The Church of Today and The Church of the Past

[_Yoda]

I posted this on Ray's thread, but I think that the conversation can go in a slightly different direction, so I would like to re-post my comments here. All thoughts are welcome.

Today's Mormonism is very different from the Mormonism during the Brigham Young era, which, in my opinion, was extremely abusive.

If you look at how the Church is practiced today, particularly, how it is practiced in states other than Utah, you will find it a pretty mainstreamed Church. It is far from being Unitarian in nature, but it does closely resemble other branches of Judeo-Christianity.

I think that is, actually, why there is such a problem with members who discover the history of the Church of the past. It is a Church they don't recognize. Even the temple ceremonies have changed significantly.

For those who did experience a more radical difference with the LDS Church, there is a difficulty in adjustment to the current LDS Church.

I know that BC is going to fight me on this, and say that the Church is the same, but it isn't. The core doctrine is the same. But that core doctrine exists in MANY Christian branches. Yes, the stranger tenets still exist, but they have been massively de-emphasized. What we are left with is a Christian sect where members don't drink, smoke, drink coffee or tea, who hold voluntary callings revolving around service, and have regular opportunities to give sermons in their Church services. As someone who lives in the Bible belt, this is hardly recognized as "peculiar", except for the lack of tea consumption. ;-)
(Sweet tea is the favorite drink of choice at most social functions here in the South.)

The emphasis of the modern Church is on family, and family values. Overall, I see this as a positive.

And, sorry to disappoint you, TBM's, but NOM is the new flavor of the month. More members practice Mormonism from a NOM perspective, which I also don't see as a bad thing. As a NOM, I am actually probably more committed to the Church than I was as a TBM. I just channel my energy into Church activities which are most beneficial to me, and to my family.

[_Drifting]

The Church of the past is still pretty much alive and well, but is now called the FLDS.

[_Yoda]

The Church of the past is still pretty much alive and well, but is now called the FLDS.

LOL!

Good point...in some ways.

However, the FLDS practice of polygamy, at least how Warren Jeffs practiced it, is different from how even Brigham Young practiced it.

As far as I know, there aren't documentations of ceremonial rape and group sex. But then again, who knows what went undocumented?

[_Drifting]

The Church of Tomorrow will not resemble the Church of the Past, nor the Church of Today. Mormons will claim that's the purpose of ongoing revelation. Most thinking people will notice that Mormonism has just become Protestantism.

[_harmony]

As far as I know, there aren't documentations of ceremonial rape and group sex. But then again, who knows what went undocumented?

I doubt the official record would record ceremonial rape and group sex. The scribes would likely have resigned on the spot.

Brigham might have been a despot, a jerk, and hard man, but I don't think he was a pervert. Jeffs is just slime.

[_Yoda]

The Church of Tomorrow will not resemble the Church of the Past, nor the Church of Today. Mormons will claim that's the purpose of ongoing revelation. Most thinking people will notice that Mormonism has just become Protestantism.

This is my point. We are approaching that now.

[_Yoda]

As far as I know, there aren't documentations of ceremonial rape and group sex. But then again, who knows what went undocumented?

I doubt the official record would record ceremonial rape and group sex. The scribes would likely have resigned on the spot.

Brigham might have been a despot, a jerk, and hard man, but I don't think he was a pervert. Jeffs is just slime.

Agreed.

[_Yoda]

The Church of Tomorrow will not resemble the Church of the Past, nor the Church of Today. Mormons will claim that's the purpose of ongoing revelation. Most thinking people will notice that Mormonism has just become Protestantism.

This is my point. We are approaching that now.

I think that another thing that will happen, and is already starting to happen, is that the NOMs will be be the new TBMs. ;-)

What I mean by that is that, eventually, it will be the NOMs who are leading the Church in new ways.

[_Drifting]

I think that another thing that will happen, and is already starting to happen, is that the NOMs will be be the new TBMs. ;-)

What I mean by that is that, eventually, it will be the NOMs who are leading the Church in new ways.

I suspect Jensen is a NOM which is why his wings have been clipped recently. Once the old guard die out, leaders as honest and humane as Jensen will be the norm. Can't come soon enough...

Will 'apostate' become the new 'gospel doctrine teacher'...?

[_Yoda]

Will 'apostate' become the new 'gospel doctrine teacher'...?

LOL! It wouldn't surprise me!

Or, at least NOMs like Consig! I would have given anything to be a fly on the wall during his Gospel Doctrine classes.