The word "Mormon" is a turn off.

[iaskquestions]

What is the meaning of the word “Mormon”? I really find it to be a wierd word.

 

[CentralFLJames]

What is the meaning of the word “Mormon”? I really find it to be a wierd word.

Coined by religion founder Joseph Smith (1805-1844) in Seneca County, N.Y., in allusion to Mormon, supposed prophet and author of “The Book of Mormon,” explained by Smith as meaning more mon, from Eng. more + Egyptian mon “good.”

Drop the inner “m” and it makes more less and moronic.

At least the man is consistent in his marketing motif. The angelic messenger/Prophet (false?) Moroni is a variation on a theme. Drop the last “i” and its the same root (Moron) as the religious name.

I imagine Mr. Smith had quite a few good private laughs at home with his inner circle of co-founders that probably took the generic form: “hahaha - these Moron’s will believe anything I write…”.

James

 

[Publisher]

As I understand, it was used by those not members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints in the 19th century to identify those followers of Joseph Smith and their belief in the Book of Mormon. It was originally used as an “insult”, but later embraced by the majority of the Latter Day Saints, much like “Quaker” was used as an insult to those of the Society of Friends, but now is embraced as a “badge of honor”…the word “Christian” also came to be under similar circumstances…"they were first called “Christians in Antioch…”

Those churches who didn’t follow Brigham Young to Utah or James Strange to Michigan do not use “Mormon”, but “Latter Day Saint”. The Community of Christ, formerly Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, doesn’t like the word either and doesn’t use it…they don’t like it becasue they think it’s a “bad” word…but because they do not wish to be indentified with the church with headquarters in Salt Lake City.

 

[iaskquestions]

Drop the inner “m” and it makes more less and moronic.

At least the man is consistent in his marketing motif. The angelic messenger/Prophet (false?) Moroni is a variation on a theme. Drop the last “i” and its the same root (Moron) as the religious name.

I imagine Mr. Smith had quite a few good private laughs at home with his inner circle of co-founders that probably took the generic form: “hahaha - these Moron’s will believe anything I write…”.

I didn’t want to say it, but you’ve said it! “Moron” is exactly the word that comes to my mind when I think of “Mormon” and so it’s a big turn off!

 

[jw2lds2catholic]

Mormon is actually a slang term associated with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the one in Salt Lake City. The term has never really been used by members to describe themselves, but rather is assigned to them by non-members. The term is derived from the Book of Mormon, a set of scriptures compiled by the prophet Mormon, one of many authors, and subsequently redeemed and translated by prophet Joseph Smith specifically for the latter day saints to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, “Mormons” don’t worship Mormon, but rather, Christ as revealed in Scripture. This is what the Church proposes is true. Take it for what’s its worth.

 

[thecourt]

How dare you speak badly of Joseph Smith. That is like saying horrible things about th Holy Father.

If you are indifferent to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, fine just respect those of here who are Mormons.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Mormon is actually a slang term associated with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the one in Salt Lake City. The term has never really been used by members to describe themselves, but rather is assigned to them by non-members. The term is derived from the Book of Mormon, a set of scriptures compiled by the prophet Mormon, one of many authors, and subsequently redeemed and translated by prophet Joseph Smith specifically for the latter day saints to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, “Mormons” don’t worship Mormon, but rather, Christ as revealed in Scripture. This is what the Church proposes is true. Take it for what’s its worth.

Quite the spiritual journey you’ve had there.

One correction though, Mormons have called themselves Mormons, they did so for decades. The LDS Church started a PR campaign in the 1980’s to get people (both Mormon and non-Mormon) to stop using the term and use LDS (latter-day saint).

It hasn’t really worked, and now they own and run both lds.org and mormon.org…where they once again are calling themselves “Mormon”.

 

[nebula]

Mormon is actually a slang term associated with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the one in Salt Lake City. The term has never really been used by members to describe themselves, but rather is assigned to them by non-members. The term is derived from the Book of Mormon, a set of scriptures compiled by the prophet Mormon, one of many authors, and subsequently redeemed and translated by prophet Joseph Smith specifically for the latter day saints to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, “Mormons” don’t worship Mormon, but rather, Christ as revealed in Scripture. This is what the Church proposes is true. Take it for what’s its worth.

I disagree with this only insofar as Mormons did adopt the term to describe themselves, even Joseph Smith did even though it was first coined by outsiders with the intention of derision (this happens to a lot of groups, like Jew, or Christian). Even when I was a Mormon I preferred the word Mormon to Latter-day Saint or LDS, the latter sounding so sterile.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

How dare you speak badly of Joseph Smith. That is like saying horrible things about th Holy Father.

If you are indifferent to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, fine just respect those of here who are Mormons.

Joseph Smith gave a speech in May 1844, Smith proclaimed this:

“I have more to boast of than any man ever had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a church together since the days of Adam.…Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.”

Seems Joseph Smith said some pretty bad things himself, putting himself above Jesus Christ. I’ve never seen the Holy Father say anything near this.

Just 30 days from making that boast, on June 27, 1844; Joseph Smith was shot in Carthage jail.

 

[thecourt]

Joseph Smith never placed himself above Christ, he was the person called by Christ to restore his church.

