Straight Answers to Fox’s 21 Questions about the Mormon Church

FOXNews.com today published 21 questions that it says represent “some widely held beliefs and misconceptions about Mormonism” and answers provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since some (not all) of the Church’s answers were less than forthright, I will offer straight answers to the same questions. Fox’s questions appear first in bold type, followed by the Church’s responses in italics, and then followed by my answers.

Q: Why do some call the Church a cult?
A: For the most part, this seems to stem from a lack of understanding about the Church and its core doctrines and beliefs. Under those circumstances it is too easy to label a religion or other organization that is not well-known with an inflammatory term like ‘cult.’ Famed scholar of religion Martin Marty has said a cult means a church you don’t personally happen to like. We don’t believe any organization should be subjected to a label that has come to be as pejorative as that one.
The above answer makes no attempt to understand why some people call the LDS Church a cult. The term is characteristically used by evangelical critics of Mormonism to denote a religious group that professes to be Christian but that deviates from essential Christian doctrine in one or more areas. By “essential Christian doctrine” evangelicals mean those teachings that historically Christians of all of the major denominations have taught: monotheism; God as Creator of all things other than himself; the Trinity; the Incarnation; salvation by grace alone; and the virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, and second coming of Jesus Christ. Since Mormonism departs from historic Christianity on some of these doctrinal issues, we have no choice but to conclude that it is a “cult” as defined above. If you don’t like the word cult, feel free to substitute in your mind an equivalent expression, such as “heretical sect” or “unorthodox church.”

Q: Does the Church believe in the divinity of Jesus?
Q: Does the Church believe that God is a physical being?
A: Mormons believe Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer, who died for the sins of humankind and rose from the dead on the third day with an immortal body. God, the Father, also has an immortal body.
What this answer—which is accurate as far as it goes—neglects to make explicit is that Mormons understand what it means for Jesus to be “the Son of God” in a way that differs radically from orthodox Christianity. When they say they believe he is “literally” the Son of God, the significance of this qualification will be lost on most people. Mormons believe that God the Father is an immortal Man and that he is the literal father of Jesus Christ “in the flesh,” just as Mary is his literal mother (see below). This is not what orthodox Christianity means when it affirms that Jesus is the Son of God. To us, Christ has existed eternally as the Son of God, personally distinct from the Father yet one and the same God. For us, to affirm that Jesus is the Son of God means to affirm that he is eternally of the same absolute, infinite divine nature as the Father.

It is peculiar that the LDS Church did not directly address the question of the divinity of Jesus. In their view, Jesus is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament, and yet he is a different God than Elohim, the Father, and will always be subordinate to him. Mormons do not pray to Jesus. In their view, Jesus, and all other human beings, and all angels, existed in the distant past as the spirit offspring of our heavenly parents (God the Father and his wife); Jesus is simply our Elder Brother and the first of God’s children to become a God himself.

Q: If so, does the Church believe that God lives on a planet named Kolob?
Q: Where is the planet Kolob? What significance does the planet have to Mormons?
A: ‘Kolob’ is a term found in ancient records translated by Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith did not provide a full description or explanation of Kolob nor did he assign the idea particular significance in relation to the Church’s core doctrines.
What this answer does not explain is that those “ancient records translated by Joseph Smith” are considered scripture in the LDS Church. Kolob is mentioned in the Book of Abraham (3:2-9), where it is somewhat unclear whether Kolob is the name of a distant star, its planet, or both. Kolob is said to be nearest to God’s throne. The passage implies that God rules from a physical location that, while extremely far away, is still within the space-time universe.

Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that God and Mary had physical sex to conceive Jesus?
A: The Church does not claim to know how Jesus was conceived but believes the Bible and Book of Mormon references to Jesus being born of the Virgin Mary.
If the LDS Church really believed the Bible’s teaching that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, without any equivocation in terminology, then it would be able to say categorically that it does know that Jesus was not conceived by sexual union between God and Mary. The fact that the Church is unable officially to rule this out is itself problematic. The natural logic of the LDS view surely does at least suggest that God and Mary conceived Jesus through sexual union: God is an immortal male, Mary is a mortal woman, and Jesus is said (repeatedly and emphatically) to be the “literal” offspring of the two. One may resort to the ad hoc suggestion that the conception took place through something akin to in vitro fertilization (and some Mormons do take this route), but up to now the Church has failed to take a stand against the view (quite clearly held by at least some of its prophets in times past) that the conception took place through a sexual union.

