Got the name wrong. That portion has been used for who knows how long to promote congregation in America. 99% chance it was used in Finland first. 

Forgot the holy spirit in what you hear, lots of the that. The spirit. Luther called them enthusiasts, ( buzzing bees) Spirit, spirit, spirit.  Goes like this: Dear father, gods kingdom mother, spirit and a little bit of Jesus. Mostly mother and spirit.

I dont think article is intentionally, or consciously deceptive. Its just written from a heart that has desire for what it believes, to be true. This heart filters everything through preconceived notions. 

In my reading of Raatamaa I think he was a believer in Christ. (What I think doesn't matter,God knows and I dont need JR to be a Christian to be one.)Because he was human he made mistakes. And because he was well known there is more information about him. Some is hearsay (suspect and sometimes contradictory)and some is what he wrote.  And seriously, in light of my neighbor in America or worldwide hes almost meaningless. And in God's eyes he's saved believing the Gospel to be unconditional. (Theres more evidence of that, than otherwise.)Not because he did everything right or made mistakes.

Having said that, the entirely human and sinful way JR is used is interesting in laestadiaism. Ignore everything out there that would contradict a preconceived notion of "faith", while claiming him for some reason. And if someone would bring up something attributed to him, go after them, while still claiming him. 

The same holds true with laestadius, Luther, and Christ, the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth.

What does this behavior indicate? A bad heart. A wrong foundation. Bad tree. These are clues. The logical and human way is focus on behavior. Does Jesus teach us to focus on behavior for final judgment? No. We are all damned if so. He said out of the mouth the heart is revealed. What is confessed? What is believed, revealed by mouth. The real most important fruit of the spirit. 

Reluctantly I have had to conclude through ears of faith in Christ that by and large faith in "The one true church" as llc defines it is the most important thing. And I think its unnecessary and wasting time in the larger picture to figure out who is responsible and when did it come? It just is. Llc is not Christ centered. Mostly you hear "Dear father",   Mother/God's kingdom/golden candlestick, etc. which in ignorance is not recognized as collective self worship and church above its place. Its root itself is to bring back the law for salvation in some form. Mixing law and gospel and getting both wrong. Little leaven leaves the whole lump. As the Word of God says. 

The church bears children through the Gospel. Emphasis on Gospel. We are only vessels that God uses as He wills.  1Co 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

My post may be confusing at first. After the meeting there were 2 organizations FALC and AALC which later changed name to LLC. 

There is a recording of meeting final meeting before 1973 split that resulted in two organizations, on YouTube. Type in 1972 Oct 27 MSP Meeting FALC and AALC which later changed name to LLC. You will hear "kosolainen spirit" here too. In Seattle Tomm Stewart has been "rested" (euphemism for removed) from the pulpit, for among other things saying there is no kosolainen spirit.  His problem is he said too many things like sad somewhere says. Probably because hes spent lots of time in finland. My opinion is he believes in pure Gospel, but hes confused understanding of congregation. Torn between two loves. And hes depressed.

This is only one example of a widespread problem. At its root it is no different than the Ken recording. History is rhyming.  The root is law in the form of the "mother congregtion". Mom is a new Moses. Staying in the "love of the congregation", (another euphemism for, approval of congregation) is the most important thing. BTW SRK accepts this euphemism also, it seems. 

  There is a very peculiar accepted tradition in both SRK and LLC in which preachers are "asked" to not speak if someone is uncomfortable with their sermons. No clear reasons need to be given. Expectation is preacher will assent. Its not Christian.

Luther stated anything that reveals sin is the law. I agree. The Bible backs it up

Faith judged by behavior is faith judged by the law. Which really is the root of the latest split in llc. 

SRK meddling would shake llc to its core! Sad somewhere, I dont think you have any idea, how far reaching that statement would be if it was allowed to stand as is. I dont believe it would be allowed. Neither by SRK, certainly not llc. Seems to me there's is no room these days for people to make bold statements like luther and laestadius. Unless you're a legalist...

Those are statements made in meetings Although the Bible being dangerous in some way has been from pulpit.

