Is Mormonism a Cult?

09 October

 Is Mormonism a Cult?

That is the question in today’s political news headlines and the word cult alone draws immediate reactions from both sides of the debate.

While Romney is trying to keep the focus on what he’s attempting to accomplish in becoming President of the United States, regular citizens and other politicians are still debating the issue.  On Saturday, October 8, 2011, the Value Voters Summit hosted the gathering of conservative presidential hopefuls.  A pastor from Texas introduced Perry as a God-fearing Christian and remarked to a reporter that Mitt is part of a cult.  As you can imagine his comments raised a few eyebrows.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20111008romney_responds_to_mormon_flare-up_perry_passes/

We have an article on the site here detailing the differences between Christianity and Mormonism that we’ve titled: Mormonism, Christian or Cult that you can read here:

http://lifeafterministry.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/christian-or-cult

But let’s go to the big question here.  Is Mormonism a cult and is it wrong to say such a thing?

Almost thirty years ago I sat in a friend’s family room watching a television program they had invited me over to view with them.  The local channel in Oklahoma City was airing a new documentary called The GodMakers.

My friend who was also a co-worker had never met a Mormon before we met.  When she heard about the GodMakers airing on television she thought it’d be a perfect opportunity to invite me over to ask some questions about my faith.  Being very green about how to handle questions from outsiders about Mormonism, I reacted rather than responding in a ladylike, Christian manner.

Everyone who knows me has heard my story of spitting on the face of Ed Decker at the showing of the GodMakers and yep, this is the “big event” of when that happened.

While I obviously didn’t appreciate Ed’s work back then, I was even more offended at the question my friend asked when the documentary ended.  In a very nice tone of voice Casey asked me if I was in a cult.

The immediate reaction I had must’ve spoken volumes to my friend so long ago.  I gave her a heated tongue lashing and left in a huff.

Was it hurtful to hear someone tell you that you’re in a cult?  Absolutely!  Is it wrong?  Absolutely not.

I remember how much it hurt me personally when my friend asked me that question, but if she hadn’t of done so, what good would it have served me in life for her to hide the truth?

I was already questioning Mormonism and had been for years by the time I met Casey.  The other people I’d end up meeting in the upcoming years all asked me the same question I was asked in Oklahoma City in 1983.  I finally had to face the truth head on.

In 1991 I took out a piece of paper and a pencil and drew a line down the middle of the paper.  On one side I wrote “Bible” and the other side said “Mormon”.  I took two years of investigating, reading, going to libraries to read information on the Church and I used my 3-in-1 diligently.

After that time of in-depth study I finally came to the inescapable truth.  I couldn’t be a Christian and a Mormon at the same time.  The decision to leave my heritage and its dogma didn’t come easy to me.  Next to burying my daughter it was the most difficult thing I’d ever done in my life.

I begged God, pleaded with Him and even bargained at one point.  That was over 18 years ago and if there’s anything I regret it’s that I didn’t do it sooner.

If you’re trying to be politically correct in an unsaved world accusing someone of being in a cult probably isn’t the proper thing to do.  If however your heart and tongue is led by God, you’re probably not going to keep your mouth shut – which is a good thing!

So yes, Mitt Romney is a member of a cult and I’d have a hard time voting for someone who takes secret oaths, believes he can become a god over his own planet and believes that people in heaven will practice polygamy.

Also take the time to read the article below or bookmark it to come back to it, I promise you won’t regret the time spent in reading it!

A few years ago I received an e-mail from a group of young Mormon people detailing why Mormonism is the “only true Church on the face of the earth”.  As you’ll see through my rebuttal of their claims this is called “The 16 Points of a True Church”.  This will help those who are witnessing to Mormons by giving you an inside look at how they think and it explains what makes a cult a cult.

http://lifeafterministry.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/16-points-of-a-true-church

If you’re Mormon, know that we’re praying for you.  I don’t say these things flippantly and I’m obviously aware they will probably make you angry.  I’m sad that your emotions are this way right now, but I’m not sorry for the truth.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me @ michelle@lifeafter.org

With Love in Christ, Michelle

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6 Responses to “Is Mormonism a Cult?”

  1. fproy2222 October 17, 2011 at 7:07 pm #

    (“only true Church on the face of the earth”.)

    Since I believe the men at Nicene did not have God’s athority to add deffinations to His Word you say I am not of “only true Church on the face of the earth”.

    You do believe you are a member of “only true Church on the face of the earth”, don’t you?

    You do follow the teachings of the men at Nicene, right?

