Deseret News | Mormon Media Observer on MormonTimes.com: Focus on Family pulls Glenn Beck article

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Mormon Media Observer on MormonTimes.com: Focus on Family pulls Glenn Beck article

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Any religion | 5:03 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

is hypocritical (some more than others). I saw a comment above about how people don't "check things out". I don't think that many people do this about their religion; they all have secrets and "skeletons in their closets"...have you checked out yours? And it is true that nobody is ever going to agree so I find that I like to be spiritual, but not religious.

Missing the point | 6:40 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

So many responses are missing the point of the article by focusing on dictionary definitions, bible-bashing, proselytizing, telling horror stories about ward gossip, and wondering naively why the LDS Church website doesn't link to articles written by what is essentially an Evangelical political action group.

The point is that Focus on the Family went through the trouble to prepare, write and publish the article. Someone there must have seen something important or noteworthy in Beck's book or felt that Beck had something worth drawing attention to. Then someone worried that the article might "confuse" people by drawing positive attention Beck's faith. Suddenly, what Beck has to say in his book is no longer important, noteworthy or worth drawing attention to. Talk about being insular and two-faced.

I deeply hope the LDS Church decides never to get into bed with groups like this again. It's fine to take a stand on a given issue -- but be careful who your traveling companions might be and how that affects your ultimate destination.

John | 7:14 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Having been raised in and around LDS folks all my life, and as someone who does not practice the faith well, I still believe the best thing that the LDS religion has going for it is it's ability to press on in the face of adversity.
Do we as a faith endevor to do good, have a good work ethic, honesty, thrifty, help others,etc we do and that's the problem ....we do.
We also have as any religion does it's share of slackers and misguided folks that have no tolerance,not because they think they are better but not as self disciplined, and as forgiving.
Gee to find we all have these human frailties...WOW!
Still in the overall picture, our love of the Gospel should never cloud our vision as it does at times. To be human is one of those frailties.
One should try living the Ten Commandments to bring it all into proper meaning of how God would like us to live our lives.

Comments continue below

To Kevin | 9:08 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Even if the Mormon church were the only church on the earth that supported Prop 8, we would still have supported it. We would have stood alone if we needed to.

georgia kid | 9:10 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

if the mormons are not christan then why on ALL of their stuff says THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IF LATTER DAY SAINTS!!! are you people blind!!! it says JESUS CHRIST in BIG letters!!! if a 14 year old kid can see that then why cant you evangilistic preachrs see that!!! why do you hate those you dont agree with? just accept that they arent going to go away and deal with it!!! the mormons are not going to leave they are permenant and are here to stay!!! just deal with it!!!

web pages | 9:11 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Go the web page of any mainline church: Roman Catholic,Baptist,Lutheran,...they all consider Mormonism a cult,just as Jehovah Witness are. Joseph Smith's attack on the Christian creeds is in the BOM. That is one of the many things that seperates Mormons from Christians.

Brigee | 9:34 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

There is good and bad in all religions and there are hypocrites as well in all religions. I wonder sometimes why people spend so much time fighting about who is right and who is wrong. We are ALL the children of the same God.

People need to try to learn how to get along with each other, this the best thing we can do in this whacked out world that we all live in.

Have a Happy New Year.

I long for the day | 9:35 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I long for the day when all religions will relegated to the ash heap of history. When we will all accept each other as equals, and will not build our lives on superstitions.

What I've always found... | 9:44 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

interesting is that in the early 1800s, MANY people claimed to have had visions, many people claimed to have seen God, and many people claimed to have seen angels giving them a divine mission. Others just rolled their eyes and ignored them, unless for one reason or another they believed in one particular person over the others. Occasionally people mocked them a little, but usually they were just ignored. This happened repeatedly during the religious revivals in our country - hundreds of people made those same claims. The ONLY person who was ever attacked with hostility, insults, lies and violence, and by respected leaders of other religions to boot, was Joseph Smith. And to top it all off, instead of a short burst of derision like others suffered, he lived through extreme violence directed at himself, his family and his followers for 20 years, before he was finally murdered.

I think that says something. I know a lot of people will disagree, but I firmly believe there was a reason why Joseph Smith was attacked so badly, so often, for claiming the same thing that hundreds of others claimed, who were able to escape persecution.

