How is the LDS a cult?

[RebeccaJ]

Actually it isn’t, and this misses the actual point of doing something simply because one should or one is told to, and doing something because they understand the purpose, benefits, and internalize the spirit of helping one’s neighbor and strengthening our brethren. If someone is doing home or visiting teaching simply for the numbers, to say they did it, etc., then they miss the point, as clearly emphasized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Doesn’t matter why, it’s still a bureaucracy.

No, these are not obligations.

Didn’t say they were. I said, you’ll be asked for more money.

Absolutely not, these are not cultic practices, and it is interesting that I have read many times of Evangelicals accusing Catholicism of being a cult because of various practices such as the need to confess sins to a priest, the necessity of the priest to perform certain sacraments, such as the Eucharist, the Pope, etc etc. The fact is, Latter-day Saints believe that, in accordance with the Bible, one should follow the commandments God has given. One such commandment, out of many others, is tithing, and that tithing is one demonstration of sacrifice. Latter-day Saints further believe that the Lord’s Church is governed by those ordained to God’s priesthood, and that those in authority in the Church of Jesus Christ, such as bishops, stake presidents, apostles, etc. can help us on our spiritual journey, not only in the reception of sacred ordinances, but in the other parts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as they are called to do so.

You aren’t getting the point, it isn’t the practice of tithing that is cultish in nature. It is the tracking, followup and DENIAL of what you consider to be saving ordinances, if/when you don’t pay. You should understand, Christians pay tithing, but it is up to us how much, and to what purpose, i.e., we CHOOSE. No one is following up on anyone else to make sure we’ve paid enough, and keeping us from sacraments because we haven’t.

If looking out for our brothers and sisters in Christ, checking on their spiritual and temporal well being (“scheduled” I assume you mean when I pick up the phone or email someone and ask if and when they would like to meet to share a spiritual message, or if they need help with anything), is “cultic”, then so be it. We are in this together, and I am grateful that there are those that look out for my spiritual and temporal well being, and will help me (or to use the Biblical word, “strengthen” me) when I need it.

You are missing the point. Again, it isn’t the practice, it is the consequences your church places on you for NOT either a) keeping track of other people or b) doing or not doing something that someone else has tracked about you.

By scheduled I mean, once a month you are required to check on people, and others are required to check on you. By tracking, I mean, who has checked up on who is recorded. Other scheduled checkups are temple recommend interviews or tithing payment settlements.

Maybe you think it is normal for you to check up on other people to ensure they are behaving properly, paying enough, attending required meetings, etc. Maybe you think it is normal for other people to be checking up on you all the time. What I’m telling you is, IT ISN’T. You can lead a Christian life of service to others in freedom. One where, the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. There is no need for watchers that have been placed over you to ensure you are in service to others.

There is no need to read a thread on Eucharistic Adoration since I’ve attended many times, including at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. You are side stepping the issue, since I am not talking about Eucharistic Adoration (a Western practice), but the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox iconostasis, in relation to the issue of restriction of access to a sacred space (and women are especially restricted from the “Holy of Holies” behind the iconostasis). Yes, there are obvious differences (and again, I clearly stated that there is similarity in “some senses”).

I am not side-stepping the issue. The point is, no Catholic is kept from any sacrament that we view as a gift from God, given for our benefit, until such a time as we experience a secret ceremony. Do you want to see a Christian initiation? Go to Easter Vigil. No non-Catholic is kept from our most important ritual, the Mass. No non-Catholic is kept from viewing our initiatory rituals.

We have many sacred spaces. If/when a person doesn’t go in those areas is not the same as being denied entrance to your temple. You know this, you are for whatever reason, trying to diminish the secret nature of your temples.

NO ONE is walking into one of your temples without being interviewed, paying a full tithe, and carrying a barcoded card.

There is NO comparison to anything in the catholic churches, east or west.
**
You are just making diversions. You aren’t addressing the fact that you must PAY in order to receive what you consider a very necessary saving ordinance from your church. Whether or not you are up on your tithing is rigorously checked to ensure you have paid. If you haven’t paid, you are DENIED what your church teaches is the most important activity in your life.**

 

[SteveVH]

No… with my view, cults use tactics such as brainwashing, to convince people to join them. I have had first hand experience with Mormons. About 1/4 of my entire family is Mormon. I have been to Church with them before. They exhibit no bizarre behavior, nor do they try to “brainwash” me into their belief system. That being said however… their beliefs are very strange.

