Mormonism and Theocracy

Based on dates of postings it appears that I've been ignoring my blog.  Actually, that is far from the truth.  Some time ago I finished a book about Mormonism and I've been working to try to pull together information concerning Mormonism's theology, which can be a bit difficult to do.  If you look back over time since Mormonism's conception you'll find that their beliefs and theology have changed frequently and therefore, at times,  it is difficult to discern exactly what they believe.  Also, the church may support one view or belief internally but deny that view publicly so they will be "accepted" by Christians.  Janis Hutchinson states, "What began as a strategy of secrecy to avoid persecution has become over the course of the 20th century a strategy of minimizing discussion of the  content of theology in order to avoid being treated as pariahs" (Scott, Latayne.  The Mormon Mirage, 3rd ed., 251).  My last comment may make you think, "But Mormons are Christians."  Although they claim to be Christian, their "Christianity" would probably not be considered as such by Protestants and Catholics. 

What you will find when you read what I will post about the Mormon faith will no doubt surprise you if you've never read or studied anything about Mormonism.  Although as a Christian I find their theology strange enough, there is one issue I find a bit disconcerting: the Mormon goal of taking over the United States government.  No, I am not a conspiracy theorist, for this is a documented fact of the church.  

The following are some quotes from The Mormon Mirage by Latayne Scott, a former member of the church, as well as Janis Hutchinson, another member.  I will use quotes so no one thinks I am making anything up or reading anything into their words, though I will not copy the full 3-4 pages.  (253-255)

"Hutchinson documents from LDS and former LDS historians an organization formed by Mormon leadership under Joseph Smith called The Kingdom of God (or, alternately, The Government of God) that was to be ruled by a Council of Fifty who were sworn to secrecy about the organization and its aims and very existence...The express aim of the organization was the takeover of the United States government, not by violence, but by the grooming of Mormons to run for and win political office.  In sufficient numbers, such lawmakers and policy makers would transition the government from a democracy to a theocracy.

Brigham Young had even more far-reaching plans for 'the complete overthrow of the nation, and not only of this nation, but the nations of Europe'  The aim of the subsequent one-world government would be to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ and a thousand-year, literally theocratic kingdom.  At one point LDS leaders were quite open about his agenda...any LDS priesthood holder seeking political office was required to first garner permission from Church authorities.  As recently as the late 1960s, Mormon historian Klaus J. Hansen said of the Council of Fifty that Church leaders of his time were not likely to do away with it.  And as late as 1985...that 'though the ceremony of coronation continues to this day, it is not publicized outside the Church...'

Another  disturbing, and well-documented element...called the 'strategy of secrecy' is the blood oaths that were part of the LDS temple ceremony up until at least 1927.  In these oaths, temple ordinance participants swore enmity to the United States government and promised to avenge the blood of LDS persons who died in conflict with the government.  While there is no evidence that any man in current LDS leadership took that oath, its effect was intended to be ongoing, as noted by author Richard Abanes: 'It required Mormons to promised that they would teach their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to take vengeance on ''this nation.''  (Did current LDS leadership teach this to their children and grandchildren?  The fact that their own fathers would have sworn that oath gives reason for pause.)

In addition to these elements of LDS history...was the firm belief in a prophecy of a future date in which the US Constitution would be in serious trouble, and only saved by the LDS Church.  As a people, it was our aim to produce as many LDS lawmakers, judges, politicians, and legal experts as we possibly could, so as to fulfill and satisfy prophecy.  

Any faithful 'temple Mormon' politician has a dilemma to which Mitt Romney responded in his well-publicized speech about his loyalties.  The issue wasn't just in the minds of potential voters; it is a real dilemma for an LDS politician.  If Romney, for instance, were to be elected president of the United States, he would be asked to swear a solemn oath to protect the Constitution of the United States as a priority over any other loyalties to any other earthly entity.  However, when Mitt Romney 'took out his endowment' (participated in a secret rite in an LDS temple prior to going on his LDS mission and later before being married in such a temple), he swore another oath before God and witnesses...to keep the 'Law of  Consecration': a vow to consecrate time, energy, talents, and material possessions to to the Church for the purpose of  'building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion.'  In addition, Romney's 'calling' to be a bishop in the Mormon Church required that he render absolute loyally to the LDS Church and its prophet."

If you want to learn more about Mormonism I'd urge you to read my upcoming blog post concerning Mormons and their theology.