Mormon Questions.

Actually, I think this is the perfect thread to go into depth about the Mormon faith. Not a rant, mind you, but explanation would be a good thing.

 

There is so much I have seen, I'm not sure where to begin. There is some parts I can't say much on because I never got that far into the church to experience them. I just know what they tried to do with me to get me into their secret society.

 

:all ears: Do tell!

 

Most of what I've heard directly from Mormons has made me go "Huh?" (Of course, some will say that about religion in general.)

One thing in particular, at least the way I remember it being told, was that they believed we were all there in person with God before coming to earth as a baby. During the "pre-birth" time we were given a choice by Him as to whether we wanted to even come here or not. We were told that we wouldn't remember anything about being with Him at any previous point and that it would be like starting over, having to learn about God and to decide to put our faith in Him.

Assuming God is infinitely powerful, the idea of a virgin birth and a resurrection makes a lot more sense than someone choosing to leave a perfect place in heaven to go somewhere where there's even the slightest chance they'll never make it back.

 

That is what they believe. That is why we call each other brothers and sisters.

 

I've heard/read the same sort of belief expressed outside of any form of Christianity. Don't remember any specific group referring to it, but just a general "new age" belief that human beings existing prior to their earthly appearance as purely spiritual beings, & that some chose to take on a physical, vulnerable form without memory of their previous existence in order to learn & grow. So the concept isn't exclusively a Mormon one.

Just a side note--don't want to get the thread off-topic.

 

Couple things about that...

My quibble with Mormonism (and others that believe similar to this) isn't whether God knew us or we knew God before birth, it's that we would choose to leave His presence to come to earth and possibly never return to heaven. I can't imagine wanting to leave a perfect place or being able to learn and grow more here on earth than in heaven.

And that God knew us even before we were born (or even in the womb) is not really a "new age" belief...

"The Lord called me before my birth. From within the womb he called me by my name...He said to me, `You are my servant'..." (Isaiah 49:1,3 TLB).

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I sanctified you. I ordained you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1: 3).

I used to remember a good bit more that I learned about Mormon beliefs and could have debated the subject much better in the past. I guess my mind is going.