God Bless:thumbsup:

It seems to me that any organization that uses external pressure in order to keep their flock in line is a cult. The JW’s do this by basically banishing one from association with family and friends should they decide to leave the faith. I have heard from ex-Mormons that you can be sure that your life will change big time if you decide to leave, even to the point of loosing your job. Since I am not an ex-Mormon I cannot speak first hand so I am open for correction.

If one decides to leave the Catholic Church they are free to do so without any such external consequences. We await their return with open arms.

 

[ForeverGrace]

This is an excellent question. I haven’t read all the replies, but I did want to give you all a terrific website where you can get some answers that are completely accurate and reliable.

I’m a friendly acquaintance of LaTayne Scott. LaTayne is a former 'true blue (that’s a Mormon euphemism) Mormon. She even attended Brigham Young University. She is the author of The Mormon Mirage. I believe it is in its 3rd printing now. LaTayne also has written a piece of fiction titled “Latter Day Cipher”. It’s a wonderful story and LaTayne gives the reader of the inside view of the Mormon church as she weaves these beliefs among her fictional characters. One line chills me to the bone. ** “Don’t ever underestimate the will, nor the ability, nor the financial resources that the LDS
church has, and will expend , in defending itself”.**

LaTayne’s site is: latayne.com

LaTayne is completely honest and candid. She is now a Christian.

God Bless

 

[tarboy]

Hmmm
I hope the same about the Catholic Church.
So happy to see the HHS lawsuit, where the RCC was underestimated and iIS STHANDING UP to defend itself!

I expect the same of any respectable religion or person of faith.

Why do you get “chills” when considering LDS church might exhibit such traits.

One line chills me to the bone. **"Don’t ever underestimate the will, nor the ability, nor the financial resources that the LDS **
church has, and will expend , in defending itself".

LaTayne’s site is: latayne.com

LaTayne is completely honest and candid. She is now a Christian.

God Bless

 

[twopekinguys]

Doesn’t matter why, it’s still a bureaucracy.

Didn’t say they were. I said, you’ll be asked for more money.

You aren’t getting the point, it isn’t the practice of tithing that is cultish in nature. It is the tracking, followup and DENIAL of what you consider to be saving ordinances, if/when you don’t pay. You should understand, Christians pay tithing, but it is up to us how much, and to what purpose, i.e., we CHOOSE. No one is following up on anyone else to make sure we’ve paid enough, and keeping us from sacraments because we haven’t.

You are missing the point. Again, it isn’t the practice, it is the consequences your church places on you for NOT either a) keeping track of other people or b) doing or not doing something that someone else has tracked about you.

By scheduled I mean, once a month you are required to check on people, and others are required to check on you. By tracking, I mean, who has checked up on who is recorded. Other scheduled checkups are temple recommend interviews or tithing payment settlements.

Maybe you think it is normal for you to check up on other people to ensure they are behaving properly, paying enough, attending required meetings, etc. Maybe you think it is normal for other people to be checking up on you all the time. What I’m telling you is, IT ISN’T. You can lead a Christian life of service to others in freedom. One where, the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. There is no need for watchers that have been placed over you to ensure you are in service to others.

I am not side-stepping the issue. The point is, no Catholic is kept from any sacrament that we view as a gift from God, given for our benefit, until such a time as we experience a secret ceremony. Do you want to see a Christian initiation? Go to Easter Vigil. No non-Catholic is kept from our most important ritual, the Mass. No non-Catholic is kept from viewing our initiatory rituals.

We have many sacred spaces. If/when a person doesn’t go in those areas is not the same as being denied entrance to your temple. You know this, you are for whatever reason, trying to diminish the secret nature of your temples.

NO ONE is walking into one of your temples without being interviewed, paying a full tithe, and carrying a barcoded card.

There is NO comparison to anything in the catholic churches, east or west.
**
You are just making diversions. You aren’t addressing the fact that you must PAY in order to receive what you consider a very necessary saving ordinance from your church. Whether or not you are up on your tithing is rigorously checked to ensure you have paid. If you haven’t paid, you are DENIED what your church teaches is the most important activity in your life.**

This is another case of someone not wanting to have an honest discussion, but rather define what the word “is” is.

Rebecca, you should know by now there are few if any mormons that can honestly engage and discuss a subject without constant diversions.

These posts remind me of a certain poster that did the same thing, and he is not with us anymore.

