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'Smug' Mormon takes on 'brazen' evangelical

I agree His vote is the only that counts.

Loved this!!!!!!!!!!Respect and dignity displayed as one of it's best.

This was a great read! I almost felt as if I were reading a C. S. Lewis "Screwtape Letters" derivative. I have the opportunity to have similar conversations on a regular basis with my Evangelical friends and neighbors. I tell them that they can tell me that I am not a good Evangelical and be right, but, that they walk on very shakey ground when they tell me that I am not a Christian. I go on to say to them, that I would never judge them on their Christianity, and that I believe only Christ can judge me on my Christianity. I hope you write more on this topic. We need to learn how to better understand each other.

This is good. In a lot of ways we are the same. A great deal of the conflict is semantics. We see the same words, we believe in the same words, but we each apply different meanings to those same words. We are not in a competition, yet sometimes we think we are. It's like the two friends who walk side by side all the while just picking up the pace oh so slightly so that either might just arrive at the destination before the other until both are in a footrace. I love my evangelical friends, but I also love my Mormon friends. I just wish I understood them better and I wish they understood me better.

I am just so indebted to my savior Jesus Christ, yet so are they. He makes it possible for one as sinful as me to be forgiven. He now guides my actions. If I do do good, it is because of Him. So am I a good evangelical, or a good Mormon. Actually, I am a Christian.

My next door neighbor is evangelical, and brazen is the best word for them. They are self appointed judges of our eternal destination. They think it is their calling to save the unsaved, and that includes everyone but them.

Evangelicals do control the right, however, they are becoming wise to what it means to be truly christian and American. You don't vote for people JUST because they adhere to your religious views. You pick the best person to represent your hopes and ideals for your country. I was thrilled to see the changes that occurred in the evangelical vote after Iowa. Iowa is politics of the past.

Funny. One has their "better book", that is not the Bible, the other does not know the Bible or follow it. You can not make a point about a subject you know almost nothing about!

Excellent article that accurately addresses and observes the interchange between evangelicals and mormons. It describes most all of my interaction with the faithful evangelicals. They are really good people and have absolute recognition of Christ and his saving sacrifice and grace. They really don't see the whole process as a two way road though. It is all Christ and no believer.... The thought of the principle of a "covenant" would be a promise for God to save us and humans are quite passive in this covenant after "accepting the grace of God". I love talking the bible with them because it is so refreshing and confirming the principles we understand from the scriptures and prophets both modern and ancient.

I am smiling because this article is SO TRUE!

We just had an experience in the "east" where the same accusations were hurled (by "Christians") at my 16 yr old daughter, that were hurled at The Prophet Joseph (over 170 years ago). In fact, I wondered if the tar and feathers were next!

I recieved the special edition of the Ensign yesterday; It is wonderful!! As I read through it I wondered would it do any good to send it to some of these "Christians" who verbally attacked my daughter? Probably not.

Some enjoy the state of ignorance they are in and actually prefer it that way!

I think of the words of the Savior to his Apostles, Remember before they hated you they hated me!

A branch in northern Maine this summer was not allow to participate in a softball tournament to which all "Christian" faiths were invited!
Reason.... they were a cult of course!!

Thanks Jerry for a wonderful essay. As a high school English teacher I encourage my students to appreciate excellent writing whatever it might be found even when something so controversial as personal faith is discussed. Beyond the excellent writing, it was exceptionally insightful. Living in Baptist country, I never cease to be amazed at the intolerance of those who claim to be so tolerant. The Jesus I love taught us not to judge yet in their "sinful state" they sit in judgment of me/us every day. But, as Jerry points out, don't try to engage them in this or any other inconsistency. They know they are right and that's all that counts.

I agree with the comment made by Marvin J Ashton a few years ago, "I wonder just how Christian it is to call someone Un-Christian".
We need to try to treat all people like our Savior would regardless of their faith.

Jerry - this is excellent. I agree with your style, approach and every thought you express. Thanks for sharing this experience.

Wonderful article, sounds like you have a great friend. I've often thought it is a great skill to "agree to disagree," with a friend and remain civil friends. We can all learn from both of you!

I really appreciated this writers ending word about how true believers aren't going to be able to unite heart wise on heart issues. . .we can't, simply put. However, he greatly mis-stated what true evangelicals believes when he said they believe people don't do anything. It is true the focus is on Jesus, what He's done and is doing, but that doesn't mean a true believer doesn't do anything, in fact, a true believer, I submit, would do far more than a LDS believer, but the focus is always, always on Christ who does the work and not the believer who lets it be done through them. And, all glory goes to God--because really and truly He does the work.

The title had me worried, but this is one of the most eloquent articles I've read dealing with religious differences. I've always thought we should be respectful and civil with one another, while acknowledging that we "can never join hearts" as the author said.

In either case, while I like what I read, I wish both of their attitudes (positive about their faith) would extend to those of us who don't follow either of their religions (as in Jewish). Both of them would have tried to convince me that the only way to heaven would be to become an apostate to my faith and follow theirs.

Christians don't believe in "dead works." They are opportunities to witness for Christ. First and foremost you are saved by His grace. These "works" just aren't the prerequisite to get to heaven or ascend to different levels. In a nutshell, you don't have to do works, you get to.

That's the great thing about religion. We all claim adherence to absolute truth, with no proof to offer. Then, we judge and evaluate others based on our beliefs, and they always come up short.
Wouldn't it be great if we could bring this into politics?

"Wringing your hands over being accepted by other religions is a waste of a good pair of hands. Better to use them to hold to your ideals. Let the Founder sort it all out."

That says it all.

Wonderful, Jerry. I have had the same basic conversation over and over again, and I agree wholeheartedly with the main themes. We might never see things the same way, but there's no good reason we can't be civil and cooperative and friends.