The Ten Biggest Lies About Mormonism

[Ron Beron]

I am reading Michael Medved's book, "The Ten Biggest Lies about America" and thought it would interesting and/or fun to see what the biggest lies are about Mormonism. My list so far:

1. We don't worship Jesus
   
2. We aren't Christian.
   
3. Satan was the literal brother of Jesus
   
4. Mormons are polygamous
   
5. Mormons believe they will be Gods (capital G)
   
6. We don't accept the Bible or we only accept the Book of Mormon.
   
7. We are a cult
   
8. We reject all and any considerations of the trinity
   
9. LDS women are brainwashed Stepford Wives. (yea...right!)
   
10. Joseph Smith was a _____________ (fill in the blank)
    

Any others?

[Sevenbak]

I am reading Michael Medved's book, "The Ten Biggest Lies about America" and thought it would interesting and/or fun to see what the biggest lies are about Mormonism. My list so far:

1. We don't worship Jesus
   
2. We aren't Christian.
   
3. Satan was the literal brother of Jesus
   
4. Mormons are polygamous
   
5. Mormons believe they will be Gods (capital G)
   
6. We don't accept the Bible or we only accept the Book of Mormon.
   
7. We are a cult
   
8. We reject all and any considerations of the trinity
   
9. LDS women are brainwashed Stepford Wives. (yea...right!)
   
10. Joseph Smith was a _____________ (fill in the blank)
    

Any others?

Testimonies through the Spirit or Holy Ghost are unreliable, because they rely on feelings of the heart or indecipherable supernatural experiences instead of the written word, which is final.

[Ron Beron]

Testimonies through the Spirit or Holy Ghost are unreliable, because they rely on feelings of the heart or indecipherable supernatural experiences instead of the written word, which is final.

Ah...I forgot that one. Good.

[Tarski]

I am reading Michael Medved's book, "The Ten Biggest Lies about America" and thought it would interesting and/or fun to see what the biggest lies are about Mormonism. My list so far:

1. We don't worship Jesus
   
2. We aren't Christian.
   
3. Satan was the literal brother of Jesus
   
4. Mormons are polygamous
   
5. Mormons believe they will be Gods (capital G)
   
6. We don't accept the Bible or we only accept the Book of Mormon.
   
7. We are a cult
   
8. We reject all and any considerations of the trinity
   
9. LDS women are brainwashed Stepford Wives. (yea...right!)
   
10. Joseph Smith was a _____________ (fill in the blank)
    

Any others?

What's wrong with 5?

And, 8 is phrased rather carefully.

And for 10, I would say "polygamist" and "money digger" would probably work woudn't they?

[Ron Beron]

What's wrong with 5?

And, 8 is phrased rather carefully.

And for 10, I would say "polygamist" and "money digger" would probably work woudn't they?

#5 Nothing at all, although I think that many evangelical Christians might disagree.

#8 Yes, indeed....

#10 Thanks for those.

[cjwright]

I think the biggest lie for #10 is that Joseph Smith was not a Prophet of God

[BCSpace]

I am reading Michael Medved's book, "The Ten Biggest Lies about America" and thought it would interesting and/or fun to see what the biggest lies are about Mormonism. My list so far:

1. We don't worship Jesus

2. We aren't Christian.

3. Satan was the literal brother of Jesus

4. Mormons are polygamous

5. Mormons believe they will be Gods (capital G)

6. We don't accept the Bible or we only accept the Book of Mormon.

7. We are a cult

8. We reject all and any considerations of the trinity

9. LDS women are brainwashed Stepford Wives. (yea...right!)

10. Joseph Smith was a _____________ (fill in the blank)

Any others?

Your list has many errors.

#1 is true. Not praying to Jesus means we don't really worship him. We certainly respect his status as a God though and some call that worship.

#3 is true. See the LDS Guide to the scriptures on "Lucifer" for example.

#4 is true because plural marrriage is part of our doctrine.

