I recently read a blog post by a Latter-day Saint named Jim Harmer entitled ‘A complete list of things Mormons can’t do.’
He began by saying this:
As a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I’m asked with frequency what things I “can and can’t do.” That’s always been a little funny of a question to me because I, just like you, can do whatever I want.[1]
Is this true? Can Jim do whatever he wants?
Yes and No
Important within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day is the idea of ‘agency’. Mormonism teaches that we are free agents with the ability to choose good or bad. Agency was given to all Heavenly Father’s spirit children in their pre-mortal state and now, in mortal life, it is to be used to ‘choose the right’.[2]
So, while Mormons like Jim, in theory, have the freedom to do whatever they want, in practice choice is not a real option if they want to remain in good standing in the church.
Most, if not all, cultic groups operate in this way. Members truly believe that they are free to do as they please. They claim that they have freedom to leave or remain, but they are in fact beholden to the system which controls them. Jim goes on to say:
The reason that I CHOOSE to live a certain way as a devout member of the church of Jesus Christ is not because I’m afraid of punishment or to try and make myself look better than anyone else. I choose to follow God’s commandments because I want to be happy, and I believe the commandments are the right foundation for helping me to be a good man.[3]
Did you spot that? Jim says that the reason he chooses to live a certain way is because he is a ‘devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ’. If he wants to be devout to the church, he must ‘choose’ to follow all its commandments. Though Jim sincerely believes he is choosing to follow Jesus, he is obligated to follow the laws and ordinances of his church.
I’m sure Jim thinks he is free, but let’s follow the trail.
Jim says he wants to be happy and to be a good man. He believes that these things come by following God’s commandments. Which commandments? The commandments given him by the Mormon church and its leaders.
Jim believes that he belongs to the true church, the restored church, with all its precepts deriving from God. For him to choose against doing what they teach would be seen as rebellion against God, so does Jim really have the ability to choose?
Following the Commandments
Latter-day Saints believe that commandments are divine directives for righteous living; bring happiness and spiritual and temporal blessings; and are part of God's way to redeem his children and endow them with eternal life. Therefore, commandments provide not only a test of faith, obedience, and love for God and Jesus Christ but also an opportunity to experience love from God and joy both in this life and in the life to come. Commandments are received by revelation directly from deity or through his prophets. Written accounts of such revelations are contained in the scriptures, which include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.[4]
In his article, Jim lists several rules that the devout Latter-day Saint, must follow, many of which would to be applicable, not only to a Mormon but also to a true Christian. It should not surprise us though, that they put they own spin on them.
Next time I will unpack further what Mormons can and cannot do.
[1] A Complete List of Things Mormons Can’t Do – Purpose in Christ
[2] Choose the Right (churchofjesuschrist.org)
[3] Ibid
[4] Commandments - The Encyclopedia of Mormonism (byu.edu)
[1] A Complete List of Things Mormons Can’t Do – Purpose in Christ
[2] Choose the Right (churchofjesuschrist.org)
[3] Ibid
[4] Commandments - The Encyclopedia of Mormonism (byu.edu)
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