Would Mormonism be worth it if it were true

[_ajax18]

Ok I know most of the nonscientific stuff doesn't hold water. I'm just curious if you guys think practicing Mormonism to the fullest is worth it, if whatever they offer in return, which I'm still confused on, actually does happen after death.

I personally don't even like people very well, so the idea of being with my family forever really isn't that appealing to me.

Not being cast into a lake of fire and brimstone would be worth most anything. I guess the stick and fear factor is pretty strong, like do your home teaching and God won't cast you into a lake of fire and brimstone, but I guess my biggest problem with it is that I'm not real impressed with the carrot even if it undoubtedly existed.

[_Sethbag]

Let's see. I could either become a God and live forever in a state of perpetual bliss, or I can cease to exist as a consciousness when I die, worms will eat my body, and that will be the end for me.

I'd pick the "be a God" option.

But, truth be told, that's simply not an option. Not a single Mormon will ever be a God. They die, they are buried in their temple robes, their relatives look forward to a reunion in the Celestial Kingdom with their loved ones, as gods. But it simply isn't going to happen. It's a pipe dream.

[_beastie]

Nah, even if it's true it's not worth it. If Mormonism is true (which, by the way, there is about as much chance of that as there is that scientology is true), the worst you'd probably fare is the telestial kingdom, which, according to Joseph Smith, is so glorious you'd kill yourself to get there.

Really, the idea of being a god who inevitably casts out a third of his children, never to see them again, and then creating a world where you witnessed senseless suffering of your children, knowing you wouldn't see most of them again, either, is extremely unappealing.

[_beastie]

But, truth be told, that's simply not an option. Not a single Mormon will ever be a God. They die, they are buried in their temple robes, their relatives look forward to a reunion in the Celestial Kingdom with their loved ones, as gods. But it simply isn't going to happen. It's a pipe dream.

In and of itself, that might not be tragic, as long as these same people didn't spend their lives doing something or being something they'd really rather not do or be, all in the hopes of future reward. That would be a tragic waste of the one life they actually did have to live.

[_Dwight Frye]

...the telestial kingdom, which, according to Joseph Smith, is so glorious you'd kill yourself to get there.

You know, as often as I have heard this, I have never actually seen the quote itself. Anyone know where it's found?

[_Trinity]

Absolutely not, it would not be worth it. I do not like the Mormon afterlife. I am a woman that would rather be fed to the worms than birth children for all eternity. Actually, now that I am thinking about it the two are probably quite similar in sensation.........being eaten by worms and birthing children for all eternity. Each little child taking a little part of you away with their existence.

Secondly, I am a huge fan of finality. The very idea of something being forever makes my head hurt. Call it a day. Put an end to it. It makes the moment infinitely more satisfying when you comprehend that they are finite.

[_The Nehor]

It comes from this statement:

"Br. Woodruff spoke. . . . He refered to a saying of Joseph Smith which he heard him utter (like this) That if the People knew what was behind the vail, they would try by every means to commit suicide that they might get there, but the Lord in his wisdom had implanted the fear of death in every person that they might cling to life and thus accomplish the designs of their creator. (Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, ed. by A. Karl Larson and Katherine M. Larson [Logan, Ut.: Utah State University Press, 1980], vol. 1, pp. 465-66.)” (Robert L. Millet and Kent P. Jackson, eds., Studies in Scripture, Vol. 1: The Doctrine and Covenants, pp. 305-8)

Truman G. Madsen said this:

“Many of us have heard the statement made—and ascribed to either Joseph Smith or Brigham Young—to the effect that if a person could see the glory of the telestial kingdom he would commit suicide to get there. If only we could get the fundamental doctrines across to Church members as rapidly as we get across rumors, everyone would be saved. Am I saying that’s a rumor? Well, I am saying this, that over a period of many years I have combed everything Joseph Smith said and wrote, and I can’t find it. Hugh Nibley has done the same with Brigham Young’s words, and he can’t find it. It is hard to prove a negative, of course. What I can say is that we have found a statement from Joseph via Wilford Woodruff that says something else that is close, and I suspect it is the origin of the alleged statement (see Diary of Charles C. Walker, August 1837, in Church Historical Department). Elder Woodruff said the Prophet taught this, roughly: that if we could see what is beyond the veil we couldn’t stand to stay here in mortality for five minutes. And I suggest from the context that he was not talking about the telestial kingdom. He was talking about what it was like to be in the presence of God and the family.” (The Radiant Life, p. 91)

It is possible that Joseph Smith's comment when referring to suicide is referring to the Telestial as that is the presumed destination of suicides. Take it for what you will.

There is evidence in scripture that it is glorious beyond description:

"And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding;
And no man knows it except him to whom God has revealed it" (D&C 76: 89-90)

I suspect Joseph's comment was in regards to the Celestial glory and he stated that the fear of death can hold you back. After all, Joseph Smith saw all the kingdoms and there is no record of him attempting to commit suicide.

[_Ray A]

...the telestial kingdom, which, according to Joseph Smith, is so glorious you'd kill yourself to get there.

You know, as often as I have heard this, I have never actually seen the quote itself. Anyone know where it's found?

Robert Millett and Kent Jackson traced it to a comment by Wilford Woodruff, who claimed that the Prophet said that if people knew what was behind the veil they might try suicide to get there. The Telestial kingdom bit is a rumour which later developed.

[_collegeterrace]

Being a God would be hell. Think about it, who would want that eternal desk job of managing worlds and beating your kids?

Plus you would already know the outcome of your great plan. BOOORING.

[_Yong Xi]

What's so bad about eternal sex and large scale real estate development?