Worldview Analysis: Mormonism
WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS
MORMONISM
BENNIE W. BAKER
APOL 500
September 30, 2012
Table of Contents Introduction 2 Summary 2 Critique 3 Conclusion 6 Bibliography 8
Introduction
Mormonism is a multilayered religious organization with many faces. The words “multilayered” and “organization” are carefully chosen as they represent the bulk of what we will discuss as we seek to unveil the true essence of the Mormon world as they see it. We will summarize this organization and in so doing we will discover that it was built on human fallacy and deception from its inception. We will then follow with a critical look the claims, doctrines, and documents that frame their beliefs.
Summary
Mormonism is one of the fastest and newest religions on the world scene today. It had its beginnings in 1820 in the woods of Palmyra, New York when 14-year-old Joseph Smith went out to pray. During this prayer session he was visited by none other the God the Father and Jesus, the son of God, who is Himself recognized by all true Christians as very God Himself; the second person in the Trinitarian godhead. This visit was the conception of what is one of the haughtiest worldviews among religious organizations to date. It was during this visit that the young Joseph received the message that he should not unite with any of the local churches because “…they are all wrong…all their creeds are an abomination…those professors are all corrupt.” This announcement set the stage for what was either the biggest revelation or the most cleverly devised scam in the history of mankind. Some three years later, while sleeping Joseph saw a light shining. It was an angel. The angel Moroni came from the presence of God according to Joseph, to give him the location of a book written on golden plates that contained “…the fullness of the Gospel…as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants.” Thus, the foundation of the Mormon worldview is built on the restoration of the
MORMONISM
BENNIE W. BAKER
APOL 500
September 30, 2012
Table of Contents Introduction 2 Summary 2 Critique 3 Conclusion 6 Bibliography 8
Introduction
Mormonism is a multilayered religious organization with many faces. The words “multilayered” and “organization” are carefully chosen as they represent the bulk of what we will discuss as we seek to unveil the true essence of the Mormon world as they see it. We will summarize this organization and in so doing we will discover that it was built on human fallacy and deception from its inception. We will then follow with a critical look the claims, doctrines, and documents that frame their beliefs.
Summary
Mormonism is one of the fastest and newest religions on the world scene today. It had its beginnings in 1820 in the woods of Palmyra, New York when 14-year-old Joseph Smith went out to pray. During this prayer session he was visited by none other the God the Father and Jesus, the son of God, who is Himself recognized by all true Christians as very God Himself; the second person in the Trinitarian godhead. This visit was the conception of what is one of the haughtiest worldviews among religious organizations to date. It was during this visit that the young Joseph received the message that he should not unite with any of the local churches because “…they are all wrong…all their creeds are an abomination…those professors are all corrupt.” This announcement set the stage for what was either the biggest revelation or the most cleverly devised scam in the history of mankind. Some three years later, while sleeping Joseph saw a light shining. It was an angel. The angel Moroni came from the presence of God according to Joseph, to give him the location of a book written on golden plates that contained “…the fullness of the Gospel…as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants.” Thus, the foundation of the Mormon worldview is built on the restoration of the
Bibliography: David, King. Psalms. Vol. 90:2, in Holy Bible. Wichita, KS: Heirloom Bible Publishers, 1988. Johnson, Bill McKeever and Eric. "Mormonism: Christian, Cult, or ???" Edited by Elliot Miller. Christian Research Journal (Christian Research Institute) 35, no. 3 (2012): 63. Smith, Joseph. "History." In Pearl of Great Price, by Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982. Smith, Joseph. "The Articles of Faith." In Pearl of Great Price, by Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982. Sumner, Robert L. Mormonism! A Destructive, Soul-Damning Cult. Murfreesboro, TN: Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1981. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Newsroom: The Official Resource for News Media, Opinion Leaders and the Public. September 2012, 2012. http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-stats (accessed September 29, 2012). Widtsoe, John A. Discourses of Brigham Young. Salt Lake City, UT: Desert Book Company, 1978. Young, Brigham. Journal History. Vol. 2. Salt Lake City, UT: Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1846. —. Journal History. Vol. 1. Salt Lake City, UT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1846. [ 3 ]. Barna Group Ltd. Barna Group: Examine. Illuminate. Transform. Barna Group Ltd. Oct 19, 2009. http://www.barna.org/faith-spirituality/ [ 4 ] [ 5 ]. Smith, Joseph. "History." In Pearl of Great Price, by Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982 [ 6 ] [ 7 ]. Young, Brigham. Journal History. Vol. 2. Salt Lake City, UT: Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1846. [ 12 ]. Joseph Smith “Mormonism! A Destructive, Soul-Damning Cult” by Dr. Robert L. Sumner (Murfreesboro: Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1980), 8.