Mormons (LDS) Know More About Bible Than Other Christians

The Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 09/28/2010 | Peggy Fletcher Stack

[zippythepinhead]

Atheists and agnostics know more about major world religions than many people of faith, while Mormons can answer more Bible questions than their Catholic and mainline Protestant counterparts.

Those are among the somewhat startling conclusions about religious literacy in America the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life drew after surveying 3,412 Americans.

Some of the multiple-choice questions were relatively simple: Where was Jesus born and who led the exodus from Egypt? What religion was Mother Teresa, what day does the Jewish Sabbath begin and what is the name of Islam’s holy book?

Others were more obscure: What is Indonesia’s dominant religion? Which Christians teach that salvation comes through faith alone?

About half the Protestants (53 percent) couldn’t correctly identify Martin Luther as the person whose writings and actions inspired the Protestant Reformation. Fewer than half of Americans (47 percent) knew the Dalai Lama is Buddhist and only 38 percent correctly associated Vishnu and Shiva with Hinduism.

John Morehead, director of the Western Institute for Intercultural Studies in Salt Lake City, had already noted religious illiteracy in the general population as well as in the evangelical community. But he did not expect Mormons to top them in their biblical fluency.

“Mormons tend to emphasize Mormon scriptures like the Book of Mormon rather than the Bible in their devotional life,” Morehead said in an e-mail.

Even some LDS scholars were surprised to find Mormons at the top.

[NoDRodee]

“Mormons can answer more Bible questions than their Catholic and mainline Protestant counterparts”

How did Christians do?

[svcw]

Z even if you make the question simple: which Christ do lds worship? The created jesus or the Eternal Christ? You will not get a straight forward answer, not even as simple as “created” or “Eternal”. However, those who know lds teachings know the answer: lds worship a created jesus not an Eternal Jesus.

[panaxanax]

“He actually walked 5000 miles to get back to them in winter quarters where he found them half-starved.”

Did he, um, start in Central America on this walk?

No, he started in Council Bluffs, Iowa then to SanDiego where they were relieved from duty. He then walked with a small band to include his B-I-L to Sutters Fort, CA then over the Rockies and up t So. ID and down to SLC. Finding that his family was not there as he expected he then walked back to Iowa, turned around and with family in tow went back to SLC = 5000 miles.

From Wikipedia:

“The Mormon Battalion was the only religiously based unit in United States military history,[1] and it served from July 1846 to July 1847 during the Mexican-American War. The battalion was a volunteer unit of between 534[2][3] and 559[4] Latter-day Saints men led by Mormon company officers, commanded by regular US army officers. During its service, the battalion made a grueling march, at nearly 2,000 miles in length from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California. This remains as the longest single military march in U.S. history.”

Say what you wish, feel how you wish. I don’t care. I am proud that the blood of this man now flows through my veins. Few (if any) men today could match his determination to achieve such accomplishment.

[CommerceComet]

Since Mormons are Christians, then I guess all Christian Church’s don’t agree.

I asked Saundra this question a few days ago without response. Saundra, maybe you've had time to think about it now or you could get one of your Mormon Biblical "scholars" to answer it. I'm going to give Paragon Defender a chance.

Would you tell me what churches accept a Mormon baptism?

It will provide you evidence of what we have been telling you all along. There is a consensus in the Christian Community that Mormons are not Christian despite what they want to call themselves.

[greyfoxx39]

THE  WESTERN  STAR.
Vol. ?                             Liberty,  Missouri,  August ?, 1838.                             No. ?

MORMONISM. -- From the following proceedings of a public meeting of the citizens of Ray county, our readers will at once perceive the great excitement which prevails in conquence of the conduct of this extraordinary sect. We will not attempt to give the various rumors afloat, of threats and denunciations, as fulminated by Jo Smith and his council. They can be seen in part, in an oration delivered by Sidney Rigdon, on the last 4th of July, in which he threatens to "carry war and extermination" to the lives and property of every citizen who may dare to oppose their wild career.

The Mormons are at this time in open rebellion against the laws of the land. Armed men, as will be found from the statement of Mr. Black, are parading through Daviess county, compelling every person in any way disaffected towards them, to sign an instrument of writing dictated by themselves; the purport of which we are unable to find out.

Under circumstances so alarming to the tranquility of this upper country, the circuit Judge of this District was called upon to issue his warrant for the apprehension of the ring-leaders, who promptly complied by issuing a warrant against Joseph Smith, jr. and Lyman Wight. For the purpose of executing this warrant, it was placed in the hands of the Sheriff of Daviess county, who repaired to the house of Lyman Wight -- and there found an armed force of from 80 to 100 men, and was told by Wight "that he would not be taken alive -- that the law had never protected him, and he owed them no obedience -- that the whole state of Missouri could not take him," &c. Joseph Smith, jr. professed his willingness to be tried, provided it was done in Caldwell county. Upon these facts being made known, the people of Ray county deputed a committee to Smith and Wight, if possible to prevail upon them to cease their opposition, and peaceably submit to the execution of the laws. That committee, as far as we understand, were unsuccessful in their mission. A second committee was then appointed, from whose proceedings we have not heard one word.

