Reader comments
Noah Feldman: A majority of Americans have no idea what Mormons believe
316 comments | Read story
Hey Tinker Toy | 3:47 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008
There hasn't at anytime been abuse of women in the church with out
disciplinary action taking place. The Church has always talked about women with
the utmost respect and treated them as equals.
not always true? | 3:51 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008
Now that's a very nice speech "J. Smith."
Now if you don't mind, explain for us the accusations in 1 Nephi 14 where all churches are "an abomination" in the Book of Mormon.
Or is the Book of Mormon not always true?
thanks for your time.
Peace be with you.
Now if you don't mind, explain for us the accusations in 1 Nephi 14 where all churches are "an abomination" in the Book of Mormon.
Or is the Book of Mormon not always true?
thanks for your time.
Peace be with you.
Comments continue below
I too, was taught | 4:31 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008
That people just like to "sling mud" at the LDS church because they
can't live it. I was also taught to believe that "the devil works
over-time" to get people to NOT believe in the "true" church.
Then after many years I came to the realization that it was the church that was actually making excuses for all their "gray" areas. When I truly studied with a clear mind (not just church stuff) I found out the truth.
Check it out....if you truly want to know you can find out as I did that no church is totally "true".
God is all around us in nature and is Love.
God Bless
Then after many years I came to the realization that it was the church that was actually making excuses for all their "gray" areas. When I truly studied with a clear mind (not just church stuff) I found out the truth.
Check it out....if you truly want to know you can find out as I did that no church is totally "true".
God is all around us in nature and is Love.
God Bless
J. Smith | 4:32 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008
You are absolutely right. In 1 Nephi it does talk about a great and abominable
church. We have talked about other churches being abominations. I reiterate
what we said before. We love all people, but all the other churches are not
God's church. If any church does not have the complete gospel of Jesus
Christ then it is not his Church and if it is not his church then it is the
Church of Satan. This says nothing about calling people themselves abominations,
just the churches that teach that they are God's church and lead people
away from the one and only true church.
Mormons just consistent w/ Bible | 4:43 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008
Interesting spin in this article. As if beliefs should depend on how we're
received. I quote:
"To put it bluntly, the combination of secret mysteries and resistance in the face of oppression has made it increasingly difficult for Mormons to talk openly and successfully with outsiders about their religious beliefs."
Actually, it becomes more difficult to share our beliefs with people outside of our faith, when 1) those people demand to know what we hold sacred, without knowing fundamental truths (These form the basis of deeper understandings), which we openly share, and/or 2) when people choose to oppress our open beliefs.
B/c
#1) God doesn't have to reveal his secrets to everyone. Read Amos 3:7. God doesn't do anything until he first reveals His secret to His prophets. Are we angry at God for keeping secrets from us? To think God is corrupt in keeping secrets from those of us who are not ready, is blasphemous. He can do what He wants. He is at the head of true religion.
#2) God's church doesn't resist or effect change, due to oppression (Or outside influences). God doesn't change, but some principles (polygamy, priesthood), will require the people to be ready.
"To put it bluntly, the combination of secret mysteries and resistance in the face of oppression has made it increasingly difficult for Mormons to talk openly and successfully with outsiders about their religious beliefs."
Actually, it becomes more difficult to share our beliefs with people outside of our faith, when 1) those people demand to know what we hold sacred, without knowing fundamental truths (These form the basis of deeper understandings), which we openly share, and/or 2) when people choose to oppress our open beliefs.
B/c
#1) God doesn't have to reveal his secrets to everyone. Read Amos 3:7. God doesn't do anything until he first reveals His secret to His prophets. Are we angry at God for keeping secrets from us? To think God is corrupt in keeping secrets from those of us who are not ready, is blasphemous. He can do what He wants. He is at the head of true religion.
#2) God's church doesn't resist or effect change, due to oppression (Or outside influences). God doesn't change, but some principles (polygamy, priesthood), will require the people to be ready.
Anonymous | 5:46 p.m. Jan. 10, 2008
Sorry J. Smith
The only way you can call a church and its adherents "an abomination" and "love them" is if you are a full-blown schizophrenic.
The only way you can call a church and its adherents "an abomination" and "love them" is if you are a full-blown schizophrenic.
Respecting women | 5:31 a.m. Jan. 11, 2008
"The Church has always talked about women with the utmost respect and
treated them as equals"
Not so. Some of it's leaders made some seemingly misogynist remarks. Here are some from Heber Kimball.
