Deadtroopers
Member
One possible correction: Not so sure that you are guaranteed similar real estate (i.e., your own planet to implement your own plan of salvation). That doctrine , should it exist, appears about as shielded as the gnostic teachings of the Alawites, and perhaps as esoteric. The doctrine of exaltation is downplayed and presented as a rough analog of Orthodox Christianity's "theosis" doctrine. Given the missionary zeal of the LDS and their desire to be considered actual Christians, the avoidance is understandable, if that is what it is. It also helps explain the relative unwillingness to discuss "heavenly mother" and her role as a god(dess).
The rich irony of course is that the Book of Mormon accounts are about as historical as, say, the Book of Joshua, and just as morally abhorrent. Yet that book is cherished by the very people who classify the LDS as heretics and scoundrels. Who was it who said that history may not repeat, but it rhymes? And I can't help but notice the similar cultic origins of Islam and Mormonism, given their respective prophets' encounters with divine writings, angels and of course their...tastes. Of course, L. Ron seemed to be a little more transparent about all of this, perhaps explaining the dismal state of Scientology. It may also be that timing is everything.
The rhyme quote is Samuel Clemens aka 'Mark Twain'.
Curious (or maybe not) that you mention gnostic teaching. I was for giggling helplessly about getting your own planet (Which I have heard and read of; and from; Mormons.) when I came across something very similar in a 2nd - 3rd century 'gnostic' context. I am not sure what, if anything, of that might have been available in the 'Burnt Over District'.
I go with L. Ron setting up Dianetics and Scientology to get rich. He seems to have ben quite vocal about it to at least half a dozen people in several different places in the later half of the nineteen forties.