With the current presidential campaign The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been brought to the forefront of the news time and time again. For whatever reason, this has given the anti-Mormon faction a larger target to attack.
I wouldn't mind the attacks as such (Mormons don't believe what we do, so their nuts), but it's the out-and-out falsehoods and misinformation they perpetrate that I find unacceptable. These attacks come from non-members. Oddly enough, the vast majority of them are leaders of other Christian churches. The remainder are former members who have long forgotten, if they ever learned it, the truth of what the Church really teaches.
Rather than sit idly by, I decided to write a book and address the issue. What's Wrong With Mormons? is one Mormon's experience with Mormons, Mormonism, and the Mormon Church. Although the book was written primarily for non-members, it offers additional insights for new members as well. Also, members could share the book with their non-member family and friends.
This blog was created to provide the readers, and me, an opportunity to discuss the issues and the book itself.
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3 comments:
I think it is time that the truth finally comes out. The one thing that makes me bust a gut the most, is the whole-"You worship Satan!" nonsense. Right-I can't tell you how many pentagrams I have around my house and why spend my time praying to the Creator of the Universe? Jesus Christ-what can the Supreme Giver of Life do for me? No, I rather pray to some impotent being like Satan who doesn't even have a physical body and can do absolutely nothing for me-yep that is who I want to spend my time praying to! Because obviously, I'm an idiot. Then there is the whole "Mormons worship angels!" I counted the references to angels in the Bible-there were 40. I counted the references in our 3 books, there was like 19 or 20! So now you tell me who is more obsessed with angels? And let's not forget the whole "Mormons are racist!" Right that is why my friend Brian who has only been in the church for two years and who is Black is now the Second Counselor in the Elders Quorum-because they just can't stand Black folk! Then there is me, I am a Mid-Singles Rep, Family History Consultant and a Visiting Teaching Supervisor, geez if this is racism then bring it on! I have never been so loved by a "bunch of racists" before! I feel totally at home there. I feel accepted and I feel God has greatly blessed me since I came to the church. Lastly, there is the whole "secrecy" thing about our church. Now while it is true we do very sacred ordinances in the temple that we don't share with the outside world-so what! Is the world entitled to know every sacred thing we do? Prayer is supposed to be secret and not done in public. Plenty of things are supposed to be kept between you and God, so why is it when we make our covenants with the Lord we are plotting to overthrow the government or something. Ooh, we don't know what they are doing so it has to be diabolical. Grow up people, some things are just supposed to be between us and God and it is not really any of your business. If you want to find out what goes on-join the church, become temple worthy and then go! No one is stopping you! Okay those are just some things I wanted to get off my chest. Thank you for writing this book and I hope it changes people's minds about our faith.
I have to ask a few questions. Why do Mormons revere Joseph Smith when he was a documented polygamist with 33 wives? Why do Mormons use a figure of Moroni on the top of their temples, etc. rather than the cross that our Savior was crucified on and made the ultimate sacrifice? Do Mormons believe that they become gods when they die? In the Catholic religion, all people of all faiths are welcome to come and worship in any of the churches and cathedrals. Why won't Mormon's allow allow anyone to come in and worship in their temples?
Do Mormons believe that Jesus can forgive sins? Is Jesus God as found in the Trinity? Is Jesus the First and the Last as stated in Revelations 1:18? Which is more important, God's Bible or Joseph Smith's Book Of Mormon?
Thanks for any answers that may come through.
Anonymous, you asked some very common questions. I will answer them to the best of my knowledge (I don't profess to know everything). If I don't have the answer, I will try my best to find it.
Question: Why do Mormons revere Joseph Smith when he was a documented polygamist with 33 wives?
Answer: We revere Joseph Smith because he was (and is) a prophet of God. The higher law of plural marriage was revealed to Joseph by God. Whatever God commands, whether we like it or not, even if it seems to contradict something He said earlier, it is still right.
Abraham and Jacob in the Old Testament had more than one wife. They were prophets. Does their practice of plural marriage diminish their prophetic standing?
Question: Why do Mormons use a figure of Moroni on the top of their temples, etc. rather than the cross that our Savior was crucified on and made the ultimate sacrifice?
Answer: Moroni is simply a visual reminder of the vision of John as given in the the book of Revelation, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him [Jesus Christ] that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" (Revelation 14:6-7). This is referencing the restoration of Gospel.
The cross is a symbol of a dead Christ. We worhip the living, ressurected Christ. The instrument of his death is not what is important. What is important, as you pointed out, is his atoning sacrifice.
Question: Do Mormons believe that they become gods when they die?
Answer: The direct answer to your question as stated would be "No."
The following comes from The Encyclopedia of Mormonism.
"Logically and naturally, the ultimate desire of a loving Supreme Being is to help his children enjoy all that he enjoys. For Latter-day Saints, the term 'godhood' denotes the attainment of such a state-one of having all divine attributes and doing as God does and being as God is. Such a state is to be enjoyed by all exalted, embodied, intelligent beings (see Deification; Eternal Progression; Exaltation; God; Perfection). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all resurrected and perfected mortals become gods (cf. Gen. 3:22; Matt. 5:48). They will dwell again with God the Father, and live and act like him in endless worlds of happiness, power, love, glory, and knowledge; above all, they will have the power of procreating endless lives. Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ attained godhood (see Christology) and that he marked the path and led the way for others likewise to become exalted divine beings by following him (cf. John 14:3)."
(You can access the E of M at http://www.lib.byu.edu/Macmillan/).
Question: In the Catholic religion, all people of all faiths are welcome to come and worship in any of the churches and cathedrals. Why won't Mormon's allow allow anyone to come in and worship in their temples?
Answer: Anyone and everyone is welcomed to come worship in our churches (chapels) on any Sunday of the year.
Insofar as the temples are concerned, if an individual is not willing, or able, to accept or adhere to the lesser laws and covenants taught in the chapels from Sunday to Sunday, they would not be prepared to worship according to the higher laws and covenants given in the temple.
It all boils down to a matter of prerequisites.
Question: Do Mormons believe that Jesus can forgive sins?
Answer: Yes, of course we do! The Scriptures make that abundantly clear.
Question: Is Jesus God as found in the Trinity?
Answer: If you're referring to the God of the "Holy Trinity" as described in the Nicene Creed, the answer would be "No." The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, make it perfectly clear as to the nature of the Godhead--three distinct, individual personages.
Question: Is Jesus the First and the Last as stated in Revelations 1:18?
You probably made a typo. It's Revealtion 1:17.
Yes, he is the first Savior and Redeemer and he is the last Savior and Redeemer. There shall be none other!
Question: Which is more important, God's Bible or Joseph Smith's Book Of Mormon?
Answer: Once more, you question is misleading.
Both books are God's. The contents of both were received by prophets through Divine revelation. Both contain the mind and will of God for His children. Both are used every Sunday in worship services, Sunday School classes, and priesthood and relief society meetings.
Both books come together to fulfill the prophecy given in Ezekiel 37:15–19.
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