Been thinking about making this topic for a while, but I wasn't quite sure if it was an appropriate moment. I think now would probably be a good time though.
I just looked in the other Mormon topic that was just posted, about baptisms and holocaust survivors and I could tell there was a lot of misunderstanding, which makes sense. I don't expect people to be experts on the religions of others, but I think this would be a good place to clear misunderstandings up and ask random questions! Whatever you want with a couple rules!
Rules: 1. No intentionally biased inflammatory questions. Example:
Good question: Why is the Mormon church so adamant against Homosexual marriage? Bad question: Why does your church hate gay people?
2. The point of this topic isn't to get into a long debate on a single issue. I find that debates are rather pointless when it comes to issues that don't have clear answers. Because of this, feel free to respond to any answer I give to a question, but please only respond once. This is me answering questions, not you trying to prove that the religion I believe in is false (which won't work so you can save your time)
So we will try to loosely follow a format that isn't any more then 1.You: Question 2.Me: Answer 3. You: Response 4. Me: Response
3. I will answer any sincere question, if I can tell it is a sincere question. If I question your sincerity I have a right to ignore you. 4. I will leave this topic up till people run out of questions. however long that takes (assuming they are sincere of course) 5. If this topic gets out of hand (which I don't think it will as I have very high opinions of most of board 8) I will probably sigh, leave the topic and not come back and hope at some point the people who caused the problem will be at some point in their lives civil enough to have a good conversation about controversial topics.
as always stated in things like this, I'm not a spokesman for the church or anything, but if something I say doesn't line up exactly with general church teachings I will inform you (though that is pretty rare if ever)
just a heads up, I'm going to take a nap in half an hour or so, but I'll answer the first couple questions that come if they come fast, or perhaps the first one if its a really long and detailed one!
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From: MarvelousGerbil | #002 Does "The Book of Mormon" Broadway play offend you?
Great opening question.
I currently attend BYU, and I would say that the general feelings here are that the Book of Mormon musical is the spawn of Satan and it is an evil thing, which I initially thought was possible, but not that harsh.
However, I thought it was silly to feel strongly about something that I didn't know very much about so I started to do some research on it, and decided the only way to really know what was in the Book of Mormon musical was to listen to it. I listened to at least part of every song except one (the famous one that says to **** God and such, don't remember what its called. It's sung by Africans in the musical) If the song was exceptionally vulgar or offensive I skipped to the next track, but the interesting thing I found was that I would say the album broke down to something like
4-5 really funny decent songs 4-5 pretty vulgar songs 2-3 songs I would never listen to again because they were really bad.
Which was actually a better ratio then I thought it would be. I also was somewhat surprised to find out through interviews with Matt and Trey, and also by listening to the album, that the Book of Mormon musical, isn't exactly Anti-Mormon. It's using Mormons as subject matter and poking fun at them, but it isn't really derogatory toward the church. The message, if I understand it correctly, is Mormons believe some silly things, but they are good people who are trying to do the right thing. I think I'm ok with that.
I really think the Book of Mormon Musical did more good for the church in publicity then it did in any ill feelings it may have caused people towards Mormons. So my stance now is that I won't ever go see the Book of Mormon Musical, but that's because I think its crude, not because its about Mormons.
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Four Civil Union Ceremonies and a Funeral just doesn't have the same ring to it - yoshifan823 http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/1508/masterplumgm3.jpg
From: SlymDayspring | #004 Why does your church hate gay people?
XD plum you asked for it
But on a serious note, why do you think it is so important for the church that people like them? I've noticed recently that the church has been focusing a lot on being recognized as "Christian" when they clearly do not believe the same core beliefs as other Christian denominations. 50 years ago, the LDS church flaunted its differences; now it seems like they are doing anything they can to be "just like everyone else."
Why do you think this is?
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From: SuperJanitor | #003 What do Mormons have for breakfast?
Anything that isn't coffee or tea
From: junk_funk | #005 Obama or Mitt?
Ron Paul.
But I think you bring up an interesting point. My interest in Romney increased substantially when I found out he paid tithing. The reason that's important is that Tithing is one of the most difficult commandments to keep. It has been said before (and I completely agree) that the first thing that people do when they start to remove themselves from doing the right things, is they stop paying tithing. If Mitt pays tithing, I have confidence he also probably keeps the other commandments as well. Do I think that will make him be a great president? No I do not. But it certainly makes me like him more then Gingrich or Santorum.
