FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Like other Christians, embers of the Church of Jesus Christ believe in one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Latter-day Saints understand this unity differently than some other Christians. Other Christians believe God is one in "essence," while Latter-day Saints believe they are separate personages that are one in love, in will, and in character. Because of this, some describe Latter-day Saints as believing in "many gods," but we consider that inaccurate and unfair. We simply understand how God is one in a different way. | Like other Christians, embers of the Church of Jesus Christ believe in one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Latter-day Saints understand this unity differently than some other Christians. Other Christians believe God is one in "essence," while Latter-day Saints believe they are separate personages that are one in love, in will, and in character. Because of this, some describe Latter-day Saints as believing in "many gods," but we consider that inaccurate and unfair. We simply understand how God is one in a different way. | ||
{{SeeAlso|Polytheism|l1=Many gods?}} | {{SeeAlso|Polytheism|l1=Many gods?|%22No_God_beside_me%22|"No gods besides me" (Isaiah 43-46 questions)}} | ||
==19. How can you say your church is true if you don’t know very much about other churches?== | ==19. How can you say your church is true if you don’t know very much about other churches?== | ||
Revision as of 00:45, 7 October 2009
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Common Chat Questions
1. What’s different about the Mormon faith?
- The two things that probably most distinguish us is that we believe God continues to talk to prophets, and that he provides us with scripture in addition to the Holy Bible.
Option #2
- Another approach, etc.
2. Polygamy questions…Do Mormons really have more than one wife?
- Some Mormons practiced polygamy in the nineteenth century because they believed God had commanded them to. This practice was stopped more than a century ago, and is forbidden to modern Mormons.
3. I’m depressed . . . how can I find happiness?
Depression can come from many causes. Some causes of depression include:
a) medical illness - if we have a medical illness, we may wish to consult a physician for help; b) sins - if we do things we know are wrong, this will make us feel guilty and unhappy. Freedom from sins comes by repenting, receiving forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and living righteously afterwards. c) sometimes we feel depressed because we feel our life has no purpose, or because the burdens and challenges of life are overwhelming. A deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ can help us have peace in this life, and joy in the life to come.
Virtually everyone's life can be improved by repenting, and following the teachings of Jesus Christ. As Jesus taught, service to others also has a wonderful way of lightening our own burdens. For some, professional treatment may also be needed.
4. Can you prove the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to me through archeological evidences?
- There is some physical evidence that is compatible with the Book of Mormon. We believe, however, that conversion to Jesus Christ will come only when people receive a spiritual witness of the Book of Mormon's truthfulness.
5. How do I know the difference between my own feelings and the Spirit?
- The Holy Ghost does not speak to us just through feelings. The Lord tells us that "you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. 9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong"
- This tells us that the Holy Ghost speaks to our mind and our feelings--they both must be in agreement.
6. Why is Lucifer Christ’s brother?
Lucifer was a spirit child of God, as was Jesus. Lucifer rebelled against God; Jesus was perfectly obedient and united to his father. Saying that Lucifer and Jesus are "the same" because they are both spirit child of God is like saying that Gandhi and Hitler were "the same" because they were Hitler. They became very different beings because of the choices they made.
7. Why did Joseph Smith marry a fourteen year old?
Joseph was sealed to Helen Mar Whitney with her consent and the consent of her parents. This sealing seems to have been intended to create a bond between Joseph and the Whitney family. In the early days of the Church, "sealings" were carried out not just between parents and children (as they are today), but also between other family members, or even non-related close friends.
There is no evidence that the marriage with Helen was consummated.
