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
		
	
	
	
	
			Mormons
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 05:46:10 AM
	        2560 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
			Questions.
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 11:13:25 AM
	        1301 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			Re: Questions.
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 01:28:28 PM
	        1265 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			I don't understand why they would be called drinks, if they were not meant to be drunk.
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 03:28:48 PM
	        1183 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
			Why did I look up what Quorn is?  I didn't need to know that. *NM*
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 02:04:20 PM
	        701 Views
	        
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
			....did we just get door-to-door'd...ONLINE?!?! *NM*
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 11:34:19 AM
	        656 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			Nope.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 01:32:43 AM
	        1134 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			there's no real point to it  - 04/10/2011 02:37:24 AM
	        2159 Views
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:37:24 AM
	        2159 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	     - 04/10/2011 02:37:24 AM
	        2159 Views
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:37:24 AM
	        2159 Views
	        
	
		
	    
			We could use an evil cackling smilie, we do have some other evil ones  
 



 - 04/10/2011 02:49:12 AM
	        1099 Views
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:49:12 AM
	        1099 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	     
 



 - 04/10/2011 02:49:12 AM
	        1099 Views
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:49:12 AM
	        1099 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Do you ever giggle at the name "Moroni?"
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 11:39:55 AM
	        1211 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			There are Mormon literalists? Seriously? *NM*
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 03:02:18 PM
	        643 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			In fairness, I wonder the same about Christian literalists.  *NM*
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 07:57:19 PM
	        713 Views
 *NM*
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 07:57:19 PM
	        713 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	     *NM*
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 07:57:19 PM
	        713 Views
 *NM*
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 07:57:19 PM
	        713 Views
	        
	
		
	    
			Yeah, but if you're gonna believe absurdities...
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 09:02:32 PM
	        1197 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Are you trying to suggest that "Reformed" or some other brand of scientology is plausible?  - 04/10/2011 04:28:40 PM
	        1152 Views
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 04:28:40 PM
	        1152 Views
	        
	    
	
	     - 04/10/2011 04:28:40 PM
	        1152 Views
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 04:28:40 PM
	        1152 Views
	        
	    
			Actually, no. It'd be like laughing at... Hosea. Or Nemeiah. It's just an old name.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 12:30:57 AM
	        1111 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
			I know they don't have multiple wives anymore, so no misconception there
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 01:23:50 PM
	        1133 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
		
	    
			Question: Why are you such a faggot? *NM*
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 02:23:45 PM
	        549 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			Answer: because it's the only way he could return your burning love for him.
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 03:24:23 PM
	        779 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
		
	    
			Better a faggot than a fuckwad. Cheers fuckwad!  *NM*
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 01:27:20 AM
	        662 Views
 *NM*
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 01:27:20 AM
	        662 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
		
	     *NM*
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 01:27:20 AM
	        662 Views
 *NM*
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 01:27:20 AM
	        662 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Re: You embarrass yourself. *NM*
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 01:56:02 AM
	        554 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			I'll tell you whats embarresing...
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:08:02 AM
	        885 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			That is hilarious.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:10:50 AM
	        775 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Goodness..
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:20:30 AM
	        702 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Re:
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:28:25 AM
	        742 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			OK, you need to delete the "Re:"  You're using it incorrectly
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 01:55:53 PM
	        695 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Re: Also.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:08:15 PM
	        734 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
			you are still using it incorrectly. *NM*
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:09:48 PM
	        675 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
			He's doing it on purpose though.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:31:39 PM
	        803 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			Considering that "CaptainHammer" is LDS, I'd rather doubt he's gay.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:32:56 AM
	        666 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			Re: Considering that "CaptainHammer" is LDS, I'd rather doubt he's gay.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 02:37:41 AM
	        701 Views
	        
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
			*sigh* to all of you above....
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:06:21 AM
	        712 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			Please explain why you think we should consider you Christians.
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 04:33:06 PM
	        1293 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			you know, that does make me wonder though
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 04:58:21 PM
	        1188 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			We're not as immovable as we are sometimes portrayed.
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 05:27:17 PM
	        1154 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
		
	    
			That concept is alien to the Christian theological understanding, however.
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 10:18:55 PM
	        1162 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			I understand what both you and Danny are saying
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 12:19:57 AM
	        1098 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			The absolute best part about your post (plus the best thing about Mo's/LDS's)
	    
	         - 03/10/2011 09:02:17 PM
	        1142 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
	        1231 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
	        1397 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
	        1376 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Woah nelly.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 10:04:33 AM
	        1160 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			I have to "Wow" as well... racist much?
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 01:52:48 PM
	        1085 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			Re: I have to "Wow" as well... racist much?
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 04:42:47 PM
	        1188 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			oh well that makes it all better...
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 04:54:14 PM
	        1194 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			Yikes. Even for religion, that's more than a little crazy.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:47:56 PM
	        1175 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			I don't think there's much of a difference in crazy as opposed to other more mainstream religions.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 07:08:06 PM
	        1141 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			A difference exists if only in continued unabashed affirmation of a rather distasteful doctrine.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 11:06:51 PM
	        1139 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Then why can't women be priests? Or enter the altar? The curse on Eve is very much in place. *NM*
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 12:27:04 AM
	        610 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
		