I can understand the vigilance against alcohol, but why don't Mormons drink coffee or tea? I haven't heard of Mormons being anti-soda that I'm aware of, but is this about the caffeine?
Do Mormons really believe that the Native Americans were the product of a small group of people travelling across the Atlantic Ocean and eventually settling themselves up and down the Americas? Considering the Native Americans have never really shown any skill with metallurgy, where did the golden plates come from?
*hijacks topic as an ex-mormon* no not really(The hijack part) but tag. and I will help answer questions.
From: Liquid Wind | #007 Why does your church hate gay people?
The mormon church doesn't hate Gay people. However it does believe that marriage shouldn't be performed between anyone who isn't a man or a woman. That doesn't mean however that a mormon must be opposed to the idea of civil uinions being between tow men or two woman.
From: Pram_the_Oracle | #008 Any mormons in Indonesia?
Yes.
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Are your church services every Sunday in excess of an hour or two. I remember going to a Mormon service with a best friend of mine when I was younger and they were much longer than my Catholic ones.
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The mormon church doesn't hate Gay people. However it does believe that marriage shouldn't be performed between anyone who isn't a man or a woman. That doesn't mean however that a mormon must be opposed to the idea of civil uinions being between tow men or two woman.
I was just asking because he told me not to, I am really curious why tea is a nono though o_O
From: azuarc | #013 I can understand the vigilance against alcohol, but why don't Mormons drink coffee or tea? I haven't heard of Mormons being anti-soda that I'm aware of, but is this about the caffeine?
Do Mormons really believe that the Native Americans were the product of a small group of people travelling across the Atlantic Ocean and eventually settling themselves up and down the Americas? Considering the Native Americans have never really shown any skill with metallurgy, where did the golden plates come from?
First is they don't drink it cause a commandment from the prophet at the time said not to drink tea or cofee. It is most likely something to do with the amount of caffeine. So not anti-soda necessarily. Also herbal tea is ok for mormons to drink. And the idea of the Golden Plates coming from that is essential to the mormon religion existing. Anyways the skills of writing on the gold palce were taught only to the prophets if I remember correctly.
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according to this, there are 6,683 Mormons in Indonesia. Keep in mind though that we don't remove people from our records due to inactivity, and so about half of church members world wide are active. I would say that you should probably find around 3,000 practising Mormons in Indonesia.
From: KingButz | #009 why do you think it is so important for the church that people like them? I've noticed recently that the church has been focusing a lot on being recognized as "Christian" when they clearly do not believe the same core beliefs as other Christian denominations. 50 years ago, the LDS church flaunted its differences; now it seems like they are doing anything they can to be "just like everyone else."
Why do you think this is?
Good question.
First, I really don't know much about the church 50 years ago. I don't know whether they were flaunting differences or not. So I can't speak on that.
I think the reason that we are trying to let everyone know we are Christians, is there are still a lot of people who are scared of us. Pastors of other churches in general hate us, because we have the largest missionary force of any church in the world. I believe almost all other churches have a paid ministry, which means that every person that stops going to their church and instead becomes a Mormon, is less money they have. Because of this many churches slander or skew information about our church, such as stating that it isn't Christian. I believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) is publicising itself as a Christian church so that individuals can hear it for themselves, and not have a skewed viewpoint from their pastor.
Ironically the biggest reasons they state we aren't Christian is we don't follow the Nicean Creed, and don't believe in the trinity when many other famous people throughout history didn't believe in it either, such as Issac Newton. According to these standards, Newton would not have been Christian.
ok, nap time. I shall be back shortly
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yE frE me Kweku Ananse Papa me:http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/1508/masterplumgm3.jpg
What did you do in Africa? Was that a mandatory part of your Mormonism?
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From: 36Eagles10 | #015 I will help answer questions.
You don't need to, I kind of like doing it. Thanks though.
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Four Civil Union Ceremonies and a Funeral just doesn't have the same ring to it - yoshifan823 http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/1508/masterplumgm3.jpg
as much as I think all religion is a joke, I do have to say that I dunno why people act like morons are so out there. they aren't any more ridiculous than anyone else, their religion is just much newer and does not have quite the establishment or history of the rest.
