Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Mormonism 101


Here are a few facts for those who don't know what Mormonism teaches. You can find more information at the bottom of the article.
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"MORMONISM IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK
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Here are some beliefs Mormons resist telling you at first...
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-The LDS Church is the only true church. The Lord told Joseph Smith personally that all other churches are an "abomination." Any non-Mormon church is automatically part of the "church of the devil." No other church has the valid priesthood. The devil has even made a pact with many Christian pastors to teach Christian doctrines about the Trinity and salvation by grace. But in public we say that all religions are good and have some truth.
-There are many gods. We deal with three of these distinct gods from the council of the gods: Elohim, Jehovah, and the Holy Ghost.
-God, the Father,was once a man like us. His name is Elohim, and he had a literal father before him. (That means there is a god even higher than God the Father!)
-We can progress to become gods of our own worlds just like the god Elohim.
-Jesus is the brother of the devil, not his creator.
-Jesus was not born of a virgin. Elohim had sexual relations with his daughter, Mary, to bring about the conception of Jesus. (Not all Mormons are familiar with this teaching.)
-We are not permitted to pray to Jesus, but only to another god named Elohim.
-Celestial heaven is near a star called Kolob.
-The Bible contains doctrinal errors.
-Polygamy is an eternal principle. Mormons still believe in polygamy, but just can't practice it right now.
-Black people were cursed with their black skin because of their inferiority in the pre-existent life.
-Native American Indians are really Israelites who were cursed with red skin because of their sin.
-The current prophet, Gordon B. Hinkley, is a prophet in exactly the same sense as Moses or Ezekiel in the Bible. He has authority to write new scripture. (He just passed away this week.)
-The first LDS prophet, Joseph Smith, saw God the Father in the flesh.
-Adam did not sin when he ate of the forbidden fruit, but was merely choosing to obey a contradictory command from Jehovah.
-Jesus shed his blood to offer us the potential to be forgiven if we successfully stop our sins permanently.
-We cannot be saved (forgiven) by grace alone through faith alone.
-Secret temple rituals where one learns secret names and secret handshakes contribute to one's exaltation in the celestial kingdom. No non-Mormon is worthy to go inside a dedicated temple.
-No one who pays less than 10% of their income to the LDS Church is allowed inside a functioning temple.
-It is possible to eventually become perfect by progressing a little bit at a time through eternal progression.

If LDS members deny any of the above, as they occasionally do, they are being dishonest. I lived it as a Mormon myself, so I know what I am talking about. Extensive documentation for the above can be found at http://www.mrm.org/ ."*
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*article from- ww.exmormon.net/index.html
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I just thought you should know a few things about what those nice young men believe who will come by your home someday.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Given the irony between the last two blogs, how do we know when to draw a line between "us" and "them"?

David said...

Much of what you say here is either completely false, or has been sensationalized. The actual teachings of the LDS Church can be easily found at lds.org. All of the scripture, lesson manuals, magazines and such of the Church are located at that site.

Mike Messerli said...

well, I guess I have hit a nerve. It seems I have been on a rant for a few days about error. I think I have just hit my limit on letting errors go. Give me a little time, and I will get back to my theme...thanks for all the comments.

Anonymous said...

My son refers to the nice, young men in the black pants, white shirts and black ties as "the people that tell lies about Jesus." Out of the mouths of babes...

Thanks for boldly proclaiming the truth!

Anonymous said...

We know Mike, your heart is in the right place and you are just passionate about your faith. Grace is a wonderful thing, not only to receive but to give.

In His Grip said...

Dearest Mike,

Continue to persevere and to speak the truth in love. I anticipate an opportunity for the tables to be turned over shortly.

Bob

Anonymous said...

Jesus died for the Mormons too, man.

It comes across like you're a lot more interested in being right rather than graceful. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

My son refers to the nice, young men in the black pants, white shirts and black ties as "the people that tell lies about Jesus." Out of the mouths of babes...

So you're happy teaching your kids that members of other religions are liars? Good for you. I've met more dishonest christians that lie than I ever have Mormons. In fact, every Mormon I've ever met - without exception - does a better job of telling the truth that any of you christians.

I think the verse says for God so loved the world that he gave his son - there are more people in the world than just you guys, and God sent his son to die for them, too.

-another anonymous

Mike Messerli said...

Another,

First, thanks for your comments. I am glad you felt free to share your feelings.

You said, "Jesus died for the Mormons too, man" I agree, and I love these people. I know that he loves them as much as he loves me, and that's why I am concerned for them.

Also, you should realize that I did not write this article. It was written by a group of ex-mormons concerned that other mormons know what the bible teaches vs. what the mormon faith teaches. (They are different!)

You also said, "It comes across like you're a lot more interested in being right rather than graceful." I don't think it's loving or graceful to watch someone drive towards a cliff and not try to stop them, do you? I'm not focused on ME being right, I'm focused on what the BIBLE says. That is the source of truth. If you have ever been here before you would know I sincerely care about people, so your comment is simply emotional and without foundation.

You also quoted one of the comments and credited it to me. The comment dealt with their son's words, and you said, "So you're happy teaching your kids that members of other religions are liars?" Let me say VERY clearly that if there is truth, and we all believe there is, then there is also error. To point out the error is both good and healthy, and not at all mean spirited. That comment of yours was way out of line, and obviously an attempt to put words in my mouth I did not say, but nice try anyway.

You finished with, "I think the verse says for God so loved the world that he gave his son - there are more people in the world than just you guys, and God sent his son to die for them, too." If you would have finished the verse you would have seen the intent- "he gave his son so that whoever believes will not perish, but have everlasting life." That's what I want for mankind more than you know. I do not hold this as my property (salvation), but in fact I try to give it away to ANYONE who will believe. It is NOT us having something we are proud of and keep to ourselves. Faith in Christ is something we are blessed to have and want to give to everyone.

Unfortunately you have completely missed my goal or my heart, or you didn't read the post, or you yourself are a mormon upset at what these authors said.

I would welcome a warm honest visit about faith and the bible, and as you have noticed, if you looked, is that I never attack people, but I will address ideas with vigor.

thanks again for your willingness to share your thoughts. I do wish you had been bold enough to actually leave your name.