Mormons; explain to me why you will not be Catholic.

[Cain Spencer]

It's very simple, just tell me all of the reasons you can think of.

God bless you.

 

[Ran77]

Because God did not lead me to the Catholic Church. I need no other reason than that. Although, there is enough to reinforce that decision.

Doesn't this discussion belong in the Catholic section of the forums?

 

[Moodshadow]

Goodness, Rv, is this a serious question or some kind of a goad? Surely you must be aware of the LDS church's historical stance on the Roman Catholic Church!? If not, I'm afraid you're in for a rude awakening.

 

[Cain Spencer]

Because God did not lead me to the Catholic Church. I need no other reason than that.

Okay that is perfectly understandable......

Although, there is enough to reinforce that decision.

Hmm? Speak up then.

Doesn't this discussion belong in the Catholic section of the forums?

Apparently not, if I put it in the Catholic forums then other denominations are apparently not allowed to debate it. That is why I brought it here.

 

[Cain Spencer]

Goodness, Rv, is this a serious question or some kind of a goad?

I guess it is.

Surely you must be aware of the LDS church's historical stance on the Roman Catholic Church!?

Of course I do.

If not, I'm afraid you're in for a rude awakening.

Fear not, nothing will shock me.

God bless you Moodshadow, I know perfectly well everything that there is to know about the LDS Book of Mormon and LDS doctrine.

I was hoping to have a personal discussion with a mormon one on one about their private revelation. I want to know why they personally would not become Catholic, and what doctrine and practices we follow that they object to.

 

[Moodshadow]

Of course I do. God bless you Moodshadow, I know perfectly well everything that there is to know about the LDS Book of Mormon and LDS doctrine. I was hoping to have a personal discussion with a mormon one on one about their private revelation. I want to know why they personally would not become Catholic, and what doctrine and practices we follow that they object to.

If you "know perfecly well everything that there is to know about the LDS Book of Mormon and LDS doctrine," then you already know the answer to your question - don't you? If you've read the LDS scriptures, undoubtedly you remember the phrases "great and abominable church," and "harlot of the earth," both of which have been applied to the RCC by Mormon authorities. But I'm an ex-Mo, so I can give you a few specifics, since that appears to be what you want: praying to saints, putting major emphasis on Mary as a figure to be worshiped and prayed to, limbo (though I understand that one's been deep-sixed now), the infallibility of popes, celibacy of priests, the doctrine of transubstantiation in the Eucharist, the doctrine that unbaptized infants go to hell - just to name a few. Other posters might come up with more.

Edit added later: Now that I think about this, the above doctrines are probably points of difference in not just the Mormon but practically all other churches, with the possible exceptions of maybe Anglican and/or Eastern Orthodox (I'm not too sure about the latter).

 

[Cain Spencer]

If you "know perfecly well everything that there is to know about the LDS Book of Mormon and LDS doctrine," then you already know the answer to your question - don't you?

Such anger.

If you've read the LDS scriptures, undoubtedly you remember the phrases "great and abominable church," and "harlot of the earth," both of which have been applied to the RCC by Mormon authorities.

Yes but most humans do have ideas and reasons of their own.

But I'm an ex-Mo, so I can give you a few specifics, since that appears to be what you want:

Why did you leave the LDS church?

praying to saints,

Biblical practice.

putting major emphasis on Mary as a figure to be worshiped

We do not and never have worshipped her.

limbo (though I understand that one's been deep-sixed now),

Not every unsaved soul will go to hell.

the infallibility of popes,

That is a good one.

celibacy of priests,

Once again, this point is not really necessary.

the doctrine of transubstantiation in the Eucharist,

That is not a typical mormon objection towards Catholicism, this is your protestant objection too. I want points made such as the "great apostasy".

the doctrine that unbaptized infants go to hell

1261 of the CCC. We do not teach or believe that unbaptized infants will go to hell. I think this is your protestant bias, that makes you say these things Moodshadow.

- just to name a few. Other posters might come up with more.

(Sigh).

 

[Zechariah]

It's very simple, just tell me all of the reasons you can think of.

God bless you.

Well, I'm glad to see you removed some of the original parts of your post.

The reason as to why I am not Catholic, is the same reason I am not Baptist, or Methodist, or Presbyterian, or belong to any other of the multitude of churches with their various beliefs and doctrines out there. Simply put, the Holy Spirit did not bear witness to me of the truth any of those churches or their doctrines. There is only one that the Holy Spirit bore witness of to me as being Christ's, and that is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the doctrines and authority found therein.

