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.

“(And exactly what do those Mormon “high priests” agree upon, in their clandestine meetings?)”

I wonder . . . since you obviously believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a rotten bunch of evil deceived nut jobs, why do you care? I care, because we're all deceived, if we don't yield to the Way, Truth and Life -- and to the extend we still believe deceptions, we are dangerous.

Again, I love my Church and I love my Savior; I love the Holy Ghost and I love Heavenly Father.

I love each one of them, too.

I am awake in the middle of the night because I am excited about Christmas - my family will be with me. We Mormons believe that families are precious and sacred - and not all of my family are LDS, mind you.

Have a blessed Christmas. I happen to believe that while Christ (the only man who could also ever say, "Before Abraham was, I AM" -- and who has always been that Word of God, God Himself, John 1) requires He be known fully for Who He is, He will give grace as we address Him in faith, repentence and continuous yielding. None of us will ever know him thoroughly and totally purely, until He give us grace, face to face, anyway. And from the Word none of us do at all, unless we meet him in the realization of our own personal inadequacy.

I do suggest John 1 and Colossians to share what revelation I've been shown about such things. FWIW, I believe it's very unlikely that Jesus was born on Earth around this time of year, anyway, but that won't keep me from celebrating!

Those were serious questions, not meant to be flippant rhetoric. Have a great time, today! You're someone I care about tenderly, with brotherly love -- one of only a few I'm in touch with on this Christmas Day.

John 15

In this article, Gordon Hinckley seems to indicate that to mormons, their salvation hinges not on what Christ has done in sacrificing Himself for our sins, but, as Hinckley states:

“the lives of our people must become the most meaningful expression of our faith and the symbol of our worship.”

Not a CHRIST CENTERED statement, but more of the AFTER ALL THAT YOU CAN DO!

Why No Crosses?
By Bill McKeever

You may have noticed that Mormon temples are normally adorned with a golden angel rather than a cross. The fact is, crosses are never used on any Mormon buildings. Strangely enough, Mormon leaders have often pointed to the Garden of Gethsemane as the place where Christ’s atonement took place.

In the April 2005 issue of the official LDS magazine Ensign, Mormon President Gordon Hinckley told the story of a question he received from a Protestant minister who was invited to attend the open house of the newly renovated Mesa (AZ) temple." I've been all though this building, this temple which carries on its face the name of Jesus Christ,” the minister said, “but nowhere have I seen any representation of the cross, the symbol of Christianity. I have noted your building elsewhere and likewise find an absence of the cross. Why is this when you say you believe in Jesus Christ?”

Hinckley’s answer was not at all unlike answers I have heard from Mormons for years. “For us,” Hinckley responded, “the cross is a symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the living Christ.”

I find Hinckley’s comment problematic for a number of reasons. First of all, the comparison he draws makes it seem as if Christians who see a great deal of significance in the cross fail, in some degree, to grasp the significance of Christ’s resurrection.

The resurrection is indeed a very important aspect of the Christian faith for it validates Christ’s role as Messiah. As Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 15:14, if Christ is not raised, our faith is worthless.

Nowhere do we find any implication in the New Testament that the cross should somehow be minimized because Christ rose from the dead. There is certainly room to remember the importance of both. The fact is, these two events go hand in hand since there can’t be a resurrection without a death. Why Mormons such as Hinckley hold that the memory of the cross must be given a back seat in order to draw attention to the resurrection is puzzling since the evidence clearly shows how the cross was a major theme in the New Testament.

In his article, Hinckley states that “the lives of our people must become the most meaningful expression of our faith and the symbol of our worship.” Does Hinckley imply that having the cross as our symbol somehow takes away from a Christian’s desire to live a life that strives to reflect the holiness of Christ? If so, I must once again strongly object.

