Top 10 Worst Mormon Teachings of All Time
Today, we're tackling a heavy but necessary topic: the top 10 worst Mormon teachings of all time. These doctrines aren't just outdated; they're harmful, bigoted, and have caused real damage to countless lives. Oh and I’m Dives, the host of the MNRU and the MMRs, and that’s talent on loan from Kolob. Let's dive in."
10. The Curse of Cain and Black Skin (Racism) "Starting off our list is the deeply racist teaching that black skin is a curse. Brigham Young and other early Mormon leaders taught that black people were the descendants of Cain and were cursed with dark skin as a mark of their inferiority. This belief was used to justify the denial of priesthood and temple blessings to black members until 1978. The impact? Generations of black Mormons were marginalized and discriminated against within their own faith community." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5bmYn6QBplE
9. The Curse of Lamanites (Racism) "Next, we have the teaching that Native Americans, referred to as 'Lamanites' in the Book of Mormon, were supposedly cursed with dark skin due to their ancestors' wickedness. This doctrine has perpetuated harmful stereotypes and justified discriminatory policies against Native peoples." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fGbDcEWeTjg
8. Women’s supposedly Inferior Status (Sexism) "Coming in at number eight is the persistent belief in the inferiority of women. Mormon leaders have long taught that women should be submissive to men, emphasizing their roles as wives and mothers while restricting their participation in leadership and decision-making roles. This has stifled the personal and professional growth of countless women in the church." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hPSucSTpogA
7. Polygamy (Sexism) "Polygamy isn't just a quirky historical footnote; it's a doctrine that has caused immense harm. Early leaders like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young promoted polygamy as a divine principle, leading to abusive and coercive marriages, often involving very young women." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K5_6Di5Ru34
6. Homophobia and Anti-LGBT Teachings "The Mormon Church's stance on LGBTQ+ issues has caused significant harm. Leaders have consistently condemned same-sex relationships, leading to widespread homophobia within the church. Programs like 'conversion therapy' have caused immense psychological damage to LGBTQ+ members."
Hartman Rector Jr. delivered a general conference talk on April 5, 1981. Elder Rector, an apostle, taught in this talk that homosexuality is an acquired addiction.
5. Blood Atonement (Violence) "Blood Atonement is the chilling belief that certain sins are so grievous that they can only be atoned for by the sinner's own blood. This violent doctrine, preached by Brigham Young, justified extreme punishment and vigilantism within early Mormon communities." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7sksZCrWWxY
4. Adam-God Doctrine (Theological Confusion) Host: "Brigham Young also taught that Adam was God the Father. This bizarre and heretical doctrine confused and alienated many members, and while it's officially disavowed today, it caused significant theological turmoil." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NwfV6xuMa3M
3. The abandonment of reason in favor of subjective faith Abandoning reason in favor of purely subjective faith feelings and emotions devoid of evidence can be particularly harmful for Mormons because it undermines critical thinking and can lead to the perpetuation of harmful doctrines without scrutiny. Faith that discourages questioning and relies solely on emotional experiences can create an environment where individuals are less likely to challenge unjust or outdated beliefs, allowing harmful teachings—such as those related to racism, sexism, and homophobia—to persist unchallenged.
2. Temple Endowment Ceremony "The temple endowment ceremony has historically included explicitly sexist elements, such as women being required to covenant to obey their husbands. These elements reinforce a culture of male dominance and female subservience, though some of these harmful elements have been removed.
1. Eternal Polygamy (Sexism) Host: "Topping our list is the doctrine of eternal polygamy. Yup, polygamy is on this list twice! Even after polygamy was officially abandoned in the early 20th century in this early sphere, the belief that men could have multiple wives in the afterlife persists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF8oJFN5ZyM
In conclusion, the harmful doctrines we've discussed today are more than just historical footnotes; they have real-world consequences that continue to affect many lives. From racist teachings about black skin and Native Americans to sexist doctrines that diminish women's roles and promote celestial polygamy, the damage is profound.
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