Posted by:
JoD3:360
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Date: January 18, 2011 05:45PM
http://www.mormontimes.com/article/1475/lifestyle/studies/research%20&%20discoveriesHolt also said that some Mormons fear interfaith dialogue because they think they will either be tainted by false ideas or be completely offensive when discussing differences, and that it's easier to be like everyone else.
"This is not the purpose of interfaith dialogue from an LDS perspective; we don't seek ecumenism, we seek interfaith relationships and dialogue, but we do not seek ecumenism, because the purpose of it is to bring the churches together," Holt said. "That's not an LDS teaching, and we must be honest about it."
And with that, Holt said, lies the dichotomy: While Mormons do have some sort of exclusivity when it comes to correctness of belief, they're also supposed to recognize the value of other churches. In fact, Mormon revelation says that adherents of other faiths will be found in different kingdoms in the afterlife, not because of their beliefs, but because of the honorableness of their lives. Mormons believe through the Prophet Joseph Smith that people of other faiths can attain different kingdoms of glory.
"For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is 'the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14: 6) and the Church is 'the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth" (D&C 1:30),' Holt said. "These truths and the validity of the Restoration are the basis of any starting point for interfaith dialogue. These can be seen to be arrogant claims to make, however, for Latter-day Saints to begin from another position would base the dialogue on dishonesty.