NEWSWEEK ON MORMONISM

This week's Newsweek cover story on Mormonism produced some hilarious lines. (I assume it was unintentional given that the author is Mormon). Among the best:

For Mormons, [Joseph] Smith's importance is singular. "He stands alone as a source of doctrine," says Dallin H. Oaks, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of the church's highest governing bodies. The characteristic features of the LDS Church—sacred temple rites, personal revelation, tithing and a history of polygamy—come directly from Smith. So does the emphasis on high moral standards, family ties and community service...

Now let's get this straight. Joseph Smith is the source of truth about God, who is the standard for morality. That would make everything Smith said regarding ethics, by definition, the highest standard of morality. How could it be, then, that polygamy is not of the highest moral standard? Just wondering. There's more:

After explaining that "Smith knew that his testimony required a leap of faith", the author (knowingly or not) describes why that was by recounting some Mormon history and beliefs. She concludes,

Central tenets of Mormonism seem confusing—even literally incredible—to those outside the faith.

Uhh...ya. That is because Mormon beliefs are confusing and incredible and they should be to even those inside the faith. Their teachings are simply unsupportable. Unfortunately, as the author readily admitted to Newsweek's editor, many Mormons don't know much about the central tenants of Mormonism.

Although she is a lifelong member of the Mormon Church, Elise Soukup was surprised to discover in reporting this week's cover story how much she didn't know about her own faith. In her congregations in Utah and in New York, they studied Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as much as Jesus, but she had never read a non-church-approved account of Smith's life. And when she met with Mormon historians Richard and Claudia Bushman, Richard encouraged her to address the "tough stuff" in church history: the questions about Smith's character, the validity of the Book of Mormon and the once encouraged practice of polygamy. "I must have looked shaken," Elise recalls, "because as we wrapped up the meeting Claudia squeezed my hand and said, 'We'll pray for you'."

Those last few words expose another problem. Not only do Mormons not know all of the religion's beliefs, but they accept the ones they do know on blind, unthinking faith. They don't analyze the teachings, they "pray about them." Rather than rational, objective truth seeking, they look inside themselves. Every time I have asked a Mormon why I should believe Mormonism is true I have been told to "pray about it" and wait for some type of inward "burning" that will confirm what they tell me. This is ridiculous. One would be better to pick a religion based on the roll of a dice - at least it would be less subjective.

Before I digress too far, one more funny section of note. In it Soukop explains how one of the Mormon doctrines teaches that man can become a god. She quotes Lorenzo Snow, fifth LDS prophet: "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may be." The great part is that she follows this heaping pile of heresy with the understatement of the year:

Because of Mormonism's unique theology, some of which challenges early Christian creeds, many Christian denominations don't consider the LDS Church to be Christian.

No kidding. At least she quotes Norman Geisler, who rightly points out

"There is no rightful claim by historic Mormon doctrine to the name Christian, because they deny almost every one of the major fundamental doctrines of Christendom,"

But then she follows up with this beauty

for Latter-day Saints, who believe in the Jesus Christ of both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, the cold shoulder from other denominations is baffling. "I am devastated when people say I am not a Christian, particularly when generally that means I am not a fourth-century Christian," says Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Let's be clear that Mormons believe in the Jesus of the New Testament only as far as they can misinterpret and ignore the text. What is surprising to me is that they want the label Christian at all, given that, according to Joseph Smith, every other "denomination" in existence is supposed to be part of the apostasy and headed for hell. Why are they suddenly so eager to be associated with them? Just one more thing to wonder about.

Speaking of wondering, the last paragraph of the story is a mystery.

Smith founded cities, built temples and ran for president. But his most meaningful contribution was as "prophet, revelator and seer," as he called himself—and as the architect of a church that tends to nurture the bonds between its members in a spirit of charity. Smith's vision—optimistic, vigorous, a source of continuing personal growth for all who accept its blessings—in many ways echoes the American Dream. Millions around the world now see in their own lives what a young man found for himself in that New York grove.

I guess the "found for himself" part sounds about right, although perhaps "made up for himself" might be better (not that I would completely rule out the role of spiritual deception in these cases.) But what is all this other stuff? So what if people find a source of "personal growth" (whatever that means) in Mormonism if it isn't true? And so what if it nurtures bonds in a spirit of charity (whatever that means) if it isn't true. The bottom line question for any religion is always "Is it true?" Mormonism gives us no good reasons to answer that affirmatively.

