Same Roots, Different Times

I've got to say this, I really have a soft spot for the Reformation. Maybe it's because people standing up for what they think is right strikes a chord with me, maybe it's because I love the idea of challenging tradition or maybe it's because Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony has the media world currently ablaze. I love when people realize that something is wrong, and that they have power to do something about it.

Traditional Catholic Church

The Reformation was sparked when people started to say, "Hey, I don't need this guy telling me what this scripture means anymore, I've got it right here in my hands." and the more they got into the book that was in their hands they started to say, "Wait a minute, what you're preaching isn't what I'm reading". The further they delved into the scriptures, the more dissonance was realized. Fast forward and jump across the pond to a young fourteen year old boy who is holding that exact same book. He's having the same experience. A classmate of mine shared, "I have noticed in particular how God’s hand played a role in the very details of events transpiring in this time span." And I completely agree (read her blog post here). Another classmate similarly pointed out the parallels between the protestant reformer Martin Luther and Restoration reformer Joseph Smith. He says, "Martin Luther no doubt paved the way for Joseph Smith to do, in his way, the same thing that Luther did: dare to question the churches around him." (read further here)

An original Gutenberg Bible

Both parties realized that scripture was the key authority in Christianity. Both believed that ad fontes, or getting back to the sources, was what key in sorting through the confusion. Today, ad fontes is still a big part of LDS doctrine. Getting back to the sources and checking what they taught. In addition we also share a dedication to the word of God or "sola scriptura" but with softer edge. In the reformation, people--one of those being Martin Luther--began to say that scripture was the only authority, in LDS doctrine we agree that scripture is authority, but we also believe that revelation from living prophets is equal in importance.

A theme from the Reformation that really contrasts with LDS doctrine is "sola fide" or the rejection of priests, church structure and authority. LDS doctrine emphasizes the importance of structure and authority. That doctrine is one of the key elements that differentiates the LDS church. That is the piece that can be so difficult for many investigator Christians to swallow, but can also interestingly enough, be the confirming piece for others. Faith though a blessing can be confusing, but if there's anything that we learned from Martin Luther and Joseph Smith it's that God will provide degrees of clarity when we ask for it.


Image credit: http://abvmcalgary.com/abvmcalgary/index.php/our-faith-practise/ukrainian-catholic-rite
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/bibles/the-gutenberg-bible.html