	    
			Right now I am not making an absolute statement but a relative one.
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 08:37:50 PM
	        927 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			Oh, you didn't know?  Joe Smith said black people are cursed for following Satan.
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 01:10:35 AM
	        1124 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
	        1070 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
	    
			it's not that we're surprised because it's "novel"
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 04:19:16 PM
	        1112 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			It is not NECESSARILY racist.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 04:39:33 PM
	        1157 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Sure, except ...
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 04:50:53 PM
	        1167 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Well, the funny thing is Christian doctrine presupposes everyone, along with their ancestors...
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 06:31:13 PM
	        1063 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
			It it is nigh impossible to be a "non-Nicene Christian."
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:12:06 PM
	        1179 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			I think we've had this discussion before.
	    
	         - 06/10/2011 05:54:39 PM
	        1170 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Arianism is a bad comparison for arguing LDS=Christian.  - 06/10/2011 11:45:36 PM
	        1070 Views
	    
	         - 06/10/2011 11:45:36 PM
	        1070 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	     - 06/10/2011 11:45:36 PM
	        1070 Views
	    
	         - 06/10/2011 11:45:36 PM
	        1070 Views
	        
	
		
	    
			Wikipedia confirms what I already thought: you're off base with the monophysitism.
	    
	         - 07/10/2011 12:06:40 AM
	        1400 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			I had not realized it was that late, but used it only as an example of multitudinous controversies.
	    
	         - 07/10/2011 01:03:56 AM
	        1510 Views
	        
	    
	
		
	    
			Monophysites, miaphysites, monothelites, etc. certainly accept the consubstantiality of God/Christ
	    
	         - 07/10/2011 11:58:05 AM
	        1103 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			Virtually everyone has a more sound Christology than Mormons.
	    
	         - 07/10/2011 06:45:45 PM
	        1132 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			Your ideas intrigue me and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
	    
	         - 08/10/2011 05:30:38 PM
	        1151 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
			I can see that with the Monothelites (can see their appeal, in fact,) but not Monophysites.
	    
	         - 07/10/2011 09:43:27 PM
	        1062 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
			Tempting as it is to prove Joel wrong (since he so frequently is), I need to take issue with this.
	    
	         - 07/10/2011 06:59:13 PM
	        1141 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
			I was just saying there were competing views.
	    
	         - 07/10/2011 07:49:26 PM
	        1530 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Oh, there were definitely competing views, just not competing Christian views.
	    
	         - 07/10/2011 09:26:22 PM
	        1037 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
			That sounds really nice.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 06:38:29 PM
	        1138 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Why wait though?
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 12:12:21 AM
	        1292 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			So that Vivien can avoid reading and thinking about the stuff that you just wrote. *NM*
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 12:28:23 AM
	        591 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			I really want an answer from a mormon.
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 08:48:49 PM
	        1139 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			Good luck with that; just because I can see no explanation save that I offered does not preclude one
	    
	         - 06/10/2011 07:03:50 AM
	        1033 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
			Yeah, that's what I thought.
	    
	         - 06/10/2011 05:43:57 PM
	        1060 Views
	        
	
		
		
	
	    		
			I'm satisfied by that explanation.
		
	         - 06/10/2011 08:51:15 PM
	        1300 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			Oh no you idn't... *waves finger and weaves head*
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:53:07 AM
	        947 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			....i don't know what you look like
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 03:54:56 AM
	        1077 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Shoot, my Mick Jagger strut is way better than my angry hispanic girl head/finger bob and weave.  *NM*
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 04:58:53 AM
	        715 Views
 *NM*
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 04:58:53 AM
	        715 Views
	        
	    
	
	     *NM*
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 04:58:53 AM
	        715 Views
 *NM*
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 04:58:53 AM
	        715 Views
	        
	    
			Off-Topic
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 01:14:16 AM
	        1057 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Hmm
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 02:03:13 AM
	        1255 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
		
	    
			True
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 02:13:00 AM
	        1058 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			I think of Protestantism in terms similar to a Xerox copy.
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 04:57:42 AM
	        1153 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			Re: Off-Topic
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 02:56:50 AM
	        1284 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			Uhh...
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 03:08:49 AM
	        1057 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
			The people at the Nicene Council and the other councils were not prophets.
	    
	         - 05/10/2011 04:59:50 AM
	        1188 Views
	        
	
		
	    
	
	    
	
	    
			Danny is right, it is a pretty tough crowd, but better tough than weak and whitewashed.
	    
	         - 04/10/2011 04:02:16 AM
	        1117 Views
	        
	    
	
	    
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