 

[Todd_Martin]

*Here’s what a cult is defined as:

1. A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
2. A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.*

Kanuck,

First of all, I think you have chosen a convenient definition of what a cult is. Of course we understand that contingient of vacuum cleaner salesmen could be liberally defined as a latin “Cultus”.

BUT that is not what we mean in the modern sense! And our cool liberalness is easily squelched when it is OUR children who come home and tell us happily that they had become a Scientologist, a Mormon or a Jehovah’s Witness.

I’ll give you one reason why I think Mormonism falls within the cultic specturm.

Mormons, like Scientologists or certain radical Islamic groups, are not honest actors. They don’t not truthfully convey honest discourse about their intentions, beliefs or actions, not as a matter of individual failings, but as an instituted and acceptable way of promoting the “cause” by any means necessary. Lies, Thuggary, Dishonesty are all acceptable when dealing with “gentiles” or “infidels” and no debate with outsiders is conducted with genuine and disagreable honesty.

 

[Yarb]

What is a “cult”?? Does that word refer to an actual concept? It seems to me that the popular view that the word “cult” refers to a religious movement that is either new or non-standard or in some ways bad, is just TV-journalese. Most TV journalists are airheads who are required to use words they don’t understand constantly. I think it used to mean something like “sect” or “religious denomination”, but then TV news people got ahold of it and started using it in ways that have connotations but no precise denotations. That a word should even have denotations as opposed to connotations seems to go over the heads of these people.

 

[yankeeredneck]

As a former Mormon, I’m not going to get in delineating as to whether or not Mormonism is a cult.

But I did want to point out, the temple ceremony is certainly cult-like in nature.
The temple ceremony is the summit of their worship.

The term “cult” has little meaning, since it is wildly subjective. Basically, anything we think is odd or strange is a cult. So we are calling each other cultists to no end. If we want to speak about Mormonism, we should compare it to Christianity, to which it is more closely allied. Mormons use the King James version of the Bible, along with their specialized scriptures that nobody else uses. Some beliefs you might consider odd or unorthodox. It is when they refer to themselves as Christians that I have a problem, for they do not adhere to the Nicene Creed, which defines who is a Christian. Specifically, they do not believe that Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit comprise the one and only God, but rather you can become the god of your own planet if you die a good Mormon. They believe in baptizing on behalf of the dead and that the Father has a body of flesh and blood and has sex with many wives to create spirit babies, who become humans, on a planet orbiting the star Kolob. Up until the Utah Territory applied for statehood, Mormons allowed polygamy, and some branches still do, although sub rosa.

If I have any of this wrong, please let me know and provide references, if known. I am trying to state this from memory and it has been a long time. Having said all this, I find Mormons to be decent, God-loving people with good morals and family values. I would rather have a Mormon than an Islamist living next door to me. In fact, my son was a member for a while.

 

[mangy_dog]

Why do so many people believe the LDS is a cult? I personally think otherwise. How could a church with nearly 15 million members, be a cult? And I know some Mormons and they told me the church doesn’t dictate what they can and cannot do. Look at many Mormon politicians. They let their positions known and receive no criticism towards them from the LDS church. It’s not like Mormons are held on a leash or anything.

Also, the church has no charismatic or authoritarian leader, and I recently talked to a Mormon who told me they don’t worship any of their prophets (even Joseph Smith!). The current president seems like a genuinely nice, and democratic leader.

Here’s what a cult is defined as:

1. A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
2. A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

If the LDS is a cult, then us Catholics and protestants are as well, since we devote our lives to Jesus Christ. Also, the LDS is by no means small, and it’s practices are not too strange (besides wearing special undergarments and not being able to drink coffee or alcohol).

Also, I don’t want to come off as pro-Mormon or anti-Catholic (I love my Catholic faith). So lets keep this civil.

Regards,
Kanuck

Ok Kanuck,

1. The Catholic church is the one, true church that Christ intended to exist after His ascension into heaven and of which He left Peter as it’s first Pope…264 popes later to Pope Benedict XVI. And the gates of hell have not and will not prevail against her.

something just came up. I’ll give you the other points at a later time.

 

[pmccombs]

Also, the church has no charismatic or authoritarian leader, and I recently talked to a Mormon who told me they don’t worship any of their prophets (even Joseph Smith!). The current president seems like a genuinely nice, and democratic leader.

No charismatic leader… alas, I fear you are right.

