those who criticize "Mormons", have you ever actually looked into it and learned about our beliefs?

Question

im not saying you should know every little detail or anything, but ive heard several times that we "don't believe in Christ" or something like that. but we fully believe in Christ. the name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His name is in the church's name. why would it be there if we didn't believe in him. the 1st Article of Faith says: "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." everything in the Book of Mormon shows that we believe in Him. He comes to the people in the Book of Mormon. the prophets received revelation from Him. we believe in the Bible. so why do you criticize us without looking into it?

sorry, i realized after i posted the question that it sounded like im saying everyone criticizes. but over the last 1/2 hour or so, at least 5 people asked "why are mormons considered Christian?" and i wanna know how much they've looked into it to actually see if we are or not.

Answer 1

I've seen those questions your talking about. I was just thinking. What if I defined being American as a person who salutes the flag, was born on soil, and knows the name of all the Presidents. That would certainly describe some Americans, but it leaves a lot out. And it's not up to me to define the term. The same applies to Christians. There are plenty of Christians that don't fit the definitions provided by other Christians. That's why there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Christian denominations. It is just silly to argue and bicker over who should be called what. I have a personal relationship with my Saviour, Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter to me if Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, etc. approve of it or not. There will only be one judge and it won't be any of them. (Thankfully I won't have to judge anyone either)

Answer 2

Many anti-Mormons have read pamphlets or tracts about the LdS Church and do copy and paste rants.

People still think we believe Adam to be the literal biological father of Jesus. People still pester us about polygamy - something we've disavowed for over 100 years.

We hear about the 4000+ changes in the Book of Mormon since the first printing, but they never seem to know what those changes are. Here's some clues. We added the subtitle "Another Testiment of Jesus Christ." We broke the passages into verses (originally they were paragraphs). We added chapter headings and footnotes. We split the pages into columns. We fixed spelling and grammar errors introduced by the printer (the original manuscript didn't contain any punctuation). A few passages were clarified by Joseph Smith Jr so the average user can distinguish between the Father and the Son (both commonly called God in the early 1800s). We also print new editions when the copyright holder changes.

Answer 3

You get both: those who indiscriminately disparage mormons themselves, and those who point out "every little detail" of questionable doctrine. When criticizing mormonism, members take it personally and generally display a soft-centered thin-skinned group who lash out proclaiming "Persecution!" and "Anti-Mormon!", which does little to promote real discourse.

Your Book of Mormon is a travesty of literature, it is neither a spiritual guide, or a historical source of anything: it is completely and totally false. Joseph Smith was no prophet in any sense, and neither are any that followed. "Inspired" mormon social experiments failed: anti-banking, United Order, polygamy and the denigration of black humans to name a few.

The Book of Abraham is so ludicrous in the church's insistence as 'written by the hand of Abraham' as to be nearly obscene. I heard and practiced this nonsense for nearly half a century, don't pretend I did not 'look into it'.

So, if you wish to take offense, I'm not surprised. I might have felt that way not long ago. But now I know not to be afraid of the boogyman, or whoever claims to speak for him.

And, I get Sundays off and a 10% raise.

Answer 4

I wrote my thesis paper on the Mormon Church while in seminary. So yes, I have looked into Mormon beliefs and learned their beliefs. While doing research I interviewed many Mormons.

The facts are that Mormons do not share the same beliefs in Christ as do Christians. You do not believe that Jesus is the God of the Trinity but instead believe in a polytheistic God. Mormons also pervert the teaching of Scriptures and add to Scriptures writings that are not inspired while atributing to those writings the same veracity of Holy Scripture.

It is not out of ignorance that the Mormon Church is not accepted by Christians but out of knowledge instead. You teach another Gospel and believe in millions of Gods whom you aspire to be one. As Christians we accept that we are created to serve the one God and not be one.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 5

I have looked into it, or I wouldn't criticize it.

