Active Users:637 Time:03/08/2025 02:50:00 PM
I'm satisfied by that explanation. Vivien Send a noteboard - 06/10/2011 08:51:15 PM


If we are baptized in this life, the ordinance is done. If we are not, it can be done for us by proxy.

This is one doctrine that has always seemed so logical to me, I never have quite understood the attention and debate it stirs. Christ came to save all men. What about all the people who have never even heard his name? There are still people today who do not know anything about Christ. They have not been baptized, but it's not because they rejected Christ. Are they just out of luck?

Instead, we believe that they can learn the gospel in the afterlife, and can accept it. We perform their baptism for them, and they can choose to accept it or not. But it means it is their choice, not something beyond their control because of circumstances.



I really like this part of your religion. Not that it would help me, but still. This is good.

But then- shouldn't this be an argument *against* missionaries? What if you fail to convince someone and that person rejects Christ in this life. It seems like you'd be able to be more convincing in the afterlife.


But a person must have a clear chance to accept it. There isn't any clear definition what that means, because it's different for every person. If the missionaries knock, and get a door slammed in their face, it likely doesn't mean the person's chance is up. They didn't know enough to reject it. So if the missionaries "fail to convince someone" like you said, it doesn't necessarily mean they're out of luck.

And though it does seem like it'd be impossible to not believe the gospel if you are actually in the afterlife, it will happen. Doesn't make much sense, but I don't think our mortal minds are that good at comprehending non-mortal existence.

And then, beside all that, living the gospel is the key to true joy. It's the difference of helping people find happiness now, as opposed to up to 100 years later on..



Those are really good answers. Both that telling someone now doesn't necessarily use up their chance, and that you want to tell them now because you want to and because you believe they will be happier and more fulfilled in this life as a result, regardless of the afterlife.



It might be a personal question, but why do you think this? I don't care what you've done. You're never too unworthy to pray to God. You can always be forgiven if you are sincere in asking. Please don't think you are beyond help.



Oh Gosh it's not about what I've done and my worth. It's almost funny, that's almost exactly backwards. I was christian for a fairly decent period of time and I made a choice to turn away from Christ, as you'd say it. Not a decision made lightly or suddenly.

My behavior didn't change, it's not like a story from a teen bible study group where the lapsed christian uses drugs and risky behavior to fill the void in his/her soul. Couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, I've never ever tried any recreational drugs. I have drank alcohol but not much and not very often. I almost never drank in high school and rarely in college and now I'm probably in the heyday of my drinking days but realistically I have alcohol an average of once a month.

Hahaha, I just googled what else mormons don't allow and guess what- I would have no problem with a coffee ban because I don't drink it anyway. I'm also not gay so I'd have no problem with not being gay. I have had premarital sex but I mean, I'm 25- if I hadn't at this point it would certainly be my new year's resolution to fix that. Oh! Also- I almost never curse and I don't like it when I'm around people that do. If I feel comfortable and I want to spend more time with someone who curses a lot I'll ask him or her to try to curse less. [And I dislike it for many reasons- for one thing people don't realize you're angry or upset unless you curse but that's a whole other topic]

Not that I think any of the above define a person's "worth"! I've only addressed those points because that's what came up with google. The point is, it's not about anything I've done that makes me unworthy or scared. The point is I simply don't believe. I just cannot be sincere in praying to God or asking for forgiveness/help. If it's real- if there is an all powerful God out there- I don't love him with any part of my heart.

