At all times, man has a tendency to search for a logical explanation of the structure of the world. This ideally helps religion. But this is not enough for individuals. They decide to impose their concept on the world, almost always emphasizing a special connection with God. It's about sectarians.
The Mormon Sect: Who They Are, What They Do
If we consider only large associations, then today there are several thousand. The most general classification divides sects into the following types:
- Pantheistic.
- Neo-Christian organizations.
- Unions of eastern origin.
- Cults of a commercial nature.
Moreover, only within the framework of Christianity, there are hundreds of small organizations. But it is worth noting that not all of them are destructive. Many teachings and associations that arose within the framework of Protestantism, over time, developed a completely adequate ideology and develop without conflict with other areas. But there are many destructive ones. These include the following sects:
- Jehovah witnesses.
- Unification Church or Moon Sect.
- Aum Shinrike.
- Raelians.
- Sect of Mormons and others.
Despite the negative reputation, each current has its own history and continues to exist to this day. We will consider one of them in more detail.
Story
Usually the founders of sects proclaim their own person as the earthly representative of God. The titles are different: missionary, messiah, prophet, or more. One such person was Joseph Joseph Smith, a native of the United States. He was born in 1805 in the state of Vermont. When he was 11 years old, his family moved to New York State.
His prophetic mission dates back to 1827. At that time he was 22 years old. According to the traditions of the sect itself, at this age an angel named Moroni appeared to him and suggested a place of storage of some gold plates, where there was secret information. The excavation was on Mount Kumor near Smith's residence.
Digging out the manuscripts, Smith began to translate them. As a result, he managed to combine all the information into one very thick book. In the modern version, the work contains 616 pages, written in rather small print. The translation was published in 1830. According to Smith himself, the annals belong to the oldest tribe of the Nephites, who once inhabited the territory of modern America.
Present
Based on those writings, a Mormon sect arose. They belong to the pagan group, although in Russia they are usually ranked as Protestant denominations. Adherents definitely like this approach, as it provides an opportunity to position themselves as Christians. Mormons in Russia believe that they are distinguished from other Christian movements by a certain superiority, manifested in family foundations, high moral standards, and demonstrative conservatism. There is even a certain image of a typical representative: he is always clean-shaven, educated, his clothing style is strict. We can say that Mormon is an example to follow. He must strive for ideality both spiritually and socially.
Lifestyle
The Mormon sect dictates a strictly established lifestyle to its adherents. For example, every Monday they must spend with their family. Sports are considered the best leisure, and volleyball with family members is also widespread. On Wednesdays they gather for prayer. Every Sunday, churches hold services and communions. Compliance with the established Mormon lifestyle is monitored by special “teachers” who visit families on a monthly basis and verify compliance with the rules.
The Mormon sect, like many other teachings and religions, strictly forbids its members to use substances that stupefy the mind. At the head of the list is alcohol. Interestingly, coffee and other caffeinated drinks are also banned. In addition, potent drugs and loud music are not approved. Church teachers insist on refraining from even some sodas. But this point is more advisory in nature.
Features
The members of this sect are distinguished by excessive forethought in everyday matters. For example, the church dictates that every Mormon has an annual supply of food and essentials at home.
They even made calculations. For example, if you take in kind, the annual supply should consist of 180 kg of grain, 30 kg of sugar, 10 kg of sunflower oil and the like. This rule is valid for all members, regardless of whether Mormons live in Russia or in another country.
From its founding until 1890, sect members practiced polygamy. But modern adherents are against this phenomenon. Today for polygamy they can excommunicate. Modern Mormons convince that polygamy was characteristic of other similar sects, also based in America. In 2012, the church conducted a study, according to the results of which it became known that more than 70% of followers do not approve of polygamy. This all relates to the life and views of followers.
Concept
According to traditional Christians, the essence of Mormons is very far from spirituality. Although Christ is the key person in their conception, there is a great deal of heresy in their ideas. For example, they put above all the material world. According to them, the material world is immortal. Eternity is provided to them by atoms and other particles, of which everything material is composed.
The spiritual world is not recognized by them. Spirits and other representatives of the beyond are considered only a special manifestation of the material world.
Another heresy is that the Mormon temple denies monotheism. According to their concept, there are many gods in the world, they are also considered part of the material world, immortal, but not eternal. This is a rather unusual view, since one concept should not exclude another. However, for Mormons, eternity is only matter. It is believed that there is no distance between a person and his creator. If they are so close, then a person can also become a god. In addition, they believe that God himself was once a man. Such a speech to the general public was made by Mormon President Lorenz Snow.
Origin of the world
Each faith has its own hypothesis about the initial emergence of the world. Sectarians are no exception. The Mormon version says that the deity arose as a result of a complex reaction of atoms and occupied the center of the universe. It is believed that it was this first deity that subsequently gave rise to many other gods and goddesses.
The subject of worship of Mormons is considered the father of God - Eloim. He is endowed with human qualities, weaknesses and addictions. Following this logic, Mormons believe that people and angels are at the same level of the universe, so they have a lot in common. The difference may lie in the degree of intelligence and purity. These and other ideas of the sectarians indicate that their faith is based on pagan dogmas.
Contradictions with Christianity
There are misconceptions regarding the Christian Trinity. It is believed that the god Eloim exists in several guises - he is both a father and a son. His third appearance is depersonalized energy, devoid of any identification. Mormons believe that it is she who works miracles: moves mountains, brings the dead back to life, and affects the movement of the sun.