I won't criticize YOU, however, because every Mormon I've ever known have ended up my my list of nicest-people-I-have-ever-known list.

I remember once that a Mormon friend of mine figured out something that would be considered dark, evil, and sick about me, in the eyes of the general populous. She leaned over to a mutual friend and just said, "Hey, is this true?" The mutual friend shrugged and said yes, and I could visibly see her brace for the fallout.

Our Mormon friend shrugged, simply said, "Oh, okay, was just curious." She never once mentioned it again.

THAT is Christian love and acceptance.

So yeah, dude, your belief structure is silly, even laughable. But I won't knock the people who hold it, strictly on the basis of that belief.

Answer 6

How about these Mormon teachings?

The Mormon Church teaches many false doctrines.

They believe the Bible is only one of God’s revelations to mankind. They have their own books which are considered later revelations. These books are: “The Book of Mormon,” “The Doctrine and Covenants,” and “The Pearl of Great Price.” However, the Bible is perfect and complete (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; James 1:25). In it God has given to us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). It contains “the faith which once for all was delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). The Bible provides everything we need to serve God and please Him (2 Timothy 3:16,17). God has warned us that we must not believe another Gospel even if it is brought to us by an angel (Galatians 1:6-9). We must not add to the Word of God (Revelation 22:18,19).

The Mormon Church believes in many gods.

We must believe in the true God in order to be saved (Ephesians 4:4-6; Hebrews 11:6). The Bible teaches there is only one true God (1 Timothy 2:5; James 2:19). Mormons, however, believe in many gods. They believe Adam was the god who created the earth. They believe every man can become a god. This is contrary to the teaching of the Bible that “God is Spirit” (John 4:24).

Mormons believe the priesthood of Aaron continues to this day.

The Bible teaches that the priesthood has been changed (Hebrews 7:12). Today, Jesus Christ is the Christians’ high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus is “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:14-21). Mormons believe men can become priests “after the order of Melchizedek.”According to the Bible, only Jesus Christ can be such a priest.

Mormons believe one man can have many wives.

They do not practice polygamy publicly any longer because it is against the law in many nations. While God permitted polygamy and divorce in the Old Testament, it was not a part of His original plan (Matthew 19:3-9). Jesus restored God’s original plan which is “one man, one wife - for life!” God’s plan for marriage today is for “each man to have his own wife” (1 Corinthians 7:2).

Mormons also practice “baptism for the dead.”

They believe one can be baptized on behalf of another person who has died. The Bible teaches man must obey for himself. Each one must hear the Gospel for himself (Romans 10:17; Acts 18:8). Each one must believe for himself (John 8:24). Each must repent of his own sins before he can be baptized (Acts 2:38). Each person must confess Christ for himself to be saved (Matthew 10:32,33). One cannot hear, believe, repent or confess on behalf of another person. Neither can one be baptized on behalf of another (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12). When one has died, it is too late for him to obey the Lord (Hebrews 9:27). There is no second chance after death.

Answer 7

Yes I did.

I guess that I can complement LDS for waiting till people are dead to baptize them into their faith. It's better than pestering them to death like other religions.

I just can't deal with the Father being Adam. The entire system is more of an ancestor worship cult to me.

Still, go be LDS and be loved if it floats your boat more power to you. It's just not my cup of tea. I wouldn't have said anything, but you did ask.

Blessed Be

Answer 8

How can the guy cheat and you have a black baby. The baby came out of your body so it had to be you who cheated. Maybe your gay then I'm not even sure what happened. But if your a girl and there was a black guy involved, even with protection it still could have been the black guys baby. Portection doesnt always work you know.

Answer 9

Um. I only criticize Mormon beliefs that the church actually teaches.

Answer 10

After moving to a predominantly LDS area, I took it upon myself to learn more about the LDS faith, and I found that I could not subscribe to many of the tenets of your faith. I don't criticize LDS members though - to each his/her own. I just don't believe that what the LDS faith teaches is true.