What do you think of these unusual Mormon beliefs?

Question

These are some of their most unusual beliefs, from http://www.exmormon.org/tract2.htm

-God was once a man like us.
-God has a tangible body of flesh and bone.
-God lives on a planet near the star Kolob.
-God ("Heavenly Father") has at least one wife, our "Mother in Heaven," but she is so holy that we are not to discuss her nor pray to her.
-We can become like God and rule over our own universe.
-There are many gods, ruling over their own worlds.
-Jesus and Satan ("Lucifer") are brothers, and they are our brothers - we are all spirit children of Heavenly Father
-Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father by having sex with Mary, who was temporarily his wife.
-We should not pray to Jesus, nor try to feel a personal relationship with him.
-"God" ("Jehovah") in the Old Testament is the being named Jesus in the New Testament.
-In the the highest degree of the celestial kingdom some men will have more than one wife.

-Before coming to this earth we lived as spirits in a "pre-existence", during which we were tested; our position in this life (whether born to Mormons or savages, or in America or Africa) is our reward or punishment for our obedience in that life.
-Dark skin is a curse from God, the result of our sin, or the sin of our ancestors. If sufficiently righteous, a dark-skinned person will become light-skinned.
-The Garden of Eden was in Missouri. All humanity before the Great Flood lived in the western hemisphere. The Ark transported Noah and the other survivors to the eastern hemisphere.

Answer 1

I'm grateful for the Mormon answers here, clarifying just how many unbiblical ideas they believe, and which ones they say they don't believe. It's also interesting to see a JW distance his faith from the Mormon one by exposing the differences between Mormon ideas on Christ being "a god" (which they also believe, yet differently) and Trinitarian doctrine.

I've never been a Mormon myself but many years ago I invited an ex-Mormon, Thelma Geer, to come to my town. We hired a public hall close to the local Mormon church and several Mormons attended to hear this elderly American lady. She was gracious, calm and authoritative, with no bitterness whatever, and her personal experiences spoke volumes to all who listened. There seem to be things taught by the LDS church that some members don't know about. It's as if a higher, secretative level of teaching exists, and only special members can progress to that level. Thelma knew all about that. So, there's more to understanding Mormon beliefs than what the general public might read about or have told to them.

It is true that some ex-members of various religions can be bitter and their websites might not be entirely reliable. Their bitterness should not negate the solid evidence they present because they might well have a case. There could be good reason for them now biting the hand that once fed them. If they had been fed spiritual lies or half-truths, or if they had been abused by leaders, then the world ought to know, as a warning.

Many websites, however, express a loving concern for pseudo-Christian members, combining expose of error with the biblical gospel. It's no wonder dodgy religions hate the Internet and urge their members to avoid sites like Yahoo! It's not a perfect site, but at least people can express their views in a democratic, open manner (as long as "reporting" is fair; cough cough) and people with even half a working brain can weigh up pros and cons, and arrive at their own conclusions.

Answer 2

Why do you go to an anti-Mormon web site to learn what Mormons believe?

1. We don't know if God was once a man like us, but, it only makes sense. How could He be the least bit empathetic if He had never been thru what we go thru.

2. I've always believed God has a tangible body of flesh and bone. Christ has one, why not His Father?

3. God does not live on a planet near Kolob. Kolob is the star nearest to where God does live.

4. Yes.

5. Paul said that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

6. Possibly.

7. SPIRIT brothers. There's a difference. Since Lucifer fell and became Satan, he has no claim on any inheritance of Heavenly Father.

8. We do not know that at all. That He somehow "married" her, He probably did. The sex part, that's just people who don't like us going for the shock value.

9. No, Christ Himself taught that we pray to Heavenly Father. We pray in the name of Christ.

As far as a "personal relationship with Christ", it's not Christ that's inside of us, it's the Holy Ghost.

10. Yes.

11. quite possibly.

Answer 3

Mormon_4_Jesus posted:
"Why do you go to an anti-Mormon web site to learn what Mormons believe? "

I may not agree with Mormons, but I agree with this statement.
Especially since the site is called "exmomon". I don't see how you would expect to get an objective reply from somebody who is very possibly bitter.

EDIT:
Operantly Sasi has the habit of criticizing every religion that isn't hers. Normally, however, she does a better job. In this case she resorted to personal experiences which can neither be proven or disproved online.

She said:
"Their bitterness should not negate the solid evidence they present because they might well have a case."

True if you can trust there evidence to be solid. When people have a personal vendetta they will resort to mentioning only portions of documents or exaggerating the truth. On many occasions they will leave out information that would better clarify the situation. In other words they will selectively chose what to say and what to not say so that the "facts" will appear to back them up.

