Comments on: The Purpose of the Church http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/ A weekly podcast exploring Mormon culture and current events. Mon, 21 May 2012 20:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ray http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9017 Ray Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:56:48 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9017 Let me say it a bit differently. Even with prophets and apostles, we are no different than any other Christian religion out there without the ordinances of the temple. The Book of Mormon is the "keystone", imo, because it leads to the gift of the Holy Ghost - which leads to the ability to read the Bible and understand that our view of eternity is Biblical. It is that view of eternity that truly makes us unique. Even according to our own theology, "good" Mormons who choose to refrain from the effects of dedication to the covenants of temple ordinances will be saved in the exact same way and kingdom and immortal condition as any other person who ultimately does the same. Iow, the only thing that makes Mormons different than anyone else in the end are the sealing ordinances of the temple - and those ordinances are not restricted to "Mormons". The real purpose of the Church, imho, is to provide both the theology and practice that abolish all of the artificial classifications we naturally impose on each other and prove God's love for all His children. Too bad we misunderstand and butcher that purpose so often and in so many ways. Let me say it a bit differently. Even with prophets and apostles, we are no different than any other Christian religion out there without the ordinances of the temple. The Book of Mormon is the “keystone”, imo, because it leads to the gift of the Holy Ghost – which leads to the ability to read the Bible and understand that our view of eternity is Biblical. It is that view of eternity that truly makes us unique. Even according to our own theology, “good” Mormons who choose to refrain from the effects of dedication to the covenants of temple ordinances will be saved in the exact same way and kingdom and immortal condition as any other person who ultimately does the same.

Iow, the only thing that makes Mormons different than anyone else in the end are the sealing ordinances of the temple – and those ordinances are not restricted to “Mormons”. The real purpose of the Church, imho, is to provide both the theology and practice that abolish all of the artificial classifications we naturally impose on each other and prove God’s love for all His children. Too bad we misunderstand and butcher that purpose so often and in so many ways.

]]> By: mormonmagmeister http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9015 mormonmagmeister Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:30:20 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9015 Basically it all comes down to the principle the Lord summarized with the words "mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion" (D&C 132:8). The Church is the embodiment of this order on the earth. Of course, we should never underestimate the importance of the ordinances administered through the priesthood, and you rightly place this at the top of your list of the Church's roles in our lives. One of the purposes of various priesthood officers, like that of the functionaries in a strong central government, is to "regulate all of the affairs" of the Church (see D&C 107:33–34). Part of this regulation includes teachings and practices in church meetings and in the home. Basically it all comes down to the principle the Lord summarized with the words “mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion” (D&C 132:8). The Church is the embodiment of this order on the earth. Of course, we should never underestimate the importance of the ordinances administered through the priesthood, and you rightly place this at the top of your list of the Church’s roles in our lives. One of the purposes of various priesthood officers, like that of the functionaries in a strong central government, is to “regulate all of the affairs” of the Church (see D&C 107:33–34). Part of this regulation includes teachings and practices in church meetings and in the home.

]]> By: Ray http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9011 Ray Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:49:50 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9011 Since any religious organization can and should meet #2-#4, the only unique aspect of "the Church" is tied up in #1, imho - with one slight twist. The keys of the Priesthood that distinguish our modern iteration of administration all point uniquely to one thing - and perhaps one thing only: reinstating the understanding and ordinances of exaltation - or, iow, opening the gate to the Celestial Kingdom once more. Why is this necessary at an organizational (church) level, since theoretically God easily could exalt without any formal church structure? I have my own ideas, but I'd really like to hear what others think. Since any religious organization can and should meet #2-#4, the only unique aspect of “the Church” is tied up in #1, imho – with one slight twist. The keys of the Priesthood that distinguish our modern iteration of administration all point uniquely to one thing – and perhaps one thing only: reinstating the understanding and ordinances of exaltation – or, iow, opening the gate to the Celestial Kingdom once more.

Why is this necessary at an organizational (church) level, since theoretically God easily could exalt without any formal church structure? I have my own ideas, but I’d really like to hear what others think.

]]> By: Ray http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9008 Ray Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:36:33 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9008 #3 - That might work in much of Utah. #3 – That might work in much of Utah.

]]> By: Jeff Spector http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9004 Jeff Spector Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:25:52 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9004 Well, John, it is the last weekend of the month, so you'd be right on time! Well, John, it is the last weekend of the month, so you’d be right on time!

]]> By: John Nilsson http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9003 John Nilsson Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:19:56 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9003 now I feel like I should just grab the first person I see on the street and home teach them! now I feel like I should just grab the first person I see on the street and home teach them!

]]> By: Michelle Glauser http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9002 Michelle Glauser Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:17:10 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-9002 A couple of responses: I think some of those quotations mixed up "church" and "gospel." Secondly, I have to say that I have sometimes wondered what would happen if I still lived all the commandments but if I holed up in a cabin somewhere and became a hermit. :) I like what a neighbor said to me about attending Relief Society activities that I didn't think were necessary for me to attend. She told me that she had also thought it wasn't worth it to go, but then she thought, "Who can I help by going?" So now she always goes. Same thing with visiting teaching and everything else. We can let people serve us and we can serve. A couple of responses: I think some of those quotations mixed up “church” and “gospel.” Secondly, I have to say that I have sometimes wondered what would happen if I still lived all the commandments but if I holed up in a cabin somewhere and became a hermit. :) I like what a neighbor said to me about attending Relief Society activities that I didn’t think were necessary for me to attend. She told me that she had also thought it wasn’t worth it to go, but then she thought, “Who can I help by going?” So now she always goes. Same thing with visiting teaching and everything else. We can let people serve us and we can serve.

]]> By: Jared http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-8998 Jared Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:25:03 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/2008/03/29/the-purpose-of-the-church/#comment-8998 Great post Jeff I've been thinking a great deal about the gift of the Holy Ghost which comes to us because of the ordinances you referred too. I just wrote about those things I have experienced relating to this wondrous gift. Great post Jeff

I’ve been thinking a great deal about the gift of the Holy Ghost which comes to us because of the ordinances you referred too. I just wrote about those things I have experienced relating to this wondrous gift.

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