The Relief Society lesson from last week visiting Salt Lake City was on truth. What is truth? The definition was given in Christian terms- truth is in the Bible and Book of Mormon, truth is told by the prophet and other leaders of the church. This didn't quite settle with me because what we are told and what we learn from the church becomes what we believe, not what we know to be true. The dictionary defines truth as "a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: ie mathematical truths". We have no way of proving that anything we believe is true.
In Alma 32:21 we read, "And now as I said concerning faith — faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." Maybe I am just getting hung up on the wording but I would prefer that it read "which may be true" instead. As an example, I like to believe that there is a Heaven and that it looks like Carealot with rainbow beams, care bears, sleeping on clouds, and looking down on Earth to make sure people still care. I hope for this, I could begin to have faith that Heaven will be like I've described, I have not seen Heaven, so can my version of Heaven be true? Does believing in Heaven make Heaven real and true?
Back to the lesson discussion, one word which was uttered a couple of times in class really surprised me and that word was Anti-Mormon. I thought that term wasn't being used anymore. The only person I know who really believes in Anti-Mormons is my mom. She really believes that there is a group of people out there who's sole purpose in life is to bring about the destruction of the LDS church.
Has anyone done a Google search on Anti-Mormonism? Well I have. According to Wikapedia the term was first used in the 1830s after the publication of Eber D. Howe's 1834 book Mormonism Unvailed. The publication was first labeled Anti-Christian and then changed to Anti-Mormon. Anti-Mormonism is defined as discrimination, persecution, hostility or prejudice directed at members of the Latter Day Saint movement, particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Today, the term is primarily used as a descriptor for persons and publications that oppose the LDS Church, although its precise scope has been the subject of some debate. It is used by some to describe anything perceived as critical of the LDS Church
Stephen Cannon shared, "It is also helpful to know that Mormons are a group of people united around a belief system. Therefore, to be "anti-Mormon" is to be against people. Christians who desire to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Mormons are never to come against people of any stripe. Yes, evangelical Christians do have strong disagreements with Mormonism, but the argument is with a belief system and not a people. The LDS people are no better or no worse than any other group of people. Any dispute is to be a disagreement with the "ism", not the "Mormon".
Continuing on the web search results, there are a couple "Facts About Mormons" sites followed by exmormon sites, including, "Why I Left The LDS Church". Exmormons are obviously former members of the church. I've been on their site and they share their stories of why they left and offer support to one another. Yes, sometimes it is bitter but this site gives them a place to share their feelings with others who can relate and sympathize.
I came across an article on this same web search. I want to share some of what was written with you.
"I think it's time for the church and its members to abandon use of the term "anti-Mormon" for a few reasons. First of all, it is disingenuous and manipulative of the church leaders to encourage members to discover truth for themselves while also teaching that members should only trust "approved" resources. The truth should be evident, regardless of what sources are used. It is also misleading to categorize things as anti-Mormon when so much of what is discussed is verifiable in church resources.
Another reason the term "anti-Mormon" is harmful is because it is associated with a feeling of persecution among the members. They often feel like they are being attacked when someone presents information to them that is contrary to what they've been taught. An awful lot of feelings get hurt needlessly simply because of a misconception. If you can discuss differing views about politics without taking it personally when someone disagrees with you, then the same should be true of discussing religious beliefs. Disagreeing with an idea or a belief is not the same as hating the person who espouses those beliefs."
http://www.thefledglingstale.com/2013/07/dispelling-anti-mormon-myth.html#.U6ezSvldVQE
I used to be LDS. My friends are LDS. I have gotten to the point where I can be comfortable going to church again but I cannot abandon what I have learned on the outside. I do not consider myself to be an Anti-Mormon because it is an ugly and outdated word. I have my opinions but I also have love and understanding and compassion for others. I don't seek to destroy anyone's beliefs. If anything, I sometimes wish that I didn't believe what I believe now. Ignorance may be one of the top killers in this world, but it can also be bliss.
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