#5 is true. Philippians 2:5-6, Revelation 3:21 etc. Of course God will always be our God.

#7 is true. Virtually all religions, including the whole of Christianity meets the dictionary definition of a cult.

#8 is true. The trinity has no place in Christian theology.

#9 I wish!

[Ron Beron]

Your list has many errors.

#1 is true. Not praying to Jesus means we don't really worship him. We certainly respect his status as a God though and some call that worship.

#3 is true. See the LDS Guide to the scriptures on "Lucifer" for example.

#4 is true because plural marrriage is part of our doctrine.

#5 is true. Philippians 2:5-6, Revelation 3:21 etc. Of course God will always be our God.

#7 is true. Virtually all religions, including the whole of Christianity meets the dictionary definition of a cult.

#8 is true. The trinity has no place in Christian theology.

#9 I wish!

Thanks for pointing these out....I think. I think the correctness comes in the fine nuance. We are considered not Christian because we do not worship Jesus whilst others certainly do as part of the whole trinity thing. This is in the viewpoint of the EV Christian not necessarily LDS.

[Joseph Antley]

#1 is true. Not praying to Jesus means we don't really worship him. We certainly respect his status as a God though and some call that worship.

That just depends on your definition of "worship". Under some meanings, we do worship Jesus, and with others, we don't. Hence Bruce R. McConkie writing in the hymn "I Believe in Christ" that we do worship him, while at a talk given at BYU he said we do not worship him. Too bad we're bound to this crude language to describe our understanding of and relationship with Deity.

#3 is true. See the LDS Guide to the scriptures on "Lucifer" for example.

By literal, I can't help but think he meant brother in the flesh. Maybe I'm mistaken. But even if that's the case, I'm not sure that non-LDS interpret it that way.

#4 is true because plural marrriage is part of our doctrine.

That doesn't make modern LDS polygamous, at least in mortality, which is obviously what is being referred to.

#5 is true. Philippians 2:5-6, Revelation 3:21 etc. Of course God will always be our God.

Agreed. I have no problem with using capital 'G's.

#7 is true. Virtually all religions, including the whole of Christianity meets the dictionary definition of a cult.

Obviously that's not the definition being utilized here.

#8 is true. The trinity has no place in Christian theology.

I always think that the differences between the traditional "Trinity" and LDS "Godhead" are exaggerated. Either way, past apostles have felt fine about using the word "Trinity" to describe our belief in Deity.

[ebeddoulos]

Your list has many errors.

#1 is true. Not praying to Jesus means we don't really worship him. We certainly respect his status as a God though and some call that worship.

~snip~

I beg to differ. In the sense of being in awe, amazement, reverentially grateful and thus into adoration I believe that Latter-day Saints really worship Jesus. Latter-day Saint scripture is actually quite enlightening on this subject.

â??Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.â? (Matthew 14:33)

â??And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him.â? (1 Nephi 11:24)

â??Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;â? (Doctrine and Covenants 101:22)

â??And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.â? (Matthew 28:9)

â??And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.â? (Matthew 28:17)

â??And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.â? (2 Nephi 25:29)

â??And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:â? (Luke 24:52)

â??Therefore, I command you to build a house unto me, for the gathering together of my saints, that they may worship me.â? (Doctrine and Covenants 115:

â??And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.â? (Revelation 5:14)

â??And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.â? (3 Nephi 11:16-17)

Based on both ancient and modern scripture, I personally have absolutely no difficulty in worshipping Jesus as God. Ron Beron's #1 is a definite lie in my book.

[sleepyhead]

I beg to differ. In the sense of being in awe, amazement, reverentially grateful and thus into adoration I believe that Latter-day Saints really worship Jesus. Latter-day Saint scripture is actually quite enlightening on this subject.

Based on both ancient and modern scripture, I personally have absolutely no difficulty in worshipping Jesus as God. Ron Beron's #1 is a definite lie in my book.