See Testimony of The Holy Spirit

 

[Cain Spencer]

Well, I'm glad to see you removed some of the original parts of your post.

The reason as to why I am not Catholic, is the same reason I am not Baptist, or Methodist, or Presbyterian, or belong to any other of the multitude of churches with their various beliefs and doctrines out there. Simply put, the Holy Spirit did not bear witness to me of the truth any of those churches or their doctrines. There is only one that the Holy Spirit bore witness of to me as being Christ's, and that is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the doctrines and authority found therein.

See Testimony of The Holy Spirit

What was wrong with my original post?

I'm sure you have more to say than that. What about the origins of the Church? Give me your reasons for the necessity of the LDS' church existence. Why did it need to "pop up" so to speak. What were we lacking that you restored to the earth? Why the BOM?

 

[Rescued One]

Mormonism claims to have restored washings and annointings, covenants of obedience(wife to husband, husband to Lord) and sacrifice, baptism for the dead, marriage for time and eternity, Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, and the authority to bestow the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

They agree with Catholics that serious sins must be confessed to one in authority(the bishop in their case), but differ in that less serious sins do not need to be confessed. They do not believe that the bread and water become the body and blood of Christ(transubstantiation). Tithing puts one in good standing in the LDS church.

Oddly enough, along the lines of transubstantiation,

In Paul’s Epistle to The Romans (Romans 4:11–12), we see a further explanationof this concept. Modern day revelation also supports this concept:
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: “The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs” (“How One May Become of the House of Israel,” Improvement Era, Oct. 1923, 1149).

As the seed of Abraham, Church members are heirs to the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. How do we become heirs to this covenant? (When we are baptized into the Church, the Abrahamic covenant’s promise of salvation is renewed with us. When we are sealed in the temple, the Abrahamic covenant’s promise of exaltation is renewed with us. To receive the blessings of the covenant, we must fulfill the associated responsibilities and live worthily.) -Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Manual
Old Testament - Lesson 7 « Gospel Doctrine

The Seed of Abraham
The heirs of all the promises and covenants made by God to Abraham are referred to as the seed of Abraham (see Bible Dictionary, “Seed of Abraham,” 771). These blessings are obtained only by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Brethren, the process of becoming a missionary is directly related to understanding who we are as the seed of Abraham.

Abraham was a great prophet who desired righteousness and was obedient to all of the commandments he received from God, including the command to offer as a sacrifice his precious son, Isaac. Because of his steadfastness and obedience, Abraham is often referred to as the father of the faithful, and Heavenly Father established a covenant with and promised great blessings to Abraham and his posterity:

“Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou has obeyed my voice” (Gen. 22:16–18).

Thus, Abraham was promised a great posterity and that the nations of the earth would be blessed through that posterity.

How are the nations of the earth blessed through the seed of Abraham? The answer to this important question is found in the book of Abraham:

“And I will make of thee [Abraham] a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;

“And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father” (Abr. 2:9–10).

We learn in these verses that Abraham’s faithful heirs would have the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the authority of the priesthood. Thus, the phrase “bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations” refers to the responsibility to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to invite all to receive by proper priesthood authority the ordinances of salvation. Truly, great responsibility rests upon the seed of Abraham in these latter days.

How do these promises and blessings relate to us today? Either by literal lineage or adoption, every man and boy within the sound of my voice tonight is a rightful heir to the promises made by God to Abraham. We are the seed of Abraham. One of the primary reasons we receive a patriarchal blessing is to help us more fully understand who we are as the posterity of Abraham and to recognize the responsibility that rests upon us.

My beloved brethren, you and I, today and always, are to bless all peoples in all the nations of the earth. You and I, today and always, are to bear witness of Jesus Christ and declare the message of the Restoration. You and I, today and always, are to invite all to receive the ordinances of salvation. Proclaiming the gospel is not a part-time priesthood obligation. It is not simply an activity in which we engage for a limited time or an assignment we must complete as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather, missionary work is a manifestation of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we are, and that is why we are here—today and always.

You may enjoy music, athletics, or be mechanically inclined, and someday you may work in a trade or a profession or in the arts. As important as such activities and occupations can be, they do not define who we are. First and foremost, we are spiritual beings. We are sons of God and the seed of Abraham:

“For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

“They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God” (D&C 84:33–34).
David A. Bednar, “Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 44


As we know, modern day revelation can be given to each of us through our patriarchal blessing. In this blessing we are specifically told which tribe we are from. Most of us are from the tribe of Ephraim or Manasseh. There are, of course, others, but for the sake of this lesson, it is important to point out that both Ephraim and Manasseh are descendants of Abraham. Keep checking back on this page for updates on more details about lineage declared in a Patriarchal blessing.

