Are Mormons a threat to Roman Catholicism?

[Asa_Ben_Judah]

As I read the threads responding to questions regarding Mormons and their beliefs, I detect an almost paranoid temperament, one that suggests irrationality regarding what they teach.

Our Lord Jesus Christ faced the same challenge, whatever he did or taught was challenged by the authoritative religious elite; “And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, this [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” (Matt 12: 23,24)

It is true to say that the greatest risk to any establishment is always from within and Holy Scripture teaches us that Jesus Christ warned that it was “He that dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.” (Matt 26: 23) It was Judas, a disillusioned and reprehensible disciple, who ultimately set in train what some perceived would be the end of the vexatious teacher from Galilee and his cult.

But it was not the end because what ever seeks to destroy the work of God ultimately and unwittingly contributes to its fulfilment but will never share in the eschatological glory promised to the truly faithful.

The threat to Roman Catholicism has always come from within;
Mormonism or to be more precise The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, did not begin from the efforts of a disillusioned Catholic and to quote the words of Gamaliel (Acts 5:38,39)

“So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Regarding the question, my answer would have to be “no.” If the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church, according to the Words of Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, then surely we have nothing to fear from Joseph Smith.

 

[Wildgraywolf]

JKirkLVNV:

Regarding the question, my answer would have to be “no.” If the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church, according to the Words of Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, then surely we have nothing to fear from Joseph Smith.

I’d have to agree with you JK, but I do find their doctrines & practices scary, to say the least.

 

[Conster74]

Mormons are a threat to the faith of individual Catholics. The catechesis in many parishes isn’t all that great and you almost have to go online in order to look for material for when they inevitably knock on your door. If an individual Catholic whose faith is lukewarm at best, who only prays at Christmas and Easter, or before buying a lottery ticket, encounters a Mormon who is naturally well versed in selling what I call their bill of goods, then of course its a threat to the faith of the individual Catholic.
The best way to counter this threat is to receive the Sacraments, particularly the Sacraments of Confession and Communion. Communion preferably every day. Pray the Rosary, wear the Scapular and often brush up on your Catholic Faith and also how to defend it. Keep in mind you are probably NOT going to be successful in converting the other guy and if you can manage to remain staunchly Catholic in the face of the pleading, cajoling opprobium of the Mormon, you’ve come out a winner already
Is Mormonism a threat to the Church? Not on your life – that would be like saying Satan beat Christ on the cross. He beat up ON Him – but in the end, you know who came out victorious. Cheerz!

 

[Love2Run]

ABJ -

Interesting post and thread you’ve started here.

In response to the question, I would have to say “no.” As an institution, I believe LDS is not a threat to Catholicism. I believe in freedom of religion in our country (and others, for that matter) and people can choose to worship/preach to whatever ideals that they want.

For Catholic individuals, the threat is not knowing their faith enough to discern what beliefs are basically a collection of man-made “garbage” (and I’m not suggesting here that LDS is) and what is the true Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

IMO, in contrast to one of your previous posts elsewhere I believe that there is a set of beliefs that is the foundation of the true Church. Whether or not it is the Catholic faith can be debated here and elsewhere on this forum (this it the Internet, right?), but I essentially believe that is the critical question that all theists - especially Catholics - must seek out and address on their own. Unfortunately, I don’t believe all the faiths can be absolutely correct together, so one must discern what is the true Church.

My 2 cents.

God Bless!

 

[cestusdei]

In the long run they are not a threat as they will never prevail over the Church founded by Jesus himself ie. the Catholic Church. However, they do focus on converting Catholics. That is a threat.

 

[Malachi4U]

The only threat the Mormons (LDS) are to anybody is to themselves.

Their theology is ill-thought-out at best. Their people are basically very nice men and women. Many Christians would do well looking at many of the positive traits of the LDS people compared to themself. Great social activities and social pressure to be and remain LDS inside their sect.

 

[Tmaque]

Asa Ben Judah:

As I read the threads responding to questions regarding Mormons and their beliefs, I detect an almost paranoid temperament, one that suggests irrationality regarding what they teach.

Our Lord Jesus Christ faced the same challenge, whatever he did or taught was challenged by the authoritative religious elite; “And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, this [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” (Matt 12: 23,24)

It is true to say that the greatest risk to any establishment is always from within and Holy Scripture teaches us that Jesus Christ warned that it was “He that dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.” (Matt 26: 23) It was Judas, a disillusioned and reprehensible disciple, who ultimately set in train what some perceived would be the end of the vexatious teacher from Galilee and his cult.