I see arrogance | 9:59 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

on here such as "we are the best because"... and "I'm glad there is such opposition to us because it builds us ten-fold"...you guys are pathetic and I predict (I am the best) lol that your church will only be strong for a stort time longer. People are fast becoming secular and any church that claims "the best" or that "God" speaks to tiem the best will not survive. And for the people thinking that the "second coming" is going to come and everyone will understand you are wrong. Your "millenium" is already upon us! The children that were born in the last 20-30 years are the "millenials". You are really sad not to know that we are already in the "millenium". Wake up and face reality!

GoodReason | 10:20 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

The latest Statistical Abstract of the United States asserts there are now more LDS in this country than Jews. The day when the LDS Church could be dismissed easily as a cult are over.

That being said, we LDS must simply walk our walk. What others do or do not feel about us is not something we can control: they have their agency. We must simply be ourselves, express ourselves, and stand for our beliefs without contentiousness. That is what is required of us, no more and no less.

When we agree with other denominations on some issue, I see no reason to eschew cooperation, but we must never ever associate with them on issues where we disagree. And we should give others the same privilege.

This is a tempest in someone else's teapot. Shrug it off and keep going.

Oger | 10:47 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!! The TROLLS are in force!

Joseph Smith | 10:53 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Did not write the Book of Mormon. He translated it from a different language. The Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets, similar to the bible.

Also, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe this church is the only true church upon the face of the earth, because the Lord declared that himself (D&C 1:30).

Read my lips | 10:58 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Re: Oger
Can't you take the truth? When It gets a little heated on these blogs, then all the wimpy trolls can't take it any longer.... BIG ARROGANT BABIES!

Good Grief! | 11:13 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Folks, this isn't an "Are Mormons Christian?" issue, so I don't see why so many comments insist on beating dead theological horses. No one's arguing that LDS beliefs line up with those of Dobson's outfit. But what Focus on the Family has virtually done is to state that for the simple reason that Glenn Beck is a Mormon, he doesn't have anything valuable to say, and that Evangelical readers shouldn't support him, his book or its message.

Personally, I think that there are MANY reasons one can come with to believe that Beck has nothing valuable to say. But where he attends church isn't one of them.

LDS leaders routinely and approvingly quote from a broad range of theologians, philosophers and thinkers throughout history who do not share specific LDS beliefs. Focus on the Family's narrow-minded stance clearly should not exist among Mormons, who believe that truths can easily be found outside of the faith. I would be embarrassed by any Mormon who shares Focus on the Family's knee-jerk rejection of anything that has been said by *gasp* a non-member.

Re: Joseph Smith | 11:17 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I love the the phrase- ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

Knowah | 11:25 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Dobson has always cowered to the latter-day pharisees and sadducees. He is a preacher who has an appetite for telling people things they WANT to know, not NEED to know, in order to gain in popularity. I'd much rather be a latter-day "Saint" than a latter-day "Sadducee."

re: Gilbert | 1:11 p.m. Dec. 28, | 11:42 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

How wrong you are! As one who lives in Colorado Springs, you wouldn't believe the hatred there are from the evangelicas towards the mormons. This includes focus on the family.
the only difference I find that separates these evangelicas from what is going on in Iraq is that they don't have bombs attached to their bodies. Their bombs however is the venom they spew from their mouths.
Incidently, the republicans didn't loose the race because of sarah palin, it was because the hatred they were spewing towards mitt romney and because he is a mormon. Well, I hope they are proud of themselves, because what is going to happen on Jan 20th is nothing compared to having a mormon for president.

Lasergirl | 11:40 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Isn't what the Christians are doing to the Mormons similar to what the Mormons are doing to homosexuals? I think it is. If you want to put an end to the hate parade, get out of the street yourself.

This whole debacle is ridiculous - just more random acts of hatred and bigotry by Mormons and Christians. Nothing new here, but still very sad indeed.

Sheeeeesh! | 11:44 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

What a bunch of grumbling complainers. Get on with your lives (ALL OF YOU) and quit gossiping, lying and causing a rumpus.

To Lasergirl | 11:57 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

It would only be similar if a book was written or an interview given that had nothing to do with homosexuality, but after the author/inteviewee was found out be be homosexual, the book/interview was pulled solely for that reason.

You folks try and make everything into a Prop 8 issue, don't you?

Elton John gets it. Why can't you?

re: Lasergirl | 12:02 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

If the LDS Church told me to stop listening to music by gay artists, seeing movies with gay actors, and reading books by gay authors for the simple reason that these things are produced by gays and gays should not be supported nor their views on anything given validity, your comparison would have far, far more strength.

Tom | 12:10 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

So many are so upset with Focus on the Family for pulling the story, so many are upset at the Evangelicals and Christians who wanted it pulled and so many are upset at those who call our church a "cult" and a "false" religion.

