Mormonism - A Catholic Perspective

[C2M2C]

To learn about Morman history one needs to learn about Solomon Spaulding. He is an interesting figure in this history. A search on Google will give you several perspectives of his story and his relationship to Mormonism.

Many of the anti-mormon writers no longer even give any credence to Solomon Spaulding. Too few coincidences and not enough proof of the parallels.

“View of the Hebrews” is a better place to start when looking at where the BoM came from.

 

[C2M2C]

Might need to read this book as I am Catholic and my daughter joined the Mormon church a year ago and is raising both of my grandchildren in that church. Although my 5 year old grandson stills goes to Mass with me if Mom lets him stay over on Saturday night. I want her to come back so badly, but I don’t want to push her away either so I try not to say much unless she seems to want to discuss her faith a little. So I will continue to pray and pray as long as it takes. Jesus will take of it his way. Thanks for the info.

It’s scary to read how many experiences written about here hit so close to home for me.

Don’t give up. I was Catholic until I was 18 then converted to mormonism. I’m almost 37 and just recently began my return to Catholicism because I discovered the truth about mormonism.

When I told my mom that my wife and I were going to start going to RCIA she said that when I converted to mormonism at 18 the priest told her to not worry that when I was old enough to care I would look for the truth and then return- how prophetic…

 

[da_nolo]

It’s scary to read how many experiences written about here hit so close to home for me.

Don’t give up. I was Catholic until I was 18 then converted to mormonism. I’m almost 37 and just recently began my return to Catholicism because I discovered the truth about mormonism.

When I told my mom that my wife and I were going to start going to RCIA she said that when I converted to mormonism at 18 the priest told her to not worry that when I was old enough to care I would look for the truth and then return- how prophetic…

good statement…

 

[da_nolo]

Might need to read this book as I am Catholic and my daughter joined the Mormon church a year ago and is raising both of my grandchildren in that church. Although my 5 year old grandson stills goes to Mass with me if Mom lets him stay over on saturday night. I want her to come back so badly, but I don’t want to push her away either so I try not to say much unless she seems to want to discuss her faith a little. So I will continue to pray and pray as long as it takes. Jesus will take of it his way. Thanks for the info.

just continue to show that you care about her and show that you will always be there. if times get hard or she starts to struggle with something, offer to help. simple acts sometimes speak loudest. If she is willing to talk about her faith, ask questions about it. say that the Faith talk interests you. dont try to press anything like you said, just ease correct information into it…such as, “well as you know…this is the Church’s view” somethings dont need to be said all the time, and some words are the simpliest would be “God loves you and understands your walk closer towards Him, just try and reamain in Faith…and Trust Him. keep those thoughts in your heart and hard times will become easier.” remember, if you are worried, you may pray for your daughter.

cheers.

 

[KingAlfred]

Personally, I believe Mormonism is one of the most misguided forms of Christianity. Its growth is dangerous to the Christian world. I know…this sounds ‘uncharitable’, but it’s true, nonetheless. Mormonism is also one of the most anti-Catholic denominations currently undergoing rapid expansion. I grew up near Mormon-country. I know from experience.

 

[AMDGtoo]

Personally, I believe Mormonism is one of the most misguided forms of Christianity.

IMO the LDS are not a form of Christianity if your definition of Christianity is more than “Christian in name only”. At one time the LDS were even honest about it, and they themselves said that they weren’t “Christian”. Again, IMO, to call the Mormons “Christian” (using the barest definition when the LDS are psuedo-Christian at best) is to give them a “foot in the door” when it comes to their missionary efforts to get our children–and they try just about anything, confusion is their biggest weapon. (And so it becomes important, IMO, to make certain the destinction is made.)

 

[insidemymemory]

Just finished a book on this exact topic entitled A Tale of Two Cities: A Comparison Between the Mormon and the Catholic Religious Experiences by Rev. William Taylor. It’s an excellent comparison of Mormon beliefs and Catholic beliefs, written by a Catholic priest who has many Mormon family members. You can buy it at amazon.com

When I showed that book to my LDS friend they said it was not an accurate depiction of their beliefs.

I don’t understand, Mormons claim so many different things about what they believe.

I thought it was a great book as well.

 

[rinnie]

Unfortunately, she’ll probably never return. The ‘vice-grip’ the Mormons have on most of their members is usually unbreakable.

Oh but remember KingAlfred the power of prayer, and the Power of our Lord Jesus Christ, nothing is unbreakable for him. Keep praying!

 

[KingAlfred]

Joseph Smith wanted to preserve 18th Century paternalism when he invented Mormonism. The expanding influence of women in family matters in 19th Century-America offended him.

