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Criticism of Mormonism is criticism of the ], especially of the largest and most prominent sect, the ] (hereafter referred to as the LDS Church).


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As defined here, criticism is an all-encompassing term referring to critical scrutiny of, or disagreement with, ] beliefs or practices, with reasons ranging from academic interest, to religious motivations, to outright prejudice.

Theological critiques of Mormonism come out of concern for ], whereas scientists and scholars may question the historicity of the ]. The term ], which is often misused, refers to those whose criticism is motivated chiefly by a desire to antagonise.

==Doctrinal criticism==

Christian theologians who address the topic usually teach that Mormonism is a form of pseudo-Christianity, which has departed from the teachings given in the ] and now espouses beliefs fundamentally different. Mormonism is sometimes called a ]. At other times it is compared with ancient ] or ].

===The nature of divinity===

]
Mormons have been criticised for rejecting the ]. Mormons believe that ], the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three different beings and that the Father has a physical body. By contrast, Trinitarian theology teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one substance (or essence) and that the Father does not have a physical body.

Although not "doctrinal", most Mormons believe that the Father was once a man and became God at some point in the past (whose own God was similarly promoted even earlier, ''ad infinitum''), and that Mormons may be given the same promotion, called "]". This concept was most famously summarized by ], who framed it as a couplet: "As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/people/lorenzo_snow.html|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=Lorenzo Snow, About Mormons}}</ref> Joseph Smith taught something similar in the ].

These doctrines have been heavily criticized on Biblical grounds,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/ldsviewcontradictsbible.htm|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=LDS View of God Contradicts the Bible}}</ref> often citing {{sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Isaiah|chapter=43|verse=10}}, in which God declares: "before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." They have also been criticized on logical grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carm.org/lds/infinity.htm|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=A logical proof that Mormonism is false}}</ref>

Orthodox defense of the ] against Mormonism focuses on the doctrine of Divine unity, citing passages such as the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.utlm.org/onlinebooks/mclaims2.htm#POLYTHEISM|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=God: POLYTHEISM}}</ref>

Belief in exaltation has been defended by reference to passages such as {{sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=2 Peter|chapter=1|verse=4}}, as well as many statements by early Christians about humans being divinized (a doctrine known to the Eastern Orthodox as ]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/1999_Early_Christian_Doctrine_of_Deification.html|accessdate=2006-05-08|title="I Have Said, 'Ye are Gods'": Concepts Conducive to the Early Christian Doctrine of Deification in Patristic Literature and the Underlying Strata of the Greek New Testament Text}}</ref> Christian apologists reply that there is only superficial similarity, noting the crucial distinction made between the Divine ''energies'' which creatures may participate in, and the Divine ''essence'', which is uncreated and therefore entirely different from whatever is created.<ref>See {{cite web|url=http://www.mrm.org/articles/mormonism_201/chapter_03/|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=Mormonism 201: Chapter 3 The Trinity}} and {{cite web|url=http://www.aomin.org/ONEGOD.html|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=Did The Early Church Believe In the LDS Doctrine of God?}}</ref>

===Salvation===

Another frequent topic of criticism, especially among ], is the basis of salvation, which Mormons hold to be both grace and works<!-- Broken URL: <ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/NewEra/2005.htm/new%20era%20march%202005.htm/tough%20topics%20%20are%20you%20saved%20by%20grace%20or%20works.htm?f=templates$fn=document-frame.htm$3.0$q=grace$x=Simple$nc=3440#LPHit1|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=}}</ref>.-->

Many Christians reject anything like this thinking. For example, in an article not specifically directed against Mormonism, ] said:

:There are many who make justification dependent on a mixture of faith and works... This was the error of the Galatian legalists (cf. {{sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Galatians|chapter=2|verse=16}} {{sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Galatians|chapter=5|verse=4|nobook=}}). Paul called it "a different gospel" ({{sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Galatians|chapter=1|verse=6}}, {{sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Galatians|chapter=1|verse=9|nobook=}}). The same error is found in virtually every false cult.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sf-solafide.htm|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=Jesus' Perspective on Sola Fide}}</ref>

===Authority===

Joseph Smith claimed that the priesthood, which he defined as authority to act in God's name, had been removed because of apostasy, which Mormons believe to have been prophecied in the Bible (see ]). Most Christians believe a complete apostasy is impossible. Catholic apologist ] wrote:

:Since Christ is the mind and head of his Church ({{sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Ephesians|chapter=4|verse=15|range=-16}}), animating the body, the members enjoy an organic spiritual union with him ({{sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=John|chapter=15|verse=1|range=-8}}). It's inconceivable that he would permit his body to disintegrate under the attacks of Satan.<!-- Broken URL: <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9203fea.asp|accessdate=2006-05-08|title=}}</ref> -->

Catholics often see the Mormon priesthood as a counterfeit of their own ]. Protestants, on the other hand, often believe in the ].

