https://www.quora.com/What-do-Protestants-and-Catholics-think-of-Mormons/answer/James-Hough-1

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The LDS themselves believe themselves to be monotheists.

If we as Trinitarian Monotheists don’t appreciate Muslims calling us polytheists or tritheists, then in the interest of charity and ecumenism, we should, in general, acknowledge LDS people as monotheists.

In the context of a theological debate or dialogue, we could challenge them as to how they define monotheism and question their theology, but in general interactions with them we should acknowledge them in the way they view themselves - as monotheists.
 
Salmonslayer said:
, then people who claim to follow that scripture yet profess something different should be challenged to re-examine their beliefs, not have those beliefs coddled.
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It’s not about coddling, it’s about respect and treating people how you want to be treated.

If you don’t like Muslims calling you a polytheist, you shouldn’t call Mormons polytheists.
 
ChristMyLife said:
The LDS themselves believe themselves to be monotheists.

If we as Trinitarian Monotheists don’t appreciate Muslims calling us polytheists or tritheists, then in the interest of charity and ecumenism, we should, in general, acknowledge LDS people as monotheists.

In the context of a theological debate or dialogue, we could challenge them as to how they define monotheism and question their theology, but in general interactions with them we should acknowledge them in the way they view themselves - as monotheists.
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But this isn’t even confusing in the way Trinitarianism can be, they don’t believe God is unique, they don’t believe he is uncreated, they believe there are others like him who are different beings.
 
Wesrock said:
Trinitarianism can be, they don’t believe God is unique, they don’t believe he is uncreated, they believe there are others like him who are different beings.
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I’m fairly certain a good LDS apologist could refute those assertions…

I’m not privy to setting up and knocking down strawmen…

I disagree with their theology and religion, obviously. But I’m not willing to consider them non-Christian polytheists… That’s not what my interactions with them causes me to believe about them.
 
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I’d like to share a great article with all:


Something I particulary liked:

“The late Krister Stendahl, emeritus Lutheran Bishop of Stockholm and professor emeritus of Harvard Divinity School, established three rules for religious understanding: (1) When you are trying to understand another religion, you should ask the adherents of that religion and not its enemies; (2) don’t compare your best to their worst; and (3) leave room for “holy envy” by finding elements in other faiths to emulate. These principles foster relationships between religions that build trust and lay the groundwork for charitable efforts.”
 
ChristMyLife said:
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Wesrock:
Trinitarianism can be, they don’t believe God is unique, they don’t believe he is uncreated, they believe there are others like him who are different beings.
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I’m fairly certain a good LDS apologist could refute those assertions…

I’m not privy to setting up and knocking down strawmen…

I disagree with their theology and religion, obviously. But I’m not willing to consider them non-Christian polytheists… That’s not what my interactions with them causes me to believe about them.
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It’s been stressed less in recent decades, but traditional teachings are that we are Gods in nature and potential, and as we exist eternally we’ll eventually progress to Godhood (not Orthodox theosis, but Godhood) and that God was once like we are, and that he progressed to Godhood, too.
 
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Wesrock said:
It’s been stressed less in recent decades, but traditional teachings are that we are Gods in nature and potential, and as we exist eternally we’ll eventually progress to Godhood (not Orthodox theosis, but Godhood) and that God was once like we are, and that he progressed to Godhood,
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Something that’s happened with a lot of historically heretical bodies is their eventually coming around to doctrinal orthodoxy.

Take the early Monophysites (who became today’s Oriental Orthodox) and Nestorians (who became todays Assyrians) - they used to proclaim a heretical Christology, but today they’ve come to an orthodox formulation for their Christology.

The same principle effected the Adventists, they used to hold some really fringe beliefs and it was questionable if their baptisms were valid, but now they hold more orthodox doctrine.

Likewise Mormons in the 19th and early 20th centuries held clearly heretical views, but over time and today they are becoming much more orthodox.

Maybe, slowly, over time, God is letting these groups better understand him and guiding them into a better, fuller understanding of himself.
 
ChristMyLife said:
A respect for the diverse beliefs and unique contributions of all the world’s faiths is one of the hallmarks of Mormonism. Since its founding, the Church has elevated the principle of interfaith relations.
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A respect for diverse beliefs? ARE YOU JOKING???

From the LDS canon, Joseph Smith History 1:

18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.

19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

Catholic creeds are an abomination, our professors are all corrupt, they draw near to God with their lips, but their hearts are far from him, they teach the doctrines of man and not of God, they deny the power of God . . .

That’s respect?

Some of you have simply gone mad.
 
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ChristMyLife said:
Honestly, I don’t really care what Smith said…

I care much more what the LDS say and do and believe today.
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That is what they believe, TODAY. It’s in their scriptures. Ask a Mormon to deny it.

