Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The New Book Look of Mormon


Whether Mitt Romney wins the 2012 Presidential election or not, Mormonism certainly wins as it pushes its way into the mainstream culture of the United States. This acceptance of Mormonism as a mainline Christian faith waters down the message of the Gospel—that there’s only one true way to salvation: Jesus Christ. Mormonism teaches a much different gospel. Mormons believe that Jesus is the eldest of the Mormon god’s spirit children, our brother, and also the brother of Satan, who came up with a better plan of salvation than his brother Satan, who now hates him. Mormon salvation is not based on "grace through faith and not of works" as the Bible teaches (Ephesians 2:8-9); but rather, they teach that people are saved by grace only "after we do all that we can do" (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23).

Over the past several years Mormonism has inched its way into mainstream America through the entertainment industry with the television series Big Love (a depiction of fundamentalist Mormonism) and the 2011 Broadway hit, The Book of Mormon, as well as with television personalities such as Glenn Beck. Although The Book of Mormon musical parodies the Mormon belief system, the fact that the production exists and is successful shows the acceptance of Mormonism in our society. You know you’re popular when you are parodied!

The rise of Mitt Romney through the political ranks serves to further the reaches of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). The willingness of so many Christians to embrace a Mormon as a fellow Christian is surprising to me. Surely, these folks are unaware of the basic tenets of Mormonism, which include a belief in three levels of afterlife, baptism of the dead, and denial of the Trinity. According to Romney's viewpoint the Mormon god was once a human on another planet who, through following Mormon practices, exalted himself to godhood and received a planet of his own to populate with multiple wives who remain "spiritually" pregnant for all eternity, giving birth to spirit children (i.e. you and me) who are born onto this planet (earth).

I’m certainly not opposed to a Presidential candidate who is not a Christian, nor a President who is not a Christian. I am opposed to groups and individuals rallying around a non-Christian and claiming he’s a Christian despite the fact that he is not, and in fact is a member of a group that completely denies the Gospel message presented in scripture.

Voters shouldn’t follow a candidate blindly, attaching labels where they don’t exist. Whether attacking President Obama by labeling him a Muslim (when he has declared he is not) or by supporting Governor Romney by labeling him a Christian (when he belongs to a religious organization that opposes Christian doctrine), voters should know the facts. Vote for the person you think will run the country well. Don’t place a vote based on religious fervor that can easily be swayed by untruths.


Countdown to Elianna!