Man at all times had a tendency to search for a logical explanation of the structure of the world. Religion is ideal for this. But this is not enough for individuals. They decide to impose their concept on the world, almost always emphasizing a special connection with God. We are talking about sectarians.
Mormon sect: who are they, what do they do
If we consider only large associations, then there are several thousand of them today. The most generalized classification divides sects into the following types:
- Pantheistic.
- Neo-Christian organizations.
- Associations of Eastern origin.
- Cults of a commercial nature.
However, only within the framework of Christianity there are hundreds of small organizations. But it is worth noting that not all of them are destructive in nature. Many teachings and associations that have arisen within the framework of Protestantism have developed a completely adequate ideology over time and are developing without conflict with other areas. But there are also many destructive ones. They include the following sects:
- Jehovah's Witnesses.
- Unification Church or Moon sect.
- Aum Shinrikyo.
- Raëlians.
- Mormon sect and others.
Despite the negative reputation, each trend has its own history and continues to exist to this day. Let's consider one of them in more detail.
History
Usually the founders of sects proclaim their own person as the earthly representative of God. Titles are different: missionary, messiah, prophet or something else. One such person was Joseph Joseph Smith, a native of the United States. He was born in 1805 in Vermont. When he was 11, his family moved to New York State.
His prophetic mission dates back to 1827. At that time he was 22 years old. According to the legends of the sect itself, at this age an angel named Moroni appeared to him and suggested the place where some golden plates were stored, where there was secret information. The excavation was on Mount Cumor near Smith's residence.
Digging up the manuscripts, Smith began to translate them. As a result, he managed to combine all the information into one very thick book. In the modern version, the work contains 616 pages written in rather small print. The translation was published in 1830. According to Smith himself, the records belong to the oldest tribe of the Nephites, who once inhabited the territory of present-day America.
In the present
On the basis of those writings, the Mormon sect arose. They belong to a pagan group, although in Russia it is customary to classify them as a Protestant denomination. Adherents definitely like this approach, as it allowsposition themselves as Christians. Mormons in Russia believe that they are distinguished from other Christian movements by a certain superiority, manifested in family values, high morality and demonstrative conservatism. There is even a certain image of a typical representative: always clean-shaven, educated, dress style is strict. We can say that the Mormon is an example to follow. He must strive for ideality both spiritually and socially.
Lifestyle
The Mormon sect dictates to its adherents a strictly established way of life. For example, every Monday they are required to spend with their families. Sports are considered the best leisure, and playing volleyball with family members is also widespread. On Wednesdays they gather for prayer. Every Sunday the churches hold worship and communion. The established Mormon way of life is monitored by special "teachers" who visit families monthly and check compliance with the rules.
The Mormon sect, like many other teachings and religions, strictly forbids its members to use mind-intoxicating substances. At the top of the list is alcohol. Interestingly, coffee and other caffeinated drinks are also banned. In addition, potent drugs and loud music are frowned upon. Church teachers insist on abstaining from even some carbonated drinks. But this moment is more advisory.
Features
Members of this sect are distinguished by excessive foresight in everyday matters. For example, the churchdictates that every Mormon have a year's supply of food and essentials at home.
They even did the calculations. For example, if taken in physical terms, the annual supply should consist of 180 kg of grain, 30 kg of sugar, 10 kg of sunflower oil and the like. This rule is valid for all members, regardless of whether Mormons live in Russia or in another country.
From the moment of foundation until 1890, members of the sect practiced polygamy. But modern adepts are against this phenomenon. Today for polygamy they can be excommunicated from the church. Modern Mormons are convinced that polygamy was characteristic of other similar sects also founded in America. In 2012, the church conducted a study, according to the results of which it became known that more than 70% of followers do not approve of polygamy. This all applies to the life and views of the followers.
Concept
According to traditional Christians, the essence of Mormons is very far from spirituality. Although Christ is the key figure in their concept, there is a lot of heresy in their ideas. For example, they prioritize the material world. According to them, the material world is immortal. Eternity is provided to them by atoms and other particles, of which everything material consists.
The spiritual world is not recognized by them. Spirits and other representatives of the beyond are considered just a special manifestation of the material world.
Another heresy is that the Mormon temple denies monotheism. According to their concept, there are many gods in the world, they tooconsidered part of the material world, are immortal, but not eternal. This is a rather unusual view, since one concept should not exclude another. For Mormons, however, eternity is only matter. It is believed that there is no distance between man and his creator. If they are so close, then a person can also become a god. In addition, they believe that God himself was once a man. Mormon President Lorenz Snow delivered this speech to the general public.
The origin of the world
Each faith has its own hypothesis about the initial origin of the world. Sectarians are no exception to this. The Mormon version says that the deity arose as a result of a complex reaction of atoms and occupied the center of the universe. It is believed that this first deity subsequently gave birth to many other gods and goddesses.
The object of worship of the Mormons is the father-God - Elohim. He is endowed with human qualities, weaknesses and addictions. Following this logic, Mormons believe that people and angels are on the same level of the universe, so they have a lot in common. The difference may lie in the degree of intelligence and purity. These and other ideas of the sectarians testify that their faith is built on pagan dogmas.
Contradictions with Christianity
There are also misconceptions about the Christian Trinity. It is believed that the god Elohim exists in several forms - he is both a father and a son. His third appearance is an impersonal energy, devoid of any identification. Mormons believe that it is she who works miracles: she moves mountains, brings the dead back to life and influences the movement of the Sun.