 

[YipYupYep]

I grew up several miles from an Indian Reservation in Western New York. They had a good sizes Church there, and of course, a series of Missionaries. I never met a Mormon I didn’t like.

As far as the Book of Mormon or Pearl of Great Price, they just couldn’t sell it to me. Although, they do have a practice called The Word Of Wisdom. They don’t uses alcohol, tobacco or caffeine; ever. Except for a morning cup of Joe since my 50s and 60s, I have lived the Word of Wisdom me whole life. It just sort of rubbed off.

There not really Christian, but there are many non Christian religions that deserve respect and the right to practice there own particular faith in peace.

 

[jean8]

Might need to read this book as I am Catholic and my daughter joined the Mormon church a year ago and is raising both of my grandchildren in that church. Although my 5 year old grandson stills goes to Mass with me if Mom lets him stay over on saturday night. I want her to come back so badly, but I don’t want to push her away either so I try not to say much unless she seems to want to discuss her faith a little. So I will continue to pray and pray as long as it takes. Jesus will take of it his way. Thanks for the info.

sis 54,
I am so sorry to hear your story. I would do everything possible to get my grands out of the Mormon church. There are many books on the market which explain why this church is false. They worship a different god. ‘Out of Mormonisn’ by Judy Robertson is one I would recommend.
The people in this church are nice folks, but they are to be pitied for their beliefs. Mormons are not christian.
I will pray with you and for your daughter and family.
For more infomation on Mormonism please go to
carm.org/lds/lds_christian.htm

God bless you,
jean8

 

[meaprilrain]

Why do you say they are not christian since the very name of their church is “The church of JESUS CHRIST of latter day saints” ?? They believe in God the father, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit or Holy ghost as they call him. So what makes them not christian ?

 

[Appleby]

Why do you say they are not christian since the very name of their church is “The church of JESUS CHRIST of latter day saints” ?? They believe in God the father, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit or Holy ghost as they call him. So what makes them not christian ?

I was a Mormon for 3 years, back in my much-younger days in California. Among many other things, although the Mormons technically believe in God the Father, etc. they do not believe in the Trinity. They also believe that God was once a man like other men, and that because he passed his probation (on Earth or another planet like it) he has been elevated to a God, given many wives and his own planet to rule, and that planet is populated by the “spirit children” he sired on his harem. Now if that’s not a high school boy’s idea of heaven, I have never heard one.

Mormons also believe that Battlestar Galactica is a documentary. Just ask them.

I got involved in the Mormon church because the college campus in California had an “Institute” which was a nice homey place for students to hang out, that had classes and activities and lots of people to make you feel welcome, and I was far from home among strangers. Fortunately I had spent the first three years of my education at a Bible college and it didn’t take me long to realize that the Book of Mormon and most of their theology was hooey. But like any cult, they do get a hook in your brain and it takes quite some time to get over the thought “What if they were right?” Although a Luterhan pastor assured me I did not need to be re-baptized, my parish priest did in fact re-baptize me and now I feel whole and untroubled again.

But don’t get involved with them. They are silent but deadly.

 

[AMDGtoo]

Why do you say they are not christian since the very name of their church is “The church of JESUS CHRIST of latter day saints” ?? They believe in God the father, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit or Holy ghost as they call him. So what makes them not christian ?

Obviously, I am not jean8, but the fact remains is that whether the LDS are Christian or not does not hinge on whether or not the name of Jesus is in the official name of their church. (There are many people in Mexico named “Jesus” and that alone does not make them all Christs either.)

It’s the definition that is in question. If you happen to think that just baring the name “Jesus” makes them Christian, well, that’s rather superficial. If however, you look to be able to call an organization Christian in that it is founded by Jesus himself (not a vision JS said he had), retains apostolic succession, as well as being “Mainstream”, and teaches “Christian” principles for hundreds of years, then the LDS church doesn’t exactly “fit the bill”.

You know, the LDS used to be proud of the fact that they weren’t Christian (and former LDS "prophets would actually make disparaging comments about Christians). Why do you suppose that was?

 

[meaprilrain]

““If however, you look to be able to call an organization Christian in that it is founded by Jesus himself (not a vision JS said he had), retains apostolic succession, as well as being “Mainstream”, and teaches “Christian” principles for hundreds of years, then the LDS church doesn’t exactly “fit the bill”.””