The current president seems like a genuinely nice and democratic leader? How about we leave it at “genuinely nice.” That’s true enough. But I wouldn’t call my church particularly democratic. “By common consent” is a concept that is rapidly disappearing in the religion. It’s more like a–I don’t know–corporate/business type government dressed up with gospel-talk. Blessing others and serving God by serving Mammon!

I think there are degrees of worship. We certainly don’t pray to any prophets, and we make allowances for them not to be perfect by any means (though we sometimes forget this claim in practice, it would seem). Prophets have certainly been elevated in our esteem. But if anyone tells you that Mormons just have to do what the prophet says (or else!), and that we can’t think for ourselves, please take me as a humble example to the contrary. They haven’t kicked me out yet.

 

[Holly3278]

I am a former Mormon. I had been a Catholic for a year or two and for some reason my faith was weak and I strayed and became Mormon. I have since resigned my membership in the Mormon church and so I am no longer on their membership rolls. I am now an active and faithful Catholic and my faith is much stronger. I would say that they are a cult.

 

[PJM]

=Kanuckistani;9221415]Why do so many people believe the LDS is a cult? I personally think otherwise. How could a church with nearly 15 million members, be a cult? And I know some Mormons and they told me the church doesn’t dictate what they can and cannot do. Look at many Mormon politicians. They let their positions known and receive no criticism towards them from the LDS church. It’s not like Mormons are held on a leash or anything.

Also, the church has no charismatic or authoritarian leader, and I recently talked to a Mormon who told me they don’t worship any of their prophets (even Joseph Smith!). The current president seems like a genuinely nice, and democratic leader.

Here’s what a cult is defined as:

1. A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
2. A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

If the LDS is a cult, then us Catholics and protestants are as well, since we devote our lives to Jesus Christ. Also, the LDS is by no means small, and it’s practices are not too strange (besides wearing special undergarments and not being able to drink coffee or alcohol).

Also, I don’t want to come off as pro-Mormon or anti-Catholic (I love my Catholic faith). So lets keep this civil.

Regards,
Kanuck

I beg to differ with you position.

Catholics and Christians hold LDS as a CULY rightly so because they do NOT believe in the

Same God we do [same terms BUT vastly differnt understanding of]

Do Not accept Christ as the Sone of God and man

Do Not accept the Trinity or the Sacraments or Grace or Faith

Do not accept the Bible

Do not accept what God proclaims will be our after life

Do NOT accept Heven, hell or purgatory

Do not accept the reality of OUR Souls

There is MORE; but these abhorant beliefs contradict Christianity and Catholism.

Still they are a MORAL people with a sense of moral right and wrong.

God Bless,
Pat/Pjm

 

[pmccombs]

I beg to differ with you position.

Catholics and Christians hold LDS as a CULY rightly so because they do NOT believe in the

Same God we do [same terms BUT vastly differnt understanding of]

I never met my paternal grandfather. To me, he was someone else’s memory, and I never understood him. My dad knew him, though. We both believed in the same man, only very differently. The claim that Mormons somehow believe in a “different” God than the rest of Christianity is nonsense. The Mormons, at least, claim to believe in the same God as everyone else even if they acknowledge that their theology differs.

Do Not accept Christ as the Sone of God and man

Do so!

Do Not accept the Trinity or the Sacraments or Grace or Faith

Mormons believe in a godhead of Father, Son, and Holy ghost, perfectly United in purpose and thought yet distinct in substance. They believe that we are saved by grace after all that we can do. Faith is the first principal of the Mormon gospel.

Do not accept the Bible

Not only accept the bible, but revere it as the very word of God.

Do not accept what God proclaims will be our after life

Mormons preach the immortality of the soul and its Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Do NOT accept Heven, hell or purgatory

Accept, accept, and accept (though Mormons call purgatory “spirit prison”)

Do not accept the reality of OUR Souls

Mormons teach that all of God’s creations are possessed of a Soul; all material existing spiritually at first.

There is MORE; but these abhorant beliefs contradict Christianity and Catholism.

Maybe they would contradict Christianity, if any Mormons actually believed in those allegedly abhorrent things.

 

[Stephen168]

I beg to differ with you position.

