Thank God the election is over.\u00a0 Allow me to say that again…\u00a0 thank God the election is over.\u00a0 Also over, therefore, is the onslaught of political advertising, negative campaigning, and adults acting more like children.\u00a0 Sorry.\u00a0 That should not be inferred as criticism of any one person or any one party.\u00a0 There is just something utterly unattractive about grown men and women desiring to lead and unite us who intentionally distort truth and employ rhetoric that is seemingly, purposely divisive.\u00a0 Personally, I find that one of the most disturbing developments of the American political system.\u00a0 What is good and true and right is often sacrificed for \u201cwhat will get me elected.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Multiple other developments were made manifest via the completion of the most recent election cycle.\u00a0 For example, we witnessed arguably increased significance of both gender and race.\u00a0 Also, as a nation, we began to discuss the fragility of a fiscal pattern that continuously spends more than it takes in.\u00a0 And in an additional, unique development, for the first time, we witnessed a national normalization of Mormonism.<\/p>\n
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Whether given or denied your vote, the placement of Mitt Romney on the Republican presidential ticket prompted more positive publicity of Mormonism than ever generated by \u201cIdol\u2019s\u201d Archuleta, talk\u2019s Glenn Beck, Sen. Harry Reid, or by any of the singing Osmonds.\u00a0 Many accepted Mormonism as a religion which is good and true and right.\u00a0 And admittedly, Mormonism \u2014 also known as the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)<\/em> \u2014 is marked by people who stereotypically lead an ethical, moral life.\u00a0 Yet as is true with the Intramuralist, in order to discern goodness, truth, etc., it\u2019s essential to wrestle with the facts.\u00a0 Hence, we ask:\u00a0 what exactly is Mormonism?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let me initially suggest that no singular post could define all that the LDS Church believes, so allow me to briefly summarize what is significant but may remain less explored…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.\u00a0 Several years beforehand, Smith said he was in the woods as a teenager praying one day when he saw a vision in which God and Jesus came to him and told him his sins were forgiven, that contemporary churches \u201cwere all wrong,\u201d and all creeds of Christianity \u201cwere an abomination\u201d in God\u2019s sight.\u00a0 Smith was 14 at the time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Smith was 18, he said he was visited by the angel named \u201cMoroni.\u201d\u00a0 Moroni would reveal the secret location of the \u201cgolden plates,\u201d which contained divine truth that only Smith had the skill to translate.\u00a0 The angel warned Smith not to show the tablets to anyone.\u00a0 When Smith was finished with the translation, he says he returned the plates to the angel.\u00a0 The completed translation was published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mormonism thus utilizes 4 primary sources:\u00a0 the Bible, the sacred texts of Mormonism (which includes the Book of Mormon),<\/em> additional writings by Smith, and the writings of church leaders, especially the church presidents who are now considered to be inspired prophets of God.\u00a0 These create the foundation of their faith.\u00a0 What\u2019s in that foundation?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As with all faiths, it is significant to examine their perspective of God, a tenet from which all disciplines and doctrine flow.\u00a0 Unlike Christianity and Islam, though, Mormonism teaches the existence of multiple (and many) <\/em>gods.\u00a0 They believe an infinite number of planets exist, each with their own god(s) who were once human and have since evolved into god status.\u00a0 Smith once wrote, “In the beginning, the head of the gods called a council of the gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and (the) people in it.”<\/em>\u00a0 Mormons will often suggest that they are monotheists \u2014 believers in one true god \u2014 for since they live on Earth, Earth\u2019s own god is the focus of their current human worship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Consistent with that teaching \u2014 and perhaps what\u2019s most notable yet least known \u2014 is that the Mormon Church teaches that individuals have to learn how to become gods themselves.\u00a0 In fact, if a couple marries according to a Mormon ceremony (which only Mormons are invited to),<\/em> and each lives an obedient life, the couple may then themselves attain god status.\u00a0 This is central to the Mormon faith:\u00a0 obedient humans are able to become gods based on their behavior here on Earth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By all accounts, even before the Romney candidacy, Mormonism has become America’s most successful home-grown religion; started by Smith, they now boast a membership of approximately 15 million persons worldwide.\u00a0 It\u2019s contagious.\u00a0 With the prioritizing of missionary work and moral lives \u2014 consistent with the persona portrayed by Gov. Romney \u2014 it is an attractive religion to many.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But let\u2019s be certain to ask the tougher questions… is it good?\u00a0 Is it true?\u00a0 Is it right?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As always, no matter how attractive, wrestling with the facts is essential.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Respectfully,<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [Significant sources utilized for this analysis include:\u00a0 The History of Joseph Smith<\/em>, Mormonnewsroom.org, Newsweek, Pearl of Great Price,<\/em> Probe. org, and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.<\/em> ]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thank God the election is over.\u00a0 Allow me to say that again…\u00a0 thank God the election is over.\u00a0 Also over, therefore, is the onslaught of political advertising, negative campaigning, and adults acting more like children.\u00a0 Sorry.\u00a0 That should not be inferred as criticism of any one person or any one party.\u00a0 There is just something … <\/p>\n