The "Strange" Beliefs of Mormons

Due in part to the fact that two (now only one) Mormon candidates have been competing for the Republican Presidential Nomination, Mormonism is a hot topic these days. Wherever I turn there is another article or news clip talking about Mormonism. Through it all, I continually hear people make reference to the “strange” beliefs of Mormons. Some even say that they will never vote for a Mormon for President because Mormons believe ‘this’ and Mormons believe ‘that’. It is unfortunate that some feel this way, especially considering that many of their ‘this’ and ‘that’ statements about Mormon beliefs are inaccurate. Whether the statements made about the Mormon religion are accurate or not, if you are basing your vote solely on the specific religious beliefs of the candidates, then you are missing the boat and disregarding the most important things to consider when electing a President for this country. I love this clip from Dennis Pragar (well known radio host and devoted Jew) who addresses this issue with a caller who said he could never vote for a Mormon. It’s well worth listening to.



Love that!! Pragar brought up some very valid points.

But what I really want to address is the “strange” beliefs of Mormons. Bill Maher (comedian) disrespectfully stated, “By any standard, Mormonism is more ridiculous than any other religion”. So are the beliefs of Mormons really that strange?? Are they really that ridiculous?? Some of our beliefs may be different from what you might believe, but different doesn’t necessarily mean wrong or bad. I loved Pragar’s comment that “Every religion to an outsider has wackiness.”This is SO true!! Just as a Catholic might look at the Mormon religion and see “wacky” beliefs, so might a Mormon look at the Catholic religion and see “wacky” beliefs. The same goes for all religions. Regardless, I think we as a people need to learn how to be more respectful towards other religions. Our religion teaches us that we all have “the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” (The Articles of Faith 11)

Rather than judging the beliefs of certain religions, it would be more helpful to judge a religion by the “fruits” they produce. “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit…Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:17, 20) I have heard numerous times statements like, “Oh, I love the Mormons. They are wonderful people, but I don’t like Mormonism”. I find that interesting. There seem to be a lot of people who like who Mormons are and the fruits that are produced, but don’t like what they believe. To people such as this, I would ask…did you ever stop to think that maybe Mormons are who they are BECAUSE of their beliefs?  We have to remember that good fruits don’t come from corrupt trees.

I am what I am because of my religious beliefs, Not in spite of my religious beliefs.

I do have to say that it strikes me funny that those not of the Mormon faith consider our beliefs strange. My brother reminded me of a quote from Stephen Colbert who said it best: "Mormons believe Joseph Smith received golden plates from an angel on a hill...when everybody knows that Moses got stone tablets from a burning bush on a mountain." Ha,ha. :)

I recently read a comment in the newspaper from a man who had concerns about Mitt Romney becoming President because of his beliefs in “quaint religious myths, e.g. Angel Moroni and the Golden Plates.” This commentator considered these beliefs outlandish. Outlandish?? Really?? Sir, if you are a Christian who believes in the Bible (as Mormons do), then you believe that Moses parted the Red Sea, that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, and that Jesus walked on water, raised the dead and healed the sick. Yet you think that angels and gold plates are outlandish?? Think about it. Some very extraordinary events and miracles occurred during Bible times. Why is it so hard to believe that extraordinary events and miracles could happen in our time? This truly shows the character of men/women these days. Have we lost so much faith in God that we can’t even imagine the possibility that God would send an angel to deliver sacred records which would provide us with additional knowledge about the divinity of the Savior Jesus Christ? Where is your faith??? Do you not believe in miracles??? Do you not believe that God cares enough about you and I to send us help and guidance in these days? Why would God intervene in the lives of those who lived in Bible times, but not care enough to intervene in our lives today? God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Miracles do not cease to exist. Sadly, what HAS ceased to exist is faith on the part of many men/women. God can do anything. And He will do whatever is necessary to accomplish His work and help us return back to Him. Don’t doubt the majesty of God.

“…have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.” (Moroni 7:29)

Atheism

My Thoughts on Atheism:

If YOU came from NOTHING, then YOU ARE NOTHING!! You have NO PURPOSE.  You have  NO VALUE.  You have NO WORTH.   In the end, NOTHING YOU DO in this life MATTERS.

The GOOD NEWS is...you DIDN'T come from NOTHING!  You came from a loving Heavenly Father who LOVES YOU!!  You are of GREAT WORTH and have GREAT PURPOSE in life! You are of VALUE, and EVERYTHING that you do in this life MATTERS!!! It is true.  It really, really is true. 

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World

The other day, my husband was talking to a friend about religion.  In regards to Jesus Christ, this friend stated that his impression was that Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was a Prophet but not the Savior of the world.  It made me realize once again that many people misunderstand our beliefs about Jesus Christ. If this really were our belief, then we would not be a Christian church. My husband clarified that we DO believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.  As I have clarified before, Mormons ARE Christian. We believe in the Bible just as other Christian churches do and believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that He suffered and atoned for our sins.  We believe that it is through Jesus Christ our Savior that each of us can obtain Salvation.  To learn more about our beliefs in Jesus Christ visit,

http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/?cid=wpats1