LDS Converting to the Worship of Crystals?

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Well, this does bring to mind Joseph Smith's beliefs in the powers of special inanimate objects like seer stones and the lore of the urim and thummim.

The idea of carrying a small rock with special powers in their pocket is foreign to most Mormons today. But should it be?

B.H. Roberts and Quinn both have interesting things to say on this topic. I'm reminded of Joseph's divination cup in Genesis 44 too.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

B.H. Roberts and Quinn both have interesting things to say on this topic. I'm reminded of Joseph's divination cup in Genesis 44 too.

What do they have to say?

[Archaea]

What is the worship of crystals?

What did JS have to say on the subject?

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

What do they have to say?

I'll do a seperate post on it, but they flesh out the folk magic aspects. Roberts also mentions that Ethan Smith describes a "urim" in a Native American "breastplate" several years before the Book of Mormon is translated.

[SoCalCoug]

Wow. I never really realized it, but Crystal Gayle was kind of hot back then. That is, if you can get over the beaver pelt swinging back behind her butt.

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by cougarobgon

What is up with that?

Another LDS family we know has been affected by the conversion of one or both of the parents to the worship of crystals. From an outsider's perspective, it appears it all began with financial distress.

The first family over the years had difficulty making ends meet, started several business ventures, things did not go very well, then they met up with some group in Utah that did not believe in paying taxes, and within a short time were introduced to crystal worship and they left the Church taking their children with them.

The most recent, again financial distress, on the brink of bankruptcy, the father begins worshipping crystals, he is now living out in the wild in a tent and left the Church. The mother took the children with her, divorce in progress, mother and kids remain active in the Church.

What is attracting LDS members to worshipping crystals? Any crystal worshippers on this board?

The most recent is the one that troubles me. The brother comes from a good family, seemingly great marriage, 4 or 5 kids, always has been active, RM, temple marriage, etc...

Do they also believe in the rest of that "new age" stuff like the aliens with the big eyes who abduct people in their sleep? If you ask me, the alien abduction stories usually are associated with those who follow new age/neo paganism probably as a means to promote itself.

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

What do they have to say?

Goodness. Where to begin? If, as a board, we read Quinn's Mormonism and the Magic World View, we'd have more insight into just how into crystals, amulets, and what is now called New Age spirituality early Mormons were.

Moroni's appearing on the Autumnal Equinox, the waxing and waning moon stones on the Salt Lake Temple, Joseph's Jupiter Talisman, Lucy Mack's Palm reading...this stuff doesn't stop.

What say ye?

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

Goodness. Where to begin? If, as a board, we read Quinn's Mormonism and the Magic World View, we'd have more insight into just how into crystals, amulets, and what is now called New Age spirituality early Mormons were.

Moroni's appearing on the Autumnal Equinox, the waxing and waning moon stones on the Salt Lake Temple, Joseph's Jupiter Talisman, Lucy Mack's Palm reading...this stuff doesn't stop.

What say ye?

I've never seen a tendency toward the new age stuff among modern mormons.

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by BlueK

I've never seen a tendency toward the new age stuff among modern mormons.

They have eyes, yet cannot see.