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Katie Lupariello
Religious Intolerances
Dr. Griffith
Challenging Assumptions Rewrite
December 3rd, 2013
Misconceptions and Mormonism
In this day and age, there are numerous mistaken assumptions about almost every
religion. The Church of the Latter Day Saints is often one of the most misunderstood churches.
People, including myself, are under the misconception that members of the Church of Latter Day
Saints practice polygamy, worship Joseph Smith, and are not Christian. By doing some further
research, visiting a meeting house, and talking to a brother of the church, I was able to identify a
few mistaken assumptions about the Church of the Latter Day Saints. The validity of these
assumptions will be further discussed in an attempt to ensure religious tolerance is practiced.
Many incorrect assumptions about the Church of the Latter Days Saints are based off
media misrepresenting them. This is certainly the case in the mistaken assumption that Mormons
practice or believe in polygamy. Many have heard of the show Sister Wives, which depicts a
fundamentalist Mormon family. In this show, the family practices polygamy, where one man is
married to four wives (Plot Summary for Sister Wives). Although the show attempts to portray
the polygamy in a good light, highlighting positive relationships between sister wives, the
show still depicts Mormons as accepting polygamy. However, through further research, I found
this assumption is mistaken.
In the early times of the Church of Latter Day Saints, there was a belief that polygamy
was acceptable on religious grounds. The belief, as mentioned in the website, said God has
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directed the practice of plural marriage in certain circumstances (Polygamy). In the Book of
Mormon, God Commands that plural marriage can be practiced (Jacob 2:30). The belief
stemmed from the fact that, according to the Bible, God would allow for plural marriage in order
to further Israel. Many attribute this allowing of polygamy to be Gods way to help the church
multiply more quickly. Even in early times though, there is evidence that people within the
church did not believe they were to literally practice plural marriage. In fact, there is a plethora
of contrasting evidence. In 1835, five years after the start of the Church of the Latter Day Saints,
the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints stated this church of Christ
has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe,
that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband, except in the case of
death, when either is at liberty to marry again(Rigdon). However, this belief was not made
official until 1890, when President Woodruff stated We are not teaching polygamy or plural
marriage, nor permitting any person to enter into its practice, (Official Declaration 1). This
declaration early in the development of the religion does not seem to be realized by the masses,
and public misconceptions have continued over 100 years later.
In recent times, the Church of Latter Day Saints is still trying to dispel the belief that
they practice polygamy. In 1998, the President of the Church of Latter Day Saints tried to further
dispel these misconceptions, saying plural marriage is against the law of God. Even in
countries where civil or religious laws allow [it] (Official Declaration 1). Perhaps some of the
misconception about Mormons practicing polygamy has been formed based off of the practices
of other offshoot groups who do practice polygamy. However, contrary to popular belief, no
groups who teach polygamy are currently a part of the Church of Latter Day Saints.
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Another common belief about the Church of the Latter Day Saints is that they worship
Joseph Smith Jr. Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of Mormonism, is in no way a deity or divine in
this religion. It is the belief of the church that Joseph Smith had a number of subsequent visions
and revelations that convinced him that God had chosen him as his instrument to restore the true
church of Christ (Mormonism). This belief that Joseph Smith received visions and the word of
God is in no way portraying him as a god, but instead a prophet.
Other people, including myself until recently, are even more mistaken, believing the
Church of Latter Day Saints is not a Christian belief. Dictionary.com states Christian means of,
pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings (Christian). Many, including
myself, are unaware that the Church of Latter Day Saints acknowledges the existence of Jesus
Christ. However, after talking to a brother of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, Jacob Nelsen,
I found out not only do they recognize his existence, but hold him in the same view as other
Christians. Many believe the Book of Mormon is a Mormons bible, but in fact, this book is
studied in addition to the Bible (Jacob Nelsen). Therefore, Mormons do believe in Jesus
Christ, and are very closely related to other Christian sects.
According to Jacob Nelsen, not only do Mormons believe in Jesus Christ, but they
believe they are worshipping as God intended. After the time of Jesus, the 12 disciples are said to
have started a church. As time went on, people drifted away from the church, and it wasnt until
the time of Joseph Smith that God sent visions to ensure His church was as He had intended it.
