I've heard rumors of rumors of US citizens looking to expat, or trying to find the best place to live, etc.
Well, I've fond it. The wealthiest, smartest, longest living country, where people are kind, generous, and don't commit any crime. They'll even stop by regularly and help you move furniture, fix your toilet, and see if you need help with anything. Unlike almost every other first world nation on earth, it's also in no danger of extinction - they get married young and have big loving families.
Better yet, you don't have to renounce your citizenship. You don't even have to move. They'll even send a welcoming committee to your door.
So what's the catch?
You're expected to attend a local meeting every Sunday, help out in your new country, give up your bad habits, and tithe 10% (one of the lowest "tax rates" in the world). If you can commit, you can get baptized.
Do you have to agree to a set of doctrines, as is the case with the Catholic Church?
ReplyDeleteI believe the baptismal pledge is that one recognizes Joseph Smith as God's prophet, the Book of Mormon as true, and the current leader of the church as God's prophet.
DeleteSo you're correct, my summary was inaccurate! It does require a pledge of faith. The missionaries suggest you pray and find confirmation from the Holy Spirit yourself before joining.
I am like Mr. Honeyfoot from "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" with a great interest in the topic of magic, but am not a magician and don't practice...
Thanks for this - that's interesting.
DeleteI find the first and third ones fairly unproblematic, in so far as saying someone is a prophet is fairly vague.
Saying the Book of Mormon is 'true' depends on how it is interpreted. True in the sense of containing many truths about morality or spirituality? Or true in the sense of containing many accurate claims about the history of the Americas? And so on.
Good question!
ReplyDeleteThe Mormons I've spoken to believe it is true in a very literal sense (I probed them with the same questions) and truly believe they receive impressions from the Holy Spirit to both guide them and confirm the truth of things.
The life is actually somewhat demanding, compared to what people are used to in religion though. That might be why it works so well. It's not just 3 hours every Sunday, but regular home teaching visits, and you're expected to have a "calling" (in service of the church).
Also, you're expected to have a testimony. It is my understanding is that if someone is truly interested they should live like a Mormon and pray on it (for hope of confirmation, a testimony) sincerely and they may receive an answer so they can believe it is fully true.