I think no more of taking another wife than I do of buying a cow." - Apostle Heber C. Kimball, The Twenty Seventh Wife, Irving Wallace, p. 101.
Speaking to a group of departing missionaries... "Brethren, I want you to understand that it is not to be as it has been heretofore. The brother missionaries have been in the habit of picking out the prettiest women for themselves before they get here, and bringing on the ugly ones for us; hereafter you have to bring them all here before taking any of them, and let us all have a fair shake." - Apostle Heber C. Kimball, The Lion of the Lord, New York, 1969, pp.129-30.
Not so. Some of it's leaders made some seemingly misogynist remarks. Here are some from Heber Kimball.
I think no more of taking another wife than I do of buying a cow." - Apostle Heber C. Kimball, The Twenty Seventh Wife, Irving Wallace, p. 101.
Speaking to a group of departing missionaries... "Brethren, I want you to understand that it is not to be as it has been heretofore. The brother missionaries have been in the habit of picking out the prettiest women for themselves before they get here, and bringing on the ugly ones for us; hereafter you have to bring them all here before taking any of them, and let us all have a fair shake." - Apostle Heber C. Kimball, The Lion of the Lord, New York, 1969, pp.129-30.
To J. Smith | 5:39 a.m. Jan. 11, 2008
"So it is either The LDS Church, Baptist church, Seventh Day Adventist,
Catholic, or any one of the hundreds of religions out there. Which one is it?
you tell me what you think."
I used to share the same point of view as you and am quite comfortable in saying, "It's not that simple".
I used to share the same point of view as you and am quite comfortable in saying, "It's not that simple".
Fundamental truths | 6:00 a.m. Jan. 11, 2008
"those people demand to know what we hold sacred, without knowing
fundamental truths "
How many Latter Day Saints do you know that understand the all of the symbolism in the endowment ceremony and aren't confused about it? I won't go into specifics as to not break posting rules (even though it's factual it may be screened as "offensive"), but the ceremony is ripe with symbolism and I never encountered a member that understood it aside from the very, very basic function of the ceremonies themselves.
How many Latter Day Saints do you know that understand the all of the symbolism in the endowment ceremony and aren't confused about it? I won't go into specifics as to not break posting rules (even though it's factual it may be screened as "offensive"), but the ceremony is ripe with symbolism and I never encountered a member that understood it aside from the very, very basic function of the ceremonies themselves.
To Fundamental truths | 3:47 p.m. Jan. 11, 2008
I don't know anyone who knows all truth (And is therefore not confused
about something). However, I know God is the source of all truth; I know how
and where to find His truths; and I know He only offers His truths precept upon
precept, as we are ready to receive them, and according to His will and timing.
That's the point! Not even God will explain His mysteries to you or I as we want them, without us first knowing foundational principles that support those deeper truths. In other words, it is unfair for people to hold members of any faith accountable for sharing their deepest doctrines, without first understanding the basic core doctrines.
Learning about God is humbling, and merits a return to the basics for anyone I have ever met. We all get confused. But we should not dismiss someones beliefs, just because it is confusing to us. God knows many things that are beyond my understanding, but does that mean He is untrue? For example: I don't tell God He must explain how He can answer everyone's prayers, before I will believe in Him. That's a confusing mystery; yet, I still have faith to pray.
That's the point! Not even God will explain His mysteries to you or I as we want them, without us first knowing foundational principles that support those deeper truths. In other words, it is unfair for people to hold members of any faith accountable for sharing their deepest doctrines, without first understanding the basic core doctrines.
Learning about God is humbling, and merits a return to the basics for anyone I have ever met. We all get confused. But we should not dismiss someones beliefs, just because it is confusing to us. God knows many things that are beyond my understanding, but does that mean He is untrue? For example: I don't tell God He must explain how He can answer everyone's prayers, before I will believe in Him. That's a confusing mystery; yet, I still have faith to pray.
Ary Sala | 12:39 a.m. Jan. 14, 2008
May I give my testimony to all who are interested in the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints. Since my baptism in 1967 I have been a faithful member and
received many blessings of my faithfulness in many different times of my life.
In 1982 I lost my first wife and mother of eight children, the youngest one was
two years old. I can honestly say that because of the teachings of the church, I
was able to function well under the pressing circumstances. Being a Mormon
means to me that I have a lot of advantages, mainly because of the knowledge I
have received what life here on earth is all about. I challenge anyone who is
humble and sincere to ask God our Father if the Book of Mormon is true. I know
it is true and you can know it to! It's only a HUMBLE prayer away as
millions found out before. Try it!