8. Why isn’t eternal marriage mentioned in the Bible?
There are some scriptures that discuss the importance of marriage in God's plan. The apostle Paul taught, "neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." (1 Cor 11:11). However, we believe that some important doctrines were hidden or removed from the writings that later became the Bible by those without authority from God. This is why having modern prophets is so important--God can teach us what it is important for us to know today. See also:
Mormonism and marriage
Jump to Subtopic:
- Temple marriage
- Social issues related to marriage among Latter-day Saints
- Issues related to divorce in Mormonism
Temple Sealings and Exaltation
Summary: There are a few related criticisms of the Latter-day Saint doctrine that temple sealing and eternal marriage are necessary for exaltation. Critics argue that this doctrine conflicts with the Bible because (1) Paul appeared to teach that remaining unmarried was preferable, (2) Jesus said that people "neither marry, nor are given in marriage" in the resurrection, and (3) requiring marriage for exaltation seems unfair to faithful members who never have the opportunity to marry.
Neither Paul nor Jesus taught that eternal marriage is impossible or unimportant, and God will ultimately provide every worthy person who lacked the opportunity for temple marriage in mortality the chance to receive all the blessings of exaltation.
Question: Is marriage essential to achieve exaltation?
There is no biblical obstacle to the doctrine of eternal marriage
Some criticize the Latter-day Saint view of marriage as essential on the following grounds:
- If marriage is essential to achieve exaltation, why did Paul say that it is good for a man not to marry? (1 Corinthians 7:1)
- Why does the Mormon Church teach that we can be married in heaven when Jesus said in Matthew 22:30 that there is no marriage in the resurrection?
- Since not all members of the Church are married, doesn't this mean there will be many otherwise good Mormons who will not be exalted?
There is no Biblical obstacle to the doctrine of eternal marriage.
- Some of Paul's statements addressed specific situations (e.g., missionaries wishing to leave their labors to be married), and some refuted false ideas in the Christian churches about avoiding marriage. There is textual evidence for the importance of marriage in the early Church, and evidence from early Fathers and the Bible that Paul was, in fact, married.
- It will be too late for weddings after the resurrection, but the state of marriage itself can exist eternally, if entered into via the Lord's way. This is supported by the details of the situation described in Matthew, and the original Greek.
Latter-day Saints do not draw their doctrine from a reading of the Bible—as in all things, they are primarily guided by modern revelation. That same revelation assures them that no worthy person who was unable to marry will be denied any blessing in the hereafter.
The critics misstate the Biblical evidence: Paul's statement is a response to a particular situation, probably regarding missionary work
In brief, the critics misstate the Biblical evidence.
- Paul does not say it is good not to marry. Paul was probably married himself. But, married or not, his advice to the Corinthians — that the unmarried remain unmarried and that the married be as if they were not married — is a response to a particular situation, probably regarding missionary work.
- Jesus' response to the Pharisees in Matt 22 says nothing about the marital status of the righteous in heaven. It responds to a particular question about an actual case that the Sadducees were using to try to trick the Savior.
The critics also misunderstand or misrepresent LDS doctrine on the necessity of marriage for salvation. Each of these points is discussed below.
Paul and "good not to marry"
The basis for the suggestion that Paul counseled against marriage and sexual relations is found in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2:
- Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
There are several things that should be understood if one is to correctly interpret this passage and, indeed, the entire seventh chapter of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. These are:
- The statement, "it is good for a man not to touch a woman" was probably not Paul's.
- Paul may well have been married himself, but traveling in the ministry without his wife.
- Paul taught the importance of marriage in many places.
- The reason for Paul's advice to the unmarried was for an unusual and a temporary situation.
- Paul is careful to point out that this advice to remain single for the time being is not God's commandment, but was only his personal (though very wise) opinion.
- Paul is clear that marriage, not celibacy, is a requirement for church leadership.
For a detailed response, see: Further discussion of Corinthians 7
Jesus and "neither marry nor given in marriage"
Matthew 22:23-30 (or its counterparts, Mark 12:18-25 and Luke 20:27-36) is often used by critics to argue against the LDS doctrine of eternal marriage. The Sadducees, who didn't believe in the resurrection, asked the Savior about a case where one woman successively married seven brothers, each of which died leaving her to the next. They then tried to trip up Jesus by asking him whose wife she will be in the resurrection. Jesus' answer is almost identical in all three scriptural versions.
- Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (Matthew 22:29-30)
This scripture is one of the most misunderstood scriptures in the Bible. If one is to understand it properly, one must take into account the following:
- The question that the Sadducees asked was not a hypothetical one but was based on a real case of a woman who married seven brothers in succession, and that Jesus is commenting on this particular case.
- The original Greek of this passage makes it clear that Jesus intended no statement concerning the marital status of the righteous in heaven.
- The eternal unmarried state is the state of the angels in heaven, but it is not that of the heirs of salvation.
For a detailed response, see: Further discussion of Matthew 22:23-30
Question: Will Mormons who are not married in this life be able to achieve exaltation?
People who live a worthy life but do not marry in the temples, for various reasons beyond their control, will at some time be given this opportunity
In discussing the nature of marriage for time and eternity, anti-Mormon authors McKeever and Johnson ask the following:
Although continued good works are essential, Mormonism teaches that a person must be married in the temple to have a chance at exaltation. But what happens if a person does not get married, for whatever reason, and dies single?[1]
In his article in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, James T. Duke explains the LDS doctrine on this subject:
People who live a worthy life but do not marry in the temples, for various reasons beyond their control, which might include not marrying, not having heard the gospel, or not having a temple available so that the marriage could be sealed for eternity, will at some time be given this opportunity. Latter-day Saints believe it is their privilege and duty to perform these sacred ordinances vicariously for deceased progenitors, and for others insofar as possible.[2]
This is not a new teaching. In 1957 Joseph Fielding Smith said to the single sisters of the Church:
You good sisters, who are single and alone, do not fear that blessings are going to be withheld from you. You are not under any obligation or necessity of accepting some proposal that comes to you which is distasteful for fear you will come under condemnation. If in your hearts you feel the gospel is true and would under proper conditions receive these ordinances and sealing blessings in the temple of the Lord, and that is your faith and your hope and your desire, and that does not come to you now, the Lord will make it up, and you shall be blessed, for no blessing shall be withheld.[3]
Likewise Harold B. Lee counseled the single women of the Church:
You young women advancing in years who have not yet accepted a proposal of marriage, if you make yourselves worthy and ready to go to the House of the Lord and have faith in this sacred principle, even though the privilege of marriage dies not come to you now, the Lord will reward you in due time and no blessing will be denied you. You are not under obligation to accept a proposal from some one unworthy of you for fear you will fail of your blessings.[4]
Bruce R. McConkie also taught this principle when he wrote:
I am perfectly aware that there are people who did not have the opportunity [of celestial marriage] but who would have lived the law had the opportunity been afforded. Those individuals will be judged in the providences and mercy of a gracious God according to the intents and desires of their hearts. That is the principle of salvation and exaltation for the dead.[5]
While LDS doctrine states that Celestial marriage is necessary for exaltation with God, the doctrine also states that worthiness is more important than an ordinance, and that the worthy will be provided with all the opportunities necessary so that they do not lose their chance at any blessings. This is one of the great purposes of the LDS temple work for the dead.
Critical sources |
|
Notes
- ↑ Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, Mormonism 101. Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2000), 218-219. ( Index of claims )
- ↑ James T. Duke, "Marriage: Eternal Marriage," in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 4 vols., edited by Daniel H. Ludlow, (Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 2:859.
- ↑ Joseph Fielding Smith, Elijah the Prophet and His Mission (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1957), 51.
- ↑ Harold B. Lee, Youth and the Church (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1955), 132.
- ↑ Bruce R. McConkie, "Celestial Marriage," The New Era (June 1978): 17.