In the meantime, here’s a quote from Bruce R. McConkie that explains a patriarchal blessing: “Patriarchal blessings [are] an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient, and also, where so moved upon by the Spirit, an inspired and prophetic statement of the life mission of the recipient, together with such blessings, cautions, and admonitions as the patriarch may be prompted to give. . . . The realization of all promised blessings is conditioned upon faithfulness to the gospel of our Lord” (letter to stake presidents, 28 June 1957; quoted in Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 558).
Old Testament - Lesson 7 « Gospel Doctrine

The seed of Abraham: People who, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, receive the promises and covenants made by God to Abraham. Men and women may receive these blessings if they are literally of Abraham’s lineage or if they are adopted into his family by embracing the gospel and being baptized (Gal. 3: 26-29; 4: 1-7; D&C 84: 33-34; 103: 17; 132: 30-32; Abr. 2: 9-11). Literal descendants of Abraham may lose their blessings by disobedience (Rom. 4: 13; 9: 6-8).
____________________

All of these promises lumped together are called the Abrahamic covenant. This covenant was renewed with Isaac (Gen. 24:60; 26:1-4, 24) and again with Jacob. (Gen. 28; 35:9-13; 48:3-4) Those portions of it which pertain to personal exaltation and eternal increase are renewed with each member of the house of Israel who enters the order of celestial marriage; through that order the participating parties become inheritors of all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (D&C 132; Rom. 9:4; Gal. 3; 4.)

To fulfil the covenant God made with Abraham "having particular reference to the fact that the literal seed of his body would be entitled to the blessings of the gospel, the priesthood, celestial marriage, and eternal life" (Abr. 2:10-11) a number of specific and particular things must take place in the last days. The gospel must be restored, the priesthood be conferred again upon man, the keys of the sealing power given again to mortals, Israel gathered, and the Holy Ghost must be poured out upon the Gentiles. All this has, of course, already taken place or is in process of fulfilment. (1 Ne. 14:5-7; 15:12-20; 19:14-17; 22:3-25; 2 Ne. 6:6-12; 9:1-2; 10:7-15; 11:5; 29:1; 3 Ne. 15; 20; 21; Ether 13:1-13) This is the very day when the identity of those "who are heirs according to the covenant" (D&C 52:2), who are "lawful heirs, according to the flesh" (D&C 86:8-11), is being made known. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.13 ABRAHAMIC COVENANT)

II. WE ARE HEIRS TO THE BLESSINGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

Members of the Church are the seed of Abraham. President Kimball said:

Many times I have tried in my mind to span the long centuries that link us to our common fathers, this Lamanite brother and I, and my soul is stirred when I remember that in our veins flows the blood of the Lord's elect—the great patriarchs of the Old Testament, such as Adam, and Enoch, and Noah. I am humbled to know that our common father was Abraham, of whom it is said there were no greater ones and through whose seed the Lord has chosen to carry out his holy purposes on the earth. Isaac, one of the great prophets of all time, and Jacob, the father of all the house of Israel, are our ancestors. Joseph who was sold into Egypt, a man of constant virtue who was in his day a savior to his father's house, is also the father of most members of the Church today, including the descendants of Lehi, Ishmael, and Zoram. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.594)
http://www.ldsliving.com/lessons/ot-7.html


If you ask me, it must be extremely difficult for lifelong LDS to even leave that church, let alone join any other church on earth. However, one friend of mine who had converted to LDS became Greek Orthodox and another converted to LDS became Roman Catholic. People follow different paths for different reasons.

I can't even begin to picture an ex-Mormon praying the rosary.

 

[Zechariah]

What was wrong with my original post?

I should think you would know. After all, it seems rather odd that you would have removed part of it, if you saw nothing wrong with it in the first place.

I'm sure you have more to say than that.

Why would that be? Is it because you have the desire to criticize religious beliefs not your own, that you think I should have that same interest and desire?

Sorry, but I'm not about that.

What about the origins of the Church? Give me your reasons for the necessity of the LDS' church existence. Why did it need to "pop up" so to speak. What were we lacking that you restored to the earth? Why the BOM?

Since you, supposedly, "know perfectly well everything that there is to know about the LDS Book of Mormon and LDS doctrine," I see no need for you to ask such questions, and I see no need for me to answer them.

