LDS Church on Texas Polygamist
What are your thoughts about this interview?
This interview states very clearly, and very truthfully that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as "Mormons" are not in any way associated with the fundamental polygamist groups in Texas. It is very straightforward, and I am glad to see that some one is out there helping to clarify the confusion.
How many times will the LDS Church clarify that it is not associated with the FLDS? I think they did it enough times already and because of the roots of both Churches it is literally impossible that some people will not confuse both of them as the same.
LDS do not have a "lock" on the term Mormon. In fact, for over 20 years, the Church has been trying to disassociate itself from the term.
A "Mormon" is someone who has a testimony of the Book of Mormon, believes that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, and that Brigham Young received the mantle of leadership after the Prophet's death. All those groups that reject(ed) Brigham Young also reject the term "Mormon" as applied to themselves.
It is true that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have no connection other than a common history. However, we share about 90% of our beliefs, and about 75% of our ordinances, practices, and traditions.
However, what bothers me most is that the ONLY thing that the Church and members of it seem to have to say about the FLDS is that they are not us. The only people I have heard or read about who have supported the FLDS in their desire to live their religion without harassment are on the "fringe" of the LDS church. It appears, based on letters in the Salt Lake Tribune, that a very large number of "Mormons" applaud the illegal, immoral persecution of the people at the Yearning for Zion ranch.
The whole thing sickens me.
A Church spokesman in lds.org through a video said something of this effect (paraphrasing) : "We do not dress like these people, we don't worship like these people, we have nothing to do with these people". I know they may be tired of repeating themselves but it sounded almost pharisaic.
That is true. We don't want to be like THOSE PEOPLE. They are modest and industrious. They have extremely little, if any, drugs or crime. They grow their own food, and it is good food. They have very little disease, and no venereal disease in their communities.
They are truly peculiar in today's world. They are neither in the World nor part of the World.
No, we don't want to be associated with them. We like the honor of the World too much.