    Try studying the Bible without the words of man that take away from God’s word.

    fred

  2. shg October 24, 2011 at 8:40 pm #

    Yes, I am a member of the “only true church on earth”, but it is not a visible church denomination. It is invisible. There is no denomination that is the only true church. The true church is the body of all believers who believe that God the Father created the universe, who sent his only Son Jesus(Lucifer is not Jesus’ brother). True believers believe that Jesus dies ON THE CROSS at Calvary – not in Gethsemene – for ALL our sins – not just some. True believers believe in the HOLY SPIRIT as the third person in the GODHEAD. The Holy Spirit is with believers at all times, empowering them to speak God’s truth as written in the Bible. The council of Nicene clarified the teachings of the Bible,
    they did not add or change anything. Have you studied the Bible without following the words of man?

    • camdenc September 17, 2012 at 2:25 am #

      Shg- well said…
      Fred- God does not dwell in temples built with human hands, but in the hearts of the true believers He does dwell.
      I don’t claim that any church is the “only true church on earth”… I claim that Jesus is the only Way to salvation and that He gave Himself as a sacrifice to save ALL that would believe in Him.
      He is the Head of the church and those that have given their heart to Him are the body.
      “Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (and Jesus said, “Tear down this temple and in 3 days I will raise it up again”) and you will be saved”… You are now a member of the only true church… Welcome to the family of God!

  3. Dennis S. September 15, 2012 at 9:41 pm #

    As a born-again Christian, I have also regarded Mormonism as being a cult and agree with all the points you specified here. However, I must take issue with your statement:

    “So yes, Mitt Romney is a member of a cult and I’d have a hard time voting for someone who takes secret oaths, believes he can become a god over his own planet and believes that people in heaven will practice polygamy.”

    While Romney was not my chosen candidate either, I must ask who would you rather have as President of the United States? A cult member who loves and respects America with the best of intentions or a cult member who despises America and has done everything in his power for the last three years to destroy her. If you sit on the side line or vote third party, you will be helping the latter to be re-elected.
    Keep in mind that Romney is running for President of the United States not Pastor of the United States.

    • lifeafterministry September 16, 2012 at 12:39 am #

      Hi Dennis –

      Thanks for writing in! America has gotten herself into quite the quandary. I don’t mean to sound disrespectful with my response but I’ve decided to give the same answer to this topic that my good friend Ed Decker gives. He, like I, receive a large volume of e-mails about this and the closer we get to November, the more e-mails I receive. So here we go! Know that we’re in deep prayer for our country and for you!

      I am getting a huge volume of emails today from fellow Christians who are livid that I have come out with information about Mormonism that may hurt Mitt Romney in the election.

      They are upset that people will not vote for him because of the spiritual darkness in which he wallows. and that may help Obama, whom they fear will destroy America… So here is my soul searched ‘yes, but.’

      I abhor the choices. How will I vote or what will I recommend? I could say do not vote, or at least vote for the lesser of two evils [isn’t that still evil?] but as an ex-Mormon, dedicated Christian pastor and apologist I have a hard time recommending Romney knowing that his presidency will [already is] be touted by the LDS Leadership.

      What brings tears to my heart is that at least another million people will be drawn into that church and into a Christless eternity. To me that is far more of a concern than which of these two get into office and what havoc they will do to the nation. That’s my Christian standard.. What Christian standard says to vote for spiritual death to a million souls? I wonder..

      I think about the bracelet that kids wear.. WWJD.. Tell me, What would Jesus do in November? You know the answer as well as I do.

      With Love in Christ;
      Michelle Grim
      1 Cor. 1:18

    • camdenc September 17, 2012 at 2:05 am #

      It is quite the quandry… The sad aspect of the whole situation is that millions of “Christians” didn’t have enough faith in God to vote for a clear Christian conservative during the primaries. While Romney will most likely be the “lesser of two evils” (and less evil is better than more evil) I fear that we will get more of the same DC politics that has rottened us to the core since Pres. Wilson. People were lamenting about a candidate being “electable” and voted for Mit thinking he was “our” best chance. Did people think Gideon had a chance? Did the Israel army believe that David had a chance against Goliath? What is impossible with man is possible with God.
      All things work together for good for those who love the Lord.
      Since Joseph Smith, the LDS church has been looking forward to the day when they can set up and be the leaders of a Mormon Theocracy here in the U.S… They have wanted to get a member of their church in the white house since Joseph Smith’s failed attempt back in the 1840’s.
      So what to do? Tell yourself you are actually voting for Ryan?

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