So what should you do?

The best thing is to look up for yourself if the bible backs up the beliefs of said religion. Get a view of the complete picture something which isn't always possible when listening to an ex anything. People usually try to get you to see things there way so you have to go by your own research.I'm not saying I'm innocent of religious bashing b/c I'm not.However, I tend to limit it to what is immediately observable by everyone and not something that came from personal experiences or that just came from my own mouth.

For example most people have a fair amount of knowledge about the history of the Catholic church and it's current problems and then there are the actions of the Muslims which everyone can see for themselves.

Answer 4

Let me say that it is impossible in this space to explain all of the above, at least those that are true beliefs of Mormons. Once you have obtained a foundational believe and are able to advance to more complex teachings they are logical and make sense. Now, some of these points are false.

- I would say that God was once a man like Christ.
- God does have a body of flesh and bone, but no blood.
- The planet Kolob is believed to be the closest locale to God we know of.
- Mormons do believe in a Heavenly Mother.
- Mankind can become like God in the sense they can become perfect and can continue to progress. They can also continue to have spiritual children. However, they cannot and will not ever become equal to God. God will always be God and the Supreme Being.
- When people mention becoming gods, they don't mean in the sense that God will cease to be God, because that isn't the case, but that they can obtain perfect and continue to obtain glory, similar to God.
- Jesus and Satan were spiritual brothers.
- Jesus Christ WAS NOT conceived by way of God having sexual intercourse with Mary. Mormons believe it was immaculate and through a miracle of God. Mormons don't vary from most Christians on this.
- Mormons pray TO God, by way of Jesus. Jesus is the mediator and intermediary with God. Mormons believe very strongly that you SHOULD have a personal relationship with Jesus. In fact, understanding Jesus, being close to Him and following His teachings is the primary teaching in Mormonism. Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer.
- On most occasssions, when the Bible speaks of Jehovah the Old Testament is referring to Jesus Christ, yes.
- It is true that some men may be sealed to more than one woman, but that does not mean they will have more than one wife in the Celestial Kingdom. There is insufficient information as to what life will be like in Heaven (as I'm sure you will agree exists in all religions). The fact that men may be sealed to more than one woman is for other reasons then to have multiple wives. It is because without being sealed by the priesthood in earthly ceremonies you cannot be sealed in heaven (obtain heaven, meaning the Celestial Kingdom). It all comes down to the Priesthood and having a gapless chain. This topic could be discussed in great detail, but as to whether you will have more than one wife in heaven is not completely certain, nor is it doctrine.

Answer 5

It seems to me you have done your research but you are lacking the faith to understand these things. Why you take so much time to research so much then ask someone else's opinion? Why don't you ask God if these things are true? You diserve a answer for putting forth so much time and effort. I did nowhere near as much research as you before I converted and I am glad I didnt because I may have ran off. I was moved by the people of the church's example of how they live there lfe..

I have a testimony of these things to be true by the holy ghost. You are accountable to seek out god and now you have learned much. Don't let other people disscourage you. Run with the knowledge be obediant to the commandments and you will recieve your answer. In the name Of Jesus Christ Amen

Answer 6

you have taken bits and pieces of information and you have no understanding of what it means. If you seriously want to know what we believe, don't base it off of rumors or individuals. Base it off of fact. Every mormon you come in contact with will have varying beliefs and experiences. Why is that class??? It could be because everyone is different...and everyone has their own beliefs and nobody is perfect. You need to go to the official church website www.lds.org to really know what we believe. A lot of what you metioned is just mormon rumor or speculation not doctrine. We don't teach all of the above. Our teachings are focused on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, laying on of hands for the gift of the holy ghost. We believe in being honest, true, chast, benevolent, virtuous, and doing good to all men, indeed we may say we follow the admonitions of Paul. We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things and hope to be able to endure all things, if there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy we seek after these things. Go to that website. If you have more questions contact the missionaries. Attend a Sunday meeting, I promise you you will be surprised at the warmth and spirit in our church.

Answer 7

Yeah, weird.

But Seas Parting, Virgin Births, Bodily Resurrection, and a Second Coming are pretty weird, too, and they are considered to be mainstream beliefs.

I always find it fascinating that religious groups often name certain seemingly unfathomable beliefs as acceptable, even normative, and then others they look at incredulously.

I guess it depends on one's experience with a particular religious narrative within a religious community.

The Nation of Islam is comparable to the Mormon Church in its Space Age mythos.

Answer 8

None of these things have any historical proof. Yet if you tell a lie many will believe it just because it is different. Oh that has to be true because these people say it.

