Mormons The Fourteen Fundamental Articles or Beliefs of MormonsEric KettunenThe reason this is here is because many have written to me wanting to know what do Mormons really believe. There are a lot of pro-Mormon propaganda sites and they all say the same thing-family unity, they are Christian, the Book of Mormon is true and on and on. These other sites still do not say what they really believe. What Mormons actually believe is not normally taught by the Mormon missionaries or shown on the TV commercials. Mormon doctrine is quite fluid. Inside a Mormon TempleBy Isaiah BennettThe hallmark of a 'card-carrying Mormon' is just that: carrying a card (the Mormons call it a 'recommend') indicating that the bearer has lived up to all the agreements he has made with the Mormon Church and has demonstrated this to the satisfaction of both his ward bishop and stake president. Perhaps no more than twenty percent of the Church membership are 'temple Mormons,' holders of the coveted recommend that permits entrance into any of the nearly fifty Mormon temples throughout the world. This article is reprinted from the June 1995 issue of This Rock magazine. The Mormon Connection to MasonryJames DavidA very distinct connection between Mormonism and Masonry exists although many Mormon apologists would disagree. The evidence, to me, is quite clear that Joseph Smith not only borrowed from the Masonic initiation rites he even incorporated anti-Masonic sentiment in the Book of Mormon. MormonismCompiled by Fr. William Most.A list of 7 beliefs held by Mormons. Mormonism's Baptism for the DeadJames AkinFor Mormons, the whole point behind genealogical work is the idea that those who died as non-Mormons can be baptized vicariously and thus become Mormons posthumously. This doctrine was first given to the church by Joseph Smith in 1836 and is found in his Doctrine and Covenants, but not, as we'll see, in the Book of Mormon Mormonism's Double-ThinkJames AkinJoseph Smith, Mormonism's founder, taught the doctrine of a 'plurality of gods-polytheism-as the bedrock belief of his Church. He developed this doctrine over a period of years to reflect his belief that not only are there many gods, but they once were mortal men who had developed in righteousness until they learned enough and merited godhood. In Search of The Great ApostasyPatrick MadridBackground of Mormonism's founder Joseph Smith. Mormons are Not ProtestantsDave Armstrong As a former evangelical counter-cult researcher and evangelist myself, I disagree with statements by some Catholics about the ecclesiological category of Mormons and other heretical groups. Mormons are not Protestants by any reasonable definition of the word because they deny the Trinity and divinity of Christ. They cannot be said to be 'Protestant' simply because they accept private judgment or deny apostolic succession any more than Nestorians or Arians or Hussites were 'Catholic' because they accepted bishops, baptismal regeneration, and the Real Presence. Similarity in some areas does not add up to equation. Oddities of Mormon TheologyJames AkinMormonism, you should understand, is one of those religions which is peculiarly American. (A few others come to mind immediately, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Science.) Although now spread beyond the borders of the United States, Mormonism is so tied to a certain brand of American nationalism that you couldn't imagine the religion starting anywhere else. Problems With the Book of MormonJames AkinThe devout Mormon believes this text is inspired because Joseph Smith said it is. He believes Smith had the authority to claim divine inspiration for the Book of Mormon because the book itself says Smith was a prophet and had such authority. To Those Who Are Investigating MormonismEric KettunenHere is a summary of important facts about the Mormon church and its history that the missionaries will probably not tell you. We are not suggesting that they are intentionally deceiving you-most of the young Mormons serving missions for the church are not well educated in the history of the church or in modern critical studies of the church. They probably do not know the all the facts themselves. They have been trained, however, to give investigators 'milk before meat,' that is, to postpone revealing anything at all that might make an investigator hesitant, even if it is true. But you should be aware of these facts before you commit yourself. Who Holds the Keys?Steve Clifford vs. Barry BickmoreA Debate on Papacy vs. Mormonism. Mormon Missionaries: My First EncounterPatrick MadridTaken from 'This Rock Magazine' published by Catholic Answers