What Makes Mormonism The Most All-Embracing World Religion

Some people wouldn’t consider Mormonism a world religion…but it is. Mormonism is Christianity at its core. It’s a restoration of the Church that Christ established when He was on the earth. What really makes the church unique is the fact that it’s the only religion on earth that I know of that tries to embrace all of the other world religions for the truth that is contained within them.

When I was in college I took a world religion class and loved every minute of it. The professor was an Evangelical PhD of religion. I think it was the best grade I ever received in a college class. The class provided a deep analysis of the roots and teachings of the great religions in the world.

Every single class, my friend and I would look at each other in amazement as the doctrines of the Mormon Church were taught over and over again. Primal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity in all its 40,000 different denominational variations. Each of them containing pieces of truth.

It makes all kinds of sense if you think about it. In the beginning, God gave the gospel to Adam and Eve. They taught their children the fullness of the gospel and there was only one “Church” on the earth at that time. Who can dispute that?

world

Over the years, some of the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve started to fall away from the teachings of the church resulting in various tribes and people being scattered across the earth. These people started civilizations of their own but still retained their innate desire to worship a deity, so…they started their own religions. Many of these individuals, being good people, took the traditions that were passed down by their “fathers” and built a belief system based on their recollections of the traditions. Those traditions became appealing to the people in their geographic region.

I remember when this religion professor first started teaching us about the traditions of the Australian Aborigine, one of the oldest known primal religions. Apparently their roots go back to a creation event they call “The Dreaming”. It was when their God-like/Angelic ancestors came to earth and “gave rise to the lay of the land, the animals, and customs/teachings before the humans inhabited it.”  It was also interesting when I heard that they had various “rituals” that were required in order for them to understand “The Dreaming”.

Then I opened up the Mormon understanding of the creation out of the Pearl of Great Price and read this: “And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell.”

Whoa! That’s cool. How could it be that a primal religion that goes back almost to the beginning of recorded history and Mormonism could have such similar beliefs about creation? Pre-mortal Gods/angels organizing already existing materials into an earth for us to dwell on? Mormons embrace that kind of stuff…not condemn it!

How about Hindu’s understanding of a pre-mortal existence? They have “karma” as the results of pre mortal actions. Mormons have “call and prepared” before the foundations of this earth just as the Jeremiah was “ordained” before he came to earth. (Jer 1:5)

Those are just a couple examples. I could go religion by religion for pages upon pages and pull out the pieces of truth that match up with Mormon Doctrine. Study the religions of the world and visit some of their temples and synagogues and then attend the LDS temple a few times and your head will be spinning from the undeniable parallels you’ll see with the religions of the world. I don’t know of another religion in the world that is so interested in other belief systems and so ready to accept their teachings as inspired from God.

tiantan

Truly…Mormonism is universal in its scope and in its adoption of truth.

Mormonism seeks to do just one thing. Search the world for truth and then embrace it whether it is found in the Texas mega-church or in the Tibetan desert. Mormons don’t slam the door in another persons face or create literature to slam other religions…because they genuinely feel a common bond with so many of the truths found within those other religions.

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A few years ago…Gordon B. Hinckley was asked to speak at a convention of the Religion Newswriters of America. After his talk he was asked, “What are you going to do when 15,000 or 20,000 Baptists visit you in Salt Lake City next summer and try to proselytize you?”

He replied, “We are going to welcome them. We are going to do everything we can to make them feel at home. These are our brethren and sisters. They accuse us of not being Christian. I hope that our people will try to show them, by the very manner in which they act, that we are truly disciples of the Lord.”

Then he said this simple phrase that really captures the essence of Mormonism: “Bring all the good that you have and let us see if we can add to it.”

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That is Mormonism. The most all-embracing religion in the world.

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14 thoughts on “What Makes Mormonism The Most All-Embracing World Religion

  1. Broken bose

    Hey Ron Den Boer.  I’m a Catholic lurking about Trimble’s blog site and I’ve noticed your posts here.

    I understand that you are opposed to the beliefs of the LDS Church and as a Catholic you can understand that my beliefs differ from the LDS religion as well.

    However, it says in Scripture:

    1 Peter 3:15

    “always being ready to make a defense [Greek: apologia] to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”

    Sometimes in our zeal we forget that winning the argument sometimes means losing the convert–and that the good of souls should be our final end.  God bless you, brother.

  2. Broken bose

    Greg, you said:

    “Pre-mortal Gods/angels organizing already existing materials into an earth for us to dwell on? Mormons embrace that kind of stuff…not condemn it!”

