Deseret News | Elder Ballard addresses LDS reality-show success

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Elder Ballard addresses LDS reality-show success

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Kay | 7:51 a.m. May 31, 2008

What it shows is that Mormons are NOT a "peculiar people", they are just as greedy, wordly, ambitious, and cutthroat as anyone else! That is what is shows.

Who knew?

Oh, I did! I have lived among such self-centered Mormons my entire life!

Anonymous | 1:09 p.m. May 31, 2008

Oh Kay, you're just bitter of our talent and success! Watch out, it's showing!

Wow... | 2:33 p.m. May 31, 2008

we are greedy by wanting to compete in the world and to have secular knowledge of all things around us? How about them people who are from other churches sitting in a classroom when I was in graduate school? A lot of them were Catholics and in all good fun, we teased each other, but also respected each other's beliefs etc, with no "holier than thou" mentality. Why the bitterness? Sorry if you had a bad experience with Mormons but don't judge the whole church because of the foolishness of the few...

Comments continue below

Bad Apples | 3:14 p.m. May 31, 2008

There are a few bad apples in every barrel. To stereotype anyone from any religion based on what one person in that religion did to you personally is short sighted.

If you live in Utah with a high percentage of Mormons, chances are you will have more run-ins with Mormons than maybe people of Muslim faith or Southern Baptists. Learn to separate the church from the individual person. There are scumbags of all denominations if you ask me.

awesomeron | 4:03 p.m. May 31, 2008

I am a convert, please, please do not Judge The Church by Me. I am a work in progress, sometimes slow progress. I do not watch much TV. Reality TV is low on my list. Right Now Family Guy is more real then anything else on TV. Except COPS. I am proud of our members who have had success. From the unreality of Beauty Pageants (Mrs. America). To singing, dancing and survivor which I only watched the 1st season. I would not Judge the Church by Marie Osmond either. Donny okay I have thought of late that, he should be among the 12. Thatï¿½s an example and a Fine Missionary in his own right. You have to also Count. Mitt, Gordon Smith (R) Oregon, Orin Hatch (R) Utah both as a public servant and a Song Writer. Gladys Night and many many others. Mormons are Vastly mostly Winners and M. Russell Ballard who I love and respect is right. Mormons love to Compete. Nothing wrong with that. WE are among the Very Best and Very Brightest. Well Raised, Strong Work Ethic, Respect for others, and Love The Lord. Yup that be us. Come Join Us, and I did.

Ronald A. Young | 4:17 p.m. May 31, 2008

I think if you look to be offended by any group of people then you will be offended. Just in the Cards (face cards deleted of course). If that is your excuse not to join in that, that will be what it will be. We are having fun sorry you are missing out. If you are Bitter then eat some sugar, stir it in and you will be sweeter. For every Mormon that offends you, and most do not even know that they do. If they did they would care and say sorry. About a month ago we had to do some correction on the Mark of Cain thing. We could have been offended, and we where. We just gently dealt with it and moved on. Was our friend still is our friend. But I am so glad we didnï¿½t have any Black Investigators that week. The only one that is hurt buy you being offended is you. Its like your losing/gaining weight, the most interested person is you. Your Hole in One you, Your Promotion You, You getting your TR you etc. etc. For most of the rest of us its about Him.

Granny | 6:06 p.m. May 31, 2008

Nice to know Mormons can be successful in reality shows. However, watching them can be depressing sometimes when participants are more worldly than I care to watch. So now I don't even watch Family Guy. You may say it isn't all that bad which means it isn't all that good. Give me I love Lucy, Andy of Mayberry and Perry Mason any day.

Utah Mormon | 6:48 p.m. May 31, 2008

What I don't like as a Mormon is when shows and media (whether TV or written) make a big deal about the contestants who are Mormon or were raised mormon and then those contestants act in ways that are NOT becoming to the LDS lifestyle. Like two of the dancers on Dancing with the Stars, one smokes and "used to" drink alcohol, the other has a self-proclaimed "problem with modesty" and when I saw their mother at the CMA she was in a strapless gown that obviously didn't follow Mormom modesty outlines. There are a few others out there who proclaim to be Mormon but then their actions are not inline with church standards. That is embarrassing to me especially when I have to explain it to my non-MOrmon co-workers who ask me about it!!

MoJules | 7:17 p.m. May 31, 2008

A couple of times on my mission I came across one religion who really was terrible to me, so I guess since I had two different encounters, forget the nice one I worked with before my mission, those two mean that all from that religion are just terrible.

There is nothing wrong with competing, we do that in the work force, it is a healthy way to move forward, anyone notice that just like most of the contestants, those Mormon kids that didn't win, took it with class. That is part of what needs to be taught in competition, to gracefully lose.

