Mormonism is NOT a Cult

[nauvoochristian]

There are cults, and there is cult-like behavior.

As a fifth generation Mormon, I agreed with the doctrines of the COJCOLDS. I didn’t know any better. I would have been offended if anyone had told me that the church was a cult. I had a persecution complex big time.

Now that I am a Christian, I can tell you that the LDS church IS MOST DEFINATELY a cult. However, I do believe that some individuals may be Christian, and it is up to God to decide who is and who isn’t. That’s not my job.

Heretic doctrines of Mormonism are certainly defined and lived out as a cult would be. It’s the most dangerous sort of cult because they are now trying to fit into mainstream Protestantism and redefine themselves as Christian. Early Mormon teachers didn’t agree with that. They were proud to stand apart and made no apologies for it. I sure wish todays Mormons would be as honest.

in Christ
Steph

Steph…your statements are both truthful and loving from someone who has been there. May those that read your words seek the truth you found in the Jesus of the Bible.

 

[RC_Matt]

i made an account just to post in this topic lol… first off let me tell u a little about myself im 18 became catholic at 17. Now i will say this i get very angry when i hear mormons arent christains or are a cult because my brothers family is mormon and i know what they belive they belive chirst died on the cross for our sins and rose again thats all one needs to beliive to be a christian. I will also say this if we are to know christ’s church by it’s fruits let me tell u than the mormons bear good fruit i have seen few churchs follow christ’s teachings so well. When people i thought were my friends who came from more traditonal christan demantions abandoned me and i was alone who was there for me? My nephew is a mormon and my best friend as well as one of the best people i know

Dude, the Mormon religion is NOT a Christian faith. There are a lot of reasons for this, one of the more poignant, for example, is who judges the worthiness of souls to enter God’s heaven. Christians believe it is Jesus Christ, Mormons believe it is Joseph Smith. That is directly contrary and completely irreconcilable to ANY form of Christianity.

That is NOT a criticism of Mormons or Mormonism, and it is not to say that individual Mormons are not implicit Christians. An implicit Christian is a non-Christian who lives life in accordance with Christ’s teachings, almost all of which can be summarized by “love your neighbor as yourself.” Many Mormons are fine people and fall into this category, just as do many Jews, Buddhists, etc. The Catholic Church teaches that these people are also “saved” (and they don’t even need Joseph Smiths approval……)

Most Mormons don’t like hearing this, so I wouldn’t mention it; but it is what it is.

 

[ericmatthews]

---

Dude, the Mormon religion is NOT a Christian faith. There are a lot of reasons for this, one of the more poignant, for example, is who judges the worthiness of souls to enter God’s heaven. Christians believe it is Jesus Christ, Mormons believe it is Joseph Smith. That is directly contrary and completely irreconcilable to ANY form of Christianity.

That is NOT a criticism of Mormons or Mormonism, and it is not to say that individual Mormons are not implicit Christians. An implicit Christian is a non-Christian who lives life in accordance with Christ’s teachings, almost all of which can be summarized by “love your neighbor as yourself.” Many Mormons are fine people and fall into this category, just as do many Jews, Buddhists, etc. The Catholic Church teaches that these people are also “saved” (and they don’t even need Joseph Smiths approval……)

Most Mormons don’t like hearing this, so I wouldn’t mention it; but it is what it is.

Just wondering where does mormon teachings say this

 

[RC_Matt]

It was a dedicated temple my bros family went there for years and it wasnt an open house so idk what happened… and i wont deny or confirm the adam-god theory and eternal progression cause im kinda of rusty on those issues but i would like to ask by our belifes are mormons going to hell because i must say i cant imagine that people who have been so good to me and seem to love god would be going to hell

No, “good” Mormons don’t go to hell for the same reason that any “good” people don’t go to hell. See my prior post.

On the other hand, I have had Mormons (including a very prolific and seemingly well educated Mormon poster on these boards) tell me that I am going straight to hell simply for refusing to become a Mormon. What can you say?

 

[RC_Matt]

**** Just wondering where does mormon teachings say this

See the following quotes from Brigham Young:

"How are you going to get your resurrection? You will get it by the President of resurrection, and that is Joseph Smith, Jun. Hear it all ye ends of the earth; if you ever enter into the kingdom of God it is because Joseph Smith let you go there. This will apply to Jews and Gentiles, to the bond, and the free; to friends and foes; no man or woman in this generation will get a resurrection and be crowned without Joseph Smith saying so. The man who was martyred in Carthage Jail, State of Illinois, holds the keys of life and death to this dispensation…”

“From the day that the priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding up of things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are - I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent.”

That’s not Christianity.

