MSN Article: "Interesting facts about Mormonism you may not know"

[smac97]

Interesting facts about Mormonism you may not know

It's a slideshow.  Here they are:

Quote

Founded in the 1820s, Mormonism is one of the world's newest and fastest-growing religions. Mormons follow the religious traditions of the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and predominantly practice in Utah. With unique insights, beliefs, and practices, many people outside of the religion don't truly know what the faith revolves around. Click through this gallery to discover interesting facts about Mormonism you may not know.

---

America's religion

Dubbed "America's Religion," Mormonism was founded in western New York in the 1820s and '30s. Other than Scientology, it is the only religion to be founded in the US.

 

---

Joseph Smith

Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith, who wrote the religion's holy text, The Book of Mormon, after claiming a vision led him to it.

 

---

The Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith is said to have written all 584 pages of The Book of Mormon in under three months. The text follows the lives of early American settlers.

 

---

The Four Groups

The Book of Mormon says that there were four groups settled in North America as early as 600 BCE: Nephites, Lamanites, Jaredites, and Mulekites. 

 

---

Brigham Young

Brigham Young was the second president of the church. After Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844, Young lead the Mormon followers to Utah, where he founded Salt Lake City. He is often referred to as "Modern Moses."

 

---

Star Kolob

Mormonism believes that the God of Abraham was a person living on a distant planet that circled a star called Kolob. This God was king of the planet and had "celestial sex" to produce the human population.

 

---

Jesus and Satan

Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan were brothers that were both born from "celestial sex." The two were friends until they got into a divisive philosophical debate.

 

---

The debate

The divide between Jesus and Satan was over the idea of free will for the humans of Earth. Satan insisted on the exclusion of moral agency, while Jesus believed humans should have the right to choose their path.

 

---

Mormon gods

According to Mormonism, all good religious believers become gods when they die. Inheriting omnipotent and omniscient powers, the gods can create their own planets and people.

 

---

Missouri

While Christianity and Judaism believe the Garden of Eden was in Mesopotamia, Mormons teach that it is in Missouri.

 

---

Polygamy

The debate around polygamy has been an infamous aspect of the Mormon religion for centuries. The practice of having many wives was an official church doctrine, and even claims that if a man does not have at least two wives he will not become a god. In the late 1800s polygamy was outlawed in the US, however some branches of orthodox Mormonism allegedly practice in private.

 

---

Harems?

According to Mormonism, all women who are not believers of the church become a harem to a Mormon man in the afterlife. 

 

---

Underwear

While many religions have ceremonial garments such as hats or jewelry, Mormons have "temple garments" which consist of white T-shirts and white knee-length boxer shorts.

 

---

Children

Mormons believe that if any child under eight years old dies, they automatically go to heaven.

 

--

Utah

Utah has the biggest population of Mormons in North America. It is home to several LDS churches, as well as Brigham Young University.

 

---

Seminary

Practicing Mormon students attend seminary, which is a religious school that is usually taught in the morning.

 

---

Donations

All Mormons are instructed to donate 10% of their pre-tax income to the church. This is regarded as tithing.

 

---

Sundays

On Sundays, Mormons are not allowed to watch TV or films, and cannot play sports either.

 

---

Rules

Mormons are prohibited from discussing the church's practices and sacred ceremonies. It is also forbidden to talk negatively about Mormonism or the religion's leadership.

 

---

Caffeine

Mormons are not permitted to consume anything that "that pollutes the body or affects the mind," which includes caffeinated tea and coffee.

 

---

Tattoos and piercings

It is strictly prohibited for Mormons to get tattoos or for males to have piercings. 

 

---

Playing cards

Mormons are prohibited from using tarot cards, Ouija boards, or playing cards with faces on them.

 

---

No alcohol

No matter what age you are, Mormons cannot consume alcohol.

 

---

Missions

Young Mormon men and women are strongly encouraged to do a mission trip after graduating from high school. For a two-year period, missionaries are placed in locations around the world to serve the church and recruit followers.

 

---

Swimming during missions

While serving the church, missionaries are discouraged from swimming. This stems from biblical times when missionaries had to sail against rough waters to reach faraway lands.

 

---

Soda?

While Mormons are discouraged from drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea, it is acceptable to drink caffeinated soft drinks.

 

---

Postmortem baptizing

One of the most controversial Mormon practices is the tradition of baptizing the dead. Neither the person nor their families need consent for Mormon postmortem baptizing. It is believed that Adolf Hitler, Albert Einstein, and Anne Frank were baptized into Mormonism after death.

---

Oi.  Quite a few whoppers and distortions in there.

Thanks,

-Smac

[Calm]

Quote

is home to several LDS churches

Now that is a major understatement. 