 

[Cain Spencer]

I should think you would know. After all, it seems rather odd that you would have removed part of it, if you saw nothing wrong with it in the first place.

I saw nothing wrong with it Zechariah, I meant what I said and I said what I meant. I have no doubts that there is indeed an angel by the name Moroni.
Christ is too powerful to be limited to just one Church.

I was not being sarcastic if that was how you saw it from your perspective?

Why would that be?

I speak often with my friend who has been a missionary at her LDS church in Ilford for 40 years now. She use to be Catholic and her past story is a very sad one.

Is it because you have the desire to criticize religious beliefs not your own

I have criticized no one. I would not enjoy to hurt or criticize anyone. I will refute and debate nothing that you tell me if you so wish it that way. Please tell me why, it is very important for us to understand others if we hope to ever understand ourselves.

...you think I should have that same interest and desire?

If however you did feel that way, I would be glad to be the one who takes it. I would be more than pleased to answer any questions or missunderstandings you have regarding Catholic practices. I will hear them, but not fight back, just answer, that is all. This thread is for you to tell me, not for me to tell you!

Sorry, but I'm not about that.

There need not be conflict Zechariah. Open yourself to me, please feel that you can. I won't bite.

Since you, supposedly, "know perfectly well everything that there is to know about the LDS Book of Mormon and LDS doctrine,"

When I stated this, I mearly meant that I understand and know how the Church of Latter Day Saints began. Also I have learned a great deal more than that for one reason and one reason only, to closen the relationship I currently have with my friend. I opened this thread to have with you the same conversations which I have with my dear friend. I will understand and listen, not debate or fight.

I see no need for you to ask such questions, and I see no need for me to answer them.

God bless you abundantly Zechariah,

 

[Ran77]

My reason for not becoming Catholic is that the Lord did not lead me there. That being said, I do have a few items with Catholic doctrine that I find problematic. They are not the reason why I will not become Catholic, but they would be something that would hinder my acceptance if the Lord suddenly lead me to that faith. Since that is what I think you are wanting to discuss, here are a couple:

1. The Catholic understanding of the Trinity. I do not see them as one entity.

2. I admit that I am not familiar with the Catholic doctrines as to the purpose of God, us, and the rest of creation. This is something that I have had problems with when I have heard it explained by members of other faiths.

3. I have a hard time accepting the Catholic church as being led by God when it has participated in actions that have resulted in horrific loss of life. The Crusades, the Inquisition, and the acceptance of the Nazi regime are all actions dictated from the highest level of church leadership that I cannot believe were ordered by God.

I think that is a reasonable start.

 

[Cain Spencer]

My reason for not becoming Catholic is that the Lord did not lead me there.

That is fine, we are all called by the same Lord to go to different churches. He transcends all things.

That being said, I do have a few items with Catholic doctrine that I find problematic.

Please feel completely free to openly tell me them all.

They are not the reason why I will not become Catholic,

...really? That is very interesting Ran. Please elaborate why.

but they would be something that would hinder my acceptance if the Lord suddenly lead me to that faith.

Hinder, yes of course.

Since that is what I think you are wanting to discuss, here are a couple

Now we are getting somewhere!

1. The Catholic understanding of the Trinity. I do not see them as one entity.

Ah yes of course, you believe that the divine trinity are three completely different persons? If my understanding there is correct. Could you please tell me more about how you see the trinity, we can discuss this.

2. I admit that I am not familiar with the Catholic doctrines as to the purpose of God, us, and the rest of creation. This is something that I have had problems with when I have heard it explained by members of other faiths.

What is your view of it Ran? Tell me what you believe.

3. I have a hard time accepting the Catholic church as being led by God when it has participated in actions that have resulted in horrific loss of life.

On this subject, have you read the Old Testament?

The Crusades, the Inquisition, and the acceptance of the Nazi regime are all actions dictated from the highest level of church leadership that I cannot believe were ordered by God.

They were not ordered by God, they were ordered by man.

I think that is a reasonable start.

It is a start, I'll give you that!

 

[Cain Spencer]

Mormonism claims to have restored washings and annointings,

Please explain more.

covenants of obedience(wife to husband, husband to Lord)

Could you tell me about this?

and sacrifice,

I don't know what you mean.

baptism for the dead,

Ah, I know this one. They can take a relative and baptise her/him in place of a deceased person. So do mormons believe that a man/woman could be taken out of hell and then placed in heaven simply because they were rebaptised (or as the LDS say "first baptism" because your original baptism was illegitimate).

marriage for time and eternity,

I understand this, and the idea of having spirit children after death with your goddess wife.

Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods,

Do you mean the black curse?

and the authority to bestow the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

I understand this one also.

They agree with Catholics that serious sins must be confessed to one in authority(the bishop in their case), but differ in that less serious sins do not need to be confessed.

Okay.

They do not believe that the bread and water become the body and blood of Christ(transubstantiation). Tithing puts one in good standing in the LDS church.

All good.

Oddly enough, along the lines of transubstantiation,

I understand that they would even use soda pop!

I can't even begin to picture an ex-Mormon praying the rosary

This is what my LDS friend dislikes most.

 

[Rescued One]

To clarify, I am an ex-Mormon, now Protestant.

Please explain more.

Among the many teachings and rituals that LDS claim to have restored are sacred/secret temple ordinances known as washings and annointings. I will refrain from saying more, but you can find information online.

Could you tell me about this?

They are covenants made in the LDS temple. Again, look for information online.

I don't know what you mean.

The law of sacrifice is very important to Mormons. If they covenant to obey it, they are vowing that they would be willing to sacrifice everything for the Kingdom of God which is the LDS church.

Ah, I know this one. They can take a relative and baptise her/him in place of a deceased person. So do mormons believe that a man/woman could be taken out of hell and then placed in heaven simply because they were rebaptised (or as the LDS say "first baptism" because your original baptism was illegitimate).

I don't believe it is necessary to be a relative.

I understand this, and the idea of having spirit children after death with your goddess wife.

This is also the only way to have eternal life and be a child of God and a member of the Church of the Firstborn.

Do you mean the black curse?

No, I mean that a man who holds what he believes is the true priesthood would not want to give that up.

I understand this one also.


Okay.


All good.


I understand that they would even use soda pop!

I never heard that about soda pop! I rather doubt that they would ever do that!

This is what my LDS friend dislikes most.

LDS pray only to Heavenly Father and don't like memorized prayers.

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Patterns of Prayer

"Jesus Christ showed us how to pray. He used simple, expressive language, and He warned against praying just to be seen by others. He also warned against 'vain repetitions,' words used over and over without sincerity...
Part of praying always is remembering to be continually grateful to the Lord. Thanking Heavenly Father for our blessings helps us focus on the source of all goodness; it makes us happier by bringing to our minds all the blessings we have received. There are many blessings you may want to thank Heavenly Father for on a regular basis. If you do so out of sincere gratitude and not just out of habit, it does not matter that you mention some of the same blessings from day to day.

"But if you catch yourself thoughtlessly reciting a memorized list in your prayers, then it is time to rethink your reasons for praying."
LDS.org - Liahona Article - Questions and Answers

 

[Cassiopeia]

The belief that the Roman Catholic church is the one referred to in the BoM as Moodshadow referenced is incorrect. It is not the Roman Catholic Church but the world and those that do not believe in Christ.

 

[Cain Spencer]

The belief that the Roman Catholic church is the one referred to in the BoM as Moodshadow referenced is incorrect. It is not the Roman Catholic Church but the world and those that do not believe in Christ.

Is this true? I have the Book of Mormon, could you show me where it mentions this?

 

[Rescued One]

Is this true? I have the Book of Mormon, could you show me where it mentions this?

This is from the Book of Mormon:

And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity. And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it. 1 Nephi 13:5-6

And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church. 1 Nephi 13:8

24 And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.

25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.

26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.

27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.

28 Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.

29 And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them. 1 Nephi 13: 24-29

1 Nephi 14:15-16: And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth. And as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold, the wrath of God is upon the mother of harlots; and behold, thou seest all these things—

1 Nephi 14:17: And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel.

1 Nephi 22:13: And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the harlot of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.

1 Nephi 22:14: And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord. And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great harlot, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it.

2 Nephi 6:12: And blessed are the Gentiles, they of whom the prophet has written; for behold, if it so be that they shall repent and fight not against Zion, and do not unite themselves to that great and abominable church, they shall be saved; for the Lord God will fulfill his covenants which he has made unto his children; and for this cause the prophet has written things.

2 Nephi 10:16: Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the harlot of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.

2 Nephi 28:18: But behold, that great and abominable church, the harlot of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof.


D&C 1:30-31 "And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually— For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;"

D&C 38:10-11: "Verily I say unto you, ye are clean, but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased; For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven—"

D&C 29:21: "And the great and abominable church, which is the harlot of all the earth, shall be cast down by devouring fire, according as it is spoken by the mouth of Ezekiel the prophet, who spoke of these things, which have not come to pass but surely must, as I live, for abominations shall not reign."

