Svithe: A Christian Cult of Salesmen

First: An explination of Svithe: It's a pormanteau: a fusion of two words, seven and tithe. If a tithe is the tenth given to God, then a svithe is the seventh given to God.

Recently I heard a friend of a friend refer to Mormons as being, "A Christian cult of salesmen." I immediately began to bristle, feeling a little defensive. When I hear the word "cult" I often think of extremist groups that commit mass suicide and do harmful things to self or others. "Salesmen" can also be used as a derogatory term (used car salesmen tend to be thought of as slick and underhanded people, trying to swindle you). So to put those two together and say that I was a part of something so offensive, it was a bit disturbing. (But hey, on the bright side, they did say we were Christian. hehe.) But after awhile I decided it was not worth being offended. I just hope the people who come in contact with me don't walk away with that same sentiment.

Obviously everyone has different experiences (or no experience) with and opinions of "Mormons." Many people confuse us with the Amish. Others think we practice polygamy with tons of wives and gynormous families. Some think we're over zealous and a excessive in our rules and regulations. Some think that we have a great built in support system and structure. Some think we're a little too perky and a bit naive. Some don't lend a thought nor a care as to who we are or what we believe, and to them we are just another religious faction of which they want no part. I think we're a group of relatively normal (what is normal, really?) people trying to do what we think is right.

As for being a group of salesmen, I could see why someone would think of it that way. We do have a very concentrated and conscious missionary program. But I really don't think the majority of Mormons (members and missionaries alike) share the gospel with some hope of profit for themselves (as I would imagine a salesman would do). I really do believe the majority share it with others because they believe it to be good and true--something that could bring a lot of happiness, meaning and direction into the lives of others. I guess there could be some misguided people who want to "up the numbers" or who want to "play the part" of what a "good Mormon" should be, but hopefully that's the exception and not the rule.

Matt and I were speculating the other day about what it would be like if we were wrong and that this is the end, no heaven, no God, nothing. That when we die we're done. It's an interesting thought since a large majority of us claim that we "know that this gospel is true" and that within that gospel we do believe in God, Christ, a pre-mortal existence, and a post-mortal existence. I live it because it makes sense to me. It feels right. I feel like my life is made better because of it. I have direction and purpose. And because I've had experiences to lead me to say that I do know it's true.

But if, in the end, we were wrong and this was it, well, I guess I'd never know the difference. I'd not stew about it for the non-existent eternity being mad at myself for believing such fallacious ideas. In the end I'd have lived a life I believed to be good and wholesome and then I would just cease to be. I would have lived a life free of addictive substances (unless you count all that sour stuff we mentioned in previous post) filled with family and love and relatively little contention. I'll take it.