My name is Carlos, and I used to be a catholic priest. I recently joined the LDS church and I feel good about it. I don’t want to leave it. But I have a few questions. I’m not criticizing, I just want some clarifications. Here goes. 1) Who are the gods mentioned in John 10:34 and Psalms 82:6? 2) Are Jehovah and Elohim distinct Gods? 3) Does the Bible teach about the salvation of the dead? 4) Are Mormon temples Christian? 5) Why does the LDS church teach that it is the only true church? 6) Are there any academic evidences of the Book of Mormon? 7) What is the influence of spiritism as taught by Allan Kardec in our church? 8) Do you use underclothing that contains occult symbols? 9) Has the church been immoral from its founding? I’d be very grateful if you could explain these things to me.
2 Responses to “My name is Carlos, and I used to be a catholic priest. I rec…”
Mateo Ramos
2010-07-26 08:57:03
Hi Carlos! Congratulations on your recent baptism! I know that a lot of life changes come with joining a new church. These changes can be frightening sometimes, but I promise you they are worth it. My life has been profoundly blessed and transformed thanks to the influence of Christ's restored gospel! I know the Church can bring many blessings into your life as well if you're persistent and dedicated.
Your list of questions is very long, so I'll have to make my answers very short. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any more questions or would like further clarification. I'd be happy to help you.
Who are the Gods mentioned in John 10:34 and Psalms 82:6?
John 10:34 merely quotes Psalms 82:6. The Hebrew word for "gods" in Psalms 82:6 is 'elohiym, which can mean God (singular), but can also mean other divine beings (like angels) that are subordinate to God.
Are Jehovah and Elohim distinct Gods?
Mormons believe Jehovah is the pre-mortal Jesus Christ, and Elohim, when used in the singular sense of the original Hebrew word, is God the Father. God the Son (Jesus) and God the Father are in some ways distinct and in some ways one. They are physically distinct and have, I suppose, distinct centers of consciousness. However, they are perfectly unified in purpose and work together with the Holy Ghost as one monotheistic unit, the Godhead, or put more simply, God.
Does the Bible teach about salvation for the dead?
Yes it does, though it does not give all the details. Modern revelation through modern prophets and apostles has helped us understand these ordinances better. Consider these scriptures and ideas: 1) All need to be baptized to be saved (John 3:5 and other scriptures). 2) Many people never had the opportunity to be baptized by someone with Christ's true apostolic authority. 3) A just God cannot condemn these unbaptized people to hell. 4) Between Jesus' death and resurrection, He preached to the spirits in prison who had never received His gospel (1 Peter 3:18-20, 1 Peter 4:6). This implies that these spirits can be redeemed, even though they never received the essential ordinance of baptism. 5) 1 Corinthians 15:29 suggests how the dead might be able to receive baptism. 6) Modern revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 137 & 138, etc.) helps us understand how this ordinance should be performed.
The Recife temple in Recife, Brazil.
Are Mormon temples Christian?
Definitely. I've worshiped in the temple many times. Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him are the central themes of the ceremony.
Is the Mormon Church the only true church?
When Mormons say that their church is the only true church, they mean that it is the only Church with Christ's apostolic authority. Christ gave this ancient priesthood authority to His apostles, but that authority was lost due to death, apostasy, and neglect. In our modern times, Christ restored the ancient apostolic authority through Joseph Smith. Of course Mormons recognize that there is much truth in other churches as well. As the Church once stated in an official declaration, "The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the ReformersÂ… received a portion of God's light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals."
Is there a lack of academic evidence in support of the Book of Mormon?
In fact, there is academic evidence supporting the Book of Mormon. For example, a city mentioned in the Book of Mormon was recently identified. Additionally, there is much linguistic evidence supporting the book's authenticity as an ancient Semitic document. However, it is a mistake to base a testimony of the Book of Mormon on academic evidence, just as it is a mistake to base a testimony of the Bible on academic evidence. Academic theories are constantly changing and evolving. As a scientist, I know these kinds of changes well. A testimony of scripture should come through personal revelation from God. Read, meditate, and pray, and God can touch your mind and your heart. I've seen this miracle happen in my own life many times.
Is the Mormon Church in some way related to Spiritism/Allan Kardec?
No, the LDS Church was founded in 1830. Kardec wrote his foundational book, "The Spirits Book," in 1857. Additionally, early Mormonism developed in the United States, far from Kardec's France.
Do Mormons wear secret clothing underneath their regular clothes with occultist symbols?
It is inflammatory to claim that Mormon symbols are "occultist," as that implies some ludicrous connection to black magic, evil practices, or other activities that Mormons find objectionable. Some Mormons, after having passed through the temple, do use special clothing. This clothing serves the same purpose as a Catholic priest's special robes, as a Jew's yarmulke, or as a Muslim's hijab. It is a physical reminder of a special commitment to God. In Mormonism, this special commitment is very private, so the religious clothing is worn privately beneath the regular clothing.
Has the Church been immoral since it's foundation?
With all due respect, this assertion is silly. Of course some Church leaders have made mistakes in the past. That is true of every church on earth. The Catholics had the crusades and the inquisition. Protestants were founded by a man (Martin Luther) who authorized polygamy and was a racist. Many protestant denominations also supported slavery in centuries past. Should we blame modern Catholics and Protestants for this history? Even God's true church is run in large part by flawed though inspired men. That doesn't mean that God is not guiding and directing the LDS Church, working miracles not because He can find perfect people to run the church, but despite the fact that there are no perfect leaders on earth.
Carlos, I'm very happy that you've found the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to encourage you to spend more time reading about the Church from reliable sources like Church manuals and the scriptures. Anti-mormons constantly misrepresent the Church and its beliefs. They are not a reliable source of information about Mormonism.
