Mormonism, often referred to as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a religious movement that began in the 19th century in the United States. It operates more like a cult, similar in some ways to Catholicism due to its capacity for revised revelations, but ultimately, it is a distinct entity outside historical Christianity.
Origins
Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith, who claimed to have received a first vision where God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in physical bodies, declaring that the historical church had fallen away from the truth. This revelation led Smith to believe he was a prophet tasked with restoring the true church and preparing the way for the second coming of Christ.
Smith claimed to translate golden plates using sear stones. These plates, which describe the journey of Jewish groups, known as Lamanites, to North America, form the basis of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon lacks any historical or genetic evidence linking Semitic peoples to Native Americans.
Smith and his followers initially sought to establish Zion in Ohio, which he declared would butt up against the Lamanites. However, their teachings and practices, particularly the emerging practice of polygamy, led to persecution, including Smith being tarred and feathered.
They subsequently relocated to Jackson County, Missouri, which Smith proclaimed to be the true Garden of Eden. This move also led to conflict, culminating in the 1838 Mormon War, which forced them to flee.
The community then settled in Nauvoo, Illinois, where Smith’s authoritarian rule and continued practice of polygamy (he married approximately 40 women) led to internal dissent and external opposition.
Joseph Smith was eventually arrested and died while jumping out of a second-story jail window, an event considered a martyrdom by Mormons. Following Smith's death, Brigham Young assumed leadership, guiding the Mormons on a pioneering journey to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they sought refuge just outside the US border.
Key Doctrines and Beliefs
Mormon theology presents a significant departure from traditional Christian doctrines, particularly in its understanding of God, salvation, and scripture.
Mormonism is non-Trinitarian, believing in a Godhead composed of three distinct beings. God the Father is literally a man who became God and possesses a physical, material body, as matter is considered eternal.
God the Father has a wife, with whom he conceived Jesus. This heresy suggests an infinite regression of gods, where gods create other gods. Contrary to earlier teachings, Joseph Smith later asserted that God is continually changing and progressing towards greater divinity.
Brigham Young introduced the Adam-God belief, stating that Adam himself is a god. While this teaching was prominent in his writings, it has since been condemned by modern Mormon scholars. This rejection of earlier prophetic revelations raises questions about the consistency of truth within the Mormon church. Mormons also uniquely believe that Adam is the Ancient of Days as described in Daniel 7.
Mormons regard Jesus as a created being, not eternally begotten, and is considered Lucifer's spirit brother. He is one among many gods, and his work allows Mormons to earn their salvation.
Mormonism teaches a pre-mortal existence, where humans existed as spirit entities or "light intelligences" before their physical birth. The purpose of life on Earth is to achieve exaltation and eternal progression, a process through which individuals can become divine like God the Father.
A faithful Mormon can ultimately become their own creator god, establishing their own solar system and providing opportunities for other spirits to gain physical bodies. This concept differs fundamentally from Orthodox Theosis, which involves participation in God's uncreated energies without a change in essential nature.
Scripture and Revelation
Mormons consider the Bible as scripture, but they believe it has been corrupted, accepting its validity only where it aligns with their other texts. Their primary scriptures include the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price (which contains the Book of Abraham), and the Doctrine and Covenants.
The Book of Abraham is a forgery based on ancient Egyptian funerary texts Joseph Smith purchased. A fundamental issue for Mormonism is Joseph Smith's assertion of himself into Genesis 50, a profound and self-serving alteration of ancient scripture. They believe in ongoing charismatic public divine revelation, which disqualifies them from being considered a valid Christian denomination.
Mormonism also exhibits notable parallels with Transhumanism due to its concepts of eternal progression, the belief in a physical resurrection with a perfected body, and the potential for humanity to achieve godhood. Their philosophical stance of substance monism (no distinction between spirit and matter) further aligns with transhumanist goals of material augmentation and transformation of the human condition.
In this worldview, Mormon spirit is perceived as a spirit of aesthetics and information, echoing Dataism, which views information processing as the ultimate priority of life.
Despite its theological divergences, many Mormons are known to be moral and good people, contributing positively to society. However, their religious worldview is ultimately a satanic deception. The existence of inner cults, which have arisen from institutional policies protecting abusers and certain doctrines.
The Gates of Hell cannot prevail against the true Church, and any system that preaches an apostasy immediately after the Apostles - as Mormonism does - is fundamentally flawed.