Mormons?

[Antonia]

I am a nurse and a new Filipino nurse just arrived here and I have befriended her. She is a Mormon.
Just for background I am a Methodist, but many Baptists seem very concerned about converting her out of Mormonism.
I'm not sure about Mormons. Are they Christian? Why the urgency to "convert" her? Anyone who can help me understand this? I'd appreciate it.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Yes, we are Christian. We believe very strongly in Jesus. We focus mainly on our families and loving our fellow man. We also completely respect other people's beliefs. Alot of people that don't know anything about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints just think we aren't Christian. I recommend the following sites for info on the church.
www.lds.org
www.mormon.org

Hope you get a chance to read it!

 

[Pop Daddy]

I dont believe the are the same, a Christain believes that you get eternal life by trusting in Jesus ALONE for eternal life. I also think right now she just needs friends and not people preaching to her.



long post

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by Antonia
many Baptists seem very concerned about converting her out of Mormonism.
I'm not sure about Mormons. Are they Christian? Why the urgency to "convert" her? Anyone who can help me understand this? I'd appreciate it.

My former neighbor was a Mormon. She has since moved to Utah. We are Catholic. We would compare notes all the time. Excluding the origins of the religion we found the Mormon religion to be a stricter form of Catholicism.

I do not "get" why someone would feel the need to "convert" someone out of their religion. I find it fascinating to learn about other religions.

 

[Antonia]

I don't get the idea of trying to "convert" her either. That's why I came here with the question. Personally, I have befriended her because she has no family or friends here and she is very lonely and misses her family terribly. I have known she was Mormon for several weeks now and the idea to "convert" her has never entered my mind.
Mainly, she and I have done things together that I would do with any friend - shop, sightsee, get a milkshake, etc. I've been helping her understand Americans and our way of life, but I feel it is not up to me to try to change her religion.
Another friend who is Baptist seems determined that she needs to be converted. She actually said "We've got to get her converted." To which I said I thought we should leave it alone.
Thanks for your replies.

 

[browneyes]

I remember thinking it was odd when I was growing up and my mom would make a big deal out of couples who married outside their religion and one was Baptist. She thought the non-Baptist should convert over to being a Baptist. That's the only time I've heard her talking about people needing to convert over to being a Baptist. Most Baptists around here are just happy to hear that people have religion.

I've had a couple of Mormons and a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses tell me I should convert over to their religions though.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I think that if you are happy where you are, then noone can convert you no matter how hard they try.

 

[bjgrazi]

Hey Pop Daddy,

That was a semi-long post for you.

 

[shep]

Do Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is our savior or that he was just a normal human? I might have my religions mixed up..

 

[momof3disneyholics]

he is most definately our savior

 

[Mishetta]

Sounds like your co-workers who feel the "need" to convert your new friend just have nothing else to do with their lives! I think it's a wonderful thing you're doing ~ befriending her so that she doesn't feel so alone. I think you can both learn from one another & that's such a good thing!

Pop Daddy ~ I have to say that I'm so surprised at how "deep" you really are!!

 

[believe]

From what I can tell from the Mormon website they use another book as supporting documentation for the Bible, The Book of Mormon. This book contains prophets that I do not recall being mentioned in the Bible.

Here is their answer are Mormon's Christians.
Question:
Is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a Christian church?

Answer:
M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:
"There are many who say that Latter-day Saints believe in a 'different Jesus' than do other Christians and that we are therefore not 'Christian.' . . . We believe in the Jesus of the New Testament, and we believe what the New Testament teaches about Him. We do believe things about Jesus that other Christians do not believe, but that is because we know, through revelation, things about Jesus that others do not know. . . .

"What we want most of all is for Christian and non-Christian alike to understand that we love the Lord Jesus Christ. We revere His name. We count it a great honor and privilege to take upon ourselves the name of Christ as Christians and as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."


It did not mention what the other things they believe about Jesus are.

 

[karebear1]

I'm mormon too and what mom of 3 says is right. I think you can tell your friends that she is ok- she does believe in Jesus and in the atonement. And good for you for asking the question! Most people just listen to what others say and don't go to the source.

