Anti-Mormons

[Misshalfway]

It is a phenomenon -- this anti behavior. I feel somewhat baffled by it in any circumstance or sphere not just when it happens against my church.

Having said that, I think it is important to note that any truth is like a two edged sword. It will divide in absolute clarity. We are a peaceful church, but a threatening one to some. We challenge many beliefs and on top of that we aren't easy to squash as many would have liked to see in our earliest history. And because religion is such a personal thing, our emotions often over-rule our heads. I think of Martin Luther and how he was treated when he questioned the establishment. Joseph Smith, if nothing else, did absolutely challenge the establishment of Christianity at its very core. Such things aren't brushed off lightly. He must have hit a nerve. Such polarization begs the question, who is right and who is wrong? And of course, no one likes to be wrong. And so, we sometimes and sadly fight to the death so we don't have to be.

Humans! We are funny creatures, aren't we? A jumble of reason and passion and prone to much needless hysteria.

[prisonchaplain]

Here's a friendly outsider perspective:

> First, there are obviously former members of the church who convert to other religions. Those who become evangelical Christians, adapt a theology that calls for all Christians to "evangelize" or "become a missionary to" everyone in their circle of influence. Since they used to be LDS, and believe they have a cultural and religious understanding that makes them especially suited to the task, they take up becoming "missionaries to Mormons." Some do so with great tact, and sincere affection, and gain some respect (along with obvious opposition). Others, charge in like a bull in a China shop, and do not gain respect, but rather disdain.

> BTW, though LDS feel singled out, this same phenomenon happens with former Jews, former Muslims, former Hindus, and yes, former atheists/agnostics. You don't generally see "Anti-Lutherans," because evangelicals do not consider Lutherans to be heretical in their teachings.

> There are some more fundamentalist type Christians who believe they must "contend for the faith." Their goal is to simply present "the truth," and those who hear can either believe or burn. This is the camp that usally come into SLC with obnoxious signs, and worse. They are intentionally confrontational, believing they are simply to sound the alarm, so the righteous might repent of their errors.

> Finally, LDS tend to be more polite and "soft-sell," in part because of their theology. They believe everyone will have a chance to hear the gospel, and that there are several kingdoms of heaven, not all of which require full embrace of their restored gospel. So, it's okay to nicely present, without having to communicate dire urgency and the fearfulness of hell's flames.

> Evangelicals have more of an "all or nothing theology." It's heaven or hell, and the decision must be made in this lifetime. So there is an urgency, and a sense of responsiblity, that sometimes translates poorly into boorishness, arrogance and argumentation. Many of our leaders try to balance the sense of urgency with the truth that we really are but messengers, and it's the Holy Spirit's job to convict and convert.

Hope this helps.

[Misshalfway]

I must say I admire the passion of some of these preachers but often question in my heart, why spend so much time telling me why I am wrong. Why not tell me why you are right?

[bytor2112]

They should spend more time protesting the con artists found on TBN. Talking about Priestcraft......"and they rob the poor for their fine sanctuaries..."

[candyprpl]

A week after I was baptized (LDS) I went to California to visit my daughter. She is a recovering addict and we were invited to a dinner celebrating another person's one year sobriety. As dinner progressed, my ears caught a conversation across the table. The young lady was talking about having been married in the Temple and her divorce and falling away from the church. She said many horrible things about the church and Temple marriage. Being a new member and have very little knowledge I didn't want to get into the conversation. My feeling at the time was that she was not being truthful -- even my daugther who is not a member knew she was speaking with anger and not truth. Later and even now I think about this person often. She left her marriage (and maybe she had good reasons for doing this) and she left the church and where was she now? A recovering alcoholic filled with bitterness! I felt sorry for her. I know that when a person has been excomunicated that it is pretty humiliating and unless they take a path of repentance, bitterness takes over.

In the Book of Mormon there is a scripture that tells it all; Alma 24:30 "And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things."