Numerous edits because I tried to fix the quote thing and then I thought of the cursing thing.
This message last edited by Vivien on 06/10/2011 at 09:12:07 PM
Reply to message
Mormons - 03/10/2011 05:46:10 AM 2499 Views
Questions. - 03/10/2011 11:13:25 AM 1238 Views
Ooh! Ooh! - 03/10/2011 11:18:38 AM 1110 Views
I don't watch it. - 04/10/2011 01:34:53 AM 1118 Views
Re: Questions. - 03/10/2011 01:28:28 PM 1212 Views
Re: Questions. - 03/10/2011 01:31:13 PM 1049 Views
Why did I look up what Quorn is? I didn't need to know that. *NM* - 03/10/2011 02:04:20 PM 671 Views
Wyld Stallyns!! - 03/10/2011 03:26:54 PM 1026 Views
STATION! *NM* - 03/10/2011 11:00:35 PM 607 Views
Re: One of the best replies, ever, on the internet. *NM* - 06/10/2011 02:43:07 AM 660 Views
....did we just get door-to-door'd...ONLINE?!?! *NM* - 03/10/2011 11:34:19 AM 628 Views
Nope. - 04/10/2011 01:32:43 AM 1087 Views
there's no real point to it - 04/10/2011 02:37:24 AM 2111 Views
We could use an evil cackling smilie, we do have some other evil ones - 04/10/2011 02:49:12 AM 1046 Views
wasn't going to argue... *NM* - 04/10/2011 02:57:00 AM 611 Views
Do you ever giggle at the name "Moroni?" - 03/10/2011 11:39:55 AM 1158 Views
There are Mormon literalists? Seriously? *NM* - 03/10/2011 03:02:18 PM 614 Views
I know they don't have multiple wives anymore, so no misconception there - 03/10/2011 01:23:50 PM 1071 Views
There are Fundamentalist "Mormons" who do... - 03/10/2011 11:32:56 PM 994 Views
Don't get me wrong by the way, I've met wonderful Mormons - 04/10/2011 12:22:03 PM 1052 Views
Question: Why are you such a faggot? *NM* - 03/10/2011 02:23:45 PM 523 Views
Answer: because it's the only way he could return your burning love for him. - 03/10/2011 03:24:23 PM 745 Views
Oh dont be such a fuddy duddy. - 03/10/2011 10:42:06 PM 726 Views
Better a faggot than a fuckwad. Cheers fuckwad! *NM* - 04/10/2011 01:27:20 AM 642 Views
Well, I suppose you'ld be the one to know. *NM* - 04/10/2011 01:54:35 AM 572 Views
Really? You really just pulled a "takes one to know one"? *NM* - 04/10/2011 04:19:22 PM 676 Views
Re: You embarrass yourself. *NM* - 04/10/2011 01:56:02 AM 530 Views
I'll tell you whats embarresing... - 04/10/2011 02:08:02 AM 861 Views
That is hilarious. - 04/10/2011 03:10:50 AM 748 Views
Goodness.. - 04/10/2011 03:20:30 AM 679 Views
Re: - 04/10/2011 03:28:25 AM 714 Views
You know, my mother had a saying. - 04/10/2011 03:39:32 AM 753 Views
I think it's safe to say ... - 04/10/2011 04:09:17 AM 651 Views
I'm not sure which would be sadder... - 04/10/2011 11:32:55 AM 791 Views
*NM* - 04/10/2011 12:19:01 PM 611 Views
Re: You flatter me. *NM* - 04/10/2011 01:31:01 PM 639 Views
OK, you need to delete the "Re:" You're using it incorrectly - 04/10/2011 01:55:53 PM 669 Views
"Re" doesn't have to mean "reply", it can also mean "regarding". - 04/10/2011 02:01:31 PM 695 Views
Re: Re: - 04/10/2011 02:06:58 PM 697 Views
Re: Re: - 04/10/2011 02:12:57 PM 662 Views
Re: Also. - 04/10/2011 02:08:15 PM 707 Views
you are still using it incorrectly. *NM* - 04/10/2011 02:09:48 PM 655 Views
He's doing it on purpose though. - 04/10/2011 03:31:39 PM 782 Views
Re: Yeah, it's just a shtick... - 04/10/2011 03:47:17 PM 667 Views
Those were the good old days. - 04/10/2011 04:02:33 PM 683 Views
*NM* - 04/10/2011 10:02:30 PM 593 Views
I agree, it's driving me nuts *NM* - 04/10/2011 02:36:45 PM 579 Views
That's not quite right, actually. - 04/10/2011 03:25:54 PM 605 Views
Disagree. *NM* - 04/10/2011 10:04:09 PM 612 Views
Considering that "CaptainHammer" is LDS, I'd rather doubt he's gay. - 04/10/2011 02:32:56 AM 644 Views
Heh. Oh, Ryan. - 04/10/2011 04:36:43 PM 791 Views
*sigh* to all of you above.... - 04/10/2011 03:06:21 AM 687 Views
I thought that was "Do not talk about /b/"? *NM* - 04/10/2011 03:12:52 AM 678 Views
i don't know, but if THAT is the first rule... - 04/10/2011 03:41:20 AM 639 Views
Please explain why you think we should consider you Christians. - 03/10/2011 04:33:06 PM 1233 Views
you know, that does make me wonder though - 03/10/2011 04:58:21 PM 1124 Views
We're not as immovable as we are sometimes portrayed. - 03/10/2011 05:27:17 PM 1108 Views