Comments

[Greg]

I cannot believe that the author of this piece is still a mormon! Do some research and think a little! PLEASE! I also cannot believe that Hinkley suggests the Mormon worldview is rational. Drugs anyone?

There are a few comments in this that are not true. Mormons do not believe that all other religions are going to hell and we are not "suddenly" wanting to be associated with "them" (meaning Christians). We have always considered ourselves Christian, as we have always believed in Chriat and all of the Bible, not just some passages. I could go on, but my goal in not to debate or cause contention, simply to state that there are claims in this blog that are not true. Thank you.

RE: Mormons v. "early Christianity"

The fallacy is that there was some sort of monolithic orthodox "Early Christianity." There were, in fact several variations on Christianity in those early years. Just because Mormonism doesn't match the sect that eventually "won out" doesn't mean it has no first century antecedents. True, LDS doctrine does not match the creeds of the young Catholic church as it stuggled to accomodate Gnosticism and Greek philosophy. (Hence Elder Holland's comment.) But the further back one delves into the earliest versions of Christianity and the Judaism it sprang from, the closer the match.

[Amanda]

Well, it's certainly a good thing for this blogger that the acquistion of the Ten Commandments, the Burning Bush, the parting of the Red Sea, and all of the other million "insubstantiated" miracles in the Bible can be proven. As soon as carbon dating on that bush is available, I'll understand why he doubts Smith's, or any prophet's, spiritual promptings. A religion is sometimes called a faith. Why would that be if we used only our minds to analyze and not our hearts to ponder God? Do you think you can just figure God out? He might be a mite more advanced than you or I...

[Greg]

Wow, Mormon Invasion. The reason I believe, and I’m assuming Don as well, that Mormonism is not Christian is because it is polytheistic. You can reach exaltation, therefore there is more then one god. The basis of Christianity is Judaism, which clearly is monotheistic. So any revelation that says otherwise goes against the Bible, which is without error, so obviously, the prophet is in error. Moreover, the idea that we require carbon dating is laughable. We just would like to see some evidence. From the Bible we have seen a universe that lines up with what it says. From the Book of Mormon we have seen contradiction to the Bible, and teachings that are found no where else in Christianity. Mormonism is not Christian. Gordon Hinkley even said Mormons believe in a different Jesus then the Christians. So please, stop trying to smear our good name with your heresy.

Greg Laws

[Mason]

How could you know the Bible to be true by itself alone? Its hard too. The Book of Mormon is another testiment of Jesus Christ. Because of the Book of Mormon, we know the Bible to be true. Because of the Book of Mormon it shows that God loves all of his children. Now you know, as we all know, that if there was really hard evidence that the Book of Mormon was true you still wouldn't believe it. It is by the Spirit itself to testify to you that it is true. No one can make that decision for you. If you haven't already, you should try to read the Book of Mormon and see for yourself, and then pray about it. I don't understand how people say that Mormons aren't Christian and bad talk about their faith, thats just not very Christian like.

[Greg]

"How could you know the Bible to be true by itself alone?"
Because the things it says line up with how the universe actually appears to be. Also, The a lot of the things the Bible says are verifiyable.
"Because of the Book of Mormon, we know the Bible to be true"
So which ones true when it comes to the numerious contradictions between them? Which one is more important?
" as we all know, that if there was really hard evidence that the Book of Mormon was true you still wouldn't believe it."
I Disagree, if there was evidence, I would believe it, but there isnt any, Period.
" If you haven't already, you should try to read the Book of Mormon and see for yourself, and then pray about it."
Have, I got this revolation "The one true God can be found in the Bible, and the Bible Only"
"I don't understand how people say that Mormons aren't Christian"
Because they arent. Christians are all monotheists. You are Not monotheistic. Therefore you are not Christian. Period.

[Isaac]

We the members of the Mormon church were persecuted in the beginning by the so-called "Christian Churches" of their day. But we survived and grew. Today, their descendents are still persecuting us with their hateful innuendos and we are a worldwide church. It doesn't really matter what the enemies of the church believe, say or do because we just keep getting bigger while their membership shrinks. I ask you, "Can a rotten tree bear good fruit?" The answer is, No! Well, how can the so called "christian churches" be true since they all were catholics before becoming protestants? The Mormons are the only christian church on the earth who did not spring from a rotten source? Wake up folks, if Satan could not stop the church 200 or 2,000 years ago, what makes you sore heads think you can?