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by Antonia
I am a nurse and a new Filipino nurse just arrived here and I have befriended her. She is a Mormon.
Just for background I am a Methodist, but many Baptists seem very concerned about converting her out of Mormonism.
I'm not sure about Mormons. Are they Christian? Why the urgency to "convert" her? Anyone who can help me understand this? I'd appreciate it.

I am a nurse as well. Trying to convert a person from their chosen religion in the workplace is just downright wrong. And such attempts would create a hostile work enviroment for the employee. I believe (JMHO!!!!) that God would rather them spend their time caring for their sick patients than converting someone to a different religion.


Momof 3, most Mormons I have known are well versed in other religions and are more than tolerant of others beliefs. I have always found it refreshing that time is taken to accept rather than discount another person's faith.

 

[DemonLlama]

The addition of other "revelations" to the Word of God is the primary reason most Christian denominations reject Mormonism. Here is are a few links that have a number of ideas about this:

http://www.truthnet.org/Mormon/

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/m04.html

http://www.concernedchristians.org/home.php

 

[MelessaG]

Thanks for your kind observations, Year2Late. I'm a Mormon too (some of us prefer the term "Latter-Day Saint," just FYI) and I am always so glad to find someone accepting of my faith that I make a point of being accepting of theirs. I live in the Midwest and have often found myself being picked on or singled out for my religious beliefs-mostly by people who don't have a single clue as to what they really are. (don't you LOVE being told what you do and don't believe and why that makes you a bad person by people you don't know very well who are usually clueless as to what they are talking about?) Growing up with that, I have learned to live and let live and am very protective when it comes to defending the beliefs of others too. I think that is the life experience of most Latter-Day Saints and why you find them to be so tolerant of others. Sadly, it isn't true of all of us; but you get those kind of people in every crowd, don't you?
Antonia-you are a wonderful person to be kind to someone new and far away from home, regardless of her religion, what she needs is friendship. I also agree that the workplace-especially a hospital-is no place for religious conversions. Patients need you more. My sister is a nurse too and would never have time to proselyte-not that she would anyway, she is an atheist.

 

[caitycaity]

i'm an atheist. the mormons i have known have been some of the most tolerant people i've ever met. they had no problem talking religion with me without trying to convert me or belittle my beliefs.

i think it's great that you are befriending her. with a little tolerance, i think we can learn a lot from people who are different than ourselves.

 

[mamajoan]

I understand that some people want to share their beliefs with others.. but trying to convert a person who has no interest in converting is really a pain in the neck.. geez..

We are Catholic...I have known many LDS people over the years. I find their religion quite interesting and really like to see how much effort is put into "the family". Every religion has it's quirks..
I find it to be "more Christian" to tolerate/accept anothers religious preferance than to try to aggressively convert someone because "we'' know what is "right"

It really bugs me when complete strangers, coworkers or acquaintances tell me that because I am Catholic, I am NOT christian, nor am I "saved". I understand that it is said to go out an preach your faith in most religions.. but dang does that mean you are to be spiteful to those not sharing your verve for your religion? I think not...

I am glad you have reached out to this woman. I hope she appreciates your friendship and kindness. Just think you have a new friend.. and that my dear is WAY cool!

 

[BHFan25]

If I were you I tell my "friends" to leave her alone. That being said, I too, like Browneyes, have had Mormons try to convert me. I don't think Baptists are the only ones who do this. I don't think it is right to try to "convert" people. If she was questioning her beliefs than I think it is fine to talk it over with her but she is not--JMHO.

I find it beliefs fascinating too. Funny thing is, no matter what denomination or religion one seems to have, no 2 people believe exactly alike.

 

[delikado]

Originally posted by mamajoan
It really bugs me when complete strangers, coworkers or acquaintances tell me that because I am Catholic, I am NOT christian, nor am I "saved".

One of my boyfriend's friends (who's a devout Baptist) said that to me sometime ago, too, and I definitely thought it was a nasty thing to say! And to think all this time, I thought we all believed in the same "guy up there"!

To the OP, I'm so glad you decided to befriend this woman, regardless of her beliefs. I'm a Filipina myself, so I know how hard it can be to be all alone in a strange country.