Good! Now he'd better get baptized LDS and bring his followers along!    :) 

(Okay, so people probably think that wouldn't really happen, but who really knows? I know of one story where it really did, although I can't sound too credible because I don't remember the details. We'll see over time, huh?   :D     )

Mike A. Christensen

Whoa brother, I don't know about all that, I just hope he walks his talk.  I don't know much about the man, that is to say I only know what I see in the media.  He as many others have said many things that can divide people rather than bring them together.  I hope if he is a civil rights activist, that he is more pragmatic in his approach in helping his fellow man...  All his fellow man regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, background, history, etc...  We live in the here and now and should try to influence the here and now, based upon what is happening here and now! Not attempt to hijack history to promote our own agendas or "correct" past misdeeds unless they are still occurring here and now!

As for his followers, I hope they will not be "brought along" so easily.  No I believe that everyone has a core belief system to which they base their reality.  This set of beliefs will grow and be ever changing over time based upon experiences, but eventually will "give way to" or "refine" a core/base set of beliefs. (Truths based on their experiences and environment)  Some people who subscribe to religious/faith-based beliefs tend to have many of those beliefs at their core usually brought about by INDIVIDUAL deep conversion. (The very reason why they are at the core)   Thus I feel that anyone being able to change religious beliefs so easily did not deeply believe in what they subscribed too in the first place.  I am a hot or cold type of guy, not luke warm!  

It is my hope that those "followers" are truly "believers" and if a change was to occur as you suggest I hope it comes from within and not from Al's Decisions! 

Ps. Mike, I do hope your right!

Hey, Isabelle,

Yeah, it probably won't happen (as I even said), but why wouldn't you want Al to lose his old church and join the true one, along with his followers?

As a mainstream Christian, and others would agree, it not the true church.  But, we are not to judge.  Our day will come when we are judged by the One who matters.

I am not saying he shouldn't join because of what the LDS believe.  I just don't think the LDS church or any other needs someone like him as a member unless he changed his ways. 

Yeah, D. Bodily,

Oh, yeah, Al's probably pretty set in his ways, but if he really will walk his talk--especially this talk from his visit here (I mean that it wasn't just a visit to make us think he's nice so we won't want to keep him in hot water for his statement that he's saying was misunderstood, but that he really did want to learn more about the LDS Church), then he's not such a tough guy after all. Right?

And yeah, suppose Al did get touched by the Spirit enough to actually join the Church of Jesus Christ (of LDS), then of course we wouldn't want his congregation to just blindly follow him to it. I agree with what you say: we'd want them to generate their beliefs and faith in the full truths by themselves, for themselves. But what I was saying is that if Al really did feel enough of the Spirit from his visit to the church parts of here (and do the accompanying things like reading the Book of Mormon and gaining a testimony of its truth, etc.)--and yeah, I do think that would be a big step for someone like him, but nonetheless, it is still possible--well, then hopefully he'd tell his old members just how much the Spirit did touch him from that, and how much truth it has added to the truth he and they already have. Then hopefully he'd invite them to investigate this for themselves and and make the decision for themselves. And then hopefully they'd do that. So basically, what I was saying is that if he joined and then told them this, that'd probably be a good catalyst. Wouldn't you agree, D. Bodily (and others)?

Mike

Isabelle, you said, "As a mainstream Christian, and others would agree, it not the true church."

But which "it" of these were you were referring to: Al's, or the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS? I don't know how much truth the Pentecostal church (which Al is a reverend of) has, but I understand it does have some, of course. All churches that believe in good and things which come from a higher power of good do have some truth to them. I also know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.

Yeah, you're right, someone who's been rather derogatory shouldn't join the Church of Jesus Christ until they change their ways. I don't know about Al that well, so I don't really know how derogatory or nice he's been, mostly. But I was just saying that if this experience turns him into someone who's much less derogatory than it sounds like people are saying he is, and he felt the Spirit enough from it, I hope he joins. But yeah, if someone was going to stay mean after joining, then it would probably be better if they didn't. But sometimes joining does help to soften some people's hearts, while with some other people, they already softened their heart when they made the decision to join. To me, it already sounds like Al did soften a little from his visit. Maybe that'll grow. I just hope I'm not being gullible.  :D

Mike

Mike, I agree I believe that truth can be found everywhere even Lucifer uses it mixed with lies to convey his messages.  I believe that everyone can know the truth by listening to the "still small voice" and when acted upon men’s hearts will be softened as you stated.  I do believe that we are all gods’ children and he can “reach” any one of us through any means.

