Don’t believe everything you hear about the Mormons. Odds are…it’s probably not true.
When my wife and I were dating before I left on my mission (yes…I was engaged when I left on my mission), we did the nerdiest stuff you can think of. Instead of going to the movies, we derived pleasure from visiting the various Christian bookstores around Southern California. After awhile…we started to notice that every Christian bookstore had loads of anti-mormon literature plaguing the shelves. So we started asking the store workers why they sold that stuff and how it was “Christian” to knock down other religions. Most of the people we asked were embarrassed and normally gave the classic “I just work here” response. After all…if a Christian is comfortable with their doctrine…then they should follow the old and wise counsel of Gamaliel from the 5th Chapter of Acts. When those pesky apostles created a stir among the Jews with their new and strange doctrines, Gamaliel told the Jews that were preoccupied with proving them wrong to “let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5:41)
The things I found on those shelves weren’t fair…and they definitely weren’t accurate. Maybe partially accurate but rarely entirely accurate. What was written was almost always either taken out of context or quoted from another anti-Mormon source from many years back.
So here’s the issue. A bunch of good hearted Christian people go to the Christian bookstores or innocently attend their church’s Sunday school class and BAM! They’re hit with a bunch of things about Mormons that are calculated to make them look like freaks. Remember…just because the guy that published that book you read about the Mormons had a Phd…it doesn’t make it true. That’s also true of your pastor. He may be a man of God…but if he’s bashing other churches in any way shape or form, then you may want to remind him that Christ never had time for that sort of thing. He was too busy with the rigor of His ministry to have time for tearing others down. It wasn’t His style…and it shouldn’t be yours either.
Even if you never join the Mormon church…just don’t believe everything you hear about it and keep an open mind. Find out for yourself. Invite one over for dinner or ask them directly about what they believe. It’s not going to hurt you to have one of them explain to you what they believe and why they believe it. If you come to decide that Mormonism isn’t right for you…then just be friends with them. Don’t declare theological war on them. Even Christ said in Luke 9:50 that “he that is not against us is for us.” A preconceived notion from a book you read or a sermon you heard might keep you from developing a friendship with a really nice person! No Mormon is against you! They want to be your friend…and if they don’t want to be your friend because you believe differently or because you won’t convert to Mormonism…then they shouldn’t be a Mormon.
But lets flip this on its head and look at it from the other side. If you’re already a Mormon…you shouldn’t just believe what another Mormon tells you either. Apply the same advice that is given to non-Mormons and don’t believe everything you hear about the Church. There are too many people leaving the Church because they’ve heard something that was either stated incorrectly or out of context by another member of the Church. One of the things I love most about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that I have always been told to study, research, pray, and find answers for myself. No one should just join the Church or stay in the Church because Glenn Beck said it’s cool or because Mitt Romney is a stud. You’re not a Mormon because of David Archuleta’s vocal cords or because you like Jimmer’s three point shot. Don’t just believe in the Church because mom and dad told you to or because President Monson bore his testimony of it. Yes…these are great people that you may be inclined to follow…and for good reason, but don’t ever just believe something because they said so. That’s not part of the program. It was never part of the program. Let their testimonies stir your soul, study up, and then get an answer from above.
[Tweet “”You’re not a Mormon because of David Archuleta’s vocal cords or because you like Jimmer’s three point shot””]Do you remember when Jesus was hanging out with Peter and the rest of the apostles in Cæsarea Philippi? He took them specifically to this place to ask them one of the most important questions in human history. He asked them “who do you think that I am”? Remember…they had been with him, seen miracles, and listened to him teach about the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies. Being Jews…they were taught of the coming Messiah since birth. But as they stood before Him…they were still unsure about who He really was. But Peter spoke up with boldness and declared Jesus to be the the Son of God and the Savior of the world! Then Christ gave us one of the most important lessons of his entire glorious ministry. “Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven”. (Matt 16:17) Christ was telling Peter and the others that the only way to get to the truth was by careful study, obedience to the commandments, and by direct revelation from heaven above. Christ is acknowledging that even as He stands there in front of their faces…that He himself, in the flesh, is unable to give them the testimony they will need in order to be faithful until the bitter end. He is teaching them to seek the spirit and to receive a manifestation from heaven to know of a surety.
