Outside In; Mormon Myths and the Truth

 

      Lately there has been a lot of discussion on Mormons (or LDS, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints if you want to be technical)  since Mitt Romney started running for the Republican Candidacy. As someone born and raised in Utah by a Mormon family I've always been somewhat fascinated by how the country sees the Mormons and their traditions. I've been reading quite a few myths about Mormon's and their aforementioned traditions, some true and some false. This post will attempt to clear up some common misconceptions told by individuals in and outside the church.

Myths

The Book of Mormon has been proven by archaeology.
This is a common myth told by Mormons claiming that evidence has been found that there were Nephites and Lamanites, two tribes descending from a Jewish family that sailed to the Americas. Although apologists would disagree, many experts would say that nearly the opposite is true. There are no credible archaeologists outside of the Mormon church who believe the Book of Mormon holds any archaeological significance. There have been more contradictions than agreements between the archaeological world and the Book of Mormon. These contradictions mostly involve the technology and animals used by per-columbian Native Americans. For example, the Book of Mormon claims that the Nephites and Lamanites had used horse drawn carriages and had elephants, while archaeology disagrees.



All Mormons are polygamous.
Although it is true that at one point in time most Mormons were polygamous, now it's the opposite. It is very rare to find a polygamous Mormon, and when they are they're often part of a different, splinter group from the actual Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints known as the FLDS, or Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.



Mormons believe in magic underwear.
This myth is completely true, anyone who says it is false is either not actually LDS or is blatantly lying to you. Although this sounds fairly nuts, the fact that Mormons believe in mystical undergarments doesn't faze me any more than virgin conception, (which, according to my sources, Mormons do not believe in) the benefits of chastity, resurrection, or any other similarly ludicrous religious claims.



Mormons aren't Christians.
They're called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, for God's sake. The definition of Christian is: A person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Jesus Christ and his teachings. Having gone to many sessions at a Mormon church I can promise you this is true for Mormons. Teachers make a point of stating that Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith.

Mormons hated black people until 1978

This is partially true. Up until 1978 African Americans were not allowed to hold the priesthood. Many Mormons thought that blacks were the descendents of Cane. However, there were some prominent African American families before 1978, so obviously they didn't completely hate them.


So are Mormon's, like Mitt Romney, crazy? I'd say they're only as insane as the next Christian, but   what do you think? Comments are appreciated.