Catholics and Christians hold LDS as a CULY rightly so because they do NOT believe in the

Same God we do [same terms BUT vastly differnt understanding of]

Do Not accept Christ as the Sone of God and man

Do Not accept the Trinity or the Sacraments or Grace or Faith

Do not accept the Bible

Do not accept what God proclaims will be our after life

Do NOT accept Heven, hell or purgatory

Do not accept the reality of OUR Souls

There is MORE; but these abhorant beliefs contradict Christianity and Catholism.

Still they are a MORAL people with a sense of moral right and wrong.

God Bless,
Pat/Pjm

I think your list describes why Catholics believe Mormons are not Christian. It does not necessarily describe why we believe they are a cult. I focus more on:

Here’s what a cult is defined as:

1. A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.

 

[Porknpie]

Mormons believe in a godhead of Father, Son, and Holy ghost, perfectly United in purpose and thought yet distinct in substance. They believe that we are saved by grace after all that we can do. Faith is the first principal of the Mormon gospel.

We do not believe that we will go to heaven and become Gods and rule over an earth like planet. Our God was never human. And Jesus is not the brother of Lucifer. Faith is a principle of many religions. What matters is knowing the truth and not being led astray.
(FYI, I’d love to see the Mormon church excavate Cumorah and show us the millions that died, their civilization ruins, chariots, swords and elephants. If they simply would do this they would convert the world. So why does the Mormon church not excavate? Answer, they know that there is nothing there and that would be evidence that the book of Mormon is fiction.)

Back to topic. Take a look at the video attached by an ex Mormon who raised 14 children and worked a temple in LA. He was not allowed to attend his sons wedding because he did not tithe enough to the church. Its very sad, touching and disturbing. He also has 400 additional videos to share. Coercion and threats are cult attributes …

 

[pmccombs]

We do not believe that we will go to heaven and become Gods and rule over an earth like planet. Our God was never human. And Jesus is not the brother of Lucifer. Faith is a principle of many religions. What matters is knowing the truth and not being led astray.

You’ve brought up speculative Mormonism. No correlated Mormon doctrine in the 21st century acknowledges the speculation of ruling an earth-like planet. Instead we have boring, safe, mostly regular-Christian-sounding stuff now, with just enough of this-and-that to claim we’re still God’s one true church. Yay.

There is Mormon doctrine that still finds its way into priesthood manuals regarding the human potential to become as God is, though Gordon B. Hinckley apparently tried to put some distance on that one. Mormons do indeed believe that Jesus and Lucifer were both God’s creations, making them brothers. But that’s hardly considered an article of faith; not even close. It’s an obscure artifact of Mormon theology, more like. Mormons don’t think about it and don’t talk about it (“Hey, did you know Lucifer is Jesus’ brother? Kid brother, to be precise! Honest truth!”).

And, by the way, faithful people of most religions “know the truth” and are diligently striving not to be led astray from it. In fact, religious folks of all stripes often know the truth with undeniable certainty, just like they know they live and breathe. But knowing a thing does not make it so.

(FYI, I’d love to see the Mormon church excavate Cumorah and show us the millions that died, their civilization ruins, chariots, swords and elephants. If they simply would do this they would convert the world. So why does the Mormon church not excavate? Answer, they know that there is nothing there and that would be evidence that the book of Mormon is fiction.)

Just like all that excavation for Biblical historicity, so eagerly engaged in by the likes of the Seventh Day Adventists, proved the claims of the Bible and converted the world? Oh that’s right; the only evidences we got from those ongoing episodes suggest that the Old Testament is almost certainly a Persian-era fabrication based in folk religion (and yes, a bit of history too) that is “often fictional and almost always propagandistic,” as William Dever has said.

All of the world’s religious texts are semi-truths or outright fables when it comes to material fact. When it comes to the things of the soul, however, they become more than truth. The Book of Mormon is no exception. Whether those stories actually happened or not, they’re true. At least, they are true to the Mormons whom they profoundly affect.

Back to topic. Take a look at the video attached by an ex Mormon who raised 14 children and worked a temple in LA. He was not allowed to attend his sons wedding because he did not tithe enough to the church. Its very sad, touching and disturbing. He also has 400 additional videos to share. Coercion and threats are cult attributes …

While we’re at it, let’s take a look at all the dozens of You Tube videos and web sites out there about how the Catholic Church is the devil’s own cult, etc. Hey, here’s one about how the Catholic church fulfills all SIX cult attributes! (Did you know there were six? Yes, six!) … (Go on! Google it! I dare you!). Wow, some of these are even by–uh oh–ex Catholics. Oh, all the wrongs these people endured as Catholics! Don’t you feel for them? A little bit sad maybe? A little touched? A little disturbed? Surely these rabid ex-Catholics persuade you! No? You think it’s all silliness and nonsense? These grumpy former faithful are just misled? Perhaps they were treated unfairly by someone in the church, but not by The Church? Hmmm… But this ex-Mormon is right on, eh? Oh, yeah, legitimate grievances all the way; the only side of the story worth knowing.

