| LDS View |
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Reform Mormonism View |
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| Literalism |
| The LDS tend to take a literal approach to
scripture, religious history, sociology,
and theological concepts. Examples:
Joseph
Smith possessed gold plates, the Garden
of
Eden actually existed, the earth is
6,000
years old, etc. |
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Reform Mormons do not take a literal approach
to scripture, myth, or theological
concepts.
Our belief is that literalism tends
to make
continued exploration more difficult,
thereby
slowing progression. We examine scripture,
myth and theological concepts for knowledge
that can enhance our progression through
life, and understanding of our lives. |
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| Authority |
The LDS take the orthodox christian approach
to authority; that it is necessary, instituted
and sanctioned. Authority is transferred
by ordination and specific actions sanctioned
by the granting of "keys" from
higher authorities.
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Reform Mormons take a more Gnostic approach
to authority; that authority already
rests
within the individual, and that authority
as it is instituted in the hierarchies
of
religious organizations is for the
purposes
of the organization, not the purposes
of
God. In Reform Mormonism, ordination
is used
as a ritual to aide in mutual understanding
of a role. |
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| Obedience |
| The LDS view obedience as the "first
law of the gospel." Eternal and
temporal
rewards are granted by God based upon
obedience
to specific laws upon which the rewards
are
predicated. |
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Reform Mormonism does not accept the concept
that God has instituted or administers
a
law/reward system, and views the existing
systems as man-made attempts to guide
people
into better ways of living (although,
in
many cases, the arbitrary nature of
the selected
laws can create living conditions much
worse
than intended or would have naturally
resulted.) |
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| Morality and Accountability |
| The LDS view "morality" as a sexual
code, and have specific laws to which
obedience
is required; failure to comply with
the laws
results in separation from God and
the Church.
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Reform Mormons believe in living moral and
accountable lives, but do not subscribe
to
the idea of "morality" as
merely
a sexual code. To Reform Mormons, moral
behavior
is when an individual acts in harmony
with
their moral construct; the building
of one's
moral construct is one of the purposes
of
life, and is different for each individual,
based upon their progression. Reform
Mormons
also believe in living accountably;
that
is, we accept the consequences of our
actions. |
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| Revelation |
The LDS recognize two types of revelation.
First is a personal revelation, given
from
God, through the Holy Ghost, directly
to
an individual. This revelation is specifically
limited to the individual's areas of
responsibility
as defined within the hierarchies of
the
Church organization. Second is revelation
from God to the President of the Church,
for the purposes of leading the organization.
The second type of revelation occurred
during
the days of Joseph Smith as God appearing
to Smith on occasion. Current LDS leaders
report that modern revelation is a
"warm
feeling."
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Reform Mormons believe in revelation as the
opportunity to commune with God. It
can occur
in a variety of ways. It is highly
personal,
and is initiated, understood, and improved
throughout one's life by the knowledge
one
acquires and by the decisions an individual
makes. The Church exists for the purpose
of fostering this communion. Revelation
is
not limited or restricted based on
a hierarchy
or concepts such as "worthiness."
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| History and Tradition |
| The LDS have a rich, modern history, and
have co-opted many ancient religious
traditions.
Their traditions include many social
routines,
myths, and rituals. The LDS view some
rituals
as obedience issues (required actions
necessary
for progression.) Leadership of the
LDS church
discourages aggressive historical or
intellectual
inquiry, viewing it as "non-faith
affirming." |
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Reform Mormons share the modern history of
Mormonism. Though not as socially structured
as the LDS church, we have our own
routines
and myths. Our rituals are designed
for personal
edification and progression, built
upon Mormon
tradition, and are not viewed as requirements
insofar as God or our progression are
concerned.
We view all historical and intellectual
inquiry
as desirable and welcome. We believe
faith
is enhance by a full exploration of
truths. |
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| Salvation and Exaltation |
| The LDS believe that God has instituted a
grand design which they refer to as the "Plan
of Salvation." The plan is complex and
the details of the plan are explored elsewhere
on other sites. The Plan includes the concept
of eternal progression, which is the idea
that there is a part of human beings that
has always existed (although not in this
form) and will continue to exist forever
(beyond time.) Most LDS adherence to laws
is based upon the concept that while "salvation"
(existence beyond this life) is granted to
everyone, "exaltation" (the opportunity
to become as God is now) is granted only
to those who have obeyed a variety of laws.
