In our current culture, the word "cult" carries very negative connotations, usually because of its use in relation to small, violent groups of ideologues led by charismatic (and usually insane) leaders such as Jim Jones and Charles Manson. Further, it frequently involves a high degree of control over the lives of its followers by that same leader.
None of these things really apply to Mormonism. The word "heretics" might have been more accurate from a religious standpoint, although that would have perhaps angered even more groups since he would have had to include Catholics, Pentecostals, numerous Episcopalians and Methodists, Jews, etc, under that umbrella.
Absolutely, but he's fringe, kind of like how Fred Phelps isn't really "Baptist" despite his claims to the contrary.
"Mormonism ought to carry a religious and social stigma."
Religious? Why not. Social stigma? That's certainly not possible from a legal perspective (much to the disappointment of many, I'm certain) -- our laws guarantee freedom of religion (no matter how goofy that religion is).
Perhaps you mean Mormons shouldn't be invited to the neighborhood potlucks or cocktail parties? I can't see why not, so long as they don't sneak a bottle of Chambord in their "magic underwear" as they're leaving ...
Both Mormon and non-Mormon scholars are aware of a hard-core pornographic drawing in the "Book of Abraham" which is Mormon-approved scripture. The same Book is part of the "Pearl of Great Price" which, along with the "Book of Mormon" and the "Doctrine and Covenants," make up the LDS church's "triple combination" in one volume. The porn is found in Fig. 7 of Facsimile 2 in the "Book of Abraham" which shows two beings facing each other, which were described by Joseph Smith as representing the Holy Ghost and God the Father, the latter clearly showing an aroused male sex organ. After Smith published this sketch in his newspaper in 1842, which offended Mormon sensibilities, the phallic portion was whited out for more than a century until the "restored" LDS church decided in 1981 to restore what had long been censored! Equally shocking was the discovery that the "Book of Abraham" had nothing to do with Abraham or his God but was actually based on ancient Egyptian funeral documents depicting occultic obscene practices - and the original sketches showed an erotic phallus on both beings including the one Smith blasphemously claimed was the Holy Ghost! For further information see "Book of Abraham" (Wikipedia). Also see Jerald and Sandra Tanner's "Mormonism - Shadow or Reality?" which on 76 pages reproduces the original Egyptian X-rated drawings and shows how Smith altered them and created one of his many frauds. Highlights of the classic Tanner work can be seen by typing "Facts From Mormons" and "What LDS Leaders Say" on Yahoo.
What an excellent, respectful and straightforward answer from Pastor Jeffress.
ReplyDeleteAnd a clear presentation of the gospel to boot.
Well done.
In our current culture, the word "cult" carries very negative connotations, usually because of its use in relation to small, violent groups of ideologues led by charismatic (and usually insane) leaders such as Jim Jones and Charles Manson. Further, it frequently involves a high degree of control over the lives of its followers by that same leader.
ReplyDeleteNone of these things really apply to Mormonism. The word "heretics" might have been more accurate from a religious standpoint, although that would have perhaps angered even more groups since he would have had to include Catholics, Pentecostals, numerous Episcopalians and Methodists, Jews, etc, under that umbrella.
The point Pastor Jeffress makes about "what" we do with Jesus Christ stung a bit.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't what "we" do, rather, it is what He has done and will do with us that matters.
JAMES SAID:
ReplyDelete"In our current culture, the word 'cult' carries very negative connotations."
Mormonism ought to carry a religious and social stigma. That's why a word with negative connotations is apt–as well as accurate.
"Further, it frequently involves a high degree of control over the lives of its followers by that same leader."
Like Mormon cult-leader Warren Jeffs?
"Like Mormon cult-leader Warren Jeffs?"
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, but he's fringe, kind of like how Fred Phelps isn't really "Baptist" despite his claims to the contrary.
"Mormonism ought to carry a religious and social stigma."
Religious? Why not. Social stigma? That's certainly not possible from a legal perspective (much to the disappointment of many, I'm certain) -- our laws guarantee freedom of religion (no matter how goofy that religion is).
Perhaps you mean Mormons shouldn't be invited to the neighborhood potlucks or cocktail parties? I can't see why not, so long as they don't sneak a bottle of Chambord in their "magic underwear" as they're leaving ...
[Triablogue, seen this web item?]
ReplyDeleteMORMONISM OKAYS PORN
by Jared Young
Both Mormon and non-Mormon scholars are aware of a hard-core pornographic drawing in the "Book of Abraham" which is Mormon-approved scripture.
The same Book is part of the "Pearl of Great Price" which, along with the "Book of Mormon" and the "Doctrine and Covenants," make up the LDS church's "triple combination" in one volume.
The porn is found in Fig. 7 of Facsimile 2 in the "Book of Abraham" which shows two beings facing each other, which were described by Joseph Smith as representing the Holy Ghost and God the Father, the latter clearly showing an aroused male sex organ.
After Smith published this sketch in his newspaper in 1842, which offended Mormon sensibilities, the phallic portion was whited out for more than a century until the "restored" LDS church decided in 1981 to restore what had long been censored!
Equally shocking was the discovery that the "Book of Abraham" had nothing to do with Abraham or his God but was actually based on ancient Egyptian funeral documents depicting occultic obscene practices - and the original sketches showed an erotic phallus on both beings including the one Smith blasphemously claimed was the Holy Ghost!
For further information see "Book of Abraham" (Wikipedia). Also see Jerald and Sandra Tanner's "Mormonism - Shadow or Reality?" which on 76 pages reproduces the original Egyptian X-rated drawings and shows how Smith altered them and created one of his many frauds. Highlights of the classic Tanner work can be seen by typing "Facts From Mormons" and "What LDS Leaders Say" on Yahoo.