What is the definition of 'anti-Mormon'? - Anti-Mormon Caucus (Just Kidding)

Mormon Times ^ | March 5, 2010 | By McKay Coppins

[greyfoxx39]

What is the definition of 'anti-Mormon'?

 

I have often heard the criticism that Latter-day Saints classify everyone who disagrees with our beliefs as "anti-Mormon." Of course, the people who say this are usually anti-Mormons. Am I proving their point? I don't think so.

I actually agree that this is a problem in our church. After all, our belief system, if firmly embraced, demands a lot of personal sacrifice, and we often become hyper-defensive when we sense a threat to our faith.

Unfortunately, this often leads to irrational name-calling and blindly neglecting to differentiate between non-Mormons and anti-Mormons.

Of course, that's not to say anti-Mormons don't exist, or that it's unimportant to identify them. We just need to properly define the term.

First of all, we shouldn't call people who simply don't believe in Mormonism "anti-Mormons." We should call them Catholics or Baptists or Muslims or atheists. People who ascribe themselves to faiths or philosophies that contradict Mormonism should not automatically be seen as antagonists. They should be credited with having their own beliefs.

Now, what about people who try to convert Latter-day Saints to their belief systems? Are they anti-Mormons?

No.

The believing Baptist who testifies of his church's doctrine to a Latter-day Saint is trying to do something he believes is constructive. Even if he attempts to point out supposed flaws in Mormon doctrine, if his genuine intent is to save a soul and he maintains a polite, rational tone, I don't think he deserves the anti-Mormon label. After all, should Mormon missionaries be considered anti-Catholics or anti-Protestants?

The line, I believe, that separates non-Mormons from anti-Mormons is motivation. Anti-Mormons are people who put down Mormon beliefs, practices and people simply for the sake of destroying their faith. Not many anti-Mormons would admit that is their primary goal, of course, but that doesn't mean it isn't so.

For the most part, anti-Mormons should be ignored. But before that can happen, they have to be identified

[T Minus Four]

VERY well said!

[Safrguns]

The Bible is universal it does not belong to anyone group or faith but to many who used the scriptures to define their own creeds.

>>> I cry, “foul” !

>>> This sad, twisted wreckage of human thought is exactly the soul-killing, spiritual poison that Joseph Smith handed out.

God is not mocked. The person who wrote/said this reveals his own deception and error. One only has to read it for exactly what it says...

Basically, what he is saying is that the bible means anything that a person wants it to mean... "many who used the scriptures to define their own creeds".

Operative key words here: USE... and "their own"

In as far as "Universal" goes, God did intend for HIS Word to be distributed universally. However, He fully understood and anticipated that it would be "USED" by individuals for "THEIR OWN" purposes or creeds.

The author reveals his own disbelief in the authenticity or origin of the bible, because to use it to "define their own creeds" is nothing less than an admission of the belief that they already possess all truth in their own minds... making the bible nothing more than a marketing prop to sell their own ideology as opposed to a revelation FROM God for them to RECEIVE instead of USE.

The person who is fooled by this statement is no more looking for truth than the person who wrote it. Instead they are looking for "universal" acceptance... which they will find... instead of the truth.

[T Minus Four]

He kept saying this one word and it didn’t sound right to me

OK, that's creepy.

In a way this reminds me of an elderly Catholic priest I knew, who baptized my daughter. I think he went through the motions a couple of dozen times, repeating the mantra and making the hand motions. He blessed her, all the medals and gifts she got, her sponsors, me and my husband, etc, etc

My non-Catholic husband joked that he was like a blessing machine - he should have a slot for quarters.

Looking back, it's very sad. He had no power to "bless" anything, and imagine thinking that just because you repeat a few words and wave your hands around, God is obligated to do so.

[greyfoxx39]

Blessed placemark

[RobRoy]

>>The Bible is universal it does not belong to anyone group...<<

If he had stopped there, it would have been fine. You could ask him to define the word “group” before there would be enough there to cry foul. But it continues...”...or faith but to many who used the scriptures to define their own creeds.”

The same is sort of true here, but it is a little harder to take. Unless there is no depth to his words and it is all sugar coated, the words “faith”, and “define their own creeds” are where the devil lives in this quote.

[restornu]

The author reveals his own disbelief in the authenticity or origin of the bible, because to use it to “define their own creeds” is nothing less than an admission of the belief that they already possess all truth in their own minds... making the bible nothing more than a marketing prop to sell their own ideology as opposed to a revelation FROM God for them to RECEIVE instead of USE.

The person who is fooled by this statement is no more looking for truth than the person who wrote it. Instead they are looking for “universal” acceptance... which they will find... instead of the truth.

****

Thank you for sharing your thoughts so you think Safrguns the Bible is not for all of God’s children to repent and to come on to Him!

My point is many here cherry pick their creeds to match their life style instead of keepping the Lord’s Commandments.

Universal

Something that is universal relates to everyone in the world or everyone in a particular group or society

The word of God is given to all mankind...