    I’ve brought this up in other posts, but it have to mention again that the idea of an eternal, material existence (DC 93:33) is not reasonable and has been proven false.

    If there was an infinite number of days in past existence, then from any point in the infinite past, an infinite number days would have had to have passed in order for us to reach the present time. By the very fact that we exist presently in time is an airtight refutation of an eternal material existence.

    Therefore, DC 93:33 is false.

    There can by no other way to show how our present observation of the universe comports with our reasonable understanding of it. The theology underlying an eternally existing universe is unreasonable, despite the counter-intuitive nature of that claim.

    This is also proven in physics by the famous and often referenced–Borde, Guthe, Vilenkin theorem (BGV theorem) that shows that all possible universes on a theoretical scale than have an average positive expansion rate (which is basically all of them), must have spacetimes which are not past-complete.

    This just basically means that our universe had a beginning.

    And the BGV theorem, for all its fancy jargon is basically relying on some simple observational standards to make that claim.

    Alexander Vilenkin, of the theory said:

    “It is said that an argument is what convinces reasonable men and a proof is what it takes to convince even an unreasonable man. With the proof [of the BGV theorem] now in place, cosmologists can no longer hide behind the possibility of a past-eternal universe. There is no escape: they have to face the problem of a cosmic beginning.”

    I would add to cosmologists; those who believe that matter eternally existed, via LDS theological claims.

    From both a philosophical standpoint and a scientific one, the LDS theology that governs the makeup of the universe we can observe and study, is wrong.

    But by both science and philosophy (much to the embarrassment of some scientists and philosophers), the classic Christian theology of a universal beginning; of a beginning to everything–is affirmed. There really is no other cogent explanation for the universe we presently observe.

    This brings to mind the famous quote by astro-physicist Robert Jastrow:

    “For the scientist…. the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance, he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”

    Two questions I have for you:

    If a Total Apostasy occurred, how would you know (since no one would be around to recognize the fact that the truth was lost)

    And

    How were the Biblical Scriptures preserved without a proper authority to recognize them.

    God bless.

  3. Annoyed

    It’s disingenuous to consider Mormonism to be so all-embracing when the acceptance of truth in the beliefs of others is limited to that which corresponds to the teachings of the church. Looking for, and identifying, common ground isn’t the same as embracing others’ beliefs, although it is a great way to start a dialogue and to convince oneself that he or she is open-minded.

    Mormonism doesn’t need to single out individual churches and religions as targets for criticism, it makes a blanket statement that it is the one true church, the only organization on the face of the earth to act in the name of God. It’s great to be able to appreciate others’ good efforts at following the will of God, all the while certain of their error – that’s really embracing!

    We learn in Hebrews of the great benefit in the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The veil of the temple was torn in two, no more need for a high priest as Jesus became the high priest for all of us. No more veil separating us from the divine. Quite contradictory to the very Christian message contained in the Book of Mormonism, Mormonism has sown and restored the veil and imposed a significant priesthood apparatus on the ability of the individual to commune with the divine. Through its temple ordinances and vicarious work for the dead, it has devalued the crucifixion from the power it has in the Book of Mormon in which we are taught that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient to save those who do not know God’s laws, including those who are dead. Mormonism is NOT Christianity at its core, although it was on the right track at inception.

    Also, good luck with the literal Adam and Eve, most Mormon apologists don’t bother even pretending that’s a feasible position to hold. Of course, without a literal Adam and Eve, Noah’s flood and Tower of Babel, the story of the Jaredites is severely compromised.

  4. Alex Eisenberg

    Greg, I find your posts very interesting! However it’s very unlikely that Adam and Eve ever existed, I think the church must step up and try to reconcile science with faith somehow! For the members who prefer to believe in the literalistic teachings of the
    Bible good for them! But for those who prefer to believe that God gave us a brain to reason and develop intelligence (The glory of God is intelligence), just believing is unacceptable! The church has advanced a bit when recognizing that Gays may be born that way.

  5. Pingback: George Lucas asks, “Why are there so many religions?” | Scott Thormaehlen

  6. thompsonsix

    I really have a hard time understanding how the LDS Church can embrace or look for common beliefs in the world religions…

    Joseph Smith said, “My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join. 19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

    Okay, so if the First Vision of Joseph Smith is really true and ALL the religious sects in the world are wrong and ALL of the creeds of the various religions are an abomination in God’s sight, what would the only true religion on the face of the earth have in common with them? Why is the LDS Church so intent upon being accepted by the other Christian religions?

