Mormon Faith: Questioning With Critical Thinking And Self-Reflection

Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have a steel wall around their beliefs, and only they can break them down. However, there are some questions that can make them pause and leave a crack in their faith. These include: If the church wasn't true, how would you know? and If you left the church, what would you have and what would you do?. Another way to make a Mormon question their faith is to ask them why they believe Mormonism is true. When they answer that they had a subjective personal inward witness of its truth, you can point out that subjective personal experiences are not very reliable.

Challenge the reliability of their subjective personal experiences

Challenging the Reliability of Mormons' Subjective Personal Experiences

Mormons' subjective personal experiences are shaped by their unique set of innate tendencies and experiences, which can be difficult to penetrate with logical arguments or evidence. However, there are ways to challenge the reliability of these experiences and encourage them to question their faith. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Understand the Distinction Between Objective and Subjective

Firstly, it is important to understand the difference between objective and subjective experiences. Objective experiences refer to those that are publicly observable, articulable, and determined. These include scientific findings, mathematical equations, and ethical principles. On the other hand, subjective experiences are personal, unconscious, and the source of individual meaning. They include personal passions, such as art, beauty, and love, and are not justifiable to others as they are unique to each individual.

Recognise the Role of Subjective Experience in Mormon Faith

Mormons often rely on their subjective experiences to validate their faith. They may claim that their feelings or personal revelations are evidence of the truth of their beliefs. For example, they might say that they "feel" the presence of God or have a "burning in the bosom" sensation that confirms the truth of the LDS Church. Recognising the role of these subjective experiences is crucial when attempting to challenge their reliability.

Highlight the Unreliability of Subjective Experiences

While subjective experiences are real and powerful, they can also be unreliable. It is important to emphasise that subjective experiences are unique to each individual and cannot be verified or measured in the same way as objective experiences. Ask questions that highlight the subjective nature of their experiences, such as: If you had never heard of the church, but felt a burning in your bosom, would it be telling you the LDS Church is true? This can help Mormons recognise that their subjective experiences may not be a reliable basis for their faith.

Encourage Critical Reflection on Their Experiences

Encourage Mormons to critically reflect on their subjective experiences. Ask open-ended questions that prompt them to think deeply about their experiences and the factors that may influence them. For example: "What led you to interpret that experience as a sign from God?" or "Have you ever considered other possible explanations for that feeling?" By encouraging critical reflection, you can help them recognise that their subjective experiences may not always be as clear-cut as they seem.

Present Alternative Explanations

Provide alternative explanations for their subjective experiences that are grounded in objective reality. For example, if a Mormon describes a feeling of peace and comfort during prayer as evidence of God's presence, you could suggest that this feeling may be a result of the calming ritual of prayer, the sense of community, or the power of suggestion. Presenting alternative, non-supernatural explanations can help Mormons see that their subjective experiences may not necessarily be evidence of the divine.

Emphasise the Importance of Empirical Evidence

While subjective experiences are powerful, they are not always accurate representations of reality. Emphasise the importance of empirical evidence and scientific inquiry in determining the truth. Encourage Mormons to consider the lack of scientific evidence for some of their beliefs. For example, you could ask: How do you reconcile your subjective experiences with the lack of archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon? By doing so, you can help them see the value of objective, verifiable evidence in determining what is true.

Ask if the church wasn't true, would they want to know?

This question is a great way to get Mormons to introspect and think critically about their beliefs. It is a question that can be asked respectfully and is more likely to be successful if the Mormon does not feel like they are defending their beliefs. It is important to remember that Mormons have a strong wall around their beliefs and only they can break them down. However, asking this question may create a crack in their faith.

Responses to the question

"I would want to know so that I could find the right church."

Response: "What makes you so sure that there is a 'right church' and that it is this one?"

"I would want to know because I do not want to live a lie."

Response: "How do you know that you are living a lie? What if your current church is the one that is lying to you?"

"I would want to know because I want to live an honest life."

Response: "How does your current church prevent you from living an honest life?"

"I would not want to know because I am happy with my current church."

Response: "Are you willing to consider the possibility that your current church may not be true, even if it makes you uncomfortable?"

"I would not want to know because I do not want to shake my testimony."

Response: "Why do you think questioning your faith will shake your testimony? Are you open to the possibility that your testimony may be wrong?"

Additional questions to ask

• "If a Mormon stops going to church and says the church isn't true, what do you think the reason for that might be?"
• "Is that what they actually told you, or is it just your theory?"
• "If the church wasn't true, how would you know?"
• "If you left the church, what would you have and what would you do?"

Ask if the church wasn't true, how would they know?

The Mormon faith is founded on the belief that it is the "one true church", with its members spending a lot of time proclaiming the Gospel and proselytizing. This belief is based on the story of Joseph Smith, who, in the 19th century, asked God which church was true and was led to uncover the plates of the Book of Mormon and found a church of his own. This story is a central tenet of the faith and its missionary work.

However, if we examine this story and the underlying assumptions more closely, we can identify several points of inquiry that may lead a Mormon to question their faith. Firstly, we can ask about the nature of Joseph Smith's prophecy and whether it was truly divine. There are several inconsistencies and questionable aspects to his story, such as the alleged "restoration" of the two priesthoods to Smith in 1829 and 1831, which were only added retrospectively to already-published revelations in 1835. This calls into question the validity of Smith's prophecies and the idea that he was a true prophet.

Secondly, we can question the assumption that "the true church" must have a specific set of characteristics, as outlined in the "17 Proofs of the True Church" promoted by the Mormon Church. A closer examination of these "proofs" reveals a biased and often incorrect interpretation of Biblical scriptures. For example, the claim that the true church must bear the name of Jesus Christ is based on a misinterpretation of a Biblical metaphor, and the idea that the true church must have a foundation of apostles and prophets ignores the broader Biblical context and the role of these figures in the early Christian church.

Furthermore, we can question the notion that a "true church" needs to have a top-down organizational structure with a distinct hierarchy. This idea is not supported by the New Testament, which emphasizes the equality of all believers and a more decentralized, community-based form of worship and spiritual practice. The early Christian church, as described in the Bible, was a body of born-again believers who met in each other's homes and supported each other along their spiritual journeys. It was not a centralized institution with a single leader or group of leaders claiming divine authority.

Additionally, we can examine the fruits of the Mormon Church and its leaders to evaluate their claims of being the "one true church." For example, the current church president, Russell M. Nelson, has presided over a significant loss of membership, and there are allegations of his involvement in serious crimes and cover-ups. These negative fruits contradict the idea that the Mormon Church is led by divine prophets and call into question its status as the "one true church."

Finally, we can reflect on the personal experiences and feelings of individual Mormons. Many of the teachings promoted by the church, such as those related to sexuality and self-worth, can be emotionally abusive and harmful. It is important for Mormons to examine their own experiences and feelings critically and determine if the church's teachings align with their personal values and sense of morality.

In conclusion, by asking "if the church wasn't true, how would you know?" we can encourage Mormons to engage in critical thinking and self-reflection. This may lead them to question the assumptions, interpretations, and fruits of the Mormon faith, potentially leading to a crisis of faith or a deeper commitment to their beliefs.

Ask if they left the church, what would they have and what would they do?

Asking questions is a great way to get Mormons to question their faith. However, it is important to approach the conversation with respect and a genuine interest in their beliefs.

Asking a Mormon to reflect on what they would have and what they would do if they left the church is a powerful question that can spark introspection and critical thinking. It invites them to consider a life outside the church and the potential benefits and opportunities that may come with it.

Encourage Self-Reflection

Ask open-ended questions that encourage the Mormon to reflect on their personal values, motivations, and desires. For example:

• "What aspects of your life would you keep the same if you left the church?"
• "Are there any beliefs or practices that you feel are holding you back or causing you discomfort?"
• "What are your core values, and how do they align with the teachings of the church?"
• "If you could change one thing about the church, what would it be and why?"

Explore Alternative Paths

Help them consider alternative paths and the potential benefits of leaving. For example:

• "What are some things you admire about other religions or spiritual practices?"
• "Are there any teachings or practices of the church that you disagree with or find challenging?"
• "If you left the church, what new opportunities or experiences might you pursue?"
• "Are there any aspects of your life that you feel the church is unable to fulfil or support?"

Reflect on Personal Growth

Encourage them to reflect on their personal growth and how it might be impacted by leaving. For example:

• "How has your relationship with your faith evolved over the years?"
• "Are there any teachings of the church that you once agreed with but now struggle to reconcile?"
• "What are some ways in which you feel you've grown or changed as a result of your involvement with the church?"
• "Are there any aspects of your personality or beliefs that you feel are not fully expressed within the church?"

Discuss Community Impact

Explore the potential impact of leaving on their community and relationships. For example:

• "How do you think your relationships with friends and family within the church would change if you left?"
• "Are there any social support systems outside of the church that you could rely on if you left?"
• "How do you think your day-to-day life and routines would change if you were no longer part of the church?"
• "Are there any non-religious community groups or organizations that you admire or feel drawn to?"

Remember, the goal is not to force someone to question their faith but to create a safe space for them to explore their beliefs and consider alternative perspectives. It is important to approach these conversations with empathy and a genuine interest in their thoughts and experiences.

Ask if the Book of Mormon is true, why has the Mormon church changed it?

The Book of Mormon has undergone thousands of changes since its first printing in 1830. Royal Skousen, a BYU linguistics professor and expert on the textual history of the Book of Mormon, identified 5,280 variations in all its editions. These changes were made to eliminate human errors that occurred during the transcription and printing processes, such as spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and syntax confusion. While the majority of these changes are typographical and do not alter the doctrine, some changes are more significant. For example, the name of Christ was initially revealed as "Jesus Christ" in 1 Nephi 12:18, but this was later replaced with "Messiah" in 2 Nephi 10:3. In another instance, "God" was changed to "Son of God" and "white and delightsome" was changed to "pure and delightsome".

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has also made changes to the Book of Mormon to soften its racism. For example, the Lamanites, who were originally described as "a dark, filthy, and loathsome people," became "a scourge unto the Nephites." These changes reflect the evolving doctrines of the Church and its attempts to align the text with the original translation and improve readability.

Asking a Mormon about these changes and the reasons behind them can be a way to encourage critical thinking and introspection about their faith. It is important to approach such conversations with respect and a genuine interest in understanding their beliefs. However, it is also essential to recognise that individuals may have their own reasons for holding on to their beliefs and that questioning them may not always lead to a change in faith.

Frequently asked questions