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Controversies regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Criticism of Mormonism. (Discuss)

Many doctrines and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both past and present, are viewed by many as controversial:

Contents

[edit] List of controversial subjects

  • Temple (Mormonism)
    • Vicarious baptism for the dead and other earthly ordinances for the deceased
    • Temple "oath of revenge" against the United States (discontinued in 1927)[6]
    • Changes to temple ordinances (1990)
      • Chanting "Pay Lay Ale" (discontinued, allegedly due to controversial Hebrew translation)
      • Women swearing obedience to husbands instead of to God as their husbands do (discontinued)
      • Swearing to throat-slitting or disembowelment for those who reveal temple rites (discontinued)
      • Portrayal of a Protestant preacher hired by Lucifer to preach salvation by grace (discontinued)
      • Use of the Masonic "Five Points of Fellowship" to gain admittance into the Celestial room and the presence of God (discontinued)
  • Occult influences on Mormonism
    • Joseph Smith fined for treasure-scrying in New York state[7]
    • Joseph Smith's belief in his birthsign of Jupiter and use of related talismans[8]
    • Significant Mormon dates pertaining to Joseph Smith's birthsign or local almanac folklore[9]
  • Pre-existence
    • Doctrine of valiant spirits in pre-existence, determining advantageous earthly conditions or skin color
    • Doctrine of children dying before age of accountability receiving salvation in highest kingdom
  • Women and Mormonism
    • Women not allowed to participate in the lay priesthood given to their sons
    • Obedience to husband
    • Early marriage and large families encouraged, careers discouraged
  • The Word of Wisdom
    • Germ theory not mentioned although discovered shortly thereafter as cause of most disease
    • Hot drinks discouraged, today interpreted as coffee and tea
    • Mild drinks allowed, referring to beer and ale, although banned today
  • Mormonism and church membership
    • Refusal to grant name removal or resignation status without excommunication, until court ordered in 1980s
    • Questionable membership claims, such as counting inactive or missing members[16]
  • Mormonism and society
    • Utah highest use of antidepressants in nation [17]
    • Utah highest rate of bankruptcy in nation[18]
    • Utah labeled as fraud capital of nation[19]

[edit] General categorization of criticisms of Mormonism

  • Critics charge that the doctrines or practices of Mormonism are heretical, cult-like or bizarre in contrast to mainstream Christianity (as in vicarious baptism for the dead).
  • Critics consider the culture of Mormonism to be authoritarian, legalistic, deceptive, delusional or politically oppressive (as in the subjugation of women).
  • Critics charge that the Church leadership has engaged in historical revisionism, cover-up or censorship. They claim to be bringing to light facts that the Church is trying to hide.
  • Critics charge that Joseph Smith's version of the events surrounding the founding of the Church is fraudulent.
  • Critics charge that there are many evidences showing that the Book of Mormon is false or fraudulent.
  • Critics charge that Latter-day Saints are not Christians.

[edit] General categorization of apologetics of Mormonism

  • Apologists claim Mormonism is only bizarre or heretical compared to mainstream Christianity because mainstream Christianity is in apostasy, and does not understand the doctrinal basis of the practices that are considered heretical.
  • Apologists consider the culture of Mormonism to be wholesome and good, to promote free inquiry for the development of faith, and point out that women are not only not "oppressed," but in fact the predominantly-Mormon population of Utah promoted such issues as womens' right to vote and own property long before this became the law in most other parts of the United States.
  • Apologists claim that Church leadership is honest and open but protective of sacred symbolism and against hyper-criticism that leads to negativism, and that some critics of the Church use misleading and unscrupulous tactics.
  • Apologists claim that Joseph Smith's version of the events surrounding the founding of the Church is true.
  • Apologists claim that there are many evidences showing that the Book of Mormon is true and authentic.
  • Apologists claim that the Church is Christian, since it teaches that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer and people should strive to follow him in their daily actions, showing kindness, charity (virtue), forgiveness, patience, integrity, and values that are consistent with the Ten Commandments as well as the Sermon on the Mount.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Links in support of the Church

  • FAIR Topical Guide (Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research) Includes unofficial answers from members of the Church to the majority of topics listed above
  • Jeff Lindsay's LDS FAQ One member's response to many questions and criticisms about the Church
  • FARMS Brigham Young University's Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies


Links in opposition to the Church

[edit] Further reading

  • Abanes, Richard (2002). One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church. New York: Four Walls Eight Windows. ISBN 1-56858-219-6.
  • Brooke, John L. (1994). The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-34545-6.
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