On American Idol, it was and has never been mentioned that David and Brooke were LDS, others have been more obvious, and it seems like they are the ones that have made some choices that do not go in harmony with the LDS church. For those who are going to say, only the Mormon's make a big to do about someone from their religion, AI made comments a few times that Elliot Yamin was Jewish.

Anonymous | 8:24 p.m. May 31, 2008

What a claim to fame! Mormons are somehow superior to other people because they perform better on realty TV!

Wow! The LDS Church MUST be the one and only true and living Church! Afterall, they placed higher on Dancing with the Stars and American Idol! That PROVES the Mormon church is TRUE!

Give me a freakin' break! What an embarrassment you people are to yourselves. Get out of your bubbles and wake up!

Ya know... | 8:26 p.m. May 31, 2008

I feel a bit like the one writer -- it can be embarassing when celebrities who are known "Mormons" don't act the part.
I also think that, competition aside, some Mormons want to use their talents to share the peace and hope and love they have felt from the Gospel. That's all.

JIM LEWIS | 8:36 p.m. May 31, 2008

WELL JULIANNE HOUGH OF "DANCING WITH THE STARS" IS NOW MAKING IT ON THE COUNTRY CHARTS WITH HER NEW CD WHICH IS NOW #3 ON THE COUNTRY ALBUM CHARTS AND HER SINGLE IS RAPIDLY RISING AS WELL AND SHE WASN'T EVEN ON IDOL---INTERESTING--HUH?

To Kay, Hazel | 9:07 p.m. May 31, 2008

It is funny that you say that we are not peculiar people...I had to reply because all the time people told me that I was different...with out knowing I was Mormon...I think all depends how people takes things...I love the Parable of the Seeds..and the Talents...I will say all of them...and the teachings of Our Savior.. Have you read them?
We celebrate the success of all Our Family members...and pray for peace and understanding for all that suffer...we celebrate the success of everybody who give us a good example,makes our life happier and the world a better place to live, no matter who they are or what they believe, and join all of those who suffer with prayers,service,support...etc..if we follow Our Savior...wordly should not be in our vocabulary,or griddy...what it matters is what Heavenly Father thinks about us not so much anybody else.Words hurt if we let them,I am so glad the adversary doesn't have control either...just if we let him.I don't know how old are you,Sorry you lived around just self centered Mormons..for me all my life I had live around the best friends you can ask for...I will love to meet you,and change your mind about us..

Mark Allen | 9:32 p.m. May 31, 2008

Well , I am LDS but I wasn't ordained with a cookie cutter . We are all different ,striving to be better , if we were perfect ,we wouldn't be hear only Jesus Christ was perfect .Just as the BTK killer didn't represent the baptist church no unworthy member represents ours.

BYU GUY | 1:24 a.m. June 1, 2008

My Theory on all of this:

MAGIC HAPPENS!

That was AWESOME! | 2:06 a.m. June 1, 2008

I laughed really hard at the comment about how missionaries are dropped off somewhere and are forced to live in the situation and place they are in. It's very true.

GK from England | 2:21 a.m. June 1, 2008

When positive Mormon news is highlighted in the media, there are always the cranky Anti-Mormons who can't resist a verbal attack. May I suggest the Anti-Mormons go and make an appointment to see a doctor about their negative and pathetic state of mind.

Glado | 5:42 a.m. June 1, 2008

Humanity has always enjoyed competing.
I enjoy many of these shows.
I have no idea whatsoever what religion has do do with any of this and wonder why a member of the 12 takes one second of his day pondering such a thing.

Mom in MO | 6:13 a.m. June 1, 2008

Whenever I read the comments, I am glad I moved away from Utah. The hatred coming from the non-members is always the first thing that I see, read, feel. It's like a war-zone. The people here in MO are much friendlier. Why is there so much negative swarming between people out West? The very first comment from Kay says it all. I read both SLC papers online, and it's always the same.

Belgie | 6:17 a.m. June 1, 2008

I can't believe how many people jump onto any article about Mormons and immediately start posting hateful comments. I'm even more amazed when they say they live in Utah. Is that the attitude they present to all their neighbors and coworkers? What a way to live. Their lives must be miserable.

Or, maybe it's just that the anonymity of the internet allows them to show their true colors, while in public they pretend to be tolerant and accepting.

re:anon 8:24 / Kay | 6:42 a.m. June 1, 2008

Come on, kids, relax.

I'm non-LDS, moved here two years ago, and see many of the same things you see, but give the LDS a break. I have found them friendly, more helpful and neighborly than from wher I moved.

The kids are very sweet to my two children, and my kids are not being offered drugs, alcohol, and are not being pulled into gangs.

Chill.

Nicklaus | 7:10 a.m. June 1, 2008

GLADO: He probably took the second or two IN ORDER to respond to a question that was asked him. He is an official representative of the Church and is EXACTLY the person I want answering these questions.

