Comments about ‘'Mormons Rock!' says Newsweek cover story about LDS Church, Mitt Romney’

Too bad Mitt is the "representative" Mormon. Born surrounded with silver spoons? Predator capitalist? Says whatever he thinks will get him votes?

article: "...go on to argue that this hesitancy is unwarranted."

Maybe this hesitancy on the part of Mormons to have anything to do with the media is they don't want to be a party to the ridiculousness that passes as "journalism at its finest" ---like the Front Line/American Experience totally embarrassing debacle: The Mormons.

We have many friends in the Bible Belt who think we as LDS are WAY weirder after seeing that, than they ever did before, when it was just their Evangelical leaders fueling the anti-Mormon, "look how odd Mormons are" fire.

Fellow Mormons, we still have a fairly long way to go, so we better develop very thick skin and let these things roll right off.

We know what we are about, and it isn't popularity. Besides, what can they possibly say that hasn't already been said.

Let's ignore all this stuff and keep moving.

I hope Mitt Romney will remember the type of neighborhoods where Mormon missionaries are accepted and act accordingly.

"...of the 15 Mormons currently serving in the U.S. Congress ... only the four who represent districts with substantial Mormon populations... {were willing to speak 'on the record' about their faith".

As "representatives" of their faith, that means only about 27% of Mormons are not ashamed.

That's about right.

I just read the article. Somewhere I've seen this before; nothing new, same template. Good people, weird religion. Being LDS I have given up on any news publication or program getting it right. And I don't care anymore. I'm happy I'm weird with all the rest of us.

As an LDS journalist/broadcaster, it's frustrating that journalists don't have to do homework when it comes to Mormons. When I write any articles on religious organizations, I bend over backwards to ensure they are painted in a fair light. If a public official says anything that mocks gays or racial group, they are reprimanded swiftly, but if Mormons are lampooned, it's OK. No, don't give me the rhetoric that it's because the Church is true and that's part of the price to pay. True journalists need to do their due diligence on every topic, regardless of what it is, even if it means treating Mormons like everyone else.

ironyguy, your criticism of Mitt perfectly describes every politician in America, so perhaps a different comparision would mean something.

Also, I can think of much worse representing the LDS church.

I would say that if President Obama represents the "Christians" of America,
then they use a poor system to measure true Christian values.

Regardless, if a national publication includes a few positive remarks about the LDS church, then maybe it will clear the air and open a few minds.
If not, the church will move forward regardless.

We just need to make sure that we as LDS members are being the example of what we believe.

I've never thought of Mormon people as "weird." I've always thought of them as good people on the whole. A bit superior sometimes, but other groups are much worse in that regard. Often the first to jump in and help in a pretty altruistic fashion.
The religion itself and it's roots and present day mingling in politics are what I can't handle. While I find other beliefs just as strange and difficult to understand, I can't take the controlling nature of Mormonism and the paternalistic stances taken by the leadership. These stances hurt many and empower the power hungry. I've met many a good Mormon who has the ability to live and let live and still keep the commandments of their church, but Mormonism is not a religion for the shallow or the power hungry. By which I mean to say, if you are shallow and power hungry--it might be just the religion for you.
Still in all, being a Christian myself--I'll take my chances with a Mormon over a Born Again Evangelical any day of the week.

I am disappointed in McKay Coppins agreeing to and/or promoting this cover.

I was a fan of his when he was back writing at the des News, and for some of his early work at Newsweek.

This cover is intended to provoke, and to sell magazines, not to convey positive things about the LDS Church, as he suggests.

If Newsweek was looking to be fair, there would have been a great cover, not one that conveys a stupid, lets make fun, caricature like it does.

Regarding the relatively small percentage of LDS in congress who were willing to discuss their faith in detail, appreciate that the matter of Church unity can put some politicians in a tough spot. Mormon unity means being in agreement on EVERY major issue, how can LDS in non-Mormon majority districts finesse this?

I'm just glad I won't vote for a morman.

