Protesting The Mormon Faith: Why Do People Rally?

People have protested against the Mormon faith for a variety of reasons. The religion has faced opposition since its founding in the 1820s and 1830s, and this continues to the present day.

The most vocal opposition occurred during the 19th century, with violent persecution and expulsion from states like Missouri and Illinois, and the Utah War of the 1850s. The practice of polygamy was widely criticised by other Christians, and the US Republican Party considered it a relic of barbarism alongside slavery.

Modern-day opposition includes protests at large Latter-day Saint gatherings, and media criticism in the form of websites, podcasts, and videos. Critics generally believe the church's claims are false, that it is non-Christian, or that it is based on fraud or deceit.

In recent years, there has been a partisan shift among Mormon voters in Arizona, with a growing number supporting Democratic candidates, and some high-profile clashes between prominent LDS members and former US President Donald Trump.

The belief that the true church was removed from Earth at the end of the Apostolic Age

The Mormon faith, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has faced opposition and protests since its founding in 1830. The belief that the true church was removed from Earth at the end of the Apostolic Age, or the "Great Apostasy", is a central tenet of the religion and a significant reason for the protests against it. This belief claims that the early Christian church established by Jesus was lost after his death and the persecution of his apostles, resulting in a distortion of his teachings.

The "Great Apostasy" is a concept within Christianity that asserts that mainstream Christian churches have deviated from the original faith established by Jesus and his apostles. The Mormon faith, as a part of the Restorationist tradition of Christianity, holds that traditional Christianity, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy, has strayed from the true faith, necessitating its restoration. This belief is based on the idea that the early church was influenced by pagan philosophies and practices, such as Greco-Roman mysteries and festivals, which corrupted the original teachings of Jesus.

The Mormon doctrine teaches that Joseph Smith, the founder of the religion, received divine revelations and visions that guided the restoration of the true Christian church. Smith's teachings, as outlined in the Book of Mormon, state that the true church was lost due to the persecution and martyrdom of the apostles, leading to a lack of leadership and divine revelation. This resulted in the distortion of Christian doctrine by Greek and other philosophies, such as Neo-Platonism and Aristotelianism.

The belief in the "Great Apostasy" and the subsequent restoration of the true church by Joseph Smith is a core aspect of Mormon theology. It asserts that the Mormon church, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the only true and living church, as it has been restored through divine revelation and led by modern-day prophets. This belief has been a significant point of contention with other Christian denominations and has fueled protests and opposition to the Mormon faith.

The "Great Apostasy" belief claims that the early Christian church was lost due to a combination of external and internal factors. Externally, the persecution and martyrdom of the apostles led to a lack of leadership and guidance. Internally, the remaining early Christians struggled to preserve the purity of Jesus's teachings and prevent ideological divisions. This led to the adoption of pagan philosophies and practices, further distorting the original doctrine.

The Mormon faith's assertion that the "Great Apostasy" occurred and that their church is the true restoration has been a central point of contention with other Christian denominations. This belief claims that the true church was lost and needed to be re-established, implying that other Christian denominations are not legitimate. This claim has fueled protests and opposition, as it challenges the validity and authority of established Christian churches.

The practice of polygamy

The Mormon faith, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), has a long and complex history with the practice of polygamy, also known as plural or celestial marriage. While the LDS Church officially rejected polygamy in 1890, the issue has been a source of controversy and protest both within and outside the church.

The Beginnings of Polygamy in the Mormon Faith

Polygamy in the 19th Century

Despite initial resistance from some church members, polygamy gained acceptance within the Mormon community, particularly among the church leadership. In 1852, Orson Pratt, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, publicly announced and defended the practice at the request of then-church president Brigham Young. By the 1880s, it is estimated that 20-30% of Mormon families practised polygamy, although it was never a widespread practice among the regular members. Polygamy was seen as a core doctrine and a testament to patriarchal manliness, with church leaders like Brigham Young and Joseph Smith himself having multiple wives.

Opposition and Protests Against Polygamy

Legal Challenges and the End of Polygamy

The controversy over polygamy led to legal challenges and legislation aimed at eradicating the practice. In 1862, the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act criminalised polygamy and limited the church's real estate holdings. Despite resistance from the Mormon community, the Supreme Court upheld the Morrill Act in 1879, asserting that religious practices could be regulated by law. In 1890, facing increasing pressure and the threat of further seizures of church assets, church president Wilford Woodruff issued a manifesto officially terminating the practice of polygamy within the LDS Church. This was followed by a 1904 decree, or "Second Manifesto," from church president Joseph F. Smith, which established excommunication as the consequence for those who continued to practise polygamy.

Legacy and Impact

While the LDS Church has officially renounced polygamy, the issue continues to be a sensitive subject for Mormons. The practice has left a lasting impact on the church, with some scholars arguing that it shaped the development of Mormon doctrines and influenced the church's assimilation into mainstream American culture. Additionally, small "fundamentalist" groups have split from the LDS Church to continue practising polygamy, maintaining that it is a central tenet of their faith.

The belief that Native Americans are descendants of ancient Israelites

The theory was that the lost tribes of Israel had travelled to the Americas, and that Indigenous peoples of the Americas were of Israelite descent or influenced by still-lost Jewish populations. García argued that circumcision was common among Indigenous peoples of the Americas, particularly in the Yucatán, and that the lost tribes must have travelled to the Americas via the Bering Strait. He also made etymological arguments, for example, asserting that "Mex-" in "Mexico" was based on the Hebrew term "Messiah".

