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1) They believe other religions ( Christian and **non-Christian**, too) often and usually have much truth. They simply do not have all the truth, or as much of the truth as Mormons do. In fact, Mormons believe that further truth can and will be revealed, so, they themselves are not yet in full possession of the truth.
2) Yes, other Christian churches exist, but, do not have the “fullness of the gospel”.
3) Yes, other Christian churches exist outside of the Mormon church. See #2.
4) The theology of other Christian churches is most often theologically sound. There are some differences ( for instance some Christian beliefs and the Mormon’s conception of the Trinity)
5) That other Christian churches do not share every belief of the Mormons does NOT make them non-Christian. If a person accepts Christ as their Savior, they are Christian.
6) I can’t speak for other evangelical leaders.
Since “faith” is defined in the LDS universe as:
” “If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21). Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. We show our hope for something that we cannot yet see.” [from lds.org gospel topics]
Then I propose the following list of things that Mormons in good standing (Mitt) better have “faith” in:
- disappearing golden plates that weren’t even always present [and they were necessary why exactly?]
- a first vision by Joseph Smith where he actually became the only human in all of known history to see God (and live)...and that the final version (written years after the event) is the ‘whole’ truth
- a polygamy-loving polygamist God [or else a lot of past LDS leaders are in big trouble...after all the God of the Bible can be one angry dude]
- a planet/star named Kolob where God resides
- a lost papyrus that was the ‘real’ papyrus used for the Book of Abraham [that contradicts all egyptologists’ current knowledge]
- that there is absolutely no corruption with all that tithing money in hands of humans
- that God really wanted a new conference center instead of more/better meetinghouse [so that there wouldn’t have to be two or more units in a bldg], or a new mall instead of alms for the poor
- that Brigham Young really was the chosen successor to Joseph Smith [or else the RLDS got it right]
- that all other Christian Churches REALLY are wrong
- that the Bible REALLY is corrupt [the lds church just haven’t pinpointed and/or published the list of corrupt verses yet]
- that Heavenly Father REALLY directed numerous changes to a ‘restored’ temple ceremony
- that Heavenly Father actually directed the changes to let blacks have the priesthood [vs. lds leadership just caving in to external pressure]
- that Utah Statehood didn’t have anything to do with the Manifesto to stop polygamy...Heavenly Father just changed his mind
- that Nephite/Lamanite archaeological evidence just hasn’t been discovered yet
- that a language called reformed Egyptian existed
- that MesoAmerican metalurgy existed (other than soft metals)
On the other hand, here’s a list of Things that they don’t have to rely on “faith” for....these actually exist:
- the bones of the murdered victims of MMM
- the record of the ages of the wives [at the time of marriage] of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Parley P Pratt, etc etc
- the bank notes from Kirtland
- the record of the changes made to the “most perfect book” [BofM]
- the factual translation of the Book of Abraham pappyri
- actual peepstones [in the possession of the lds church]
- the written transcript of the Reed Smoot hearings
- the arrest records of JS for glass-looking
Call me a bigot if you will. But I won’t vote for a President deluded enough to fit this bill.
I left the LDS Church at great personal peril. Either Mitt is ignorant of the facts of Mormonism, or he doesn’t have the personal intergrity to admit it is a farce, or he belives the doctrine with all his heart. Any of those reasons for Mitt being Mormon are enough for me to not only vote against him, but openly campaign against him.
Let the flames begin.