Keep Mormonism Weird

[_Jason Bourne]

Hi, TD.

For eternal progression to make sense, men must be able to become Gods as their God did before them. Either God was once a man or men cannot become Gods. That's how I see it.



KA

I disagree. There can be a God that is the First Cause, the Eternal God of all other gods mentioned in D&C 121 I believe. This Eternal God could wish for the opportunity for all his children to become like him. He did not have to be a man like us to do it. But I do think he would need to have been a man like Jesus was. Keep in mind in LDS doctrine Jesus was one in purpose, might, mind, glory and power with His Father before he was a mortal man. He was and is God or a God before he was born. And now he is a glorified man that is God.

[_Ray A]

Mormonism is probably only weird when compared to mainstream Christianity. It isn't, by the way, the only religion that teaches different levels of reward and punishment. Islam not only has this, but also different levels of hell, including a cold hell, which brings a whole new meaning to the term, "when hell freezes over".

Islam
Main article: Jahannam

Muslims believe in jahannam (in Arabic: جهنم) (which is related to the Hebrew word gehinnom and resembles the versions of Hell in Christianity). In the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, there are literal descriptions of the condemned in a fiery Hell, as contrasted to the garden-like Paradise (jannah) enjoyed by righteous believers.

In addition, Heaven and Hell are split into many different levels depending on the actions perpetrated in life, where punishment is given depending on the level of evil done in life, and good is separated into other levels depending on how well one followed God while alive. The gate of Hell is guarded by Maalik who is the leader of the angels assigned as the guards of hell also known as Zabaaniyah. The Quran states that the fuel of Hellfire is rocks/stones (idols) and human beings.

Although generally Hell is often portrayed as a hot steaming and tormenting place for sinners, there is one Hell pit which is characterized differently from the other Hell in Islamic tradition. Zamhareer is seen as the coldest and the most freezing Hell of all; yet its coldness is not seen as a pleasure or a relief to the sinners who committed crimes against God. The state of the Hell of Zamhareer is a suffering of extreme coldness, of blizzards, ice, and snow which no one on this earth can bear. The lowest pit of all existing Hells is the Hawiyah which is meant for the hypocrites and two-faced people who claimed to believe in Allah and His messenger by the tongue but denounced both in their hearts. Hypocrisy is considered to be the most dangerous sin of all (despite the fact that Shirk is the greatest sin viewed by Allah). According to the Qur'an, all non-believers who have received and rejected Islamic teachings will go to Hell.

[_DarkHelmet]

Heck, I love the polygamy aspect of the LDS church.

I'm sure you do, but polygamy crosses over the "weird" line into "totally f'd up." I'm sure a lot of male members of the church love the polygamy, but that is something you should keep to yourself.

[_Mercury]

Austin is one of my favorite cities. They have a slogan which is "Keep Austin Weird". Austin is openly, proudly weird and I like that. Lots of folks do.

Frankly, Mormonism is weird. Peculiar, if you'd rather. For all Dr. Peterson's denying wanting to water down the weirdness, it seems apparent to me (and to many others) that Mormonism is attempting to mainstream. What a shame.

Growing up, I had not a doubt that Heavenly Father was once a man who lived on another planet in another life and who worked his way through countless years to Godhood. He had wives. I had a Heavenly Mother. Kolob was a real place. Lamanites were definitely Semitic and they were brown because of the sins of their fathers. And I wasn't a Christian. I was a Mormon. My mother, a lifelong Mormon, specifically remembers being taught as a child to answer, when asked if she were a Christian, "I'm a Mormon!" Her mother, my grandmother, remembers giving that same response on many occasions.

Now it seems there are actually some Mormons who question what I always considered fact: That God was once a man. A sinful human who worked his way to Godhood. Whereas I was always quite pleased that my concept of the Godhead was so profoundly different from all the other religions, the trend now is to lessen that once proud divide. It's almost as if the Latter-day Saints are so busy trying to fit in--"We're Christian, too!"--that they've cheapened what makes them distinctly Mormon.

Why not highlight the peculiarities? That's what will interest people. Folks are growing a bit weary of traditional Christianity, at least it seems so in my neck of the woods. Rather than going into missionary discussions with the intent to give milk, not meat, (which seems like flat-out deception to most outsiders), go ahead and give people the full-meal deal right then? Those who join will go in with their eyes open, fully informed and ready to roll as fledgling Mormons. Surely retention rates would rise? I submit convert baptisms might just rise, as well.

