Blood of atonement - Christ's death was not enough!

Did you know that Jesus is not a remedy for all sin after all?  In Mormonism, the blood of Jesus was shed to atone for the original sin of Adam (the sin of scrumping an apple or the sin of seeking knowledge - whichever way you choose to describe it.)  It was not shed for your sins.

It is difficult enough for anyone indoctrinated in christian culture (such as me) to realise that the concept of atonement through Jesus is itself a strange claim with no basis in common sense or morality.  Ever since I was a small child - or at least for as long as I can remember - I have heard that Jesus came to die for my sins by shedding his blood.  Until recent years I never bothered to wonder what the blood of a 2000 mythical character could have to do with my own redemption, or to claim that I never asked him to do it and really, given the choice I would prefer that he hadn't.  The whole scape-goat ritual of the crucifixion is as offensive to me as anything that can be said about Christianity.  Not only does it seem uncivilised.  To me it is an immoral act.

The Mormons seem to see things differently - although not the same way as me!

In order to be forgiven for some of the sins that we can commit on Earth, they claim that we would have to atone with our own blood.  Jesus's blood is not enough.  Yes his death allows Mormons to be resurrected, but not to received the full forgiveness needed in order to reach the Celestial Kingdom.

The second leader of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young, was very particular about all this.  He preached:

"There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins, whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them and remain upon them in the spirit world."

and

Some sinners who are "now angels to the devil" could have been saved if only some among their Mormon brethren would have "spilled their blood on the ground as a smoking incense to the almighty." 

Until recently, death by firing squad was an option in Mormon Country.

Is it a coincidence that only one of the United States of America retained the firing squad as a 'proper method of execution' until very recently?  That state was Utah, which is where the vast majority of Mormons live.  Death by firing squad was the only method available in USA in which the victim's blood is shed.  In 2004 this option was withdrawn (although there are still three prisoners on death row who could opt for it since it was not retro-active).  Just think of those poor Mormons who will now fail to get to the Celestial Kingdom!

You have to feel sorry for them don't you.   

[Small note to point out irony in the last sentence!]