Ask a Mormon, Part 3

[The Kingmaker]

Whether or not Joseph Smith's doctrines are true is a matter of faith and personal belief.
However, setting that debate aside, IMHO Joseph Smith actually believed what he taught, whether or not it was actually true.

 

[Nylan]

I don't think he would have let himself get killed if he was a con man, and a large number of accusations you will find will probably be inaccurate, check them against the the church beliefs, history, and try to make sure sources are credible. It's a confusing jungle out there.

 

[downtown]

For anybody, LDS or not, who wants to get a REAL historical analysis on Joesph Smith, I highly recomend the book "Rough Stone Rolling". It came out in 2005, by a history professor at Columbia. While the author is a member of the church, the book is a scholarly work, and discusses EVERYTHING (including stuff like the money digging)...many many things you won't find in autobiographys produced by the actual church.

I loved it. Smith was obviously a flawed man, but so are all of us.

 

[Nylan]

There you go, a more reliable source than a google search. Just keep in mind it's not church doctrine.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Also keep in mind that I don't have proof that Joseph Smith wasn't a conman - just as I don't have proof that you aren't a space lizard . . .

And to the best of my knowledge, he was married to everyone he ever slept with, and supposedly he didn't even sleep with most of the women he married.

 

[bhsup]

Just FYI. Ordered Mormonism For Dummies from Amazon. It'll be here Tuesday!

 

[Nylan]

Don't be afraid to ask questions about anything you find, we're here to help

 

[GoodGame]

Questions:

1. Do the Mormons have a holy land that God promised them?

2. Are Mormons pissed about losing polygamy rights?

3. Do Mormons believe the OT is incorrect in it's telling of the history of non-Mormons, or is it simply about a different place and time to them?

4. How do Mormons feel about Islam and Muhammed?

5. How easy is it to convert to Mormonism?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

1. Do the Mormons have a holy land that God promised them?

Not particularly. We see Jackson County, Missouri, as sort of the place where a number of things will happen in the last days, and Utah is where the Church went after being driven from other areas, but basically we live wherever we are.

2. Are Mormons pissed about losing polygamy rights?

How could I be? One wife is hard enough . . .

Seriously, we believe that just as God commanded us to practice plural marriage, He also commanded us to end the practice.

3. Do Mormons believe the OT is incorrect in its telling of the history of non-Mormons, or is it simply about a different place and time to them?

We believe that the Bible is true as far as it is translated correctly (in other words, that in general it is correct but some parts have been changed or corrupted).

4. How do Mormons feel about Islam and Muhammed?

In general, Mormons get along with Muslims and Islam better than a lot of Christian churches do. We don't believe Muhammed to be a prophet the way Muslims do (or the way we believe, say, Joseph Smith to be a prophet) but many Mormons feel that he was in some way inspired by God. And the way I see it, every religion and ideology on earth has both good and bad members.

5. How easy is it to convert to Mormonism?

Well, it requires accepting everything we say as truth, which is hard for some people. The actual act of conversion that marks one as Mormon is done through baptism (we require anyone joining our church to be baptized, even if they were previously baptized in another Christian church) and confirmation (which is what officially makes someone a member according to our record keeping). And of course, one must make some lifestyle changes (giving up drinking, smoking, etc.)

 

[GoodGame]

Thanks for the replies.

So on point #4, can I assume then that Mormonism generally feels that monotheistic religions are inspired by god, and to be tolerated, even if they don't come close to the rules of Mormonism? Or is there a requirement that other religions at least obey the Decalogue (10 commandments)?

 

[Firstlady]

Thanks for the replies.

So on point #4, can I assume then that Mormonism generally feels that monotheistic religions are inspired by god, and to be tolerated, even if they don't come close to the rules of Mormonism? Or is there a requirement that other religions at least obey the Decalogue (10 commandments)?

I was taught to have respect for all different religions and not to mock them or anything because I generally don't like it when people say horrible or mean things about my religion.

I would think that it really depends on the person you ask rather than mormonism as a whole.

 

[Perfection]

What exactly is the Mormon policy in regards to interfaith relationships and why do they hold them?

 

[Firstlady]

What exactly is the Mormon policy in regards to interfaith relationships and why do they hold them?

I don't believe there are really any policies. The church does stress on marrying members but I don't think they would say anything or stop you from marry someone of a different faith.

Eran or one of the other guys can probably give a better answer.

 

[Nylan]

There is an emphasis on the importance of a temple marriage, and only members in good standing can enter the temple. However, there is nothing wrong with a relationship outside of the church.

 

[Firstlady]

"Please manifest it by the uplift of the hand. If any object manifest it"
Not exact words, but you get the point.

I'm sure you guys are familiar with that. Has anyone ever objected? The 7ish months I've been to the church I've never seen anyone object. Does it ever happen?

 

[downtown]

What exactly is the Mormon policy in regards to interfaith relationships and why do they hold them?

Marrying in the Temple is very important (as we believe it is the only way for our marriages to last for all eternity), but it isn't required. I have several LDS family member that married non-members...and I've never even dated another Mormon. I dated an athiest for over 2 years.

 

[downtown]

"Please manifest it by the uplift of the hand. If any object manifest it"
Not exact words, but you get the point.

I'm sure you guys are familiar with that. Has anyone ever objected? The 7ish months I've been to the church I've never seen anyone object. Does it ever happen?

Its pretty rare. I've been a member all my life, and it only happened once. One guy voted no on a calling, he talked it over with the Bishop, and that member wasn't given the calling. I don't know any of the details.

 

[ironduck]

Marrying in the Temple is very important (as we believe it is the only way for our marriages to last for all eternity)

Why is that?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Can I assume then that Mormonism generally feels that monotheistic religions are inspired by god, and to be tolerated, even if they don't come close to the rules of Mormonism?

We do look at all religions (not just monotheists) in that sense; they help their members live better lives by and large.

Or is there a requirement that other religions at least obey the Decalogue (10 commandments)?

Not necessarily.

What exactly is the Mormon policy in regards to interfaith relationships and why do they hold them?

Again, no policy, but it is encouraged; after all, the children are a lot more likely to grow up LDS if both parents are. I know cases where a member married a non-member who later joined the church, but that is not the norm.

"Please manifest it by the uplift of the hand. If any object manifest it." Not exact words, but you get the point.

Actually, the words can vary - and that is as good a way of saying it as any.

I'm sure you guys are familiar with that. Has anyone ever objected? The 7ish months I've been to the church I've never seen anyone object. Does it ever happen?

I know it has. I will go into what exactly a sustaining vote means, but not right now. (No time.)

Why is that?

Because we believe that to be valid it has to be done with the proper priesthood authority, and that additionally it has to be done in the house of God. (Not that God's presence cannot be outside the temple, but within the temple we become closer to Him.)

 

[ironduck]

Because we believe that to be valid it has to be done with the proper priesthood authority, and that additionally it has to be done in the house of God. (Not that God's presence cannot be outside the temple, but within the temple we become closer to Him.)

But what happens in the afterlife with people who are together but not in the mormon way? Are they just not allowed to be together or what?