So since you say the catholic church is the only church founded by Jesus himself then you are saying any and all other churches are not christian ? Just the catholic church ? and I guess even though you have gaps in the church with having no pope for 4 years you still call that apostolic succession ?
Do you believe the popes are men of God? because I can’t see a man of God turning the vatican into a brothel or making pope of someone that has been out of prison for only 2 years? or a pope digging up the corpse of his past pope and cutting off his finger, stripping him of his vestetures and tossing his naked body in the river ? Do these sound like Christian men, popes with divine authority from God ? This is a part of your church history and I am really trying to find the answers I need to believe but the evidence weighs so heavy against it ? anyone please have answers ?

 

[AMDGtoo]

Gee, where do I begin? Well first, I said that the definition of Christian is not just putting the name “Jesus” in to the official name of any church. I noted that it was more. It was you who put words into my mouth by claiming that I was saying that other denominations are not Christian. Second, It is Jesus who said that He would never desert us and the Holy Spirit would be with His Church for all time. (If you care to debate that, you’ll have to do it with Him.) Next, as always, scandals in the Church are not against the Catholic claim to be true. They only prove what is obvious: that the Church contains both sinners as well as saints (tares along with the wheat if you will (Matthew 13;24-30). And finally, the idea that leaders in the Church are already perfect (and don’t have to strive for perfection) and therefore their sinfulness is able to negate God’s faithfulness is a heresy addressed in the early Church. (Note Romans 3:3-4 and 2 Timothy 2:13.)

BTW Christians believe in one God. (A teaching from our Jewish heritage. See the Shema: "Hear O Israel, our God is one God.) The LDS? I believe that in one of JS’s visions, he claims to have seen God and Jesus, and everyone of LDS males are destined to become gods themselves! Then there’s the fact that Christians believe in the trinity–one God in three persons (in the Bible, a foretaste of this doctrine is Genesis 1:26 “And God {singular} said, 'Let us {plural} make man in our {plural} image” and the fact that the Hebrew word for God is elohim which is actually plural even though we know that the Jews worshipped one God.)

““If however, you look to be able to call an organization Christian in that it is founded by Jesus himself (not a vision JS said he had), retains apostolic succession, as well as being “Mainstream”, and teaches “Christian” principles for hundreds of years, then the LDS church doesn’t exactly “fit the bill”.””

So since you say the catholic church is the only church founded by Jesus himself then you are saying any and all other churches are not christian ? Just the catholic church ? and I guess even though you have gaps in the church with having no pope for 4 years you still call that apostolic succession ?
Do you believe the popes are men of God? because I can’t see a man of God turning the vatican into a brothel or making pope of someone that has been out of prison for only 2 years? or a pope digging up the corpse of his past pope and cutting off his finger, stripping him of his vestetures and tossing his naked body in the river ? Do these sound like Christian men, popes with divine authority from God ? This is a part of your church history and I am really trying to find the answers I need to believe but the evidence weighs so heavy against it ? anyone please have answers ?

 

[insidemymemory]

““If however, you look to be able to call an organization Christian in that it is founded by Jesus himself (not a vision JS said he had), retains apostolic succession, as well as being “Mainstream”, and teaches “Christian” principles for hundreds of years, then the LDS church doesn’t exactly “fit the bill”.””

So since you say the catholic church is the only church founded by Jesus himself then you are saying any and all other churches are not christian ? Just the catholic church ? and I guess even though you have gaps in the church with having no pope for 4 years you still call that apostolic succession ?
Do you believe the popes are men of God? because I can’t see a man of God turning the vatican into a brothel or making pope of someone that has been out of prison for only 2 years? or a pope digging up the corpse of his past pope and cutting off his finger, stripping him of his vestetures and tossing his naked body in the river ? Do these sound like Christian men, popes with divine authority from God ? This is a part of your church history and I am really trying to find the answers I need to believe but the evidence weighs so heavy against it ? anyone please have answers ?

Whoa which four years of no pope are you referring to because that is not something I have ever heard. I’d really like to know where you get your information.

And your attacks on the popes, are you assuming because a man bears the name that he is sinless?

Catholics never claim the pope to be sinless, but if you look at the history of Popes a “bad” pope is immedietely followed by one who was very reformitive. Also, the Pope has no authority to change theology, and has not. (the gates of hell shall not prevail) The theology of the Catholic church has not changed since the time of the apostles. Look it up, you will find your answers.

Also about your comment about the no other churches being Christian, that is just an ignorant statement and is obvious you have never even talked to someone who is Catholic.

Catholic means universal, and all churches that follow the Apostles’ Creed is considered christian. If you are not familar with that creed reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/apostles_creed.html

I think you should study up on the member’s of your own church.

Would you like me to point out the sins of people who consider themselves “Christian”?

To base an entire religion on the sins of a few, is completely ignorant and ridiculous.