My personal take...who cares. I could frankly not care less what evangelicals think of me, my faith or Glenn Beck. I could not care less that Focus removed the story from their web page.

People have, do and will always deride the church for its beliefs. People have, do and will always mock and scorn at the truths we hold. This is all part of the plan and this is all part of the chastening and persecution that the church must face in these last days.

Remember, we all must be chastened and tried and I'm sure you'll find a member or two who are seriously questioning their faith as a result of this attack on our beliefs and they will honestly wonder why these so-called christians are calling us a "cult"...

Good, I say, and let the tares fall where they may.

Really, who cares what Focus or its readers think about our Church.

Anonymous | 12:12 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

There are many who say they love the homosexual but hate the sin they do. Well there are many who love the Mormons but hate their sin of Mormonism. Just because the name Jesus Christ is in the name of the Mormon "church" does not mean it is of Jesus. Anybody could use the name and have nothing to do with Jesus.

Anonymous | 12:14 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Maybe god will call more Christians to be in SLC for general conference. It's a blessing, with the Internet, that truth of Mormonism is revealed.

John Pack Lambert | 12:53 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

To Sister Stalworth,
When did a leader of the Church denounce giving to street beggars? The quote I know most on this topic is King Benjamin telling us to not let a beggar put up his petition to us in vain. I also have heard that Brigham Young said to never let people petition you for money and turn them away.
It may not always be the best to give a beggar money. In some cases they may be better off being given food, and organized programs of giving and helping may be better, but I would say that if you give to a beggar with the sincere belief that they are in need and with the sincere desire to help and uplift them, the Lord will count it unto you for righteousness no matter if the person is in real need or just a scam artist manipulating the kind and faithful for their own gain.

John Pack Lambert | 1:14 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Brother Beck's book actually presents theological ideas on which Evangelical Christians and Latter-day Saints agree. This is actually why it is seen as such a threat by some Evangelicals, because it will expose as lies their claims that Latter-day Saints reject the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

grapenuts | 1:41 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Christian Scientists are not really "scientists" or Christians(they deny the resurrection)they are kind of like the cereal grapenuts,not really grapes or nuts,but they have Christ in their name.

Hypocrisy | 1:45 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

It's really rich that when the LDS organization is funding misleading ads disparaging gays and disrupting their families, LDS members are "outraged" and "shocked" when called bigots. But when a Christian group calls the LDS organization a "cult," those Christians are supposedly "bigots." You can't have it both ways! If it's not bigoted to express your view of morality about gays, then it's not bigoted for Christians to express their views of truth about God! It's a one-way street with Mormons. They each other, but exude a frosty, cold, compassionless moral superiority towards non-Mormons, particularly gays. I am very, very put off by LDS now and think I'm permanently opposed to the group. So good for Dobson (something I never thought I'd say!)

Golfer Gil | 1:46 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Mormons are exactly carbon copies as these horrible evangelicals who seem to distress them so much. I am not Mormon but I grew up in Utah. As a child in the sixties I was repeatedly abused verbally by my so called neighborhood friends and also by their parents. If any of them had a birthday I was never invited. If They were playing in their back yard I was not allowed entrance. The same held true for all my brothers. We would often try to play basketball and they would kick us out of their wards. Now as a parent I continue to see this same abuse perpetrated by these self righteous Mormons. The same story is true about my wife and her brother. I went to East and my wife went to Skyline. Before you bash the evangelicals you might learn your own message and practice it here in your homeland. The one thing for sure is that you know how to whimper and whine when you are faced with similar treatment.
Oh and by the way I married a Catholic and I am an evangelical. My view of evangelism is to show love and let God seperate His.

Rachel G. | 2:13 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Re Golfer Girl,
Please don't feel you are the only one out there. LDS people shun those who are not active in their church as well. To live in Utah you must fit into the LDS mold and clicks or you will simply be ousted out. Sorry you went through what you have. I am a member and have been treated the same way. I'm thinking about having my membership dropped.

Re: Golfer Gil & Rachel G: | 2:25 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

You guys realize that there are at least as many, if not more inactive and jack mormons in Utah than active members, right? Especially in the Valley. If anything, the active members are mocked and segregated by the ones who don't follow the church's teachings. I grew up watching that, and I'm in my late 20s now. Nobody wanted the LDS kids around, and nobody wants the LDS adults around, because they ruin a good party by not wanting to join in on all the "fun". The LDS kids were left out way more often than the nonmembers were. That's what I saw, and that's what I still see today, not the other way around.

re: James | 3:07 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I think you need to reread the comment by 'um' because you got it backwards. He/she was not saying those things about Golfer Gil or Rachele. He/she was saying that it was unpleasant being called all those things by them. They insulted Mormons terribly.

