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.

[greyfoxx39]

At no time did I curse you and want to blame others for situation you have created all on your own!

And, just what "situation" is that, Resty? Why should SZonian wish to cast blame about something? Are you getting personal?

This sounds very much like the usual mormon condemnation of anyone who leaves the cult...part of that "shunning the mormon church claims not to do"...but the members take to it like ducks to water.

It appears that you show your disdain for someone who has refused to continue to drink the kool-aid. All the pretty little "love thy neighbor" phrases we see from you fail to cover the vitriol towards him that seems to drip from your keyboard.

The new mormon ad campaign certainly has its work cut out for it.

[CommerceComet]

Need to go pack the truck, taking the Scouts backpacking and fishing (going after some Golden Trout) this weekend.

Have a blast. Going into the high country and catching some golden trout has been on my to-do list for awhile now (which my sons keep reminding me). If you have some any luck, shoot me some photos.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Huh ??? TODAY Bethlehem is a suburb of Jerusalem. It was was a separate town in ancient times and outside the city of Jerusalem. The prophecy in Micah 5:2 confirms that Bethlehem was a town among the clans of Judah.

Sorry. Was being prophetic. lol.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

WISDOM has arrived in the thread: mere posers will be abashed.

Bout time it got here. Got tired of waiting on you. lol.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Well your opinion is that Mormonism is fake”

There is no equivalency between my belief that
mormonism is fake and your belief it is true.

I have MORE than an opinion. I look at the facts,
evidence, logical argumentation and make an informed
decision - a conviction - that not only is mormonism
FAKE, but it is IMPOSSIBLE for it to be true. That
is MORE than an opinion. It is backed by facts, logic
and evidence.

For example, God says in Deuteronomy that He is ONE
God - and there are no others. Mormonism claims,
falsely, that there are multiple gods.

Mormonism claims you can become a god. God says
He is eternal and unchangeable and ALONE as God.

I could fill pages with facts and evidence that
contradicts every claim of mormonism.

You must sweep ALL that away and substitute
your feelings as the only source of validation.

What you have is JUST an opinion that mormonism
is true - based ENTIRELY on your feelings about
your feelings, as you described on these threads.
And you do not even know if those feelings are
really from God and not a demon.

“a premise I reject and I hope at some time you will reconsider.”

Of course you do. You have no choice as a mormon.
Because I have more than just an opinion, I do
not have to reconsider it. Mormonism is clearly
false. It is easily falsifiable.

“And even if you may not accept our doctrine, I’d
hope that you understand that LDS are not your
enemies— I’d imagine we actually have a lot in
common.”

Outside of our very different faiths, absolutely.

I have one good friend who is a mormon. I value
him as a person. I don’t value mormonism at all,
since it denies Christianity. Spiritually, mormonism
is the enemy of Christianity.

Truth is exclusive.

Politically, no problems. Human to human, no problems.
Business, no problems.

“I’m sure like us, you cherish family, freedom,
faith in God, and the values that Jesus taught.”

Yes, but Christians have a different God, a different
Jesus Christ that we cherish.

Family, freedom, etc, sure. But we are discussing
the falsehood of mormonism’s teachings. I have
nothing against mormons as individuals. I value
all humans - cultic or otherwise. I would value
you just as much if you were a Jehovah’s Witness
or Scientologist instead of a mormonite victim.

Normandy, I find you to be a very nice guy who
is easy going and pleasant, but unable to go
beyond your feelings - or maybe unwilling.

No doubt we have many things and values on the
human level in common. Spiritually, we do not
have anything in common except the name of
Jesus Christ - and mormonism uses His name
for a different Jesus Christ. A created one.

blessings,
ampu

[svcw]

You do realize that lol is not a real word don't you?

[Normandy]

Ampu,

While I don’t see our doctrinal differences changing right now, I’m very glad that we can get along as friends.

Best wishes,

Normandy

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Normandy,

I’m pleased to have you as a friend here on FR.

best back at ya,
ampu

[Saundra Duffy]

The Christian Community is laboring under false assumptions about Mormons. I used to be an anti Mormon and I believed all the lies I was told about Mormons. Blah blah blah. People of good will, with open minds, should take the time to read the LDS Articles of Faith and the Book of Mormon. A Southern Baptist pastor named Lynn Ridenhour read the Book of Mormon and discovered the Truth.

But of course your mind is already made up. How sad. You will continue to condemn Mormons without knowing the Truth.

[Godzilla]

how goes your efforts to earn your salvation SD?

[Elsie]

The question was answered seems you are unable to understand only the Lord can enlighten you!

There are NO enlightened MORMONS!

If there WERE any; they could tell the WORLD just what JS supposedly 'learned' that was UNTRUE about PRESBYTERIANism.

[Elsie]

PROVE your “prophets” or “apostles” are “of the Lord”.

The scriptures say those seeking signs are adjusters...

O...

K...

[Elsie]

Yes, just like that. You INTERPRET Galatians to mean the Mormons doctrine, even though we didn't change your doctrine, and ignore the change in doctrine perpetrated on the whole church in his day by a man named Constantine...

Fool!

I've INTERPRETED nothing!

It is YOUR chosen religion that has so aptly described the Angels of LIGHT visiting Joseph Smith.

[Elsie]

I guess if you interpret the Bible hard enough you can make it say what you want.

What a waste of time!

If I want it to say anything I want; I'll just IGNORE it; like JS did when he took all those wives- some from other men!

[Elsie]

And even if you may not accept our doctrine, I’d hope that you understand that LDS are not your enemies— I’d imagine we actually have a lot in common.

Of course; SATAN is our enemy.

And the things we have in common are NOTHING compared to the things we DON'T!

[Elsie]

You happy now?

[Elsie]

People of good will, with open minds, should take the time to read the LDS Articles of Faith and the Book of Mormon.

 

 

Why stop there?

 

Read the GOOD stuff; like the Book of Abraham and the Pearl of Great Price, and the D&C that you SLC Mormons tend to IGNORE - D&C 132.

 

 

 

 

 

The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
   
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
   
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
   
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
   
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
   
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
   
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
   
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
   
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
    
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
    
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
    
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Joseph Smith

[Elsie]

People of good will, with open minds, should take the time to read the LDS Articles of Faith and the Book of Mormon.

 

 

Why stop with the MILK??

Get some good MEAT to eat while prerusing these:

---

 

Temple Recommend Questions

---

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 obligations 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?

[Elsie]

You will continue to condemn Mormons without knowing the Truth.

MORMONs condemn themselves; after having LEARNED the Truth; they continue in MORMONism.

[Tennessee Nana]

LOL