Why do Mormons think they can become a god??

Question

Why do they have secret temple rituals? Why did they have to write the book of Mormons? Why do they believe in the untruths of Joseph Smith? Why do you not see a cross at any of their temples? What's up with the garment bride and groom wear at the secret wedding ritual behind closed temple doors? Why do they think down of people of color? Why? Why? Why?

Answer 1

It is what they are taught. It's part of their religion.

They are taught that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and not one but three different Gods. They are polytheist.

Answer 2

First off we do not have secret temple rituals, We have sacred ordinances that are performed in the Temple. Everything we do can be found in the old testiment just for your imformation. We do not talk about them out side the temple because we feel they are so sacred that we want to keep it that way. We dont even talk about it from one lds memeber to another. Second we did not write the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith translated it from ancient writings from prophets that lived on the American continent. Is it so hard to believe that god would has talked to people on ancient America as he did in the old world? Why is it so hard to believe that the heavens arent sealed and God hasnt stopped talking to us? Who are you to say what Heavenly Father can and cant do? I find it hard to believe he doesnt love all his children and wouldnt want to talk to them.
We do not have the cross because we look at how he lived and the resurection. If Christ was murdered with a gun would you have a gun infront of your church. We just choose not to represent Christ by having a cross.
The garments we wear remind us of convenants we make with our heavenly father.
We do not look down at people of color. What you are probably refering to is that black men where not able to hold the priesthood until 1978. All I can tell you is that God chooses to give the priesthood to who he sees fit. In the old testiment only the tribe of Levi was able to carry the ark. Was god racist because he only let Levites carry it? I do not believe so. I dont know why its just something you have to go on faith with. Some people will tell you that its because we believe that blacks are cursed. I have never heard it preached inside the church and I have been a member my whole life. But all this I have told you means nothing unless you actually want to learn and go at it with an open mind. If you are looking to pick an argument with a Mormon than I have wasted my time and yours. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testiment of Jesus Christ and that Jesus has restored his church through Joseph Smith the prophet seer and revelator. And we have modern day prophets and apostles. Its up to you to find out. I did and I can never deny the truth. God bless you in you search for truth and light.

Answer 3

I'm betting you really don't care for an honest answer, but...

Mormons don't believe they will ever be superior or even equal to God, but that they can be gods in their own right. This is due to the fact they believe they are spiritual sons and daughters of God and as such they can inherit his characteristics. They also believe they can continue to progress after this life and have spiritual children of their own.

No Mormon "wrote" the Book of Mormon, but Joseph Smith, through revelation, did translate it, just as has been done with the Bible, but not as many times. The book just contains writings similar to the Bible (we can obviously discuss this one for ever).

Joseph Smith was just a man, imperfect and working out his own salvation as we all are. It just happened to be that God used him as an instrument to establish a church (whether you believe this is up to you, but essentially every Christian denomination out there was set up by man). Joseph Smith is not worshiped, but respected.

No cross at churches or temples because the Mormons focus more on the resurrection and the thought of life in heaven due to Jesus' sacrifice, not the death.

The garments brides and grooms wear when they get married is no different then the clothes everyone wears in the temple. The ceremony is special just like any marriage, but they believe through the authority of God, when you get married in the temple, you are sealed, or forever attached, to your spouse.

What goes on in the temple may be called secret or sacred, whatever. The main thing is that you have to be prepared to go into the temple or it will make completely no sense and you will think it is crazy. If you are prepared it is no more than additional education on how to live as God would have you live.

Mormons do not look down upon people of color. If you do your research, Joseph Smith was one of the biggest opponents to slavery and was very outspoken about it. He professed everyone should have the same rights. In fact, he ran for President of the United States and I believe that was one of his platforms. There was a time when Black people couldn't receive the Priesthood, and I'm not sure anyone knows or can explain why, but it had nothing to do with looking down on Black people. They were always welcome in the church and were probably treated better than in most communities.

Anyway, as I said, you probably don't want truths, but want to cause dispute. Anyone who wants to know truths will honestly seek such truths and will ask God for answers. God continues to talk to his children. Ask and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

God bless.

Answer 4

There are a lot of "why's" in your questions...you obviously have a lot.

#1 Why do Mormons think they can become a god??
This is partly why:
D&C 132
19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.
20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.

