Posted by:
anagrammy
(
)
Date: July 29, 2011 02:33AM
Dear XXX
First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians (Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, verse 11)
When I was a child, I spake as a child,
I understood as a child, I thought as a child:
but when I became a man, I put away
childish things. For now we see through a
glass, darkly; but then face to face: now
I know in part; but then shall I know even
as also I am known.
LDS missionaries point to this scripture as foreshadowing additional light and knowledge that would be forthcoming in the future. They are trying to prove the apostles were told a "restoration" would be needed, even though Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail upon his church.
In this passage from Corinthians, Mormons know Paul could not have been referring to his coming exaltation because, as a single man, Paul would be ineligible for the Celestial Kingdom. So who among the apostles was eligible? The apostles wondered that too and they asked Jesus. They assumed they would all be there, married or single, and just wanted to know how close to Jesus they would be sitting. Who would have the position of power at the "right hand" of Jesus?
This was the perfect time for Jesus to explain that none of them would be there because they were not practitioners of the sacred, holy, required principle of Celestial Marriage--i.e., polygamy? Strangely, no. He basically gave them a teaching on humility and the elevation of oneself in one's own eyes.
The apostles will not be in the Celestial Kingdom. They were in error, according to Mormon doctrine.No. The apostles write that an early Christian leader must have but one wife and missionaries weakly attempt to suggest that meant "because they would be too busy to properly manage them." Somehow, Jesus forgot to mention the one thing that was crucial to get to heaven, at least in Joseph Smith's version of Christianity.
So what was Joseph Smith's version if it wasn't an accurate depiction of the early Christian church? Someone once said that religion is old news and in many ways that is correct. There is very little new under the sun, pretty much variations on old ideas that re-emerge, enjoy another round of popularity for a time and then fade. Mormonism is one of those. The Joseph Smith doctrine most closely resembles the Gnostic Heresy which could have become The Christian Religion had it not been suppressed by the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, which institutionalized the Trinity and branded all other views heresy (the real source of accusations that Mormonism is a cult today). Here's why I think Mormons are Gnostics:
*Gnostics believed you had to have an experience of the Divine, a "knowing." Mormonism includes this and calls it "testimony." Missionaries go right for this when they ask people to pray about the Book of Mormon and expect a burning in the bosom.
*Gnostics believe the creator god is a type of demon; their god is masculine and feminine, with Mary Magdalene revered as a consort to Jesus. Heavenly Father is actually Heavenly Father + Heavenly Mother; however, in this patriarchal form of Christianity, she is almost never mentioned.
*Gnostics had the following sacraments: are baptism, chrism, eucharist, redemption, and a bridal chamber; and their religious practices seem to blend elements of asceticism and promiscuity. Mormonism uses "chrism" (Greek for "anointing") for the Washing and Anointing in the temple. The blending of elements of asceticism and promiscuity are present in several forms in Mormon doctrine and practice:
-- Emphasis on celibacy and moral purity before marriage.
-- Emphasis on the body and modest clothing
-- Wearing of symbolic, asexual underwear which mandates more clothing coverage, reflecting view of the body as evil, responsible for sin
-- Emphasis on repression of masturbation and viewing of pornography, both of which have increased in modern times.
-- Doctrine of Celestial Marriage which requires polygamy for exaltation to the Celestial Kingdom
-- Emphasis on early marriage and dangers of postponing childbearing
-- Missionaries being subjected to continual worthiness interviews focusing on sex, reflecting connection between asceticism and spirituality
-- Missionaries assigned to same-sex companion in shared room with no opportunity for personal privacy
-- Same sex nudity for showering in the MTC
-- Partial same sex nudity for washing and anointing in the temple
*Gnostics believed Mary Magdalene was an apostle/teacher and was a consort to Jesus. Mormons agree and go one further--Many believe she was his wife, since he would be required to have her and others to be eligible for the Celestial Kingdom himself.
You mention the Book of Mormon as though it has not been proved false when it has. There is not one credible anthropologist or archeologist in the world that agrees with Book of Mormon version of New World history. Furthermore, in exasperation over continued Mormon citing of its name in such distortions, the Smithsonian Institute went so far as to issue a letter of denial of Mormon claims regarding the Book of Mormon in 1997 (http://www.irr.org/mit/smithsonian.html). Since that time, no corroborating evidence has been found at all while advancing satellite technology and science offers us new locations which confirm the Bible archeology and enable us to locate hidden cities described in the Bible. Further advancements in DNA science further confirm the facts provided by the Smithsonian, confirming that Native Americans were of Mongolian descent, not Middle Eastern.
And as far as "further light and knowledge speaking from the dust," when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and illuminated the Gnostic view of Christianity, did Mormons rejoice? Did they immediately adopt the Nag Hammadi documents as a more recent revelation than Joseph Smith's Book of Mormon and discard the Book of Mormon in favor of actual ancient documents which are real? Did they respect these parchments alongside their Book of Abraham and Pearl of Great Price?
Absolutely not. Why? Because that light and knowledge does not bring a single dime into the coffers of LDS, Inc. Even if it is Latter Day. Even if it is about Mary Magdalene and---but wait. Oh, here's the problem. The theology of this further light and knowledge does not match Mormon convoluted temple requirements/celestial kingdoms/pay-up-or-you're-out theology. Instead, these words from the dust speak of Mary Magdalene knowing Jesus better than the apostles and displays how annoyed they were because she was superior in spirituality and she was (gasp) a woman.
Regarding accurate Mormon history, most people like me have been "lead away by Satan" by reading authorized Mormon scripture or history. There is nothing more anti-Mormon than Doctrine & Covenants Section 132 and the entire Journal of Discourses. If you yourself ever wonder if there might be "more light and knowledge" available to you using the internet, check out this one page regarding the Mormon General Authorities bribing a Supreme Court Justice. There is a lot you don't know and I respect your right not to know.
Just don't assume that I left the church because I was "offended." I am a woman with a brain which at the moment contains more truth about the Mormon church than you have allowed yourself to obtain.
I respect your choice and ask that you respect mine.
Anagrammy
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2011 03:16AM by anagrammy.