Deseret News | Elder Ballard responds to evangelical criticism

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Elder Ballard responds to evangelical criticism

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Thomas | 7:41 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007

Amen!

Kjaerbye | 9:58 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007

The Apostle Paul spoke in his writings to various early Churches of the Christian faith; about Apostasy, and even warned members of the faith that they were indeed in apostasy as he spoke, because they thought the Savior would return right away after his resurrection. I find the Joseph Smith story compelling to understand during a movement of enlightment which in this young man at the age of 14 pondered in his heart diligently ï¿½which church to attendï¿½, and whereas the Lord did answer his prayers in the grove of trees he indeed prayed in. He never intended to start another church; however he just wanted to have his prayers answered. I find this same conflict among the divisions of the various Christian dominations some 200 years later, still bashing one another in terms of who is right and who is teaching wrong doctrine. When we die and go to paridise, we shall all know who's teachings were right or wrong.

Kjaerbye | 10:05 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007

Denny G: Christ's Church was very well organized 2000 years ago, as it is today. There was the call of the 70 during Christ's time, there were Bishops, and Teachers, Preachers, Elders, Deacons, evangelists, during the days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter, James and John were the leadership of the early Christian church, and the Apostle Paul spread the Church about in Europe and Asia. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, his organization does not change to fit man, and it's his kingdom and thy will be done as on earth as in Heaven! The church was very well organized 2000 years ago, just read the Scriptures from the New Testament.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 10:19 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007

I think the savior has already returned - in spirit.
But people being as they are, have let their minds turn to mush and the flame of the spirit has been blown out.
"The Kingdom of heaven is right here - and man will not see it." - from The Gnostic Bible. (the one the big boys don't want you to read)

Thomas | 11:05 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007

Interesting how many Protestants think that their doctrine that salvation comes by faith alone is an essential, defining doctrine of Christianity.

That is, they seem to believe that any church that teaches that a person who accepts Christ has to make a good-faith effort to follow his teachings, isn't a Christian church.

By that logic, the vast majority of the world's Christians -- including the Catholic and Orthodox churches -- don't qualify as "Christian" -- because they, like the LDS, also teach that living a good life after conversion is essential to salvation (which can otherwise be lost).

Typical of American Protestants to think the world revolves around their provincial, sectarian selves.

there they go again | 11:36 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007

amazing how wars are started...whip-dee-dooo

TownHeathan | 11:48 a.m. Dec. 10, 2007

To MJ,

For a doctrine to be "pure & perfect" means there are absolutly ZERO errors in it's doctrine. Presuming that being LDS you are referring to the BofM, I am assuming that you mean the book to be "pure & perfect? The perfection of the BofM will be debated for the rest of your's and my lives.

I was LDS, I resigned my membership when I found that the BofM AND the Bible could not support the "pure & perfect" test. As such, I was left to wonder what was true and what was not true. Boy did that turn into a real eye opener. Kind of like in the LDS temple movie where Adam & Eve's eyes were opened. Once I put that test to religion...I found that for me...none of them were true.

Example : Both the Bible & BofM professs the great flood. Yet...there is absolutly ZERO evidence that a flood of this magnitude ever happened. I can support this by many things...this is just an example.

If that's not true...then what else..in BOTH books is not true yet is professed to be by those who's eyes have not been opened.

Thanks 4 your comments!!!

convert | 12:04 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

dennyG

With your omnipotent understanding of ancient Christianity, you seem to have authoritatively defined the organizational structure of the Church as Jesus restored it.

What an opportunity for all the rest of us to soak up your superior and infallible knowledge of history and theology!! I'm very excited you have blessed us with your presence!

Please proceed to tell us exactly what was taught and believed by everyone, including an absolutely comprehensive and exhaustive description of all doctrines of the ancient Church as it existed in the time of the Savior. Since the Bible is somewhat limited in this respect, seeing how it's a compilation of available prophetic writings that was at least partially compiled by those who lacked the authority and proper direction to do so, and some of its content was modified by people in ancient times, I'm sure we could all benefit tremendously from your all knowing insight.

Please tell us everything that's not in the Bible. Please tell us all the teachings that were not explicitly defined in each epistle. Please tell us the doctrines that were specifically outlined, since you are such an authority on the matter.

You are an Apostle, right?

Curios George | 12:11 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

I would be interested in hearing what Protestant folks believe they will be doing after this life ends. I would especially like to hear about any recognition of earthly families. Thanks in advance for sharing.