[rameumptom]

The experience of being LDS is an intense experience. It isn't like many Christian churches, where you sit in a pew for an hour a week, and then go about your own life the rest of the time. Being a Mormon requires committment to accept callings that may be above your comfort level. Expectations of keeping commandments, serving, doing family history, attending the temple, etc., can overwhelm many people - particularly if they mistake the busy stuff with the actual gospel.

And I think that many fall away because they overwhelm themselves with too much trying to save their own hides, rather than experiencing the atonement and allowing that experience to then lead them to the service and actions they should do.

Others leave because they forget the testimonies they once received, and begin believing the words of those who oppose us. If they believe we are of the devil, then their efforts against us are doing God a favor. Sadly, they do not realize that they do the same thing that Jesus told his apostles would happen to them, as apostates would kill them thinking they were doing God a service (Matthew 24).

Either way, an intense feeling fills them. They lose the feeling most LDS experience, of love and faith (if they ever experienced it in the first place); and replace it with an anger that this intense Mormon experience has ruined their lives and they seek others from suffering as they feel they have.

Sadly, the anger engendered at anti-Mormon/ex-Mo sites seems to become a growing cancer that leaves them smelling putrid from the gangrenous remains of their tortured souls. Instead of excising the cancer/anger, they insist on living with it, as a badge of honor against those they feel have betrayed them.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by bytor2112

They should spend more time protesting the con artists found on TBN. Talking about Priestcraft......"and they rob the poor for their fine sanctuaries..."

You mean like these?

http://www.ondoctrine.com/10tbn.htm
http://www.ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=952844062

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by rameumptom

The experience of being LDS is an intense experience. It isn't like many Christian churches, where you sit in a pew for an hour a week, and then go about your own life the rest of the time. Being a Mormon requires committment to accept callings that may be above your comfort level. Expectations of keeping commandments, serving, doing family history, attending the temple, etc., can overwhelm many people - particularly if they mistake the busy stuff with the actual gospel.

There is a saying that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. This is generally true in most organizations, including churches. I've read repeatedly, often here, that 40% of LDS are active, and 60% inactive. Of the active, perhaps half are truly diehard (this is my own guess), which means the church is right on track with most other churches.

Instead of formal callings, with all members expected to do something, our leaders informally ask members to pitch in with particular ministries. The most sincere members do as much as an active LDS person with callings does, I would imagine. Others do some, but not as much, and some are pew-warmers.

Where you may have a point is that it is hard to be active without pitching in, so you may have fewer pew-warmers--they simply go inactive.

Others leave because they forget the testimonies they once received, and begin believing the words of those who oppose us. If they believe we are of the devil, then their efforts against us are doing God a favor. Sadly, they do not realize that they do the same thing that Jesus told his apostles would happen to them, as apostates would kill them thinking they were doing God a service (Matthew 24).

Those who see themselves as Orthodox will always do this to those seen as heretics. Consider how you might respond to the FLDS.

[rameumptom]

I don't respond to the FLDS. How they live their lives, as long as they are not abusing children, is their own business.

And the LDS do require more of their own than other churches. While a priest or minister is paid to work full time, our bishops are not paid, yet most put 20-40 hours a week into their callings. I'm a high priest group leader, and easily put 20+ hours a week into my main calling, not including home teaching, helping with Scouts, and other responsibilities that come up.

And while most Protestant/evangelical churches teach on salvation through faith/grace alone, we do have a Catholic view that ordinances and obedience are important for achieving a higher level of salvation. with this concept, some members over exert themselves and suffer from burn-out.

Also, I haven't seen other religions expect 10% tithes (plus other offerings), sons to go on missions for 2 years at their own cost, etc.

IOW, there is a big difference. If I were in another church, I would be considered at least a part time minister and being paid for it. Instead, I work a 40+ hour a week job, and THEN add my church duties on top of it all, paying into the system, rather than being paid.

[Vort]

But we're not bitter.