[Greg]

I dont believe I am p"persecuting" anyone. I am meerly forcing you to do something you view as evil. think. To quote the Verse about a Tree bearing good fruit is misleading. I dont even think you are a tree. Tree being a Body of Believers. You are a body of believers in something other then was Jesus was talking about. You believe in your multiple gods, and Spirit mothers, and thats all fine and dandy as long as you realise you are not a christian, and you have no rational reason to believe what you do. Trying to avoid the same ad-hominim you used, but it so hard, if you think Joesph is not a rotten source, go dig into court records in New York State.

[Don]

You will find my reply to some of the above comments in the next post. Thanks for all your input! Keep it coming.

BTW - Flourishing in numbers and advancing around the world has absolutely no relation to "bearing fruit" in a Biblical sense.

[Mason]

HAHA! You think what we believe is evil? Yeah i guess believing in doing good work is evil, in doing service to others. Im sorry you feel that way. There are contradictions in the Bible itself, now i believe in the Bible and im not saying its wrong, but when it says in the Bible, Gen 1:26 - And God said, let "us" make man in our image, after "our" likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Also, what about in Abr. 4:27 - So the "Gods" went down to organize man in their image, in the image of the "Gods" to form they him, male and female to form they them. And then also in the bible it says how there is only one God. Now don't you think there could have been some err in some scripture after being translated so many times and changed over the past. Now its a good thing we have the Book of Mormon to let us know which is right. There's no hard evidence that the Bible is true, so why believe in that? There can't be hard evidence that the Bible or Book of Mormon are true. It has to come from the Spirit to testify that they are true. If there was any hard evidence then there would be no point in being here on earth, we would all believe the same thing and we would lose our agency. There are no hard evidence because we need our agency to choose freedom or captivity. Now the quesion isn't, is it true? The question is, can you live it? I will always say im Christian. I am a follower or Christ just as you. Just because we translate the Bible differently than you doesn't mean were not Christian. I don't know what faith your from but what about the other Christian faiths that believe differently from you? Are they too not Christian? Now i know its true when it says in the Book of Mormon, the wicked take the truth to be hard. Let God be the judge to say who's Christian and not, not you. So in the meantime just let it go and let people believe what they are.

[David Frey]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue to grow. While the member count of other churches is declining, the LDS church's member count continues to increase.

Why is that?

It's because the structure and organization of the LDS church is superior. There is not internal back-biting, name-calling, or struggle for power.

There is NO paid ministry (which takes care of most of the common problems associated with modern churches).

The LDS church requires a LOT of sacrifice from their members. After all, it's a lay church. And the more involved a member is with their church, the more they become connected with it.

Attending one service a week for an hour where the preacher gives a sermon, does NOT connect (or at least provides little connection) to the church.

Mormons spend hours and hours involved in church functions. This builds their faith in Jesus Christ and a love for other people, expecting nothing in return.

That's the secret key to the Mormon faith and why it is and will continue to be so successful.

[irritated]

The Newsweek article provides absolutely no evidence for its assertion that the Mormon church is a "booming faith."

Although I have not attended the Mormon church for over 30 years, they still consider me an active member. The membership numbers that the church gives are crazy. The numbers don't reflect who many believe actually believe in the church or attend church. The church leaves every baptized person on theirmembership list unless you fight and fight to get your name removed. What kind of crazy religion is that?

Recently, I called the membership department in SLC and asked to have my name removed. They actually refused to remove my name from their membership list. (this is freedom of religion?) The church insisted that to get my name off, I had to send a letter with my signature. So I did. They received my letter over three months and sent me a brochure: "please come back." I wrote again and again asked to have my name removed. No removal. Instread two men that I have never met dropped by our house to talk over the spiritual consequences of removing my name. I explained that despite their personal testimonies I wanted my name out of the church membership list for doctrinal reasons. (I have researched the church well and don't believe that it is the only true church.) I have still not received a removal. No wonder there numbers are "booming;" the church never lets anyone out.

I would be very interested in some accurate numbers of church membership that would reflect what the church membership actually. I doubt that it is booming and I'd challenge Newsweek to back up that claim with any evidence.

[Greg]

Ok ok. wait a second, Did Mason Really say its not about weather or not a religion is true? Are you kidding? Thats the point of Religion. You believe it because its TRUE! To believe something reguardless of weather its true or not makes you an idiot, not faithful. Also, Weather or not you can live something has no bearing on weather or not its true, have you taken Logic classes? NO ONE expect Jesus has ever lead the Christian life. NO ONE! We all Fail and Sin.