Son-God in theirunderstanding is Jehovah, the fruit of the love of the Virgin Mary and Adam. There is not a word about the role of the Holy Spirit at the birth of a son-God. Such dogmas are also inherent in pagan teachings. How are Mormon services going? The photo below shows the process in progress.
Another son of Adam, born from another woman, is Lucifer. His mother is the goddess of all planets Venus. At some stage in his life, Lucifer lost his divine principle. Among the people, he became known as an evil spirit or Satan.
Jehovah lived on Earth among people. He was married three times and had children. The presence of heirs with God in the Mormon sect is a mandatory concept, since only one who has children can be considered a deity. In addition, Jehovah, even now, when his earthly period of existence has ended, continues his life in Heaven with his wives sitting on a white chariot. This approach is another clear sign of paganism.
Theory of spirits and angels
Members of this organization have been active in social and political activities for about two hundred years. Their financial condition and large projects attract the attention of the whole world. On this basis, questions have always been raised about who the Mormons are and what they do. Before talking about their merits, it is worthwhile to fully clarify the ideology of their faith.
For example, they have their own theory regarding the existence of angels and spirits. The first are the souls of those who lived in celibacy and died a righteous man. The second are the souls of unborn children. Unliketraditional religions, where it is preferable to have a family and children, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints considers single people to be angels. They will not rise again and will remain angels forever.
Scientists involved in religious studies explain that such an attitude towards the institution of family and marriage in this sect is taken from Old Testament Judaism, which is considered the founder of many sects and movements of the Protestant direction.
Points of contact with Christianity
Mormons recognize only a few of the classical Christian postulates, but they practice them in a highly distorted version. For example, attitudes towards marriage. Adepts divide it into two types: earthly and heavenly. It is believed that a woman can only be saved through her husband. If she does not have one, she must become the wife of a man who has already died. It will be a heavenly marriage. A woman may have several of them.
In the earlier practices of the sect, the heavenly marriage was realized through the earthly representatives of the deceased husbands. These are usually internal leaders in the sect's hierarchy or other appointees who are fully en titled to marital duty on behalf of the deceased husband.
Mormons in Moscow and other parts of the world also recognize baptism. It occurs when the child is 8 years old. They also take communion with bread and water.
Practical genealogy
One of the most interesting Mormon projects is the genealogy database at the Family History Library in S alt Lake City. Mormons manually collect electronic copiesmetric records of buried and dead people from other beliefs. This database of people from all over the world is called Mormon Registers of Matriculation.
Belief here plays an important role, since for members of this sect they are considered "pagans", "gentiles". The purpose of the project is not only to try to satisfy simple human curiosity about their ancestors. The fact is that in the course of special church services, Mormons "baptize" these people, thereby believing that they are "saving" them. It can be representatives of any other faith: Christians, Muslims, Jews or Buddhists. The time of death doesn't matter either.
Hierarchy and financial power
The head of the organization is considered to be a seer who has a connection with Heaven and receives revelations. The Prophet has unlimited power over all members of the organization. He has three deputies, 12 apostles and 70 missionaries.
The community consists of two classes: the highest and the lowest. The upper class refers to the elders and priests of the church, the lower caste are teachers and deacons.
The Church has its own unique symbolism, as do members of the community. A Mormon's casual attire is a formal business suit, tie, and shirt. Women wear discreet dresses or skirts. But it is customary to dress in special attire for the service. The most famous Mormons are Ronald Reagan, Prince Charles, Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley, even Leo Tolstoy. There are no reliable facts about belonging to the sect of our great writer, but there are reports that he kept their great Book.
Deserves special attentionfinancial strength of the organization. Each member pays a tithe (10% of total income before taxes). To give an idea of the scale of the fees, it must be taken into account that Mormons attach great importance to education and careers. A community member cannot be a passive citizen.
Encourages knowledge of languages and the study of the exact sciences. Thanks to such priorities, the organization currently owns banks, TV channels, industrial and manufacturing enterprises. The largest sugar company in Utah is also owned by members of the Mormon sect.
Another question that interests many is where the Great Mormon Temple is located. Like the Family History Library, it is located in S alt Lake City, Utah. On the roof is a statue of the angel Moroni. From the outside, the temple looks very modest and austere. Entrance is restricted to members of the community.
Church of Christ in Russia: history of appearance
In 1843, church leader Joseph Smith personally blessed a man named Orson Adams to start propaganda activities in the Russian Federation. But the goal remained unfulfilled, as some difficulties arose.
The second attempt took place in 1895. Missionary August Hoglund was sent to St. Petersburg. Over the next few years, the missionary managed to convert several families to his faith. This is how the first Mormons appeared in Russia.
Church activities continued until 1917 (before the revolution). The next wave began in 1990. Already a year laterThe community has achieved official recognition at the state level. But this does not mean that they started building temples and calling people there. They live quietly and preach their faith in an unobtrusive way. Currently, their total number in Russia is about 22,000 people, of which 7 missions and about 100 parishes.
Mormons in Moscow gather at their central headquarters, located near the Novokuznetskaya metro station. It is a modest two-story building where members of the Church meet regularly. Here you can learn English for free, spend your leisure time together, listen to music or just play board games. All this is done in order to enrich their ranks with new adherents.
