[fortcollins]

Although Mormon theology contains some elements of Christianity it is not Christian theology nor does it reflect Christian understandings of the nature of God and Christ. In addition nor does it reflect Christian history. Indeed it is diametrically opposed to what is known historically about Christianity. Joseph Smith said to his followers ““Ye are the children of Israel and of the seed of Abraham.”” Mormonism can best be understood as a fourth Abrahamic faith.

[rface]

when was "Christian Understanding" Christian Theology or the Nature of Christianity codified...how was this determined?

How do the different sects (denominations?) of Christians recognize other Christians?

[Uri’el-2012]

Ishmael was not born of Abraham, but born of Abram and a slave girl.

[SwankyC]

Only a small handful of Smith’s followers were allowed to see the plates.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure I've read that he never showed anyone the golden plates. He kept giving some story about why he cant show them and then the final story was that he buried them somewhere.

[GreenOgre]

What does the bible say about false prophets?

[what's up]

Joseph Smith and Muhammed each claimed to be the last, not merely the latest, but the last Prophet of God

The author states several similarities between Islam and Joe Smith but does not state this one...polygamy.

Personally, I think both false religions were started because their founders wanted to rebel against the christian tradition of monogamy.

In other words...they were sexual addicts.

[Jeff Chandler]

The Lamanites are described as marked by God with a darker skin color to identify their state of wickedness.

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are...

[colorcountry]

I'm not going to say anything on this thread, but let others speak at will. It's time the Mittbots realize it isn't just the Flying Inman ......placemark.

[seoul62]

Is this a rumour or the offical line: the Catholic Church to which I belong, states that the Mormons are a cult, can someone confirm or deny this? The ones that I have met have so clean-cut and nice they remind me of the people out of the movie: Pleasantville, out of another era./Just Asking - seoul62........

[Blowtorch]

Interesting article and I'll say fair enough. Mormonism is definitely unique among Christendom, sufficiently different that most protestant religions don't consider Mormons true Christians. However, I believe that most Mormons are Christians first and are living their lives focusing on strong family ties and living righteously.

The orgainzation of the Mormon church is unparalled in Chritiandom and that undoubtedly brings more people into the church. As far as it's truthfulness, it is my opinion that there are many truths such as baptism by immersion, Christ's physical resurrection, and family ties (geneology) that help one become closer to God, and these should be considered whether or not one completely aligns themselves with Mormonism and some of its stranger teachings.

[TerP26]

dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum

[TexasRepublic]

Interesting reading for those with open minds!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Spalding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalding%E2%80%93Rigdon_theory_of_Book_of_Mormon_authorship

[Phantom Lord]

How people fell for and still to this day believe Joe Smith is beyond me.

DNA along, modern ability to translate Egyptian hieroglyphic, along with archeology have repeatedly shown Smith to be a fraud and a liar.

[pgyanke]

Joseph Smith: Creator of the Fourth Abrahamic Faith; Mormonism,

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; (Psalm 127:1)

[nesnah]

I guess the bottom line to the Mormon religon has to do with this:

Would you trust a guy that places two rocks in a hat, covers his face with said hat, and dictates (ahem, translates) an alleged religious work that is not even in his presence?

That’s how it happened, and, if you believe Joseph Smith, then may I interest you in a parcel of ocean-front land I have for sale in Arizona?

[TheDon]

[Theo]

Excellent history lesson. I’m convinced that if you look carefully at the history of Mormonism, you’ll see if for what it is — a fable.

[bpjam]

I’m all for people debating theology. And I don’t want to cast any blame here since this is apparently an ongoing thread which I’ve not read, but.....

I’m extremely uncomfortably making judgments about somebody elses faith in a political forum. Maybe there is no other place to do this but is this solely for the purpose of debating Mitt Romney?

In the event that this whole Mormon debate is solely about Romney (who is not my guy, btw), I’d like to know how his Mormon believes interfered with or helped him with the start up of Staples or the lobbying and managing of the SCL olympics? Did they keep the guy from going the job or show some signs of insanity which were just too obvious to ignore? Or, like more politicians, do things based on polls and pragmatism or the goal of getting elected or completing the task instead?

If somebody can point out some substantial way that Romney would be unqualified because he is Mormon or some way that he would govern or lead which is contrary to conservatism based on his faith, then THAT would be of interest to me. Reagan was a whole different kind of Christian than GWB but they both did good and bad things. (You could argue that GWBs faith is one of the main reasons that he won’t do anything substial about illegals). But I don’t know that I could have predicted that based on what brand of Christian he was.

And let me pose a whole different question. What is Romney was Jewish? Does that mean that 40M Christians in the GOP are going to stay home? Or vote for Hillary because she is Methodist? Just asking here since some people seem to be getting kinda sensitive about all this.

I’ve fought lots of people out in the real world to protect religious rights for people whose beliefs I don’t share. But if they aren’t free to believe then neither am I.

(Fortcollins, I’ve noted that your post didn’t contain any judgments about romney or politics. Your post was scholarly and that’s why I didn’t want to cast judgment without some perspective first.)

[NRPM]

South Park featured the definitive history of Joseph Smith.

I think what Joseph Smith did was to create for America what the Aeneid was for Rome - a founding myth.

That said, I could easily vote for Mitt if it’s him or Hillary.

[Bobbisox]

It is not his Morman faith that disturbs most people, it is that he is one more RINO America does not need.

America needs to return to "Federalism" as its rightful form of Government. Fred Thompson promotes Federalism as his platform.

[SkyPilot]

Origin of the phrase Phony As A Three Dollar Bill

While it is common knowledge that Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, few know of his attempt to found a bank in Kirtland, Ohio.