But it was not the end because what ever seeks to destroy the work of God ultimately and unwittingly contributes to its fulfilment but will never share in the eschatological glory promised to the truly faithful.

The threat to Roman Catholicism has always come from within;
Mormonism or to be more precise The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, did not begin from the efforts of a disillusioned Catholic and to quote the words of Gamaliel (Acts 5:38,39)

“So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

When Gamaliel said that he was refering to a small group of people whose leader had just been killed and comparing it to two other groups whose leader had met the same fate. That’s no comparison to the LDS church.

In response to your question. Ultimately, I believe the growth of LDS church will continue to outpace the growth of the Catholic church until such time that it is large enough to warrant sufficient doctrinal criticism on a large scale. I don’t believe it will hold up to real scrutiny on a large measure. The church has been able to hide the negative history of Joseph Smith and the early church up to now. As the church becomes larger and more mainstream that will change. I believe at that point it’s growth will slow and it will eventually begin to diminish. Just my opinion.

 

[Tmaque]

cestusdei:

In the long run they are not a threat as they will never prevail over the Church founded by Jesus himself ie. the Catholic Church. However, they do focus on converting Catholics. That is a threat.

The only Catholics that are susceptible are those who do not know there faith very well. That is OUR fault as Catholics.

 

[Tmaque]

Conster74:

Mormons are a threat to the faith of individual Catholics. The catechesis in many parishes isn’t all that great and you almost have to go online in order to look for material for when they inevitably knock on your door. If an individual Catholic whose faith is lukewarm at best, who only prays at Christmas and Easter, or before buying a lottery ticket, encounters a Mormon who is naturally well versed in selling what I call their bill of goods, then of course its a threat to the faith of the individual Catholic.
The best way to counter this threat is to receive the Sacraments, particularly the Sacraments of Confession and Communion. Communion preferably every day. Pray the Rosary, wear the Scapular and often brush up on your Catholic Faith and also how to defend it. Keep in mind you are probably NOT going to be successful in converting the other guy and if you can manage to remain staunchly Catholic in the face of the pleading, cajoling opprobium of the Mormon, you’ve come out a winner already
Is Mormonism a threat to the Church? Not on your life – that would be like saying Satan beat Christ on the cross. He beat up ON Him – but in the end, you know who came out victorious. Cheerz!

Conster, I can’t believe it but I agree with you. Good post.

 

[Kielbasi]

Mormons are no more a threat to Catholicism than any other denomination, sect, religion or creed.

Hyper-anti-mormonism which is sometimes expressed, is a point of negativity if the goal to is convert LDS’ers, as the “persecution” (although it really doesn’t reach the level of true persecution) reinforces the beliefs of the persecutee.

sanguis martyrum est semen Christianorum isn’t just a spiritual truth but a psychological and sociological one as well and applies to all ideologies and religions on a certain level, not just the Catholic Church.

Mormonism’s sacrament is no more invalid than that of Presbyterianism or Methodism, to consider it a particular evil to be fought especially hard isn’t necessary and is counterproductive.

 

[CreosMary]

NO NO NO
The Mormons are still very small in comparison. The one true Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church is still the fasting growing Church in the world. It may appear others are growing faster as they have a smaller base of numbers to start with. Percentage wise RCC continues to shine as it has the truth.
LDS dont bother me, they come to the door, invite them in and stay staunch, they never return.

 

[TomK]

While I was back at BYU, I was taught that at the end of the day, only one of two churches could be that founded by Christ; the Mormon or the Catholic church. All of the rest were merely apostates, “having a form of Godliness but denying the power therein.” Ironically, both churches trace the lineage of their priesthood back to Peter.

I was well taught on how to decimate the history of the Catholic Church in debate. In restrospect, how interesting it is that the Mormons found it so unfair when the Evangelicals did the same to the Mormons!

As a Mormon coming home to the Catholic Church, I concur that the Mormon missionaries are only a threat so far as the Catholic “faithful” remain lukewarm and ignore the noble history of the church. When Catholics appreciate the great treasure that has been nurtured and passed down to them, there is not another faith that could touch it.

The threat lies in the Mormons’ ability to identify and pick off families who don’t practice a religion vigorously. Members who are not enfolded in the vibrant world of their community of Non-Mormon faith.

As one of my BYU religion professors once told me, “Churches are like beds, no one ever fell out from being too far in.” Therefore, the need is to identify the weaker sheep, then keep them safe, warm and loved until they are stronger.