No. It's not, but I appreciate that LDS members think it is. Realistically, many groups believe the same. Some Pentacostals would consider themselves restorationalists in a way. SDA's and Messianics certainly would in another. I don't consider that any of them (ourselves included) truly are, but I'm also not sure that we really need to be.
Of the groups that consider themselves to be a restoration of sorts, there are some valid issues that warrant consideration. Have the spiritual gifts passed? Is the Sabbath eternal? Is our Modern Western understanding consistent with 1st Century Jewish understanding? etc... All of those issues are pertinent to the NT church and can be examined according to the scriptures of that time. For the LDS, this isn't the case. We must assume that certain truths were lost to everyone for nearly 2 millenia and then came to light all of a sudden. We simply can't consider the scriptures or even 1st century historical, cultural understandings to reach that truth. We must rely on a recent "prophet" and his discoveries. No. Noone outside the LDS will consider you to be restorational in any real sense. Though we may acknowledge that you believe yourselves to be as much.
If you want to find an RM/LDS link - it's often been suggested that it was an ex-RM big wig who actually wrote the Book Of Mormon. Check that out.
Peace
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The Mormon churches have the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants as well as other extra-biblical writings they consider authoritative. This puts them firmly outside the Restoration Movement (as defined in this forum). Christadelphians might also claim to be restorationists as their founder spent some time with Alexander Campbell before he left. The fact that there may have been some interaction between members of the restoration movement and Mormons earlier on does not make Mormonism a Restoration Movement church.
If you want to find an RM/LDS link - it's often been suggested that it was an ex-RM big wig who actually wrote the Book Of Mormon.
I read it was written by a guy called Solomon Spaulding and was acquired by Joseph Smith.
Refrus
Does the Mormon church (LDS) see itself as A Restoration Movement? Yes.
Is the Mormon church historically a part of THE Restoration Movement, otherwise known as the Stone-Campbell Movement? No.
There are similarities in terms and practices. This is a result of a group of Stone-Campbell advocates converting to Mormonism through Sidney Rigdon.
Sidney Rigdon was a popular preacher in the early years of the Stone-Campbell Movement. He along with many in his congregation converted to Mormonism in 1830. Among the members of his congregation who converted were future prominent Mormons: Parley Pratt, Isaac Morley and Orson Hyde. Through the influence of these members, the LDS adopted many Restoration Movement terms and even practices.
Rigdon himself essentially became Joseph Smith's right hand man and spokesman for the LDS. However Rigdon and Smith had a falling out over some issues - one of which was that Rigdon opposed polygamy. When Smith died in 1944, Rigdon was believed by many to be in line to be Smith's successor. However through power plays Brigham Young took over instead, resulting in Rigdon being excommunicated.
Have you ever read any part of the BOM, DOC, or the POGP?
Here is a quote from Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism:
The Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, pages 370 and 372:
I will preach on the plurality of Gods.... I have always declared God
to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods.... Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God! I say that is a strange God anyhow three in one, and one in three! It is a curious organization . . . All are to be crammed into one God, according to sectarianism. It would make It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a giant or a monster.
Last edited by khristeeanos; 1st November 2007 at 05:02 PM.
Reason: correct source
As a former Mormon, I can assure you that Mormonism is definitely Polytheistic. What Christians refer to as the Trinity, Mormons view as three seperate Godheads. Also, according to the Mormons, we too become Gods in the afterlife.
This doctrine is not something they advertise. You don't even learn of it until after you are baptized into the LDS church. I can give some web addies if you wish reguarding this matter if it would help you.
__________________ When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclimation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow, with humble adoration And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Christadelphians might also claim to be restorationists as their founder spent some time with Alexander Campbell before he left.
As a Christadelphian I can attest to this fact. The pioneer of the Christadelphian movement (John Thomas) was a Campbellite (I do not use this term disrespectfully) who was a friend of Alexandar Campbell. He did indeed leave the movement over doctrinal differences. Another group that sprang out of this time period was the Church of the Blessed Hope, originally the Church of God - Abrahamic Faith. They are very similiar to Christadelphians in doctrine.
One other movement that is traced to this time is the Landmark movement within the Southern Baptist convention. J.R. Graves and J.M. Pendleton are credited as the pioneers of this group of Baptists.
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