Category Archives: Into Mormonism

Pew Study on Mormons in America

by

As the “Mormon moment” extends into 2012, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life today released a groundbreaking new survey, the first ever published by a non-LDS research organization to focus exclusively on members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their beliefs, values, perceptions and political preferences.

Entitled “Mormons in America: Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society,” the survey was conducted between Oct. 25 and Nov. 16, 2011 among a national sample of 1,019 respondents who identified themselves as Mormons. The results validate a number of long-held stereotypes (most American Mormons are white, well-educated, politically conservative and religiously observant) while providing a few interesting surprises (care for the poor and needy is high on the list of LDS priorities, while drinking coffee and watching R-rated movies aren’t as taboo among the rank and file as you might think).

Pew Study on Mormons in America“While this survey comes amid a contentious election campaign, it is not solely or even chiefly about politics,” said Luis Lugo, Pew Research Center director, in the published survey’s preface. “Rather, we hope that it will contribute to a broader public understanding of Mormons and Mormonism at a time of great interest in both.” Continue reading →

Mormon Temples: Indestructable Spirit of Elijah

by

mormon templeThis is the house of the Prince of Peace, and would you profane it thus with violent deeds and hearts overflowing with hatred? Lo! where the crucified Christ from His cross is gazing upon you! See! in those sorrowful eyes what meekness and holy compassion! Hark! how those lips still repeat the prayer, “O Father, forgive them!” Let us repeat it now, and say, “O Father, forgive them!”—Longfellow.

Temples, sacred Houses of the Lord, have been destroyed by those venomous towards members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for insensible reasons. Cecil McGavin shared this poignant capturing of Anti-Mormon forces aimed at destroying the work of the Lord. Destroy edifices they may, but destroy the work of God, they will never do:

As Caesar burned his bridges lest his legions would dream of returning home, the torchbearers in Hancock County were anxious to wrap the temple in flame lest pilgrim feet from beyond Rockies should be tempted to return to the City of Joseph. As long as that beautiful temple crowned the hill beside the majestic Mississippi, it might entice a return to the once holy city.

Continue reading →

Mormonism vs Mainstream Christianity

by

Mormon Beliefs: Mormonism vs Mainstream Christianity

Jesus Christ MormonSomeone was once asked if we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormons”, actually known as “Latter-day Saints”) desire to “build up our public image or slip into mainstream Christianity.”  This came as a sincere question, but it amazes me that one outside the faith–particularly some in the media–might jump to the conclusion that our speaking about Christ, His atonement and grace, would seem to be ‘about image’ rather than conviction. The Church bears His very name. We claim He stands at the helm.  Well, without further comment here, may I share what Bob, the Dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University responded to this sincere question:

First of all, I would state categorically (and I mean no offense by this statement), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [whose body of beliefs is referred to by some as Mormonism, Mormon Doctrine--really it's Christ's] has no desire to move into the mainstream of Christianity. We are what we are and we believe what we believe. We profess to be ‘Christian but different.’ Those differences–such as our belief in an apostasy or falling away; the need for a restoration through a modern prophet, Joseph Smith; the fact that priesthood or divine authority was restored by heavenly messengers; the historical veracity and doctrinal truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and other modern scripture; the doctrine of the premortal existence of man; the place of temples (Mormon temples), eternal marriage and family (see Mormon Weddings), etc–these ideas set us apart from many other Christians. But we feel strongly that our strength lies in our distinctiveness, in what we have to offer the world. People are not joining The Church of Jesus Christ ["Mormon Church" is a misnomer] in ever-increasing numbers nowadays because we are just like the Catholics or Methodists or Lutherans down the street. There’s definitely something different about the Mormons. Continue reading →

Enemies of Truth: Joseph Smith’s Martyrdom 167 Years

by

mormon historyJoseph’s blood spilt and he martyred 167 years ago today, but God’s words through him continue to ring as clear and true as any ever spoken.  May I share these expressions of Joseph Smith, which secure his stance and promote his perspective in regard to enemy opposition to truth, and ongoing religious persecution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

Persecution has rolled upon our heads from time to time,…like peals of thunder, because of our religion.

Our religious principles are before the world ready for the investigation of all men, yet we are aware that all the persecution against our friends has arisen in consequence of calumnies [false charges] and miscontructions without foundation in truth and righteousness. This we have endured in common with all other religious societies at their first commencement.

When I do the best I can–when I am accomplishing the greatest good, then the most evils and wicked surmisings are got up against me…. The enemies of this people will never get weary of their persecution until they are overcome. I expect they will array everything against me that is in their power to control, and that we shall have a long and tremendous warfare. He that will war the true Christian warfare against the corruptions of these last days will have wicked men and angels of devils, and all the infernal powers of darkness continually arrayed against him.

But it will be but a little season, and all these afflictions will be turned away from us, inasmuch as we are faithful, and are not overcome by these evils. By seeing the blessings of the temple endowment rolling on, and the kingdom increasing and spreading from sea to sea, we shall rejoice that we were not overcome by these foolish things.

It is thought by some that our enemies would be satisfied with my destruction; but I tell you that as soon as they have shed my blood they will thirst for the blood of every man in whose heart dwells a single spark of the spirit of the fulness of the Gospel. The opposition of these men is moved by the spirit of the adversary of all righteousness. It is not only to destroy me, but every man and woman who dares believe the doctrines that God hath inspired me to teach in this generation.

I have learned by experience that the enemy of truth does not slumber, nor cease his exertions to bias the minds of communities against the servants of the Lord, by stirring up the indignation of men upon all matters of importance or interest.

History of the Church: 6:210; 2:460; 3:331

And so the Church goes on, as the Savior intended, to bring truth and light and the restored gospel to every clime.

 

Beyond Godmakers: Mormon Conversion

by

by Seanette

I grew up in a very non-religious to anti-religion family (side note: I realized a while back that the family members most hostile toward any belief in God were also the ones with the worst alcohol/drug/psychological issues), so had little exposure to religion until adulthood, mostly via a friend from a fundamentalist Protestant background.

service-mormonAt about 23, a good friend of mine and I both found that we were developing an interest in the spiritual, and my friend (nearest to a brother I’ve ever had, being an only child) had had some prior experience in the Protestant end of Christianity, as had I, so we started there. We checked out various denominations while researching on our own, individually and jointly, and along the way got some heavy exposure to anti-Mormon propaganda courtesy of a pastor whose church we attended occasionally. After a while, I realized that what I was seeing in material such as “The Godmakers” was simply not adding up with the LDS people I had known or with itself, making lots of contradictory claims with little hard evidence and lots of stretching points and other fallacies. So, I decided that for accurate information, better to let people speak for themselves.

I did have LDS friends, so started with asking them questions about what I had heard (as politely as possible, I honestly wanted to learn, not start a confrontation). They very patiently answered questions, I borrowed books and read them, came back with more questions about that reading, etc. Along the way, I realized that what I was reading was not new information to me, but I had a very clear sense that I was relearning things I had once known, but had forgotten. It didn’t take me long to attend a Sacrament meeting, where I was politely captured by the charming sister missionaries assigned to that ward. It also didn’t take me long to know for certain that I had in fact found the true Church or to decide to be baptized.

This was in 1994. I’m somewhat inactive these days due to my own issues, but have never since 1994 doubted the truth of the Restored Gospel or the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors.