Monday, January 23, 2012

Is the Mormon Church a Cult?

That's a question I got asked hundreds of times while serving my mission in Toronto Canada. While getting on the bus or on the subway, I had people yell "you're a cult!!!" It happened all the time. In the news we can see many people who think that Mormons are part of a cult. It's a common belief amongst those who are not members of our church.

To answer this, first let's go to the dictionary and find out exactly what a cult is.
"A specific system of religious worship, esp with reference to its rites and deity" (Collins English Dictionary)

Now, that is the official definition of a cult. Under that definition, yes, our church could be defined as a cult. But then, so could every single other church or religious group in existence. So by labeling our church as a cult, they effectively label every other religion and church as cults as well.

Of course, we need to understand that there is a very negative connotation to the word "cult." From what I understand from those I've spoken to, they think we are a "cult" in the negative sense because we are part of a church which has different beliefs than those of other Christian denominations. For example, the fact that we believe in modern prophets. Or that we believe in the Book of Mormon as another book of sacred scripture, or that we have Temples in which we perform sacred ordinances. My problem is that I can't see how any of those things are negative that would cause people to freak out and label us negatively as a "cult." Why the persecution for believing in Prophets, which is God's method He has always used to speak to His people, or for the Book of Mormon, which assists in testifying of Jesus Christ, our Savior, or for having Temples, when God commanded His people many times to build and use Temples?

For some reason, there are people who think our church is an extremist church for believing these things, even when our beliefs go in line perfectly with the Bible. I have been in the church my whole life and have never seen anything extreme, sinister, or evil in any way. We are members of a wonderful church which does so much good for this world and does everything in its power to help people come closer to Jesus Christ and His Gospel. I'm proud to call myself a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

For a much more comprehensive response to this question, see Brother Bott's Blog. He takes a very detailed look at what are some characteristics of cults in the negative sense of the word, and responds to each point. Very well written and an informative read.

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