APOL 525-World Religions Engagement Paper Interview Assignment
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Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by AndrewPedde
World Religions Engagement Paper: Interview Assignment
Andrew Pedde
APOL 525-B01
September 22, 2023
Contents
Introduction………………………..…..…………………………………………….3
Personal Experience With Mormons………………………………….…………….4
Contrasting Mormonism and Christianity…………………………………………...4
Witnessing to a Mormon……………..……………………………….. ………..…..8
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...9
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………..…….11
ii
Introduction
The official name of the Mormon church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
and it was established in 1830 in New York by Joseph Smith, who claimed to have received a
divine revelation.
1
Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the
Temple and Family History Department, described the Mormon faith as a worldwide religion
with over 16 million members in more than 170 nations. He expressed the belief that in the near
future, temples would be established in many major cities around the world.
2
Mormonism's inception is marked by two significant events. First, Joseph Smith Jr., a 24-
year-old farmer in upstate New York, published a Bible-like volume called The Book of
Mormon. Smith claimed that he had translated this lost work of ancient scripture from golden
plates, which an angel had revealed to him were buried near his home. According to Smith, the
book contained prophecies about Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, as well as teachings that
Jesus imparted during a visit to the Americas after his resurrection.
Smith's translation of The Book of Mormon was not a solitary endeavor; he received
assistance from family and friends who believed in the significance of the work. Shortly after the
book's publication, a small group of believers gathered to formally establish the Church of
Christ, which would later be renamed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This event
marked the official beginning of Mormonism.
Personal Experience with Mormons
1
Leonard Arrington and Richard L. Bushman, “Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism,” The New England Quarterly
58, no. 3 (September 12, 1985): 469, https://doi.org/10.2307/365046
.
2 Ibid., 469.
3
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I have had some acquaintances who practiced Mormonism, and I once had the opportunity to
attend a Mormon wedding. Unlike many Mormon weddings that take place in temples, this one
was held in a meetinghouse, which is the term Mormons use for their churches. Temples have
specific requirements for entry, and not everyone, especially non-Mormons, can enter them.
When I was a little bit younger, 18, I had developed an infatuation with the Osmonds, a
musical group composed of a Mormon family. My parents and I visited Temple Square in Salt
Lake City, Utah, which proved to be an intriguing experience. While we were not permitted to
enter the temple itself, we toured the surrounding areas, and the Book of Mormon was
prominently displayed. My mother inquired about the Bible, but the tour guides seemed reluctant
to engage in discussions about it. One noteworthy aspect of the tour was learning about
posthumous baptisms performed by bishops in the temple, a practice that surprised me. However,
after this visit, my desire to become a Mormon waned.
On another occasion, a pair of Mormon missionaries visited our home. I invited them inside,
as I wanted to engage in discussions about our respective faiths. The missionaries expressed
gratitude for their prophets, while I emphasized gratitude for Jesus Christ. They seemed
unwilling to acknowledge Jesus and continually emphasized their prophets. Although I accepted
a copy of the Book of Mormon out of curiosity, the missionaries did not return.
Contrasting Mormonism and Christianity The religious worldview of Mormonism differs significantly from Christianity. The
fundamental beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints include God the Father's
plan for human happiness, Jesus Christ's central role in that plan, divine revelation through
4
prophets, Joseph Smith as a modern witness of Jesus, the Book of Mormon as an additional
testament of Jesus, and personal confirmation of the message through the Holy Ghost.
3
In contrast, Christianity centers on the belief that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God,
and His sacrificial death on the cross offers salvation and eternal life to believers. Christians rely
on the Bible as the source of God's plan and do not accept additional written testaments.
Moreover, Christianity upholds the doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing the oneness of God in
three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Mormonism's view of God differs from traditional Christian monotheism, as it posits that the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are separate gods. This polytheistic perspective contrasts with
Christianity's monotheistic belief in the one true God. The Bible affirms the oneness of God and
the absence of any gods besides Him.
4
In summary, while Mormons and Christians share some common elements of faith, such as
belief in Jesus Christ, significant theological differences set them apart, including their views on
God's nature, additional scriptures, and the nature of their religious relationship. Some
contrasting beliefs between the Mormons and Christianity are: 1. Atonement – Salvation by Grace
LDS: Christ's death brings universal resurrection, but salvation requires personal effort.
Bible: Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, delivering believers from sin's consequences.
2. Authority – Priesthood
LDS: Only LDS have authority for ordinances. Two-part priesthood system.
Bible: Christ is the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek; Aaronic priesthood ended.
3. Baptism
3
Christopher Kimball Bigelow, The Timeline History of Mormonism : From Premortality to the Present
(San Diego,
CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2008), 13.
4 Ibid., 23.
5
LDS: Must be performed by LDS priesthood.
Bible: Emphasizes faith in Christ, not priesthood, for baptism.
4. Born Again
LDS: Through baptism into the LDS Church.
Bible: Spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ.
5. Eternal Life
LDS: Exaltation in celestial kingdom; temple sealing required.
Bible: Eternal life offered to all believers in Christ.
6. The Fall
LDS: Views the Fall as a blessing.
Bible: The Fall brought sin and death; Adam and Eve's disobedience caused human sinfulness.
7. Godhead
LDS: God the Father has a physical body; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are separate gods.
Bible: God is one; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share the same divine nature.
8. Gospel
LDS: Doctrine and commandments of the Mormon Church.
Bible: Message of Christ's death and resurrection for sin atonement.
9. Heaven
LDS: Divided into three kingdoms.
