Anti-Mormons

[ktfords]

[Also think on this. if they were not lds they could have been members of any church, and would you be complaining about their behavior or would you go to them and ask the reason for their actions.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I would complain about other faiths/ non believers doing this.

I have lived in a lot of places, never, I said never, has another faith or a non believer done anything like this to me or my family before. Then, I had to explain the actions of those families and tell them (my kids) they did not do anything wrong.

I have attempted to ask why, usually no answer at the door, see me coming and run in the house, or drive by looking the other way, but, I did wave a guy over, his excuse, was a
"our kids aren't compatible", funny, they were best friends for weeks before this was said.


Reminder, I did nothing except answer this question, "are you lds". I said "no I'm not"..

Honestly, I thought this could never happen, until I moved here.

[prisonchaplain]

I'm torn on this. We would not likely bar our children from playing with others who had a different religion, but, yes we'd be concerned. As much as we would want our children's lights to shine, and their faith to become stronger in the light of others who do not believe, we also are parents, with a natural desire to protect. And, we know that even adults can waiver, so children deserve extra care. Add to this general truth that those living in SLC often do so because it is a place where it is safe and supportive for LDS...it's not hard to believe that a few would go as far as to say, "Don't make close friends with unbelievers." I'm not even entirely sure this is completely wrong.

I would guess LDS would have the reverse experience in the Bible belt. How close would we want our evangelical kids to get with those we consider unorthodox? It might not matter so much...but then again, when our children start asking questions like, "Do we get to live forever as a family when we go to heaven?"--the temptation to create some distant might crop up.

I'm not saying these parents were right...but I (father of 3 young girls) do understand.

[jimuk]

Originally Posted by TheLutheran

What an interesting thread! I would just like to offer that sometimes we "gentiles" encounter aspects of LDS doctrine and culture in very innocent ways which can lead to speculation and confusion about Mormonism. But that certainly doesn't make all of us anti-Mormon!

For example, our family's introduction to the "white and delightsome" or "pure and delightsome" concept came when our then 7-year-old daughter returned from school one day. She reported that one of her LDS girlfriends believed that the entire Rodriguez family of children was "turning white" because their formerly Roman Catholic father had finally decided to join the LDS church. This was in the mid-90s and I don't remember what the official teaching of the church was on that particular issue at the time or whether the language in the BoM had been altered yet but it certainly prompted interesting discussions and research at our house.

I have scores of other instances of how our unsuspecting Lutheran farm family was/is impacted by our surrounding Mormon culture in ways that lead to many questions about LDS doctrine and tradition. I hope that this curiousity (which led me to this board) coupled with my unwaivering Christian faith does not make me unwelcome here or considered anti-Mormon.

Your curiosity is welcomed here, we love to have none members to talk to, what i personally object to are the guys that come here looking for a fight, yet call themselves "Christian" , why do they have to be so spiteful and hurtful with the horrible things they say about such a loving church, if thay are not sent here with the spirit to learn what we are about, then they are here to create contention amongst us, you must ask yourself why they would act in such an unchristian way, and who must have sent them, and why.

[bytor2112]

My wife and I only ask that our son's friends have good standards.My eldest son's two best friends are a Catholic and a kid who doesn't go to church and never has....both awesome kids. My youngest son's two best buds are a Southern Baptist and a Methodist, again great kids. There are some LDS boys that I wouldn't want my kids around under any circumstance.

I don't live in Utah, but my best friend practiced law their for a few years and was an active member and he said he felt like a stranger there and that members could be very cliquish.

[omega0401]

Originally Posted by ktfords

I have lived in a lot of places, never, I said never, has another faith or a non believer done anything like this to me or my family before. Then, I had to explain the actions of those families and tell them (my kids) they did not do anything wrong.

I, too, have not meet Mormons who behave the way you describe. But like any other church there are Christ-like members and not so Christ-like. I hope you will run into a Christ-like Mormon some day soon because they are out there and there are a lot of them. Not perfect by any means but certainly trying.

I hope you won't judge the church on the impolite behavior of a few Mormons. Judge it on it's beliefs. Either Joseph Smith is a prophet or he isn't. He either translated a sacred text into the Book of Mormon as a second witness of Chirist or he didn't. Either Christ church had to be restored upon the earth because of an apostasy or it didn't. Either there is modern day revelation to a modern day prophet or there isn't. Those are the beliefs you should focus on and not on the members.