The theory was also supported by Antonio de Montezinos, a Portuguese convert from Judaism to Christianity, who claimed to have met an Indigenous tribe that spoke Hebrew and recited the shema during his travels in New Grenada. The Portuguese-Dutch rabbi Menasseh ben Israel also wrote a pamphlet, 'Spes Israelis (Hope of Israel)', in 1650, which was translated into English and cited by English writers. He believed that the supposed cultural similarities between Indigenous peoples and Jewish populations resulted from Indigenous peoples' ancestors borrowing them from Jews who lived among them, rather than the Indigenous populations being of Jewish descent.

The theory was also discussed in England and the Netherlands in the mid-17th century, during a period of messianic millenarianism. It was particularly prominent during the rule of Oliver Cromwell, when no Jews were officially living in England. The English may have been predisposed to accept the theory because of early British Israelism, which sought to prove a connection between the lost tribes and the English.

The theory carried eschatological implications, as the return of the lost tribes and the conversion of the entire Jewish nation would herald the Second Coming of Jesus. Publications such as Edward Winslow's 'The Glorious Progress of the Gospel Amongst the Indians in New England' (1649) and Thomas Thorowgood's 'Iewes in America' (1650) urged further action to convert Native Americans to Christianity.

The Jewish Indian theory remained significant in some millennialist Christian circles well into the 19th century but otherwise fell out of favour after the mid-19th century. The Book of Mormon (1830), however, revised the theory, claiming a Biblical origin for Native Americans. It stated that Jewish people emigrated to the Americas after the destruction of the first Temple, and that Jesus Christ appeared in the Americas and preached to Native Americans after his resurrection.

The belief that God was once a man

The Mormon belief that "God was once a man" is a highly contested topic, with some Mormons believing it to be a critical doctrine, while others view it as a non-essential part of their faith. This belief was introduced by Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, in his King Follett Discourse in 1844. In this sermon, Smith stated that God was once a mortal man, and that humans can progress to exaltation and godliness.

This doctrine is considered blasphemous by some Christians, as it contradicts the idea of God as an eternal and unchangeable being. For instance, Numbers 23:19 in the Bible states, "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind." Additionally, Psalm 90:2 describes God as "from everlasting to everlasting," indicating that God has always existed as a divine being. Similar descriptions of God's eternal nature can be found in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, which are sacred texts in Mormonism.

Some Mormons attempt to reconcile these contradictions by suggesting that certain biblical passages were not translated correctly. However, this argument is weakened by the fact that Joseph Smith himself produced a "translation" of the Bible, known as the Inspired Version, which includes the same wording as the original King James Version in Psalm 90:2.

Despite the controversy surrounding this belief, it is important to note that Mormonism encompasses a diversity of thought, and some Mormons interpret the doctrine metaphorically rather than literally. They believe that God may have had a mortal experience without diminishing his eternal nature or divinity. This interpretation aligns with the Christian belief in the Trinity, where God the Father is seen as distinct from Jesus Christ, who became incarnate as a man.

The belief that "God was once a man" has significant implications for Mormon theology. It supports the idea that humans are created in the image of God and have the potential to become like him. It also provides a framework for understanding the nature of God, the relationship between God and humanity, and the purpose of mortal existence.

While this doctrine may not be frequently taught or emphasized in Mormon congregations, it remains a distinctive aspect of Mormon theology that sets it apart from other Christian denominations.

The belief that the US Constitution is divinely inspired

One of the unique and controversial beliefs held by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons, is their view of the US Constitution. Mormons believe that the creation and writing of the US Constitution was divinely inspired and guided by God. This belief stem from their interpretation of certain religious texts and prophecies made by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith.

This belief is rooted in a passage from the Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations and prophecies accepted by Mormons as scripture. In Section 101, verse 80, it states: "And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and he shall write it; and I will dedicate this house unto my people, and here I will accept their offerings... And this I give unto them for a law that all may be done according to order and unity, that confusion may not be among my people, and that the enemies of my people may not have power over them." Mormons interpret this as a prophecy that Joseph Smith would be instrumental in establishing a new religious order, and that this would occur in a nation with a divinely inspired constitution that promotes order, unity, and freedom.

This belief in the divine inspiration of the US Constitution is further reinforced by the Mormon teachings on liberty and free agency. They view the Constitution as a sacred document that protects their religious freedoms and ensures their right to worship as they choose. The Constitution's guarantees of freedom of religion, speech, and assembly are seen as essential to Mormons, who have a history of persecution and displacement due to their religious beliefs.

Critics of the Mormon faith often point to this belief as an example of Mormon extremism or nationalism. They argue that it promotes an unhealthy mix of religion and politics, and that it can lead to a disregard for the separation of church and state. Protests and controversies surrounding Mormon beliefs often include this aspect, with critics expressing concern over potential theocratic tendencies. However, Mormons generally refute these claims, emphasizing their respect for the law and their belief in the importance of religious freedom for all. They view their belief in the divine inspiration of the Constitution as a guiding principle that informs their respect for the nation's laws and their desire to actively participate in the democratic process.

In conclusion, the Mormon belief that the US Constitution is divinely inspired is a significant aspect of their faith, influencing their view of government, law, and religious freedom. While it is a source of controversy and protest for some, Mormons hold this belief as a central tenet that guides their participation in civic life and their understanding of their place in American society.

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