It can observed that Smith, like
the many leaders of various heretical religious groups, Joseph Smith showed
similar patterns of transfiguring righteous theology into a deceptive artifact
in order to lift his status as the most outstanding figure. Further, it is
evident that he blurred theological truth by adding deceptive translation of
Egyptian papyrus and blending syncretic intelligence. In addition to this, his
effort of implanting polygamy into the theological foundation is considered to
justify his sexual depravity and indulgence. In other words, it seems to me
that Mormonism as a belief system, was articulated by and for Joseph Smith. When
all these wrongdoings were combined in the very beginning stage of formation of
false religion, why did many followers show blind obedience to him? Generally
speaking, most of religious founders have very charismatic characters and
amazes many people with their effectual communication skills. It seems that
once followers were hooked in the charismatic aura of heretic leader, they were
persuaded to obey without challenging the sayings of leader.
Personally, when heretical
religious leaders, especially related to Christianity, found their own
churches, it does not seem that they intend to launch God’s work with defect motivations
from the very beginning. It is believed that Joseph Smith's first problematic
stage was seeing visions and his nasty obsession of prophet status. Unfortunately,
there seemed to be no one to help him remain in the presence of God or any
mature community to nourish him with evangelical foundation of biblical
scriptures environmentally. What if he
experienced vision aided by spiritual discernment and took opportunities of
equipping himself with the deep understanding of biblical truth prior to the
status of prophet? it seems to me that if he did, then he may have not failed
with spiritual interaction. This choice of action resulted in him willingly
opening the door in order for evil spirits to come and establish their
territories.
In Mormon teaching and theology,
it is known that essential teachings regarding salvation overlap with what the
orthodox churches teaches about it. But, the imperative problems are that
righteous teachings and evangelical truths had long been tarnished with
deceptive lies which originate from ancient documents, humanistic intelligence
and unethical behaviors of the founder. It is obvious that once these illegal
mixtures are progressed into the certain phase, it becomes too late. When
examining into the diagram of leadership procession in Mormon, they seemed to
be seized by evil spirits gradually as chronological time is in progress.
Consequently, moral depravity,
mix of humanistic intelligence and deception are the essential components which
deviate Mormon from remaining a truthful way leading to salvation. As
above-mentioned, it is believed that many founders of religion or church did
not establish God’s work with filthy heart. To my understanding, the founder of
the unification church was highly considered as both pure and passionate
Christian at his beginning stage. So was David Yonggi Cho, who established
Yoido full gospel church. It has been reported that due to his sexual scandal
and enormous amount of money laundry, he was sentenced to be put in prison.
Many religious leaders started with pure and passionate heart and end up being
flesh and keep walking toward wrong destination of eternity.
From a perspective of those who
are involved with God’s works, the reading of “Mormon Crisis” caused me to
think about “how can I discipline myself ethically?” and “how can I form the
theological
foundation without being influenced by plausible
intelligence of humanism?” Furthermore, when asked to correct lies and
unevangelical teachings, same as the deceptive translation of Egyptian papyrus
was intervened by the linguistic professionals, how can I humbly accept their
correction and keep myself on the righteous spiritual track? Besides that, what
about the humanism? In my opinion,
intellectual approaches are so prevalent that significant numbers of Christians
are swept in chaos even at churches. It is very likely that we are living in
the time wherein even orthodox Christian churches are overwhelmed with all
kinds of intellectual artifacts.
Although there is no perfect
solution to protect from all kinds of temptations and spiritual attacks, what
struck me is to establish the environment where I am to be nourished
continuously and systemically. Perhaps, if the spiritual environment is
engineered into being too hierarchical or spiritual leaders are tempted to
become so charismatic, effectual communication would be impeded and hostility
or hatred against different opinions of followers are easily expressed
unfiltered. Among Christians, it is generally accepted that the spiritual
leaders are to serve other people and do the works. However, the idea that the
spiritual leaders needs to be served and nourished as well is neglected. What
if Joseph smith became less charismatic and hierarchical than the way it was?
What if there was the reliable mentor and spiritual community where he could
gain the spiritual strength and biblical knowledge? To my understanding, Yonggi
Cho was forced to stand in front of prosecutor, for his three sons illegally
used the enormous amount of money related to church offerings. What if he
established his family at the very beginning stage of his ministry although he
became so negligent with his ministry that world-famous mega church could not
appear in South Korea?
This book provides me with a
heavy task of end up being a final winner rather than establishing God’s work
fervently and passionately. At the various stages of forming my theology and
following God’s will, it will lead me to end up spending my eternity at the
expected destination when many kinds of issues such as Mormon’s cases are
successfully defended. And personally, by the time of graduation from the
seminary school, I am convinced that God will prepare me with undivided heart
fixed only at Him and by refined way of trusting my works. It is highly
expected of me that inward holiness become more strengthened than the way it
was before. If the transitional phase from self-love to God-love and from
something temporary to something eternal is perfectly fulfilled, it will become
more easier to deal with many risks than now.
The book of Abraham
The
full reading of the book of Abraham provided me the impression that a chaotic
edition of biblical scripture was established with the deceptive translation of
Egyptian papyrus. And the book of Abraham reminded me of many mythologies
created in ancient near-eastern territories. Furthermore, it is worthwhile to
contemplate why the creation story of God was preceded by Abraham’s story. It
was speculated that the appearance of God is considered to be supplementary to
limelight Abraham. When viewing the contents of the Pearl of Great Price, Moses
and Abraham were likely to be seen as prophets and it seems that all these mechanical
compilation of contents in the book were mechanically engineered to endorse Joseph
Smith as the prophet, which is either equivalent to or superior to them.
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