Misconception
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a cult."
Documented Truth
The definition of the word "cult" is problematic at best. In ancient usage it meant a set of religious practices, while modern usage typically uses it as a way to demean a group whose beliefs you don't agree with. This disparity in definition makes it impossible to understand what a person means when they make the claim that a certain organization is a "cult."
This definition from Wikipedia includes several bombshells to be aware of:
"Cults are social groups which have unusual, and often extreme, religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cults. The term has different, divergent and often pejorative, definitions both in popular culture and academia and has been an ongoing source of contention among scholars across several fields of study." (emphasis added)
In modern usage, the term is typically meant to stir up unfounded relationships between the named group and horrific events in American history such as the Unification Church in California (often referred to as the "Doomsday cult"), or the 81 day standoff in Waco, Texas by the Branch Davidians. This type of usage is considered pejorative in nature, meaning it is a statement of contempt.
So where did this idea that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a cult come from? Again from Wikipedia:
"Christian countercult movementIn the 1940s, the long-held opposition by some established Christian denominations to non-Christian religions and heretical or counterfeit Christian sects crystallized into a more organized Christian countercult movement in the United States.[51][52] For those belonging to the movement, all religious groups claiming to be Christian, but deemed outside of Christian orthodoxy, were considered cults.[53] The countercult movement is mostly evangelical Protestants.[54] The Christian countercult movement asserts that Christian groups whose teachings deviate from the belief that the bible is inerrant,[55] but also focuses on non-Christian religions like Hinduism.[54] Christian countercult activist writers also emphasize the need for Christians to evangelize to followers of cults.[56]" (emphasis added)
So it is from this movement in the 1940s among primarily evangelical Protestants that we get this idea that any Christian group that isn't orthodox by some measure (including non-Christian religions) are considered cults.
Again, not a great definition to operate on. It doesn't originate in the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, it is not linked to the doctrine of the Trinity (although many today try to use that as the standard of "orthodoxy"), and according to this article it is also related to the claim of an inerrant nature of the bible. (This belief was developed in the 19th and 20th century America, and was codified in 1978 by evangelical leaders in the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy"), which most biblical scholars will tell you simply isn't the case, the bible is full of errors and inconsistencies. The only verse in the bible that makes anything close to such a claim is 2 Timothy 3:16, which states:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (King James Version)
It still doesn't claim to be inerrant (ie- without error, or incapable of being wrong). It only says that it is given by inspiration from God, and is good for teaching and correction.
All of that aside, let's look at what cult-like behavior is, and does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints exhibit these behaviors:
- Led by a charismatic leader who tightly controls its members
- Novel belief system or ritual focused on an object, person, or goal
- Socially deviant or isolationist in nature
- Harsh control tactics such as gas lighting, and brainwashing of members
- Usually involves surrender of all earthly possessions or stockpiling of arms
AGAINST #1- John Taylor (the third president of the church) made this statement:
“Some years ago, in Nauvoo [Illinois], a gentleman in my hearing, a member of the Legislature, asked Joseph Smith how it was that he was enabled to govern so many people, and to preserve such perfect order; remarking at the same time that it was impossible for them to do it anywhere else. Mr. Smith remarked that it was very easy to do that. ‘How?’ responded the gentleman; ‘to us it is very difficult.’ Mr. Smith replied, ‘I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.’ ” (“Chapter 24: Leading in the Lord’s Way,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 281–91.)
FOR #2- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does have a novel system of belief and practices in the shape of temple ordinances. However, these ordinances are all focused on worshiping God the Father through Jesus Christ. The culmination, or goal, of these ordinances is to unite families for eternity.
AGAINST #3- Members of the church are encouraged to be good citizens of their community and country, and are often the first organization on the scene of major disasters where congregations are organized, every chapel bears the inscription "Visitors Welcome" near the front doors, members are encouraged to get to know their neighbors whether they are members of our faith or not.
AGAINST #4- We use the same teaching methods used in other churches as well as public schools. We sing hymns and children's songs, study out of the scriptures and church manuals. We share testimony as moved upon by the Holy Ghost. Nothing is forced or coercive.
If a member is found severely out of alignment with the teachings of the church, they may have their membership put on probation or cancelled, but that is not unique to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
AGAINST #5- Members give 10% of their increase to the church in the form of tithing... that's it. Tithing is a biblical practice found in Malachi 3: 8-12.
In the temple we do commit to live the law of consecration in which we give everything to God and a portion is given back to us as inheritance, however, to date this law has never been enacted nor enforced on the church as a whole. (In Biblical times this practice was known as "corban" and Jesus chastised the Pharisees for misusing this practice as an excuse for not supporting their parents in their old age.)
The church does not have a stockpile of arms, instead it uses its resources to provide food and emergency aid items to organizations all over the United States and the world.
Conclusion
Based on the blurry definition of what a "cult" is, and the fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints only exhibits one "cult-like" behavior:
No, we are not a cult. We are different from other Christian faiths, but that alone cannot be the determining factor.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult
- https://library.dts.edu/Pages/TL/Special/ICBI_1.pdf
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/2-tim/3?lang=eng&id=p16#p16
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-24?lang=eng
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/mal/3?lang=eng&id=p8-p12#p8
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/7?lang=eng&id=p11#p11
