Anti-Mormonism

Anti-Mormonism is an overt hostility toward the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mormon) or, sometimes, hostility toward the members of the church as a whole. There are those who are so vehemently opposed to Mormonism that they have made it their life's work to dissuade as many people as possible from the Church’s beliefs. These people are referred to by Church members as anti-Mormons. Most anti-Mormons do not seem to harbor malice toward the people of the Church--only their beliefs--and keep a civil tone about their debate. However, some anti-Mormons direct a rancorous hatred directly at Latter-day Saints, going so far as to hold blustery organized protests at Church gatherings where they shout anti-Mormon epithets, slander Church leaders and publicly desecrate items Latter-day Saints hold sacred.

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General anti-Mormonism

Anti-Mormonism is wide-spread among mainstream Christians. Although anti-Mormons are typically civil toward Latter-day Saints, their emotionally-charged hostility toward Mormon beliefs is usually unfettered. Mainstream Christian churches commonly teach that Mormonism is a cult and unchristian. Although it is hard to determine a percentage, a number of anti-Mormons direct their hostility toward Mormon church leaders, both past and present. Much more hostility is directed toward church leaders of the 19th century than later ones. Those who attack the most recent leaders tend to also be the most radical, some to the point of being outrageous. The activities of the latter group has prompted some moderate anti-Mormons to rise to the defense of the church in the face of the most ridiculous accusations. Finally, there is a minority of anti-Mormons who demonstrate an open hostility toward any and all Latter-day Saints. It is common to find them among the protesters at major Mormon events.

Some anti-Mormonism is not especially focused on Mormonism, but is part of mainstream Christianity's more general hostility towards teachings that it believes are heresy, that is, teachings that claim to be Christian but are not. Such hostility towards heresy and heretics is evident from the Church's earliest writings, and in stories of events like Saint Nicholas striking Arius at the First Ecumenical Council. For more on the perceived similarities and differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity, see Mormonism and Christianity.