Holy Conversations:  Understanding World Religions-Mormonism"

Sermon notes and questions from the sermon on Mormonism given on May 17

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So far we have looked at World Religions that have little overlap with Christianity, much less ones that claim to be “Christian” or to claim Jesus as Lord and Savior.  This week we look at a relatively new faith community (less than 200 years old) that not only claims to be Christian but has 13 million followers worldwide.  The collection of verses from John’s gospel are ones that claim “many mansions (rooms or areas to heaven),” that there are other “flocks” of Jesus, and open the possibility for our Canon to be expanded.  These are all key features of the Mormon faith.   Although it has only been a faith community since the 1820s, its roots go back almost 10,000 years.

This shows the timeline for the formation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It is a truly American story.  Its roots claim three early American peoples who came from the holy land near Israel.  The Jaredites immigrated at the time of God’s scattering of the people at the time of the Tower of Babel.  The Nephites and Lamanites came to America from Jerusalem around 600 BC.  Christ made a post-resurrection appearance to these peoples.  His teachings are expanded upon in the book of Mormon.  Mormon was a Nephite who began to record this history of the conflicts between these peoples, which resulted in the killing off of all but the Lamanites.  Mormon recorded most of the writings on gold plates.  His son, Moroni added some more witness, completing the plates.  Maroni completed his work around 421 AD.  Fourteen hundred years later Moroni returned as a resurrected being and visited Joseph Smith telling his of the location in New York of the buried plates.  Over several months, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Joseph Smith translated the writings of the tablets into English in what we know as the Book of Mormon.  The Great Apostasy describes how the visible church fell away from Christ’s teaching and made Maroni’s revelation necessary for the FULL GOSPEL of Mormon to be revealed.

Andy has a Book of Mormon given to him by his friend Elizabeth.  It is the most sacred text in Mormonism.  Joseph Smith wrote, “it is the most correct book of any on Earth, and the keystone of our religion…”  The Bible is secondary.  Also in the Mormon canon are two other writings of Joseph Smith, the Doctrines and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.

According to Mormon Cosmology, humans have a preexistent life, literally children of God.  These children of God were presented with Satan’s plan and Jesus’ plan.  Jesus’ plan was to create the Earth as a place for human testing.  Children who choose Satan go to a place of darkness.  The plan of salvation for those who go to heaven include a three-level heaven depending on your faith and deeds – celestial, terrestial, and telestial.  The highest level, Celestial, is for those persons who will be in the constant presence of the heavenly Father and create new spirits to populate new worlds beyond Earth.  Mormons practice baptism for the dead, who are still offered baptism after death so that they can enter these three realms of glory.  Mormons believe that marriage spans beyond this Earth into the heavenly realms.  Plural marriage was ended among mainline Mormonism in the late 1890s.  Mormons believe that all three Godheads are separate and distinct.

Weekly worship life for the Mormon is not much different than our own and is open to all.  It includes singing, praying, preaching and Holy Communion (offered just to Mormons) on a weekly basis.  Temple life is quite different and entry is offered only to Mormons in good standing who have the Bishop’s commendation.  There is a temple in Spring.  In it are performed baptisms, weddings, rooms for reading and reflection.  Each person dons a white robe when he or she enters.

The LDS has a leadership team only of men.  There is no paid clergy.  The president/prophet is in apostolic succession with Joseph Smith.  There is an episcopacy of Bishops and Priests are raised up and trained in each congregation which is called a Ward.  Church family life is nurturing and emphasizes accountability.

So can we have a conversation?  Sure.  Is the LDS a Christian church.  Sort of….But for the Mormon they hold deeply that they are.  They may try to convert you…as missionaries, neighbors or friends.  Understand that if they do, they come from a place of deep love and devotion.