I am sure there are Mormons who have acted that way, but as someone who has lived many places, I have seen very little of it and when I do, I speak up against LDS members who exclude or are unkind to non-members.

Often, when someone is treated poorly by a member of a specific group, they exaggerate things and believe the whole group is that way. LDS members are constantly counseled to be loving and inclusive to non-members and some don't follow that counsel but most do. Those who don't usually just don't include non-members, very few are actually insulting or unkind to them.

WWJD? | 3:17 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

When you roll in the mud with pigs, you have to expect to get dirty.

What is interesting in this situation is the fact that when it suits them, either side (Mormons or evangelicals) will roll about with the other - and then deny them at the first opportunity.

Kind of makes you wonder - who are the pigs? Or are they both so tarnished there is no longer anyway to tell them apart?

Anonymous | 3:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

As Latter-day Saints, many people often try to point out what we "really believe." (I'm waiting for a book to come out titled "Mormons Don't Really Believe What They Really Believe"). But if we don't truly live what we believe, and if many members treat others horribly, then no one will want to know what we "really believe." We bring "persecution" on ourselves quite often, and it's sad. That is what is harmful about the LDS Church, when members collectively don't live our beliefs. The beliefs are wonderful, and I'm glad I found out "the real truth" on the Internet and joined the LDS Church. But when we go against them and treat others in an un-Christlike manner, it will do more damage to the Church than someone simply pulling an article from a Web site. Let's all wise up (I include myself in this).

Lizzy | 3:42 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Oh, yes she was saying it to Rachel and Golfer Gal. She/She (UM) even mentioned them by name on her post. Do you people know how to tell the TRUTH?

I have seen personally where active members belittle and gossip about someone who isn't active to the point of saying that the person is inactive because they are possessed with the devil, and this is supposedly why they are no longer active. I know a person like this, a friend of mine who I work with and one of the sweetest, inactive LDS, VIRTUOUS people that anyone could ever know, but she's not a active LDS.

What ashame all the hate thrown at people who do not FIT IN! Then you wonder why people don't like the LDS people. Some of you egg-on the hatred.

Josh | 3:59 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

The church is used to persecution, it will deal with it. It is used to hate, it will deal with it. It is used to unfairness, it will deal with it. It will all be OK in the end. Lets hold our tempers and enjoy this season in peace as we celebrate Christ's life.

Danielle | 4:08 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Ah yes, Focus on The Family and other born again groups are happy to climb in bed with the LDS when it comes to PROP 8 AND LET THE MORMONS CARRY THE CAN FOR THEM AND SPEND MILLIONS, but my oh my, do they ever get all worked up over the the Cult Glenn Beck belongs to. Maybe next time they can pay their own way!

Anonymous | 4:15 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

RE: JOSH, QUIT WHINING! Someone needs to deal with you that's for sure. I Hope God deals with a lot of whiny cry babies, who are trouble makers within the church, who speak evil of others who are different, and then go to church and act all pious on sunday-- wherever you may be.

ROBERT | 4:18 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

What is all the fuss about, Evangelicals would not be having a cow if the LDS Newsline pulled a story about Billy Graham like all you LDS are about Beck's book being pulled. LDS think that because Evangelicals don't agree with Mormon doctrine that we are hatemongers. We are only showing you the differences in theology the same as your LDS missionaries do when they come univited knocking on Evangelical doors. I always treat the LDS missionaries with respect when they come visiting just as I would like to be treated by them.

It's out of love and concern for your eternity that Evangelicals try to share our faith with the LDS. It's a shame to see people lashing out to those who are just trying to sharing their faith.

Ross | 4:27 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I have written "Focus on the Family" and explained some of our beliefs about Christ. I also told them to take me off their mailing list because I don't tolerate intolerant bigots.

The main thing the use as a base for their impiety is their concept of the Trinity, which all historians know was invented to calm down Constantine. The LDS believe Jesus was the Son of God and walked the earth as a man, and in the express image of God, as we are, according to the book of Hebrews.

I agree with "switcheroo", I also know who belongs to the false religion. Would the Jesus who pardoned criminals, told the prostitute to go and sin no more, and marveled at the faith of a Roman soldier behave like Dobson? You know he wouldn't. So much for Christian love and understanding. I don't think Dobson would have lasted long as one of the disciples.