Joseph Smith never went into the grove with the intention of starting a church – he went to pray to find out which one he should join.

I was obvious the Protestants and Catholicism were false.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Joseph Smith never placed himself above Christ, he was the person called by Christ to restore his church.

Joseph Smith never went into the grove with the intention of starting a church – he went to pray to find out which one he should join.

I was obvious the Protestants and Catholicism were false.

I know this is your belief, and I respect that.

From a Catholic POV, this is problematic for two reasons. First, we believe that an answer to a personal prayer is a personal answer. Second, there are no witnesses to Smith’s claims, so it is unverifiable.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Smith didn’t have this vision. However, if he really did have this vision, it was personal to him. An answer only meant for Smith, not to the world as a whole.

Outside of that, I am of the opinion that he was only exposed to the religions that were prominent in his area, which were all, Protestant. I don’t believe he was ever exposed to Catholicism, in a fashion that was not tainted with the extreme anti-Catholic rhetoric of the period and place in which he lived. There is nothing in any of his writings that indicate he ever sought out the Catholic Church. He did, at one time, join up with the Methodists, and he was raised non-denominational (most likely Unitarian or Universalist).

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Joseph Smith never placed himself above Christ.

How can you read the part of Joseph Smith’s speech below and not see that he boasted accomplishments above Christ? Seriously, I am very interested in seeing your explanation.

Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.

 

[nebula]

Joseph Smith never placed himself above Christ, he was the person called by Christ to restore his church.

Joseph Smith never went into the grove with the intention of starting a church – he went to pray to find out which one he should join.

I was obvious the Protestants and Catholicism were false.

It’s rather hypocritical to make statements like that and then whine if someone is speaking negatively of Joseph.

 

[Jerusha]

I

Outside of that, I am of the opinion that he was only exposed to the religions that were prominent in his area, which were all, Protestant. I don’t believe he was ever exposed to Catholicism, in a fashion that was not tainted with the extreme anti-Catholic rhetoric of the period and place in which he lived. There is nothing in any of his writings that indicate he ever sought out the Catholic Church.

I disagree with you on this.

Strange to relate, Joseph Smith and the leading Mormons, at all times professed the greatest respect and friendship for the big French priest, as they called him. Father Alleman once related to the writer that he had no means of getting across the Mississippi river to attend a sick Catholic in McDonough county, but the Mormons, having made known to Joseph Smith that the priest wished to cross, the latter not only had him ferried over, but furnished him a conveyance to the sick man. Smith telling Father Alleman that next to the Mormons, the Catholics were the best of all religions. “For,” continued Smith, “the priests attend to their people faithfully and mind their own business, whereas the other preachers are continually bothering the Latter Day Saints.” Father Alleman wittily remarked with thanks, “there was a diversity of opinion on that subject.” Father Alleman died of apoplexy in the Sisters’ hospital in St. Louis, September 10, 1866

macomb.com/~ilmcdono/Churches/CathCh.html

All I can say is that Mormons perpetually violate the truce.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I disagree with you on this.

macomb.com/~ilmcdono/Churches/CathCh.html

All I can say is that Mormons perpetually violate the truce.

Yes, that is a nice remark about a kind Father helping people out. It doesn’t indicate Smith knew anything of Catholic doctrines or practices. All he says is that Catholics are nice.

I have never seen where Smith cites or institutes any Christian doctrine that was not Protestant based. This includes the anti-Catholicism that is present in Mormonism. It is entirely based on the sentiments of early American Protestantism (which has roots in the Anglican and Luthern churches).

Mormon sacraments (what they call ordinances) are modeled after Protestant versions. Except the temple rites, which are modeled after Freemasonry.

 

[PaulDupre]

How dare you speak badly of Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith earned it. He bedded multiple women, some of whom were already married to other men, and some of whom were as young as 14 years old. He did this behind Emma’s back and lied to her about it until she caught him in the act.

He married two pairs of sisters - this is specifically prohibited in the Old Testament. He married a woman and her daughter - also prohibited in the Old Testament.

While Joseph was doing all this hanky-panky and the rumors started to leak out, he was declaring publicly that he condemned polygamy and was not practicing it.

He did not claim to have a revelation commanding these sins until after he had been caught and exposed as an adulterer. Only then did he try to dignify his behavior under the guise of a higher form of “marriage”.

Joseph also committed many financial frauds and other dirty deeds.

This was not a good man. You are seriously deceived in following him.

Paul (a former Mormon)

 

[Jerusha]

Agreed. We do not know the extent of their relationship. Any imitation of Catholicism (such as church hierarchy) is based on very superficial knowledge.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Agreed. We do not know the extent of their relationship. Any imitation of Catholicism (such as church hierarchy) is based on very superficial knowledge.

Yeah, that one is Smith & Co. taking a swag at it, without the benefit of Sacred Tradition, or even a cursory knowledge of Christian history.

 

[thecourt]

Of course I will defend Joseph Smith. And how was I hypercritical?

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Of course I will defend Joseph Smith. And how was I hypercritical?

I wasn’t the one who called you hypocritical and hope you did not interpret something I posted as such. But you did not address my post where Joseph Smith boasted his accomplishments above Jesus Christ. That appears to be an avoidance of discussing the subject, which seems to be looking the other way as opposed to addressing it.