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

Parchment and Pen ^ | Rob Bowman

[unspun]

You will wear yourself out trying to figure out what a candidate says, what they truly believe, and what they will do if they win the office. It is hard to read people by watching their performances on radio and television. As to the belief systems that reside between their ears, just drop it. Don’t waste time on non-issues.

Do you really think that?

Do you not know that what a person believes in provides his whole framework for understanding the world (or not)? It also motivates him and guides him.

Where there is false belief -- or a void of the truth, even empty also of fallacy, there is a "devil's workshop" in the making.

There is one set of truths, but many, many ways of being wrong -- and being wrong when U.S. President can be very, very harmful.

[Gamecock]

Denying history?

[nesnah]

Here’s a more indepth explanation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPnu0bx3oWg

[Old Mountain man]

So nice that you could tell us what we believe. Nice opinion piece.

[EverOnward]

"so they believe Jesus discovered America??"

Wrong. Jesus did NOT discover America, as He would be well aware of its existence since He created it along with the rest of this beautiful world.

[broncobilly]

I see. You can darned well question someones religion and its appropiateness for a candidate. However we are not darned well pleased to question your questions and their appropiateness for voting for a candidate.

If it is good for the goose, it is good for the gander.

[Revelation 911]

what - no ping ?

[perez24]

If you’re not a Mormon, why do you care?

[perez24]

Hey...this is a Mormon-bashing thread.

Catholic-bashing is coming up later.

[broncobilly]

I think it would have been better to let Catholics speak for themselves on that. When I see all the crap non-Mormons put out thinking they know what Mormons believe, I think we should be extra cautious about making such statements which are not invited.

[i_dont_chat]

You said:

When a poster claimed “Mormons have no such beliefs”, it is the typical tactic (shared by the Church PR in the official answers) of giving a misleading answer because of some technicality in the question. In other words, if the question were worded just slightly differently they would not be able to evade a giving a proper answer so easily.

Yes, I agree. I didn't word my question properly. The Mormons don't pray their deceased family members into Heaven. Instead, they believe that they can baptize them, by proxy, in secret and costly Temple ceremonies.

[broncobilly]

A good book on the subject is Mormonism Unmasked, by R. Philip Roberts.

---

Any book with words like “unmasked,” “exposed,” “cults,” etc in the title, you can be pretty sure it is a lot of garbage.

[Zakeet]

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.

You mean, like this?

Actually, according to Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith:

That of which I spoke, which Joseph termed a key, was indeed, nothing more nor less than the Urim and Thummim, and it was by this that the angel showed him many things which he saw in vision; by which he could ascertain, at any time, the approach of danger, either to himself or the Record, and on account of which he always kept the Urim and Thummim about his person. (Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet and his Progenitors for Many Generations, page 106)

And Mother Smith said she got a good look at Urim and Thummim:

I knew not what he meant, but took the article of which he spoke into my hands, and, upon examination, found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows, which were connected with each other in much the same way as old fashioned spectacles. He took them again and left me, but said nothing respecting the Record. (Biographical Sketches, page 101)

Of course, still others believe Joseph plagiarized the Book of Mormon from OTHER SOURCES.

So, what did Joseph use? A peep stone, peep spectacles, or plagiary? I urge you to examine the evidence and make up your own mind.

[nesnah]

Or, that you and yours do not agree with it. Or, that the contents are quite eye-opening. Or, that it would be highly controversial to true believers, perhaps even shaking their trust and faith in what they have been told. Or........

[conservativegramma]

you can be pretty sure it is a lot of garbage.

Funny the garbage is direct source citations and quotations from the founders of Mormonism, from sacred scripture like the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, from LDS Prophets, Presidents, and so on..........Got to say WOW here. If their teachings are now 'garbage' why are you LDS?

[nesnah]

Read Book 1:

http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/Mormons/00000010.htm

Fascinating theory. One that I can see being highly likely.