"Even Christ didn't do that"? I can't agree. - 03/10/2011 09:00:34 PM 1090 Views
I conceded your last point. - 03/10/2011 10:14:28 PM 992 Views
Point of Anal Retentive Dissent: - 04/10/2011 03:54:00 PM 1011 Views
That concept is alien to the Christian theological understanding, however. - 03/10/2011 10:18:55 PM 1098 Views
I understand what both you and Danny are saying - 04/10/2011 12:19:57 AM 1045 Views
Oh, that's very simple - 04/10/2011 04:02:24 AM 1070 Views
I honestly don't know what it would take. - 04/10/2011 07:41:55 AM 1066 Views
thank you, both of you - 04/10/2011 01:46:05 PM 1050 Views
I love the Nicene Creed. It is such an excellent encapsulation. - 03/10/2011 06:07:53 PM 1142 Views
Agreed. - 04/10/2011 04:44:49 PM 1011 Views
The absolute best part about your post (plus the best thing about Mo's/LDS's) - 03/10/2011 09:02:17 PM 1088 Views
Glad you enjoyed it - 03/10/2011 10:10:39 PM 1174 Views
Though they can cause interesting changes in patterns. - 03/10/2011 10:16:55 PM 1132 Views
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all mankind, and the only way back to God. - 04/10/2011 01:29:30 AM 1159 Views
If you think the Book of Mormon was well-written, there is really little left to discuss. - 04/10/2011 03:57:08 AM 1333 Views
I never said well-written, I said complex. - 04/10/2011 07:04:24 AM 1213 Views
Ignore facts all you want to. - 05/10/2011 01:07:35 AM 1107 Views
Re: If you think the Book of Mormon was well-written, there is really little left to discuss. - 04/10/2011 07:24:27 AM 1303 Views
Woah nelly. - 04/10/2011 10:04:33 AM 1105 Views
I have to "Wow" as well... racist much? - 04/10/2011 01:52:48 PM 1034 Views
Re: I have to "Wow" as well... racist much? - 04/10/2011 04:42:47 PM 1141 Views
oh well that makes it all better... - 04/10/2011 04:54:14 PM 1144 Views
Exactly - 04/10/2011 06:00:54 PM 1061 Views
Was the twin banging and the gay wedding the same event? - 04/10/2011 06:36:03 PM 1129 Views
I guess this is a variation on Hams punishment; Ghav, at least should know better than to be shocked - 04/10/2011 04:13:59 PM 1018 Views
it's not that we're surprised because it's "novel" - 04/10/2011 04:19:16 PM 1054 Views
It is not NECESSARILY racist. - 04/10/2011 04:39:33 PM 1076 Views
Sure, except ... - 04/10/2011 04:50:53 PM 1107 Views
Yeah, circular logic is fun, isn't it? - 05/10/2011 01:09:25 AM 1025 Views
That sounds really nice. - 04/10/2011 06:38:29 PM 1065 Views
Why wait though? - 05/10/2011 12:12:21 AM 1236 Views
So that Vivien can avoid reading and thinking about the stuff that you just wrote. *NM* - 05/10/2011 12:28:23 AM 565 Views
Ack, not reading and thinking111 - 05/10/2011 12:36:11 AM 1050 Views
Yeah, that's what I thought. - 06/10/2011 05:43:57 PM 991 Views
I'm satisfied by that explanation. - 06/10/2011 08:51:15 PM 1235 Views
Re: I'm satisfied by that explanation. - 07/10/2011 07:45:29 PM 1068 Views
Oh no you idn't... *waves finger and weaves head* - 04/10/2011 03:53:07 AM 896 Views
....i don't know what you look like - 04/10/2011 03:54:56 AM 1030 Views
Took the words right out of my mouth, repeatedly. - 04/10/2011 12:49:13 PM 1230 Views
Off-Topic - 05/10/2011 01:14:16 AM 1007 Views
Hmm - 05/10/2011 02:03:13 AM 1189 Views
True - 05/10/2011 02:13:00 AM 980 Views
I think of Protestantism in terms similar to a Xerox copy. - 05/10/2011 04:57:42 AM 1092 Views
Maybe Xeroxes of abridged texts and dumbed down theology - 06/10/2011 02:26:58 AM 1200 Views
I like that analogy - an echo chamber! *NM* - 08/10/2011 10:44:04 PM 606 Views
Re: Off-Topic - 05/10/2011 02:56:50 AM 1236 Views
Uhh... - 05/10/2011 03:08:49 AM 1017 Views
The people at the Nicene Council and the other councils were not prophets. - 05/10/2011 04:59:50 AM 1137 Views
And you know that because... why, again? - 05/10/2011 07:13:53 AM 1070 Views
Tough Crowd. - 03/10/2011 04:44:31 PM 1178 Views
No questions. Have a nice day. - 03/10/2011 11:40:58 PM 1029 Views
Why don't they have anything approaching a formal theology? *NM* - 04/10/2011 03:58:16 AM 686 Views
Re: Why don't they have anything approaching a formal theology? - 04/10/2011 05:23:12 PM 1138 Views

Reply to Message