    As a born again Christian, who has lived in Utah for 23 years and understands both Christianity and Mormonism, I don’t get it? With the exception of the basic social commandments (like the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20) the doctrines of Mormonism and Christianity are complete polar opposites–Think About It: Christianity, only one God–Mormonism, many Gods; Christianity, the Fall in the Garden of Eden was completely against God’s plan for mankind–Mormonism, the Fall was in perfect harmony with God’s plan for mankind; Christianity, the gospel is by faith in Jesus alone completely separated from any works we can do–Mormonism, the gospel is a combined effort, Jesus did his part and offers general salvation to all but men are required to earn their own individual salvation through keeping the required ordinances and commandments; I could go on and on. When I have a nice sit down with my LDS friends to discuss our beliefs, we never find common ground–the more in depth we talk the more our differences become glaringly obvious.

    I also wonder what JESUS or His Apostles would have thought about of the idea that we should try to find common ground with the other religions of the world. Jesus and the New Testament writers NEVER encouraged true believers in Jesus to bond with and look for common ground with the false religions in the Roman world. As true believers in Jesus Christ we are commanded:

    “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

    The truth of God’s word says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

    Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

    Jesus also said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36

    Do we really believe Jesus? If you are reading this, How long it has been since YOU truly sat down and studied the teachings of Jesus as taught by Jesus in the 4 Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?

    • Darren

      “Okay, so if the First Vision of Joseph Smith is really true and ALL the religious sects in the world are wrong and ALL of the creeds of the various religions are an abomination in God’s sight, what would the only true religion on the face of the earth have in common with them? Why is the LDS Church so intent upon being accepted by the other Christian religions?”

      All religions have truths but have embraced false teachings of the world. The Father, Son, and Holy spirit are not, for examples, “not three Gods but one God” numerically. Biblical monotheism is not such to declare there is only one numeric God but that only one numeric person/being is supreme and that would be the Father. In fact it is the Father *only* as Jesus himself prayed, ” 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17), which uses the Greek word “mono” for “only”. Man’s philosophies, not biblical doctrine, which declares only one numeric God. The Bible hardly denies the existence of gods. Psalms 83, reiterated in John 17, and there being “gods many and lords many”, even in heaven, as Paul declared. But to Christians, and Jews, God is first.

      Similarity exists between Holy Trinity and the Mormon Godhead (by the way, “Godhead” is straight from the bible, “Holy trinity” is a post biblical creedal term) is that both speak of God in the plurality form. Even Jews view Christians as polytheistic since they include, and rightfully so, Jesus Christ and the holy Spirit as part of God.

      ” Christianity, the Fall in the Garden of Eden was completely against God’s plan for mankind–Mormonism, the Fall was in perfect harmony with God’s plan for mankind”

      Because of the Fall, Satan was cursed, as well as the earth, but Adam and Eve were declared as being like unto the LORD God. that hardly indicates that what they did was ‘completely against’ Gods plan.

      All your doing here is giving a Protestant / Evangelical viewpoint of the bible. this viewpoint deemphasizes works to the point that mentioning them at any degree of requirement for salvation denies the atonement. The fact of the matter is that requiring works completely biblical and very much part of Christian history.

      ” could go on and on.”

      Thank you for not doing so. ;>)

  7. Elena Sologaistoa

    Really? Having bits and pieces from pagan religions makes you a true church? The true Church is the people who follow Jesus Christ and His teachings, alone. Religions are made by men, with rules and regulations made by men. When Jesus died in the cross His last words were, “It is finished”, nothing else needed after that.

    • Chris365

      Then why didn’t the world end? Nothing else was needed right? We didn’t even need to be created. He said it’s “finished”. Done. Nothing else to do. Complete.

      Or maybe, just like when I finish my homework, finish cleaning the yard, finish a hard days work, finish a multi-year project, finish reading the book of John, I’m not actually finished with everything for time and eternity. But rather, just that thing I was working on right there was finished.

      Perhaps the Savior meant his mortal ministry and mortal life was finished. But in reality, even the Savior wasn’t finished, as he still was resurrected and taught his disciples after he made the pronouncement.

      Your analysis is so terribly shallow, that it overlooks the very fact that the writing, “it is finished” had to be recorded by someone. If the writers thought as you do, they would have said, “it’s finished, we don’t need to record this”.

  8. Sue

    Do Mormons believe in the Trinity?
    Mormons most commonly use the term “Godhead” to refer to the Trinity. The first article of faith for the Latter-day Saints reads: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” Latter-day Saints believe God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one in will and purpose but are not literally the same being or substance, as conceptions of the Holy Trinity commonly imply. (see mormonnewsroom.org)

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