Mainstream Christians believe that the Canon of Scripture is closed, making the Bible the only ] for Christians. Many Protestants also consider it the only infallible authority, a doctrine called ]. Latter-day Saints believe that The ], The ] and the ] are also the word of God.

==Criticism of the Book of Mormon==

Many attempted refutations of Mormonism begin with an examination of the Book of Mormon, which is an integral part of LDS scripture. Thus far, scientific and scholarly studies have failed to substantiate much of the book, and in some cases, seem to contradict its claims.

===DNA===

The Book of Mormon has come under criticism because of its claim that Native Americans are descended from Hebrew settlers who arrived about 600 BC. Mormons often call Native Americans 'Lamanites' after one of these settlers who became the leader of one group. According to the Book of Mormon, some of the first inhabitants of America were a race called the Jaredites. Mormon scholars have theorized for more than 100 years as to how much Jaredite blood Native Americans have versus Hebrew blood.<ref></ref>

===Archaeology===

]
The Book of Mormon appears to describe an Old World material culture which archaeological evidence suggests was entirely absent from pre-Columbian America. Mormon apologists often argue that the words referring to Old World objects such as swords and chariots are simply convenient translations into English of words that originally referred to technology used in the Americas.


] addressed the argument that references to swords might mean ]s by quoting 1 Nephi 4:9, which is a detailed description of the ] in terms appropriate to the verse's Old World context, and then 2 Nephi 5:14-15, in which that sword in the pattern for the ]s' weapons in the New World, which White considers a contradiction of the archaeological record. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equip.org/free/DM755.htm|accessdate=2006-05-09|title=Of Cities and Swords}}</ref>

===Literary Criticism===

] gave the Book of Mormon a negative review, calling it "chloroform in print" and a "tedious plagiarism". He made special mention of the excessive use of the phrase "it came to pass", ascribing this to an over-zealous attempt at sounding biblical. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtwain.com/Roughing_It/17.html|accessdate=2006-05-09|title=Roughing It, Chapter XVI}}</ref>

] believe they have discovered several indications in the text of modern rather than ancient authorship. Some themes are, in their view, directly addressed to issues which were controversial around the time it was written or translated, such as infant baptism, whether church names should include the name of Christ, a paid ministry, secret societies, the origin of the Native Americans. <ref name="MSR">Tanner, Jerald and Sandra. ''Mormonism -- Shadow or Reality?'', fifth edition. Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1987.</ref>

==Critics of Mormonism==

There are several organizations which oppose the Mormon church. Their activities vary. In most cases the primary activity is informational &ndash; they seek to provide what they regard as a true picture of the Mormon church. Some are independent while others are connected with parent churches, and not all are Christian. Examples of such organizations are:'''Utah Lighthouse Ministry''' (founded by ]), '''Mormon Research Ministries''', '''Mormons in Transition''', '''Utah Partnerships for Christ''', and '''The Exmormon Foundation'''.

Some anti-Mormons have become well-known for their activities. A few of them are:

*]
*]
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*]

A large portion of Utah residents are often described as Anti-Mormon due to political opposition of many popular conservative political agendas. This is vastly different from the Anti-Mormon beliefs of some fundamentalist and evangelical ] who oppose Mormon Theology. Many Utah media outlets such as ], ], and the ]'s ] are often described as "Anti-Mormon" even though many of the contributors are Mormon themselves. Many of these charges surfaced when ] sold forged documents to the ] Church and when ] sold one block of Main Street to the church, with what many felt was too little public input.

In the case of the Salt Lake Tribune, however, this reputation stems from the paper being founded as an openly anti-Mormon publication in the 1800's. Over the years since, this position has moderated significantly, to the point of near-neutrality. The other major newspaper in Utah is the ], founded by the Church. The two papers routinely cooperate in a number of areas, including sharing advertising and distribution channels.

==References==
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==External links==
===Pro-LDS or LDS Apologetic Websites===
* - The official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
* - Maintained by ]
* - A non-profit organization providing well-documented answers to criticisms of LDS doctrine, belief and practice
* - An organization devoted to the scholarly study of Mormonism

===Critical or Anti-Mormon Websites===
* - For those who have left the LDS Church, or for those considering leaving.
* - A non-sectarian charity to assist those transitioning out of the LDS church. Organizes annual conferences each October in Salt Lake City.
* - An alternative to ex-Mormon, focused on moving beyond, not opposing, Mormonism.
* - Maintained by ]
* - Evangelical ministry of former Mormons to expose what they believe to be the truth about Mormonism
* - California ] online

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