[MustardSeed]

Oh brother. 

[Pyreaux]

It started off so well, then swan dived into the sun of Kolob.

[Eschaton]

I feel like they researched this online, like a in a Reddit sub 

[Mark Beesley]

Having read that exhaustive list about Mormons, I am grateful that I am not a Mormon, but a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 😇

[Derl Sanderson]

Exhibiting the same insightful commentary as do their counterparts at MSNBC regarding current events.

Edited January 13, 2023 by Derl Sanderson

[JAHS]

Sounds like they got their information from that old Godmakers movie.

[rodheadlee]

22 hours ago, smac97 said:

Interesting facts about Mormonism you may not know

It's a slideshow.  Here they are:

Oi.  Quite a few whoppers and distortions in there.

Thanks,

-Smac

I read pretty much the same thing as a pop up on a news site. My first thought was if they did the same thing to Islam the end result would not be pretty.

[Pyreaux]

A full response.

Joseph Smith: Didn't not "write" The Book of Mormon, after claiming a vision led him to it. That was the worst way to explain it.  Without more context, you made it seem like he claimed to find his own writings before he wrote it. Rather he claimed to "translate" the book after finding it. A common mistake saying he "wrote" it, but still, you are being published.
---
The Book of Mormon: Saying the book is about "American settlers" is accurate, but would be confusing without saying from where and when, not from England in 1620 A.D., but from Babel in 2200 B.C. and Israel in 600 B.C.
---
Star Kolob: Don't reword it, just say facts, it should be fantastic as is, Joseph Smith later claimed to have translated the Book of Abraham, it portrays Abraham being told there is a star called Kolob that was is "nearest to the throne of God". Often interpreted that God lives on a planet. There is no LDS term as "celestial sex", clearly you're drawing from anti-mormon sources. God, the "Father of all spirits" indeed "fathered" the human spirit population, but nothing so explicit is ever said as far as the method of having spirit children. It's a leap in subject matter. Did you watch The God-Makers' cartoon?
---
Jesus and Satan: Looks like you watched the cartoon, no one ever taught that Jesus and Satan were "brothers" born from "celestial sex", nor "friends" until they got into a philosophical debate. At best a rival, The Book of Abraham has a tale of the pre-mortal existence and a "debate" of sorts, end of chapter 3 of the Book of Abraham, Satan falls from heaven in an act of rebellion. Not a brother, friend or rival.
---
The debate: Was about Agency, decently summarized.
---
Mormon gods: Yes, all good religious believers will become "gods", whatever being a god entails has never been told as involving "Inheriting omnipotent and omniscient powers", though many think it implies "gods can create their own planets and people".
---
Missouri: Many do, but technically Missouri is where Adam-ondi-Ahman was said to be, and so it's thought that the Garden of Eden is nearby. There is no account by Joseph Smith about this.
---
Polygamy: There was no claim that "if a man does not have at least two wives he will not become a god". The source would be Brigham Young who said in the Journal of Discourses that says to be exalted or "gods", you need to be "polygamists in your heart", a generalized willingness to obey, to accept the calling to practice polygamy if they are asked to take someone in charitably, and not reject it for business and political reputation. 
---
Harems?: "all women who are not believers of the church" will be in the terrestrial kingdom and single, not a "harem" to any man. Pure fiction. It might be from the idea that worthy women with unworthy husbands might be taken away from him and willingly given to a worthy man, but the same goes for men. Whether more than one woman will go to the same man would all depend on the ratio of worthy women and men in heaven. Brigham Young thought there might be polygamy in heaven because there might simply be more women in heaven.
---
Underwear: Explaining "temple garments" by generically describing how they look as undergarments. It could be worse, I'll accept that.
---
Children: children that die automatically go to heaven. It'll take that too.
--
Utah: biggest LDS population in America (but not in the Americas) and has BYU. Okay.
---
Seminary: early morning seminary. Check.
---
Donations:  no one is instructed to donate 10% of their pre-tax income to the church as tithing. Rather, Bishops are prohibited from interpreting what 10% "increase" "profit" means, and whether tithing is before or after taxes.
---
Sundays: I've known only some families do not allow TV or films, but mine didn't. We are famously known to oppose Sunday sport practicing. Though these are all individual decisions. They might be considered inactive if it interferes with church attendance.
---
Rules: No, there are plenty of members that talk negatively about Mormonism and leadership. Though they may forbid the venue, like the pulpit at church.
---
Caffeine: Black tea and coffee is prohibited, and that's regardless if its caffeinated. A common mistake.
---
Tattoos and piercings: Tattoos are not "strictly prohibited", except by moms. There are few repercussions, like it could prohibit serving a mission if they are visible on the face or forearms.
---
Playing cards: Tarot cards and Ouija boards, we are warned against summoning random unknown spirits, and individual youth leaders may prohibit playing cards with faces on them at activities, though in my experience it had more to do with anti-gambling than its historic association with tarot.
---
No alcohol: Yes, we cannot consume alcohol.
---
Missions: Yes, collage kids can serve a 2 year mission. Keep it up.