The Son of God, in their understanding, is Jehovah, the fruit of the love of the Virgin Mary and Adam. There is not a word about the role of the Holy Spirit in the birth of a son-God. Such dogmas are also inherent in pagan teachings. How do Mormon services happen? In the photo below, you can see how this process goes.
Another son of Adam, already born from another woman, is Lucifer. The goddess of all the planets Venus is considered his mother. At some stage in his life, Lucifer lost his divine beginning. Among people, he became known as the evil spirit or Satan.
Jehovah lived on earth among people. He was married three times and had children. The presence of heirs with God in a Mormon sect is a mandatory concept, since only one who has children can be considered a deity. In addition, Jehovah, even now, when his earthly period of existence is over, continues to live in Heaven with his wives sitting on a white chariot. This approach is another clear sign of paganism.
Theory of Spirits and Angels
The members of this organization have been conducting active social and political activities for about two hundred years. Their financial condition and large projects attract the attention of the whole world. On this basis, at all times, questions have been raised about who Mormons are and what they do. Before talking about their merits, it is worthwhile to fully clarify the ideology of their faith.
For example, they have their own theory regarding the existence of angels and spirits. The first are the souls of those who have lived in celibacy and died righteous. The second is the souls of unborn children. Unlike traditional religions, where it is preferable to have a family and children, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints considers lonely people to be angels. They will no longer be resurrected and will remain angels forever.
Religious scholars explain that such an attitude to the institution of family and marriage in this sect was taken from Old Testament Judaism, which is considered the ancestor of many sects and currents of the Protestant direction.
Points of contact with Christianity
Of the classic Christian postulates, only a few Mormons recognize, but practice them in a very distorted form. For example, attitude to marriage. It is divided among adepts into two types: earthly and heavenly. It is believed that a woman can be saved only through her husband. If she does not have one, she should become the wife of a deceased man. It will be a heavenly marriage. A woman can have several of them.
In earlier sect practices, heavenly marriage was realized through the earthly representatives of deceased husbands. These are usually internal leaders in the sect hierarchy or other appointed persons who are fully entitled to marital duty on behalf of the deceased husband.
Mormons in Moscow and elsewhere also recognize baptism. It occurs when the child is 8 years old. They also take communion with bread and water.
Practical Genealogy
One of the most interesting Mormon projects is the genealogy database located in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Mormons manually collect electronic copies of metric records of buried and deceased people from other beliefs. This database of people from all over the world is called the Metric Book of Mormon.
Belief plays an important role here, since for members of this sect they are considered “pagans”, “Gentiles”. The goal of the project is not only to try to satisfy simple human curiosity about their ancestors. The fact is that during special church services, Mormons “baptize” these people, thereby believing that they “save” them. It can be representatives of any other faith: Christians, Muslims, Jews or Buddhists. The time of death does not matter.
Hierarchy and financial power
The head of the organization is a seer who has a connection with Heaven and receives revelation. The prophet has unlimited power over all members of the organization. He has three deputies, 12 apostles and 70 missionaries.
The community consists of two classes: higher and lower. The upper class means the elders and priests of the church, the lower caste is teachers and deacons.
The church has its own unique symbolism, as well as community members. Mormon casual wear - a formal business suit, tie and shirt. Women wear discreet dresses or skirts. But at the service it is customary to dress in special robes. The most famous Mormons are Ronald Reagan, Prince Charles, Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley, even Leo Tolstoy. There are no reliable facts about the sect belonging to our great writer, but there are reports that he kept their great Book.
Of particular note is the financial strength of the organization. Each member pays tithing (10% of total income before tax). In order to understand the scale of the fees, it must be borne in mind that Mormons attach great importance to education and career. A member of a community cannot be a passive citizen.
Knowledge of languages and the study of the exact sciences are encouraged. Thanks to these priorities, the organization currently owns banks, television channels, industrial and manufacturing enterprises. Utah's largest sugar manufacturing and supply company is also owned by members of the Mormon sect.
Another issue that interests many where the Great Mormon Temple is located. Like the Family History Library, it is located in Utah's Salt Lake City. On the roof is a statue of the angel Moroni. Outside, the temple looks very modest and strict. Entrance is allowed only for members of the community.
Christ Church in Russia: the story of the appearance
In 1843, church leader Joseph Smith personally blessed a man named Orson Adams to begin advocacy in the Russian Federation. But the goal remained unfulfilled, as some difficulties arose.
The second attempt took place in 1895. The missionary August Hoglund was sent to St. Petersburg. Over the next few years, the missionary was able to convert several families to their faith. So the first Mormons appeared in Russia.
The activities of the Church continued until 1917 (before the revolution). The next wave began in 1990. Within a year, the community achieved official recognition at the state level. But this does not mean that they began to build temples and call people there. They live quietly and preach their faith in an unobtrusive way. Currently, their total number in Russia is about 22,000 people, of which 7 missions and about 100 parishes.
Mormons in Moscow gather at their central headquarters, located near the Novokuznetskaya metro station. This is a modest two-story building where Church members regularly meet. Here they offer to study English for free, spend joint leisure time, listen to music or just play board games. All this is done in order to enrich their ranks with new adherents.