 

[ericmatthews]

See the following quotes from Brigham Young:

"How are you going to get your resurrection? You will get it by the President of resurrection, and that is Joseph Smith, Jun. Hear it all ye ends of the earth; if you ever enter into the kingdom of God it is because Joseph Smith let you go there. This will apply to Jews and Gentiles, to the bond, and the free; to friends and foes; no man or woman in this generation will get a resurrection and be crowned without Joseph Smith saying so. The man who was martyred in Carthage Jail, State of Illinois, holds the keys of life and death to this dispensation…”

“From the day that the priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding up of things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are - I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent.”

That’s not Christianity.

While i agree that this is false i am mainly playing the Devil’s Advocate cause i like these discussions and hearing what others think anyway i read a bunch of verses they used to jusitfy it one of the biggest is where Jesus tell his disciples they will judge the 12 tribes of Isreal and they say that Joseph Smith only judges cause Christ gives him that power but that all power comes from Christ and that it is an extension of where Christ Apostles shall judge the 12 tribes

 

[majick275]

you might want to read the link I gave you on psalm 82. it explains the role of judges in Israel back then. They were a type of ruler. for Jesus to say this to the Apostles is just like the other explanation (psalm 82) in that he tells them in terms they can understand that he will raise them up. He never says anything to the effect that he will delegate to them any portion of the final judgment. Joseph Smith once again misinterpreted the Bible with his ethnocentric viewpoint in his teachings and BY was more than happy to continue with it because it helped reinforce his control of the people.

 

[RC_Matt]

While i agree that this is false i am mainly playing the Devil’s Advocate cause i like these discussions and hearing what others think anyway i read a bunch of verses they used to jusitfy it one of the biggest is where Jesus tell his disciples they will judge the 12 tribes of Isreal and they say that Joseph Smith only judges cause Christ gives him that power but that all power comes from Christ and that it is an extension of where Christ Apostles shall judge the 12 tribes

Dude, Christians do not believe that salvation comes from Joseph Smith, or anybody else, in any way, form or manner. Christians believe that salvation comes from Christ, and Christ alone; Joseph Smith has nothing to do with it, that’s exactly the kind of stuff cults teach.

 

[graceandglory]

Please forgive me for quoting from wikipedia. I don’t consider it an authoritative source. I no longer own my college Sociology textbooks. Using the search terms: Sociological definition cult, this was the best I could find in a couple of minutes.

Cults are, like sects, new religious groups. But, unlike sects, they can form without breaking off from another religious group (though they often do). The characteristic that most distinguishes cults from sects is that they are not advocating a return to pure religion but rather the embracement of something new or something that has been completely lost or forgotten (e.g., lost scripture or new prophecy). Cults are also more likely to be led by charismatic leaders than are other religious groups and the charismatic leaders tend to be the individuals who bring forth the new or lost component that is the focal element of the cult (e.g., The Book of Mormon).

 

[graceandglory]

Now many don’t know but I was LDS 2X. I came back to the church. Anyway. I was so bitter before hand but a lot of research has brought me to the fact that after 13+ million members the LDS church is not a cult

They just believe A LOT different than what Catholics do. Nad now I am a Catholic through and through so don’t bash me for thinking this way

I post this because I think this would be a good discussion.

I do believe Jehovah’s witnesses are a cult but thats after series research into it:thumbsup:

Mormonism/Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints, is also considered a cult by all major faiths in Christianity, Both Catholic and Protestant. Mormonism just happens to be a really BIG cult.
JWs, Christian Scientists, and Church of Scientology are all cults according to the accepted sociological definition. They don’t have to include pink and orange robes, flower selling, and chanting to be a cult.

Just because someone doesn’t want it to be a cult, doesn’t change that basic fact.

 

[PaulDupre]

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods…I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." Psalms (82:1,6)

The first thing you need to learn is to read scripture in context. that means read the verses before and after the proof text someone offers you to “prove” their doctrines.

Here is that quote in context. The prophet is calling the corrupt judges of Israel to repentance for not defending the weak and vulnerable:

Psalm 82
A psalm of Asaph.
1 God presides in the great assembly;
he gives judgment among the “gods”:

2 "How long will you [a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Selah

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

4 Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 "They know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 "I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’

7 But you will die like mere men;
you will fall like every other ruler."

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.

This has nothing to do with the Mormon concept of exaltation. Do you see how far out of context they have wrenched that verse?

God love you,
Paul

 

[RebeccaJ]

Do you see how far out of context they have wenched that verse?

l

The hallmark of mormonism, followed by, impossible to wrench out of scripture whatever heretical change to Christianity you feel the need to make? Make up your own scriptures and change them on a whim at random times. It’s fun for everyone!

