When I find an area of widespread ignorance, I try to correct it. Last time it was ignorance about the Supreme Court members. Today, it's religion (based on this poll). Please comment on any area of widespread ignorance you would like addressed on this blog.
The poll showed three areas where the vast majority of Americans were confused about very basic LDS beliefs. Without turning this blog into a religious tract, please let me clear up the top three points of confusion:
1 - Mormons are Christians. We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, that He was born to Mary in Bethlehem, that He suffered, died, and atoned for our sins, was crucified and rose again the third day. Mormons is a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS being the preferred nickname). A few resources address why confusion exists. Even if for some reason you reject us as Christians, please accept that we believe we are Christians and believe in and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.
2 - Mormons believe the Bible to be the word of God, the same Old and New Testaments as the rest of Christianity. This year we are studying the Old Testament in Sunday School and next year we will study the New Testament, as we regularly do. Here is praise from LDS apostles for the Bible.
3 - No, the LDS church does not practice or condone polygamy. The practice of plural marriage was halted more than 120 years ago. Any member who does risks excommunication. There are splinter groups (over 150 of them) who are not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (not any more than Lutherans and Baptists are affiliated with Catholics) who do, but it's not us.
And now back to your regularly scheduled development economics and food policy.
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