While I’m not a Mormon, I have to agree with you. To me, it appears that Mormonism runs second to Islam here on FR. In the end, the Catholics are OK, because they are considered Christians.
I am both intrigued and baffled by all the religion/belief conflicts here...that’s why I stay around.
Stu, ya gotta understand something here.
What if I announced a new church...Colofornian Community Church? And I claimed that ALL other churches in the WORLD were apostate(?)
Obviously that would constitute a "scorched earth" approach to "ecumenical" religious "relations." I would, thereby, be attempting to spiritually bury ALL other churches into one giant spiritual graveyard.
That's what Joseph Smith did. He declared them ALL AWOL! HE announced as "scripture" that the Lds church was the "only true and living church on the face of the earth." (Lds Doctrine & Covenants 1:30)
That was more than just a shot across the bow. That was open spiritual hostility to ALL Christian churches.
Now let's say that this hypothetical "church" of mine grew to 14 million around the world -- and that about 5-6 of million of them tithed to spread the above messaging into over 100 different languages.
Fact: Mormon "scriptures" bash Christians 24/7 in all kinds of languages every hour of every day.
Stu, I have the Lds Church published Topical Guide of the Bible (1979).
When you look under "Apostasy of the Early Christian Church" -- p. 13 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lists 1 Nephi 13:26 of the Book of Mormon as applicable to our history: ...thou seest the formation of a great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
So. They accuse our spiritual forefathers of being...
..."a great and abominable church"
...It's supposedly "most abominable above all other churches"
...And that we removed most of the Gospel of Jesus Christ;
...and finally, removed covenants as well.
ALL: The lesson that too many Mormons want you to know is that it's "A-OK" for these kinds of LDS accusations about Christians to be plastered around the globe by 55,000 missionaries and 24/7 Lds.org and Lds books & curricula...but, if a few FREEPERS dare to make a perceived overly negative comment about Mormons, the thin skin is bared and it's time for the Mormon toys to go home.
BTW...that same 1979 Topical Guide of the Bible published by the Mormon Church...check out p. 101 under the entry of "Devil, Church of"...When we see Book of Mormon verses listed like 1 Nephi 13:6, 32 and 14:9-10...it leaves absolutely no doubt that "true believing Mormons" -- including some FREEPERS -- deem us Christians as part of the "Church of the devil."