Christians are often offended that Mormons claim to be Christian.
I understand this. I am a Mormon, and I do not believe in the same Christian creed. In fact, Joseph Smith was very much against forming a Mormon Creed. For example, Joseph commented that Methodists of his day
"have creeds which a man must believe or be kicked out of their church. I want the liberty to believe as I please, it feels so good not to be tramelled."Joseph felt that the creeds set limits, "and say 'hitherto shalt thou come & no further' -- which I cannot subscribe to."
He explained that the difference between the Christian sects and The Latter Day Saints was that the sectarians
"were all circumscribed by some peculiar creed, which deprived its members the privilege of believing anything not contained therein; whereas the Latter Day Saints had no creed, but are ready to believe all true principles that exist, as they are made manifest from time to time."
Mormons believe in all truth as it comes forward -- in the form of revelation and the discovery of ancient texts. "The Book of Mormon" and "The Pearl of Great Price" are ancient texts where we find truth.
The Mormon church is a lay church. Mormons rely on its members to fulfill the roles of Bishop, Stake President, Teacher, Deacon, Priest, Visiting Teacher, Relief Society President... It is actually more inclusive and gives each individual the responsibility to receive Heavenly guidance -- to teach, to guide, to lead your family -- but not for whole church, that's the responsibility of the Prophet. There has to be some order.
Most Christians follow the Nicene Creed, set in 325 A.D. They believe the Book of Revelation to be the last word of God through the Apostle John. Mormons believe that God speaks in all times. We believe in the Old Testament, the New Testament, but that's not all. When things like the Dead Sea Scrolls are found, Mormon scholars anxiously read them, finding greater light and knowledge. As I wrote in part 1, Mormon beliefs are more in-line with First Century Christians compared to those of the 4th Century and their Nicene Creed and Holy Trinity. But believe in Christ as our Savior -- we do.
The Mormon church is a lay church. Mormons rely on its members to fulfill the roles of Bishop, Stake President, Teacher, Deacon, Priest, Visiting Teacher, Relief Society President... It is actually more inclusive and gives each individual the responsibility to receive Heavenly guidance -- to teach, to guide, to lead your family -- but not for whole church, that's the responsibility of the Prophet. There has to be some order.
Most Christians follow the Nicene Creed, set in 325 A.D. They believe the Book of Revelation to be the last word of God through the Apostle John. Mormons believe that God speaks in all times. We believe in the Old Testament, the New Testament, but that's not all. When things like the Dead Sea Scrolls are found, Mormon scholars anxiously read them, finding greater light and knowledge. As I wrote in part 1, Mormon beliefs are more in-line with First Century Christians compared to those of the 4th Century and their Nicene Creed and Holy Trinity. But believe in Christ as our Savior -- we do.
References: Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling, Bushman, pg.285
Yep I believe in the Thirteen Articles of Faith 'creed'.... :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to ya!!
Ironically, when I said to Mormons that I don't believe in the First Vision or in Joseph Smith, but still believe strongly in God and Jesus, I was "kicked out" of the Mormon church, and furthermore, told that my baptism was voided. So, Mormonism does have creeds that extend beyond basic Christian beliefs, they just don't call them creeds.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry if that is the case, perhaps that is one solitary person that told you that, but the Mormon church as a whole, does not "kick" out members and tell them their baptism is void only because they do not believe in Joseph Smith. However, I do not understand why you would want to become a member of a church that is based on the gospel being restored to early Christian beliefs by Joseph Smith. I sure would not want to go to a club that was started by someone I had no faith in. Why would you want to be a Mormon if you don't believe in Joseph Smith?
DeleteThe only time a baptism would become void is if a member is excommunicated, which would not occur for just not believing Joseph Smith. Excommunication is for more serious offenses such as repetitive adultery, committing serious crimes, or becoming one of the fundamentalists practicing polygamy.
I suppose you could say Mormons have the Articles of Faith, that we believe. But there is room to have different interpretations of scriptures. There are Mormons within the faith struggling to overcome addictions, and other difficulties, but they are not "kicked" out.
I hope you found a place in a Christian faith.
It is true that to be a Mormon means something: what does it mean?
ReplyDeleteThree things that Mormon believe (that separate us from other faiths):
1) Jesus is the Christ
2) Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration
3) The current prophet holds the keys of the Priesthood (Christ is the Great High Priest, but we get to hold some authority as well)
Anonymous, if you don't believe those things (you may call them creeds if you like--you win) then it doesn't make sense to associate with the Mormons.
However, I have not heard of the LDS church taking a persons name off the records of the church unless they ask to have their name removed, or
they are preaching principals in a public venue that go against one of the three concepts above (or for committing murder--that gets your name taken off as well)
For example, teaching or asserting in a public form that the first vision is false (i.e., "I don't believe the 1st vision even happened") or in other words, Joseph Smith was a false prophet; those things could get you excommunicated. What does that mean--"When I told Mormons that I don't believe...". Did you get up in Sacrament Meeting on Fast & Testimony Sunday to declare that Joseph Smith was a false prophet?
I don't see the irony.