Recently the Mormon Newsroom site has put together something called Mormonism 101 which is an attempt to expalin Mormonism to the outside world. What I want to do is just go through a few of the FAQ’s and look at how this site responds to some of the questions often raised about Mormonism.
Ok so first question.
What do Mormons believe about God?
God is often referred to in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as our Heavenly Father because He is the Father of all human spirits and they are created in His image (see Genesis 1:27). It is an appropriate term for God who is kind and just, all wise and all powerful. God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost constitute the Godhead or Trinity for Mormons. Latter-day Saints believe God is embodied, though His body is perfect and glorified.
Interestingly no direct reference whatsoever to God once being a man, which is a massive distinctive of Mormonism. What would Joseph Smith have said if he was writing this website…He would have said you have imagined and supposed God is God from all eternity but He was a man just like you and me…. The Mormon Church of today might believe this, but its not in a hurry to tell people.
On to the bible.
Do Mormons believe in the Bible?
Yes. The Church reveres the Bible as the word of God, a sacred volume of scripture. Latter-day Saints cherish its teachings and engage in a lifelong study of its divine wisdom. Moreover, during worship services the Bible is pondered and discussed. Additional books of scripture — including the Book of Mormon— strengthen and reinforce God’s teachings through additional witnesses and provide moving accounts of the personal experiences many individuals had with Jesus Christ. According to Church apostle M. Russell Ballard, “The Book of Mormon does not dilute nor diminish nor deemphasize the Bible. On the contrary, it expands, extends, and exalts it.”
Interestingly no mention of the bible being translated correctly here, just they believe the bible, whoever wrote this should have consulted the articles of faith first.
Ok here is the best part.
Do Latter-day Saints believe they can become “gods”?
Latter-day Saints believe that God wants us to become like Him. But this teaching is often misrepresented by those who caricature the faith. The Latter-day Saint belief is no different than the biblical teaching, which states, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). Through following Christ’s teachings, Latter-day Saints believe all people can become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
Ok think about this, firstly nothing is used to support what is being said here apart from the bible. Think about all of the quotes from Mormon leaders over the years clearly stating the LDS position on this, not official you say what about Doctrine and Covenants 132:20 20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from aeverlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be bgods, because they have call power, and the angels are subject unto them.
Why didnt they quote this which clearly spells out that they believe those that live out the covenants become gods, why quote bible verses which have been taken in a totally different way by Christians for thousands of years……Simple……Spin. Wonder why right now they have done this….. (COUGH – ROMNEY).
The Mormon Church today teaches that we can become as God is, meaning we can have thw same exalted body He has, meaning we (and our wives/husbands) can carry on eternally married producing our own spirit children, Mormons please tell me I am wrong. Interestingly I asked a Mormon facebook friend about this and he removed my comment and reported me as being abusive, I simply asked if Mormons still believe we can become Gods, or has the wording just changed?
The reality is this is dishonesty at the highest level, if you read this on face value without a background knowledge of Mormonism you would conclude that they do not believe you can become gods. However Mormons reading between the lines will know that this partaking of the divine nature means becoming gods in Mormon terms.
Finally.
Do Latter-day Saints practice polygamy?
No. There are more than 14 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and not one of them is a polygamist. The practice of polygamy is strictly prohibited in the Church. The general standard of marriage in the Church has always been monogamy, as indicated in the Book of Mormon (see Jacob 2:27). For periods in the Bible polygamy was practiced by the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, as well as kings David and Solomon. It was again practiced by a minority of Latter-day Saints in the early years of the Church. Polygamy was officially discontinued in 1890 — 122 years ago. Those who practice polygamy today have nothing whatsoever to do with the Church.
While this is a true statement that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do not PRACTICE polygamy it is still doctrine. Doctrine and Covenants 132 still is there, and this is the “revelation” initialy used to bring in Polygamy, meaning that it is still a part of their theology. Many LDS think it will be brought back one day, maybe in the afterlife or maybe if the laws of the land are relaxed about it. Either way the LDS church of today wants the world to know that they aint those crazy fundamentals.
This whole webpage shows to me that the Mormon church wants nothing more than to be accepted as normal and Christian, even if it is at the expense of honesty, my title for this page was more provocative than usual if that offends I am sorry however if you are LDS read this page and ask yourself if it honestly lays out what you believe.
so shocked to hear that apparrently the lds church no longer believes that we can become Gods! I left the church only back in June 11 and didn’t know that there had been a subtle change!!!!!
Do Mormons believe in the Bible?
As you point out “In so far as it is correctly translated” A of F
Do Latter-day Saints believe they can become “gods”?
Latter-day Saints believe that God wants us to become like Him. But this teaching is often misrepresented by those who caricature the faith. The Latter-day Saint belief is no different than the biblical teaching, which states, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). Through following Christ’s teachings, Latter-day Saints believe all people can become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
Translation from gibberish in to English = Yes.
Do Latter-day Saints practice polygamy?
No. (lie! Many who do not openly practice polygamy still indulge in the subtley different “Spiritual Wifery” No legal marriage takes place but a joining in the eyes of God. Also it is common doctrine to believe polygamy is the norm in heaven. To say nothing of Polyandry, which was also practiced by the prophet Joseph Smith.)
There are more than 14 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(Only if you count in inactive members, those who have not had their names removed from the rolls, those who maybe dead but have not been confirmed to be so. Oh and those who ARE dead but have accepted baptism for the dead in the hereafter WHO, according to doctrine, DO PRACTICE POLYGAMY in the hereafter as a fulfilment of holy commandment. They are all counted as members. these include I was proudly informed by one missionary, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Benito Mussolini and a reformed Adolf Hitler. )
and not one of them is a polygamist.
(See above)
The practice of polygamy is strictly prohibited in the Church.
(For now but it is PROMISED to return as the norm after the return of Christ who will himself lead by example.)
The general standard of marriage in the Church has always been monogamy,
(LIE)
as indicated in the Book of Mormon (see Jacob 2:27).
(But was superseded and over ruled by the D&C)
For periods in the Bible polygamy was practiced by the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, as well as kings David and Solomon.
(Irrelevance)
It was again practised by a minority of Latter-day Saints in the early years of the Church.
(Yes a minority if the entire church membership up until the ban is taken as a proportion of the total membership over all time. these what journalist commonly call WEASEL WORDS)
Polygamy was officially discontinued in 1890 — 122 years ago. Those who practice polygamy today have nothing whatsoever to do with the Church.
(They would disagree, many of the 98+ schisms all claim to be THE one true church. And again I refer back to ‘Spiritual wifery’ which is still a common place alternative.)
It is easy to see the cold dead hand of President Hinckley still reaching out and guiding the pens of the church scribes. Hinckley was after all a public relations guru, media expert and spin doctor extraordinary.