So…if you’re not a Mormon, don’t believe what you hear about the Mormons. And if you are a Mormon…don’t just blindly believe and rely on the testimony of others. In these last days (which we are in) Nephi says that its going to get super hard to stay true to the faith because of false reports and widespread apathy. He says that “they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.” (2 Ne 28:14)
Yeah…people are “erring” because they’re listening…believing…following the “precepts of men” without learning the truth for themselves by going to God and studying it out. So find your sacred grove…regardless of your religious background and be one of the “few” that stay true to the faith in boldly testifying of Christ in the latter days.
I have always wondered too, why Christian stores carry false information or why people take so much time knocking others beliefs. I appreciate the reminder to study it out myself and hope more readers will do the same.
I was once told that Joseph practiced Polyandry as well as Polygamy and I dismissed it as an anti-mormon lie. Then I found out it was true.
I was once told that Joseph translated the BoM with rock in a hat and I dismissed it as an anti-mormon lie. Then I found out it was true.
When I was on my mission in Spain, a man on the street told me that the early leaders consumed alcohol (after the WOW) and that that Brigham Young owned a distillery in Utah and I dismissed it as an anti-mormon lie. Then I found out it was true.
I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
Ryan…you believe in the Bible?
The vast majority of Joseph Smith’s marriages were sealings only, marriages for the next life but not for this one. In the instances of polyandry, several of the women in question confirmed that those sealings were not consummated. They were performed solely because they were married to non-members and worried about the eternal consequences of not being sealed.
The church has never hidden the translating information. It’s been published in the Ensign, and multiple other articles, talks, and books. It was widely available to you and to all members.
The Word of Wisdom was also not considered a commandment until nearly 100 years after it was given. It was a guideline, but choosing not to follow it didn’t keep you out of the temple the way it does now.
Your testimony is between you and Our Father, but all of those answers were open to you if you chose to study your religion.
Wow…you really need to update your information on Joseph’s polygamous marriages. You are spouting false information. There are many accounts of Joseph marrying Members wives as he sent the husband on a mission and wives reporting they were wives in every deed. I hope you do not pretend the things you say apply to Brigham Young’s polygamous marriages as well. Who do you think taught Brigham about polygamy?
I read somewhere that those women he “married” when their husbands went on a mission was actually with the blessings of said husband. Back then, women had no rights if they were not married. And those missionaries had no idea if they were going to return alive from their missions. So, they would have their wives sealed to Joseph or one of the other apostles, so that if something happened to them, their wives and children would be supported.
Have you ever heard of Fanny Alger?
In my 22 years of activity, I never found anything about the rock in the hat. It wasn’t until I looked outside of mormon literature that I found it. Look up how many versions of the first vision there are. The church doesn’t “openly” tell you about that.
As far as the WOW is concerned, exactly. Why did it take 100 years for the church to figure out what all the WOW actually entailed. With the church always going on about how they don’t change, they do an awful lot of changing.
Don’t study too much, you might find something you don’t like.
The Church doesn’t change, but sometimes doctrines and practices and policies must change to accommodate the changing times.
Loved this! Was just making some of these points to someone the other day.
Yes, Ryan, all that may or may not be true. But keep in mind, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were mortal men. This the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Jesus’ Church. And He has appointed mortal men to run it as He see’s fit. Jesus knows what’s in the hearts of men, and does call them because of their good works. I am sure for the time you spent on your mission will be a blessing to you, and hope you realize that everything in this world has some form of evil and corruption. If Jesus chose perfect beings to represent His Church, then there wouldn’t be a Church, right?
