Also to Annex my comparasin of polar opposites:
The LDS Church does practice what we teach down to the very letter, in no way do we retract what we say or apologize for our views. we have never backed down or tried to change the way the church worked from the very beginning (You may try to throw poligamy at me here, but i assure you it was a legal practice when it happened, and as soon as it became illgeal it was abolished, See the 12th article of faith:
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law)
in the RCC they believe man can do as they wish as long as they confess to a local minister and say "Hail Marys." then the latin to english translation of what the priests say after a confession actually states they will still have all thier sins to be accountable for at the last day of judgement. (Wow) and believe that man is "saved by the cross"
In the LDS church we believe Repentance is done at a personal level between you and God. Only when you have comitted major acts (such as adultery) are you recommended to see the bishop as he can help you along the path of repentance. We believe in a total remission of sins through the atonement which transipred in the garden of Gethsemene. (before christ was crusified)
there are no politics in the church leadership (i.e. Apostles, first presidency, after one has passed on, the Prophet is not elected , the apostles all pray together and God appoints a new prophet and then of course the apostles unanimously accept.) I had the privledge of meeting Thomas S. Monson (1st Councelor of the Presidency of the church and possibly next in line for the presidency) at the San Diego Temple Dedication in the early 90's. He is a man just like you and me, is full of happiness and love, and he wears a nice suit from J.C. Penny's.
You will see alot of political game-playing when it comes to the RCC church's leadership. Vatican II ect... they change things, try to get rid of practices (i.e. Latin Spoken Masses) Add new practices. If you read an outline of the Books they have distributed to thier professional clergy, there is one that indicates to the pastors that they are to put the Church's interests first above all else. and also how to protect themsleves against the local laws to allow them to do whatever they want.
As opposed to Doctrine given to EVERY MAN in the LDS church - 1st priority is thier eternal companion (Wife), thier families (children, parents). The church's interest fall way down below all others on the list.
RCC - 1st priority is the church
LDS - 1st priority is the family
RCC - As you advance in ministry you are then allowed to see and read certain writings they keep secret and away from public eye.
LDS - Everything is given to every member and non-member of the church, for free as a gift to allow you the same privledge to understand and know the truth just as well as even the prophets.
RCC - Prays to God, Christ, Holy Spirit, saints (too many to name here), and the mother mary.
LDS - Only prays to God, in the name of Jesus Christ
I could go on and on all day about RCC v. LDS and how they are polar opposites.
people say that the LDS church believes in some "Funky Stuff" but we have actual scripture backing everything that we do/say/believe.
"oral Apostolic traditions" which are not written down or shared with anyone except the "initiated" is what the RCC is based off of
THIS IS NOT OFFICIAL FROM THE LDS CHURCH IN ANY WAY JUST MY OWN OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE MATTER AND IN NO WAY MEANT TO OFFEND ANYONE.
