Is Mormonism a brainwashing cult? While many who are uneducated on the ways of Mormonism believe that the religious leaders of the Church control every aspect of its members’ lives through the manipulation, latter day saints choose to obey based on their personal testimonies. These testimonies can develop from others’ examples, talks heard, or personal studying. However, because the Church of Christ is perfect, it does not need the strategies of other written material to convince its readers of its teachings because the Spirit accompanies messages of truth.
To help teach this message, many members are given assignments to instruct lessons to teach the principals that the Church is based on. However, the teachers don’t force their students into action; rather, they teach lessons that are designed to help make the most of the time spent in mortality if they choose to listen. During times, such as these, the Spirit will enter the room and permeate the hearts of all who are willing to listen and have a desire to know.
The Spirit can only preach to those who have this desire and an open heart. Moroni promises that if God is approached with a plea to know the truth (in this case, the truth of the Book of Mormon), He “will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” but on the conditions that the seeker have “a sincere heart,...real intent,...[and] faith in Christ” (Moroni 10:4). Without the sincere desire to ask God, the principles will just remain words and will not have an impact on the lives of those who ask.
Lives are affected by the confirmations of truth from the Spirit, not from brainwashing leaders as many who do not know the truth believe. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the Earth today, and because it’s God’s church, he will convey that message in his own way. Sometimes His teachings come from a particular passage of scripture or a truth heard from a friend. However, He will testify to his children in his own time through the Holy Ghost that the knowledge they seek is true. Heavenly Father brings people into his fold by the truthfulness of his message and the Spirit that accompanies it.
I liked what you said about the Spirit bringing messages of truth. Also, good point that members of the church aren't enticed to believe things based on the rhetoric of church leaders alone, but by personal testimony and the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
ReplyDeleteI find your point both informative and important, because I believe it is an issue we all will struggle with. I like how you addressed the issue in a step by step manner and explained it through your testimony.
ReplyDeleteYou go girl.
Great insights! I especially like how you started with a catchy title and opening sentence--it hooked me in, and really introduced your approach well.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic! That is something I try to explain to non-members on a regular basis and you explained it very effectively.
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