Is God's Kingdom a Kingdom of Secrecy? [Mormonism]

Have you ever wondered why there is so much in Mormonism that is secret with every attempt to keep it from becoming known by the world at large? Not only has so much of the LDS church history been kept shrouded in darkness by the church, much of its doctrine is kept quiet as well. As a faithful LDS member you generally scoff at any suggestion that the church is not completely upfront with its doctrines and its history. But the more you learn, the more you come to realize that this is indeed the case. But why? Shouldn’t the church be proud of its “truths”? Shouldn’t someone wanting to learn about the church be enabled with all of the facts to make a real decision about whether or not the church is true and whether or not they want to commit their lives to it? Is such lack of candor and disclosure in accord with the will and word of God?

If you’ve ever served an LDS mission, you know that the missionaries are carefully trained not to discuss anything but the very basic principles in the "discussions" (lessons) and in conversations with “investigators” or non-members. They are told that church “investigators” and new members need to be fed “milk instead of meat.” If they receive too much information, too soon, they will be overwhelmed and may lose their chance at eternal life if they are frightened away from the church by too much information. Missionaries and members are taught to believe that you are doing the investigator and outsiders a favor by not disclosing too much to them, too soon. The missionaries are taught to tactfully divert the “investigator” or non-member away from any questions that deviate from or go beyond what the missionaries have been taught to teach or discuss. But truly there is much that the investigator is not told that is fundamental to Mormon doctrine, beliefs and practices (and much that the missionaries themselves often don’t even know or understand either).

Here are but a few of examples of the less-than-full-disclosure-policy of the LDS church:

-Translation of the Book of Mormon: The church still teaches and visually perpetuates the false notion that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from the gold plates while using the Urim and Thummim [when virtually every witness has said that Joseph actually used the same “seer” stone that he had previously used in his treasure digging activities and not the Urim and Thummim and that Joseph would place this stone in his hat and dictate the words to the scribe (without the plates even being uncovered or present at the time). In fact, the church has this seer stone in its possession today, but few church members know that.]

-First Vision: The Joseph Smith First Vision account that now appears in the LDS scriptures and is exclusively quoted and taught by the church is not the original account, it was written many years later in 1838, it varies substantially from all other accounts and it was not written by Joseph Smith himself [the only account available in Joseph’s own handwriting from 1832 (among the many varying accounts), aside from other substantial inconsistencies, does not even mention that God the Father appeared or was present]

-Polygamy/Polyandry: Joseph Smith’s polygamous/polyandrous marriages are kept so quiet that many (probably most) life-long members don’t even know that Joseph had any wife other than Emma (Joseph actually had at least 33 well documented wives; 10 of those wives were under 20 yrs. old; 11 were married to other men at the time he was married to them)

- Secret signs, tokens to get through the veil: It is well-established LDS church doctrine that no one will enter the Celestial Kingdom without being able to perform the secret signs, tokens and names to the angels that stand as sentinels guarding the way to the Celestial Kingdom. These can only be learned in the temple by completely obedient LDS church members. This fact is kept very quiet and certainly no church investigator will ever hear this from the missionaries or members (unless they happen to learn it from their own independent research). In fact, when you attend the temple for the first time, you probably have little idea of what you will be doing there, the covenants that you will make or much else. Although you are given a chance to bail out before the session begins, you don’t know what it is you’ll be doing or promising so you have to stay around and enter into the covenants in order to find out – prior to the 1990 changes in the endowment, few, if any, new temple attendees knew in advance that they would be making death oaths and promising to allow their life to be taken rather than to disclose any of the secret signs, tokens or penalties. What a shock that was for many.

-No One Gets Into the Celestial Kingdom Without Joseph Smith’s Consent: Brigham Young and subsequent church leaders have clearly taught that no one will be allowed to enter in to the Celestial Kingdom without the consent of Joseph Smith and that Joseph Smith would be a god to us in the next life. Again, this is not something the public or any investigator will ever be told by the church.

-Awkward Doctrines Kept Quiet: The church now distances itself and tries to keep quiet about past prophet teachings such as the Adam-God doctrine (that Adam was actually God the Father), blood atonement (some sins require the sinner's own blood to be shed in order to atone for the sin), black prohibition from priesthood (blacks could not receive the priesthood or enter into the temple prior to the 1970's "revelation" and could only enter into the Celestial Kingdom as servants), and other uncomfortable doctrines and teachings. We even heard the Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley publicly equivocate on the long-standing doctrine that God was once a man and that we can become gods when he said: “I wouldn't say that. There was a little couplet coined, ‘As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.’ Now that's more of a couplet than anything else.” What?! Of course, the church has always taught that. Every faithful Mormon on earth (except, possibly, a newly baptized member) knows that doctrine and believes it. But the “prophet” can’t be up front about it? Does it sound too crazy to say in public? What if it does sound crazy, it’s still doctrine, is it not?

- Continued Belief in Polygamy: The church loves to say “we don’t practice it anymore”, when asked about polygamy. True, the church doesn’t authorize polygamous marriages among the living. But it is long-standing church doctrine and practice that those who enter the Celestial Kingdom will practice polygamy. The church will not be honest with the world on this point, because being well thought of by the world is more important than being upfront about the beliefs. Indeed, few, if any, new members know this fact when joining the church. If I were considering joining a church, this is absolutely something that I would want to be told up front (especially if I was a woman, as I may be called upon to share my husband with other women in the next life – a rather important fact, I’d say).

-Book of Abraham – translation proven false when the papyrus was found and translated

-Substantive changes to the Book of Mormon and to the “prophesies” (Doctrine & Covenants)

[To view an excellent and more lengthy discussion of the Mormon practice of "Lying for the Lord" by a former Bishop and LDS Institute CES Director click here:

http://www.mormonthink.com/lying.htm ]

ARE THE LDS CHURCH’S PRACTICES OF DIVERSION FROM AND CONCEALMENT OF THE FULL STORY AND TRUTH CONSISTENT WITH GOD’S WAY?

“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.” John 18:20

In fact, Jesus declared that there was nothing that He taught that was ever done in secret. What about the truth should need to be kept in secret? If you’re supposed to believe in something, you need to know what it is. Right?

The truth is, nothing should be kept in secret (nor will it need to be kept in secret) in an honest truthful gospel.

Christ, Himself, declared:

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:20-21

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Acts 20:24-27

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:2-4

The Word of God is clear that nothing pertaining to the Gospel should be kept in secret, but rather should proclaimed without deceit or shame.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17.

“As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. John 8:30-47

mormonISM - yes
Christianity - no. The curtain was torn from top to bottom, no more secrets.

2 posted on 07/12/2011 10:15:44 AM PDT by svcw (democrats are liars, it's a given)

Did Jesus keep any of His doctrines in secret?

“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.” John 18:20

Oh wait, Joseph Smith taught that he was greater than Jesus, so if he he started secret doctrines it's okay, right?.

No and the LDS practice of lying, obfuscating and dissembling about doctrines became a red flag for me, especially when I was told to do that as a LDS missionary.

5 posted on 07/13/2011 10:55:40 AM PDT by reaganaut (Mormonism is spiritual prostitution.)

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