The Mormons can raise from 1000 to 1500 fighting men, well armed. They believe Jo Smith to be a prophet of the Lord and that he holds a communion with him. Hence, any statement given to them by said Smith as a Revelation of the Lord, is to be implicitly complied with. He can embody them as one man -- as exemplified in the late election. Suppose then, this modern Mahomet, backed by such a host of armed bigots and enthusiasts, should take it into his head to resist the execution of the laws, would it not verify the statement of Wight, that, even the "whole state of Missouri could not take him!"

Link

For more newspaper articles click HERE

[panaxanax]

>>”I guarantee that someone will clip a couple of my words written here and make a big issue out of it. They will respond to me with quotes and links, ad nauseum.”<<

As predicted, they have attacked.

I enjoy reading your views and mature discussion.

Thank you for being the adult, while so many others act as children....panax

[greyfoxx39]

THE  MISSOURIAN.
Vol. ?                       Fayette, Howard Co., Mo., September 1, 1838.                       No. ?

Livingston County, August 12, 1838.    

To the Citizens of Carroll County.

Gentlemen: The awful situation of our fellow men (the citizens of Daviess county) is so very distressing that we feel it a duty to give you a statement of facts, that you may give the assistance that the emergency actually requires.

On last Tuesday morning about 250 Mormons, armed and equipped complete, came into Daviess county and surrounded a Mr. Adam Black's, an acting Justice of the Peace in Daviess, and by threatening his life forced him to subscribe a paper by which his liberty, as a freeman, is gone. -- The like affair has been forced from Mr. Enoch Riggs, and they have threatened instant death to all who may oppose their steps of treason. Immediately after the above affair their forces were augmented to the number of from 3 to 400 men all well armed, headed by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Lyman Wright [sic]. They have literally overrun a considerable portion of this county, destroying the crops of grain that may be in their way. The lives of many of the most prominent men of Daviess county are threatened. Several men have been sent to Clay, Eay, Jackson and Lafayette counties, and it is seriously believed that the Mormons have taken and killed them. The men who have been sent are William Bownias, Col. Wm. Pennington, Major Etherton, Wilson McKinney and Theodore Pennington. On this morning we received a call from citizens to march to Millport. We have arranged about two hundred men in Livingston and we call unto you for aid.

The Mormons are said to have lately gone to Far West, and it is the prevailing opinion here that there they are fortifying for a seige. Your speedy co-operation with us is anticipated. We will move for Millport on to-morrow morning, and if we get the assistance that we expect, will be able in a few days to make an investigation of the whole affair. The affair of Black was stated by himself, last Friday, at Jesse Neves' to about one hundred.

The above does not comprise any thing like the whole length to which the Mormons have gone. They have, in addition, threatened to take Jaclkson county, and every thing does indicate a battle -- and if we do not get aid very shortly our county is ruined.
I am, Sirs, your very obedient And humble servant, HIRAM CUMSTOCK. One of the Committee.

Link

[RobRoy]

>>How did Christians do?<<

Depends on the Christian. ;)

Also, a LOT of americans identify themselves as “Christian” and even identify the particular church even though they only go every other easter. Mormonism is more like a cancer. It is a part of you. If it isn’t, you are a “jack mormon”.

Christianities freedom enables literally anyone to claim they are a Christian, and the pollsters simply take the person at their word. BTW, that is the 800 lb gorilla in the room - if a Christian cannot answer basic questions about who Jesus is, is he in fact a Christian, or merely a Chrino?

[Tennessee Nana]

Paying the price for our redemption in the garden of Gethsemane and Salvation by overcoming the Cross (death)
______________________________________________

Amazing...

My Bible reads that Jesus didnt overcome the Cross...

He surrendered to the will of the Father and went to the cross like a Lamb..

He DIED..ON THE CROSS..

The Cross won...

THEN Jesus got in another round..

[colorcountry]

Such nice neighbors....??

[RobRoy]

Hey, I wanted to ask you, have you ever read the book “Mamma, Mormonism and Me”?

I almost became a mormon in the late 70’s but it just seemed weird. I became a Christian a couple of years later. I continued to study mormonism ever since because it fascinated me how many people could glom onto something like that with no historical support for its claims whatsoever. The same is true for various other cults and islam but those depend on ignorance and a Lemming culture.

I did discover the answer though. I think it has to do with giving people an opportunity to actively participate in something greater than themselves and really hit the “man’s relationship with man” part of Christianity via FHE and other stuff.

On a side note, one of my friends, after watching “The God Makers” said the movie answered her question about why her mormon neighbor killed herself after her mormon husband divorced her.

[MHGinTN]

I like the way you put that, Nana ... ‘He got in another round.’ When Jesus went to ‘the place of comforting’ and the thief was taken there also, Jesus was there as a man. His presence there as sinless—everyone there, on either side, was a sinner in life—defeated death and prevailed against the gates of that place, so He released those held there because of His choice to interposition Himself for their sentence. When He visitied with His disciples, he was not yet ascended. When He ascended He was fully man and fully God with them. The interesting mystery is, ‘when did His Seed rejoin Him’?

