The Foundation

When discussing Mormonism, especially with disaffected LDS members, it amazes me how much the topic of Joseph Smith and polygamy has come up. For many, it seems to be the crux of the matter when determining whether Joseph Smith was a prophet or not. Most people determine it is an absolute fact that Joseph was a polygamist and so they outright reject him. Others have come to the conclusion that he has been mischaracterized through the lens of Brigham Young’s polygamy and a is virtuous prophet of God who was faithful to Emma alone. Amongst this smaller crowd I have noticed that for some, if polygamy could be proven on Joseph, it would throw their entire theological worldview and "testimony" in disarray. I have directly confronted this issue with a few, and their passionate, emotional uprising proves the insecurity of their stance.  

If the Book of Mormon were to be proven “false”, and that throws your belief in God into question, then you don’t actually believe in God. You believe in the Book of Mormon. Same story if Joseph Smith were to become a “false prophet” and you stop believing in God. We’ve all met those people who “throw the baby out with the bathwater”, abandoning God and religion when learning uncomfortable truths of the LDS church, its people or history, or any number of things.

Whenever, in the course of a deep discussion, I find that point of maximum resistance and hostility, I discover what people actually believe. For many Christians, it's the infallibility of the Bible. One Christian friend told me that if the Bible were to be proven false (i.e. Paul never existed, or Peter never lived) then they would stop believing all together. This friend doesn't believe in God. He believes in the Bible.

This is a subtle point, but critical to understand. I wish I could articulate it better. The truths of Christ contained in scripture or taught by inspired people are treasures which help me understand how to build on the Rock of our Redeemer. If my testimony is truly built on Him, I can learn about "problems" with these books or with the teachings of frail, mortal beings, but nothing shakes me.

 

If you feel yourself stressed, “triggered”, emotionally charged, insecure, sad when challenged on certain topics, it’s very possible part of your house is built on a sandy foundation. It is important to reflect on these issues. 

 

In my first faith transition, it took me four years to shed the LDS church until all that remained was Christ, Joseph Smith with his inspired works (including the Book of Mormon), as well as Denver with more inspired works, and on this I built my new house. 

 

After three years enjoying this new home, it was another painful four years of dismantling through a new faith crisis/journey, until all that remained was Christ. He alone became my foundation on which to build, and that’s when I finally encountered Him.  

 

It’s taken a lifetime to finally move my building materials to the rock of our Redeemer, he is the only sure foundation.