David,
Im confused why you bothered posting what you did. Why does any of that Make your faith true? Islam has WAY more adhearants then Mormonism ever will and its not true either. Also, I'd like to take this moment to point out that Cults require the type of devotion to the ministry that the LDS church requires. And really, lets cut the eupamism and smoke screens, thats really what mormonism is. its a cult, hence the poster aboves story about not being able to have himself removed from its roles. The Mormon church desires power and money, and its getting it by decieving people.

Also, for all you mormons out there that think the Bible cannot be proven to be a reliable source, youve been decieved. Joesph Smith needs the Bible to be wrong so he can force his beliefs into the religion as "Corrections" of "misinterpratations". If anyone of you guys is from Southern California lets get together and talk. I Bet we can prove the Bible to be a more reliable source for information then the Book of Mormon, and I bet we can show you Logic and reasoning that would make Joesph smith appear as the heritic he is.

Greg Laws

[Mason]

I never said that its not about weather or not a religion is true. I know that the LDS church is true, thats why i go every Sunday. And Greg, what was your point with, "NO ONE expect Jesus has ever lead the Christian life. NO ONE! We all Fail and Sin." Of course we all sin. But its through Him that were able to repent and be forgiven of our sins. Are you saying we should just give up then if we are going to sin and fail? And because Jesus led a Christian life we strive to become more like Jesus and try to become perfect like He was. Now wouldn't that be considered a Christian. And about the monotheists, we worship one God, not others. And i believe the Bible to be a reliable source as with the Book of Mormon.

[Greg]

The reason I mentioned your empasis on living the life, is simply becuase we cannot live the Christian life, its impossible, we just have to crawl back to God. No we shouldnt give up, but the Christian life is to "Go and Sin no more".

Mormons may worship one god, but they claim others exist. The Spirit Mother for instance. Plus the whole doctrine of Exaltation.

"And i believe the Bible to be a reliable source as with the Book of Mormon."
So which is more reliable? there are a lot of Contradictions between them. Which takes Precident?

[Mason]

"The reason I mentioned your empasis on living the life, is simply becuase we cannot live the Christian life, its impossible, we just have to crawl back to God." So does that mean no one is Christian because no one can live the Christian life?

"Mormons may worship one god, but they claim others exist." I know Mormons believe that, but they still worship one God. What i think a polytheistic is, is like the egyptians who believe and worship more than one God, like the Sun God, or the Water God, or all the other Gods that they worship. Mormons only worship one God but believe that there are other Gods.

"So which is more reliable? there are a lot of Contradictions between them. Which takes Precident?" What about the contradictions in the Bible itself? Explain what it means when it says in Gen. 1:26 - And God said, let "us" make man in "our" own image, after "our" likeness....also what about in Abr. 4:27 - So the "Gods" went down to organize man in their own image, in the image of the "Gods" to form they him, male and female to form they them. Its also says "Gods" in Abr. 5:7. And if you claim the Bible says there is only one God, which one is correct? Its both in the Bible. Which one are we to go by? What about in John 10:30 - I and my Father are one. And also when Jesus prays for the apostles saying in John 17:21 - 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 thou hast sent me. Now can't that be a little confusing? What is it? Is Jesus and God one person? Or when Jesus is praying for the apostles saying that they may be one in "us" meaning that they be one in more than just Jesus, that Jesus and God could be different? See there are even contradictions in the Bible itself. Now the Book of Mormon is to help us know which is correct. This is why there are so many different churches cause each church interprets the Bible differently and the Book of Mormon just helps us to understand what it means.

[Greg]

Have you looked at the definition of Polytheism? Its the belief in Multiple Gods. Mormons are polytheistic.

The Bible is without Error by the way. The Genisis Passage as well as the other passages you bring up are actually some of the proof texts theologians use for the doctrine of the trinity. So really, these are only problems for mormons who reject that doctrine.

The Book of Mormon cannot possibly help you understand anything. Its entire epistomology is not about understanding anything, its about denying the rational. Mormonism pushes the idea that thinking is evil, and that requiring evidence for its claims means lacking faith. Do you understand that this epistomology can lead to nothing but problems and is totally backwards. If mormonism is TRUE in the universe, then Logic, rationality, and the universe itself should point towards its conclusions. But the Universe in fact doesnt. it points towards orthadox christianity.

Read CS Lewis' Mere Chritianity.
And then, Read Inventing Mormonism.

Greg

[Mason]

Can you prove that? For boths ways?

[Mason]

"Have you looked at the definition of Polytheism? Its the belief in Multiple Gods. Mormons are polytheistic." Yes, but polytheism is also worshiping in more than one God, Mormons only worship one God. And menotheism is the belief or worship of one God, which we worship in one God.

