Okay, I was never going to do this, but I feel a need. I feel like I just have to get this out there. LDS stands for Latter-Day Saints, which is what we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, are called. We are more commonly known as Mormons (because of the Book of Mormon, I suppose).
We are normal people. Some of you, after reading my blog for a while, may dispute that - - I know. I know. I am a bit weird and random. But we are people, just like you. And you. And you. We are unique individuals with a common set of beliefs.
And yes. We do believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Thus, we are Christians.
I would just ask that, instead of listening to people who are NOT Mormons say things ABOUT Mormons, that you would do your own research, do some reading, find out who we REALLY are. Not what someone has told you that we are.
Visit us at lds.org, or mormon.org, or mormonnewsroom.org. You'll find real answers there.
Random thoughts of a girl who used to try to fit in the box. Then I realized that boxes are stupid. Except this box, the one above. It's really pretty.
A STANDING OVATION! I am a convert (baptized 1984) and inactive - at the moment.. I am ALWAYS coming to the defense of the church, and about the most ridiculous things! The number one misconception of course is about how the men can have more than one wife and then inevitably that show "Sister Wives" comes up.. And you try and try and explain and some days it's like beating your head against a brick wall. What hurts me the most is when people say that we're not Christians, when in fact, as you know, we ARE! If people get nothing else right about the church I wish they would at least get *that* right! Good for you sister Judy!:)
ReplyDeleteI just get so tired, especially in this political environment, of people saying things like they actually KNOW, when, of course, they don't. They just are sheep and follow the loudest people talking crap. THANK YOU MiMi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteOooooh, was this brought about b/c of Mitt Romney's candidacy? His religious matters not to me; how he treats animals does and I won't vote for him after his putting his dog in a crate on the roof of his car for a long trip to Canada in the 80s. That's just mean, no matter race, creed, colour, religion, political party, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt's always best to go to the source. I would try to find a Muslim to explain his/her religion. I would try to find a Amish person to explain his/her religion. I would ask someone with bi-polar to explain what it is like. I would try to find a pro-choice person to explain his/her beliefs to me. I would try to do in a non-threatening way and with no pressure to hear my own beliefs or with no arguments. Accept the fact that we may have to agree to disagree. You don't have to believe the way I do, but please believe that I worship the way I say I do and not how the media says I do. I have no reason to lie to you. I am not pressured to tell you lies or hide my true religious practices.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I am also a Mormon and I wasn't yelling at Judy. I was trying to agree with her.
DeleteI think people should just respect each other. In the end, I don't think it matters what religion you are or aren't. God is God and that's that.
ReplyDeleteLive and let live is my motto.....I won't harangue at you about my beliefs and you can do the same for me... so far it's worked out quite well.
ReplyDeleteI collect friends with different religious backgrounds. Keeps things fun. Plus, I love how my stories can start out; "So I walked into this bar with my Jewish friend, my Mormon buddy, and my pal the Atheist...."
ReplyDeletePlus, Donny Osmond is Mormon. You know how much I love HIM, right? Helloooo, Donny. He really should have saved himself for me, though.
He's gotten better with age. I loved him on Dancing With the Stars.
DeleteI single-handedly put him over the top. Not that he's willing to admit it....
DeleteAll I can say is that I adore my blogging friends - each one of you!!!!
ReplyDeleteI had always wondered about the Mormon religion. Then we had a nice boy work for us who was Mormon and he had interesting stories. He came from a huge family (like 9 kids) and his work ethic was amazing. I read a few blogs written by Mormon moms and this is my question, why do they all seem to have so many kids? It isn't a bad thing, of course, I am just curious. Kinda like Catholics (my mom had 5 kids and dad was raised Catholic.
ReplyDeleteI married a Baptist. Now that is different for me after being raised Lutheran. Southern Baptist no less.
I'm an Italian, raised Catholic, converted Mormon - I won't even go into the disapproval rating from my family and his.. - There are 7 of us, there are 7 in my ex's family. Catholics don't approve of birth control and both belief systems believe in being fruitful and multiplying. I've done my part! :) I had two for my Italian Catholic family and two for my Mormon family! :D Children are blessings and we welcome them!
DeleteThe # of children someone has is personal choice - just like with everyone :). We have 3, my husband comes from a family of 5 children. It is a very personal choice. I have a friend with 9 - I also have friends with 1 or 2. Families are amazing, no matter how your family is comprised - just takes a lot of love!
DeleteWhen I was a senior in a Catholic high school, we were required to write a report about another religion. The report included an interview of a minister and attending at least one service. I reported on the Mormon faith. The people were very kind and open to this 17 year Catholic girl (or , at least student at a Catholic school).