D&C 88:94: "And another angel shall sound his trump, saying: That great church, the mother of abominations, that made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, that persecuteth the saints of God, that shed their blood—she who sitteth upon many waters, and upon the islands of the sea—behold, she is the tares of the earth; she is bound in bundles; her bands are made strong, no man can loose them; therefore, she is ready to be burned. And he shall sound his trump both long and loud, and all nations shall hear it."


The major characteristics of the great and abominable church described in 1 Nephi may be listed as follows:

1. It persecutes, tortures, and slays the Saints of God. (See 1 Ne. 13:5.)

2. It seeks wealth and luxury. (See 1 Ne. 13:7–8.)

3. It is characterized by sexual immorality. (See 1 Ne. 13:7.)

4. It has excised plain and precious things from the scriptures. (See 1 Ne. 13:26–29.)

5. It has dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. (See 1 Ne. 14:11.)

6. Its fate is to be consumed by a world war, when the nations it incites against the Saints war among themselves until the great and abominable church itself is destroyed. (See 1 Ne. 22:13–14.)
LDS.org - Ensign Article - Warring against the Saints of God

1 Ne. 13: 26 foundation of a great and abominable church.
2 Ne. 26: 20 the Gentiles . . . have stumbled.
2 Ne. 27: 1 Gentiles . . . will be drunken with iniquity.
Morm. 8: 33 transfigured the holy word of God.
D&C 1: 15 strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant.
D&C 86: 3 Satan . . . soweth the tares.
D&C 112: 23 darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people.
Topical Guide: Apostasy of the Early Christian Church


These are comments made by early Mormons:

18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time.

Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith—History 1

"The present Christian world exists and continues by division. The MYSTERY of Babylon the great, is mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, and it needs no prophetic vision, to unravel such mysteries. The old church is the mother, and the protestants are the lewd daughters. Alas! alas! what doctrine, what principle, or what scheme, in all, what prayers, what devotion, or what faith, `since the fathers have fallen asleep,' has opened the heavens; has brought men into the presence of God; and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to an innumerable company of angels? The answer is, not any: `There is none in all christendom that doeth good; no, not one.' - Apostle John Taylor, Times and Seasons, Vol.6, No.1, p.811

"The Roman Catholic, Greek, and Protestant church is the great corrupt ecclesiastic power, represented by great Babylon which has made all nations drunk with her wickedness, and she must fall, after she has been warned with the sound of the everlasting gospel. Her overthrow will be by a series of the most terrible judgments which will quickly succeed each other, and sweep over the nations where she has her dominion, and at last she will be utterly burned by fire, for thus hath the Lord spoken. Great, and fearful, and most terrible judgments are decreed upon these corrupt powers, the nations of modern Christendom; for strong is the Lord God who shall execute His fierce wrath upon them, and He will not cease until He has made a full end, and until their names be blotted out from under heaven." - Apostle Orson Pratt, Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, p.84 - p.85

“And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the harlot of all the earth.”
1 Nephi 14:10

“SOME TRUTH IN ALL CHURCHES. All churches teach some truth, whether they profess belief in Confucius, Buddha, the Greek and Roman gods, or anything else; otherwise their churches would not endure a month. The fact that they teach some truth does not make them the Church of God. There is but one Church of God.”
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of salvation, Vol. 3, p. 271

 

[RufustheRed]

The belief that the Roman Catholic church is the one referred to in the BoM as Moodshadow referenced is incorrect. It is not the Roman Catholic Church but the world and those that do not believe in Christ.

Just for the record, the Catholic Church WAS thought of as the harlot of Babylon at one time in the LDS Church. Even as recent as the 1970s. I quote the following:

In Mormon Doctrine (an unofficial predecesor to The Encyclopedia of Mormonism) published by Bruce R. McKonkie, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in 197[?], the Roman Catholic Church was also identified as the harlot of Babylon. Other apostles in the Church at the time urged McKonkie not to identify the Roman Catholic Church as such, but the initial publications went out unchanged as Mckonkie intended. Later editions removed the reference. In current Mormon theology, the harlot of Babylon is not the same as the Roman Catholic Church.

harlot of Babylon - Discussion and Encyclopedia Article. Who is harlot of Babylon? What is harlot of Babylon? Where is harlot of Babylon? Definition of harlot of Babylon. Meaning of harlot of Babylon.

You are correct in saying that it is not current LDS belief.

Rufus