AboutDrew Williams Expertise Are Mormons "Christians?"
What is the truth about Mormons and drinking coffee, coke and alcohol?
Why don`t Mormons watch "R" rated movies?
Are there still Mormons who practice plural marriage?
Why are Mormons married in a "Temple" and why are only a few people allowed to attend?
What's the difference between a "Mormon" and a "Latter-day Saint?"
Experience I am the author of the book: "Complete Idiot's Guide to Mormonism" (Penguin), which has now been read by more than 10,000 people. I have spoken on topics pertaining to the history of Christianity and Mormonism around the world, and have taught Mormon doctrine for more than 20 years, and am a former Methodist (practicing Baptist), convert to the Mormon Church. Without sounding "preachy," I can help clarify points of concern regarding Mormons as Christians, and can help others understand principles of belief behind the Mormon Church--as well as speak somewhat concerning the context of the New Testament (and the Book of Isaiah).
Organizations LDS Church
Publications New Era, The Friend, Wall Street Journal, Computer World, Internet Week, others.
Expert: Drew Williams Date: 3/9/2008 Subject: Questions
Question My family history in the church is prominent, my great grandfather is John D. Lee. My family has called him a martyr for the well-being of the church. What is your stance? Also, I have not been active in the church for more than a decade and I am 23 years old. I have many questions and no one answers me, and if they do it is constantly a different statement. Why wasn't a black man allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978 a decade after the assassination of the great Martin Luther King jr? My father has told me it is because the church has always followed the laws of the land....which i find completely outrageous on many levels. If the church is so right, why can't they break the mold of the rest of the injustices? If they follow the laws of the land, polygamy would have never been instituted. Wine was also partaken in sacrament, and now tea is thought of as wrong...why? Why did Brigham Young state that crossing the seed of black and white were wrong....when my white mormon uncle and my hispanic mormon aunt are married today. I find much shakey stance in the teachings throughout history...and yet the book of mormon never changes context...
Answer Hi, Devin.
Let's take a look at these perspectives one at a time . . .
"My family history in the church is prominent, my great grandfather is John D. Lee. My family has called him a martyr for the well-being of the church. What is your stance?"
DREW: John Lee was executed for crimes associated with killing people. Whether Brigham Young told him to or not doesn't make a difference (any more than that guy Porter Rockwell). If a person kills another person short of defending his own life, liberty or family--that's murder. And I don't think Brigham Young had anybody killed--not to say that maybe John D. Lee was inferring a position of hostility based on some suggested "feelings" by church leaders. So I'm not buying the "martyr" story--that position is rested well on the heads of Joseph and Hyrum--who were nothing but men who acted on their personal faith and revelation.
"Also, I have not been active in the church for more than a decade and I am 23 years old."
DREW: It's good that you are asking questions--you won't gain a firm knowledge and conviction without occasionally challenging what you might have been spoon-fed. So, good for you.
"I have many questions and no one answers me, and if they do it is constantly a different statement."
DREW: People like to hide from truths for which they themselves are unclear.
"Why wasn't a black man allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978 a decade after the assassination of the great Martin Luther King jr? My father has told me it is because the church has always followed the laws of the land....which i find completely outrageous on many levels."
DREW: This one is a toughy. Only President Kimball can really answer this, but my linited guess is based on timing. God felt the time was right, because society had matured to the point where global unrest over race (outside South Africa), was somewhat bridled. This is not to say, though, that there may have been many discussions prior to Pres. Kimball. Frankly, I think each church leader probably explored the matter, but their direction from the Lord probably restrained them from acting on that particular matter, and focus on other issues relevant to the generation they served. Just an opinion.
"If the church is so right, why can't they break the mold of the rest of the injustices?"
DREW: They are doing just that. Think about it, the gospel is flawless, but the Church's administration is run by people--and people are left to interpret the world on their own terms. However, the leadership of the Church, give or take one or two people every generation or so, act in harmony with God's law--and are somewhat out of line with the "world."
"If they follow the laws of the land, polygamy would have never been instituted. Wine was also partaken in sacrament, and now tea is thought of as wrong...why?"
DREW: You have to go back and evaluate the social and political ramifications of the times when Polygamy was proposed, and learn more about the details in the history of the Church (not from other sources). That topic alone would fill this and a dozen other responses.
"Why did Brigham Young state that crossing the seed of black and white were wrong....when my white mormon uncle and my hispanic mormon aunt are married today."
DREW: Now think about this--I happen to agree (do an extent), that mixed-race marriages are "difficult"--not "wrong, per se." Why? Not because of the relationship between the spouses (although you could look at interracial marriages with Polynesians and see some definite trends for abuse). Rather, for the strong social consequences often faced by the offspring. I think Brigham Young might have anticipated such things, and was thinking about the children. I really do believe that.
"I find much shakey stance in the teachings throughout history...and yet the book of mormon never changes context..."
DREW: Man, again, I could definitely share with you some things that have happened just recently, about my feelings toward the BoM. I have discovered some unbelieveable literal markers in the BoM that have really slapped me back in my chair--first time EVER in the 25 years I've been in the curch.
Okay, Dude, good luck, and I hope I didn't further confuse you. BTW, I wrote a book called "The COmplete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism."--get a copy (I don't make anything on them). I think you might find an interesting "tone" in my explanations. Nothing pretty, just downright in-your-face.