That previous paragraph was sarcasm, by the way. All in good humor, of course. My point is that it’s really astonishing for people who walk by faith and not by sight to criticize other people who walk by a different faith. These people all wake up from time to time and think they see something, but–wouldn’t you know it–we all have these massive beams in our eyes that prevent us from seeing very clearly.

I guess y’all can think the LDS are one big cult if you like. What’s the point? To make it more scary? I’m a culty Mormon, you know. Boo!

 

[Porknpie]

PMCombs-

You’ve brought up speculative Mormonism. No correlated Mormon doctrine in the 21st century acknowledges the speculation of ruling an earth-like planet. Instead we have boring, safe, mostly regular-Christian-sounding stuff now, with just enough of this-and-that to claim we’re still God’s one true church. Yay.

This is from Mormonfaq.com, a Mormon website and here is the link and first paragraph.

mormonfaq.com/faqs/why-do-mormons-think-they-can-become-gods

Why do Mormons Think They Can Become Gods

Sometimes it can be helpful to answer a question with a question.* In the case of the above question, we’re inclined to ask, “Don’t all Christians?”* What we must do in this article is show not why members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that they can become gods, but why the doctrine is at or at least very close to the center of all Christian theology.*

Just like all that excavation for Biblical historicity, so eagerly engaged in by the likes of the Seventh Day Adventists, proved the claims of the Bible and converted the world? Oh that’s right; the only evidences we got from those ongoing episodes suggest that the Old Testament is almost certainly a Persian-era fabrication based in folk religion (and yes, a bit of history too) that is “often fictional and almost always propagandistic,” as William Dever has said.

All of the world’s religious texts are semi-truths or outright fables when it comes to material fact. When it comes to the things of the soul, however, they become more than truth. The Book of Mormon is no exception. Whether those stories actually happened or not, they’re true. At least, they are true to the Mormons whom they profoundly affect.

Does the Mormon church teach that the ancient north American civilizations were fable, contradicting the word of God in the Book of Mormon? What devine revelation occured to whom that changed the Mormon belief? Regardless, if I couldnt trust this story, I can’t trust anything else in the BoM. Evidently you can.

While we’re at it, let’s take a look at all the dozens of You Tube videos and web sites out there about how the Catholic Church is the devil’s own cult, etc. Hey, here’s one about how the Catholic church fulfills all SIX cult attributes! (Did you know there were six? Yes, six!) … (Go on! Google it! I dare you!). Wow, some of these are even by–uh oh–ex Catholics. Oh, all the wrongs these people endured as Catholics! Don’t you feel for them? A little bit sad maybe? A little touched? A little disturbed? Surely these rabid ex-Catholics persuade you! No? You think it’s all silliness and nonsense? These grumpy former faithful are just misled? Perhaps they were treated unfairly by someone in the church, but not by The Church? Hmmm… But this ex-Mormon is right on, eh? Oh, yeah, legitimate grievances all the way; the only side of the story worth knowing.

That previous paragraph was sarcasm, by the way. All in good humor, of course. My point is that it’s really astonishing for people who walk by faith and not by sight to criticize other people who walk by a different faith. These people all wake up from time to time and think they see something, but–wouldn’t you know it–we all have these massive beams in our eyes that prevent us from seeing very clearly.

The videos are from an ex-Mormon, not a Catholic. Did you watch the video? Are you saying what he said is not a practice of the Mormon church, that they can prevent a parent from attending their child’s wedding if they do not tithe a “correct amount”? I honestly don’t know but I bet there are other ex-Mormons who do know that post on this board. I maintain that if true, that type of coercion supports Mormonism being a cult.

I guess y’all can think the LDS are one big cult if you like. What’s the point? To make it more scary? I’m a culty Mormon, you know. Boo!

That is the topic of the thread so I am not trying to be of ill-spirit. I didn’t even mention that the Mormon church believes that Catholic church to be the Whore of Babylon. So Boo to you! I said that in good humor. Actually, I have associates that I work with whom are Mormon and I see God’s love and kindness in them. They do however, lack the truth of Christ and are being misled by their Church.