I myself have attended a few churches (Presbyterian, Catholic, and LDS) my mother is a Presbyterian minister at this time, and I have been pleased to find many common truths and beliefs in all faiths around the world.  With that said I have found more of a fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I have also witnessed the power necessary to awaken people not just to believe but also to act on their belief.  After all, “Ye shall know them by their fruits”, James stated "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works!  It has been my experience that many "mainstream Christian" churches/members often are not very service oriented and do not truly emulate the life and ministry of the Savior in that respect.  At least not to the extent that that I have seen the LDS church does.   With that said there are good and bad on all sides and this has just been my experience!  I want to emphasize that I am not putting down any religion or church.  And I am sure many will jump on me for buying my way into heaven ;)  I would submit to them that I have been bought with a Price and wish to repay my master by doing His will! 

Here it is taken from about religion . com

What it means to be a "Christian"

http://www.allaboutreligion.org/christian-church.htm

Specifically this

"

Christian Church: Become a Member
The Christian Church is comprised of those who have been redeemed by Christ who died on the cross and rose again. They are justified by faith in Christ alone. They are not saved by false teachers, compromised gospels, by their works, by a building, or by a religious ritual. They are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. "

As a true Christian we are not judged by our works, by having a "Temple" or false prophets. 

That is the definition of Christianity.  Just because you believe in some form of God and Jesus does not make one a "Christian". 

I'm heading out of town for a few days but just thought I would clarify what the definition means.  I guess once you are brainwashed, nothing is going to change your mind.  So, good luck .

before I go here is a definition of a cult and why people get so so offended when others say they belong to a cult but it sure does sound like the Mormon Church to me.

Religious Cults: The Christian Perspective
Christians define religious cults from a different perspective. Simply, a cult is any religious group that deviates from the fundamental teachings of the historic, Bible-based, Christian faith as confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds. Generally, if a religious organization follows Jesus Christ, but denies or distorts essential Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the resurrection, or salvation by grace alone, that organization is considered a cult. Traditional examples are the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, the Unity School of Christianity, and the Way International. All of these groups add to the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, some add to the Bible, such as Mormonism's The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Similarly, Christian Science has added Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The Jehovah's Witnesses have actually changed the text of the Bible to make it fit their version of doctrine.

Religious cults add their own rules, rituals and ceremonies -- their own works of righteousness to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. These organizations officially state that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for salvation, but then they go on to say that their version of "works" must be added to the simplicity of His grace in order to warrant true salvation. These groups will often use James 2:26 ("faith without works is dead") to establish that works are part of salvation. Although it is true that faith without works is dead, it isn't the works that save us. Works are merely the result of a truly changed life through a saving faith in Jesus. A true Christian does good works because he has received the free gift of salvation, not to get salvation.

Religious Cults: Why Does It Matter?
Groups like the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses reject their categorization with other "religious cults", because the emotional reaction to such a label often gets in the way of mainstream conversion. Actually, contrary to their historical foundations of deeming Christendom to be misguided, evil or apostate, most of the aforementioned cults are now claiming to be Christian themselves. They declare the Divine authority of the Bible, but they manipulate the scriptures to suit their own purposes. Although they claim to serve Jesus Christ, and may use Christian terminology, their doctrines are dangerously different. Why is this an issue? Why can't we all just get along? Because these organizations don't lead to the Jesus Christ of the Bible, but to another Jesus and another gospel message altogether. If these religious groups are based on bad history, or bad doctrine, or bad motives, then we must respectfully expose these shortcomings. If these religious cults are presenting false teachings, then multitudes of people are being led astray

Now I am running late but no matter what site I go to, it clearly defines the difference between LDS and Christians..

http://www.gotquestions.org/book-of-Mormon.html

:  "How should Christians view the book of Mormon?"

"Recommended Resource:  Reasoning from the Scriptures with Mormons by Ron Rhodes."

I think the book reviews speak for themselves!

Try using non-biased references next time

Recommended Resources:

World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored & Explained by John Bowker

An Insider's View of Mormon Origins by Grant H. Palmer

I Love Mormons: A New Way to Share Christ with Latter-day Saints by David L. Rowe

hope this helps!

Hi, D. Bodily,

Whow, you've made a great decision, I'll have to say, and I agree. It's interesting that your mom's a minister from another church, and I bet that sometimes sparks some interesting discussions. Doesn't it?

Mike

No Isabelle, I'm not brainwashed. Instead, I'm taught and I study the truths and they are followed up with confirmation by the Holy Ghost. But thanks for playing; better luck next time.

Mike