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good experience - Mormons are just people - just like Catholics or anybody else :)
DeleteI had the opportunity to tour the Mormon temple that hadn't been consecrated (or dedicated, forgive me, I'm not sure what they called the ceremony) yet so visitors could go in and see it when we lived in Billings, Montana. That was a great experience!
ReplyDeletebetty
Glad you had that opportunity :). Temples are beautiful, simple and sacred buildings to us.
DeleteI gave you an award!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments on children. I say if you can feed and take care of them, go for it.
I was curious.
Thanks! I'll go check it out! And I'm glad you asked about children :)
DeleteI gave you an award!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments on children. I say if you can feed and take care of them, go for it.
I was curious.
I didn't intend on offending anyone. It came out wrong. It just seems common for Mormons to have large families (the boy that worked for us had 8 siblings and the older kids in his family all had at least 5 kids or more, he said it was a birth control preference) He said all of their friends were the same way so I wondered if it were similar to Catholicism.
ReplyDeleteChildren are a blessing for sure but I only had energy and time for 2.
Silly girl! No offense taken!!! I love questions - they're much better than smart alec ignorant remarks! Haha
DeleteI grew up in an ultra-conservative household where black and white ruled with absolutely no shades of grey....and then I met my husband whose family are devout Bahai's. They are wonderful people, who love God and live their faith in the strongest witness I have ever seen. That was 20 years ago and I have not judge a person based on religion since, and I have raised my kids to do the same.
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog today and was intrigued by your post. I can't help but think of the Osmonds when I think of LDS/Mormons. Donny and Marie are wonderful people and I have always liked them. I don't know them personally but I am very familiar with the work they do and I think they are great entertainers and really nice people. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Linda!
DeleteI can only think of one Mormon acquaintance, and she one of the most accepting and gentle of souls. I do not compare religions. Having already written and posted a piece about my being a recovering Catholic, I welcome your view. On anything.
ReplyDeleteEighth grade curriculum requires that we teach about the role of the Mormons in our history. I have always been profoundly affected by the rich history of this maligned group, persecuted because their religion was not the same os others'. And Annie returned from a week-long quilting conference to Salt lake City a year ago, marveling at the rich history of the city and its people. She listened to the famous choir practice, and came home filled with anecdotes about her week.
It's interesting that Mormon history is taught in the 8th grade . . .hopefully the facts are correct! hahaha
DeleteSo glad Annie got to listen to the Tabernacle Choir . . . they are inspiring, religion notwithstanding :)
Us History is taught in the eighth grade; hence the history of the expansion of the western borders includes the fleeing to Utah of the original members of the Mormon Church. California Standards specifically detail the need for teachers to teach and emphasize the role of religion in the world cultures taught in sixth and seventh grades, and also the role of religion in the founding of our own nation. It's all good and it all has relevancy for teaching tolerance.
DeleteI don't remember learning that when I was in school . . . of course, that was a buttload of years ago :)
DeleteAwesome that your curriculum is very diverse!
DeleteI respect this post a great deal. As a Catholic, I completely understand people judging your religion based on what they hear and on huge misconceptions. I choose to not judge people on their religion at all. To me, that's never even a factor that comes into play at all - It's a part of who a person is and where they come from. there should be no disrespect whatsoever because of someone's faith and religious beliefs.
ReplyDeleteAmen sister!
DeleteI had some Mormon friends years ago and they were wonderful. We talked about the Lord a lot. I love the Osmonds too! Being Catholic, I get the same stuff sometimes. People have crazy ideas about anything they are not familiar with. I enjoy your writing and your topics and I'm happy to be a follower!
ReplyDelete:) Happy you're a follower too!
DeleteThe town we lived in was 70% Mormon yep !!! so my whole family was & is exposed to the LDS life style, the man that taught my husband how to be a plumber was very high in the church he owned half the block we lived on & he was the most genuine funny loving man I ever met, all our Dr.s in that town well... yep Mormons. our family being Christians fit in just fine because YES mormons are Christians also. A large amount of residents that we had living at our care home all went to the LDS church. So I say ignorance is NOT bliss DO YOUR homework people BEFORE you put your foot in your mouth or I have to put my foot in your - - -!! Thanks Judy for your honesty & love :))
ReplyDeleteJanice, thank you for this!! We're all just people - - no matter what we believe!
DeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Judy. A friend of mine recently converted when he met the woman who is now his wife. I tried to read up about Mormons and the LDS religion to better understand what was going on in his life, but there is SO MUCH shit out there that doesn't make sense! I ended up just talking to him about it, which was way easier & a hell of a lot more informative.
ReplyDelete:-)
BTW, come by and see what you've won!
WHAT? You're a Mormon? Now you tell me ... ;-)
ReplyDeleteSaw this post and thought of you... http://diaryofasquaretoothedgirl.blogspot.com/2012/09/mormon-diaries-review.html
ReplyDelete