Are the teachings of the LDS church harmful?

[_sleepyhead]

Hello,

I thaught of another thing. The Church teaches members to pray sitting down for group prayer. While this is more comfortable than kneeling I have found that kneeling as done by the temple lot sect to be better.

[_sleepyhead]

Hello,

I was only active in the LDS church for about a year so I never got involved in temple stuff. Recently I wondered why people would chose to get married in the temple rather than a regular wedding where they could invite whomever they wanted. The only answer I got so far is that they are programmed to want a temple marriage. This is harmful for relatives, and especially parents who would naturally want to go to the wedding.

Another thing I thaught about was the sacrament. The LDS pass out a scrap of bread and sip of water. When I attended synogog we had a sit down meal together. I think that's better then running around shaking hands.

[_Natsunekko]

Firstly, I would list the sexuality = sin beliefs. I am most concerned with the damage done when young people are taught that masturbation and homosexuality are sinful. I've always found these beliefs strange because although they are often ranked up there with murder on the evil-o-meter, Jesus didn't directly mention it at all, nor are they directly mentioned in the Ten Commandments. I mean, if God really cared what went on in people's bedrooms, wouldn't "Thou Shalt Not Masturbate! And Don't Be Gay, Either!" be one of the Big Ten?

Secondly, I feel that the "widow's mite" teaching is harmful. The poor should NOT give their last dollar to any church. They should buy bread with it! This is particularly damaging when it is tied to the belief that if one gives their last mite, then one will be blessed with never-ending bread, fish, or oil.

These are both beliefs that are not at all unique to the LDS church, however. They're common to most "conservative" churches.

[_krose]

While there are many psychologically damaging teachings in Mormonism (and religion in general), I would say that the most harmful, hands down, is the belief that this life is just a tiny and unimportant part of a person's existence.

This leads to the devaluation of life, for both self and others. Atrocities such as suicide bombings are much easier when a person believes in an existence that not only continues, but actually improves after death.

[_DarkHelmet]

Good list. I don't have anything to add, but these two bolded bits hit me the hardest, probably because they are targeted at kids.

"Tell the children that we have a special leader to follow, our prophet. Explain that a prophet is a man who speaks with God—God tells the prophet what we should do. Tell the children that if we follow the prophet, we will be happy and Heavenly Father will bless us. Explain that to follow the prophet means to do the things he tells us to do."
Nursery Manual: I will follow the Prophet

“My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he tells you to do something wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it."
Heber J. Grant

[_Drifting]

Good list. I don't have anything to add, but these two bolded bits hit me the hardest, probably because they are targeted at kids.

"Tell the children that we have a special leader to follow, our prophet. Explain that a prophet is a man who speaks with God—God tells the prophet what we should do. Tell the children that if we follow the prophet, we will be happy and Heavenly Father will bless us. Explain that to follow the prophet means to do the things he tells us to do."
Nursery Manual: I will follow the Prophet

“My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he tells you to do something wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it."
Heber J. Grant

[Kaa:]
Trust in me, just in me
Shut your eyes and trust in me
You can sleep safe and sound
Knowing I am around

Slip into silent slumber
Sail on a silver mist
Slowly and surely your senses
Will cease to resist

Trust in me, just in me
Shut your eyes and trust in me

[_Stormy Waters]

I'd heard this story growing up, but hearing it repeated recently I found it disturbing.

President Spencer W. Kimball told the following true story:

“A few years ago a young couple who lived in northern Utah came to Salt Lake City for their marriage. They did not want to bother with a temple marriage, or perhaps they did not feel worthy. At any rate, they had a civil marriage. After the marriage they got into their automobile and drove north to their home for a wedding reception. On their way home they had an accident, and when the wreckage was cleared, there was a dead man and a dead young woman. They had been married only an hour or two. Their marriage was ended. They thought they loved each other. They wanted to live together forever, but they did not live the commandments that would make that possible. So death came in and closed that career. They may have been good young people; I don’t know. But they will be angels in heaven if they are. They will not be gods and goddesses and priests and priestesses because they did not fulfill the commandments and do the things that were required at their hands.

“Sometimes we have people who say, ‘Oh, someday I will go to the temple. But I am not quite ready yet. And if I die, somebody can do the work for me in the temple.’ And that should be made very clear to all of us. The temples are for the living and for the dead only when the work could not have been done. Do you think that the Lord will be mocked and give to this young couple who ignored him, give them the blessings?"

Young Women Manual 2, (1993), 54–56

[_cwald]

Yes.

Period.

by the way...until the church formally condems the 14 fundamentals of the prophet theology ...it will only get worse before it gets better.

Great lists of sources Southwest. Thanks.

[_ludwigm]

I'd heard this story growing up, but hearing it repeated recently I found it disturbing.

President Spencer W. Kimball :
...****...

Young Women Manual 2, (1993), 54–56

I feel crummy due to this type of stories.

You know the old fable:

The cricket and the ant.
At the end of autumn turned to cold. The ant sat back contentedly on a full larder, then the cricket knocked on the door.
Very rushed, he wanted to reassure the ant, not to worry about him in the winter. He was invited to Australia and South America.
The ant asked him sadly: "If next time you go to Paris, visit the Pére Lachaise cemetery - and spit on the grave of La Fontaine."

[_Blixa]

You know the old fable:

The cricket and the ant.
At the end of autumn turned to cold. The ant sat back contentedly on a full larder, then the cricket knocked on the door.
Very rushed, he wanted to reassure the ant, not to worry about him in the winter. He was invited to Australia and South America.
The ant asked him sadly: "If next time you go to Paris, visit the Pére Lachaise cemetery - and spit on the grave of La Fontaine."

The best retelling ever!