Jump to Subtopic:
Jump to Subtopic:
- Divorce in the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormon")
- Mormonism and divorce in the nineteenth century
9. Why do you believe Christ is separate from God the Father?
Christ is a separate personage from the Father, but he is united to him in will, in attributes, and in character. (Jesus prayed for the disciples to be "one" as Jesus and the Father were one--and yet, the disciples are clearly not one in "essence" (see John 17:11,21-22). We believe they are separate because the Bible teaches this--Jesus prays to his Father, he pleads for his will to match the Father's will, he ascends to his Father, and so forth. Finally, we believe the testimony of modern prophets, who have seen the Father and the Son, and bear witness of them (JS-H 1꞉17).
10. Why do you believe that you can become a god?
We accept the Bible's teachings that those who are saved are given our Heavenly Father's kind of life: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelations 3:21).
This does not mean we will be separate or independent of God.
11. Do Mormons believe that they get their own planet?
We know very little about what the life of the redeemed will involve. We know that they will be in God's presence, and we know that they will remain together in families. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him," taught Paul (1 Corinthians 2:9).
12. I’m already saved. Why do I need the Mormon baptism?
We believe that anyone who already has faith in Christ would be anxious to learn more about him and more about what he has told us today. We would not expect you to be rebaptized unless you were convinced that God wanted you to do so. Baptism is not the first step; first you must learn what we believe God has revealed about Jesus in our day, and decide if it is true.
13. What happens after we die?
When we die, we go to a place called the "spirit world." For those who have been righteous, the spirit world is a place of peace and rest. For the wicked, this is called "spirit prison" or "hell," where they suffer for their sins. People who did not have a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life can learn about it in the spirit world. Eventually, every person will be resurrected--they will receive their body again. The righteous will be resurrected to live with God and Jesus Christ; the wicked must leave God's presence forever.
14. What’s with the special underwear?
Members of the Church who have made promises in the temple wear a modest form of underwear which reminds them of the promises they have made. Just as some Christians wear crosses or religious clothing of various types to remind them of their faith, Latter-day Saints do something similar.
15. What does it take to get to heaven?
To return to live with Our Heavenly Father, we must have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, be baptized by someone who has authority, and receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost purifies us as if by fire, and we must then endure to the end in our new life by keeping the promises we made at baptism, and continuing to have faith in Jesus.
16. Why does God allow suffering in the world?
God wants us to learn to make good choices without being forced to do so. He wants us to use our free will to do right.
This life is a time to learn how to make these kinds of choices. But, for us to be free to make these choices, God needs to be "out of sight." God allows bad things to happen because of natural laws and because of the bad choices of ourselves and other people.
But, he promises us that if we turn to him, he will give us comfort and strength to endure any bad things that happen, and he will help us to help others.
17. I’m losing my faith in God, what should I do?
Having faith in God is like having a relationship with a friend. Our relationship with our friends would not be very close if we never spoke to them, never thought of them, or never wrote to them. To build faith in God, we should start by reading what God has written to us--this includes the scriptures, the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We should try to put into practice what we read. And, we should pray to God--we should talk to him, explain our problems, and ask for his help. We can be helped in this process by talking with others who have faith in God, such as the missionaries from the Church.
18. Do Mormons believe in multiple gods?
Like other Christians, embers of the Church of Jesus Christ believe in one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Latter-day Saints understand this unity differently than some other Christians. Other Christians believe God is one in "essence," while Latter-day Saints believe they are separate personages that are one in love, in will, and in character. Because of this, some describe Latter-day Saints as believing in "many gods," but we consider that inaccurate and unfair. We simply understand how God is one in a different way.
19. How can you say your church is true if you don’t know very much about other churches?
We say our Church is true because God has revealed it to us by His Holy Spirit. We do not expect others to take our word for it. We ask them not to believe us, but to take the steps necessary so that they can know for themselves.
20. How can you be so presumptuous to say that you are the only true church when God loves all his children?
It is true that God loves all his children, and so we do not believe that God would cause confusion or arguing about his Church. We believe that he will tell everyone who sincerely seeks whether what we teach comes from him or not.