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From: masterplum | #020 I think the reason that we are trying to let everyone know we are Christians, is there are still a lot of people who are scared of us. Pastors of other churches in general hate us, because we have the largest missionary force of any church in the world. I believe almost all other churches have a paid ministry, which means that every person that stops going to their church and instead becomes a Mormon, is less money they have. Because of this many churches slander or skew information about our church, such as stating that it isn't Christian. I believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) is publicising itself as a Christian church so that individuals can hear it for themselves, and not have a skewed viewpoint from their pastor.
Ironically the biggest reasons they state we aren't Christian is we don't follow the Nicean Creed, and don't believe in the trinity when many other famous people throughout history didn't believe in it either, such as Issac Newton. According to these standards, Newton would not have been Christian.
The Nicean Creed is one of the standard tenants of Christianity. I don't think that you can reject it and still call yourself a Christian. I wouldn't call Mormons "Christians" because they don't believe the same thing. They don't worship the same person.
Don't take that as an anti-mormon stance; I am not a Christian so it doesn't have anything to do with that. I just don't understand why Mormons are so insistent that they be identified as Christian. It seems like they care an awful lot about what people think of them.
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Korayashi posted... Aw, why no answer to my question? =(
Why are there so many Mormons in Utah? I mean, didn't it start in New York or something?
Be quiet you are napping so I will answer so there isn't a big build-up tc. . Anyways lots of mormons in utah cause they were commanded to go there. Plus it let them get away from all the people and local governments who were prosecuting them despite the freedom of religion America is supposed to have.
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I don't really have a question, but I knew some Mormons when I was growing up and they seemed cool. I don't think it's fair that they get treated as crazies just because their religion is recent. Age doesn't really give a religion more credibility if you ask me, and there are outlandish beliefs in pretty much any religion.
-- I had a nightmare where Ulti forced me to eat brain matter. ;_;-MegaWentEvil
I don't really have a question, but I knew some Mormons when I was growing up and they seemed cool. I don't think it's fair that they get treated as crazies just because their religion is recent. Age doesn't really give a religion more credibility if you ask me, and there are outlandish beliefs in pretty much any religion.
christians and muslims are crazies too, you just can't say that in public
as much as I think all religion is a joke, I do have to say that I dunno why people act like morons are so out there. they aren't any more ridiculous than anyone else, their religion is just much newer and does not have quite the establishment or history of the rest.
Mormonism seems more "cultish" than other religions if such a term can be used. Like during Prop 8. the Mormon Church would call up some of their members and say things like "It appears to us as if you are able to donate this much money to defeat gay marriage. Why haven't you?" I mean, I don't think other religions do things that creepy. And while they don't shut out people that leave the church completely like in an actual cult like Scientology, the way people who have left the church are treated by their families can sometimes veer on isolation like in an actual cult. I don't think that's an actual Church precept or anything, but it's similar in a way, as is my understanding.
Part of the reason is also due to the fact that most people generally don't think that others take The Bible/Talmud/Koran literally. People, regardless of whether this perception is right or wrong, believe that Mormons do take The Book of Mormon literally
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well, mormonism and scientology both have to be more "cultish" because they are smaller religions. you have more of a "family" atmosphere to keep your members and make others feel welcome, you don't have to do that with larger religions because the culture at large is welcoming of them. not saying it is good or anything, but it isn't really an aspect of the religion that makes it that way as much as just the nature of how to grow your religion.
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I always say that religion is what you make of it. There are people who take things too far, who oppress others because of their religion or act superior because of it, but there are also people who take it as a motivation to do good things and of course people who just practice their religion without any major effect on how they live.
From: Korayashi | #012 How come so many Mormons adopted Utah as their base of operations?
Because everyone in other parts of the country tried to kill us. It was really bad. Initially the church had headquarters in New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois, but anti Mormon sentiments drove them out. The worst was this one
After the initial attack, several of those who had been wounded or had surrendered were shot dead. Members of the militia entered the shop and found ten-year-old Sardius Smith hiding under the blacksmith's bellows. William Reynolds put his musket against the boy's skull and blew off the top of his head. Reynolds later explained, "Nits will make lice, and if he had lived he would have become a Mormon." [5] Seventy-eight year old Thomas McBride surrendered his musket to militiaman Jacob Rogers, who then shot McBride and hacked his body apart with a corn knife. Several other bodies were mutilated or clothing stolen, while many women were assaulted. Houses were robbed, wagons, tents and clothing were stolen, and horses and livestock were driven off, leaving the surviving women and children destitute.