---
Swimming during missions: yes, missionaries are discouraged from swimming. The reason probably has to do with liability, but even we have folk lore about it, so you're forgiven.
---
Soda: Yes, we can drink caffeinated soft drinks. Also not decaffeinated coffee. So, you understand Caffeine is not prohibited. Or did you think this was hypocritical?
---
Postmortem baptizing: Its only "controversial" because they don't know what it means. Someone alive is baptized using only the name of someone dead. The dead can't give consent and its family who ideally is submitting the names. However, it is believed that either zealots or enemies within the church submit famous people against policy. If "Adolf Hitler" or any person was ever named during a 'baptism for the dead', does not mean they are saved, that anything happens to them against their will, nor are they considered a member of the church, nor put on any record where they would ever be confused as being members of the church. Its little different than a Catholic Postmortem Mass for the Dead for a non-Catholic. They aren't considered Catholic; the Catholics just hope that it may help the dead.

Edited January 13, 2023 by Pyreaux

[theplains]

On 1/13/2023 at 3:05 PM, Pyreaux said:

If "Adolf Hitler" or any person was ever named during a 'baptism for the dead', does not mean they are saved,

If Adolf Hitler was named in a baptism for the dead, what would his kingdom be?  And what do you mean
by "saved"?

Edited January 19, 2023 by theplains

[pogi]

2 hours ago, theplains said:

If Adolf Hitler was named in a baptism for the dead, what would his kingdom be?  And what do you mean
by "saved"?

Baptism for the dead doesn't remove agency from the dead.  They may or may not accept the ordinance.  It also doesn't erase God's judgement, as only God can judge.  So, when it comes to asking which kingdom he would be in, we can only reply that we are commanded to "judge not" in such ways.  

By "saved", I am guessing he is speaking of exaltation.  Everyone will be saved to a degree of glory, except for the sons of perdition, which Adolf Hitler cannot be. 

[mfbukowski]

18 minutes ago, pogi said:

Baptism for the dead doesn't remove agency from the dead.  They may or may not accept the ordinance.  It also doesn't erase God's judgement, as only God can judge.  So, when it comes to asking which kingdom he would be in, we can only reply that we are commanded to "judge not" in such ways.  

By "saved", I am guessing he is speaking of exaltation.  Everyone will be saved to a degree of glory, except for the sons of perdition, which Adolf Hitler cannot be. 

That should be good for another few pages.... 

 

[Pyreaux]

4 hours ago, theplains said:

If Adolf Hitler was named in a baptism for the dead, what would his kingdom be?  And what do you mean
by "saved"?

If Adolf Hitler has been added to any type of baptismal record or removed, has no bearing on whether he has or hasn't accepted the baptism, because this would only be after whether he has or hasn't been preached to in hell and has or hasn't accepted the gospel. Assuming preachers even reached him yet, and if he is in a redeemable condition at all. It is thought that, in addition to knowingly rejecting God, that cold blooded murder can cause one to become an irredeemable son of perdition, which one must finish paying for his own sins in hell, be resurrected, judged and cast out to Outer Darkness. Murders by soldiers in war are thought to be placed upon on the heads of rulers. Isaiah seemed to think most all evil in the world comes from wicked kings who will burn in their own fires. So, when I said he's not necessarily "saved", I meant from the punishment hell. We aren't his judge, but his case doesn't look good unless there are extenuating circumstances we don't know. If these issues have not been resolved, name on a piece of paper is just a name on a piece of paper. Like if you were falsely convicted of a crime and you were excommunicated, it does not mean you are not "saved", it's also just a name on a piece of paper saying whether the church associates itself with you. Though your case may look bad, but there is still an ultimate Judge out there that hasn't judged you yet.

 

Edited January 19, 2023 by Pyreaux

[pogi]

15 minutes ago, Pyreaux said:

It is thought that, in addition to knowingly rejecting God, that cold blooded murder can cause one to become an irredeemable son of perdition...

Not just anybody though.

Quote

The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God;

D&C 132:27

Even Hitler doesn't qualify.

Edited January 19, 2023 by pogi

[Damien the Leper]

Good grief. Everyone knows Kolob isn't even a real place.