The average person, including myself, has no idea that the Church of the Latter Day Saints is not
only a Christian group, but they believe they are practicing Christianity as Jesus had instructed
his disciple to practice (Jacob). Perhaps if people were informed of this fact, they would be
more tolerant and better understand the Church of Latter Day Saints.
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Possible explanations for this mistaken assumption could lie in the many differences the
Church of the Latter Day Saints has with most Christian denominations. First, upon visiting a
Mormon meeting house (not church or temple), I noticed there was no pastor or priest at the
front running the Sunday morning service. Instead, different members of the congregation got up
and shared parts of the scripture and their personal reactions to it. This is very different from
catholic mass, where the priest leads every section of the service. Additionally, I found out
speaking to Jacob Nelsen that members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints are baptized more
than once, each time assuming more [religious] responsibilities, until at the age of sixteen they
reach priesthood (for males). Anyone who has reached the priesthood is able to baptize and
bestow blessings on others. Mormons also believe in posthumous baptism, since baptism is seen
as the only way to gain entrance into heaven. These major differences from mainstream
Christianity may cause mistaken assumptions to be perceived.
Many people have heard the story about how intolerant people were to the beginning of
Mormonism. I believe most have heard the Mormons were chased out of a number of
communities until they finally landed in Utah. This intolerance and violence against Mormons
still exists today however. In 2008, packages with suspicious white powder were sent to the
Church of the Latter Day Saints in Los Angles as well as Salt Lake City (Mormon Temples in
Utah, L.A. Targeted With White Powder). Although this powder was eventually found to be
harmless, the intent was still to target and frighten the Church of Latter Days Saints into silence,
this time over the issue of gay marriage. Religious intolerance in regards to the Mormons is only
made worse by the misconceptions people wrongly assume and despise.
The Church of Latter Day Saints is making an attempt to ensure people are informed
about their beliefs. After talking to Jacob Nelsen, I found out every Mormon is encouraged to go
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on a mission. On their mission, a member, usually between the ages of 18 and 23, will spend two
years (eighteen months for women) at an assigned location spreading the word of the Book of
Mormon. While on location, the missionaries spread the word about the book of Mormon and
have little contact with their families, focusing only on the work they do (Jacob). I would think
these missionaries would be able to get the word out and share their beliefs, but in my case, that
was not true. Until talking to Jacob Nelsen, I did not know any of this about the Church of the
Latter Day Saints. My mistaken assumptions caused me to wrongly judge Mormons, and
probable caused some intolerant beliefs and behaviors.
Mistaken assumptions are very hard to dispel once formed. In this day and age, I believe
it may be necessary for the media to be on board in order to stop intolerance and wrong
assumptions. In the case of Mormons, the missionaries cannot dismiss all of the wrong ideas the
media has instilled in people in the form of various shows such as Sister Wives. This
misrepresentation in media probably has caused some intolerance, which could have been easily
prevented. Mormons often tend to mingle amongst themselves, so others are not exposed to their
views. In my opinion, I believe the best way to get rid of religious intolerances is for the media
and people outside the religion to make an effort to become informed. While learning about
Mormonism, I have become informed, and I hope I have helped minimize mistaken assmptions.
If everyone were to make this effort, I believe the world would be a more tolerant place.
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Works Cited
"Christian." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 30 Sept. 2013.
"LDS WHY." LDS WHY. 7 Aug. 2011. Web. 30 Sept. 2013.
"Mormon Temples in Utah, L.A. Targeted With White Powder." Fox News. FOX News
Network, 13 Dec. 2008. Web. 30 Sept. 2013.
"Mormonism." Gale Virtual Reference Library. Ed. Lindsa Jones. Macmillan Refernce, 2005.
Web. 30 Sept. 2013.
Nelsen, Jacob. "Jacob Nelsen." E-mail interview. 20 Sept. 2013.
"Official Declaration 1." LDS.org. Wilford Wilson, 6 Oct. 1890. Web. 30 Sept. 2013.
"Plot Summary for Sister Wives." IMDb. IMDb.com. Web. 30 Sept. 2013.
"Polygamy." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Web. 28 Sept. 2013.
Rigdon. "Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Latter Day Saints." Sabin Americana. 30
June 22009. Web. 30 Sept. 2013.