The American Spectator

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Mormonism Spelled Out

12.19.05 @ 12:01AM

(Page 3 of 6)

"Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood." (Alma 21:9)

I wonder if David Holman has ever read the Book of Mormon all the way through? Latter-Day Saints certainly believe in the Heavenly Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost and all of the gifts associated with the Holy Ghost. Our belief that they are separate and distinct individuals is supported by the Bible (See below).

"When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:58-59)

Stephen saw two separate and distinct individuals.

"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt..." (Matt 26:39)

Why would Jesus pray to himself? He was praying to Almighty God, his father - separate and distinct. The three in one doctrine didn't exist in the primitive church but was made official at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Furthermore, when Jesus prayed that he and his Father would be one, he was meaning that they should be one in purpose.

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou has sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17:20-23)

Now, if you will also examine how most Latter-Day Saints live their lives from day-to-day, you will see President Hinckley was not just offering "Christian-sounding platitudes".

2) LDS Moral teachings are a shining example of Christ's teachings. Your example of the few exceptions justifying abortion are a sham and are a disgraceful misrepresentation of the truth. Latter-Day Saints adamantly oppose abortion. Utah is the most conservative state in the whole country for crying out loud. Faithful Latter-Day Saints don't smoke, drink, swear, commit adultery, or anything like it. They are honest, hard-working, loving, kind, and industrious people. If you have a Latter-Day Saint neighbor you likely have one of the best neighbors you could ever hope for.

3) Polygamy, etc. There are 12,000,000 Latter-Day Saints in the world that do not practice plural marriage and I don't believe your claim that there are as many as 50,000 polygamists in Utah. Polygamy hardly thrives in Utah. I grew up in Salt Lake City and never met a Polygamist there until I was 23 years old. Since 1890 any Latter-Day Saint with more than one wife has been excommunicated period, end of story. Your need to look to the past to criticize the LDS church reveals your weak position on the status of the church today.
-- Jeff Garrigues
Firestone, Colorado

While I doubt Mitt (President Mitt, can you imagine, is that a catcher's mitt or first baseman's?) has much of a chance in the Republiskum presidental race, his candidacy would be a real test for the dumdamentalist-evangelical-right because Mormons are not Christians!

They may say they are Christians but there are too many serious -- maybe even fatal -- discrepancies with historical Christianity to give credence to that supposition.

Ya can say what you want about the Dobsons, but Ms. D. was right -- at least within her own view of "orthodoxy" -- to say "no" to a Mormon's request to participate in a prayer service.

And this is from a 61-year-old high-church, Anglo-Catholic!!
-- Ted Church
Memphis, Tennessee

Interesting article. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is a Mormon, and that hasn't hurt him in Nevada. Of course, a national election is different.

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