Why do Mormon's spend so much time reaffirming their belief and telling stories that for the faithful should come as no surprise? I really am curious; please don't not post this because you think I'm ill-willed in doing so.

Here comes the cynic.

Big deal. So let me get this right - he did what he believed to be right and what he's supposed to do, wow - congratulations you're like the 50,000+ other missionaries out there. Stories like this irk me. So his willingness to serve a mission is somehow better then the devotion and sacrifice of any other Elder or Sister because he can play baseball? I'm pleased he decide to serve a mission and follow the commandments he feels to be true, but because he can pitch it makes his story more special? Why do we need articles like this, patting someone on the back for doing something that hundreds of thousands of others have anonymously done for decades, and many at probably a greater sacrifice than not playing baseball for two years.

John,

You make a good point. It is almost as if they are trying to reassure themselves. But why do you need reassurance unless there is some deep-seated doubts about your beliefs?

So they identify all the Mormons who have accomplished anything, then tell their "faith promoting" stories to reassure one another that their beliefs are (after all) "true" and "correct", but simultaneously they reaffirm that there are serious questions and doubts that REQUIRE reaffirmation!

More importantly, they tend to want to selectively tell such stories as Guthrie's (or their own history) to make things seem MORE faith-promoting than they really would otherwise be. Trust me when I tell you there is a LOT more to Guthrie's story than what you read here. If you knew the whole truth, it would not seem so "inspirational".

Hey John, in answer to your question I would first say that all faiths benefit from faith affirming stories, not just Mormons. The reason for this is that the Human species is quick to forget what they know and what they've experienced and it's good to be reminded. And while it's better to live on your own light and faith, sometimes we subsist on "borrowed light" to make it through times when we've strayed or have had a hard time feeling God's presence ourselves. I my self have gone through such a self inflicted spiritual "drought", and hearing faith affirming stories helped through those hard times until I was ready to come back.

So do not be so quick to make the weakness of men into a weakness of faith in general. Hopefully that answers your question.

Human nature. We all have a religion (way of life) we affirm regularly, whether our religion is sports, going to the bar every Friday night with the same people etc.. It's human nature to crave affirmation. LDS, like others, are inspired by stories of like minded people who live and act on priciples. We need more role models that put faith and character ahead of opportunity.

Bravo "The Weakness of Men", you hit the nail on the head. For me, having a son soon to be 19, it is wonderful to read about someone who has a much tougher decision to make, than my son, has chosen to put others before himself, and his career, to serve the Lord.

How many high-ranked Mormon high school athletes have taken time off for missions then later turned into top nitch pros?

Danny Ainge didn't go that route, nor Steve Young.

People playing skill positions just can't afford to take two years off. It's two prime years spent not training at what you're good at. It doesn't matter how worthy the cause. They might as well spend two years trawling through Bangkok bordellos.

I think giving up two years to serve a mission (and have doors slammed in your face, get yelled at, be made fun of, put up with bad companions, eat bad food, etc., etc.) is a sacrifice whether or not you give up being in the limelight like baseball for a while or something else. We all make sacrifices when we go. I gave up a 1.4 GPA after my first semester at college to go! It was a great decision and changed my life for the better.

Why would any one turn this in to a negative article? I served a mission but knew whatever career path I chose would still be available when I returned. That is much more difficult for athletes, especially baseball players. The fact that they put faith first, risking their dream of becoming a major league baseball player and risking millions of dollars, is a great story that people of any faith should find inspiring. I'm glad they were still able to make it to the big leagues and are performing well.

Because I served a mission I know and understand the sacrifice that is made to do so. First off, serving a mission is NOT a commandment. It is something that every 19 year old young mand needs to decide if he wants to do. I was never commanded to serve a mission for my church. I understand the sacrifice that was made from me and from my family and I was just a 19 year old high school graduate. I know that thousands sacrifice every week to serve the Lord but I think that it goes to show this young man who give up one thing that he loves with that of baseball for someone he loves even more his Heavenly Father. It just goes to show that Jeremy, just like the thousands that walk through the MTC every week, love and care for those they come in contact with, those that they teach, and the one Man that walked this earth that loved all of us more then Himself. Thank you to all those that decide to serve the Lord through missionary service. Strangers are family members we haven't yet met.

Why do people who hate Mormons feel they must come on to this Web site and rip them to shreds?