[ktfords]

Originally Posted by bytor2112

Ktford,

Sounds like you just don't like Mormons....I guess Utah wasn't the best choice for you to live, huh? Try somewhere in the South, there are plenty of "so-called" Christians here with similar views. Haven't you already condemned the LDS beliefs, hmm? Why are you any different? Would your theology be able to withstand the same type of intense scrutiny as ours have? No way. It's doubtful, that you even know why you believe what you believe regarding your own faith. If you studied your own faith's history and really knew what it was you claimed to believe, you might be quite surprised. Uh, wait.... I don't think we know what faith that is. But, I find most people like you to be just believers, just "saved", born again and ready to point out how wrong we are. I am sure I could point out how wrong you are, but I will rise above it. No one will help the non-LDS huh?? Right, those mean ole, close minded, bigoted Mormons. Uh huh, that's been my experience alright.

I do appreciate the uplifting tone of your letter

Try reading my profile and it will tell you what I am, oh yeah, you were there. Nice attempt to belittle me in your email.

I like people. I like people who don't judge me and look down there nose at me because of my beliefs or they think they are better than me. As for what I believe, I know what I believe unlike vast majority of mormons here in utah. When you ask questions, number one answer, I have found is "I don't know".

Since, I have been here and at fairlds.org in the last week, I have received 8 emails from people within these organizations apologizing for their members conduct. Specifically the tone of letters. I have had a couple letters I have responded to that were very informative and lacked the "superior" attitude.

Don't tell me what I believe, you have never asked.

[jimuk]

Originally Posted by ktfords

I do appreciate the uplifting tone of your letter

Try reading my profile and it will tell you what I am, oh yeah, you were there. Nice attempt to belittle me in your email.

I like people. I like people who don't judge me and look down there nose at me because of my beliefs or they think they are better than me. As for what I believe, I know what I believe unlike vast majority of mormons here in utah. When you ask questions, number one answer, I have found is "I don't know".

Since, I have been here and at fairlds.org in the last week, I have received 8 emails from people within these organizations apologizing for their members conduct. Specifically the tone of letters. I have had a couple letters I have responded to that were very informative and lacked the "superior" attitude.

Don't tell me what I believe, you have never asked.

Please enlighten us to your beliefs, and what the reasons you think the lds family stopped their children playing alongside your children, i am just curious.
As already said, the were individual members, wow there is so much expected from mormons

[ktfords]

Originally Posted by bytor2112

My wife and I only ask that our son's friends have good standards.My eldest son's two best friends are a Catholic and a kid who doesn't go to church and never has....both awesome kids. My youngest son's two best buds are a Southern Baptist and a Methodist, again great kids. There are some LDS boys that I wouldn't want my kids around under any circumstance.

I don't live in Utah, but my best friend practiced law their for a few years and was an active member and he said he felt like a stranger there and that members could be very cliquish.

I agree..

[jimuk]

This is what we believe

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Do you see anything there within that makes us a bad people.

[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by ktfords

I do appreciate the uplifting tone of your letter

Try reading my profile and it will tell you what I am, oh yeah, you were there. Nice attempt to belittle me in your email.

I like people. I like people who don't judge me and look down there nose at me because of my beliefs or they think they are better than me. As for what I believe, I know what I believe unlike vast majority of mormons here in utah. When you ask questions, number one answer, I have found is "I don't know".

Since, I have been here and at fairlds.org in the last week, I have received 8 emails from people within these organizations apologizing for their members conduct. Specifically the tone of letters. I have had a couple letters I have responded to that were very informative and lacked the "superior" attitude.

Don't tell me what I believe, you have never asked.

Uh, what about your tone????? Maybe you should peruse your previous posts. And yes, I have been to your profile and it seems to me that it only says, "Christian". I could just as easily put that on my profile as well..... but alas I prefer to let people know right up front my beliefs. As you are fond of saying...if you believe it claim it!!

My tone is generally warm and friendly and occaisionaly sarcastic. I suspect the "Mormons" in Utah know what they believe, maybe you just don't like the answer. What do you believe? What denomination or creed do you align yourself with?