The Mormons went to Utah because at that time it was the middle of nowhere and they were tired of people messing with them. The US military still came after them there, but that's a story for another question.
From: azuarc | #013 I can understand the vigilance against alcohol, but why don't Mormons drink coffee or tea? I haven't heard of Mormons being anti-soda that I'm aware of, but is this about the caffeine?
I will be honest here, and say I have no idea. Contrary to popular belief, caffeine is not prohibited. Lots of people (including members of the church) are mistaken about this. Especially in Nigeria interestingly. I digress. Anyway you can be a fully active good member of the church and drink Pepsi. I actually had a Coke Zero on campus yesterday and nobody cares.
As for why do we not drink coffee and tea? I would say there are two reasons.
1. Joseph Smith said that he had a Revelation in 1830ish that Tobacco was bad for you at the same time as he prohibited coffee and tea, which was a very unpopular opinion at the time. He was right about Tobacco, I assume that there still may be things we don't know about coffee and tea.
2. I've seen some really jacked up people from caffeine addiction. Although it isn't specified and as I stated previously there isn't a prohibition against caffeine itself, I assume that may be part, though not all of it.
And as was stated by Eagles, herbal tea is ok. I kind of like it too.
Do Mormons really believe that the Native Americans were the product of a small group of people travelling across the Atlantic Ocean and eventually settling themselves up and down the Americas? Considering the Native Americans have never really shown any skill with metallurgy, where did the golden plates come from?
I'm pretty sure that there was a discovery somewhere of metallurgy in America. My personal belief is that just as the Dark ages wiped learning out of Europe, a similar event happened in the Americas.
From: ExThaNemesis | #017 Are your church services every Sunday in excess of an hour or two. I remember going to a Mormon service with a best friend of mine when I was younger and they were much longer than my Catholic ones.
3 hours. So if that's longer then Catholic services, then yea.
From: KingButz | #019 Oh, I got another question now.
Plum, if the church changed its stance on gays and gay marriage(like if the prophet said it's ok), how would you feel? Would that affect your belief?
Hypothetically, I would be perfectly fine with that.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints is different from other churches because it is built upon revelation. Unlike other churches which preach that God has finished speaking, we believe that God still speaks to man, both to prophets and to individuals. If the prophet was told by God that something needed to change for whatever reason, then you follow it.
I would probably ask God if this was the right thing to make sure, and then I would be happy to go along with it.
From: FFDragon | #021 What did you do in Africa? Was that a mandatory part of your Mormonism?
answering a couple short questions now, I'll get this next post.
From: yoshifan823 | #022 How involved in the church are you?
On a scale based on the average person, I would say extremely. On a scale based on the average Mormon I would just say very. There are mid week meetings which you are encouraged but not required to go to, which I don't attend for example.
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Four Civil Union Ceremonies and a Funeral just doesn't have the same ring to it - yoshifan823 http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/1508/masterplumgm3.jpg
Im not sure if It was Mormons or JW's but one of them had this view that all dark skinned people were the cursed descendents of cain, and because of this could not make it to the same "level" of heaven as fair skinned people. Is this true?
From: Leebo86 | #044 Why, is there a chance God would tell you something different.
When I was on a mission in Africa (which ties into FFD's question) we always told people to pray for themselves to find out if what we were teaching was true. That's really the key to the religion. It's true because God will tell you it is true. So If I was really worried about something I would ask God for confirmation it was the right thing, just as I initially asked him if the church was true when I was 16.
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So whats the deal with courting? I know this girl who has been like "infiltrating" a mormon church, by basically saying she believes when she really doesn't and just finds them "fascinating" and now she's being courted by this dude who just finished his "mission" and its about the weirdest relationship I've ever seen.
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http://img.imgcake.com/nio/81edpngej.png edwardsdv and swordz9 are basically the comedy heel tag team of this topic, why would people be taking them seriously?