Hope I don't offend anyone.
Welcome to Mormon.org chat.
A missionary will be with you shortly.
Me: Hmmm...
Please continue to hold for the next available missionary.
Me: *holding*
Agent [Jenae] is ready to assist you.
Me: Hello.
Jenae: Hello, sorry for the wait! how are you?
Me: I'm decent, happy holidays.
Me: I'm interested in mormonism, I have several questions.
Agent [Danielle] has joined the chat.
Me: Hello Danielle.
Me: I understand that in many cultures, mormonism is looked down upon as foolish due to certain beliefs, these of which I do not understand.
Danielle: Hello Zack.
Me: One of these is, magical underwear I believe.
Me: Could you clarify?
Danielle: Well I don't know about the magical underwear, where do you hear this from?
Me: Several places, videos, blogs, etc.
Me: Let's move on to the next question.
Me: I've heard several jokes involving mormons and magnets.
Me: I obviously have no idea why mormons and magnets are related in this way, explain?
Jenae: Well, they actually aren't related at all. Have you ever heard of trolling? Magnets is one of the many trolling techniques (or time-wasting techniques)
Me: Ahh, that explains it.
Me: Onto my next question.
Me: "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 345)
Me: So the god you worship, wasn't always god?
Jenae: Good question, and this webpage explains more about the nature of God and our potential to become like Him.
Me: So each of you is striving to become like a god?
Me: Wouldn't you think your god might get mad about that? A bunch of wannabies out there trying to take his spot?
Danielle: Exactly! He is our Heavenly Father and wants us to become as He is. This is His plan for us.
Danielle: To enjoy all He does!
Me: In christianity, didn't Satan do that, in which he was cast into hell?
Me: And became the great evil in the world.
Danielle: Satan wanted all the Glory for himself
Me: So you want to share the glory with your god.
Me: What glory is to be shared with a supreme being?
Danielle: We glorify our God, we acknowldge Him in all our success
Me: Can a supreme being have any emotion, or feeling of glory?
Me: That's just giving him credit.
Me: But if your god cannot have a feeling or sensation of fufillment from your actions as a mormon then the whole thing is for null.
Me: Which brings another question.
Me: How can your god show that it's being pleased by your actions?
Jenae: Zack, 'our god' is also your God, and He has given us commandments tied to specific blessings when we choose to obey. That is merely one of many ways you can see God is pleased
Me: I'm atheist first of all.
Me: Secondly, in what form does he give you these "specific blessings"?
Me: Do you refer to them as, Miracles?
Danielle: We are blessed to see miracles daily!
Me: I'll take that as a yes.
Me: Then wouldn't you be taking advantage of mormonism for the soul purpous of aquiring such miracles?
Danielle: We know that miracles come to not just mormons but all of God's children! Zack what are some things that you are Thankful for in your life!
Danielle: ?
Me: Yes, but if they do, you're taking advantage of religion in general to recieve these miraculous benefits.
Danielle: God wants us to take advantage of the blessing He has waiting for us! We just have to ask.
Danielle: Just like any good parent wants all the best things for their children so too does God!
Me: Do you have any text from your holy books saying this? "God wants us to take advantage of the blessing he has waiting for us"
Danielle: Would you want the best for someone you loved dearly?
Danielle: Have you heard of the Bible and the Book of Mormon?
Me: You're personifying this god as a mother looking after an infant helping it grow and develop.
Me: I've heard of it.
Me: What is the goal of a mormon?
Danielle: Well Zack may I ask you what your goal is in life?
Me: It's a quest of knowledge.
Me: And it's very fufilling.
Jenae: That is our goal as well--progression, specifically through gaining knowledge, both of the things in the world around us, as well as of spiritual and everlasting truths. It is the most fulfilling thing in the world when the two are put together
Me: Mixing knowledge with spirituality doesn't work.
Me: That's like mixing Physics with a video game.
Me: It's fun, and you can play it for a very long time, but it's not realy.
Me: Real*
Jenae: No, it's actually the only way that everything can make sense. Science does not, and will not have all of the answers until we recognize that God is the ultimate scientist, and through Him we have the ability to eternally progress. My spiritual knowledge is more important to me than my college education, because it is what puts purpose and meaning behind gaining this knowledge, and a drive and direction in which I can use it to better the world around me
Me: You're using your "spiritual knowledge" as a meaning for life, yet you claim that science does not make sense, I believe you are not properly educated in the fields of science.
Me: Most people are religous or spiritual because they don't have a meaning for life, or just because that's what their parents taught them to believe in.
Me: In all reality, this early on education is a life-long block of scientifical knowledge because science and spirituallity conflict.
Me: And you choose spirituality over science because it makes more sense to you because it gives a straightforward meaning or goal, of life.
Jenae: No, science does in many ways make sense, and it is incredible the advancements that have been made throughout the years. But I would have you know that I Know God exists, and I have learned, studied, pondered and prayed to HIm to know if He truly has a plan for us, and I know that He does, and that plan will brings the greatest lasting joy. Zack, we are not here to argue or prove you wrong, our purpose is to teach those who desire to know more about God and His plan. So if you would like to learn more then we would love to have missionaries in your own area come and teach you, otherwise we are afraid we cannot help you
Me: Nice chatting with you Jenae.
