An Ugly Attack on Mormons

article.nationalreview.com ^ | December 3, 2008 | Jonah Goldberg

[Publius804]

An Ugly Attack on Mormons

The easiest targets for an organized campaign against religious freedom of conscience.

By Jonah Goldberg

Did you catch the political ad in which two Jews ring the doorbell of a nice working-class family? They barge in and rifle through the wife’s purse and then the man’s wallet for any cash. Cackling, they smash the daughter’s piggy bank and pinch every penny. “We need it for the Wall Street bailout!” they exclaim.

No? Maybe you saw the one with the two swarthy Muslims who knock on the door of a nice Jewish family and then blow themselves up?

No? Well, then surely you saw the TV ad in which two smarmy Mormon missionaries knock on the door of an attractive lesbian couple. “Hi, we’re from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!” says the blond one with a toothy smile. “We’re here to take away your rights.” The Mormon zealots yank the couple’s wedding rings from their fingers and then tear up their marriage license.

As the thugs leave, one says to the other, “That was too easy.” His smirking comrade replies, “Yeah, what should we ban next?” The voice-over implores viewers: “Say no to a church taking over your government.”

Obviously, the first two ads are fictional because no one would dare run such anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim attacks.

The third ad, however, was real. It was broadcast throughout California on Election Day as part of the effort to rally opposition to Proposition 8, the initiative that successfully repealed the right to same-sex marriage in the state.

What was the reaction to the ad? Widespread condemnation? Scorn? Rebuke? Tepid criticism?

Nope.

The Los Angeles Times, a principled opponent of Proposition 8, ran an editorial lamenting that the “hard-hitting commercial” was too little, too late.

[DelphiUser]

You pose an interesting question. If someone believes Jesus was a great prophet but not the Son of God, are they Christian?

IMHO: Muslims Follow Mohammad.
Taoists follow the Path (Tao)
Statists believe in the state and think it will save them.
If you don't believe Jesus saves you then you are not a christian.

That's my opinion, but I would never go on another thread and tell someone who didn't believe Jesus was his saviorthat he was not a "Christian". I would offer to share what I believe...

YMMV

[narses]

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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

[DelphiUser]

I guess if all the PRO-Mormonism folks would leave; I'd have nothing to respond to; would I?

Slash and burn evangelism at it's very best.

[restornu]

CC being one of the bigest Mormon basher says this with a straight face!

She thinks because she is an X this gives her special privileges when in truth bigots come in all disguises.

[restornu]

Our Late president of the Church encourage the LDS to...

Synopsis

No nation can be greater than the strength of its individual homes or the virtue of its people. Sadly, many today would say ours is a nation in crisis. Families are splintering around us, our children are becoming alienated from their great cultural heritage, and our leaders seem increasingly out of touch. Yet, according to Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one cannot lose hope. The solution lies not within our government, schools, or symbols of popular culture, but rather within ourselves, our families, and our faith.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> As a mason, what is your opinion of the Masons in the Mob who killed Joseph Smith who ignored his plea “Is there no help for the Widow’s Son?”. what do you think of them?

As a Mason, I would have to answer that question on two levels.

First, all Masons are expected to be law-abiding. So being a part of an extra-judicial lynch mob would be wrong, both legally and Masonically.

Second, Joseph Smith would have no claim to Masonic protection if he violated his Masonic oaths, as I am led to conclude that he did. Saying that phrase would be insufficient to save him: it’s not like “abracadabra” — if you aren’t a Mason it just doesn’t work.

Being a Freemason is more than just knowing a few handshakes and passwords and pass-phrases: it is living the principles that are taught. If you give your word to keep something secret — as Joseph Smith did — and then set about violating that word — as Joseph Smith apparently did — then what legitimate expectations can you have, when by giving your word you also accepted penalties for violating it?

In his case, the penalty would have been to be a wilfully perjured individual, void of all moral worth &tc. — at the very least.

> I wold also point out that that is why Mormons do not join Masonic lodges.

That would also explain why I have never met a Mormon mason: they may exist, but I do not know of any. They would probably find it embarrassing to belong, given their founder was a “wilfully perjured individual” from a Masonic viewpoint.

> (My uncles are still asking me to.)

That’s naughty of them. Masons are not supposed to ask others to join: to be a Mason, you must do the asking.

[Old Mountain man]

What a question from you! ROFLOL!

[Reno232]

Actually, I did answer it w/ the scriptures I cited that you would not respond to. You still find it hard to answer simple questions. I guess only those that believe like you do deserve the right to ask questions. As I understand it, that's not what this board is about, but you are free to not answer never the less.

Listen, my intent is not to bust your chops. Again, I wish you the best my FRiend.

[brytlea]

I would never go on another thread and tell someone who didn't believe Jesus was his saviorthat he was not a "Christian". I would offer to share what I believe...

