Can you prove it?

Question

I am L.D.S., born and raised. I have told that my faith is a cult and that I need to get out fast. My thing is that I need more than someone say that, I need proof. If you can prove that my faith is santanic or a cult, or just evil, I will leave it. I will not turn to Traditional Christanity as I see too many holes in it. I will go Pagan instead. Can you prove it wrong without Wiki, Tanner or bashing?

Answer 1

When I was on my mission, I had an investigator ask if we were a cult. I responded by asking him to define that word(point for me!). I don't remember exactly what he said, but the way I saw it (still do), was that we were supposed to be cult-followers of Jesus Christ. He agreed, and we went on to stickier topics.

By most technical definitions (Webster, or other dictionary) of "cult," all religions are or were at one time a cult.

Yes, Mormonism teaches that the Savior and the devil are brothers. Object lesson in the power of one's choices in shaping one's life!

Yes, Satan is in the temple ceremonies- He's described as a serpent, a liar, and one who only wants our sorrow and misery. He tries to give Adam and Eve (representative of those who have chosen to follow God and His Son) what he calls "religion"... "the teachings of men, mingled with scripture"... Adam rejects this and tells Satan that he is waiting for truth from Someone a LOT more reliable.

Some will say we're evil simply because we believe that God isn't done speaking to mankind. What loving Father would simply stop talking to His children?? I think that teaching that God is not going to continue to teach and guide us is more evil!

Oh, and since we don't believe the "truth" about God (trinity), we're all going to hell, anyway. My question is- how does anyone know whether the Trinity or Mormonism's view is more correct? Who was the last person to actually lay eyes on God/Jesus?... Did he live to tell about it?
I'm sure you know all the references (Jesus' baptism, Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethesmane) that indicate that the Father and Son are two different beings.....

**Here's a thought- If Joseph Smith had made up the whole First Vision thing, don't you think he'd have worked with what he'd been taught (Trinity)... trying to make it more plausable and believable?

Yes, changes have been made to the Book of Mormon- like standardizing of spelling.... since in Joseph's time there was no such thing..... oh, and punctuation was also standardized... again, because in the early 1800s things like spelling and punctuation didn't really have any national or international standards.

Yes- we teach that women can't be exaulted without a husband... but do anti-Mormons ever tell you about the flip-side?... that a man cannot be exaulted without a wife? Funny how they forget that part.

D&C 50:22, 23... There's a lot of stuff out there, most of it has been twisted because it was either given or received without the spirit... and that can make a world of difference.




I'm sure you already know all this. Examine your testimony, read your scriptures, and ask Father again to remind you of what you already know.
*hug*

Answer 2

Well, from some of the other answers, I can see that some people don't believe in not bashing.

My answer to you is this: God will never lead you astray. Maybe what you need to do is take your concerns to Him and ask Him what you need to do. The LDS church isn't evil, or a cult- unless you add all religions in to that grouping. Our teachings may be different then other "mainstream" Christian churches, but that doesn't mean we are wrong. Since there is no real "proof" as to who is right and who is wrong, all we have to go by is what we feel about what we believe. If we think it's right for us, then it's right for us.

Here is a website for you that answers a whole lot of questions about that church. It gives scriptural references also, so feel free to check them out.

Answer 3

This is not Mormon bashing here, but you did ask. To see if anything is a cult, start with its foundation. You have to ask yourself if you're willing to bet your soul on the word of Joseph Smith about the "angel" and the tablets. Because that's where it all starts. Then ask yourself how the tablets could be in a language called "Reformed Egyptian", of which there is no record according to Egyptian experts. Then you have to check the facts in the Book of Mormon for credibility. To date, despite exhaustive archeological work, not even the Mormon Church has been able to find the slightest evidence that any of the events in this book actually happened here in the americas. In spite of the fact that much older artifacts are still being unearthed in the holy lands. You might watch a video called The Book Of Mormon vs The Bible, which includes some ex-Mormons as well as one of the Church Prophets. This is all about history and archeology. There are also many online sites you can research. After all this, if you find that The Book Of Mormon does'nt stand up as credible, then I think you could consider Mormonism a cult.