Bible: Heaven is where believers enjoy God's presence.
10. Hell
LDS: Hell is temporary, inmates leave after paying their debt to God.
Bible: No indication of leaving hell; eternal punishment.
6
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11. Holy Ghost
LDS: Separates Holy Ghost from Holy Spirit; Holy Ghost is a person.
Bible: Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are the same; part of the Trinity.
12. Immortality
LDS: Immortality separates from eternal life.
Bible: Immortality and eternal life are not distinguished.
13. Kingdom of God
LDS: Kingdom tied to celestial kingdom.
Bible: All redeemed are in God's kingdom.
14. Pre-Existence
LDS: Belief in pre-earth existence for everyone.
Bible: Only Christ pre-existed; humans did not have a spiritual existence before earth.
15. Redeemed
LDS: Redemption limited to mortal death.
Bible: Christ redeems from spiritual death too.
16. Repentance
LDS: Concerned with individual acts, not sinful nature.
Bible: Repentance involves a change of heart and mind about rebellion against God.
17. Sin
LDS: Focuses on specific acts, not a sinful nature.
Bible: Humans are sinful until conversion.
18. Sons of God
LDS: All are literal spirit children of God.
7
Bible: Believers become children of God through conversion.
19. True Church
LDS: Only the Mormon Church.
Bible: The Church comprises of born-again believers in Christ.
20. Virgin Birth
LDS: Believes the virgin birth account in Matthew is in error.
Bible: Affirms Mary's virgin conception of Jesus by the Holy Ghost.
5
Witnessing to a Mormon
Phillip Roberts points out that the LDS Church aims to present itself as Christian while retaining its distinct Mormon doctrines.
6
The Book of Mormon has been subtitled "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" to appeal to those who have a love for Jesus. Mormons also promote baptism for the dead, a practice not found in the Bible. Mormon missionaries often view their good works as a means to achieve the celestial kingdom, so it's essential to emphasize that God's grace in Christ alone is sufficient for salvation. The Bible should be the ultimate source for family guidance, rather than any other book, church, or organization. Roberts suggests that Mormonism is not only a doctrinal issue but also a cultural one that seeks to attract and retain generations of people and families.
7
As Christians, we understand that being born into a Christian family does not automatically make one a Christian; each person must make a personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to receive eternal life. Mormons, on the other hand, believe that performing 5
Jennifer Graber, “Review of Patrick Q. Mason, What Is Mormonism? A Student’s Introduction; and David J. Howlett and John Charles Duffy, Mormonism: The Basics,” Mormon Studies Review
5, no. 1 (January 1, 2018): 147–52, https://doi.org/10.18809/msr.2018.0121
.
6
R Philip Roberts, Mormonism Unmasked : Confronting the Contradictions between Mormon Beliefs and True Christianity
(Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1998), 13.
7 Ibid., 15.
8
good deeds and engaging in missionary work will secure their place in heaven, but salvation is not based on good works or mistakes.
Engaging with Mormons can be challenging because they genuinely consider themselves Christians and have faith in Jesus Christ. Roberts offers some key points for Christians to discuss
with Mormons:
1. Highlight Joseph Smith's involvement in the occult and his multiple marriages, which include adulterous affairs.
2. Challenge the claim of the Church of Latter-Day Saints that it is the only true church and that all other denominations are wrong.
3. Point out that the assertion of having the only final and true religion contradicts both the Bible and Christian history.
4. Mention the changes in Mormon doctrines over time, indicating that the faith has evolved.
5. Be aware that many average Mormons are not familiar with the more controversial aspects of Mormon history.
While it's essential to be informed about the controversial elements of Mormonism, when engaging with Mormons, prioritize sharing the core doctrines of the gospel, focusing on the person and work of Christ and the concept of salvation by grace. These fundamental aspects should take precedence in your discussions with Mormons
.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I found this research highly informative and valuable. While some aspects were already familiar to me, there was much more to learn, especially considering the potential need to engage with Mormons in my role as a police officer in the military correctional system. This course has provided me with a valuable opportunity to explore various religions and 9
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cultures, equipping me with knowledge and insight that will better prepare me for encounters with diverse belief systems.
There are certain commendable aspects of Mormonism, such as their prohibitions on alcohol consumption, smoking, caffeine intake, and divorce (though exceptions exist). These principles promote healthy living and could benefit individuals from any religious or cultural background.
On the downside, Mormonism has been associated with polygamy in the past, although I personally have not encountered any polygamists, and it was outlawed in our country back in 1882 through the passing of Edmunds Anti-Polygamy Act of 1882.
8
Bibliography
8
John Charles Duffy, Mormonism: The Basics
(New York, NY: Routledge Publishing, 2016), 12,
10
Arrington, Leonard, and Richard L. Bushman. “Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism.” The New England Quarterly
58, no. 3 (September 12, 1985): 469. https://doi.org/10.2307/365046.
Christopher Kimball Bigelow. The Timeline History of Mormonism : From Premortality to the Present
. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2008.
Graber, Jennifer. “Review of Patrick Q. Mason, What Is Mormonism? A Student’s Introduction; and David J. Howlett and John Charles Duffy, Mormonism: The Basics.” Mormon Studies Review
5, no. 1 (January 1, 2018): 147–52. https://doi.org/10.18809/msr.2018.0121.
John Charles Duffy. Mormonism: The Basics
. New York, NY: Routledge Publishing, 2016.
R Philip Roberts. Mormonism Unmasked : Confronting the Contradictions between Mormon Beliefs and True Christianity
. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1998.
11