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Post by marionj2 on Feb 22, 2010 22:34:20 GMT -5
In the old HBO boards, people had a lot of questions for the knowledgeable Mormons among us, so I decided to set up this thread.
I have one from this episode. When the Greenes set up the mock trial, they had the witnesses and defendants place their hand on the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible.
Would that happen in a real court in Utah? Or would they use the Bible?
I think I know the answer, but I'd like an answer from someone who really knows.
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Post by albertaleon on Feb 22, 2010 23:16:34 GMT -5
I don't know as I am not Mormon. I have heard Marie Osmond speak of her religion (Mormon) and is offended when people think that Mormons do not believe in Jesus Christ.
I have posted this before. When looking for a message board for Big Love I came across a blogger that is Mormon and reviews each of the episodes. This blog was so interesting because the blogger gave insights about the show that I would have never noticed. I have tried to find this blogger again but have failed. If you do search for this blogger and find him or her (I believe it is a her) please let me know. I will keep googling to find this blogger again and if I find it I will let everyone here know.
Sorry I could not be of more help Marionj2 with your question. Your question is a great one.
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Post by rissmeek on Feb 22, 2010 23:20:25 GMT -5
I've always wondered if polygamy was made legal again would the LDS accept it again or not.
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Post by BigLoveRocks! on Feb 23, 2010 0:48:53 GMT -5
I've always wondered if polygamy was made legal again would the LDS accept it again or not. I doubt it. I think they'd leave it to the runaway sects like FLDS. Kinda the difference between pentacostals who just roll around and speak in tongues... Then there are those pentacostals that roll around, speaking in tongues, taking LSD and playing with rattle snakes.  |
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Post by gypzymom on Feb 23, 2010 4:07:39 GMT -5
No, no and no. In court its the Bible if anything. Do they even do that anymore. I thought it was a raise your right hand thing. I'm surprised that they even get away with a "so help me God". Polygamy is done. It was restored as a principal for a time. LDS believe this is the time (the Latter Days) when all of the principals instituted by God must be restored, even if just for a time. (think Abraham and Sariah and Hagar, if you know your Old Testament). There have been other principals restored that were just for a time as well. I can't speak for our church as a whole, or our leaders, but I don't believe it would happen- not that I think our government would head thataway anyway. I'll get back on weekly as this train wreck unfolds before us. If you have other questions that I can help with, ask away. I will say first though that just like anything in life, science or math or our jobs, different people have different levels of understanding. With the church its the same. Do you read the scriptures, are you understanding the message as it is intended, are you familiar with Church history and the teachings of the prophets, etc? Its a pet peeve of mine when church members go around spreading the 'gospel according to them'. So much misinformation gets tossed around that way. That said, I'll always say so if somethings is my take, or doctrine, K?
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Post by JJ77 on Feb 23, 2010 7:56:31 GMT -5
I have a question -
I really knew NOTHING about LDS / FLDS so I picked up some books about the history of mormons and tried to give myself atleast a basic understanding of both.
The basic reason for the split between mainstream LDS and what became known as FLDS was the issue of polygamy, correct?
In my readings it seemed to me that the churches decision to stop the practice of polygamy was entirely politically based.
I wondered what your thoughts were on on that - as well as the churches general position? Ending polygamy based on Political rather than spiritual reason I mean.
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Post by marionj2 on Feb 23, 2010 17:56:25 GMT -5
Thanks, gypzymom!
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Post by missingkathy on Feb 24, 2010 22:53:58 GMT -5
Hey guys, I'm personally an athiest but I'm double majoring in poli sci and American Religion and I focus on both the FLDS and the mainstream LDS . . . so I'm pretty well-versed in Mormon history and theology, if anyone has some finer issues they'd like to discuss. Of course, I'm no expert and I'm not Mormon myself, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but I do have pretty strong academic credentials and over five years of study in the field. @jj77, there's a lot of debate over the reasons for the split, but polygamy was a large contributor. it's been pretty well-documented that the LDS church leaders practiced polygamy for ten or twenty years after the official ban. However, the moment of the spit itself was caused by a disagreement over who the next prophet should be. If anyone wants more details, I'd be happy to write them up this weekend when I have more time. It's important to note that the split wasn't into FLDS/LDS- it was into the mainstream LDS church we have today and fundamentalist Mormons in general. THe FLDS is the largest and most-well known of the fundamentalist splinter groups, but there are many other smaller ones. If anyone wants to learn more about the history of the mainstream LDS church (which includes the fundamentalists) I highly recommend this book: www.amazon.com/Mormon-America-Promise-Richard-Ostling/dp/0060663715It's a bit lengthy but it's written in a very palatable way and it's the only book I've ever read on Mormonism with absolutely no pro- or anti- LDS bias. |
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Post by JJ77 on Feb 24, 2010 23:39:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the info & especially the book recommendation...
I know this thread is suppose to be questions for "mormons" , but I'm curious - were you an athiest when you began majoring in political science and american religion ? Or did your beleifs change after the fact?
I know that may sound like a loaded question or an attempt at humor or something - but i'm genuinely curious.
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Post by missingkathy on Feb 24, 2010 23:45:00 GMT -5
Yes, I've always been a atheist. My reason for majoring in American religion is because I'm pre-law and I want to work for an advocacy group that helps protect the rights of women and children in the FLDS- I've been interested in it since middle school and I've already done some work with advocates like Carolyn Jessop (the author of another great book- she's ex-FLDS and unlike most other books of this kind, hers avoids hyperbole and gives a balanced, albeit still shocking, life story). I'm studying Mormon theology because I know I have to have a background in the belief system or I'm going to be a very inefficient lawyer!
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Post by JJ77 on Feb 24, 2010 23:57:57 GMT -5
That's awesome MK !
I wish you luck and much success in you endeavors...
whether you end up directly representing flds women and children , or work to ratify laws which will better enable their protection - your work will have meaning & affect change for those unable to do so on their own.
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Post by liz3564 on Feb 25, 2010 12:15:38 GMT -5
In the old HBO boards, people had a lot of questions for the knowledgeable Mormons among us, so I decided to set up this thread. I have one from this episode. When the Greenes set up the mock trial, they had the witnesses and defendants place their hand on the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible. Would that happen in a real court in Utah? Or would they use the Bible? I think I know the answer, but I'd like an answer from someone who really knows. No, putting their hand on the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible would never happen. I think part of that scene was really to show just how "froot loops"(using Lois' phrase  ) the Greenes are. The King James version of the Bible is considered official canon for the LDS Church. The Book of Mormon is also considered official scripture, and is a companion to the Bible. It is considered a second testimony of Jesus Christ, so there is no either/or between the Bible and the Book of Mormon that exists. Both are important. |
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ladykc
Junior Member
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Post by ladykc on Feb 26, 2010 22:52:39 GMT -5
I think I mentioned this on another thread, but my understanding in the the Book of Mormon is considered a third testament that updates and supercedes the New Testament, much the way that the new Testament updates and supercedes the Old Testament for Christians.
To me, this would mean that the Book of Mormon would be somewhat more important, as it would be considered to have the final word. For example, Jesus says in the New Testament that husbands in his church should have only one wife. He also says that in heaven there is no male and female.
Compare this to the Book of Mormon advocating polygamy and talking about the celestial kingdom with husbands and wives and spirit children. But to Mormons, the Book of Mormon is the final word.
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Post by JJ77 on Feb 26, 2010 23:44:52 GMT -5
I am not mormon , so my undertanding may not be correct - but I dont think the book of mormon condones / promotes polygamy.
It was the doctrines and convenants that did so.
also, I *think* that chronologically story / event wise - the book of mormon speaks of time before the occurances of the new testament. (before christ) So it's not the "last word" so - to speak.
It is my understandingthat it is a companion, not a superior book to the bible.
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Post by BigLoveRocks! on Feb 27, 2010 0:33:44 GMT -5
According to my mormon friends, the book of mormon is just something that backs up what the bible already says. It is like a reconfirmation that the bible is really the word of God.
They don't try and claim it is above the bible or a replacement... In fact most of them carry around a large thick book that is a combination of the entire bible, doctrines and covenants and the book of mormon in one.
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) the Greenes are.