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Reform Mormons believe in the concepts of
eternity (beyond time) and eternal progression
(we have always existed.) We believe that
there are several purposes for existence
on this earth, and that one of the primary
purposes is to gain knowledge; we value the
idea of knowledge acquisition because we
believe it enhances our current experience
and attempts to progress, and that the process
of learning is training ground for further
progression after this life. We believe that
many people squander their opportunity to
gather knowledge in this life. We believe
that progression is an unstoppable force,
but that many things in life can slow it
down. |
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| Family |
| The LDS are well known for fostering an environment
where traditional families are prioritized
and valued. LDS ritual involves ceremonies
designed to consecrate familiar relationships.
Families are defined as a father, mother,
and children - all three elements essential.
Families outside of this definition
are not
as highly valued. Some social movements
(feminism,
homosexuality) are considered to be
family-destructive,
and the Church views political action
to
stop the progress of these movements
to be
acceptable, and engages in it routinely. |
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Reform Mormons consider the family to be
the basic building-block of society.
We view
non-traditional families with the same
importance
as traditional ones, and within our
rituals
consecrate a wide variety of familiar
structures.
We do not view feminism and homosexuality
as anathema to families; indeed, most
families
already contain these elements, and
failure
to recognize this creates hatred and
animosity
where none need exist. We view political
activity by religious institutions
only valid
insofar as their attempts to remain
viable
and legitimate within society are concerned;
we do not condone or support Church-based
political activity designed to influence
laws outside of this concern. We view
most
political activity of the LDS church
designed
to influence discrimination against
women
and homosexuals as misguided and damaging. |
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| Truth |
| The LDS consider their Church to be the "one
true church," and that all other churches
may have elements of truth within them, but
do not posses the complete truth which the
LDS alone posses. For this reason, the LDS
are engaged in aggressive missionary work,
to attract and convert as many people as
possible. Their Plan of Salvation calls for
the ultimate presentation of the Church's
doctrines to everyone, regardless of when
they lived; also for this reason, they conduct
proxy ordinances in their temples for deceased
individuals. |
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Reform Mormons consider truth to be an assessment
of things as they are at a given moment
in
time. Truth is individually understood,
and
as such, declaration of another individual's
religious pursuits as invalid is ridiculous.
Diversity within religious pursuit
offers
a variety of individual progression
opportunities
(new knowledge) that exist only due
to that
diversity; conversion of all individuals
to a singular religious view and approach
would suggests the ultimate destruction
of
other views, and as such, acts as a
barrier
to knowledge acquisition. We value
all of
the religions of the world, including
the
LDS, and seek to explore and learn
from the
mysteries and knowledge they each contain.
We do not seek the conversion of everyone.
We do not conduct proxy ordinances
(although
we do repeat ritual in the interest
of personal
edification.) |
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| Church Structure and Purpose |
| The LDS do not view their theology or philosophy
and their church administration with any
distinction; both are viewed as inseparably
connected, as the Catholic Church. The LDS
Church is hyper-organized and "correlated,"
with little toleration for doctrinal variances.
Speaking publicly of theology not sanctioned
by Church administration can result in disciplinary
action; the Church performs disfellowshipment
and excommunication proceedings (whereby
"all blessings of the Gospel are lost")
on a routine basis. Such action is usually
perceived by the disciplined member as being
cut-off from not only the Church, but their
tradition, history, potential exaltation,
and connection to God. |
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Reform Mormonism views the Church as an entity
distinct from one's philosophy and theology.
While the LDS organization is very "top-down,"
similar to a business organizational chart,
the Reform Mormon approach is "bottom-up,"
with no controlling hierarchy. The Church
is organized for the specific purpose of
supporting the individual in their quest
for progression enhancement; as such, it
does not posses the ability (or desire) to
conduct disciplinary actions. One leaves
Reform Mormonism when one chooses to leave
it; it is not up to the Church to make this
decision. One's connection to God is influenced by
each individual's progression; separation
from God is illusory; control of one's destiny
is not in the hands of an organization. |
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| Conversion |
| The act of converting to the LDS church involves
religious instruction (known as "the
discussions," usually presented
by LDS
missionaries) followed by worthiness
interviews
with ecclesiastical leaders. The interview
ascertains if the individual has cleansed
themselves of moral sins, and determines
if the individual has developed a "testimony"
of Joseph Smith and the truthfulness
of the
LDS church adequate to warrant initiation.
If the result is positive, the individual
is administered the ritual of baptism
by
immersion. An initiate is then "confirmed"
a member of the Church. |
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A Reform Mormon becomes a Reform Mormon by
electing to be one, and declaring the affiliation.
There are no formal instructions, interviews,
or rituals. We do conduct the ritual of baptism
and confirmation, but its context is different
than initiation. If you've decided you're
a "Reform Mormon," then you are one. |
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| Read the Reform Mormonism Articles of Faith |
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