Perspective | 4:28 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Just ask yourself one question. What are the leaders of your faith teaching? Listen to what Elder Ballard and other church leaders say about inclusion, tolerance and friendship for members of all faiths.

Compare that with the street preachers during general conference time.

In predominantly LDS Snowflake, AZ they invite all religons to participate in the pioneer day celebration and speak at the local stake center. The baptist minister's wife was there and spoke. It was a wonderful program.

Compare that to what happened in this article.

You can find examples of inconsiderate and intolerant people in any group. The question is are they following what they are being taught of are they being disobedient.

basement writ | 4:42 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

It is interesting that one of the fundamental differences between LDS and most of the Judeo-Christian world is the nature of God because of the Nicean Creed (sp). If people would do their research on who/what actually formulated this, they might be a little more open to LDS view. The opposing view in the Creed Council didn't even bother to show up (the Bishop of Rome for one), because Rome felt like that they (the heads of the churches at that time) "deciding" what the nature of God was, was, in the first place, ridiculous. Second, they knew that Constantine (even though conciliatory towards Christians) was still a pagan and would have a heavy say in the decision. They stayed home.

Hmm Danielle | 4:46 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I know LDS enjoy playing the martyr, but many may not be aware just how involved the LDS were in this proposition. They contributed approx. 70%. It's like usual with them: They persecute people (maybe not always knowing it) and then they feel persecuted themsevles!

ROBERT | 5:27 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

TO ROSS: To disagree with another's faith doesn't constitute bigotry. Focus on the Family has every right to pull Becks story because of Beck's LDS faith differs from their faith. Evangelicals follow the Biblical view of the nature of who God is, the Diety of Jesus and the gospel message which is totally different than Joseph Smith's view of the nature of God and the LDS view of Jesus and the gospel.

By the way Ross, the Trinity was taught in the Gospel of John long before Constantine.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us

Even the Book of Mormon teaches the trinity!
For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time. (2 Nephi 11:7)

ignoramuses | 5:57 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Many years ago a learned man, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, came to Utah and spoke from the stand of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. I became well acquainted with him, and we conversed freely and frankly. A great scholar, with perhaps a dozen languages at his tongue's end, he seemed to know all about theology, law, literature, science and philosophy. One day he said to me: 'You Mormons are all ignoramuses. You don't even know the strength of your own position. It is so strong that there is only one other tenable in the whole Christian world, and that is the position of the Catholic Church. The issue is between Catholicism and Mormonism. If we are right, you are wrong; if you are right, we are wrong; and that's all there is to it. The Protestants haven't a leg to stand on.

ignoramuses | 5:59 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

For if we are wrong, they are wrong with us, since they were a part of us and went out from us; while if we are right, they are apostates whom we cut off long ago. If we have the apostolic succession from St. Peter, as we claim, there is no need of Joseph Smith and Mormonism; but if we have not that succession, then such a man as Joseph Smith was necessary, and Mormonism's attitude is the only consistent one. It is either the perpetuation of the gospel from ancient times, or the restoration of the gospel in latter days.' "

Marvelous Work and a Wonder

re: Lizzy | 6:12 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Please reread what 'Um' wrote...very carefully. If you still don't get it, get an education and then read it again.

This is the rudest thing I've ever written on the internet but I am sick of the mud people throw and they just expect the LDS to take it and say thanks and apologize for living. Then they say we whine. Well, for the first time (and hopefully the last) I am going to whine and say, wake up and use logic.

Ignoramus | 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Hey, 6:12 PM Dec/29/2008
Don't get so HUNG UP man! You better think about practicing what you preach and behave yourself on here.

Anonymous | 6:34 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

People need to quit dividing themselves. Every person is the same. We are all the same. No matter your religion, socioeconomic backgroud, culture, etc... we are all the same...I think it is funny how many people think "mormons" hate them because they're not a mormon....well don't you "hate" someone if they don't fit in your "group" in general in any culture, socioeconomic group, religious, business atmosphere, etc? So why is it that people feel like the mormons don't like them because they are not mormon? If any religion that loves all people (doesn't mean they don't stand up for what is right) but they still love all people... do you know how gay people are/were mormon? I have several friends and family that are gay...yep. Do i love them and want happiness for them? ...Yep... Do I expect morality with my children gay or not? Yep. Can you be moral being straight? yep. Can you be moral being Gay? if you have a gay relationship... nope. Imorallity is the key.

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