Q: Does the Mormon Church believe Jesus appeared in North America after his crucifixion and resurrection?

Q: If so, when did this happen? And under what circumstances?
A: The appearance of Jesus in the Western Hemisphere shortly after his resurrection is described in the Book of Mormon. Mormons believe that when Christ told his disciples in the Bible He had other ‘sheep’ who should receive his message he was referring to those people in the Western Hemisphere.
The LDS Church’s answer to these questions is reasonably straightforward and candid. This is their view.

Q: Does the Mormon Church believe its followers can become “gods and goddesses” after death?
A: We believe that the apostle Peter’s biblical reference to partaking of the divine nature and the apostle Paul’s reference to being ‘joint heirs with Christ’ reflect the intent that children of God should strive to emulate their Heavenly Father in every way. Throughout the eternities, Mormons believe, they will reverence and worship God the Father and Jesus Christ. The goal is not to equal them or to achieve parity with them but to imitate and someday acquire their perfect goodness, love and other divine attributes.
Frankly, this is an incomplete answer. The official LDS position is indeed that its followers can become gods (and goddesses) after their death (though perhaps long after). According to the LDS doctrinal manual Gospel Principles, those who endure to the end will “become exalted, just like our Heavenly Father.” This means that they will be perfect, possessing all knowledge and wisdom, and be a creator. “They will become gods…and will be able to have spirit children also. These spirit children will have the same relationship to them as we do to our Heavenly Father” (302). This doctrine is derived primarily from Joseph Smith’s teachings, and is found at least in its basic form in the LDS scripture Doctrine and Covenants (see especially chapter 132).

Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that women can only gain access to heaven with a special pass or codewords?
A: No.
Unfortunately, the question is ambiguous enough that it allows at least one loophole or way of avoiding the issue. Mormonism teaches that there are multiple layers of “heaven,” or multiple heavens (both ways of speaking are used). Women may gain access to the highest, celestial kingdom only by giving her special, secret name that she received when she was “sealed” for eternity in her marriage to her husband in the LDS temple.

Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that women must serve men on both Earth and in heaven?
A: Absolutely not. Mormons believe that women and men are complete equals before God and in relation to the blessings available in the Church.
Well…Mormonism is one of the more patriarchal forms of Christianity in the world today, and even some Mormons have expressed concerns in this area. No, Mormonism does not teach that women will be chattel in heaven. Yes, Mormonism does teach that women will be eternally subordinate to their husbands even in the celestial kingdom. Note well that the Mormon “Godhead” consists of Heavenly Father, his firstborn spirit Son, and the Holy Ghost, but not our alleged heavenly mother. This ought to tell you that there is some serious truth to the complaint that women will be viewed as inferiors even in glory.

Q: Is there such a thing as Mormon “underwear”? if so, are all Mormons required to wear it? What does it symbolize?
A: Like members of many religious faiths, Latter-day Saints wear religious clothing. But members of other faiths—typically those involved in permanent pastoral ministries or religious services—usually wear religious garments as outer ceremonial vestments or symbols of recognition. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, garments are worn beneath street clothing as a personal and private reminder of commitments to God. Garments are considered sacred by Church members and are not regarded as a topic for casual conversation.
Fair enough (although more could be said).

Q: Does the Mormon Church believe in the existence of another physical planet or planets, where Mormons will “rule” after their death and ascension?
A: No.
Another loophole: these other planets don’t exist yet because the Mormons have not yet become Gods and organized matter into those new worlds.