The institute's mission statement: "By furthering religious scholarship through the study of scripture and other texts, Brigham Young University's Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship seeks to deepen understanding and nurture discipleship among Latter-day Saints while promoting mutual respect and goodwill among people of all faiths. "
Neal A. Maxwell's quote found on the home page is also a good summation of the purpose of the material found on this website: "LDS scholars can and should speak in the tongue of scholarship, but without coming to prefer it and without losing the mother tongue of faith. "
Sorry I didn't answer your questions directly (I've got to go get my kids in bed), but I hope this helps. I pray that God leads you to the answers you seek.
Your list of questions is very long, so I'll have to make my answers very short. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any more questions or would like further clarification. I'd be happy to help you.
Who are the Gods mentioned in John 10:34 and Psalms 82:6?
John 10:34 merely quotes Psalms 82:6. The Hebrew word for "gods" in Psalms 82:6 is 'elohiym, which can mean God (singular), but can also mean other divine beings (like angels) that are subordinate to God.
Are Jehovah and Elohim distinct Gods?
Mormons believe Jehovah is the pre-mortal Jesus Christ, and Elohim, when used in the singular sense of the original Hebrew word, is God the Father. God the Son (Jesus) and God the Father are in some ways distinct and in some ways one. They are physically distinct and have, I suppose, distinct centers of consciousness. However, they are perfectly unified in purpose and work together with the Holy Ghost as one monotheistic unit, the Godhead, or put more simply, God.
Does the Bible teach about salvation for the dead?
Yes it does, though it does not give all the details. Modern revelation through modern prophets and apostles has helped us understand these ordinances better. Consider these scriptures and ideas: 1) All need to be baptized to be saved (John 3:5 and other scriptures). 2) Many people never had the opportunity to be baptized by someone with Christ's true apostolic authority. 3) A just God cannot condemn these unbaptized people to hell. 4) Between Jesus' death and resurrection, He preached to the spirits in prison who had never received His gospel (1 Peter 3:18-20, 1 Peter 4:6). This implies that these spirits can be redeemed, even though they never received the essential ordinance of baptism. 5) 1 Corinthians 15:29 suggests how the dead might be able to receive baptism. 6) Modern revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 137 & 138, etc.) helps us understand how this ordinance should be performed.
Definitely. I've worshiped in the temple many times. Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him are the central themes of the ceremony.
Is the Mormon Church the only true church?
When Mormons say that their church is the only true church, they mean that it is the only Church with Christ's apostolic authority. Christ gave this ancient priesthood authority to His apostles, but that authority was lost due to death, apostasy, and neglect. In our modern times, Christ restored the ancient apostolic authority through Joseph Smith. Of course Mormons recognize that there is much truth in other churches as well. As the Church once stated in an official declaration, "The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the ReformersÂ… received a portion of God's light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals."
Is there a lack of academic evidence in support of the Book of Mormon?
In fact, there is academic evidence supporting the Book of Mormon. For example, a city mentioned in the Book of Mormon was recently identified. Additionally, there is much linguistic evidence supporting the book's authenticity as an ancient Semitic document. However, it is a mistake to base a testimony of the Book of Mormon on academic evidence, just as it is a mistake to base a testimony of the Bible on academic evidence. Academic theories are constantly changing and evolving. As a scientist, I know these kinds of changes well. A testimony of scripture should come through personal revelation from God. Read, meditate, and pray, and God can touch your mind and your heart. I've seen this miracle happen in my own life many times.
Is the Mormon Church in some way related to Spiritism/Allan Kardec?
No, the LDS Church was founded in 1830. Kardec wrote his foundational book, "The Spirits Book," in 1857. Additionally, early Mormonism developed in the United States, far from Kardec's France.
Do Mormons wear secret clothing underneath their regular clothes with occultist symbols?
It is inflammatory to claim that Mormon symbols are "occultist," as that implies some ludicrous connection to black magic, evil practices, or other activities that Mormons find objectionable. Some Mormons, after having passed through the temple, do use special clothing. This clothing serves the same purpose as a Catholic priest's special robes, as a Jew's yarmulke, or as a Muslim's hijab. It is a physical reminder of a special commitment to God. In Mormonism, this special commitment is very private, so the religious clothing is worn privately beneath the regular clothing.
Has the Church been immoral since it's foundation?
With all due respect, this assertion is silly. Of course some Church leaders have made mistakes in the past. That is true of every church on earth. The Catholics had the crusades and the inquisition. Protestants were founded by a man (Martin Luther) who authorized polygamy and was a racist. Many protestant denominations also supported slavery in centuries past. Should we blame modern Catholics and Protestants for this history? Even God's true church is run in large part by flawed though inspired men. That doesn't mean that God is not guiding and directing the LDS Church, working miracles not because He can find perfect people to run the church, but despite the fact that there are no perfect leaders on earth.
Carlos, I'm very happy that you've found the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to encourage you to spend more time reading about the Church from reliable sources like Church manuals and the scriptures. Anti-mormons constantly misrepresent the Church and its beliefs. They are not a reliable source of information about Mormonism.
The institute's mission statement: "By furthering religious scholarship through the study of scripture and other texts, Brigham Young University's Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship seeks to deepen understanding and nurture discipleship among Latter-day Saints while promoting mutual respect and goodwill among people of all faiths. "
Neal A. Maxwell's quote found on the home page is also a good summation of the purpose of the material found on this website: "LDS scholars can and should speak in the tongue of scholarship, but without coming to prefer it and without losing the mother tongue of faith. "
Sorry I didn't answer your questions directly (I've got to go get my kids in bed), but I hope this helps. I pray that God leads you to the answers you seek.
Godspeed,
Loren