#2 Why do they have secret temple rituals?
First of all, they are sacred...when something is very sacred, do you blurt it out to every joe blow you see? I hope not, that would be why it is sacred. Also, the ORDINANCES (not rituals) are necessary things we must do to attain the highest degree of glory.

#3 Why did they have to write the book of Mormons?
They who? They all the men who the chapters are named after? The "Mormons" didn't write the Book of Mormon, ancient prophets wrote their history, it was saved for these latter days and Joseph translated the history for us, through the power and authority of God.

#4 Why do they believe in the untruths of Joseph Smith?
Who says they are "untruths"? You? Well, I trust the Lord, not you, sorry. And I know they are true.

#5Why do you not see a cross at any of their temples?
We focus on Christ's life, not his death. Although we recognize his crucifixtion as loving and as the ultimate sacrifice, we focus more on his life and resurrection.

#6 What's up with the garment bride and groom wear at the secret wedding ritual behind closed temple doors?
Ummm- not sure what garment you are referring to other than our underwear? (garments) Those are part of the endowment. The marriage ceremony is also sacred and we wear our temple clothes since we are in the temple...

#7 Why do they think down of people of color?
Not sure where this came from either...I personally don't even know anyone of "color" other than a few cousins who were adopted from India and the Martial Islands - I love them.

Now my turn - Why don't you read the Book of Mormon for yourself? Why don't you attend a church meeting? Why don't you read the LDS.rg website? Why don't you talk with some missionaries?

Answer 5

I've had discussions about becoming gods with Mormons. Personally, I think it is a translation problem. When pressed -- they point to some of the writings of Aquinas and say that the Catholics believe that we will become gods.

I've looked at those passages in both English and French. The English can be interpreted to back the Mormon view -- but the French does not. Catholics believe that you can become a saint and live in Heaven with God. The writings of Aquinas refer to this process. I can see how taking this heavenly form can be interpreted as becoming godlike -- and how that can be interpreted as becoming a god.

I think it was Wittgenstein who said that there are no problems of philosophy -- only problems of language.

As for believing the statements of Joseph Smith -- why is that different from believing the statements of Moses? After all, Moses was a political leader who was faced with an unruly group of followers. What better way to control then to say that God told you to lead them? The Greek Kings, the Roman Caesars, the Japanese Emperors all said that god spoke to them. Even the French Kings used the slogan "Le Dieu et mon Droit" (God is my right) to justify their rule. Why is it we don't believe that those people spoke with god -- but we do believe Moses? And if we believe Moses -- why not Joseph Smith?

Answer 6

The temple ritual is sacred, not secret, any one abide to the laws will be able to know it.
Ancient prophet wrote the Book of Mormon, not us.
A cross symbolized the death and suffering of Christ, LDS worship the Resurrected Christ, that is why there is no cross on the temple.
Again, the rituals in the temple is not secret to those worthy to enter.
If you think we look down on people of color, then why don't you ask our black members, spanish, french or asian memeber why they stay in the LDS church.
Jesus Christ himself expects us to be perfect like "The Father",
so becoming like our "Father" is not out of our minds.

Answer 7

i know the religion is very unbelievable. im not sure about all the secret temple rituals and stuff... but i think they are not as big of a deal as your making it. mormons dont think they can become god. they just think that good deeds and other stuff will get you closer to heaven. I am protestant and my family moved to Utah. no... WE ARE NOT MORMON. all my mormon friends are extremely kind people with good values. their religion is hard to believe and i know it seems fake... but come on.? a VIRGIN giving birth to Jesus??? doesnt that sound far-fetched? i guess religion is just about having faith... no matter how wacko the religion seems. and i have seen a cross in a mormon church.

Answer 8

As far as im concerned, when any faith teaches discrimination, it must be a man made one, God is not that way. although, He kinda was in the old testiment. Well, Jesus was not, but mormon don't believe he was "the only son of God" ..

I guess the look down on "people of color" because they can.

Answer 9

Why would your religious beliefs seem extremely far-fetched (assuming you have any) to someone who wasn't familiar with them? Same reason, they are very different and foriegn. Neither have compelling external evidence to support their beliefs. Religions are like that. That's why they are based on Faith.

Most religions are strange, from an outside point of view.

Answer 10

I'm sorry, but when your heart is full of bitterness and hate, you will not understand the answers. I have a testimony of the restoration of the church as it was established by the Savior. In the fullness of the Gospel that was promised by John in Revelation, we have received many blessings, and will receive more. I testify that the heavens are open and not closed. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.