Those unfamiliar with what Mormons believe and with how the Mormon Church operates, as well as those who wish to discredit Mormon beliefs and frighten people away try to claim that the Mormon Church is a cult. This claim, however, quickly disappears the moment one studies Mormonism and its members who live in over 160 different countries, speak dozens of languages, and come from every walk of life.
Anti-Mormons and Ex-Mormons claim that Mormonism, compared to mainstream Christianity, looks inward and follows one person, the prophet, more than they do God.
To anyone who knows a Mormon, these claims are preposterous. Mormons honor the prophet Joseph Smith much as Christians honor Paul, Moses, and Isaiah. He was a prophet and a gifted leader, but Mormons worship God and Jesus Christ. Because of Mormonism’s separate history it has developed distinct cultural and other practices so that those who leave Mormonism not only abandon a religious belief, but also lose their culture and since this is frequently connected to family traditions as well, this separation can cause difficulties with family members and friends.
Others try to claim that Mormons brainwash their children, but this again is absurd since every culture and religion teaches its values and beliefs to its children. That some outside Mormonism disagree with what Mormons teach their children is not grounds for calling it brainwashing. Mormons believe tenaciously in man’s agency to choose what he believes and practices, but reality also means that going against once received culture and traditions, whether they are religious or secular, can be difficult and trying and it this that ex-Mormons have noted in their struggles, not some inherent evil design by Mormons to control its members. Moreover, since in Mormonism there is only a lay clergy comprised of members of the congregation, there could not possibly be some vast conspiracy of leaders verses the members, since such a division does not exist. Finally, in Mormonism cooperation and unity is highly valued and such emphasis on helping one another sometimes makes outsiders feel neglected, but Mormons do strive to reach out and include others though they, like everyone, are not perfect.