[theplains]

On 1/19/2023 at 3:37 PM, Pyreaux said:

It is thought that, in addition to knowingly rejecting God, that cold blooded murder can cause one to become an irredeemable son of perdition, which one must finish paying for his own sins in hell, be resurrected, judged and cast out to Outer Darkness.

Maybe Alma 40 explains it well.

[11] Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection -- Behold, 
it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they 
are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or 
evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

[12] And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are 
received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of 
peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

[13] And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil -- 
for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose 
evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and 
take possession of their house -- and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there 
shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, 
being led captive by the will of the devil.

[14] Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, 
fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in 
this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

[mfbukowski]

On 1/24/2023 at 10:02 AM, Damien the Leper said:

Good grief. Everyone knows Kolob isn't even a real place.

Just as everyone knows that Damien the Leper is not a real person?

Would a rose, by any other name, smell as sweet?  After all, everything was created by The Word.

And your point is.....

[Pyreaux]

3 hours ago, theplains said:

Maybe Alma 40 explains it well.

[11] Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection -- Behold, 
it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they 
are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or 
evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

[12] And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are 
received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of 
peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

[13] And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil -- 
for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose 
evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and 
take possession of their house -- and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there 
shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, 
being led captive by the will of the devil.

[14] Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, 
fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in 
this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

Yes, this in Sheol, where there is Paradise, a place of light above, in the bottom pit "in darkness" is a Prison, Tartarus/Gehenna where they await resurrection. They have not been "cast out" yet into the Lake of Fire which Jews think perhaps lays within Great Gulf, they have spectacular view, a "fearful looking" of a "fiery indignation". If they remain there, in the future "these shall be cast out into outer darkness".

Josephus' Discourse To The Greeks Concerning Hades might explain it well.

[1] NOW as to Hades... in it perpetual darkness. This region is allotted as a place of custody for souls, ill which angels are appointed as guardians to them, who distribute to them temporary punishments, agreeable to every one's behavior and manners.

[2] In this region there is a certain place set apart, as a lake of unquenchable fire, whereinto we suppose no one hath hitherto been cast; but it is prepared for a day afore-determined by God... the unjust.. shall be adjudged to this everlasting punishment... the just shall obtain an incorruptible and never-fading kingdom. These are now indeed confined in Hades, but not in the same place wherein the unjust are confined.

[3] For there is one descent into this region, at whose gate we believe there stands an archangel with an host; which gate when those pass through that are conducted down by the angels appointed over souls, they do not go the same way; but the just are guided to the right hand... unto a region of light, in which the just have dwelt from the beginning of the world... This place we call The Bosom of Abraham.

[4] But as to the unjust, they are dragged by force to the left hand by the angels allotted for punishment... and to thrust them still downwards... into the neighborhood of hell itself; who, when they are hard by it, continually hear the noise of it, and do not stand clear of the hot vapor itself; but when they have a near view of this spectacle, as of a terrible and exceeding great prospect of fire, they are struck with a fearful expectation of a future judgment, and in effect punished thereby: and not only so, but where they see the place [or choir] of the fathers and of the just, even hereby are they punished; for a chaos deep and large is fixed between them; insomuch that a just man that hath compassion upon them cannot be admitted, nor can one that is unjust, if he were bold enough to attempt it, pass over it.

[5] This is the discourse concerning Hades, wherein the souls of all men are confined until a proper season, which God hath determined, when he will make a resurrection of all men from the dead...

Edited January 27, 2023 by Pyreaux

[Damien the Leper]

4 hours ago, mfbukowski said:

Just as everyone knows that Damien the Leper is not a real person?

Would a rose, by any other name, smell as sweet?  After all, everything was created by The Word.

And your point is.....

Damien the Leper was a real person. I was only kidding with the silly Kolob comment. Kolob is more a theory or idea. One that I really have no interest in.

[mfbukowski]

8 hours ago, Damien the Leper said:

Damien the Leper was a real person. I was only kidding with the silly Kolob comment. Kolob is more a theory or idea. One that I really have no interest in.

Yes, well this finally shook the memory of the 10 year old altar boy who lives in me still, learning from Sister Margaret Ann, who just passed away in the last week or so.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Damien

[Calm]

22 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

Yes, well this finally shook the memory of the 10 year old altar boy who lives in me still, learning from Sister Margaret Ann, who just passed away in the last week or so.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Damien

From the LDS pov:

https://www.ldsliving.com/they-called-it-hell-and-we-called-it-heaven-the-story-of-exiled-saints-in-kalaupapa-leprosy-settlement/s/79397

[The Nehor]

On 1/24/2023 at 12:02 PM, Damien the Leper said:

Good grief. Everyone knows Kolob isn't even a real place.