Thanks for your thoughtful responses--which is why I'm surprised that a couple commenters wonder why this was turned into something negative. Indeed, this is one of the nicer forum responses I've seen in a while. Please don't confuse intelligent discourse with negativity; that seems to be a trait of those who were or are told never to question their faith or their clergy--no matter the religion.

Matt: Going to the Temple, reading the scriptures, or praying daily, are NOT commandments either. But they are practices that all good Mormons are expected to do. Same with serving a full-time mission. All young men who are worthy, and in good health, are expected to serve.

John and Re John
Why do you care? What is it to you?

"Faith promoting stories" are a necessary ingredient in *any* enterprise requiring an initial input of faith such as marketing, sales, starting a businesses, or even traveling abroad. Religion isn't the only endeavor requiring such a "crutch" (if one persists in thinking of it that way), and Mormonism is scarcely the only religion utilizing this technique to bridge the all-too human gap between faith and doubt.

My son is a good pitcher and great athlete. He has a real shot at athletic scholarships. Taking two years from the very peak of his marketability as an athlete is darn near a death-blow to his dream of playing as a pro. For young men like him choosing to serve a mission requires faith that is orders of magnitude beyond what is required of most, some who take a year or two out of their lives just to "find themselves" before seriouse career preparation.

I know, because I was one of them, and I never did get around to serving a mission, something I now greatly regret. As I encourage my son to make the right choice, stories like this are simply invaluable.

This guy was in my mission, and the article is right, nobody knew this guy's talent on the ball field.

Some people can't stand to feel like they are being judged, even if it is just a story about somebody making good, be it American Idol, baseball, politics, whatever. They can't stand feeling judged... so they judge others.

And I guess I do judge. I judge these two successful young men to have found a way to do it right. They aren't the only ones, but their story IS positive and it IS inspiring and it in no way is judgmental of anyone who may have made a different decision.

I am sorry for the experiences you may have had that cause you to read something totally positive and only see something negative.

Reply to Scotty:
I agree with you on that one point that we are encouraged to go on a mission and not commanded. Besides the early saints or a member of the general authority, I do not know a single person that was ever commanded to go on a mission. The church wants strong, able men and woman, who are willing to go out and serve the Lord for a year and a half or two years that WANT to be there. Because it is not a commandment and they are out there for the right reasons that is when we see the miracles happen. Remember, "yea that are commanded in all things is nothing more then a slothful and foolish servant". If you ever served a mission you would understand very quick that if you didn't go out on the desire to serve the Lord and build His kingdom you would break. I am glad that I CHOSE to serve the Lord on a mission and was not "Commanded." I'm glad that I CHOOSE to go to the temple. Thank you to all those that have made the choice to serve the Lord.

jw: Why do you care what I care? What's it to you? I'm exercising my free agency to be curious and ask questions. I didn't mean to threaten you or anyone else.

RE: Dirk

Yes, him choosing to serve a mission, which risks his baseball career is better than somebody who chooses to serve a mission who is just sacrificing two years of their life with no risk to their careers.

Guthrie's story is nothing.

Not long ago there was a professional football player who sacrificed his football career to serve in the military: Pat Tillman. He didn't just sacrifice a contract offer of $3.6 million over three years from the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army, he sacrificed his life!

Now THAT is a hero, and THAT is a story!

Interestingly, when I played with Tillman at Arizona State, he was known as a thinker. He was not religious, but he did read a Book of Mormon someone gave to him. He was more curious than religious.

These two mormon boys don't play on Sunday right? Keep the sabbath day holy right? Oh yeah the mighty dollar made them forget about that. What a couple of cheese balls! For two years they were all about the sabbath day...but now they play baseball what a load!

No Dirk Strongjaw, its not that he can pitch that makes him special.Guthrie got drafted out of high school, was flown to New York and the Mets offered him 1 Million to sign with them on the spot! He had already made the commitment to serve a mission and asked if it would be waiting for him when he got back! We know what the answer was! Did you turn down 1 mill as an 18 year old to play a game you loved? yea, didn't think so! It was a risk he took on faith that has intern paid several mill! Wow! guess he is NOT like the 50,000+ including you and I. maybe thats why they are writing articles about him and not us. Sorry that hurts you feelings, but of that 50,000+ 49,000+ would have taken the money, including you!

K-Dawg, Your a load! Of every one who has read your post I wonder how many would want to hang out with you over Guthrie. Pull your pants up, you look silly with them half way down your legs.

FormerLDSAthlete, Folding Tillman's towels does not make you a former athlete!