough (not to mention terribly inappropriate) to look at someone's life to try and determine if they're saved or not. Really, it's all about that person's true heart (attitude, intentions) toward God. Mother Theresa seemed to live a righteous life as a humble servant of God. From my lowly perspective, she seems pretty "saved" to me! But only God knows the true heart of a person. For all I know, she was doing it for all the wrong reasons.<BR/><BR/>That brings me to your next question:<BR/><BR/>4. "How does someone with no knowledge of Christ come to be saved? Or were they saved already by His grace?"<BR/><BR/>The Bible does specifically say, and I can't assume anything. All I can do is trust that God is a perfect, all-knowing, good, fair, and loving judge. <BR/><BR/>I don't know how it will work. I do know that whatever it is that is required for a person to be saved will be offered to every person at some point in their life. No one will be left to chance.<BR/><BR/>I hope that answers your questions. I'd be happy to elaborate more if not.Daiquirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-4556415033234307802009-01-12T14:50:00.000-07:002009-01-12T14:50:00.000-07:00The good news is that your prior posts on Mormon b...The good news is that your prior posts on Mormon beliefs have led to my becoming a regular reader of your blog which I find it to be interesting, uplifting and generally enjoyable to read and follow.<BR/><BR/>The bad news is that your decision to return to the subject that brought me here initially means that I'm commenting again. Sorry.<BR/><BR/>To make sure that I understand what you're saying, I'd like to ask a few questions.<BR/><BR/>Do you believe that there is anything that is required for salvation? <BR/><BR/>In other words, does a person need to feel, do, or say anything in order to be saved?<BR/><BR/>What is the process of accepting God's grace? Or is there a process?<BR/><BR/>How does someone with no knowledge of Christ come to be saved? Or were they saved already by His grace?<BR/><BR/>At some point I'd like to try to make a few clarifications on what you have stated as Mormon beliefs, but I'd first like to know more about what your beliefs are.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10683141716829709747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-66333119419343876282009-01-10T23:37:00.000-07:002009-01-10T23:37:00.000-07:00Thanks for coming by my blog! I found you at "Ever...Thanks for coming by my blog! I found you at "Everyday Becky". Beckys Dad was my husbands "boss" awhile back in Omak.McMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16382627100699882950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-56953935373151157622009-01-10T15:09:00.000-07:002009-01-10T15:09:00.000-07:00Intriguing post. Well-researched.I have a Mormon f...Intriguing post. Well-researched.<BR/><BR/>I have a Mormon friend, and when non-Mormons visit her family, the TEACHER must be present at all times.<BR/><BR/>A bit alarming.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/><BR/>LindaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-80221605977570149252009-01-10T10:49:00.000-07:002009-01-10T10:49:00.000-07:00Awesome topic! I just found your blog.Awesome topic! I just found your blog.McMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16382627100699882950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-26310146776829896912009-01-09T12:13:00.000-07:002009-01-09T12:13:00.000-07:00Great post with lots of information. I know that m...Great post with lots of information. I know that members of the LDS church believe that they WILL go to Heaven...like most others. However, I questioned one once about how sure he was that he would get to live surrounded by the utmost glory. His answer (paraphrased of course) was basically that he hoped he would but had no idea if all he had done would be deemed "enough." I told him that my faith taught me that I would live in the full glory of God throughout all eternity and there was no reason for me to doubt that because I could (on my own) never be good enough for Heaven. That intrigued him. <BR/><BR/>Once again...great post! Thanks for returning to this topic!Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16037837655750384138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-91666397708530289732009-01-08T20:36:00.000-07:002009-01-08T20:36:00.000-07:00I should clarify a bit...First, I hope it doesn't ...I should clarify a bit...<BR/><BR/>First, I hope it doesn't come across like I think that Mormons can't go go Heaven. As has been pointed out, it is between the One True God and an individual. I think our Awesome God can reach people anywhere and any time with His Truth.<BR/><BR/>Second, the Mormon faith does NOT teach that only Mormons can go to Heaven. Quite the contrary, in fact. They believe that most everyone will go go Heaven. They believe in different "levels" of heaven, each suited to a person's experiences and choices. <BR/><BR/>For example, I've had several Mormon friends tell me that they're "not worried" about me and my eternity since I'm a good person and I strive to do good things and seek the Lord. But since I'm not Mormon, and I reject the teachings of the Mormon faith...I would be in a lower level (but still wonderful) of Heaven. <BR/><BR/>In fact, members within the LDS community will be in different levels too, based on their "works" and things like whether or not they've had a temple marriage or have had children. <BR/><BR/>Frankly...it's interesting to talk about our different beliefs about Heaven, but it's pretty irrelevant! Heaven is good, Hell is bad. So how do we get to Heaven? That's not a minor issue!Daiquirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06040557437955969295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-29148640628158152582009-01-08T19:04:00.000-07:002009-01-08T19:04:00.000-07:00Thanks for coming back to this topic. My brother i...Thanks for coming back to this topic. My brother is living with some of our Mormon relatives right now, so he is dealing with these issues head-on. He has remarked on the emptiness and fakeness he has seen. There is a lot to think through on this topic of the Mormon view of heaven and how to get there. Very different from what the Bible teaches. Thanks for all the research you have done!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3648926369091231553.post-3634385830419432872009-01-08T18:49:00.000-07:002009-01-08T18:49:00.000-07:00I am a firm believer that religion is NOT faith an...I am a firm believer that religion is NOT faith and religion is man's attempt at labelling God and boxing Him into one definition. I believe that to get to heaven it is a heart issue. I personally am Baptist but that DOESN'T mean that I believe only baptists can get to heaven. It is between a person and God!<BR/>Interesting information. I enjoyed reading it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com