Q: What specifically does the Mormon Church say about African-Americans and Native Americans?
A: Mormons believe that all mankind are sons and daughters of God and should be loved and respected as such. The blessings of the gospel are available to all.
Who wrote this question? It totally misses the point, which is that for most of its history the LDS Church, in its expanded canon of scripture, taught that dark-skinned people were those spirit children of God in heaven who had not been as valiant in their support for God’s plan as had those who are born into this world with light skin.

Q: What are or were the “Golden Plates”?
A: The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith from records made on plates of gold, similar to metal plates that have been found in other ancient cultures. It contained a history of peoples in the Western Hemisphere including an appearance by the Savior to them. As such, the Book of Mormon is considered a second testimony of Jesus Christ.
This adequately states the LDS Church’s position. It would be nice if the Church had acknowledged that the plates are no longer around (they claim an angel took them up to heaven), but that might be asking too much.

Q: Are consumption of alcohol and tobacco prohibited or simply discouraged?
Q: Does the Church also ban the consumption of “hot drinks”? And does that apply specifically to caffeinated drinks?
A: It is against the teachings of the Church to use alcohol and tobacco or to drink tea and coffee.
I wonder why the Church ignored the question about caffeinated drinks? A straight answer would be that although the Church has never officially prohibited all use of any caffeinated drink, its leaders have typically interpreted the Church’s teaching to discourage their consumption.

Q: Why do Mormons go from door to door?
A: Christ admonished his disciples to take the gospel to the world. The Church follows that admonition and sends missionaries throughout the world.
This is correct.

A: Mormons believe that the family is the foundation for this life and the life to come.
What this does not adequately explain is that Mormons get married not just for this life, but also for the life to come—meaning that marriage is for eternity. The reason marriage is for eternity is that Mormons hope to become exalted to godhood and to have spirit children of their own, just as their heavenly parents did.

Q: Can someone who may never marry in life have eternal marriage?
A: God will not withhold blessings from any of his children who may not have the opportunity to marry in this life.
I’m afraid this looks like a slippery answer. If it is true that marriage in this life is necessary to attain marriage for eternity, then God would not have to “withhold” marriage for eternity from those who died without ever getting married; they would simply miss out. Furthermore, Mormonism has no trouble teaching that there are “blessings” awaiting even those who do not make it to the celestial kingdom.

Mormons certainly have the right to define their own beliefs. However, they also have the responsibility to answer such questions more candidly than the Church’s representative did on this occasion.

Since there is no religious test in politics, I find these posts repulsive. I guess the more bigotry, the better....especially if it can somehow advance some other candidate.

This country was founded because of religious bigotry....for it to rear it’s ugly head and we to support it is dangerously stupid.

"It is my personal belief in the "immaculate conception" as believed by Christians and Catholics alike and that God and Mary did NOT have any kind of "sexual union". Things stated by earlier prophets to the contrary I belief were mortal attempts at trying to understand how a Virgin could become pregnant and concieve the Son of God."

Perhaps I misread your post, but doesn't the "Immaculate Conception" refer to the conception of Mary and not the conception of Jesus?

Actually, I don’t generally talk politics with members. I suppose some are crazy about him and some are not. I even know a couple of democrats (you can tell from the spacy look on their faces when Harry Reid is mentioned).

I think if he can’t nail either Iowa or New Hampshire, his campaign is toast. But then, I didn’t think Jimmy Carter had a chance in hell in 1976.

Does that mean you don’t agree witrh these little religious tests we see almost every day or do you only vote for certain religions?

What religious test? There is no religious test to run for office in this country. If a candidate's theology helps him be a better president, then good for him. If it has no effect, then I don't consider it. If it's a detriment, then I vote for someone else.

But what I personally do there isn't relevant. It is not bigoted or racist if someone decides to not vote for (insert religion here) because they don't like that theology. As I said earlier, this is America. You can vote for who you want, for any reason.

The Mormons at FR are trying their darnedest to establish a PC taboo to protect their Mormon candidate from scrutiny regarding his religion ... you mustn’t allow the heresies in Mormonism to enter your mind when evaluating candidates, by Mormons’ whine!

but doesn't the "Immaculate Conception" refer to the conception of Mary

Maybe I don't understand the term "immaculate conception". My church doesn't use the term, thus the quotes, so I have to go by my understanding. I understand it to mean Mary's conception of Jesus. Mary being a virgin and thus immaculate.

