Comments about ‘Jimmer Fredette called 'greatest Mormon missionary'’

Why go there?

Let the kid play ball. Leave the missionary thing out of it.

A bit too much of "wearing your religion on your sleeve" if you ask me.

He speaks for himself, don't impose that on him, you are not doing him any favors.

Stop it.

Bluto,

Isn't that what's it all about? It saves a lot of door knocking and bicycle tires.

I like Jimmer, and this issue is not his fault.

But this is over the top. A missionary is ordained to teach the gospel by the Spirit, in order to help individuals be converted by that Spirit.

Confusing that process with good PR does no one any favors.

Calm down people.

The purpose of a missionary is to spread the LDS gospel doctrine and to stand as examples and ambassadors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As long as Jimmer continues to conduct himself honorably, abiding by the standards and purposes of the LDS church, he is as good as any missionary in the field. Even more effective.

Having an LDS star athlete like Jimmer brings positive attention to BYU and to the LDS church. Much like Steve Young and Mitt Romney. It raises awareness, curiosity, and leads to understanding. People begin to ask questions about the church, because they see how these LDS athletes live their lives.

Many people have a negative perception of the church and of its members. For example, the LDS church is still tied to polygamy in most parts of the country. Very disappointing. Since the church has not practiced polygamy for 100+ years. National and international exposure is the only way to resolve the problem. Of course, there will always be people that prefer to see the Church in a negative standpoint (hedgehog).

But athletes playing on ESPN reach out like no proselyting missionary could.

Hedgie...it doesn't change anything.

There's still "No Joy" in in Ann Arbor

Why is this guy feeding this line. Has nothing to do with Basketball

Jimmer is no more, or more less, a missionary than every other member of church that is not serving an actual mission call. We are all missionaries through the example we set. In that respect Jimmer does an excellent job by all I have seen, heard and read.

So yes BYU's sports programs are a missionary tool for the church in that they are an example of excellence and a means for exposure for the church. But BYU athletes are not serving missionaries anymore than any of the rest of us.

First off, bleacher report is an open blog for an fan to blog about that. Including anything from that site in a newspaper article is fairly laughable.

Second off, read Val's blog regarding BYU athletes and missions. No exceptions here.

Third, BYU fans are hypocritical. Bronco use to brag about how few non-BYU LDS athletes go on missions, yet, when BYU's stars don't go, no one blinks an eye..

Funny I've never heard ND or their local media referr that their athletes were so sort of ambassadors for the Catholic Church....

Advice? Subtle is always better than being beaten over the head.

Hedgehog

How many catholic faith based universities are there in the US? Quite a few, including ND, Boston College, Georgetown, Gonzaga, and countless others. Not to mention the catholic church has been around for thousands of years. All you have to do is crack open a history book and read about the crusades. Always enlightening.

But there is only 1 major LDS faith based school. And that is BYU. It is nationally known and recognized as a mormon school, which inspires a large national fan base and also a mass of hateful anti-mormon fans that take every opportunity to bash it. Sound familiar?
Also the LDS church has only been around about 190 years. And as I said before, many people are under false understandings of LDS practices and lifestyles.

So BYU, including all of its athletes represent not only the University but the entire faith in their actions and success.

Timp

Remember a little something called agency? Bronco cannot and should not control whether or not his players choose to serve a mission. Are we supposed to outcast those who choose not to serve?

Pathetic.

Promoting the idea of Fredette as a missionary is quite simply an embarrassment to the DN, the Church and an affront to those who actually serve as ordained missionaries.

When Fredette is honored as a missionary in this way it encourages other young men to justify the idea that a "BYU athletic" mission is an acceptable substitute for service as an ordained missionary as Church leaders council.

As an outsider, it is interesting to see the reaction to this well written article. I enjoy the local sports scene and for me personally who is not a member of Jimmer's faith I have taken notice to his exemplarily behavior. In fact, I think some of those boys are excellent role models.

Please do not insult those of us who send our sons out for two years away from their family to serve as missionaries, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Apparently there is no requirement to read the article before commenting...

Greatest? Not too sure about that. However, depending on context, I understand the statement. In light of the sheer numbers of people who might take a second look at the Church, it is the greatest since Donny Osmond.

Jimmer is doing a great job at bringing PR to the Church. Well done and keep it up! At the same time, thanks to all of the young men and women as well as senior couples who are serving full time missions. Their sacrifice should in no way be minimized. At the end of the day, there may be a bit of the widow's mite in all of this. Thanks to those who are giving their all to serve the Lord where they have been called.

Quite a few athletes do go on missions and come back and are succesful. I don't know why Freddete did not go on a mission. But the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants tells every young man what to do.

If the prophet asks everyone to go on a mission that is worthy and able and the Lord is no respector of persons he will not exempt star athletes. IF you don't live church standards you don't get into byu. Such as word of wisdom and chastity.

Joe J Christensen October 1996, William r Bradford Priesthood session 1981 said everyone is to go on missions no excuses.

Jimmer is a great athlete and can help byu. He is a public figure. Nice if he like all star athletes go on mission proophet called them on then came back and played.

Jonah thought he had a better mission look were it got him.

Deseret News didn't say he is the greatest mormon missionary, they said that a BLOG said that he's the greatest mormon missionary.

If you're going to complain, then read the article first and complain for the right reason. An acceptable complaint would have been something like, "Why is this news?" Or, "Who cares what a BLOG said about a basketball player who happens to also be mormon?"

Blogging: Never have so many people, with so little to say, said so much, to so few.

A new Gospel Doctrine teacher in my ward who grew up Catholic talked today about how her older sisters were so enamored with the Osmonds that they wrote the Church to ask for missionaries to come teach them what the Osmonds believed in. The entire family joined the Church.

I hadn't ever known anyone who was an Osmond convert (meaning their meaningful introduction to the Church began with knowing about the Osmonds...). I have heard of others who's first introduction to the Church was Steve Young. I'm sure if Jimmer keeps living his standards and is the humble, classy guy he is, that there will be those who are introduced to the Church be him.

Jimmer may not have served a mission, but there is no doubt that he is currently the most widely publicized Mormon in the United States right now, and as such is bringing attention to the teachings he espouses as set forth in the scriptures and teachings of latter day apostles and prophets. On that basis alone he is introducing people to the Church and in a positive light through his character and faith.

He is the most widely known member missionary.

No one is forced to go on a Mormon mission. I went, my 3 sons and both son-in-laws went, I hope all my grandchildren get to go. Wonderful experience. Helped each of us become better people.

I hope Jimmer chooses to go on a mission. Maybe he'll become a Mission President like several athletes. Right now he is pursuing his dream of playing in the NBA. Good luck Jimmer.

"Every member a missionary"

"The Lord works in mysterious ways"

People thinking about Jimmer and his religion will logically lead to more people asking questions.