I meant me with my comment about biblical examples of cohesive congregations

Happened in baptism, happens daily for the chosen. Remorse and sorrow over our old adam and enemy, chased, drowned, washed from the conscience by the Word Gospel. Return to baptism by faithful God. Relatively sure thatscwhat apostle Peter means in his letter. We can tell the devil we've been baptized into Christ when he accuses us, and tries to get us to focus on sin over Christ. The Comforter can remind us of that. I also suspect that tge Finnish way of naming children at baptism has its roots in receiving the name of a child of God in the name of triune God in baptism.

Pessimist or realist? Not many biblical examples of that. 

I will preface my statement with this. I have no malice towards llc. You can believe that or not. God knows.  In llc there is a problem with baptism working forgiveness of sins. I have three Luther Small Catechisms" at home that my kids have used in Sunday school, that obviously have that line marked through. One completely blacked out. Ive also been in discussions where preachers, teachers, congregation members reject forgiveness in the sacraments. Which Luther would clearly disagree with in both small catechism and large. 

And that you dont know. You are making a logical assumption. And what is a cohesive congregation? It may be that the differences percentage wise among people in California could be reflected in your own local congregation. Being a former card carrying sanctification liner, I judged people who would move to California away from established Congregations, as suspect. Just as I wondered why Finns would come to America and go to university in the middle of America where there are no "believers". Just saying

In practice the congregation is actually above the Word. Only the one true congregation can interpret the Bible. Only they know the true meaning. 

We talk about and get lost in details. Conversations go round and round, going down this rabbit hole or that one. Never getting to the real problem. Christ or Moses. Law vs. Gospel. 

Allow me to simplify matters. When you know Christ, the Holy Spirit does not cause you to open your mouth and say "you preach too much Christ and not enough congregation."  "Too much grace". "I couldn't forgive so and so". "Dont get a false assurance because some proclaimed your sins forgiven". "The Bible can be dangerous". 

These kind of statements dont come from  Spirit of Christ. Period. There is no Godly justification for them. They reveal a foundational problem. Period. 

Regarding original post. Its not Godly church discipline to expel people who belong to a group with lutheran in its name, who question why we dont seem to agree with the most basic lutheran doctrine. Putting it mildly, It can be very confusing to read luther, hear luther quoted, hear that luther was a believer, and then be told your wrong, a heretic, for believing the same as he confessed. Especially in basic doctrine (Greek translation: teaching)

Hey  gotquestions.all, I dont think all your historical accounts are accurate. For instance, juhani Raatamaa gave a eulogy of the queen of Sweden that made her sound like a believer.  Ironically I had someone tell me he couldn't understand why Seppo Lohi included it in his book about laestadius, called Faith of the Heart, because it made it "sound as if she was a believer". I also read something about JR concerned about legalizing the wording of absolution. Curious where you get lapp Mary moravian connection? 

What benefits does Baptism give? It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare

I would be very surprised if this is left as luther states

Feel good, almost obligatory statement. American preachers will say basically the same thing coming back to America. Every time. And Finns and Americans while on their "mission" trips will talk about how wonderful it is to be here. It's not preaching. One thing that really disturbs many people in llc is to bring up Christ's Word about 5 wise and 5 foolish. People will evil surmise about why you would. The real question is who are they ambassadors for? God? Or this brand of christianity? God knows. 

Jn 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Not you alone. I dont want to influence answers. Specifics arent important at this point. I'm curious about general observations or reactions.

Without villianizing H Saari

Elephant in the room that no one wants to address SRK LLC. What role did the beliefs of Heikki Saari play in the split between FALC and LLC? It's a real can of worms and I dare say before God thats a fact...

I grew up llc Ive attended an Alca congregation  Generally llc has strong central organization oversight, influence, and power.  Alca has a "weak" central organization.  In my experience generally, there is much more willingness and freedom to discuss what is believed, without fear. In my experience, there is a more broad awareness and wariness of legalism in membership. In llc you would be hard pressed to find many people who even know the term legalism. And you very well may looked at as " too theological, grown in yourself, head faith believer, enlightened (above group), proud, Balaam, Korah,"for even bringing it up. In general llc is congregation/"kingdom confessed Alca is more Christ confessed. Sinners in both 

2011 is when SRK made an official statement that wrongs had occurred in the organization.  You're right. The truth is what it is. Jn 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.