One warning, it is not easy to live the life of a Latter Day Saint there are sacrifices to be made, But It Is All Worth It! It will give peace in all facets of your life.
One warning, it is not easy to live the life of a Latter Day Saint there are sacrifices to be made, But It Is All Worth It! It will give peace in all facets of your life.
Bearing testimony | 4:32 a.m. Jan. 14, 2008
The odds are good that most people reading this have heard the typical testimony
bearing, and the odds are good it won't make a lick of difference.
It's unfortunate that the critics of the church tend to come to these articles and discussions with verifiable facts and historical accounts while members often times end up going "I can't hear you. La la la".
It's unfortunate that the critics of the church tend to come to these articles and discussions with verifiable facts and historical accounts while members often times end up going "I can't hear you. La la la".
The filtering system | 5:38 p.m. Jan. 14, 2008
The filtering system here is...questionable. Critical responses with documented
historical accounts to unfounded claims of historicity and the like from
believers has a *very* hard time making it past the filter no matter how civil
the response.
Pat Ashcraft | 6:40 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I read the article but the article didn't tell me a thing about the Mormon
faith. If I want you to know about mine I would choose my words wisely and make
it know what I believe. I believe only the Bible is God's inspired word. I
believe Jesus is the Son of God, was born of a virgin, died on the cross to pay
for my sins, rose in three days from the grave and when I asked Him to forgive
me and save me from the bottom of my heart, the Holy Spirit moved in and filled
up all the empty places inside me. I finally found the thing that satisified me
for the first time in my life. True belief in Jesus made me whole for the first
time. I knew it was from God because He didn't ask me to do anything but
believe He was God enough to save and keep me. Now, why can't someone
write a simple article that says exactly what a Mormon believes? Maybe I'm
missing it but this article didn't explain the Mormon faith at all. What
do they believe?
Anonymous | 2:29 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Only a Mormon would be naive enought to believe a Middle Eastern Princess would
be satisfied being married to a guy parking cars in Vegas. And only a Mormoman
Marine smuggling in a Middle Eastern woman into a post 9-11 USA would be naive
enough not to believe parking those cars would be the end result.
I think it's highly possible the love was very real but the youthful stupidity in both of them also was.
I think it's highly possible the love was very real but the youthful stupidity in both of them also was.
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
Related content
- Stocks ended higher 2:59 p.m.
- S.L. County OKs budget, tax increase 2:45 p.m.
- 20 years ago: Jazz 2:44 p.m.
- College football top 25 2:43 p.m.
- UVU volleyball comes up short 2:42 p.m.
- Workers prepare for 2010 Census 2:37 p.m.
- Man sentenced in W. Jordan homicide 2:31 p.m.
- In football, Horns are cash cow 2:26 p.m.
- Tips for beating holiday blues 2:26 p.m.
- The buzz on table saws 2:25 p.m.
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU
- Max Hall wants to look ahead
- Non-BCS schools not given fair shot
- Snow brings big chill
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- Jazz go up against 'the best'
- Many seek to wipe clean misdeeds
- Haws playing like a veteran
- Doctor calls Mitchell 'naive,' 'inept'
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
286 - Letters: Global warming a lie225
- TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl206
- BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall175
- Cougars going back to Vegas150
- Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil145
- Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax130
- George lost in rivalry hatefest121
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony100
- Revive full food tax?98
Latest comments
I, for one, agree that although impractical, they should have maybe gated...
Montreal has continually shown through their performance in the Champions...
So an $8 dollar ticket with hype sells for $25...no big deal right?? It's...
Actually, the very fact that this IS an issue big enough that so many of you...
"But every team you named who has lost to a bad team has a winning road...
"Why not encourage investments and expansion all around, instead of trying to...
I agree that this a lovely photo.
Can't we resurrect Chick Hearn? These Johnny Most (former Celtics play by...
re: BobP | 2:13 p.m. Dec. 9, 2009 Not to mention all of those w/ common...
Those who do not remember history are condemned to relive it. - Georges...
Advertisements
I think all religions are wrong wrong! There are no two ways about it. And to..Under the carpet PLEASE! i totally agree with you. It absolutely nothing to be proud of.
Someday someone will come out and apologize for the abuse of woman.... If their man enough, Which I believe modern Mormons are.