The Catholic church does not claim it’s members to be completely sinless, nor will any member or priest deny the history of our church.
have you heard of reconciliation? That act of forgiveness of sins.
Humans while inherently good, fall prey to sins, and yes even Popes.

Here’s a question, is the spreading of ignorant hateful statments about a church you obviously do not understand, a “Christian” thing to do?

 

[meaprilrain]

Whoa which four years of no pope are you referring to because that is not something I have ever heard. I’d really like to know where you get your information.

And your attacks on the popes, are you assuming because a man bears the name that he is sinless?

Catholics never claim the pope to be sinless, The theology of the Catholic church has not changed since the time of the apostles. Look it up, you will find your answers.

Also about your comment about the no other churches being Christian, that is just an ignorant statement and is obvious you have never even talked to someone who is Catholic.

Here’s a question, is the spreading of ignorant hateful statments about a church you obviously do not understand, a “Christian” thing to do?

The 4 years I am refering to is between Marcellinus 304 to marcellinus I begining in 308 AD.
You have many gaps and many Anti popes serving as well throughout history. My information comes from your very own catholic encyclopedia online ! I do not write from anywhere else because I hate it when others talk about things they do not know and have no proof to write about !

My comment about catholics being the only christians was from the quote of the person before me. She stated to be a christian you had to be from the church that Jesus Christ founded himself. And that is what you claim is it not ?? Therefore any other church than catholic would not be christian ? maybe I misunderstood her answer but that was what I preceived and thus my answer.

and yes, you do claim the pope to be infalable and without question the highest and right authority !! Yet every pope that is elected changes everything from before ? Even the current pope now has said infant baptism is not necessary ? The church changes FUNDAMENTAL principles all the time !! Do you know that even a person of another faith could baptise you a catholic ? where is the authority in that ?

And I was not spreading ignorant and hateful statements, I was stating fact and church history !

Do not misinterpret my voice in these writings, I am speaking with calmness and sincere seeking of answers. Why ? because my son just married a darling catholic girl and their beliefs baffle me !!

 

[AMDGtoo]

maybe I misunderstood her answer but that was what I preceived and thus my answer.

You are oh-so-right about misunderstanding my answer!!! I mentioned as much in post #36.

And about the interregnum of four years between Marcellinus and Marcellus I, are you saying that Jesus “spoke with a forked tongue” when He said that He would be with His Church until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20)?

 

[meaprilrain]

You are oh-so-right about misunderstanding my answer!!! I mentioned as much in post #36.

And about the interregnum of four years between Marcellinus and Marcellus I, are you saying that Jesus “spoke with a forked tongue” when He said that He would be with His Church until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20)?

I am stating a fact that the Catholic church had no Pope or acting authority for a period of 4 years between 304 and 308 AD.

And that scripture does not say he would be with his church until the end of the world. It is Jesus speaking to Matthew saying he will be with HIM even unto the end of the world. He will be with individual peoples of faith not the church.

And with all due respect you are refering that the Catholic church is “his church” however history and scripture make us question otherwise? take for example

The Catholic church claims that there is only 1 person on the face of the earth to receive revelation from God at any given time, thus the Pope. However, They claim that one of these two men, Either Linus or Clement received the keys from Peter to become the 1st Pope . Of course documents can’t clearly tell us which one it is because there is conflicting evidence as to who really received the keys? But lets look a little farther shall we… John the disciple and “disciple whom Jesus loved” The last living disciple, is spending time on Patmos from 81 to 96AD writing the book of Revelations. He then comes back and writes the 4th gospel in 96 AD. Now how could the Catholic church have gone through 3 or 4 popes by now between 64AD to 100AD when John died, claiming to have authority from Peter, While Jesus’ most beloved apostle John was still receiving revelation and writing gospels from the Lord , which the Catholic church acknowledges to be genuine thus their includance in the bible ? This would mean that Peter gave keys to no one, as John still held them until he died in 100AD…. And as the Apocryphon of James states, the authority for prophecy is cut off with John !! Of course I understand how this scripture could not make it into the big book as it would totally debunk the Catholic claims to the see !
Nevertheless the scripture does exist….
From the apocryphon of James

• “Then I asked him, “Lord, how shall we be able to prophesy to those who request us to prophesy to them? For there are many who ask us, and look to us to hear an oracle from us.”
  The Lord answered and said, “Do you not know that the head of prophecy was cut off with John?” But I said, “Lord, can it be possible to remove the head of prophecy?”
  The Lord said to me, "When you come to know what ‘head’ means, and that prophecy issues from the head, (then) understand the meaning of 'Its head was removed.

Besides the Apocryphon of James all references and information are taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia.*