Why are people on yahoo questions so critical of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Question

Im wondering what the big problem is about things such as Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon? All religions have their own sacred scripture and leaders. Why do they escape similar criticism?

Answer 1

I would differentiate between LDS members and LDS doctrine. I love Mormons but I have serious concerns about what their church teaches. LDS doctrine has some historical and Scriptural problems that need to be addressed. Check out the first link below for sites that look at what the earliest witnesses say about how Mormon doctrine came about.

Answer 2

Beacuse people are uncomfrotable with the unknown and there are a lot of false doctirne out there that people take as fact instead of finding out for themselves. And everyone has different beliefs. Some believe strongly against all religions but there own. That's life. But know that there are plenty that love admire mormons. And to address one of the early comments about the book of mormon being made up and porely written. I would like to inform you that historians have actually determined that the first few books of the book of mormon have been proven artifactualy correct. Scholars have taken it apart and determined that accounts of the peoples traditions, land marks, etc. are extremely accurate. How did an uneducated farmboy who at the time had never left new york ever get a hold of knowledege that wasn't even avaiable until many years later? Some as late as 10 years ago. Not all of the book has been historically proven correct but a decent protion of it. And it has even been widley said that Joesph Smith's own writings (such as journals etc.) are very poorley written. Very uneducated. So how did he just pull all that out of his hat when it was time to "write" the book of mormon as some claim he did. Besides, why would he go through all of the persecution, pain both physical and emotional, and drag his family and others that he cared about through years of killings, thievery, persecution, losing everything, uprooting, deaths, trecking across the US and much more just for a book that he knew deep down was a lie. I hardly believe that anyone would go that far to protect a lie. Would you?

Answer 3

I think one of the biggest differences is that many beliefs discussed here are based on historical fact rather than the stories of a hustler. In the 1800's there were a lot of "restored" and "true" religions forming. Those that survived are criticized because their founders share a strong tendency to have been involved in cons or similar confidence-destroying backgrounds. Then they make up doctrine that actually opposes what is taught in Scripture. Yes, various man-made religions have their leaders and their added texts, which the Bible teaches is the mark of the antichrist, but most of those are much more low-key. But Mormons shouldn't take too much offense - at least from me. I'm fairly critical of cults, the lukewarm church, the dead church, and stealth Christians too.

Answer 4

Because anyone who can read knows that Joseph Smith was a shyster. His own mom said so. He bought the book of abraham and foisted it off as sacred scripture when we now know it was a funeral bit of the egyptians. He was a jerk, and he wrote a false adendum to the bible. When LDS folks try to preach this tripe, we feel terrible that you have been sucked into a cult that you can't recognize. That is why. It is a falsehood that makes the ultimate goal of man to be God. For crying out loud, how can the created become their own created? Stick with the bible and forget all the book of mormon, pearl of great price baloney. The bible is historical and can be proven. The BOM cannot, except some astute men have discovered that names in the book of mormon are really just tweaked versions of city names in upstate New York. No wonder we can't find any legitimate archaealogy to substantiate anything that snakeoil salesman Smith had to say.

Answer 5

There are several answers to this question.

1. Most members don't know anything else but their own religion. They've been told since childhood ALL the other Churches, creeds, religions are false. That's an extreme elitist attitude.

2. Most members are discouraged from engaging in debate about questionable teachings of contradictory messages within the church itself. They do not or cannot engage in a discussion with an entirely different point of view. They consider other points of view from "satan", and continuing 'persecution'.

3. Despite the "burning in the bosom for validity" ( I KNOW the church is true), the history of the church, from New york to Ne Zealand is fraught with illegal and immoral activities, exploitation of native peoples, and a culture of deception and outright lies from the General Authorities.

You cannot claim exclusive ownership of all that's 'right and true' and not expect to get flack from it. Criticism is good if you can learn, but mormons rather whine about their continued 'persecution'.

If you can't swim with the sharks, quit bleeding in the water.

Answer 6

Hi kuantanp,

First let me say that i've not been one of the ones to be critical of Mormons on this site. i think it is because many people confuse Mormons and Christians as being the same. And people want to clarify that they are two different religions which teach two different things about Jesus, salvation, and other major doctrinal beliefs.

i've friends that are Mormons and i think that their church teaches a lot of good values, and they typically have good families, but their are problems with the book of Mormons and the teachings of Joseph Smith.

And to teach that as truth and the way to salvation puts them in a position on a forum where people share their views on salvation, God, etc. to receive unsupportive feedback. i agree with much of what is said about Mormonism as a false religion (but i disagree with the way that it is often said).

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 7

Does it really matter what others think. Look at the early Christians after the Savior's death and resurrection. Peter and the other apostles were persecuted and killed. The world has hated the truth from the advent of tru Christianity. In a way, all of the persecution supports the LDS church. I mean, if you were Satan, would you not want the truth defeated. If it were NOT the truth, Satan would probably be ignoring the LDS Church.

Answer 8

The don't, or perhaps you don't read some of the answers to questions you answer. But, as to your question, I guess we just pulled it out of our hats. Oh, wait, that was your teachings. Ok, so we got it ouf of a shoe. Now, I do jest just a bit, and I apologize. I shouldn't. But I believe that when, on the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished," that He was finished with His personal mission on earth, and so I don't understand why He'd appear centuries later and start up again. I do admit, however, that I am unfamiliar with the teachings of Mormonism and reject them pretty much out-of-hand based on this arguement. Finished is finished. Also, when the Bible talks about the "Latter-Day Saints" it's referring to those who come to Christ during the Tribulation.

Answer 9

I watched the documentary on pbs tonight (twice didn't want to miss anything) about the LDS church. Joseph Smith, as he was refered to as the "Alpha and Omega" of the Mormon church, was anything but godly. he was a trouble maker,pagan,whoremonger,warmonger,murderer,thief,self proclaimed ruler and the list goes on and on. One of the toppers was the Massacre at the Meadows in Utah ,when Mormans led by Young, murdered in cold blood 153 Christians from Arkansas. You call your people a godly people, hardly, the god of Momonism is surely not the God of the Christian faith. There is nothing christian about the Mormon pagans.Thier ancestors are Liars,thieves,murderers,polygamist,warmongers,whoremongers it is really sad. really,really,really,sad. I will never listen to a mormon missionary ever again.

Answer 10

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be the only true church.

Most churches have this "your church is just as true as my church" attitude, which is, of course, impossible (unless they're both untrue of course).

Mormons are bold in their beliefs. Many Christians are apathetic.