Similarities Between "Biblical Patriarchy"
and Mormonism

I find it very interesting that there are so many similarities of unbiblical beliefs and practices between the Christian cult of Mormonism and the Patriarchy Movement.  I'm sure I've even missed some.  This list is presented to provide food for thought, not as a direct link between these two religious belief systems (though that may exist somewhere).  

NOTE: I've lumped all three branches of the Latter Day Saints together for editorial purposes.  I know some would disagree forcefully at being linked with the others.  The fact is that early Mormon prophets made it clear that they considered polygamy an essential doctrine for their members to get to "heaven" and attain godhood. In fact, legal battles were fought over this very subject.  The modern Mormon church should be viewed as apostate according to the teaching and practice of early Mormonism.  "A new revelation" that cancels the early mandates that were "required for salvation" in order to please the U.S. government is simply preposterous.  Thus, I do not differentiate here between "mainstream" and traditional Mormons.  The FLDS are basically "heretics" by the standards of both the others.

 

Mormonism (including components of "mainstream", traditional and FLDS)

Christian Patriarchy (in many forms)
Rewriting history to support beliefs of group
The Book of Abraham, etc.		 Rewriting history to support beliefs of group
Reinterpreting and laundering American history particularly
The essential need of a patriarch - "Father" is god (or at least he will be shortly) The essential need of a patriarch - an idolatrous view of "Father"
Isolationism Isolationism
Over-protection to preserve faithfulness to the cult Over-protection to preserve faithfulness to the cult  (presented as "accountability", among other things)
Secret Doctrines only the "initiated" can understand and/or are taught Secret Doctrines only the "initiated" can understand and/or are taught
Levels of knowledge
The priesthood, Temple marriages, Temple rituals, etc.		 Levels of knowledge
Inner circle of "leaders" - both men and women, helpers and apprentices, laity and peons
Superiority over "everyone else"
"No life outside of the Mormon church."		 Superiority over "everyone else"
We're "biblical" and "holy" and "righteous", all others are "off."
Mind Control Mind Control
Reinterpreting scripture Reinterpreting scripture
Extreme legalism Extreme legalism
"Her" sacred calling (the deification of motherhood/wifehood)
Including her "holy hair"  (Mormon women have the "hope" of one day being a "goddess" of sorts.)		 "Her" sacred calling (the deification of motherhood/wifehood)
Including her "holy hair"
Women second class citizens in religion.  Men supreme Women second class citizens in religion. Men supreme
Modesty Culture - Emphasis on outward appearances - hair, dress, etc.  Modesty Culture - Emphasis on outward appearances - hair, dress, etc.
Holy "garments" church ordained underwear  Holy garments - church approved clothing styles
Family, as central component, exalted to deification after death (godhood) Family, as central component, exalted beyond N.T. church teaching, even to idolatry
Power of "the church" Power of "the church" or "community" (code word for church and/or group of churches)
"The prophet hath spoken" The "Big Man" hath spoken (Gothard, Pearl, Phillips, Brown, Botkin, Lindvall, etc.)
Sacred location to go for extra blessing - Temples, Salt Lake City Sacred location to go for extra blessing - conferences, headquarters, family camp, ALERT, etc.
Mission trips for young adults Mission trips for young people
Holy Sex - bedroom sanctuary, woman's body a temple?  Creating babies is sacred duty Holy Sex - Mike Pearl
Creating babies is sacred duty to produce "godly seed" or "arrows"
Older men interested in younger women - polygamy, sexual problems. Older men interested in younger women - girls "should" marry young, emphasis on father/daughter relationship.  Gothard, Josh Duggar and Phillips sexual harassment of younger women.
When people leave they often become agnostic, atheist, humanist When people leave they often become agnostic, atheist, humanist, extreme feminist
Shunning of those who leave, even if they continue to claim similar faith Shunning of those who leave, even if they continue to walk as Christians
Marriage should be within the group, and it requires a sacred ritual wedding at a Temple for fullest "blessing" Marriage should be within the group, and it requires the sacred ritual of courtship and a covenant marriage for the fullest "blessing"
Hidden polygamy - men think they have a right to more than one woman Hidden adultery - men think they have the right to more than one woman
Suggestions of polygamy being OK
Sacred calling and future dominion - to build up the Mormon church and eventually attain godhood and a universe of their own Sacred calling and future dominion - to build "the Kingdom" which varies in definition depending on their eschatology
Winning over the world with the ideal Mormon family "Winning over" the world - the "war on culture" - with the ideal Patriarchal family
The challenges of polygamy and/or large families make you a more righteous person. The challenges of large families make you a more righteous person.
The Sacred Race - Racism, white supremacy (supposedly now denounced) The Sacred Race - Racism, white supremacy
Diet fads and restrictions Diet fads and restrictions
Birth control is wicked Birth control is wicked

 


graphics by Mary Stephens