Hello ebeddoulos,

There recently was a thread with regards to whether the song "Praise to the Man" was worship. I don't know what your personal stand is on it, but if one is going to claim singing that song isn't worship then one must be consistent with regards to what worship actually is.

[USU78]

Their belief in blood atonement makes them likely to engage in bloody violence against nonbelievers (the blood atonement libel).

Their belief in a literal Kingdom of G-d on earth makes them likely to engage in political insurrection.

[Hoops22]

I am reading Michael Medved's book, "The Ten Biggest Lies about America" and thought it would interesting and/or fun to see what the biggest lies are about Mormonism. My list so far:

1. We don't worship Jesus
   
2. We aren't Christian.
   
3. Satan was the literal brother of Jesus
   
4. Mormons are polygamous
   
5. Mormons believe they will be Gods (capital G)
   
6. We don't accept the Bible or we only accept the Book of Mormon.
   
7. We are a cult
   
8. We reject all and any considerations of the trinity
   
9. LDS women are brainwashed Stepford Wives. (yea...right!)
   
10. Joseph Smith was a _____________ (fill in the blank)
    

Any others?

For your list to have any meaning, you must have on your list items that can be proven, thereby making the accusation a lie because its contrary has been proven true.

1) playing a little loose with the language aren't you? You don't worship the Triune God, of which Jesus is a person.

2) That's an opinion - can't be proven one way or the other

3) It's been written on this board that this is true - so which is it? And that makes this point moot.

4) Some are - scratch

5) You don't even know what it means to a (G)(g)od - so how can this accusation be proven false

6) I've heard it here that mc are to - so scratch this one to.

7) Never heard that one

Opinion - maybe they are? maybe not. A case could be made for any subgroup to Stepford-ish in relation to the larger group. Mormon women included. Baptis women included. So, again, not a lie.

9) I don't really care what Joseph Smith was

So you bandy about the continued persecution of Mormons falls flat once again. These are not lies.

[Ron Beron]

For your list to have any meaning, you must have on your list items that can be proven, thereby making the accusation a lie because its contrary has been proven true.

1) playing a little loose with the language aren't you? You don't worship the Triune God, of which Jesus is a person.

2) That's an opinion - can't be proven one way or the other

3) It's been written on this board that this is true - so which is it? And that makes this point moot.

4) Some are - scratch

5) You don't even know what it means to a (G)(g)od - so how can this accusation be proven false

6) I've heard it here that mc are to - so scratch this one to.

7) Never heard that one

Opinion - maybe they are? maybe not. A case could be made for any subgroup to Stepford-ish in relation to the larger group. Mormon women included. Baptis women included. So, again, not a lie.

9) I don't really care what Joseph Smith was

So you bandy about the continued persecution of Mormons falls flat once again. These are not lies.

Good enough. So what would you consider lies about the LDS? Give me your list.

[Ron Beron]

Here's a few more "truths"...

1. Book of Abraham

2. Kinderhook Plates

3. Plagiarism

4. Polygamy

5. Emotionality

6. Changing Doctrine

7. False Prophecies

8. Lying for the Lord

9. Treasure Hunt

10. Blood Atonement

11. BOM Changes

12. BOM Population

13. Lamanite DNA

14. Critics Squelched

15. Black Prejudice

16. Nephi or Moroni?

17. Archeology

18. First Vision

[Hoops22]

Good enough. So what would you consider lies about the LDS? Give me your list.

I don't really know - I'll have to think about it, though I'm sure they're out there.

[Hoops22]

Here's a few more "truths"...

1. Book of Abraham

2. Kinderhook Plates

3. Plagiarism

4. Polygamy

I don't even know what YOU think about this, let alone if what others think is a lie.

5. Emotionality

From our perspective, you do rely on emotionalism. An opinion.

6. Changing Doctrine

7. False Prophecies

8. Lying for the Lord

9. Treasure Hunt

Well, that's kinda the whole point of having a prophet, isn't it? So this one isn't even a difference of opinion - it's true.

