Does anyone get upset with the phrase "Mormon Jesus"?

[LDSChristian]

I've seen it quite a bit, along with "Mormon God", and they are really annoying. What is your thought?

[prophetofdoom]

I think it is better to ignore those kind of people. They are obviously choosing to be ignorant of what we believe. It is hard to change an anti-mormon's mind once they have decided what they believe.

[Dravin]

I find them annoying, it's just a variation of the claim of worshipping a different deity, but not much to be done about it. Generally those inclined to use the phrase in front of you aren't particularly interested in an explanation that we worship the same being, albeit with some different understandings. So not much to do about it but move on with life.

Of course it wouldn't surprise me to find some LDS have been guilty of the same thing, though it's probably based on the adjective real, non-creedal, or what have you.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Dravin

[Gwen]

i've never heard those phrases used.

[LDSChristian]

I find them annoying, it's just a variation of the claim of worshipping a different deity, but not much to be done about it. Generally those inclined to use the phrase in front of you aren't particularly interested in an explanation that we worship the same being, albeit with some different understandings.

So not much to do about it but move on with life.

Of course it wouldn't surprise me to find some LDS have been guilty of the same thing, though it's probably based on the adjective real, non-creedal, or what have you.

With that being said, anyone could use the phrases "Baptist Jesus" or "Methodist Jesus" or something like that if you go by the anti-'s tactics. Whenever someone says "Mormon Jesus" I post scriptures from 3 Nephi. Can't remember the exact chapters but it's where Christ visited the Nephites and ask them if they believe in the Jesus the Book of Mormon says had nail prints, the God of Israel, etc.

[Dravin]

i've never heard those phrases used.

I find generally that "different" is more common than "Mormon" as the adjective of choice.

[applepansy]

I consider that the person using the term doesn't really understand what they are talking about, dismiss it and move on.

[mordorbund]

Of course it wouldn't surprise me to find some LDS have been guilty of the same thing, though it's probably based on the adjective real, non-creedal, or what have you.

In my copy of Lectures on Faith, there's some supplementary material (stuff like Shem being Melchizedek and such). There's also a sermon one of the Apostles gave on Creedal Christianity worshipping the wrong God. There's some sarcastic quips in there about their prayers not getting answered because they're praying to the wrong God.

I guess it's our turn now.

[Dove]

For me, it still hurts, as it is usually said with such a critical and demeaning attitude. I do feel hurt for all the anti mormon sentiment out there. But, I am learning that part of being true to who I am and my covenants, is not to be ashamed or to to take responsibility for others' attitude or ignorance towards my belief.

I personally am so grateful that LDS leaders counsel strongly against criticizing others for their religious belief, or for being critical or demeaning at all. This helps me to always be kind and respectful to others, regardless of who they are or what they believe.

[prospectmom]

I have heard it. Instead of seeing what is alike about all our different religions some just dismiss without even looking thus casting a judgement ( Mormon Jesus ) out of lack of knowledge..... so no need to be mad or upset just pray they be enlightened. May God bless them.

[bytebear]

Back in the 70s/80s when anti-Mormonism became a cottage industry, the predominant attack was that Mormons worship Joseph Smith and don't even have anything to do with Jesus Christ. To better emphasize the truth, the church emphasized Jesus Christ to those outside the church (but really didn't change much internally, since Jesus has always been the center of the religion). They changed the church logo, and had some outreach programs, so then the attacks shifted to Mormons recently changed their doctrines to include Jesus just to "trick" converts. With the advancement of information via the internet, and proliferation of the church outside Utah and the west, people began to know that the second tactic was also a lie, since it is very easy to show that even the 1830 edition (without all those thousands of "changes") still emphasized Jesus Christ as savior. the tactic changed again to "another Jesus." Then they have to get pretty obscure, and point out differences in interpretation of the Trinity/Godhead. or the eternal nature of God. Usually the lie is that Jesus became God after his resurrection or that he didn't atone for sin on the cross. The truth is, Jesus was God from the beginning, and atoned for our sins on the cross (beginning the atonement in the Garden of Gatheneme).