A scientist; Sounds like your only one "M" away from being a Mormon yourself.

bgl; Shallow and power hungry are two things the LDS church teaches it's members not to be. Look up "The Articles of Faith". They give a pretty good understanding of what the LDS faith is taught. Perhaps you have different values than what the LDS church teaches or you disagree with an agenda they support such as gay marriage or abortion and that affects you view of their beliefs. Everyone has their opinion and the right to fight for their causes or beliefs. That includes the LDS church and yourself. Not everyone of the LDS faith have the same attitudes or opinions.

The LDS church teaches love and kindness towards all people. They also teach their members to take a stand against evil of all kind which to them includes issues such as abortion and perversion of any kind.
Not to persecute people for their behavior but to help them understand it violates God's laws.
Love the sinner but hate the sin.

Hi bgl--I've been a Mormon my entire life and I've never considered it to be a controlling, shallow, power-hungry, paternalistic religion ever. There ARE INDIVIDUALS in the Mormon church who sinfully act that way, but you will find those kinds of people in EVERY religion. It's been my experience that if you are shallow and/or power-hungry--Mormonism is not for you because it takes a very deep and child-like humble commitment to live all the tenets of our faith. If you believe in the Bible where prophets saw God, had visions, interpreted tongues, wrote scripture, preached, had plural wives (practiced polygamy), were involved politically, etc. then I don't see how you can have a problem with Mormonism and its roots. It's all the same stuff, it just happened in modern-day times. Nowhere in the Bible does it say it would never happen again. Thanks for being willing to vote for a Mormon over someone else--not too many of you out there! :)

As a non-LDS homosexual (not someone who people would stereotypically think of as being sympathetic); I find it interesting that people complain about Mormon politics, yet didnt we give MLK a holiday for using the pulpit for political purposes? Guess it depends on what the politics are.

The idea that religion should be exempted from having freedom of speech was an unintended consequence of LBJ using federal law to ban non-profits from engaging in politics (because he wanted to silence some that were hostile to his election). Yet today; many non-profits seem to skirt the issue. For example: why is Planned Parenthood involved in politics when it is non-profit for tax purposes AND it receives federal funds. Double standard here: I am far more offended by a non-profit taking tax money engaging in politics than I am a non-profit religion who does not use my money. I find most Mormon critics a bit duplicitous.

TJ, if I remember right, we often disagree when it comes to sports but you are right on with your comment today.

People struggle to realize that the way some Mormons act is not a representation of what the Church teaches.

I have a gay friend who was complaining to me the other day about the LDS Church because of a conversation he had with a member who had harshly condemned him for being gay. Because of the actions of this person, my friend had turned against the Church as a whole. I told him that the Church doesn't teach hatred toward anyone and I related to him an incident that happened to another friend of mine who was sexually abused by a gay man. Did the actions of that gay man mean that all gay men, including my friend, were sexual predators? Hardly. Likewise, the actions of one member of the Church are not an indication of the Church in general.

The teachings of the LDS Church are, I believe, perfect; not a single member is.

McKay Coppins, don't be so proud of your work in this article. I would have expected a lot more. I don't think you did the church many favors with whatever your "contribution" was. "Mormons always hear about the Church coming out of obscurity," Coppins said. "I think it's safe to say that the LDS church might not have that problem anymore." Huh? You really feel this article did that? Why link a rediculous Broadway play (that will never get .1 of my money) by self-proclaimed antagonists that has NOTHING positive to point toward the church? "Those inclined to think of Mormons as a band of sealots bent on amending the Constitution to outlaw cappuccino may never be convinced." Wow. That's funny. "Mormons .. perform spiritual & economic outreach to members of the Mormon community." Huh? Nothing said about MULTI-MILLIONS of dollars in humanitarian help/assistance to ALL PEOPLE throughout the World. Disappointed, Coppins.

@Johnson72
I dont think anyone will be voting for morman? What exactly is a morman? Is that kind of like a merman?

@Utes21.... the religion of romney.

@Johnson72
Didn't know Romney had his own religion.....