10. Blood Atonement

11. BOM Changes

12. BOM Population

13. Lamanite DNA

14. Critics Squelched

15. Black Prejudice

16. Nephi or Moroni?

17. Archeology

18. First Vision

What about 'em. What's the lie?

[JLFuller]

What's wrong with 5?

And, 8 is phrased rather carefully.

And for 10, I would say "polygamist" and "money digger" would probably work woudn't they?

Capitalizing G I believe refers to Heavenly Father. A lower case g refers to us and the state humans can attain. They are different.

[JLFuller]

I don't even know what YOU think about this, let alone if what others think is a lie.

From our perspective, you do rely on emotionalism. An opinion.

Well, that's kinda the whole point of having a prophet, isn't it? So this one isn't even a difference of opinion - it's true.

What about 'em. What's the lie?

Emotionalism Hoops? How do you figure? Surely you don't mean burning in the bosom.

Changing doctrine? Changing which doctrine? The only two I can think of is priesthood for blacks and polygamy. Anything else? Of course we believe in continuing revelation from God.

[Hoops22]

Emotionalism Hoops? How do you figure? Surely you don't mean burning in the bosom.

Well, that's probably the first and best example. There is no way to quantify the experience - that leaves emotionalism.

Changing doctrine? Changing which doctrine? The only two I can think of is priesthood for blacks and polygamy.

Well, yeah. That's not enough?

And as an aside, it can be argued, forcefully, that this particular change in doctrine was more a nod at changing culture then it was a definable revelation.

That being written, you believe in continuing revelation, fine, when can we expect some more?

[a5m5a5d]

That being written, you believe in continuing revelation, fine, when can we expect some more?

About 3 days ago.

[thesometimesaint]

sleepyhead:

We even have a song called "O Tannenbaum" we must therefore worship a Christmas Tree.

[Hoops22]

About 3 days ago.

Great. I missed it though. What was it and what lds doctrine did it effect?

[ebeddoulos]

Hello ebeddoulos,

There recently was a thread with regards to whether the song "Praise to the Man" was worship. I don't know what your personal stand is on it, but if one is going to claim singing that song isn't worship then one must be consistent with regards to what worship actually is.

I must have overlooked that thread. But this is my take on the subject of praise and specifically the hymn "Praise to the Man". I firmly believe that praise forms a definite part of worship. The author of Hebrews said:

â??Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.â? (Hebrews 2:12)

This is obviously a direct reference to Psalms 22:22:

â??I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.â? (Psalms 22:22)

In modern scripture we are told:

â??If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.â? (Doctrine and Covenants 136:28)

That said, the use of praise is not the exclusive province of worship. Paul told the early saints that certain things they were doing was not worthy of praise.

â??Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.â? (1 Corinthians 11:17, 22)

On the other hand there were saints who were worthy of praise.

â??Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.â? (1 Corinthians 11:2)

Peter said that we should submit ourselves to the governor and those who he appoints. We to seek their praise for doing good if for no other reason than to silence the critics.

â??Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:â? (1 Peter 2:13-15)

When I worship, praise holds a definite place. I offer up my praise in prayer, song, study, thoughts, conversation and service to my fellow man as directed by my Savior, Jesus Christ. However, as I said earlier, praise is not just for use in worship. I praise my wonderful children, my terrific grandchildren, my lovely bride, my hardworking, dedicated fellow saints, etc. I withhold praise from those whose practices which are not worthy of praise. I believe that is pretty much the intent of the scriptures as I understand them.

With that understanding "Praise to the Man" does not qualify as worship except in the aberrant, agenda driven, wishful thinking of anti-Mormons who obtain what they mistake for inspiration in the one outhouse used by all of Luciferâ??s minions. Ii is my distinct hope and prayer that you are not a wishful thinker of that ilk.

[a5m5a5d]

Great. I missed it though. What was it and what lds doctrine did it effect?

General Conference.

I don't recall any changes in doctrine.. why is that necessary for revelation?