 

[PattyPryor]

Patty, I don’t know what research you used because you didn’t say, but whatever it was I doubt it was indepth. I can say this because my husband is a 6th generation former Mormon who didn’t leave Mormonism without years of study. His studies and mine are from Mormon sources the doctrine and teachings of the Mormon Church. Your statement that the Mormon Church is not a Cult that they just believes a lot of different things is false.
I don’t think there is a Catholic or any other Christian person out there that believes the Virgin Mary was the wife of God and that God had relations with her to produce Jesus. Nor is there a Christian out there that believes Jesus didn’t go to the cross for all our sins. That is just two reasons they are a Cult, when in fact I could name six more. You and others need to look into the doctrines of Mormonism. God was not a man who lived on another planet, who became a god. My hopes are that your statements will cause many to check into what the Mormon Church truly teaches about the Catholic Church…it is the whole of Babylon. Does that sound Christian?

actually I was a mormon 2 times and the first time left after 3 weeks and the second after like 3 or 4 months.

I guess I felt there was more truth in Catholicism.

In some ways I just have a hard time calling mormonism a cult. Probably because I have friends in the church there.

The temple (I never went in) is something I would have wanted to experance just to see how weird it was.

I persoanlly started this topic to see how everyone thought and may be I will change my mind into thinking it is a cult. I read a lot of so called “anti” lititure when I was investagating and sometimes as a mormon and well some stuff really made me wonder. I would present it to the missionaries and they said here is the answers don’t read anti books

I was a sad girl and felt I needed a place. Mormonism was great for that. But the Catholic Church has truth and they don’t cover stuff up. What bugged me the most being LDS is that they always had an answer for everything. Like there were no mysteries to death, jesus etc. It made me sad. I knew that in this world we wouldn’t have all the answers

Also the God(s) thing was weird and forbidding people to read anti stuff

How do you learn unless you read all that is there?

 

[tundramom]

Patty,
Read everything you can get your hands on… pro Mormon stuff and anti Mormon stuff. Read up on the history of Mormonism and make an informed decision on your own. There is ample evidence for you to draw your own conclusions!!

in Christ
Steph

 

[PattyPryor]

Patty,
Read everything you can get your hands on… pro Mormon stuff and anti Mormon stuff. Read up on the history of Mormonism and make an informed decision on your own. There is ample evidence for you to draw your own conclusions!!

in Christ
Steph

thats great advice but I’m not looking to be Mormon again. I’m staying Catholic. Going to School for theology at a Catholic College qand just made the Dean’s list!


I would love to hear your story steph. Sounds interesting

Ever go to exmormon.org? lots of facts there

BTW I change my mind it really is a cult. As you all were posting I saw what ya meant by strange and cultlike:thumbsup:

 

[why_me]

I can agree with this just from one personal example. Several years ago, the new St. Louis temple opened and we went to the open house with a group of friends. What struck us all, was how few questions that we asked were actually answered. I’ll be honest, at some point it became a joke to see who could get the best “non-answer” from one of the guides but that wasn’t till we realized how little we were told.

Kris

The guides are just members chosen to be guides. They are not professionals. They are only people asked to do a job for that short period of time.

 

[why_me]

Well mabey i should read up on Mormon history cause did not know all that I will have to look it up later and see not because i dont belilive or think ur lying i just like proving things for myself no offense

A good start would be Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman. It is the definitive biography of Joseph Smith published in 2005 by Knopf. You will see JS as a rather different human being when you read that biography.

 

[why_me]

Mormonism/Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints, is also considered a cult by all major faiths in Christianity, Both Catholic and Protestant. Mormonism just happens to be a really BIG cult.
JWs, Christian Scientists, and Church of Scientology are all cults according to the accepted sociological definition. They don’t have to include pink and orange robes, flower selling, and chanting to be a cult.

Just because someone doesn’t want it to be a cult, doesn’t change that basic fact.

Of course it is rather easy to refer to all faiths out of the mainstream to be a cult but that doesn’t make it true. What about Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen? Are they also cult leaders? They certainly pack them in when they come to town.

 

[why_me]

Patty,
Read everything you can get your hands on… pro Mormon stuff and anti Mormon stuff. Read up on the history of Mormonism and make an informed decision on your own. There is ample evidence for you to draw your own conclusions!!

in Christ
Steph

All faiths have high points and low points in their history. But what matters is just where a person can get closer to god. If catholicism does it, fine. If mormonism does it, fine. If the UU does it, fine.

But I see no perfection in any faith.

 

[why_me]

The hallmark of mormonism, followed by, impossible to wrench out of scripture whatever heretical change to Christianity you feel the need to make? Make up your own scriptures and change them on a whim at random times. It’s fun for everyone!

Not quite but it sounds good if true. The lds leaders were and are living among the people. And as such they were human. I don’t see pope benedict out among the people giving local speeches in churches. His words are carefully scripted and chosen. In the mormon faith, leaders say many things and many things get twisted. But scriptural change is not fashionable in mormonism.