So, you're just opposed to people labeling others?

[panaxanax]

Sorry if I offended you guys. Don’t be so sensitive.

Also, if you’re going to quote me please be sure to be more accurate. I never said the word “hater” as you depicted. You sure went to a lot of trouble to prove my point, though. Thank you.

[Colofornian]

...let me ask you this, what does it mean “after all we can do” according to Mormon doctrine? Please state the church's view not your opinion please.

I'll give you a shorter answer, and then an extended one that takes a broader view of 2 Nephi 25:23 -- in light of LDS sources -- than what you've assigned it.

SHORTER ANSWER

The essential problem stated: 2 Nephi 25:23 combines a Johnny-come-lately God (His after-burner graciousness) and man (all he can do) as a supposed formula for salvation.

Now what other verses within LDS official "Scripture" combine these same components?
(a) Doctrine & Covenants 90:23 mentions receiving "grace upon grace" according to commandment-keeping (I cite this passage in full later in the post).
(b) D&C 130:21 is parallel to "grace" when it mentions us "obtain[ing] any blessing from God" and is parallel to "all we can do" when it stresses obedience:
And when we obtain ANY blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:21)

So, according to Mormon "Scripture" within the umbrella of doctrine & covenants, who triggers God's grace -- God's own lovingkindness, or man's obedience? Well, D&C 130:21 says God's blessings is ONLY "predicated" upon man's obedience.

So, in this context, what is "all you can do"? -- it's 100% obedience to the law. (Have you accomplished this?) I mean according to this verse, yes, you may receive God's blessings as you obey, but that still doesn't address the "ALL" part of 2 Nephi 25:23.

So, I dare you. Make a list of EVERY ordinance and EVERY commandment that LDS leaders have said through the years that are necessary for eternal progression/celestial kingdom.

Also, as far as the saved by grace argument...

OK, my "longer answer" below addresses your previous appeal that I use LDS sources + addresses this question: "Why 'saved by grace' a mere 'argument' to you?"

Doesn't 2 Nephi 25:23 mention the absolute necessity of God's grace?
Doesn't D&C 90:23 mention the absolute necessity of receiving God's "grace upon grace?"
Doesn't D&C 130:21 mention the absolute necessity of being "blessed" by God?

So, I ask you: "Are you not convinced that you NEED God's grace?" "And, how are you then going to trigger it? -- and do you have 'enough' to trigger it?"

LONGER RESPONSE

Please note your progression -- something you're obviously forced to do based upon the steep demands of 2 Nephi 25:23. What you've done is to take a concept that focuses on God -- His graciousness -- and looked purely at man -- and have essentially concluded that "good works" is the measure of his relationship with God. (Am I right?)

(Note this tendency: when Mormons get into a convo about salvation -- which is supposedly what the heart of 2 Nephi 25:23 is about -- they NEVER-to-RARELY zero in on God's grace...man is the measure and this relationship is operational on a tit-for-tat basis!)

My question is, "Why is it that when 'salvation' is mentioned, almost Pavlov-like, the convo immediately turns to 'good works?'" Where is your discussion (if ever) of God's grace?

So, let me turn around the challenge: What do LDS sources say about "grace?"

(1) 1979 "The Holy Bible: With Explanatory Notes and Cross References to the Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" Now why do I start off with this? Because when you look at the "Topical Guide" in the back, and look for an entry under "Grace" there is none. Oh sure, there's an entry under "Grace, Man May Fall from" -- but that entry focuses on what man does (or fails to do) -- not upon God. Right after that entry is one for "Gracious" -- citing several verses about God being "gracious"...but only three verses about God's grace applied to men. (Keep in mind, that the LDS "Topical Guide" entries for "Highway," and "Hissing" and "Manner" and dozens of other words in this guide are longer than this "gracious" entry -- showing that grace ALWAYS gets short shrift in the Mormon church!)

(2) Bruce R. McConkie, LDS apostle, wrote Mormon Doctrine. On pp. 338-339 of the 1966 edition, McConkie devotes just two graphs to "Grace of God". Once again, LDS leaders have trouble talking about "Grace" beyond God being gracious (trouble actually applying grace to man). Here's what he says at the start of graph 2: "Grace is granted to men proportionately as they conform to the standards of personal righteousness that are part of the gospel plan." (p. 339) (So McConkie keeps up exactly what I said in my earlier post -- to Mormon leaders, grace is earned and merited based upon personal righteousness. It's not as the Bible defines it -- a gift based upon God's own mercy...see Eph. 2:8-9)

(3) McConkie in this same paragraph goes on and cites Doctrine & Covenants 93:20: "If you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace." (Once again, to Mormons, "grace upon grace" is founded only upon commandment-keeping)

