Dean,
The official name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. The Latter-day Saint tag is used to distinguish our church from the
primitive Church of Jesus Christ, which we believe to have fallen away not
long after Christ's resurrection. Such a falling away requires a
restoration, not a reformation, which we believe occurred in America in the
1830s by a modern prophet named Joseph Smith. The Mormon appellation stems
from our belief in the Book of Mormon. Mormon was an ancient American
prophet and one of the authors of that book. This book was given to Joseph
Smith for translation into English by Moroni, a resurrected being and son of
Mormon.
Rod's site is a good one, very interesting to read for a Mormon. But it
shouldn't be taken as anything official for our church. Many concepts that
Rod proclaims as answers to religious/historical/Biblical questions are
still, after all, just theories.
I think Mormons can be open to theories like the hollow earth because we
have a unique perception regarding how blatantly fallible the philosophies
of men can be, including science. All of man's conclusions are based upon
perceptions using our imperfect senses. Religious truth can only be truly
confirmed spiritually. Mormons really trumpet God's reality, divinity,
perfection and power, that he is capable of anything, even if we don't
understand how he did it. But we believe that we can come to understand
these things if we seek for them spiritually. This requires a person to form
a relationship with God. We don't spend our time wondering if God exists or
if he created us and this world, but are freed to wonder how he did it and
why. This strong belief makes us very curious.
An excellent example of our curiosity involves the lost 10 tribes of Israel.
The Book of Mormon makes it clear that these people exist as a separate
group, isolated and hidden from mankind. They were led north long ago in a
miraculous exodus. So where are they? Most Mormons haven't a clue, or they
casually suspect that the lost 10 tribes are scattered among the world's
northern population (an incorrect assumption). The hollow earth model
provides a suitable location for them, and more Mormons would jump on this
theory if it were presented to them.
As usual, I must state that our church has no official doctrine concerning
the hollow earth.
Have a good one,
Blake
ยทยทยท
-----Original Message-----
From: dean [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2000 2:01 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [allplanets-hollow] Church of Latter Day Saints
Roy,
There seem to be a lot of hollow Earthers amongst the Mormans. I think that
some kind of list and web site should be directed at them. Actually,
Rodney's site is such a site. Have you visited it?
Dharma/Dean
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