I was a full-time missionary for the Mormonite church. I taught it.
 
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Not yet. I was raised Catholic, but I want to convert when I’m old enough.
 
If you really want to talk about who’s “wrong”, I’d be happy to talk about what Catholic priests have been doing to children lately.
 
Salmonslayer said:
Abuse is wrong. No one is saying otherwise. Priests caught abusing children should be hanged
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I’m sure that was hyperbolic, but that’s temptation to vengeance speaking, not the Holy Spirit.

Chemical castration and life imprisonment would be much more in line with Church teaching on punishment.
 
Mind sharing how old you are? How did you come in contact with the Mormon church, and is there any particular reason you don’t identify with being Catholic anymore? It’s a sincere question on my part since I was born Catholic, became Mormon at age 15, left Mormonism late 20’s and reverted back to Catholicism in my 30’s
 
I would be careful with that line of argumentation as it was Judas Iscariot who betrayed Our Lord. Corruption within the Church, betrayal, therefore is not unique and if anything, should not surprise anyone.

The Church is, and always will be in need of renewal, Iscariot being the prime example
 
I was born Mormon, was a faithful Mormon for 57 years, then wandered a bit before becoming Catholic. Best decision I’ve ever made next to marrying my wife. I seriously don’t get how anyone who understands the basics of Mormonism can convert. She obviously knows nothing about their history.
 
I think for young people who consider becoming Mormon a few things go into play.
1)If they are vulnerable is some way. IE come from a dysfunctional home (like I did)
2)they are romantically involved with a Mormon
3) the idea of being “sealed for all time and eternity”. It’s a very romantic idea, especially for a young woman. Kind of goes with the “Disney ideal” of “happily ever after”.

Not sure how young women deal with D&C 132 (polygamy whether in this life or the next). For me, I had to ignore it. And back then, they didn’t talk about how many women (AND GIRLS) that Smith was “sealed” to, not to mention other (LIVING) mens wives. Didnt know about that. At all
 
The same can be said about most cults and the commitments of its members.
 
I do too. But at least I know that Catholics are generally genuine. I know firsthand the level of indoctrination that Mormons get when it comes to fellow shipping. Being someone’s friend is very often the result of an assignment. I don’t want to be anyone’s assigned friend.
 
AngelaMarie said:
Mind sharing how old you are?
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I’m 14, but my dad is strict, STRICT Catholic, so as long as I live under his roof, I’m not allowed to even set foot in an LDS Church. Although I might do it anyway once I can drive. How were you able to convert at 15? Don’t you have to be 18 by law or something?
AngelaMarie said:
How did you come in contact with the Mormon church
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My friend was talking about it one day, and I’ve been against Catholicism for a while, so I was open to looking into other religions. I started looking into their beliefs and practices, and I read the D&C, BoM, and Pearl of Great Price, and personally, I like that they have a lot more information on God and his teachings than other religions do. The other thing they do that’s really important to me is that they make family very important, because I haven’t always grown up in an environment I’d call “loving” in any way, from any of my family members, so I thought it would be nice to choose a faith where that’s almost guaranteed to change.
AngelaMarie said:
is there any particular reason you don’t identify with being Catholic anymore?
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It makes me uncomfortable to be apart of a religion where the people are incredibly judgmental and critical of others, especially when I’m the one they’re usually critical of. I’m not the most attractive person out there, I’ll admit that, but I don’t personally thing I’m bad enough to the point where it’s worth being self-conscious about, but I’ve had people tell me I have the devil in me because I’m ugly. In addition, I don’t like that they teach things that aren’t even mentioned in the bible. I’ve read the whole Catholic bible, cover to cover, and nowhere does it say that masturbation or sexual thoughts are a sin, yet the Catholic Church considers them one anyway. So I guess I like Mormonism more because they actually have evidence to back up their rules. And I like how much specific information the BoM, Pearl of Great Price, and D&C provide; it feels like I everything I need to know and more is being provided for me, not just left for interpretation by the leaders of the Church, as it is in Catholicism, which is especially suspicious for me considering how I feel about its members and the way they carry themselves.
Lemuel said:
She obviously knows nothing about their history.
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I’ve read the D&C, BoM, and Pearl of Great Price cover to cover, so I’d say I have a pretty good understanding of their teachings, but thanks anyway for your (name removed by moderator)ut.
AngelaMarie said:
Not sure how young women deal with D&C 132 (polygamy whether in this life or the next).
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That chapter of the D&C sort of refers to polygamy, but not in the marital sense, as taking on more than one wife is forbidden in several parts of the Mormon scriptures. There it’s referring to situations like the story of Abraham and Sarah, where the wife gives the husband the consent to sleep with another woman. But in the end, Abraham and Sarah will still be together in the afterlife, because they are married.
 
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