 

[pmccombs]

PMCombs-

This is from Mormonfaq.com, a Mormon website and here is the link and first paragraph.

mormonfaq.com/faqs/why-do-mormons-think-they-can-become-gods

Why do Mormons Think They Can Become Gods

Sometimes it can be helpful to answer a question with a question.* In the case of the above question, we’re inclined to ask, “Don’t all Christians?”* What we must do in this article is show not why members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that they can become gods, but why the doctrine is at or at least very close to the center of all Christian theology.*

Hmm, it seems this site didn’t make it through the Correlation department at the Church headquarters, but as I mentioned (in case you missed it), we do have the doctrine of apotheosis in some of our current manuals.

Does the Mormon church teach that the ancient north American civilizations were fable, contradicting the word of God in the Book of Mormon? What devine revelation occured to whom that changed the Mormon belief? Regardless, if I couldnt trust this story, I can’t trust anything else in the BoM. Evidently you can.

Evidently I can. If I trust it, it’s not because I’m trying to learn history from it.

Certainly Mormons do believe that the Book of Mormon relates legitimate historic facts. I’m a bad Mormon. So smack me!

The videos are from an ex-Mormon, not a Catholic. Did you watch the video? Are you saying what he said is not a practice of the Mormon church, that they can prevent a parent from attending their child’s wedding if they do not tithe a “correct amount”? I honestly don’t know but I bet there are other ex-Mormons who do know that post on this board. I maintain that if true, that type of coercion supports Mormonism being a cult

Oh, I know your video was from an ex-Mormon and not a Catholic. I was just pointing out the many ex-Catholics who are similarly unhappy with certain practices and happenings that arise from the particulars of the Catholic religion. I don’t deny that one must claim full tithe status to obtain an LDS temple recommend. I merely point out that you and I stand on similar footing: If all the ex-Catholic literature is as true as the ex-Mormon stuff, does that support Catholicism being a cult?

That is the topic of the thread so I am not trying to be of ill-spirit. I didn’t even mention that the Mormon church believes that Catholic church to be the Whore of Babylon. So Boo to you! I said that in good humor. Actually, I have associates that I work with whom are Mormon and I see God’s love and kindness in them. They do however, lack the truth of Christ and are being misled by their Church.

Bah, the Whore of Babylon thing is old-school Mormonism. It’s not so popular anymore, never particularly “official,” and pretty much debunked in all corners of the Church. I don’t hear people talking about that. Protestant faiths may still cling to that teaching more tenaciously. I, for one, have a healthy respect for the Catholic Church in spite of my much troublesome rhetoric and shenanigans in this forum.

 

[Porknpie]

Hmm, it seems this site didn’t make it through the Correlation department at the Church headquarters, but as I mentioned (in case you missed it), we do have the doctrine of apotheosis in some of our current manuals. .

I find that very funny. but quite shocking. :bigyikes:

Confusion over whether the Mormon church teaches that you become Gods (and I can find a “rule a planet as a God” quote) and confusion whether the book of Mormon, as the word of God teaches that ancient civilizations existed in North America.

I’m signing off on this thread so you can have the last word but I would suggest drinking some coffee in the morning. :compcoff: and giving this some thought. (oh drink some coffee or is that prohibited in the BoM? )

 

[Angelina5]

Brigham Young, today revered by the LDS church as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, TAUGHT that the blood shed by Christ was not enough for certain sins!!! He taught the Blood Doctrine atonement, through which one would have to shed his own blood for certain sins. That is so shameful.
Was the practice of polyandry a commandment given by Christ?
Now, if there had been an apostasy after the death of the last Apostle, wouldn’t there exist some writings about it from early Christian historians??? The people within the early WOULD have noticed the alleged priesthood being taken away, just like the LDS church would CLEARLY notice the lack of priesthood. Or maybe not, since it is not a biblical priesthood.
WHY would have Judas been replaced if the Apostolic succession was not meant to continue on???
Anybody who claims that the church of Christ ha to be restored remains blasphemous in its words as it is accusing Jesus Christ of lying when he told his apostles that the gates of Hell shall NOT prevail against His church.

I was LDS for ten years and while I do my best to love and respect everyome equally, I must stand up for Christ when members of a blasphemous faith claim falsified truths.