I frequent Christian bookstores and have never seen anti-Mormon literature. Which leads me to wonder if it’s you that’s doing the bashing of others, Mr. Trimble.
There are whole sections of anti-mormon literature in Christian bookstores(look under cult) and several congregations in our area hold seminars on the evil of Mormonism… Some of these congregations are involved in the interfaith community service projects that our stake is also involved it…go figure!
In the seventies and eighties it was a big deal! When my husband to be was looking into the church He went to the library and came home with a bunch of books about Mormonism and none came from the LDS Church. I came to the same realization as Greg did, the information was either misconstrued or came from another anti Mormon source. After he joined the church, his mother came home with another book. I actually read it and looked up all the references and found words deliberately dropped to make a point that was totally out of context with what was actually said. I even find one quite that had taken two quotes from two totally different subjects that had been blended into one that had changed the complete meanings of what had been said.
Open minded I have come to the realization that I just need to attend my meetings and keep praying that my husband will one day want to really take the church seriously and put God first and me as his wife second. After all my Salvation is not his Salvation. We all have to answer for ourselves!!!!
There are whole sections of Christian book stores here that are devoted to anti-Mormonism, anti-Jehovah’s witnesses, anti-Christian science, etc.
Thank you!
Your blog always inspires me and gives me something to think about so….thank you!
Greg I’ve been a member since 1989 found church through my husband three years after we were married he never told me he was a member of the Mormon church!!!! And he wasn’t living like he was a member of any church nor was I as I was Catholic at the time!!!! I thought my husband once going back to church would like it but NOT so why should I go if he don’t go. I’m frustrated he won’t even let the Missionaries come over but I love the church. What should I do!!!!
It is hard not to be united in it. There is a long list of reasons to go anyway. Go for the blessings of being with the believers. There is strength in that. Keep learning. Go for yourself. Keep the spirit in your life.
Oh no, you had to go there about David Archuleta! I did come back to the church because of David Archuleta’s voice! LOL…well, truthfully it did start that way, and his testimony and that of David Osmond’s testimony influenced me a great deal. But you are right, it was my reading the Book of Mormon, my prayers and the guidance of the spirit that restored my testimony and reaffirmed the truthfulness of the gospel. But I do believe that God uses people who are very spiritual people, whether they are famous or not to be at the right time as an influence for good in bringing people to the church or back to it, (aka missionaries) including David Archuleta. He is an amazing young man and a spiritual giant!
I would take my young family to our ward . After our 3 hrs I sometimes took them to a 7th day church. I wanted my family to hear different veiws and learn of a vegetarian diet . One day 10 minutes into his sermon, I found myself standing up in his 7th church and educating him about us because he was teaching the people pure lies about us. Starting with : ” Those guys on bicycles. “.
I stole the moment for a good ten minutes . I had on the whole armor of God. I didn’t think to back off, I was bold. At my chosen time we left the room.
I will always defend the teachings . I may even question some of them myself . But I separate my veiws from the teachings to make clear that difference. I also post web links to the church for their own research. I have actually been in 3 different churches for weeks learning their ways until I have to ‘dress down’ the preacher.
If you can’t defend your faith or Jesus then you have no faith and he doesn’t know you. Same in those stores. I have seen those books and there is something you can do.
8/24/14 jeff jones Sr. On facebook
Thank you! This is very well said and very needed.
*shouts of joy!* 😀
Thank you, Greg
This topic has been a theme in my life for many months. I don’t know all of the answers to accusations and controversial topics and details that come up over time. But I will say that very seldom does it match my life long experience within the church and my experience living the gospel of Jesus Christ the best I can. I love this church. I choose it. I’ll strive to be loyal to it to the ‘bitter end’. As I seek the Lords spirit and live worthy of the Holy Ghost, I can see more clearly the spirit that others are influenced by. I feel sad when misrepresented or misunderstood. But this is not new to followers of Christ. The flood waters are rising. Thanks for the article.
Is it safe to assume that you’re LDS too?