I have heard that some churches also believe that Mary was born from a virgin mother so that Mary herself does not fall under the curse of original sin and that is why she is considered immaculate, and thus her conception is immaculate. Not of original sin, and not committing original sin.

It is not bigoted or racist if someone decides to not vote for (insert religion here) because they don't like that theology.

Correct. It is however bigotry to NOT vote for a candidate based solely on their religion. I'm not saying you personally are saying this, but several people here at FR have made it pretty clear that they won't vote for Romney solely for that reason.

There is just off the top of my head 5 or 6 reasons to NOT vote for Romney. His religion is not one of them, yet the usual suspects focus solely or mostly (mention the issues as an afterthought) on his religion only and don't even talk about other reasons to not vote for him.

May not like it but that is bigotry.

"Since there is no religious test in politics, I find these posts repulsive."

"And what do religious tests have to do with this thread? NOTHING."

You, madame are dumber than dumb.

have read that deceased persons can be baptised by proxy in the Mormon Temple. And Mormons are encouraged to do genealogy research for their ancestors and get as many of them baptised by proxy as they can. I am asking if it is more a matter of expense (how much does it cost?) or lack of information on the deceased ancestor? Thus, the genealogy database kept in Salt Lake City.

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back up stream you asked about “praying dead folks into heaven” and that is not the same as you reworded it to.

I can see how you and TheDon were having trouble understanding each other.

Well, there’s the first problem.

Joseph Smith translated the alleged Golden Plates not with the Urim and thummin, but with....get this.....yes, Southpark was quite accurate.......putting a rock in his hat, pulling the hat over his face, so as to exclude all light, and speaking words that were then written down by his scribes.

95% of all Mormons don’t know it happened this way as they have been told a different, more glorius and fantastic story.

But, the way it happened, as I have described above, is an account given by one of the three attesting witnesses to the veracity of the whole story, as well as Joseph Smith’s own moth

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Close enough to sound true, just far enough off that it is not the truth.

Catholic-bashing is coming up later.

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Do you think those who think and say that the Catholic church is also a cult will be celebrating the upcoming holiday named after a special Catholic church service.

You know a special mass to celebrate Christ’s birth.

That is, the Christ mass, or shortened as we have it today, Christmas.

So, what did Joseph use? {removed inflammatory words that are designed to lead the reader into the writers narrow view.} I urge you to examine the evidence and make up your own mind.

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Thank you, that is all we ask.

“If you do not care what a major leader of your religion thought, that is worrisome. You are willing to ignore clear heresy and blasphemy from him to continue in your beliefs?”

DUH...I repeat I DO NOT CARE WHAT BRIGHAM YOUNG HAD TO SAY...

And I have never regarded him as “a major leader of (my) religion”

However I do believe Isaiah the prophet (who could be called a major leader in my religion) when he said that Jesus would be born of a virgin.. Isaiah 7:14

How about you?

The Immaculate Conception of Mary is often confused with the Virgin birth of Christ but in all the Christian religions that I am familiar with they are considered separate. Mary was conceived without original sin and not born to a virgin mother.

So, I guess one the three witnesses (David Whitmer) is a liar:

“Joseph would put the seer stone into a hat and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, and under it was the translation in English. Brother Joseph would read off the English to O. Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to brother Joseph to see if it were correct, then it would disappear and another character with the interpretation would appear.” - David Whitmer

I am objecting to the constant barrage of religious questions and details to vet these candidates. We have gone far beyond what you need to know to make a decision. Romney's a mormon. So what either vote for him or not. But do we have to have an ongoing stream of Huckabee and Romney posts to detail every eapect of their religion. What will they do about social security for ecxample.

If you don't know Romney's a mormon and Huckabee is a minister by now, you're hiding under a rock. In the immortal words of our democrat "friends"; let's move on.

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