People are always more willing to believe a lie instead of taking the time to question it. If it feels good do it. Right?

However there is a day that will be a Hell of an Awakening.

May be they should ask this.


Are you a good person? What a question, most of us believe that we are good people because we can look around and find someone that is far worse than we are. We can always point to the things that we think make us a good person.

But how good are we really? Dare we take this test and look at ourselves and see if we really are good? Hmmm.

If you are willing try this and see just how good a person you are.

The Good Person Test.

How will you do? Pass or fail?


Have you ever told a lie?
Doesn't matter how big or small, just a lie.
What does that make you? Before answering think about this, if I told you a lie what would you call me? A liar?

Have you ever stolen anything? Cost doesn't matter, a piece of gum, failed to give back an ink pen that you borrowed, anything.
What does that make you?

Jesus said, "You know the saying of old, you shall not commit adultery but I say that if look at someone to lust after them you have committed adultery in your heart.
Have you ever lusted?

Jesus said that hate is equal to murder.
Have you ever hated anyone?

See one day we all are going to stand before a Holy God on Judgment Day and he is going to judge us based on His Holy Law, the Ten Commandments. These are just 4 of them and how did you do? Guilty? I have broken all of these and more, what about you? How well will you do on Judgment Day?

If we break just one point of God's Law we are guilty of breaking all the law and Gods Wrath abides upon us all. Based on God's Law we are all guilty and all are deserving of punishment. But there is an out for us.

Jesus paid the price for each one of us, took on himself God's Wrath so we wouldn't have to face it on our own. Jesus was beaten, battered, bleed and died so we wouldn't have to face God's Wrath. He rose again so that we would life in his presence. Our crimes, His payment.

The real question is where will you stand on Judgment Day. Pay yourself or have it paid for you. Think about it.

Answer 9

The only observation that a non-Mormon might make regarding this question is simply to acknowledge that Mormons themselves claim to be nontrinitarian Christians; that is, they believe that Jesus the Son is a distinct person from God the Father. However, Mormons do not believe that the "God" of the so-called "New Testament" is the same "God" of the so-called "Old Testament"; Mormonism teaches that the pre-human Jesus is the "God" or "Jehovah" of the so-called "Old Testament".

This is obviously a fundamentally different theology than the other great nontrinitarian Christian religion, Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bible to teach that there are several references to Jesus in the so-called "Old Testament" which indicate that he is distinct from the "God" or "Jehovah" of the so-called "Old Testament". It is not enough to simply assert that a doctrine is true, and so Jehovah's Witnesses reason from the Scriptures on the matter...


It seems rather obvious that the apostle Luke at Acts 4:25-27 quotes from Psalms 2:1,2. Although these passages are part of the Christian and Hebrew Scriptures respectively, BOTH passages make it plain that there is an "anointed one" who is distinct from God. The Psalm plains calls that God by the name "Jehovah" (explicitly using the Tetragrammaton) and Acts plainly calls the anointed one by the name "Jesus".

(Psalm 2:1,2) [David wrote] Why have the nations been in tumult and the national groups themselves kept muttering an empty thing? 2 The kings of earth take their stand And high officials themselves have massed together as one against Jehovah and against his anointed one

(Acts 4:24-27) [Peter, John, and fellow Christians] with one accord raised their voices to God and said: “Sovereign Lord, you are the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, 25 and who through holy spirit said by the mouth of our forefather David, your servant, ‘Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate upon empty things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers massed together as one against Jehovah and against his anointed one.’ 27 Even so, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with men of nations and with peoples of Israel were in actuality gathered together in this city against your holy servant Jesus


Similarly, the apostle Paul at 1 Cor 2:16 and Rom 11:33,34 paraphrases Isaiah 40:13. Note that Isaiah explicitly uses the name "Jehovah" (the Hebrew Tetragrammaton), and 1 Corinthians plainly CONTRASTS the mind of Jehovah with the mind of Christ Jesus.

(1 Corinthians 2:16) For “who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, that he may instruct him?” But we do have the mind of Christ.

(Romans 11:33-34) O the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments are and past tracing out his ways are! 34 For “who has come to know Jehovah’s mind, or who has become his counselor?”

(Isaiah 40:13) Who has taken the proportions of the spirit of Jehovah, and who as his man of counsel can make him know anything?

Answer 10

Read the TEACHINGS OF JOSEPH SMITH, as well as A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER by LeGrand Richards, that together with the Works by Brigham Young.
One of the Best Compilations of Material about Mormons is a 1910 book called MORMONISM AGAINST ITSELF, it has a lot of Primary sources.... very enlightening, but Hard to find