Don't write off traditional Christianity without a good look, though. If you have been raised as a Mormon, you probably don't know as much about it as you think you do.

I hope you find your answers. God bless you.

Answer 4

I think all religions are cults, but if youre intersted in some of the flaws in your religious doctrines, I will give you a quick, fun, easy to verify one that in no way "proves" mormonism is a cult. One of the "books" that is included in the mormon cannon was translated by YOur founder from an egyptian papyrus, this was before the rosetta stone, so it seemed really cool. Later someone else ran across that same papyrus and ( with the aid of actual translation) realized it was all made up. Just a little food for thought. I am goping to reccomend a book in the source list you might find interesting. Good luck with your search.

Answer 5

I think the sincerity of Joseph Smith is evident. He believed he was translating ancient texts. If only one could obtain a copy of the original text on the plates, we would be able to verify whether he actually translated them. The plates must of existed, both from the accounts of many individuals who hefted, felt or viewed them and from the fact that Joseph Smith had great integrity. He would not have lied about finding the plates. He was a very inspired individual and may indeed have seen visions of some kind. Perhaps he did see the angel Moroni. I do not know. What I am fairly certain of is this: there were plates buried in Cumorah, Joseph found them, Joseph produced a book called the Book of Mormon. Is the Book of Mormon true? The greatest proof would be finding the plates and verifying them. Unfortunately, no one knows where these plates are now. Members of the LDS church must rely on their reason and intellect, as well as their heart and spiritual intuition to decide whether or not the Book of Mormon is true.

Answer 6

I am a Christian. I am in a cult by saying so. I am admitting to being in a cult by admitting that I am a Christian. 'Cult' is not necessarily a dirty word. Look it up.

Now as for your Mormon faith, who are you faithing in? I have met a Mormon who had it right. He used to say VERY enthusiastically, " It's all about Jesus, you have to trust Jesus!"

Is that what you do?
Because if it isn't, then it doesn't matter which cult you are in, you aren't giving your trust to God the way He said to do it. You Mormons use the King James Version. Well, look it up! Read John 3 and 4 and tell me, is what Jesus is saying there making sense to you?

I hope so!

Answer 7

babe,evangelicals just love to demonise anyone who takes a different point of view.they think they've got the copyright on "church" and,indeed,"God".
as for all this anti-mormon hysteria,if people said those kind of things in this country about islam they'd be on more hitlists than the beatles.the tambourine bashers can say what they like about us lot,JWs and the like - we're an easy target.
every single religion on God's green earth has aspects that seem peculiar to non-subscribers,the evangelicals don't like it when christian-minded folk take a different line and so we get labelled as "cults".
i've heard these idiots rant on about sikhism,hinduism (a tradition thousands of years older than theirs) and the baha'i faith without even bothering to learn the most basic principles of those faiths.the arrogance of evangelicalsim never ceases to astound me.
they can't,in short,prove the church is wrong.if they could they would've done it by now.
faith is a very complex concept and you should never apologise for it nor should you ever have to find yourself in a position where you're defending your God-given right to worship (or not,as the case may be) according to the way you see it.
i was under the impression that the freedom to believe what you believe without molestation or persecution is one of the articles of the US constitution
your faith may well be terminally uncool but then that probably tells you a lot about the state of this sorry-*** world

Answer 8

Your main problem is your definition of the word "cult". A cult is not necessarily 'satanic' or 'pagan' or 'evil' - it just means something significantly different than their peers (in your case, other christians).

I mean I'm sure seventh-day adventists are considered a cult, but they seem pretty normal to me (just because they don't drink or smoke). I don't consider 'straight-edge' a cult either.

Answer 9

Okay I definitely don't know too much about L.D.S. but I think it was the cult where some dude had a revelation where God told him some crazy stuff like Jesus and satan are brothers. I don't want to be mean but how does traditional christianity have holes in it and this doesn't? What allows you to believe this and not true christianity

Answer 10

I enjoyed all those answers. I'm LDS first off and just to clarify those things. Women can get to the celestial kingdom without men. As a matter of fact, men can't get there without a woman. And there is proof to the Book of Mormon. Do more research and you'll find it.