BBC News - Religion & Ethics - Mormonsiom

Under "Features"

Sub-title: Deification

"Mormons believe that human beings can become like gods. But they remain subordinate to God even when they become exalted and like God." (bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/mormonism/)

"Mormons believe that human beings can become like gods. The 5th president of the Church wrote: "As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may be." However, this doesn't meant that human beings can grow to replace God. Mormons only worship God the Father through his son Jesus Christ. Nor do human beings become equal to God. They remain subordinate to God even when they become exalted and like God. "If...through God's grace a Latter-day Saint does one day become a god, he will continue to put his faith and trust in God, the Father, his Son and out Redeemer and Saviour Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit, and they will continue to be his God" And unlike the doctrines of some other faiths, it doesn't mean that humans can become one with God by becoming part of God - they remain separate beings, but take on the attributes of God." (http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/, BBC Team)

Now, here is the problem....., Mormons DO believe that they will BE gods, not 'like' gods. And they believe that they will be just as powerful as God is now.
"They have eternal increase, a continuation of the seeds forever and ever, a continuation of the lives, eternal lives; that is, they have spirit children in the resurrection, in relation to which offspring they stand in the same position that God our Father stands to us. They inherit in due course, the fulness of the glory of the Father, meaning that they have all power in heaven and on earth. (D & C 76:50-60; 93:1-40.) "Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.: (D & C 132:16-26; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, pp. 35-79.) (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R McConkie, pp. 257, boldness added)
"From this revelation, it will be seen that men can become Gods and enjoy a "fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever" only by observing the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, and that without marriage they can only become "ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory." ( A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Legrand Richards, pp. 303, boldness added)
"But 'Mormonism' is bolder yet. It asserts that in accordance with the inviolable law of organic nature--that like shall beget like, and that multiplication of numbers and perpetuation of species shall be in compliance with the condition 'each after his kind,' the child may achieve that former status of the parent, and that in his mortal condition man is a God in embryo." (The Articles of Faith, James E. Talmage, pp. 474, boldness added)
There are many more 'Mormon' scripture and modern-day revelation to back up the thought: "MAN IS A GOD IN EMBRYO."
I don't know about you, but....this is bad, very bad. Man thinks they can become Gods by works and a marriage in a temple. Mormon temple that is....
Also, the Mormons do not teach that God gives grace to those who earned the right to be gods. The only thing they teach is how to become Gods!!!!!
Nowhere in the Bible does it teach this theology.

The Control Panel

Let me "Plug" you into the control panel of Mormonism.
Mind control is a very dangerous problem and is used extensively withing the Mormon world. Here are some points that I can think of. I'm sure I've missed some!

1. Control of Information
*What is read at home
*Family Home Evening every week
*Seminary every weekday
*Meetings-hours & hours; Sacrament, Primary, Sunday School, Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Men & Young Women
*Callings in the church-more meetings
*Activities-dances, dinners, sports, missionary duties, volunteer work, etc
*Missionary Work-give them rides, cook for them, etc
*Milk-to-Meat Theory-give a member only enough to keep him/her interested, give more information after a period of time if deemed worthy.
*Monitor what is watched on TV, listened to on the radio
*Don't talk to non-members (unless it is to convert them) or "Jack Mormons"
*Read the Standard Works, church magazines, books, newspapers, etc.
*Watch programs put out by the church
*Attend church all the time
*Stay busy in the church
*Home Teacher (Family visits) and Visiting Teacher (Sister visits) visits; they come to the home and see how your doing and give the prepared lesson for the month.

2. Thought Control
*Don't question authority-Priesthood
*Don't disagree with "God's" leaders: Bishop, teachers, prophet, elders, older members, etc.
*Call men 'brothers' and women 'sisters'
*Follow the Prophets "Do what your told" leadership
*It's the "Only" true church
*Feelings are unique-You are special
*Persecution complex
*Mormons are good all others are evil
*Perfection is a must
*Sing only church approved hymns and songs

3.Environment & Behavior Control
*Word of Wisdom must be followed
*Missionaries must wear dark suits and white ties
*What you wear must be approved of by the priesthood
*Must fast once a month
*Dis-fellowship is used as punishment
*Dis-fellowship forbids association with others as punishment
*Control of what and how much food to eat if on church welfare
*Even of its wrong; Things will be done to you either directly or indirectly in order for the desired end result.
*Home must reflect Mormonism
*Keep bathroom reading material Mormon orientated
*They (those in authority) will lie to you if the authority figure thinks its for the best or for your own good.
*Appear wholesome, happy, fulfilled all the time.

4.Special Language
*Thine, Thou, Thee, Thus, etc....are encouraged words
*Brotherin; as a reference
*Speak; brothers and sisters to all

5.Control of Feelings
*Fear and guilt used as negative enforcement
*Dis-fellowship and/or excommunication used
*Avoidance by members to others who have been excommunicated
*Re-enforcing the "Power of the Priesthood"
*Never contradict or disagree with anyone in authority
*Confess sins to Bishop
*Sinful to take sacrament without getting rid of all sins weekly
*(New members or new move-ins) First---feel good! At first only; The feelings of love and positive re-enforcement are heavily used. Everyones smile is superficial.
*(New members or new move-ins) Give gifts and lots of attention through home visits, phone calls, cards, letters, food-Bonbard them with superficial kindness.
*(New members or new move-ins) Make them feel relaxed and happy
*Take advantage of a crisis-church intervention of goodwill

The five major points in this "Control Panel" are the same points that define a CULT!

