Will NOMs Save the LDS Church?

[_consiglieri]

On another thread, it was mentioned that the trend of the current Mormon Church is toward becoming just another sect of Protestantism.

It struck me that, strange as it may seem, the TBMs are the ones steering this course, and that the NOMs are, by and large, attempting to retain the distinctive doctrines of Mormonism.

If the LDS Church is to be saved as a recognizable institution separate and apart from Protestantism, will it be the NOMs who lead the way?

More than the Constitution may be hanging by a thread.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_Willy Law]

I may be confusing the NOMs that frequent the NOM board from actual NOMs, but from what I can tell NOMs that are active or have any affiliation with the church do so only for family reasons not from some desire to stay attached to the church. Of course I am generalizing, but I would guess 80-90% fit that description. The other 10-20% do get some benefit from church and remain active. Dan Witherspoon comes to mind and perhaps yourself Consig. My point is that I believe a large majority of NOMs have no desire to "save" the church, most would like to walk away if they could. It is hard to get those type of people motivated to help the institution they would like to wash their hands of.

[_MrStakhanovite]

No.

[Guest]

It struck me that, strange as it may seem, the TBMs are the ones steering this course, and that the NOMs are, by and large, attempting to retain the distinctive doctrines of Mormonism.

No LDS doctrines have changed in the last 40+ years and more. At least not the ones that typically garner attention. Plural marriage is still doctrine, the priesthood ban is still doctrine, homosexuality is still a deep, dark sin. Etc.

I think what you guys are confusing with change is a general repudiation of what I call "Fielding McConkieism" (put Skousen in there too), a belief in the non doctrinal teachings of non doctrinal works.

My point is that I believe a large majority of NOMs have no desire to "save" the church, most would like to walk away if they could. It is hard to get those type of people motivated to help the institution they would like to wash their hands of.

Have to agree. A small number of NOMs have always been around in one form or another and they are doing nothing to preserve anything. Most inactives/unbelievers are average normal persons who simply don't care and therefore, have no order at all and are not NOMs by any stretch of the imagination.

[_Fence Sitter]

The Church anticipated this movement years ago and has made sure there is a 'hall' in most buildings where these cultural members may congregate. I am one of the early members of this movement, having spent many a Sacrament meeting, in my youth, loitering in this room. We are legion, resistance is futile.

[_quaker]

What are characteristics of 'NOMs'?

I'm slightly confused. On one hand it seems to encompass everyone who has had a sort of 'awakening' with respects to their relationship with the church. On the other hand it seems to be the term for disbelievers who havn't taken the road of a blinding rage who abandon any association with the church and leave a trail of destruction on their way out.

Is for the members who are more socially aware? Is it for the members who are more doctrinally aware? Is it for the members that are part of one of the internet Mormon sub cultures?

I get the idea that maybe the NOM definition is broadening to include regular Mormons who happen to be more aware, more liberal? As if this is a new thing and those types haven't existed for the past 180 years and as if they aren't just regular LDS?

[_Jason Bourne]

In spite of the lower growth of the LDS Church it is not in need of saving. I at least, do not see it going away at all for a very long time if ever. It may slow in growth. It may plateu over the next 50 years at 30-50 million members of which maybe 30% world wide will be active. But it will continue.

I do not see a lot of NOMers, at least openly, in the wards where I live. I see about 48% activity and the core strength are TBM believers. I don't see NOMers as the one wanting to retain distinctiveness at least for the most part. Maybe a few do. But most NOMers, as someone noted above, stay due to family and/or other social reasons. Some may also add to that, as I do, that at least currently, I enjoy the utility and benefits of a religious community. Even though I think I become more and more skeptical of religion in general as well as to the question of whether there is God, I still like religion and faith and I knowingly choose it in spite of much of my skepticism. How many are like me I do not know.

But TBMers will always be there for many reasons of which I do not have time to list.

[_harmony]

I don't see the church changing much, until the current group of Brethren are dead.

THEN I think we'll see some changes.

[_Blixa]

The Church anticipated this movement years ago and has made sure there is a 'hall' in most buildings where these cultural members may congregate. I am one of the early members of this movement, having spent many a Sacrament meeting, in my youth, loitering in this room. We are legion, resistance is futile.

Lol. I always liked the secrecy of the "cloakroom."

[_bcspace]

I get the idea that maybe the NOM definition is broadening to include regular Mormons who happen to be more aware, more liberal?

It is tempting to include Mormon Democrats in the list of NOM's. They are organized and they do seek to change the doctrines of the Church which means they are unbelievers. It would increase the number from much less than 1% to about 22%. But since they are not preserving anything, such would not fit Consig's (erroneous) description.

The Church anticipated this movement years ago and has made sure there is a 'hall' in most buildings where these cultural members may congregate. I am one of the early members of this movement, having spent many a Sacrament meeting, in my youth, loitering in this room. We are legion, resistance is futile.

Lol. I always liked the secrecy of the "cloakroom."

It's where we made the best spit wads and paper airplanes ever. But interestingly enough, I did not become a NOM or the standard LDS inactive even though I occasionally brought my Dungeons and Dragons manuals as well.