Does Mormonism teach that Yahweh just happens to be the god of this planet and that Mormon men can someday become God of their own planet?
Does the Mormon church teach that wives need secret names so that their husbands can call them through the “veil” and get into Heaven?
Sorry, Greg. Simply telling people not to believe everything they hear isn’t good enough. As a freethinker, I’ve done considerable research comparing Mormonism to traditional bible Christianity. There are mutually exclusive differences between the two belief sets.
Those who believe will seek answers.
Those who don’t will seek excuses.
At least, IMHO.
As per Greg’s request, I feel this section is not the best venue for arguing against someone’s opinion, or for bickering over semantics. I do appreciate kind, respectful language that does not point fingers. Respectful language throws light, not accusations on subjects like religion, politics, parenthood, and any number of sensitive subjects.
Cognitive dissonance
I would recommend that prior to making statements of falseness to these books of information, you all would really research what their claims purport. It is easy to dismiss them as anti or false. However, much of the information and claims are being realized today as true and accurate; even from the church itself and its apologists. To claim otherwise would be doing yourself a disservice, and denying factual information; otherwise known as factual, truthful, historical information. For example, it would be easy to dismiss the truth about Joseph Smith starting a group in Nauvoo, near the end of his life, called the Council of Fifty; in which he declared himself the prophet, priest and King over all the world. He used this secret group to help with his presidential campaign and eventual takeover of the government. This secret group carried over to other prophets for years. Now, if you have never heard of this, or just think it’s ridiculous, don’t just brush it off as nonsense. The church has all the minutes from all the meetings; they just won’t let anyone see them. https://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&query=Council+of+Fifty
You should find it, at the very least, discomforting that the church is not truthful about so many parts of its history. Therefore, to dismiss others information as false simply on the Notion that your ecclesiastical leaders said it is so, with their own history of lying, is akin to trusting Madoff with your money after he was found guilty.
Telling the truth is not anti-anything. In the words of Park Romney, “We condemn the justification or tolerance of fraud in the name of religion and the obfuscation of universal truth and justice in the name of politics as ignoble acts and abuses against the universe and our fellow man.” In brief, religious fraud is not OK.
But what lies told about mormons are untrue? You do not specifically address any of them in your blog.
The fact that “Christian” book stores carry anti-LDS “literature” is another testimony builder for me. Just think if there had been religious bookstores in Jesus’ time. . . What do you think would have been for sale on those shelves about Him??
Really? The only “misconception” you hint at is “(yes…I was engaged when I left on my mission).” I have to ask the same thing as TheThorn does below, “But what lies told about Mormons are untrue?” You had the entire blog to address them and your title points to you doing just that, but you didn’t. Also, your scripture you used, (Acts 5:41) is wrong. My Bible says that Acts 5:41 reads, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Maybe you used something other than the Holy Bible? Anyway, your statement about “just because the guy that published that book you read about Mormons had (has) a Phd….it doesn’t make it true.” is correct. However, Temple rituals do make you look freakishly masonic and it doesn’t take a PhD to see that. Also, Christ did have time to tell everyone the truth about Him and if “religious” folk or regular businessmen were doing something not in line with His truth, He would not stand for it and either told them off (Matthew 12:34) or showed a physical display of wrath (John 2:15), so don’t pretend that Jesus would approve of everything Mormons believe if it cannot be found in Scripture and the truth. I am glad to read that Mormons aren’t against me. Jesus also said, “He who is not with Me, is against Me and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” (Matthew 12:30) I had to laugh at the celebrity endorsements. I didn’t think that should be a “selling point” for your church, but in advertising it is used continually, so I shouldn’t have expected anything less. I would like to point out that Tina Turner, Tiger Woods, and Orlando Bloom are Buddhists. So what. I would have enjoyed this blog better if you actually would have listed some things I shouldn’t be believing about what I’ve heard about Mormons. Instead, this blog actually confirmed what I’ve heard/seen is, in all actuality, true.