Next on my mental list of churches to visit sits a contentious consideration. I refer to Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS for short).
I read that most Mormons consider themselves Christians, whereas most non-Mormon Christians don’t, viewing them as a sect or even a cult. Vitriol emerges.
I suspect this non-Christian label, however, comes mostly from a lack of good information. The Mormons Candy and I know exemplify Christian talk, behavior, and beliefs—more so than a lot of the other Christians we know.
Most people I’ve talked with about the subject hold strong views on the topic. Yet their opinions are seldom based on firsthand experience.
Instead, they form their assessment using secondhand information and citing the views of others, which may spring from questionable motives.
Mormons hold to some beliefs that non-Mormons have difficulty accepting or comprehending. Yet, I suspect, the same holds true for every Christian church in existence.
At our various churches we all do things that seem normal to us as insiders and questionable to those on the outside looking in.
The closest LDS church is a fifteen-minute drive away, making it the most accessible of any of these final four churches under consideration.
Still, I remain undecided if we should visit or not. As such, visiting a Mormon church remains an academic consideration and nothing more.
[See the discussion questions for Church 73, read about Church 74, or start at the beginning of our journey.]
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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