r/mormon•9 yr. ago

Q. Can I be a Mormon if I lack conviction about certain beliefs?

This question appears on the faithful's subreddit this morning. If I were allowed to comment, then this would be my answer:

In general, I am not allowed to comment at the faithful's subreddits, including r/latterdaysaints. They hold to the viewpoint that Thomas Monson is the leader of the one and only true church on earth, per D&C 1:29-30. An interesting fact about mormonism is that it started to splinter nearly from its inception. Everyone had their own ideas about how to blend mysticism (seer stones, second sight, visions) with Smith's claim of finding golden plates and translating them. The wikipedia overview is a good start to understanding just how fractured the movement has become.

There are three main branches:

fundamentalist
usually polygamist
almost always literalist; scripture is the revealed word of god
usually align under a new leader who claims visions
mainstream, as led by Monson
leans fundamentalist on above issues, but the 1890 manifesto gives leeway on polygamy. Polygamy in the hereafter remains part and parcel of the religion.
is a rich church. 10% on the gross from the faithful has been money-laundered into a vast enterprise all capped by a mall.
is authoritarian and issues litmus tests via the 13+ temple recommend questions. These are designed to make sure that everyone is on the same page in their belief before being granted access to higher rituals.
left-of-center, per Community of Christ, led by Veazey
refocused their efforts in a Christian direction.
If there is a conflict between Christian principles and the principles put forward by Smith and his heirs, then Christian principles win out. podcast
their "continuing revelation" has included extending their priesthood to women, calling out scripture as not the be-all and end-all, and that using scripture to harm god's children is wrong.

Almost all mormons are cafeteria believers. They pick and choose what is palatable to them. I have family members that say Smith could be a lecher and have had up to 40 wives in the nighttime, but he could still be the prophet in the daytime. If you're starting to chafe about the authoritarian nature of Monson's church, then perhaps it is time to look for a new church. Community of Christ provides a welcoming and accepting environment.