"The Genisis Passage as well as the other passages you bring up are actually some of the proof texts theologians use for the doctrine of the trinity. So really, these are only problems for mormons who reject that doctrine." No, these aren't problems for the Mormons because they use these scriptures to back up what we believe. Can you explain why it says Gods? If you only use the Bible its easy to have different views on these verses and thats why there are so many different Christian churches out there.

"The Book of Mormon cannot possibly help you understand anything. Its entire epistomology is not about understanding anything, its about denying the rational." The Book of Mormon and the religion of Mormonism helps us to understand everything. Where we came from, why we are here, what do we need to do for our salvation, where we are going in the next life, and what is going to happen in the next life. The Book of Mormon justs lets us know that Jesus visited the America's, and it contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everylasting gospel. The Book of Mormon was written by many ancient prophets. The Book of Mormon shows that God loves all of His children.

"Mormonism pushes the idea that thinking is evil, and that requiring evidence for its claims means lacking faith." I think all the time, and its not evil. I always think about what I believe and how it all makes sense. Everyone needs to have faith. There is no way you can have hard core proof evidence that the Bible is absolutly true and the Book of Mormon. There is no way you can have proof that Moses parted the red rea. You have to have faith that he did it. If you don't know, faith is things hoped for and not seen. Mormons don't just believe in something cause they feel like it. They have reason for everything they believe.

"it points towards orthadox christianity." There is no way you can prove that.

[Greg]

Polytheism

n : belief in multiple Gods [ant: monotheism]

So you are polythists. that Makes you Not Christian, Flat Out. Worshipping them or not.

And Your Right the Passages in Gen are not problems for mormons, because they have no problem assuming parts of the Bible that Say there is only 1 God are wrong. The Genasis Passage is the Proof used in real theology schools to prove that the Trinity exists. That God is In fact 3 Entities but one Being.

"I think all the time, and its not evil. I always think about what I believe and how it all makes sense."
But have you ever been encouraged to seek out oposing views and defeat them? Of Corse not, becuase Mormon theology is too weak and full of Holes to formally argue in this setting.

Mason, Sincerly, ask yourself, what reason do you have for believing what you believe. Is there Evidence to support the truth Claims of the BOM/PGP/D&C beyond the personal testimonys of members of the Church?

If you dont, then you need to evaluate weather or not the truth claims of the Word of God should line up with the World around us? If they should, then you need to digg into your Bible and reconsider your faith In Mormonism.

Im really trying to do this in love, and its becoming extreemly difficult for me. I dont really feel its proper to continue this question in a Public forum. Please, Email me, I would love to talk to you further about what you believe and why you believe it, and what I believe and why I believe it.

Please Email me! GregLaws@.Gmail.com (Extra Dot to stop Spam Search Engines)

[Mason]

Hey Greg, i tried to e-mail you but it didn't work. Here is what i e-mailed you:

Ok, if you haven't already known, im John also on your website. I didn't put my name cause i needed an e-mail adress and i didn't want to put my e-mail down but now i feel that i can talk to you better on here, so i changed my mind.

I first want to write back about what you put on that website at runawayplanet. By the way, im 17 years old and i figured your about in your low 20's. But don't let my age make you not want to talk to me about this.

"So you are polythists. that Makes you Not Christian, Flat Out. Worshipping them or not." How about we stop talking about the definitions of polytheism and menotheism and talk about the definition of a Christian. The number one definition of a Christian is: 1. Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus. Im most certain that we fall in that definition, therefore we are Christian. Everything we do has to do with Christ. We teach of Christ, we believe in Christ, we strive to act like Christ. Our name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Saints. I believe in the same Christ as you do, the one who was perfect, who died for everyone of us greatly becuase he loves us all greatly. We are baptized in His name to follow Him, we partake of the sacrament (the holy communion) weekly to remember the sacrifice of His blood. He is constantly held up in our meetings as our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lord, and the author of our faith and our salvation. He is at the head of our church.

"But have you ever been encouraged to seek out oposing views and defeat them?" No one needs to encourage me, i just do it myself. I have talked to a few people of different faiths and have told them what i believe and why i do. Although i have never talked to anyone who was Orthodox Christian, but im interested in finding out what you believe. Even though i don't believe what i know about your faith.

