I dated a mormon once (let's say she was barely a mormon, but enough for me to get some insight into the "religion") and I had a few friends in high school who were mormon.
I'll put it quite simply: in my opinion, mormons, like Yakk mentions, are not much better than scientologists. (Well, they ARE much better, because scientology is insurmountably fucked up, but relative to pretty much every other religion they aren't much better
)
Based on stories I've heard from mormons, ex-mormons, and family members of mormons and ex-mormons (who are not mormon themselves), the mormon church involves a fair amount of subversive brainwashing (and I don't mean that in the way anti-religion people would say all religions brainwash).
It's unfortunately been many years since I've been involved in any sort of relationship involving someone connected to the mormon church, so I don't remember many details, but what Yakk says about their belief regarding Jesus and native americans is correct.
Here is some excellent information on the mormons from <a href="http://www.wikipedia.com">wikipedia</a>:
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon">Mormon</a>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints</a>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smith%2C_Jr.">Joseph Smith, Jr.</a> (the founder of the mormon church)
A little excerpt from the entry about Joseph Smith, the founder of the mormon religion:
Quote:
Local court records show Smith was tried on March 20, 1826; charged with, and convicted of, disorderly conduct for so-called money-digging activities: using supposedly supernatural stones to dig for treasure. Some argue associated court documents were forged or alterered to cast Smith in an unfair light; others have argued that such "treasure digging" was a common form of folk magic and that Smith was not unique in its practice. Other critics argue the trial was an early example what they consider Smith's deceptive nature and use of occult methods. Some have argued there is evidence that Smith was not present at the trial, or that the trial was conducted more than ten years after the original allegation, or that court records were added after Smith left the New York area.
...
Although there is some disagreement as to the precise figure, there is strong evidence that Joseph Smith was married to at least a dozen women, however some estimates say he had about 33 wives during his life.
While Smith publicly decried plural marriage during his life, he practiced it secretly, and introduced a small number of followers (less than 1% of Mormons from 1839 to 1844) into the practice. In the early period of the Church, followers who practiced plural marriage were often uncomfortable with it when it was first introduced to them, but believed it was commissioned by God.
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The way I see it, both the mormon church and scientology are great examples of people being manipulated in the guise of religion. This much can be said I think - L. Ron Hubbard and Joseph Smith wre both excellent con artists.
Another site I just found:
www.exmormon.org
Some stuff from it:
<a href="http://home.teleport.com/~packham/tract.htm">To Those Who are Investigating Mormonism<a/>
and
<a href="http://www.exmormon.org/fourteen.htm">The Fundamental Beliefs of Mormonism</a>
An interesting excerpt:
Quote:
God was once a man who lived on another planet
This is the most important teaching of Mormonism. Nothing else comes close to it. We believe that God was once a mortal man on another planet who progressed by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel he had on his world, then he died. He became a resurrected man and evolved to become a god. He is still married now (some early leaders say he is a polygamist) and created this world. We worship only the one true god, which is really one god among millions or billions or more. We believe that we will follow in God's footsteps by becoming perfect and we too will become Gods and Goddesses creating spirit children and peopling other worlds. The Mormon TV commercials showing family togetherness is the foundation for life in the next world - as a family - as gods.
Reference: Journal of Discourses Vol. 6 Page 4, 1844. Joseph Smith speaking:
"...you have to learn to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, - namely, by going from one small degree to another..."
Reference: Journal of Discourses Vol. 6 Page 275, 1852. Brigham Young speaking:
"After men have got their exaltations and their crowns - have become Gods..."
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I can't vouch for the accuracy of this, but it's interesting nonetheless. Reminds me of scientology a bit.