Anonymous | 12:28 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

After His Holiness The Dalia Lama made a visit to Salt Lake City a few years back, I have been studying Buddhism and its pure beauty. This is by far the fastest growing "religion" (I don't like to refer to it as a religion, but a life philosophy)in the entire world. Just a brief understanding of it will show just why this is.
Buddhism cannot be proselytized - only discovered.

Really!? | 12:43 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

Just a short comment. After reading many of the submissions on this site, it has occured to me that many of you have what I like to call "little man syndrome". This occurs when an individual notices that someone in particular, (i.e. Elder Ballard who is in fact an Apostle of the Lord), has an advanced knowledge of the truth. The "little men" of the world feel they have to prove something to everyone else by squawking, crying and trying to in some way make themselves look better, at the expense of an ordained Minister of the restored gospel. But guess what...to the world, it's still obvious that you are in deed..."little men".

little big man | 1:37 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

i just came from church ball and seen it all.and what ever happened to that that ga who told lie after lie from the pulpit about his war exploits and sports stories that were once best sellars only to be proven to never have happened..then i remember the show 'jesus christ, super star' being chastised as satanic yet the last time i attended it was in downtown slc along w/ many members and aren't you suppose to become some of the most persecuted people on earth...wonder why?because in real life you ostrasize.

Anonymous | 1:44 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

It depends on how your were raised and what conditioning process you are a part of "Really?"
The majority of Eastern philosophy people share the belief that you need no external force to "save you" from being little men, or however you want to sanctimoniously put it.
For example, Buddha was born a half-century before Jesus Christ. Like Christ, his main theme was compassion and guarding against the pitfalls of the human ego. Your term "little men" would be something you would eventually have to cleanse from your mind before any sort of enlightenment process could begin.

A farce | 2:48 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

Religion is or is the cause of a large fraction of the problems that the world has and has ever had. Religion is a farce, God may exist, but i doubt he is found in a religion. The sooner the world lets go of religion the better it will be. People dont need the threat of hell or the promise of heaven to motivate them to do the right things.

Anonymous | 3:37 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

I think all of the different religious faiths, despite their philosophical differences, have a similar objective. Every religion emphasizes human improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other people's suffering, etc. So in that respect all religions are good for people.
What I am seeing however, is an our-club-is-superior-to-your-club thing which can only result in hard feelings so I have no choice but to reject those clubs.

TownHeathan | 4:36 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

I agree with "A farce" 100%!!!!

Without all this "My religion is better than your religion" stuff, people might actually have to play on equil terms.

I know...flawed concept, because somebody will screw it up somehow anyway....

Be it religious, political, ethnic...there will always be somebody who thinks they are better than somebody else.

Funny they don't think that when they get blood transfusions....

Snow White | 6:22 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

Hey, Town Heathan, At least you are honest in your beliefs... We can all respect that. I always respect those who can express themselves in genuine matter. We have too many people who just play the- I BEIEVE GAME without really knowing. It's kind of like the game called--FOLLOW THE LEADER. I'm thinking however that there are too many human larva forms, slugs and so on, who are just simply trying to find something to cling too. Kind of sad too.

Vattenmelon | 10:47 p.m. Dec. 10, 2007

Huckabee is not the man....

Huckabee raised taxes by 505 MILLION Dollars in his State. He advocated for the release of a rapist who after his release raped another young woman. He also supports the legalization and college tuition breaks for illegal immigrants. In 1992 Huckabee proposed that the federal government should quarantine all individuals who are HIV positive.

If you are a minority or have HIV positive you don't have a chance to see a better future with Huckabee as the President. However, if you are a criminal Huckabee will love you and give you the "Get Out of Jail" card. lololol

Before considering Huckabee, please check his record. Based on his record, it doesn't not look like he is a conservative candidate.

sunny | 11:53 a.m. Dec. 11, 2007

Reply to Townheathen, "There are those who will leave the church, but they will never leave the church alone". How sad that your energies are spent in trying to deride The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

firemind | 5:21 p.m. Dec. 11, 2007

When I see all the chattering in these blogs and chat rooms, I, being a Latter-day Saint Christian would deem it proper to affect the attitude of Christ when confronted by Pilate and all the barrage of questions leveled at him.

-----------S I L E N C E-----------------------------

Ergo, let silence speak for itself. All bickering does is just demand attention to itself.

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