"Is there Evidence to support the truth Claims of the BOM/PGP/D&C beyond the personal testimonys of members of the Church?" Take a look around on this website, go down to LDS Religion and Philosophy: http://www.jefflindsay.com/MyPages.shtml#religion

Greg, the Bible helps us back up some of the things we believe. Now what i understand about Orthodox Chritian is that you only believe in things because there are proofs that its right. What proofs? Is there really any hard proofs? I doubt it because then i feel like most everyone would be an Orthodox Christian. Whats the point of the Holy Spirit then if you only go off proofs that you think is proofs. Like i said before you can't prove to someone who doesn't believe in God that Moses parted the Red Sea. Now ask yourself this, why are there so many different types of Christian faiths? Why can't there just be one? Its just one book that they all go off of, which is the Bible, but there are different versions of the Bible and people who inturpret it differently. How are we to know which one is correct about them? Can it be of just strictly proofs to have people believe in it? No it needs to be believed through the Holy Spirit. And the reason i believe that it can't be strictly of proofs because i know what Heavenly Fathers plan is. I could talk a lot about His plan but to my point about this is, Heavenly Father gave us gifts. Those gifts are our bodies and our agency. We have the agency to choose freedom or captivity. Were able to choose good or evil, right and wrong. And he has given us help with this by giving everyone the light of Christ, and when your baptized the Holy Spirit, which also helps us. Now if there are any hard proofs to prove that a religion is true we lose our agency to choose right and wrong, evil and good because we would all know that its truly correct and we would all be doing good and there would be no evil in the world. There would have been no point in us being here on Earth. And our point here on earth is to gain a physical body like our father, and to either choose freedom, which is Him, or choose captivity, which is with Satan. In agency we need opposition, the knowledge of good and bad, and laws...there is one more but i can't think of it right now. Wouldn't you like to know where we came from, why we are here, what we have to do in order to be with Him again, where we are going after we die, and whats going to happen there? Im thankful i know. Everything we believe makes sense. And i also don't get what you mean when you say the universe points to Orthodox Christian because of how the universe is runned.

Well thanks for letting me e-mail you. Im interested in what you have to say.

-Mason

[Greg]

Mason, Email me. I should stop Hyjacking Don's blog =P

GregLaws@gmail.com

[inhimdependent_lds]

Having stumbled across this post quite by chance i just felt compelled to leave a couple of brief even if non-consequential comments for consideration.
First off i want to commend you for your willingness to at least try to discuss faiths other than your own- that is certainly a good thing and i would want to encourage you in this area. Learning about what others believe outside of our own faith and views is in my opinion a healthy thing to do.
Second, and perhaps my main reason for posting this, is to express a bit of concern in regard to the inaccuracy and degree of distortion so prevalent in the original post. Please understand that i want to be as courteous and respectful as i can be while at the same time injecting a little bit of balance to the views expressed in the above post.
As a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints i have found the teachings, doctrines and overall self-understanding of the Church to be extremely intelligent, congruent, enriching, beautiful and phenomenal in its capacity to bring one closer to Christ as well as being very much in harmony with the Bible. The beauty of the restoration, the teachings of the Church and the way it interrelates with its members is like nothing i have ever known. In fact some of the reasons that had an influence on why i joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was because of its far superior capacity to “make sense” and provide more coherent and intelligent answers and make better sense of Scripture in ways that i found so lacking in my long previous experience as a Protestant Christian. Now, as a LDS Christian i would just like to say that, beyond my very dear and personal testimony of the truthfulness of the Church, i would just like to express that the teachings of the LDS Church and our own self-understanding are dramatically different than what has been expressed here to say the least.
Please understand that I have not explored your entire website and have only read the above article titled “Newsweek on Mormonism”- so i readily admit that i am not aware of all that you do here. My comments are intended to be directed to this one specific post only. Perhaps this post is intended to be taken as more “tongue-in-cheek” than i have understood it to be. This would be good news if it were the case. If this is the case then perhaps my comments here should be disregarded.
However, if the comments here are of a serious nature and are intended to be taken as serious commentary in regard to the LDS Church- then i would seriously encourage you to please, please, please consider educating yourself more fully in regards to understanding the Church before attempting to critique it. The fallacy and distortion here is so prevalent and pervasive that i hardly feel it is possible to even begin to address the specific problems contained in it.

[Tonya Neff]

I'm the first one to take the easy way out. But you've negated the possibility of a God that directs his --whatever the heck we are. Faith vs. reason is archetypal, is it not? I've fallen, but I've not given up. I wish I could reveal the wisdom, painfully found in hndsight, behind Joseph Smith's prophetic visions. PS--(as to your article)--sarcasm is adolescent--thanks for the nostalgia T.