Mormon Inforgraphics: Are these statistics accurate?

[_Gadianton]

Whereever the numbers are coming from, it's hard to imagine "Mormon" having the same definition in some of those statistics as the definition that allows them to imply there are over 14 million of them by referring to "Church Membership".

Hey, I claim everyone who posts here is a member of the Church of EA. Therefore you're all EAists.

You and Stormy are absolutely right on this. If you do the math provided from the Mormon infographics page, then then entire Mormon Kingdom would have already been shut down for standing in violation of local fire codes.

[_bcspace]

Take the first square: 100% believe the Bible to be the world of god. Deception 1: ..."as far as it's translated correctly" not found. Nor that it isn't translated correctly and unable to grant salvic power on its own, therefore, we need the Book of Mormon to cover its defects.

Knowing what the Book of Mormon says about the Bible (1 Nephi 13), LDS have no problem with what is in the Bible, the problem is with what's missing. No deception.

Romney made this mistake in 2008.

Deception 2: It shows the Bible in the foreground and Book of Mormon in background, implying the Bible is most important when the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, not the Bible.

Barely. The graphics are the same size even though the Book of Mormon is a smaller work but that seems to fit with the scriptual doctrine of "one in thine hand" Ezekiel 37. No deception.

Deception 3: It reports the Book of Mormon mentions Christ nearly 4000 times, leaving one to wonder how many times the Bible mentions Christ. Obviously, Given that Christianity existed 600 years before Christ and continues to track for 400 years after, covering 1000 years of (fictional) Christianity, Jesus will be mentioned more times in the Book of Mormon.

Since Jehovah (the Lord) is Christ, you'll want to include all mention of him in the Old Testament for your stats. Obviously no deception.

Deception 4: 100% of sacramental worship services focus on Christ. This is false.

Partaking the sacrament is THE focus of Sacrament meeting. True.

Deception 5: The sacrament is the same as communion. This is not true, communion as part of the Eucharist was blasted as a false ritual by Bruce R. McConkie and others.

They have the same meaning, however some of the doctrine (transubstantiation) behind it is not the same. Plus, you may be referring to a non doctrinal work in mentioning BRM. No deception here either.

[_Stormy Waters]

You and Stormy are absolutely right on this. If you do the math provided from the Mormon infographics page, then then entire Mormon Kingdom would have already been shut down for standing in violation of local fire codes.

It would appear that Bro. Newsroom doesn't know how to represent statistics accurately. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that this misrepresentation is the result of incompetence.

[_mfbukowski]

BC
I would be interested in your take on this one regarding what constitutes "doctrine"- since this appears in that link and is "published by the church"- I wonder if this now constitutes "doctrine" in your opinion.

Do Latter-day Saints believe they can become “gods”?

Latter-day Saints believe that God wants us to become like Him. But this teaching is often misrepresented by those who caricature the faith. The Latter-day Saint belief is no different than the biblical teaching, which states, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). Through following Christ's teachings, Latter-day Saints believe all people can become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4).

The point is of course, that it is hard to square the above with this:

Doctrine and Covenants 132:37

37 Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.

There are of course other statements that we can become "gods".

My answer to this would be that the press release is not doctrinal, and quite likely mistaken, even if it is published by the church, and indeed the discussion of statistics mentioned here is not "doctrinal" either in my opinion.

So the question is really to BC and how he handles cases like this in which material published by the church seems to directly contradict scripture. Such cases clearly indicate to me that indeed every word the church published is NOT "doctrinal".

[_bcspace]

I would be interested in your take on this one regarding what constitutes "doctrine"- since this appears in that link and is "published by the church"- I wonder if this now constitutes "doctrine" in your opinion.

Of course it does by the virtue you stated.

The point is of course, that it is hard to square the above with this:

Where is the conflict?

[_Themis]

My answer to this would be that the press release is not doctrinal, and quite likely mistaken, even if it is published by the church, and indeed the discussion of statistics mentioned here is not "doctrinal" either in my opinion.

So the question is really to BC and how he handles cases like this in which material published by the church seems to directly contradict scripture. Such cases clearly indicate to me that indeed every word the church published is NOT "doctrinal".

Maybe we should see if bcspace will avoid the question of how saying X is in Y is the same as everything in Y is X.

[_mfbukowski]

Where is the conflict?

Well upon re-reading it, I realize the statement is highly nuanced, but technically I have to admit there is no direct logical conflict.

[_Drifting]

Take the first square: 100% believe the Bible to be the world of god. Deception 1: ..."as far as it's translated correctly" not found. Nor that it isn't translated correctly and unable to grant salvic power on its own, therefore, we need the Book of Mormon to cover its defects.

Knowing what the Book of Mormon says about the Bible (1 Nephi 13), LDS have no problem with what is in the Bible, the problem is with what's missing. No deception.

bcspace, here is Article of Faith number 8.

We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

I'm struggling to see the bit that confirms that 'LDS have no problem with what is in the Bible'.
But I do see a disclaimer about the Bibles contents...

[_Drifting]

Do Latter-day Saints believe they can become “gods”?

Latter-day Saints believe that God wants us to become like Him. But this teaching is often misrepresented by those who caricature the faith. The Latter-day Saint belief is no different than the biblical teaching, which states, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). Through following Christ's teachings, Latter-day Saints believe all people can become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4).

Can anyone tell me if the answer the article gives to the question ''Do LDS believe they can become Gods?'' is a YES or a NO?
(Most of the other answers in the FAQ section give a clear YES or NO before going on to elaborate further).

bc - Yes or No?

[_Drifting]

It's okay everybody, I have found the answer to...

Do Latter-day Saints believe they can become “gods”?

...in the official, published, doctrinal teachings of the Church (Gospel Principles Chapter 47)...

Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, “All things are theirs” (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:

1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:62).
2. They will become gods (see D&C 132:20–23).
3. They will be united eternally with their righteous family members and will be able to have eternal increase.
4. They will receive a fulness of joy.
5. They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have—all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge (see D&C 132:19–20).

...it was YES.

do·min·ion/dəˈminyən/
Noun:
Sovereignty; control: "man's attempt to establish dominion over nature".
The territory of a sovereign or government: "the Angevin dominions".

It seems the Newsroom article is being disingenuous after all, I'm shocked...