Numbers don't support LDS Church's one true church claim

[UtahDan]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we believe that all of God's children will be able to enjoy the blessings of the gospel? If the gospel is the good news of Christ's atonement and resurrection then everyone who is born into this world will benefit from it. I think in our zealousness to distinguish ourselves as "particular" and "chosen" we forget the universalist aspects of salvation that are essential to our world view. Yet another manifestation of the tension between the exclusive and inclusive nature Solon referenced.

One possible synthesis is that it is important that people know right from wrong and by what criteria they will be judged but relatively unimportant that they know the particular mechanism of their salvation. This would explain why the vast majority of religions teach the same thing regarding what one should do to live a "good life" and accordingly these ideas are found in all societies; yet a very insignificant number of people know about the gospel. Of course, this would not account for the emphasis placed on missionary work.

Not saying I think all that is true. But I agree with you completely that we are, perhaps naturally, far more focused on what makes us different than what makes us like everyone else.

[Moliere]

But I agree with you completely that we are, perhaps naturally, far more focused on what makes us different than what makes us like everyone else.

It seemed one of GBH's quests in life to help members and nonmembers understand that there is a lot that is shared in common between us and other Christian religions.

It's also tough to do missionary work when you meet someone and they think your church has nothing more to offer them because you spend all the time talking about similarities.

It's a tough balance between focusing on similarities and differences.

[pellegrino]

It seemed one of GBH's quests in life to help members and nonmembers understand that there is a lot that is shared in common between us and other Christian religions.

It's also tough to do missionary work when you meet someone and they think your church has nothing more to offer them because you spend all the time talking about similarities.

It's a tough balance between focusing on similarities and differences.

I've wondered if in the end the differences really matter. I wonder if missionary work isn't more for those who do it than for those who accept it.

[wuapinmon]

how much time has to pass before that name itself becomes an indictment?

As soon as we quit believing Paul that he's coming back 'right soon.'

[Levin]

God seems to have followed a pattern.

1. He selects some obscure galaxy in a random corner of the Universe.

2. In that galaxy, he selects a rather puny and nondescript solar system.

3. In that solar system, he selects the planet third from the left.

4. And that is where he chooses to send His Son to obtain a body, suffer, die, and to rise again.

5. On that Earth, he selects an obscure, nomadic family in a rocky desert as his chosen people, and the lineage into which His Son would be born.

6. His Son would be a carpenter.

7. And his prophet a poor farmer's son, living in upstate New York, with nothing to recommend himself.

8. And today, his people are a peculiar and relatively small band (SU's point). Converts are generally the displaced and poor.

Not sure the purpose behind God's pattern. But it appeals to me.

[All-American]

God seems to have followed a pattern.

1. He selects some obscure galaxy in a random corner of the Universe.

2. In that galaxy, he selects a rather puny and nondescript solar system.

3. In that solar system, he selects the planet third from the left.

4. And that is where he chooses to send His Son to obtain a body, suffer, die, and to rise again.

5. On that Earth, he selects an obscure, nomadic family in a rocky desert as his chosen people, and the lineage into which His Son would be born.

6. His Son would be a carpenter.

7. And his prophet a poor farmer's son, living in upstate New York, with nothing to recommend himself.

8. And today, his people are a peculiar and relatively small band (SU's point). Converts are generally the displaced and poor.

Not sure the purpose behind God's pattern. But it appeals to me.

Objection as to point six. Turns out that the word in Mark 6:3 translated as "carpenter" (tekton) doesn't necessarily mean "carpenter," though it can. It generally means "craftsman," or "builder." A tekton can work with wood, but also stone.

Yeah, that changes everything, doesn't it.

Too bad Mormon theology doesn't have any way of accounting for all these people who never get to hear the gospel in this life. It would be a neat way to resolve this apparent dilemma.

[Levin]

9. God took a a nondescript middle class family from Jerusalem in 600 BC and commanded them to leave.

[Viking]

9. God took a a nondescript middle class family from Jerusalem in 600 BC and commanded them to leave.

...and mysteriously, their progeny turn out to have non-linked DNA to the region of origin...

and the restorer of the truth commits bank fraud, adultery, among others...

[UtahDan]

Not sure the purpose behind God's pattern. But it appeals to me.

Of course. It makes you feel like you are part of a very small club, at least as you formulated it there.

[Viking]

...and mysteriously, their progeny turn out to have non-linked DNA to the region of origin...

and the restorer of the truth commits bank fraud, adultery, among others...

This came off way too pissy...My point is that it is the JS situation is odd and without any sort of feeling, faith, experience and on the basis of historical evidence, JS is a fraud.

Is he? I don't know. I rather like to believe that he saw what he saw but was, like most of us, enormously flawed and abused his power.