Most Mormons don't really know the history of their own church very well. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Absolutely false. I know a tremendous amount about the history of my church, and several others. And I've only been a member for 6 years.

Answer 2

I agree with that statement and here's why.

The reason MOST Mormons do not know the history of their own church is because it's kept secret. It normally isn't until they get higher and higher up into the church where they learn about all of that stuff, and once they do they are told to keep it a secret so even we don't not know everything about their history.

There are some very interesting facts about their religion though that cannot be denied. Like how Joseph Smith was arrested on the East Coast for starting a cult and using the money that people donated to him. Also that they once believed in Polygamy. Also some Mormons that I have met and spoken to don't even know that one day they will have thier own planet! I don't know I find it very weird.

Answer 3

I'm Mormon and I agree.

However, if I may, I would like to count myself as one that doesn't fit the understanding of "most Mormons."

Basically, yes, there are lots of silly, shady, ridiculous, weird, and sometimes even some "bad" parts of Mormon history that many church members either don't know about or choose to ignore.

However, Mormonism still preaches some pretty basic solid values (and even a few doctrines) and tends to have a far more open mind to science and education than many other religions do in modern times.

I have my own opinions and beliefs inside the LDS faith. Many would call me a heretic, but I can't help but think for myself and believe truth wherever I find it.

Answer 4

I would partially agree. Many don't know the history of their church, reguardless of which it is. Many people (Mormons and otherwise) don't know the history f their church, nation, world etc. I think it's important we all learn the history of the church we belong to, as well as other things. We should not, however, condemn one religion because of it's "history" If the church is true, the history is irrelevent to the answer.

Answer 5

To which history do you refer? The history of the Church as presented by the Church itself or the one which is presented by anti-Mormons with an agenda? Because if you are referring to the second, then you're right. I am not familiar with it. Nor do I really have interest in familiarizing myself with it.

By the way....why is the Mountain Meadows Massacre so abhorrent, while the Hauns Mill Massacre so tolerated? And why was the Extermination Order on the books of the State of MO until 1976? What are YOUR thoughts on this? I'm sure we'd all like to know.

Answer 6

Heres a good look at their true nature from History.
This one happened 150 years ago but I think its still relevant because Mitt Romneys church pardoned a terrorist mass murderer of Americans in 1960 and now Romney is running for President.

MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE !!

It was September 11, 1857. A wagon train of 160 settlers on their way to California was massacred by a bunch of Mormons dressed in Indian clothes. 17 children under the age of 8 were spared and lived to tell their story.
1st. They dressed as Indians but after five days they changed tactics.
2nd. Then they went a bit away ,dressed back into normal clothes and acted like the Rescue Party who had negotiated a deal with the"Indians".
3rd, Then confiscated all the guns as part of the deal for "saving" the travellers and Mormon dissidents( who were the reason for the attack in the first place).
4th. Took everybody off a mile or so and shot them all. 2 men got away but were eventually tracked down and killed a day or so later.
5th. Took the 17 children they had not killed back with them to Salt Lake City.
6th. Got away with it. After a publicized trial, with the childrens own testimony admitted into the court, only 1 man was convicted and shot, John D. Lee. ( pardoned by Church 1960)

It ended up being called the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The first time in U.S. history that U.S. citizens were massacred on U.S. soil by religious wackos. This event is even more significant because the total U.S. population at the time was much smaller.(I dont know the exact numbers, maybe only 30 million or so) In todays numbers it would be around 1400 dead

Answer 7

I think the question you want to ask is this, "Most non and ex Mormons don't really know the history of the Mormon church very well. Your thoughts?".

I know the history pretty well.

gw

Answer 8

Just because we don't swallow all the bilge water the anti-Mormons give us about "our history" doesn't mean we don't know it. I would say we know it as well as anyone.

edit:
Jules, you said (I'm a Christian and I don't get defensive when anyone confronts me on my beliefs. I encourage it.)

Now, I gotta call you on this. Haven't you ever gotten your knickers in a knot over what anti-Mormons say is that Jospeh Smith said that Jesus said that all other Christian churches are an abomination (even tho that's not what he really said, but that's how anti-Mormons interpret it)?

We confront you and all Christians all the time and I never get a debate. Just "godless mormons going to hell"

Answer 9

Hello,

Then I would say that if this is so they are in very good company. Most other Christians I know, though able to quote scripture, know diddly squat about the history of their own particular sect or the historical events, sociology and politics of the biblical times.

Regards,

Michael Kelly

Answer 10

My thoughts are they know their religion as well or better than most people of other religions know the history of their religion.
Of course they don't study all the weird obscure things some people bring up about Mormons.