[MHGinTN]

BTW, there are clues in the Bible which answer this mystery.

[SZonian]

I get what you’re saying, I’ve seen your persistence in this matter for some time, as you’ve probably seen mine. ;^)

I tried to put it in a format that could be easily understood by contrast and comparison.

Even offering specific examples of traits that define the two.

We’ll see I guess, but if anything, it should be clear to any who read it that our questions have merit.

[caww]

It's possible some are Christians when they get hooked....but if they are they would not be able to continue in Mormonism indefinitely...unless they are completely spoon-fed as a babe. One can only suppress the truth for so long.

I do believe those who are Christians Christ continues to shake up ....but the brainwashing they receive...and willingly so...has a great hold on their minds. If they are the feeley emotional type all the harder for them to see the truth....as they base what they believe on how they feel and what their experiences are, then they search for scripture to justify these to themselves.

When dealing with those in the cults, who oftentimes have some very real experiences, be it manufactured in their minds or demonic influences or both, it is extremely difficult to overcome their certainty that these things they experience are not of God. They do not get it that the enemy of God masquerades himself and counterfeits many of that which they believe is from God. Additionally there are others, as themselves, who experience similar experiences...which reinforces their beliefs...along with literature and vast amounts of authors whose works they quickly seek out. The last source of confirmation would be the scriptures...and these are often taken out of context.

So actually it is easier to get an occult member to turn around and see the truth than it is a Mormon...for they are convinced the bible is in error and their Book Of Mormon, full of false teachings...becomes their primary source of confirmation. That is why the rope around them draws tighter and tighter...it's a tight hold that grows tighter the longer they remain. Not to mention what happens if they even question their teachings once they have become indoctrinated.

The Mormon leadership knows fully well they can no longer be exclusive and secret and expect to be included in the push for a Universal joining of the faiths...which they support monetarily and otherwise. Thus the strong push to be included in the Christian Community...who continue to state, without reservations, that Mormonism is not Christian...nor can it be for it's teachings oppose the Christ we know and the standard beliefs of the Christian community.

Expect in the years ahead they will shift once again their beliefs in order to be included....they always change their beliefs as they go and justify this saying it's a new revelation. etc. They can twist their beliefs as few others to suit whatever the leadership deems necessary to maintain their power and their control.

[Tennessee Nana]

We study the Bible in 2 out of the 4 years of our revolving Sunday School curriculum,
_______________________________________________

Right there is a big diff between mormons and Christians...

Christians study the Bible 4 years out of 4...

If only 100 days (weeks) out of 1400 days you ignore the Bible, how can you claim to love god and love His Word ???

BTW that hour in SS ...

Make that hours not days...

1/1400X24...

Oh yeah BIG diff...

[Tennessee Nana]

100/1400X24

[restornu]

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus took upon Hiself all the sins of the world past present until the end of time and seal it with His blood upon the cross.

This was the whole processe of redemption, the atonement in the garden of Gethsemane the Lord Jesus Christ and none other was worthy to take upon the sin for all that had occured in the world from Alpha to Omega making it possible that justice was able to be satisfied.

Mankind was in fallen state and there was no way out except throught the righteiousness of Jesus Christ.

Alma 42

13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.
14 And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.
15 And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.
16 Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.
17 Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?
18 Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.
19 Now, if there was no law given—if a man murdered he should die—would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?
20 And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin.
21 And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?
22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.
23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.
24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.
25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God.
26 And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery.
27 Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.
28 If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the restoration of God.
29 And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.
30 O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.
31 And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.

[RobRoy]

>>People don’t consider LDS Christians because they do not fit into their little box of what Christianity is. I, like you, believe that so long as someone accepts Christ as their Savior, then then they are Christian.<<

I disagree with the first sentence. SOME people don’t, but others have specific qualifiable reasons. Is a person that says he is a Christian, but thinks that Jesus is merely an “idea” and never really existed, really a Christian? It’s actually an easy question.

Regarding the second sentence. I DO agree with you. And I even think a lot of mormons (especially new ones) DO accept Jesus the Christ as their savior. However, that is not what the mormon church teaches and if they stay long enough they will discover it and leave. It is why there are organizations like “ex-mormons for Jesus” and Saints alive.

This is actually serious, yet simple, stuff we are talking about here. It is like 2+2=4. It is simple, but if you are making a mathematical calculation upon which your life depends, your belief in it being true or not could determine your future.

A lot of life’s decisions are like that. Simple but important. And even though an unbiased outsider sees the choice as obvious, a surprising number of people screw it up - be it premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, you name it. We all have a propensity to make bad choices even when we KNOW what the correct choice is. We see the “good” in the bad choice and run with it.

And, to use one example that is a favorite of mine, FHE looks REALLY good to a young couple just starting out in the same way that compulsory public education looks really good to a culture that is trying to better itself, as it did in Nazi Germany.

But the devil is in the details - literally. And those details are being glossed over by far too many on this thread.

[svcw]

Ping me if you finally get an answer.