I think the best answer to this is to offer the book "How Wide the Divide" which gives details of both traditional (aka Evangelical) interpretation of doctrine compared to LDS belief. It's even handed, and each side gets to argue what they believe without trying to define the other side. Very useful and handy book, because it really deflates the "other Jesus" objections.

Unfortunately, we have people out there who will never take the time to understand.

Edited February 18, 2011 by bytebear

[Traveler]

There is an old Buddhist saying that I believes applies. “Why should I make someone else’s problems my burden, especially when it does nothing to help them?”

The Traveler

[john doe]

Is it as annoying as someone saying LDS Christian? As if being LDS alone isn't Christian?

[prisonchaplain]

My guess is that when an evangelical uses the phrase "Mormon Jesus," it may well indicate that they have seen The Godmakers. The film used the phrase repeatedly.

In fairness, LDS doctrine about Jesus is different, where the beliefs of Baptists, Methodists, and even Catholics is the same. Muslims believe in Jesus, but their doctrine is different enough that I would refer "the Jesus of Islam."

If I had to guess, it would be the tone the phrase is used it that urks, rather than the phrase. John Doe's point is well taken too--I believe it is LDS who actually started popularizing the use of "LDS Christian" as a way of insisting that the church and people are indeed Christian.

Edited February 18, 2011 by prisonchaplain

[skippy740]

I don't get upset. I don't worry about them.

Although I DO remember seeing a little tract linking that phrase to 3 Nephi Chapter 9. This is where the voice of Christ proclaims the destruction of many cities in the Americas due to their wickedness.

When one believes that all they have to do is "pray a prayer and you're saved"... well, it is in stark contrast to that line of faith.

In a way, I think that for some people, they DO worship a different Jesus. Their "Jesus" requires so little of them! Our "Jesus" requires MUCH more of us! "Where much is given, much is required" comes to mind.

[bytebear]

In fairness, LDS doctrine about Jesus is different, where the beliefs of Baptists, Methodists, and even Catholics is the same. Muslims believe in Jesus, but their doctrine is different enough that I would refer "the Jesus of Islam."

I would agree, but I think it would be equally offensive if Mormons called their Jesus the "Jesus of the Bible" and everyone else's the "Jesus of Constantine" or the "Jesus of the Creeds" or the "Jesus of Apostasy".

Although I do believe that LDS theology is more in harmony with the Bible, but I don't distinguish from the worship of Christ to any denomination. Hence, we are all Christians.

[MarginOfError]

It's never bothered me.

[Blackmarch]

I've seen it quite a bit, along with "Mormon God", and they are really annoying. What is your thought?

I"m like "meh" if its in a discussion i'm in i tend ask something like "verses what? the catholic God/jesus or the protestant God/jesus?..."

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

Now, "Plastic Jesus?" That gets me going.

For one thing, once I get that song in my head, it's nearly impossible to get it out.

[slamjet]

HERE is a talk by Robert Millet that was an eye opener for me as to how others see the LDS faith, how we need to talk about the LDS faith so as to illicit less inaccurate thoughts and ideas about our "version" of Christ. There's not a transcript available, but I really like the talk. Might answer a few questions about how others think about us and what to say.

[Dr T]

I loved that song in Cool Hand Luke. :)

[bafoofkit]

I've seen it quite a bit, along with "Mormon God", and they are really annoying. What is your thought?

How about Plastic Jesus?

[slamjet]

How about Plastic Jesus?

Good grief.

[RipplecutBuddha]

In my experience, people who use that phrase aren't looking for a discussion....they're trolling for a flame war. If handled carefully, a discussion can come of it, but that's rare.

When I hear it/read it, I have to determine how open the other person is to a real conversation. Most of the time I realize they're just saying it to either look superior, or gain points with others. They have their reward.

In those cases, I let them have their say. Those who are seeking the truth will study all sides before making a decision. If they're not seeking the truth, they won't be ready for it anyway.

[Suzie]

No. I don't get upset over the term.