I'm working in Utah this year and there are some things about the faith that I would really like to know...
The first one is this: I was listening to the local Salt Lake public radio station the other day when a Mormon featured on the program said that while most Mormons (especially young ones) accept the values and practices of the faith, they do not really believe in the literal history of the Book of Mormon.
That is, while they believe Mormons are some of the most moral people who live good lives, they do not really believe that Adam and Eve were in the US, nor did a tribe of Jews come to the US, and so on.
In your experience, is this true? Do most Mormons really not take the book literally?
2007-06-03 08:24:24 · 11 answers · asked by skeptic 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks everyone for your answers.
Thanks mormon_4_jesus, I did not know that (I didn't think that it may have come from the other mormon works).
2007-06-04 16:55:48 · update #1
urfree2think: You're already anticipating my next question.
2007-06-05 18:05:15 · update #2
Infinity: I agree with you - most Christians do not agree with a literal history of the Bible. I guess I was wondering how many Mormons were or were not fundementalists.
2007-06-06 08:58:27 · update #3
Isolde: I read that story too. It said that the chickens are thought to be of Polenesian origin.
2007-06-06 10:15:17 · update #4
In my experience...No, I don't believe this is the case. While you may have those who don't literally take the Book of Mormon as the word of God, etc. I would say most people sincerely believe this is the case. Now, of course you are going to get more young people who don't really believe a lot of the teachings, which is probably the case in most religions, because they are living their lives day to day trying to fit in or whatever. All young kids are bombarded with information that teaches secularism (essentially). What is cool is all that is worldly, and organized religion is as far from that as you get. I am actually amazed at the understanding and belief of some of the young people in the church, which I think is more than many of young people across the board. Just as I'm sure you get many youth wondering about the literal nature of the Bible, they are going to wonder about the Book of Mormon. Lastly, the public radio in Utah is good, that's what I listen to much of the time, but it isn't necessarily the most pro-Mormon. I bet if a study was conducted that looked at all young people of all faiths they would find those in the Mormon faith to be the most believing (I couldn't find it, but there was actually a similar study done a few years back). Enjoy Utah. It's a great place, but can be interesting for those who aren't Mormon. But, if you look around and seek out some of the great things to do here you will love it. (My wife isn't a Mormon and enjoys it here...most of the time).
2007-06-04 09:43:53 · answer #1 · answered by straightup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just yesterday Yahoo featured a story that chicken bones recently found in South America preceeded Columbus. The factual history of people on this continent is always being debated. If I want to find support for the Book of Mormon, I listen to the native witnesses. What do their histories and legends tell? The Hopi, for example tell of their lost white brother Pahana? Was this Christ? the Nephites? Do they take their stories literally? I don't take scripture literally, I take it to heart. The Book of Mormon is only minimally about history. It even says so. More importantly it is about Christ. It is literal that He lived.
2007-06-06 16:27:16 · answer #2 · answered by Isolde 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not that this really answers your question, but aren't there a lot of Christians who don't believe in the literal history of the Bible either?
I don't know why someone would profess to be Mormon but not believe the history of the B of M. That's a major part of their theology and so is how it came to be.
2007-06-06 02:03:36 · answer #3 · answered by ∞Infinity∞ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most Mormons take it literally. There are some things that are not spelled out and people make different assumptions.
I think the book of Mormon people lived in southern Mexico and Guatemala. This is not doctrine, but just my opinion. Others think it took place around NY.
I haven't really seen what you're describing...so I'd say "no".
2007-06-05 07:43:32 · answer #4 · answered by Ender 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most Mormons who are active in the church accept the literal history of the Book of Mormon.
BTW, the Book of Mormon does not include that Adam and Eve were in the western hemisphere. It is God who told Joseph Smith that the Garden of Eden was in what is now Missouri.
2007-06-04 23:30:42 · answer #5 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a Mormon.
What you are experiencing is the same thing that occurs with cradle Catholics in Boston and Chicago.
They claim to be Catholic, but they rarely go to church, except on Christmas and Easter, and they don't accept most of the teachings of the church.
In the same way most Mormans in Salt Lake are like that too. I've heard estimates as high as 90%, are this type of cradle Mormons.
They have been given the nickname of Jack Mormon or Jill Mormon.
I don't know where the nick name came from.
Of course the Mormons on Yahoo believe it all.
Pastor Art
2007-06-03 16:15:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think they were referring to people who believe the religion, but don't really read, or haven't really read the BoM (Book of Mormon). To me, it's kind of like a circle- if I believe in what the church teaches, then I have to believe in the BoM. If I believe in the BoM then I have to believe in the basic doctrine of the church.
I do believe in both, but I do know there are some that believe in what the church teaches that don't necessarily believe all the historic facts of the BoM. I don't understand it, but I'm sure it happens more then I know.
*EDIT*
Mr. Peepers doesn't know what he's talking about. No where in our recommend interview does it ask if we believe in the history of the BoM and everything that happened. Sorry.. the only question close if we believe the scriptures are the word of God. Also, good job referal?? What??? We don't get job referals from the church!! Sorry that's wrong too. Also, I don't live with my parents, haven't for over 11 years. I've found my own way, thank you very much!
2007-06-03 15:43:52 · answer #7 · answered by odd duck 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
More and more evidence is coming out that show where the Native Americans came from. Archaeological evidence shows that a large migration occurred around 15,000 years ago. There is evidence that migrations occurred much earlier than that. Recently there is DNA evidence that shows that there is no Middle East DNA within the Native American population. DNA evidence shows they came from Asia, which corresponds with other evidence. Maybe this kind of evidence is causing some Mormons to move away from moving the traditional belief that the Lamanites are the "principal" ancestors of the Native Americans.
2007-06-05 22:50:54 · answer #8 · answered by AZeus 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The particular Mormons you are talking about are called Jackmormons. They say they are Mormons, but they don't go to church or do anything.
Yes, most Mormons and most Mormons in Utah, too, take the Book of Mormon literally like their supposed to. Adam and Eve were in the US.
2007-06-03 15:38:23 · answer #9 · answered by Nijg 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I take the Book of Mormon seriously and literally. Every first Sunday of the month, when thousands of Mormons stand before their congregations and say "I know the Book of Mormon is true." They are falsifying the statement you heard on the radio. Most Mormons believe it is literally true.
However, there are definitely some vocal Mormons who disagree.
2007-06-03 21:10:54 · answer #10 · answered by je_apostrophe 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