Through my current endeavors I had come across something that peaked my interest; Mormonism. So I did some research online at lds.org to find out more.
Mormonism has, of late, been attracting a lot of attention. This attention comes a great deal through its high level of growth yet is comes even more so from the current Republican nomination process. Mitt Romney, who is a Mormon, has needed, on several occasions, to defend his faith against attacks from his rivals. Many of these attacks have seemed to validate several misconceptions that the general US population has about Mormonism. Romney’s continued successes, which includes winning several caucuses and primaries, and his considered to be too liberal policies have put pressure on his rivals to become the so-called “Anti-Romney.”

The fight for the title has included many comparisons of Romney to President Barrack Obama. However, many of the candidates and their supporters are also attempting to play Romney’s faith as a reason to not vote for him. They are pandering to the lack of knowledge by the average person about Mormonism. In October of last year, at a rally for former-candidate Rick Perry, Reverend Robert Jeffress said, “Mormonism is not Christianity. It has always been considered a cult by the mainstream of Christianity.” This is a perfect example of influential individuals not doing their homework, so to speak, about was they are orating in order to further advance their agenda.  

There are many misconceptions about what Mormons belief. Some say, like Rev. Jeffress, that Mormonism simply is not Christianity. Others believe that Mormons are polygamists. Another slightly less common but still mentionable misbelief is that Mormons want to be equal with God. These misapprehensions about Mormonism are not without base, however they are all false.

Put simply, Mormonism is as much a denomination of Christianity as is Lutheranism. Both were created by the belief that the current array of Christian options, or option as is in the case of Lutheranism, was not an acceptable way to reach God. Three of the most basic principles of Evangelical Christianity are family, charity, and eternal reverence for the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not surprisingly, Mormons shares these core values. They are especially known for their large families, and have a very low divorce rate. Mormons, through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), run a vast, international, charity organization which in 2010 aided in disaster relief in over 119 cases in 58 countries. The LDS also funds immunization programs for children in over 35 countries which have assisted in the 92% drop in measles deaths in Africa. Lastly, Mormons feel a deep and personal connection to Jesus Christ and have an intense devotion to him. Every day they feel his presence and aspire to be a better person because of him.  Mormonism may have a few areas of belief that differ from other forms of Christianity; however, they are essentially the same in basic principle.
Mormonism has been associated with polygamy because of its prevalence in The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS), the largest and first Mormon church, during the 19^th century. However, in keeping with the United States Supreme Court case of Reynolds v. The United States, the LDS banned the practice in 1890. Unfortunately, the relationship stuck and many people view Mormons with disgust because of it. After the LDS banned polygamy there were sub-denominations that began in order to continue the practice. The largest or at least the one that garners the most attention is the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Days Saints (FLDS). A combination of the raids of Short Creek, Arizona in 1953, the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas in 2008, and subsequent raids of several locations in 2010 by the United States government received wide media coverage and helped to reinforce the notion that Mormons are polygamists.

The fact of the matter is that there are only several thousand people in the United States who identify themselves as Mormon and practice polygamy whereas the LDS has over 14 million members. Moreover the LDS denounces the FLDS and other such groups and claims that they are not Mormon. The LDS also excommunicates those who choose to be in a polygamist marriage. The claim that Mormons are polygamists would have been a true statement 150 years ago but now the assertion is completely a moot point.

Mormons believe that if they work hard and live a good life that they will come to be like God. They key word here is “like.” There are those who believe that Mormons want to be equal with God. This is simply not the case. In the Mormon faith, once a person reaches the point at which they become like God they still have eternal reverence for their Heavenly Father; meaning that they are still below God. Mormons completely reject the notion that a human could become as powerful or as important as God. They find this as repulsive as every other denomination of Christianity. In this case the misconception is understandable and also somewhat based on a technicality; equal v. like.

Mormons have some of the same principles and value as other Christians in the world. As a whole they do not practice polygamy. They also do not believe in a human becoming equal to God. Mormons are ordinary people. Being ordinary people they deserve to have their religion respected as does every other person on this Earth.

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