Paul Osborne wrote:
Liz,
I’m flabbergasted that you were entirely forgetful of the teachings of Moroni in the Book of Mormon. Gazelam posted the teachings found therein that condemn those who baptize little children. They are indeed in the bonds of iniquity and will find themselves in hell if they don’t repent. The Catholic priesthood is an abomination before God. The Catholic church is a whore that has perverted the right ways of the Lord and those who court her are going after a whore. Teachings of the Catholic priesthood are evil!
There are however many righteous Catholics. These have been persuaded by the craftiness of men but even these will get their opportunity to deny this religion and embrace the truth whether in this life or the next.
I hope the Book of Mormon has set you straight. This wonderful book is the cornerstone of our religion. It makes no apologies to Babylon the Great but condemns her outright.
Paul O
I appreciate Gazelem finding the scripture for me. First of all, I think that you are purposely trying to spar an argument with me when there is really none to be made.
You conceded, my friend, that there are many righteous Catholics. This was
my point as well. Men are judged by God by their hearts, and their willingness to accept and live the gospel. It is certainly plausible to live gospel principles, even if someone has not had the opportunity to partake in the fullness of the gospel. And, as you yourself pointed out, they will be given that opportunity, if not this life than in the next.
As far as you being flabbergasted that I "forgot" the teachings of Moroni...I don't think there is any cause in talking down to me, or anyone else, who asks for a scriptural reference. I never doubted your word that the reference was there, but I don't have the Book of Mormon memorized, and I wanted to see the reference in its' full context.
It's interesting how we all interpret scriptures differently, even though we're reading the same words on the page. When I read the text in full context, I did not gain the sense that the Lord was condemning people to hell. He was teaching them a great truth which had been misunderstood....a beautiful truth...which is that children are perfect before God, and have no need to be baptised because they have not sinned.
I know a family who was very faithful to Catholicism growing up. They had a little baby girl who died in a car crash before her baptism ceremony. They were devastated, thinking that their baby would spend eternity in Hell. After hearing the plan of salvation, they later joined the Church, and rejoiced in knowing they would be with their little girl again.
Paul, the spirit of Christ is an uplifting spirit. Obviously, there are times when you need to call people to repentance, but let's be realistic. Those occasions are few and far between. They exist when someone is threatening
your personal salvation or the salvation of your family.
I don't really see either of those scenarios existing on either this message board or Kevin's. It's obvious that you have a strong testimony of the gospel, and that nothing anyone says is going to shake that.
If your goal is to sincerely reach people, then reach out to them in a faith promoting way. You're a returned missionary. You can't tell me that you don't know this works.