and SFC understand it is important to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. However, how to keep the Sabbath holy is interpreted differently. Many Latter-day Saints avoid frivolous, loud and raucous entertainment on the Sabbath, so they can to maintain a spirit of reverence. Spirit-filled Christians may view both going to church and vibrant family activities as the best way to honor the Sabbath. They feel wholesome family recreation can involve many different types of activities. Teaching on rules pertaining to how to keep the Sabbath holy would ignite the distressing question, “Where’s Jesus in this picture?”
Both LDS and SFC teach it is important to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to discern honorable ways to celebrate God’s Sabbath. Both cultures understand the idea of working to encourage all of God’s children to be able to come to Christ. LDS have found guidelines that help them feel they are honoring the Sabbath, and therefore honoring Jesus Christ. And most Spirit-filled Christians have personal interpretations regarding what is proper for the Sabbath. How personal choices affect others’ abilities to attend church may not be as well thought out for Spirit-filled Christians. For example, SFC may eat out at a restaurant as a wholesome family activity, whereas LDS believe their Sunday meal is denying the cook and waiter the opportunity to go to church.
Spirit-filled Christians view teaching any types of rules regarding Sabbath behavior as taking Christ’s love out of the Gospel, and inserting laws (a yoke of bondage) instead. SFC are regularly taught that it is crucial to keep traditions and philosophies of man separate from the pure Gospel of Christ. For the LDS, these rules encourage them in ways to best to put Christ’s teachings into practice.
When speaking with SFC, the LDS should remind the SFC that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that following the promptings and inspiration of the Holy Spirit is of utmost importance. Apostles and prophets give teachings that bless and help guide all people of the world, but it is the responsibility of each person to individually receive confirmation from the Holy Spirit. Often, this has not been communicated clearly to SFC.
Another interesting cultural mindset/philosophy is viewed very differently between LDS and SFC cultures. It relates to the types of examples listed above, as well as any teachings or actions done by the group (the Church) as a whole. If a leader speaks something that is not true for the entire world (and who doesn’t? We’re all human!), the SFC mindset is that the leader needs to publicly acknowledge the error and change what was said, or that leader is not following the principle of the Gospel of repentance and humbleness (see Part Two: Culture). SFC feel this also applies for items in past history. They believe leaders need to publicly repent (when needed) so the pure Gospel can go forth, and if they do not, then pride is lurking at the door. SFC would feel that it is important to step up and take responsibility for misstatements or imperfections, so that pride is not given a place to rule within the group.
What SFC do not see is that often changes are made by LDS leaders at a local level, according to the needs of the people. For example, in countries where boating is a normal form of transportation, local LDS leaders would talk about honoring the Sabbath by avoiding loud partying on those boats. LDS feel this is the honorable way to handle this issue. So while SFC would feel that LDS leaders would need to address this issue worldwide, LDS feel that local leaders have the inspiration/authority for what their people need, and there is no need for public acknowledgment and repentance, when something is said that does not apply everywhere.
LDS feel it is very important to honor and respect leaders. This means one would never publicly point out the leader’s (human) failings. LDS believe the Lord will bless you if you follow the leader’s teachings, as it promotes unity. LDS believe it is more honorable to follow the leader, than it is to be perfectly correct in all your ways. Unity is deeply valued among Latter-day Saints.
This same dichotomy is illustrated within military settings. Both SFC and LDS understand that scriptures indicate we are soldiers in the army of the Lord. SFC will often talk about putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) and LDS will sing about the army of Helaman. In using this “army of the Lord” analogy, LDS tend to feel that it is correct and honorable to follow a leader who has been assigned over you. In doing so, you will be doing what is right. God will bless you. Most military organizations would not be effective if soldiers did not willingly follow the direction of leaders. Publicly questioning the leaders is not the acceptable norm. LDS are instead counseled to pray and receive a confirmation from the Holy Spirit that what the leader has said is correct.
However, SFC feel that even within an ‘army’, one has an obligation to society to point out when a leader does something that is not perfect. They feel that assertive followership is the most honorable path. Spirit-filled Christians feel that leaders should regularly and humbly acknowledge their imperfections. From the SFC mindset, it is more honorable to stand against the flow and be a whistle-blower where even a slight error is concerned. For SFC, not acknowledging imperfection is a far greater error, as it indicates pride.
Latter-day Saints feel it is more honorable to trust the Lord and follow a leader who has been given stewardship over them. And to SFC, this can look like a Cult. Spirit-filled Christians feel it is honorable to point out imperfections in words or actions of a leader or within an organization, so they can repent, and the entire group can progress. And to LDS, this can seem “anti-Mormon.”
More of these types of issues are dealt with in Part 2 under “Culture” and “Mindset/Worldview.”
Chapter Five: Quick Troubleshooting Guide
or
Words To Avoid
Below is a brief synopsis of a few commonly used terms with dual meanings that cause many of the major communication breakdowns between SFC and LDS. The rest of this book details the varying meanings behind these words and topics used by each group. This list is a simple chart for easy reference for some of the worst ‘offenders.’ If Latter-day Saints “LDS” and Spirit-filled Christians “SFC” knew how these words were being received and interpreted, they may be surprised!
Some of these “words to avoid” may not cause problems with Christians who attend liberal denominations. They may or may not share common SFC interpretation of these words. Again, what makes SFC unique is that regardless of what church they attend, they will almost always state that they are born again. They will have experienced various manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and will talk about these sacred experiences.
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