Reading this article, one might draw the conclusion that Mormons have no symbols unique to their faith. This, of course, is far from the truth. Anybody who has visited Salt Lake City will quickly notice that Mormon symbols are found throughout the downtown area. Probably its best known symbol is the angel Moroni. Ironically, this trumpet-blowing effigy stands in the same place a Christian cross would probably stand if LDS temples were Christian churches.

Beehives, moonstones, sunstones, the all-seeing eye, and Masonic “grips” are in abundance on the temple in Salt Lake City, and while Mormons are quick to distance themselves from the cross, they have no problem defending the numerous five-pointed pentagrams used as decorations on both the Salt Lake City and Nauvoo temple.

I personally wish Mormons gave closer heed to the cross; in doing so they may discover more fully why Christians see this as an important symbol that reminds us of all that was accomplished through Christ’s suffering on behalf of the believer. It is the suffering of Christ that gives real meaning to the resurrection, for it allows us to see why the resurrection is as important as it is. But what exactly did his suffering and death on the cross accomplish? Consider this:

Romans 5:9 – The shedding of His blood on the cross makes being justified before an all-holy God a present reality. No longer must we wonder if we will ever be “good enough.”

Romans 8:34 – His death resulted in us having One who intercedes on our behalf before the Father.

1 Corinthians 5:7 – As the sacrificed Passover Lamb, Christ enables us to get rid of the contamination of sin of malice and wickedness and embrace sincerity and truth.

Galatians 3:13 – Christ’s death on the cross redeemed us from the curse of the Law, a system by which no sinful human could ever be justified.

Colossian 1:22 – Through the death of Christ’s physical body, those of us who were at one time alienated and enemies of God are now reconciled and made holy in His sight without blemish and free from accusation.

Colossians 2:13 – Nailed to the cross was the promised cancellation of the written code with its regulations that condemned us, resulting in the forgiveness of not some but all our sins.

Colossians 2:15 – Christ’s death on the cross triumphed over Satan and his demonic influences by depriving them of their powers and authority.

Hebrews 2:14 – By His death Jesus frees those were once held in slavery by the fear of death. The bondage brought about by the thought of death no longer has a hold on us. Death’s sting has been removed.

Hebrews 9:14 – Whereas the regular sacrifices of bulls and goats had no power to take away sins or clear a worshipper’s conscience, Christ’s death, offered once for all, serves dual purposes: it cleanses the conscience of the believer and takes away his sin, and it also enables him to serve the living God.

Hebrews 10:14 – Most adherents of other religions struggle to please their particular deities. However, Christ’s sacrifice by itself allows His people to become perfect. The anxiety of striving to be “good enough” has been taken away, allowing us to rest completely in His finished completed work.

In John 15:13, Jesus pointed to His future death as His great of love for His people: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

In Galatians 6:14, the Apostle Paul certainly didn’t seem to share the same hesitancy as Gordon Hinckley: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Nowhere can we find Paul shirking from being associated with the cross.

Christians should feel no shame when they emphasize the cross for their redemption. Paul clearly reminded the believers that “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

In his tract titled Calvary, John Charles Ryle, a well-respected bishop in the Church of England during the 19th century, summed it up well when he wrote:

“Would I know the fullness and completeness of the salvation God has provided for sinners? Where shall I see it most distinctly? Shall I go to the general declarations in the Bible about God's mercy? Shall I rest in the general truth that God is a God of love? Oh, no! I will look at the crucifixion at Calvary. I find no evidence like that: I find no balm for a sore conscience and a troubled heart like the sight of Jesus dying for me on the accursed tree. There I see that a full payment has been made for all my enormous debts.

“The curse of that law which I have broken, has come down on One who there suffered in my stead; the demands of that law are all satisfied: payment has been made for me even to the uttermost farthing. It will not be required twice over. Ah, I might sometimes imagine I was too bad to be forgiven; my own heart sometimes whispers that I am too wicked to be saved. But I know in my better moments this is all my foolish unbelief; I read an answer to my doubts in the blood shed on Calvary. I feel sure that there is a way to heaven for the very vilest of men, when I look at the cross.”

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