I’ve heard that the Mormon religion requires practicing Mormons to divorce their spouses (and, of course, seek custody of kids) if the spouse leaves the religion. This is in stark contrast to Catholicism, which forbids such divorce, and charges the faithful spouse to inspire reconversion back to the church through faithful love in the marriage. Further, Mormon friends are to shun the apostate; And what friends would an apostate Mormon in a marriage have besides Mormons? Non-Mormon must be excluded even from witnessing Mormon marriages.
If these assertions about Mormonism are true, it’s a cult.
No, that’s not true.
A perfect example of why I’m posting this thread, and others like it. What you hear, and there are many sources, is wrong. Ask any Mormon what a “part member family” is. There is no such admonition from the LDS church.
I have witnessed it in my own family and as to divorcing a spouse that decides to no longer be Mormon, is one of the quickest way to get a divorce that I can think of.
Not only do they shun the non-Mormon spouse, they also shun any other family (parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, etc. in favor of Mormon in-laws.
There are enough strange doctrines in mormonism. Some of what you post is true some is not. Sevenbak's reply avoids answering your questions.
"I’ve heard that the Mormon religion requires practicing Mormons to divorce their spouses (and, of course, seek custody of kids) if the spouse leaves the religion. This is NOT a "doctrine" as such. However, there are many stories posted on web sites that indicate the individual who leaves the mormon church is divorced by his/her mate so that the other party may "find eternal marriage with a different "worthy" (as defined by mormons) mate".
" Mormon friends are to shun the apostate; And what friends would an apostate Mormon in a marriage have besides Mormons?"
Again, NOT official doctrine. However, this is a practice that occurs as those of us who are former mormons can personally verify. I do not know of a mormon leader advising against the practice of shunning, since "worthy" mormons are required to answer "temple recommend" questions in order to be allowed entry to their temples, such as No. 7 below. "Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?"
One must take part in performing ordinances only given in these temples as a requirement for "exaltation", mormonism's version of what Christians see as Heaven. As an aside, these same ordinances are performed by proxy for the dead in the temples
"Non-Mormon must be excluded even from witnessing Mormon marriages." True. Not only "non-mormons" but the mormons who fail the entrance test described in the temple recommend questions below, are refused entry to the weddings of friends and families, including parents and children of the couple. The practice has been for those excluded from the ceremony to wait around to be included in the family pictures following.
1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?
3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?
4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?
5 Do you live the law of chastity?
6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?
9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
10 Are you a full-tithe payer?
11 Do your keep the Word of Wisdom?
12 Do you have financial or other oblgations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?
13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:
Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?
14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?
15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?