[Domandred]

Taking just a few notes here and there as I type. If I don't mention something it doesn't mean I agree or disagree, just that I don't take absolute issue with what is said.

In the interest of berevity I'm only quoting snippets. Don't hang me for spelling or grammar either.

Required Disclaimer: These are my personal thoughts and beliefs and should not be considered the beliefs of other LDS members nor LDS doctrine.

If you don’t like the word cult, feel free to substitute in your mind an equivalent expression...“unorthodox church.”

Actually I think I would take "unorthodox church” without getting upset about it at all. Heretical I have a problem with only because heretics used to be burned at the stake. I really don't think though that even the most anti-mormon detractors would support burning us at the stake (I would hope not at least).

The fact that the Church is unable officially to rule this out is itself problematic.

I agree. 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.

believe its followers can become “gods and goddesses” after death...Frankly, this is an incomplete answer.

I'm not sure what to make of that answer either. A visit over to the bloggernacle (LDS members discussing their faith) there is an article about this that wonders the same thing you have.

Even our interpretation of the KJV Bible includes mentions of "gods and goddesses".

these other planets don’t exist yet because the Mormons have not yet become Gods and organized matter into those new worlds.

I'm not sure I agree with this "doctrine". I fully believe that we (Earth) is not the only planet in God's creations, nor are we the only inhabitants of this infinite universe.

However I don't think that we will become Gods to rule over the planets. At best I believe we will be helpers and workers to organize and steward over these worlds. God himself is still the creator, ruler and Lord over them.

I'm not sure what to make of this answer either because a simple "No" does contridict what I have been taught growing up in the church.

What specifically does the Mormon Church say about African-Americans and Native Americans

I'm with you...who wrote that question. Also the answer doesn't really even fit with the question.

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.

True. Caffeinated sodas (Coke, Pepsi, Moutain Dew, etc) have been left up to the individual members to decide on. Some members say no, other say they are fine. I'm in the fine category. Don't know why that section was ignored. They could have said the same thing as you or I said.

-------

As some in the other thread mentioned these answers seem really canned and copy-pasted from a pre-approved sheet. Some of the answers didn't match the questions, some didn't match the beliefs (neither by LDS Member standards nor anti-LDS standards). I'm not sure who even answered these questions but sure seems like they just sent it off to the MTC call center and had some missionary trainee answer them instead of a more well versed spokesman.

That being said there isn't any need for the church to answer these questions to Fox News anyways. They only exist to shine light on Romney's LDS faith and attempt to discredit his candidacy based on religion instead of discrediting his GOP candidacy based on his near liberal views, possible issue flip-flopping, and disregard for the 2nd Amendment.

Fox needs to change it's name to Rudy News Network anyways.

[broncobilly]

I think your posts on Mormonism are dispicable. But setting that aside, let me give you some hints on your last mocking post.

Suppose someone prays and wants to receive inspiration or knowledge from God. Would they go down to Times Square to say the prayer and feel the promptings of the Spirit? They would probably want to be in private. They may not even want the light around them distracting them. They might want to close their eyes to cut out the world also. They may even be the kind of a person that likes a talisman to help them concentrate, say a cross or a rosary or hold the Bible. What ever works is of no concern. The only thing that is important is whether or not you are able to open your mind up to God and sense his will.

Now mock that if you wish. And if you mock it, try not to remember that you have done so when you pray and expect inspiration from a God who is loving and understanding to his children

[broncobilly]

Or, that the contents are quite eye-opening. Or, that it would be highly controversial to true believers, perhaps even shaking their trust and faith in what they have been told. Or........

---

I have read my share, and I know crap when I see it.

[nesnah]

I can understand your defense. It’s admirable in the face of all of the contrary information available as a result of the internet.

But, when it is very clear that this alleged translation is performed in exactly the same manner that Joseph Smith used to scheme well-meaning people out of their money on his treasure-hunting exploits, it begs stating.

Sometimes, the truth hurts. The crucible can be a very hot and uncomfortable place.