Mormons: So what are they tolerant ot hateful?

Question

The LDS church (Mormon) is proud of their tolerance of other faiths. The problem is while they have no power or authority to force people to except membership in their church they still hold a message of contempt in their scriptures. Here is a comparison of what they say and what their doctrine in is about other churches. So what are they tolerant or hateful?

Encyclopedia of Mormonism says:
The LDS principles of tolerance are rooted in the teaching that all who have lived, now live, and will yet live on this earth are spirit
children of God and are responsible only to God for their religious beliefs and practices. "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty
God according to the dictates of our own conscience," says Article of Faith 11, "and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship, how, where or what they may."

Mormon Scripture (Pearl of Great Price) says:
My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for THEY WERE ALL WRONG ; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an ABOMINATION in his sight; that those professors were all CORRUPT ; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but HEART ARE FAR FROM ME,
they teach for DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN , having a form of godliness, but they DENY THE POWER THEREOF.” (emphasis added)

Ok so the LDS church doesn't say all the teachers other faith are corrupt. The Mormon God say that we are... So what's the difference if Joseph Smith is that being only voice? Jim

Answer 1

Be sure you read all the versions of the "First Vision", the first 'draft' written several years after the fact (fact?). Smith also was a methodist exhorter and was arrested for glass-looking in 1826.

Seems he forgot all about the god and jesus thing...

Answer 2

Being in disagreement with another persons beliefs does not constitute hatred.

What you quoted from the Pearl of great Price is the Testimony of Joseph Smith about his vision- that is what the Lord said to him. It seems that a hateful message would include something like go out and condem all those who are of other faiths. Or Wipe out those who do not believe you. But that type of rhetoric was not included in that statement- nor was it included in the life or mission of Joseph Smith. It has NEVER been the message of the church. The church has high moral standards, if you want to belong to the church you need to adhere to those standards- if you disagree with the teachings and standards then don't join. There will be no hard feelings. The church has never encouraged people to throw bricks through the windows of those who disagree. They encourage peace. The Prophet has spoken many times of being friends with those not of our faith. If it was a message of hatred and not tolerance, he would be telling us to only associate with only members of our faith and to isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. That is not what our doctrine teaches, so it is not hateful.

Those members who may behave in a hateful manner are going against the teachings of the church. Those who respond in hatred and anger in a severe manner are severly reprimanded by church leaders and many times excommunicated from the church.

People these days have mistaken disagreement with certain behaviors as intolerance and hatred. That is very sad. When someone has so much hate and anger that they will accuse anyone who disagrees with them of being hateful, that person is not happy. My heart truely goes out to those people.

Answer 3

You are able to copy and paste with ease, but are unable to pose a question that gets to a point. Consider rephrasing a question that will generate responses of intellect.

Added: You misconstrue Mormons being intolerant or hateful toward others and their faith based on the vision that Joseph Smith had with God and His Son. (I gather this is what you meant in your incomplete question.) If you read the narrative of the First Vision once more you will readily understand that they were not the words of Joseph Smith, but of God Himself. Joseph Smith was simply repeating the words he had heard.

The comments left by KiaSister below are well defined and speak volumes toward your question.

Answer 4

Do you really think that you know Christ?

I read your profile, and your 4 love, Christ , your family, country and so one.

Dose Christ limit his love too?
As far as I know Christ see all the world his family and there was no limitation in his love.

Answer 5

Mormon leaders have taught that Jesus’ incarnation was the result of a physical relationship between God the Father and Mary. They believe Jesus is a God, but that any human can also become a god. Christians historically have taught that God is Triune and that He exists eternally as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). No one can achieve the status of God, only He is holy (1 Samuel 2:2). We can only be made holy in God's sight through faith in Him (1 Corinthians 1:2). Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16) and is the only one ever to have lived a sinless, blameless life, who now has the highest place of honor in Heaven (Hebrews 7:26). Jesus and God are one in essence, Jesus being the only One existing before physical birth (John 1:1-8, 8:56). Jesus gave Himself to us as a sacrifice, and God raised Him from the dead, and one day everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus tells us it is impossible to get to Heaven by our own works, only with faith in Him is it possible (Matthew 19:26). And many will not choose Him. “You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way” (Matthew 7:13). We all deserve eternal punishment for our sins, but God's infinite love and grace has allowed us a way out. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).



Clearly there is only one way to receive salvation; to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). It is not done by works, but by faith (Romans 1:17, 3:28). When we have this faith, we will automatically be obedient to God's laws and become baptized out of love for Him, but not because it is a requirement for salvation. We can receive this gift no matter who we are or what we have done (Romans 3:22). “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind people - they are involved in a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation.