The Challenge of Mormonism - Sept 26, 2015

I have been led to think  about Mormonism by two events today. The first was an Associated Press article in this morning's local newspaper, The Casper Star Tribune. The reference, of course, is to the extraordinary lunar eclipse that will take place tomorrow night, which I look forward to viewing at the home of some friendly Presbyterians who have invited me to come look through their telescope. The informative article indicated that the alarm was taken seriously enough by the Mormon church leaders "that they took the rare step this week of issuing a public statement cautioning the faithful not to get carried away with visions of the apocalypse."

The second event was  my trip to Fort Casper, which features a reconstruction of the "Mormon Ferry", authorised by Brigham Young, after he hard a hard time crossing the North Platte  River, to help get settlers make the crossing and to make money. (Ferry charge: $1 to $6 per wagon, depending upon the  condition of the  river, which, at times, could be more than 300 feet across.) Here's 

picture.


Mormonism is very strong out here in Wyoming - almost like Southern Baptists in Alabama.

Now these events are notable to me because (1) Mormons seem to be exceptionally devoted to their faith, and (2) I have no desire to become a Mormon. It has been instructive for me to think about why that is. I tend to like Mormons. They tend to be nice people. However, when the Mormon missionaries come to my door, I do not invite them in to give me their spiel. I know their story, I  know their doctrines, I am not interested.

It strikes me that my last couple of posts, when I have been wondering about how to encourage church attendance by the young, may strike some people the same way that Mormon missionary efforts strike  me. I'm just not interested. Not hostile. Just not interested. I know what they are offering, but it is not for me. 

So, in a way that will please at least one of my sons, I have been humbled. But I still maintain: the fact that we cannot embrace all religions does not mean that we should not embrace one.