We also believe that all churches and religions have many good, true things in them which also come from God. We invite all those who have truth to bring the truth they have, and see if we cannot add to it.
21. Can you help me with my report on Mormonism?
The best place to find information about Mormonism is probably a Mormon friend, or the Encyclopedia of Mormonism.
Volunteer members also answer questions about historical or doctrinal matters from a lay members' perspective at such sites as FAIR. Many questions have already been answered as such sites as the [en.fairmormon.org FAIR wiki]. (Note that FAIR is a private group that is not affiliated with, and does not speak for, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
22. Why would God create homosexual people?
Part of our Heavenly Father's plan requires that we be in a world where natural laws and processes operate on their own. For example, without a miracle, if someone steps out of a window, they will naturally fall to the ground.
Part of these natural laws involve imperfections--children can be born with mental challenges, or blindness, or deafness, or a physical deformity.
God did not necessarily "cause" these deformities, challenges, or problems, but he permits them to occur.
People who struggle with homosexual feelings have often done nothing to cause such feelings--just as those who are blind, or deaf, or troubled in some other way have done nothing to "deserve" them or cause them. With every difficulty, God promises that if we obey him, he will provide a way to overcome our challenges, be happy, and return to him.
23. I’m homosexual – will the church accept me?
The church will accept you as it will accept any other person who repents and desires to follow Christ. You will likewise be expected to keep the same commandments as other members of the Church. This means that you will have no sexual relations with anyone, unless you are legally married to a person of the opposite sex.
Those with homosexual feelings are welcome. Those who commit homosexual acts would face Church discipline. All people—in or out of the church, homosexual or otherwise—are loved and respected as children of God. But, the Church cannot approve all the acts of God's children.
24. What should I do if I have homosexual feelings?
Homosexuals feelings should be approached the same way we would approach any other feeling or desire which does not have a moral expression. We all feel desires we should not express or act on: the desire to anger, the desire to steal, the desire for violence, etc. Instead of acting on our desires we should:
- avoid places, situations, or thoughts that encourage or strengthen the feeling we wish to avoid
- fill our minds, hearts, and activities with elements which encourage the desires we wish to act on
- pray to God for help in our weaknesses
- study the scriptures and understand true doctrine, which can motivate us to make wise choices
- repent of past unrighteous behavior, and resolve not to return to our sins.
Having homosexual feelings is not a sin. Acting on those feelings is.
25. Why does the church hate homosexuals?
The Church does not hate homosexuals. We love all our Heavenly Father's children. Since he has taught us that any sexual behavior outside of a marriage between a man and a woman will not bring lasting happiness now or after death, we share this information with others. They must decide whether to obey or not, but we would not be loving if we allowed someone we loved to do something dangerous or damaging.
26. Is God real?
27. Can you prove there is a God?
28. Is there a heaven?
29. Why aren’t blacks allowed into the Mormon church?
You have been misinformed. Blacks are allowed in the Church, just as members of all races are.
30. Are you saved through Christ or Joseph Smith?
We are saved through Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was a prophet, like Peter, Moses, or Paul. Peter and Paul taught important things /about /Jesus, but their audience is saved only through Jesus, not through them.
31. Are Mormons Christians?
Yes. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, suffered and was crucified for the sins of the wold, and that he was resurrected after three days. Only through Him can we be saved.
32. Why can’t you drink tea or coffee?
We do not drink tea or coffee because God has given us this command by a modern prophet. In the Old Testament, God commanded his people not to eat pork. Later, he removed this command. It is wonderful that God will continue to give us advice and counsel for our day.
33. Why don’t you believe in the trinity?
We believe in the trinity--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--but we do not believe ideas added to the trinity after the Bible was written. We do not, for example, believe that the trinity is one is essence. We believe they are one in intent, in goal, in love, and in purpose. (For more information, see answer to Question #9.)