Bush's Temple Handshake

I got this picture in a newsletter from Saints Alive in Jesus through my email today.
President Bush is using the "sure sign of the nail" handshake with the new Prophet of the LDS church. Bush is lowering himself for money via donations. Is there something more to this? Hummmm.......?

The Priesthood Blessing

It was a Sunday afternoon shortly after church and I just laid the two babies down for their daily nap. Just about then, Convert had a phone call by one of the members of the church whom he was assigned to as home teacher. He spoke on the phone for only a moment or two, then hung up the receiver while explaining to me about the call. He said he needs to go because one of the females of that members family was in the hospital and Convert needed to go give a priesthood blessing to her. He checked his consecrated (blessed) oil that hung on his key ring, then he turned to me and said that he doesn't know how long he'll be gone.
I didn't think much of his need to leave, I just thought how he was called out to do his priesthood duty and fulfill his responsibility to the church. After Convert left, I cleaned the table from lunch and then sat down on the couch to get some rest before the children woke up. I was on the edge of dozing off went the phone rang. The sudden noise woke me up, so I got up and answered it. The voice on the other end was Convert. He said he was calling from the hospital and he wanted to let me know that the girl was going to be fine. Then he said, "I've got my arm around her, are you jealous?" I thought that it was a weird question, but I answered him, "No." I was uncomfortable with the situation. At first I thought of how inappropriate his actions were. And, "Why would he call me and ask such a dumb question?"
Convert got home a few hours later and I didn't confront him about the phone conversation we had. He briefly spoke of the situation that put that young lady in the hospital and then afterwards he took a nap. Me, I tended to the children who have sense woke up and were into just about everything.
A few years later when Convert and I moved to Utah from Michigan, the family who took us into their apartment was none-the-less but the family of this young gal that Convert saw in the hospital. The family treated us like their own and I was grateful for them opening their home to us while Convert found a job.
The relationship between Convert and that young lady will never be made known to me. However, my gut feeling tells me that Convert used a priesthood blessing as an excuse to be with someone that quite possibly really didn't need consecrated oil and laying on of hands. If there was oil and hands used, I know it wasn't used for God's purpose.

"Is Mormonism Christian?"

Click on the image and read what Hank Hanegraff, from Christian Research Institute has to say about the daunting Question, "Is Mormonism Christian?"

The Two Meanings of Endowment

"What is an endowment? The New Testament speaks of "endowing." After Christ's resurrection, He told his apostles that they must stay in Jerusalem until they were "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). The fulfillment of that commandment is presented in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost. The Apostles were given power from on high when the Holy Ghost manifested Himself in great glory--and gave both strength and the power of revelation to Christ's disciples.
The same power from on high is available to modern Saints who enter the temple to receive their own endowment and to act as proxy to receive an endowment on behalf of their deceased ancestors." (www.familiesforever.com)

"The apostles had been waiting for Pentecost. Jesus had told his apostles, "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (Lk. 24:49). We read in Acts 1:4 that they are in Jerusalem waiting as Jesus had told them to do. Hence, the language "day of Pentecost was fully come" is significant.
The day of Pentecost is often called the hub of the Bible. The day of Pentecost in Acts 2 fulfilled many kingdom and salvation prophecies (cp. Joel 2:28-32; Isa. 2:2,3, see Acts 2:16-47). The apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit to enable them to execute their commission, the full gospel was officially preached and Jesus' last will and testament came into being, the church become a reality, and remission of sin based on Jesus; shed blood was first experienced on the day of Pentecost.
The day of Pentecost was the birth of Christianity. It was on this memorable day that repentance and baptism in Jesus' name for the remission of sins was first taught and experienced (Acts 2:38). The height of Joel's prophesy had been "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered" (Joel 2:32). When those whose hearts had been pricked asked what must they do, were told, and did it, they were calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:37-42). People today are thus saved in the same way by calling on Jesus' name (Rom. 10:13)." (www.biblequestions.org)

The differences of the text are clear. The day of Pentecost is about the birth of Christianity not about a temple ritual.

The Hill Cumorah Pageant

It's about that time of the year when the LDS church puts on its annual play in Palmyra, New York. The photo you see here shows a more currant scene of "The Hill."
I remember going to "The Hill Cumorah Pageant" back in 1979. The whole adventure was a huge adrenalin rush for me. As the president of the Laural class, I was intimately involved in the construction of the four day trip. The process of the organization took many meetings and when it was all put together, the Bishop had to give his consent.
I can't remember all of the details now, but I remember that the pageant was quite the show. I was so impressed with the whole event, I too wanted to be a part of the festivities. Funny, I can't remember the show that much, but I remember the tee shirt I wore. It was light blue in color and it said, "Families are Forever." I wore the shirt out.
Below are two pictures from that trip. I have more but there are too many people in each photo.
I can't say that my childhood was all bad, the trips that I made while in the Young Women's Organization were educational as to my geograghical insights. Especially when all I knew was Utah and Idaho. (The person you see above is sitting on the throne that was used in the pageant back in 1979.)
The church makes this pageant a big deal. The reality is... "the whole concept of the pageant is wrong!" I hope that by reading the rest of my blog you'll see how the Mormon church makes a cult seem believable!

Polygamy Leadership Line

Click on the picture above and see the line of polygamy. The person who started all of this is non else, but....Joseph Smith!