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Criticism of the Latter Day Saint movement

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Life-size figure of Joseph Smith

Criticism of Mormonism is criticism of the Latter Day Saint movement, especially of the largest and most prominent sect, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (hereafter referred to as the LDS Church).

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

Theological critiques of Mormonism come out of concern for orthodoxy, whereas scientists and scholars may question the historicity of the Book of Mormon. The term anti-Mormon, 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 Bible and now espouses beliefs fundamentally different. Mormonism is sometimes called a cult. At other times it is compared with ancient gnosticism or Arianism.

The nature of divinity

Lorenzo Snow

Mormons have been criticised for rejecting the Trinity. Mormons believe that God the Father, 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 "Exaltation". This concept was most famously summarized by Lorenzo Snow, who framed it as a couplet: "As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be." Joseph Smith taught something similar in the King Follett Discourse.

These doctrines have been heavily criticized on Biblical grounds, often citing Isaiah 43:10, 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.

Orthodox defense of the Trinity against Mormonism focuses on the doctrine of Divine unity, citing passages such as the Shema Yisrael.

Belief in exaltation has been defended by reference to passages such as 2 Peter 1:4, as well as many statements by early Christians about humans being divinized (a doctrine known to the Eastern Orthodox as theosis). 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.

Salvation

Another frequent topic of criticism, especially among evangelicals, is the basis of salvation, which Mormons hold to be both grace and works

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

There are many who make justification dependent on a mixture of faith and works... This was the error of the Galatian legalists (cf. Galatians 2:16 5:4). Paul called it "a different gospel" (Galatians 1:6, 1:9). The same error is found in virtually every false cult.

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 Great Apostasy). Most Christians believe a complete apostasy is impossible. Catholic apologist Patrick Madrid wrote:

Since Christ is the mind and head of his Church (Ephesians 4:15-16), animating the body, the members enjoy an organic spiritual union with him (John 15:1-8). It's inconceivable that he would permit his body to disintegrate under the attacks of Satan.

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

Mainstream Christians believe that the Canon of Scripture is closed, making the Bible the only sacred text for Christians. Many Protestants also consider it the only infallible authority, a doctrine called Sola scriptura. Latter-day Saints believe that The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants 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.

Archaeology

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A sword

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.


James White addressed the argument that references to swords might mean macuahuitls by quoting 1 Nephi 4:9, which is a detailed description of the Sword of Laban 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 Nephites' weapons in the New World, which White considers a contradiction of the archaeological record.

Literary Criticism

Mark Twain 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.

Jerald and Sandra Tanner 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.

Critics of Mormonism

There are several organizations which oppose the Mormon church. Their activities vary. In most cases the primary activity is informational – 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 Jerald and Sandra Tanner), 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:

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 Christians who oppose Mormon Theology. Many Utah media outlets such as The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City Weekly, and the University of Utah's Daily Utah Chronicle are often described as "Anti-Mormon" even though many of the contributors are Mormon themselves. Many of these charges surfaced when Mark Hofmann sold forged documents to the LDS Church and when Salt Lake City 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 Deseret Morning News, founded by the Church. The two papers routinely cooperate in a number of areas, including sharing advertising and distribution channels.

References

  1. "Lorenzo Snow, About Mormons". Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  2. "LDS View of God Contradicts the Bible". Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  3. "A logical proof that Mormonism is false". Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  4. "God: POLYTHEISM". Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  5. ""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". Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  6. See "Mormonism 201: Chapter 3 The Trinity". Retrieved 2006-05-08. and "Did The Early Church Believe In the LDS Doctrine of God?". Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  7. "Jesus' Perspective on Sola Fide". Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  8. Nephi's Neighbors
  9. "Of Cities and Swords". Retrieved 2006-05-09.
  10. "Roughing It, Chapter XVI". Retrieved 2006-05-09.
  11. Tanner, Jerald and Sandra. Mormonism -- Shadow or Reality?, fifth edition. Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1987.

External links

Pro-LDS or LDS Apologetic Websites

Critical or Anti-Mormon Websites

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