The Mormon Mirage

That's the title of a book by Latayne Scott, and it's extremely appropriate. A mirage is something that looks very real, but it isn't real at all, and that's a good description of the foundations of the LDS church. Mrs. Scott would know. She was a well-trained fountain of knowledge as a member of the Mormon church, and she's an even better-informed one now that she's out of it. This book is just chock-full of information about the history, beliefs, and practices of the Mormon church--the best on the subject that I have seen.

The book begins with an introduction to Mrs. Scott's personal story, and then goes on to tell the story of Joseph Smith. It talks about the various scriptures that the LDS church uses and the problems inherent within them, describes the basic doctrines and how they have changed over the years (thanks to that convenient doctrine of continuing revelation), and spends some time describing some of the rituals. Part two addresses "Issues and challenges facing Mormonism in the 21st century" and gives more of her personal story. It's all very revealing stuff, and made my jaw drop as often as not.

My overwhelming visceral reaction to The Mormon Mirage was a combination of anger and frustration: anger at Joseph Smith and everyone else who helped perpetrate this heresy, and frustration at just how hard it is to convince a Mormon that they're being led down a thoroughly false path. Mormons and Christians have a great deal of what seems to be shared vocabulary, but even though we know many of the same words, like atonement, salvation, and eternal, these words don't have shared meanings. Communication, therefore, is problematic, and common ground is an illusion.

Mormons are, by and large, good people. Some of them are really wonderful people! Christians could really learn a thing or two from them about joy, devotion, and taking care of others. Mrs. Scott writes: "The Church's public image of clean-cut youngsters and responsible, productive, patriotic adults is based on fact. Faithful Mormons work very hard at authentically fulfilling that image, and their lifestyle attracts many converts". But still we need to spend designated time praying that their eyes will be opened and they will come to know God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for who they really are. They may be wonderful, but they are still condemned. While it is a wrenching, painful thing to discover that you've spent your life following a false God, how much worse to never discover that until your life on earth is over? And pray also that those who do discover it turn then to the true God, instead of bitterly abandoning the possibility of salvation entirely.

Mrs. Scott ends with an appendix on evangelizing Mormons, and it has both hard truths and sound advice. Some of the best is this: "However, there is a single weapon that every devoted Christian possesses. It can be used effectively because of a misconception that Mormons have. When I was a Mormon, I believed that that only way to peace and joy was through Mormonism. When I knocked at the door of a Christian to invite him or her to church and that person slammed the door, or had a sour facial expression, or said something insulting, this just reinforced my belief--shared by every Mormon--that Christians are unhappy and incomplete without the Mormon gospel. So what is the tool? It is your ability to tell them that your relationship with a living Savior Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of your Christian brothers and sisters is completely satisfying to you. That the Bible is complete and enough. That you know Jesus, and love him, and know that he loves you".

I heartily recommend this book. It will shock you, anger you, and break your heart. But it will also prepare you, inform you, and encourage you to examine your own beliefs and "make a defense for the hope that is within you". I came away with a sense of deep gratitude for all those who helped me find the Jesus who truly is the way, the TRUTH, and the life, and that God placed me in a position to hear, understand, and believe. Let us pray that many others come out of the mirage, and into the light.

Love, Spud.