[reaganaut]

VERY well said.

[reaganaut]

My point is many here cherry pick their creeds to match their life style instead of keepping the Lord’s Commandments.

- - - — - - - -
Oh, like Joseph Smith who cherry picked his doctrines to match his lifestyle like Polygamy?

Still praying you can see the inconsistencies, Resty.

[restornu]

It matters not what you believe to me I know and testify that Joseph Smith was called and is a Prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ and your opinion carries no weight with me!

[reaganaut]

One of the former priesthood holders might be able to shed some light on this but as I remember it, a ‘blessing’ is when one (or more) ‘priesthood holders’ annoint you with oil, lay their hands on you and just pray using the ‘power of the priesthood’. It is usually the same as any other LDS prayer.

What disturbs me is your statement about you not being able to understand him and repeating the same word over and over.

It is possible what you saw/heard was the demonic presence of the LDS priesthood. Discernment IS a spiritual gift.

[reaganaut]

It is not MY opinion Resty, it is God’s.

Joseph Smith was NOT a prophet. “By their fruits ye shall know them” and the fruit of JS is rancid (polygamy, thievery, denigration of the Word of God,occult). Also God’s test of a prophet is if they give false prophecies which Joseph Smith gave several.

I know you want to believe Smith was a prophet, but wanting to believe something, even believing it, doesn’t make it true.

[Religion Moderator]

you want

Reading the mind of another Freeper is a form of "making it personal."

Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.

[reaganaut]

got it. It was not intended to be mind-reading but I do understand how it came across that way.

[restornu]

So now you read hearts and minds of others and and speak for God...

really caught getting up with your self...

[delacoert]

My point is many here cherry pick their creeds to match their life style instead of keepping the Lord’s Commandments.

Even if that were true, you couldn't possibly know it. As it stands, it is just the kind of statement that demonstates rationalization... defense mechanism in which controversial beliefs and feelings are butresses and defended to avoid the truth.

[reaganaut]

You always make me laugh, Resty.

You have stated many times that you believe that JS is a prophet, so it really isn’t mind reading.

Secondly, I do not claim to speak for God, the Bible does that. No man can speak for God anymore, the role of the prophets was the FOUNDATION of the coming of Jesus, after you finish a house do you put down the foundation again? No, of course not.

The office of prophet was done away with in Jesus’ sacrifice. Members of the body of Christ (Christians) can and do prophesy but it is individual not universal.

IOW, THERE IS NOT SUCH THING AS A MODERN PROPHET, so therefore Smith was lying.

As far as getting ‘caught up’ in onself, which one of us belongs to a religion that REQUIRES a whole laundry list of works and arrogantly claims to be the ‘only true church’?

Hint: It isn’t me. My faith is in Christ alone, not any denomination.

[SZonian]

It’s been so long since I performed a blessing. I’ll have to find my wallet card that outlined what LdS are supposed to say for the individual types of blessings.

It’ll be later this evening since I’m at work and don’t have it in my wallet.

[delacoert]

But Mormons have always professed the need for a Savior, and therefore they have been “Christian” all along.

Needing a Savior and not having one makes you lost not Christian.

That's not to say there aren't saved (i.e., Christian Mormons. If you have been paying as much attention in these threads as you say, then you will have noticed a nuance - Mormonism is not Christianity.

FWIW, just being Lutheran (or whatever) doesn't make you Christian, conversion is a heart matter.

The Mormon gospel, being anti-Christian, leads truth seekers astray.

[greyfoxx39]

My point is many here cherry pick their creeds to match their life style instead of keepping the Lord’s Commandments.

Joseph Smith, for example....and those who "cherry pick" his sect instead of keeping the Lord's commandments by keeping the commandments of the mormon church instead.

Just WHICH of THESE are the Lord's commandments?

 Temple Recommend questions.

3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?

4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?


6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?

7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?

10 Are you a full-tithe payer?

11 Do your keep the Word of Wisdom?

12 Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:

Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?

14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?

[T. P. Pole]

It’s been so long since I performed a blessing. I’ll have to find my wallet card that outlined what LdS are supposed to say for the individual types of blessings.

I'll help.

Almost all priesthood blessings follow the same pattern. You call the person by name, you state your authority, you state the name of Christ, you state the purpose of the blessing, and you add words of blessing as prompted by the spirit.

So, a blessing of the sick would sound something like "Mary Smith, by the power of the Melch Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, I bless you that you will be healed" etc.

Or the naming and blessing of a child might start "By the power of the MP, which we hold, and in the name of Jesus Christ, we hold this infant in our arms to give her a name and a blessing. And the name by which she will be know upon the records of the church and in this life is Mary Smith. Mary, at this time we would like to give you a blessing. We bless you with a strong body. We bless you. . ." etc.

A few of the prayers must be exact. Baptism is one. It goes "Mary Smith, having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen."

The sacrament prayers are also exact prayers.

And, alas, sometimes you get a mumbling old man or someone with a strong accent.

Hope this helps.