Anyway, I mentioned this theme early in the Trinity thread, and it seems to be a thought running through several current threads, so I thought a dedicated thread might prove interesting.

Kimberly Ann

Stop spreading Anti Mormon lies!

God was once a man? Sheesh! Why do you say such nonsense?

;)

[_solomarineris]

We need protesters around Temple Square with signs, "Keep Mormonism Weird." Thanks for the idea, Kimberly Ann!
Don

Too bad we don't have the same opportunity to expose our Christian Brothers/Sisters believing in Tower of Babel, Red Sea
separation.
Both creeds are equally hilarious.

[_Brackite]

Heck, I love the polygamy aspect of the LDS church. I think that it is great that the LDS have such a history.

And, Not only does the LDS Church have a History of Polygamy, the LDS Church also believes that Polygamy will be Practiced Again, On a larger scale in the life hereafter.

Here are a few LDS Quotes:

Monogamy, or restrictions by law to one wife, is no part of the economy of Heaven among men. Such a system was commenced by the founders of the Roman empire. That empire was founded on the banks of the Tiber by wandering brigands. When these robbers founded the city of Rome, it was evident to them that their success in attaining a balance of power with their neighbours, depended upon introducing females into their body politic, so they stole them from the Sabines, who were near neighbours. The scarcity of women gave existence to laws restricting one wife to one man. Rome became the mistress of the world, and introduced this order of monogamy wherever her sway was acknowledged. Thus this monogamic order of marriage, so esteemed by modern Christians as a holy sacrament and divine institution, is nothing but a system established by a set of robbers.

...

Why do we believe in and practise polygamy? Because the Lord introduced it to his servants in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, and the Lord's servants have always practiced it. "And is that religion popular in heaven?" It is the only popular religion there, for this is the religion of Abraham, and, unless we do the works of Abraham, we are not Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise.

( LDS President Brigham Young: Journal of Discourses, Volume #9. )

It is the word of the Lord, and I wish to say to you, and all the world, that if you desire with all your hearts to obtain the blessings which Abraham obtained, you will be polygamists at lest in your faith, or you will come short of enjoying the salvation and the glory which Abraham has obtained. This is as true as that God lives. You who wish that there were no such thing in existence, if you have in your hearts to say: "We will pass along in the Church without obeying or submitting to it in our faith or believing this order, because, for aught that we know, this community may be broken up yet, and we may have lucrative offices offered to us; we will not, therefore, be polygamists lest we should fail in obtaining some earthly honor, character and office, etc," - the man that has that in his heart, and will continue to persist in pursuing that policy, will come short of dwelling in the presence of the Father and the Son, in celestial glory. The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them.

...

I heard the revelation on polygamy, and I believed it with all my heart, and I know it is from God—I know that he revealed it from heaven; I know that it is true, and understand the bearings of it and why it is. "Do you think that we shall ever be admitted as a State into the Union without denying the principle of polygamy?" If we are not admitted until then, we shall never be admitted. These things will be just as the Lord will.

( LDS President Brigham Young: Journal of Discourses, Volume #11. )

In the early days of this dispensation, as part of the promised restitution of all things, the Lord revealed the principle of plural marriage to the Prophet. Later the Prophet and leading brethren were commanded to enter into the practice, which they did in all virtue and purity of heart despite the consequent animosity and prejudices of worldly people. After Brigham Young led the saints to the Salt Lake Valley, plural marriage was openly taught and practiced until the year 1890. At that time conditions were such that the Lord by revelation withdrew the command to continue the practice, and President Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto directing that it cease. (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 213-218.) Obviously the holy practice will commence again after the Second Coming of the Son of Man and the ushering in of the millennium. (Isa. 4.)

( LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie: Mormon Doctrine. )

Plural marriage is an eternal principle. It is founded on the notion that there will be far fewer men who will accept the atoning sacrifice than women. It has to do, somehow, with the struggle in the Garden of Eden, the choice Eve made, and the promise that she would be saved in childbearing. I don't get it all, but the fact that women are more spiritual and willing to accept the spirit is a fact.

( LDS Bishop Bob. )


[ Bold Emphasis Mine. ]


The LDS belief, that Polygamy will be Practiced on a larger scale is indeed very weird.