(4) And finally, let's look at Joseph Smith himself, in his book Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. On the one hand, Smith says human perfection can ONLY be accomplished as we interact with angels: "Thus angels come down, combine together to gather their children, and gather them. We cannot be made perfect without them, nor they without us..." (p. 159)

But then later (May 1842), Smith is giving a message: "President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel...the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church that righteous persons could only deliver THEIR OWN SOULS--applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints..." (pp. 237-238)

So who delivers the souls of Latter-day Saints?
Is it Jesus? (Nope)
Is it Joseph? (Nope)
Is it the brother who is baptized by proxy for you? (Nope)
Is it yourself? (Yup)

So, Smith said "perfection" comes ONLY based upon interaction with angels, said Joseph. (Why didn't anyone bother to ask, which side of the original angels?)

Also, as far as the saved by grace argument, how do you explain the “faith without works is dead” scriptures & the like?

A woman can get pregnant doin' nothin' but being receptive; but a mature baby comes only thru labor. A pre-born baby minus labor is a miscarried or aborted baby. But that doesn't mean that Mom is the ultimate source of new life. (The Creator is). That's why both the Bible AND the Book of Mormon describe our new life in Christ as being "born again" (book of Mosiah, for example).

...please explain how your interpretations are correct while in direct contradiction w/ other Christian religions who read the same Bible & believe in the same God.

I'm sorry, but I don't respond to terribly vague challenges -- "other Christian religions who read the same Bible" -- who/what are you referencing?

[panaxanax]

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-r002b.html

[Scotswife]

I should have been more specific...these particular gays who made this ad and are demonizing the mormons.

It isn’t like mormons are the “only” ones who voted against prop 8, but they are an easy target because the media made them a scapegoat here.

“An awfully lot of posts on FR would appear to want to do away with their rights as citizens because they are availing themselves of First Amendment rights.”

I don’t know what rights anyone wants to “take away” from them.
I haven’t seen anyone suggest armbands either.

What I do see is that an issue went up for a vote and they lost.
They lost fair and square.

So now they want to demonize the mormons because the mormons dared to exercise their right to vote their conscience.

Tough noogies.

[Scotswife]

“I am always polite to them though.”

Yes - that’s the thing. Politeness - courtesy. Even in the face of disagreement.

This ad is disgusting to portray them this way.
If anything they are projecting their own anger on others from what I’ve seen of their protests over the past weeks.

[Scotswife]

oh - I should have done a better job showing that was a quote.
You were actually responding to another freeper.

[Reno232]

Allow me to perhaps clarify your misunderstanding of our doctrine. First, we do believe it's imperative to live the commandments. A key component of grace is that we don't always live the commandments. Christ died so that we could live, & do so eternally, but not in our sins. That's what repentance is all about. Without Christ's atonement, we could not receive grace, we could not repent.

We believe all will be saved through that atonement (save the sons of perdition), however, not all will receive all that he has. Therein lies the rub. I noticed you didn't address the scriptures I cited re: works which contradict the grace only theory.

Your statement that “all we can do” is 100% obedience to the law, unfortunately shows your complete ignorance of our beliefs & doctrine on the matter. There is only One that has ever been perfect or ever will be during our mortal sojourn here on earth. “all that we can” in these tabernacles of clay is far short of 100%. Christ is the One that takes us the rest of the way through the atonement but not by us doing nothing, thus the scriptures re: works.

We are all saved via the atonement & His grace. But there is a difference between being saved, & inheriting all that he has for us. I think the problem you're having is understanding the difference between being saved & grace & what grace encompasses. You seem to cherry pick verses to make your argument but ignore those that contradict it (i.e. works)& that goes for the Bible as well as the BOM. It would seem you're more concerned w/ winning the argument than a reasoned discussion in search of truth. Your taking out of context the words of the prophets is also somewhat disconcerting. That's a shame.

Lastly, as far as the terribly vague challenges are concerned, perhaps I should have been clearer. My “challenge” could be for any number of doctrinal differences, but let's just start w/ the grace vs. works. Why is your version & understanding of grace only the correct interpretation & that of your Christian brethren that disagree wrong? Many Christian churches believe in Grace & works which is contrary to your assertions. Who's correct & why? Obviously this isn't the only difference, but let's start there. My best to you as always.

[broncobilly]

I know you feel you have latched on to something clever, but it means absolutely nothing. “Mormons” do not even themselves like the name “Mormon.” The only point the Mormons want to make is that the fundamentaist do not belong to the same church. You can call them or the Mormons anything you want, but it is the other point that is key, and there is no question about that.

[broncobilly]

Mormons use the King James version of the Bible. Which one do you use?

[Lancey Howard]

That commercial is nothing compared to the South Park episode about Joseph Smith.

[RobRoy]

>>Attributing base motives is not Christlike behavior.<<

You lost me on that comment. Right over my head.