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We need Jesus because God himself is unknowable and unreachable. I believe he sent Jesus as a way for us to know him.

MapleLeaf wrote:

“As I am God, I am the only way to get to God…” If you want to get to know me, go directly to me. Don’t go to Steve to get to know me… Steve’s a nice guy, but you might as well go to the source. That’s why it makes sense to me for Jesus to say that no one gets to God except through him. No one knows me until they get to know me…

Image God as being the sun in the sky. We can never really get to know the sun in a personal way because it is too hot and too powerful to get close to. Jesus is like a mirror. A mirror on the Earth, reflecting the sun in the sky. This explains why he often referred to Himself as God. He was a perfect reflection of that sun, and through getting close to him we are able to better know God. It is the only way really.

I happen to believe that there were others sent to this Earth to also mirror God, in times and places where God was needed. Each serving a different purpose depending on what the people of that day needed most to progress, but ultimately serving the purpose of bringing the people closer to God. This, to me, explains why we have so many different, but wonderful faiths throughout the world.

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MapleLeaf wrote:

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24:26-27)

I didn’t realize that the Bible says “lightning” I have always heard the JS translation of Matthew. “For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole earth, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” When I read the JS version I think of his arriving in the East, and just as the sun rises, his influence will eventually reach the West and fill the whole Earth with his warmth. Whereas lightning is a quick flash that can be seen by all. Hmmmmm.

MapleLeaf wrote:

Jesus made it very clear that his second coming would be obvious and known to all:

I’m not so sure that Jesus did make it that clear that his return would be obvious to everyone. It kind of depends on what you read, how you interpret it, and who you listen to. At any rate, it is interesting to ponder.

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I am a huge believer in miracles, large and small, and have been a witness to many. I will share a recent one with you all…

A year ago a very close friend went to a hospital with severe chest pains. He was referred to a specialist who after a full day of running numerous tests (Including some state of the art fancy machine that took a good look inside his heart) had determined that our friend needed emergency surgery in order to save his life. It was scheduled for the following morning. That evening he asked us to come visit and for my husband to give him a blessing. In that blessing my husband told him that he still had a lot he would accomplish in this life and his heart would no longer be a hindrance. The next morning when he went in for surgery, to the doctors surprise they found a perfect healthy heart inside. It has given him no problems since.

If you really want to learn about modern day miracles than you need to study the life of a man named Iohani Wolfgramm. (1911-1997) An amazing man with such great faith that he has performed many miracles including several cases of raising the dead. -no kidding!

I first heard about this man from a friend who use to live next door to him when he was a boy. He would hang out with him in his garage and listen to his incredible stories of his life. His accounts peaked my curiosity. I found this article about him raising his daughter from the dead in the June 2001 Ensign in an article by Dallin H Oaks titled Miracles.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=0371759235d0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

I then discovered that his daughter had written a book about his life. (The same daughter who had been raised from the dead as a child) I was able to get in touch with this beautiful lady (Tisina Wolfgramm Gerber) and she invited my husband and I to her home. She was very poor and her her home very humble, but I have never felt such great love and hospitality from anyone in my life as I did that evening. We spent three hours with her as she shared stories of her family. It was an incredible evening.

Here is a link to a copy of this book that is stored online in Family History Archives.

Chapter 8 is titled: Healings, Visions, Prophecies. You will be blown away by the faith of this man!

http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/FH27&CISOPTR=31717

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Heber13 wrote:

So what would their stance be on the Book of Mormon? Did it come from God?

Do they have a leader for their religion that speaks for God?

(interesting stuff).

They view the B.O.M as not historical, but perhaps an inspired parable. The faith was founded by two consecutive men (The Bab and Baha’u’llah) whom they view as prophets/manifestations of God. Currently they are overseen by a Universal House of Justice. Nine elected men who they believe are directed and inspired by God. On State and local levels they have Spiritual Assemblies. Nine elected men and women who meet together to address they needs of the community. They have no clergy, and no Sunday services (however they put together lots of firesides and devotionals you can attend, as well as youth and child groups) They meet together every 19 days for a feast/gathering. They do not have a living prophet, which is probably the greatest thing about our church (also something I have questioned)

On a side note it is fun for me to share a bit of my Baha’i knowledge with fellow Mormons without being told that I am being deceived by Satan!

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hawkgrrrl wrote:

The Ba’hai have many admirable traits. Perhaps you can share some of the things that draw you to them. They have a deep respect for all living things and are drawn to positive energy. And Rainn Wilson is one of them. Obviously, a cool group.

Aside from the incredible people I have met, I absolutely love their basic teachings. (Which are the same as they were 150 years ago when they were first taught) Here are the basics…

-All humanity is one family.

-Women and men are equal.

-All prejudice-racial, religious, national, or economic is destructive and must be overcome

-We must investigate truth for ourselves, without preconceptions

-Science and religion are in harmony

-Our economic problems are linked to spiritual problems

-The family and its unity are very important

-There is one God

-All major religions come from God

-World peace is the crying need of our time

Their belief in “progressive revelation” makes a lot of sense to me as I have always believed that the worlds great religions were inspired by God, regardless of what man has done over the years to muck them up. The also follow what is similar to our Word of Wisdom, practice abstinence until marriage, and strongly believe in service. They even recommend a year spent in service (not proselyting) after graduating highschool. -awesome!

Moderators… if it is inappropriate for me to be talking up other faiths on this site please let me know.

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Old-Timer wrote:

(As an admin here, I changed the title from “Stalker” to “Lurker” – mostly just to avoid weird internet searches linking to it.)

Ha! Thanks.. Lurker is probably a better word. Or perhaps a StayLDS loiterer.

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