OK mormon | 7:49 a.m. June 1, 2008

I recall that Pres. Benson said that once the element of competition is gone so is pride. So perhaps, like just about everyone else honest enough to admit it, we are prideful at times. I guess if we weren't willing to admit that, we would be acting holier-than-thou. If we didn't struggle with weaknesses-which the BofM tells us-are given to us from God, we wouldn't need the savior.

Any exposure is good exposure. It encourages people to take a closer look. Good for those who represent well and those who don't have their reward coming. The difference is that we should be good representatives because we are changed in Christ not to put on a show for others. Again, holier-than-thous put on a show of being good when in reality they are the deplorable hippocrates that Christ repeatedly denounced.

I think that good people have the blessings of the Lord with them regardless of how competitive they are. Perhaps their success in these reality shows is a blessing of hard work, honesty, and living right. Those who don't live the standards still have success because theirs is judged by the world. Who wants the worlds praise anyway?

hey BYU guy | 7:51 a.m. June 1, 2008

That comment cracked me up. It takes a bored cougar to fully appreciate it.
Anonymous 8:24 p.m. Who said anything about being superior? Your focus has created your reality. It's not the reality others got from the article

To Mom in MO from one in UT | 1:22 p.m. June 1, 2008

I know what you mean -- the comments sections are the worst, because that's where people can anonymously spill their vitriol. I've only read 2-3 articles in the Tribune in the past year, and when I made the mistake of reading the comments, I was nearly sick, seeing that people could be so hateful.

BUT! Don't be too discouraged. In the real, non-virtual Utah, I encounter next to none of that. I have excellent Mormon, ex-Mormon, Baptist, Catholic, and non-religious neighbors, not to mention homosexual and insular ones. There are simply other ways to commune with one's neighbors than through religion, which you have fortunately found in MO. :-)

THE CHURCH WINS | 2:46 p.m. June 1, 2008

HA! <-- that is what I say to the ignorance on here.

Ballard never said 'Mormons are better because we go far in idol and at dancing'

Many members I know including myself can't stand watching what a dancer on DWTS's would wear, or the music an idol sang. I don't judge them, I just don't like seeing bad actions in front of a judgmental nation.

Romney? Candidate!? MORMON CANDIDATE!? Can we DEAL with a Mormon President!?!?

I can't stand hearing it....what is the DIFFERENCE?

Ballard only said that we are a competitive people as we strive for hard work and high learning standards.

I believe that's an honest, non worldly, non-idolizing, and decent comment to make.

Utah has this.

Mormons who hate non's
Non's who hate Mormons.

Mormons who get along
Non's who get along

The first two are the SMALL portion, though sadly growing, who annoy the death out of everyone else.

I'm LDS, have gay friends, I talk philosophy with people who believe VERY different from myself.

I'm a BYU fan and I could care less who wins a dumb football game.

Point is, I live and let live. Many do. Those who don't should start living.

And what have we learned?? | 3:11 p.m. June 1, 2008

WHO CARES?!?!?!

Arkansas | 4:42 p.m. June 1, 2008

The only people who hate Mormons that much typically live in Utah. No one outside of the non-Mormons in Utah care that these individuals have success and are Mormon. All of us just see them as good people just trying to do their best

Joyce | 6:33 p.m. June 1, 2008

This is such a silly and irrelevent story that I am throwing in the towell and cannot even think of a positive nor faith based comment. It is just plain superficial and screams of superiority. Boy is this a slow news day in Utah and I catching on to the reason why we are mocked among christian faiths.

Erik | 6:36 p.m. June 1, 2008

News Flash: the Deseret News doesn't publish news.

Who would have thought | 6:48 p.m. June 1, 2008

Katherine Heigl, ï¿½The Ringerï¿½, ï¿½Knocked Upï¿½ ï¿½ Grays Anatomyï¿½; was raised in the Mormon Church. Her parents were converts. Although she is not a practicing Mormon now; what is termed inactive by LDS standards, she still values many aspects of the religion. There is a good write up on her in Wikipedia. When I found out about this, I though it was just some gossip from people that had been misinformed but I checked it out and it is true.

To: Who would of though | 7:50 p.m. June 1, 2008

Thanks for sharing. It is wonderful how many succesful and famous LDS members are out. Something to be said about being a member in the church.

Shows not mentioned. | 7:56 p.m. June 1, 2008

Wasn't there a BYU student who appeared on the MTV show the Real World, but got kicked out of BYU, despite always representing LDS principles well?

The Sundance channel has a show about prostitutes, and one of the featured people used to be LDS until she was drugged and raped, and decided to go against her Bishops advice to marry her rapist.

Thank you for the aritcle | 8:03 p.m. June 1, 2008

I would venture if demogrphics were recorded in realty TV, the mormon population would be well well down the list. If it makes you feel better then go ahead an yell at the top of the mountain on feats of mormons that nearly have nothing to do with them being mormon. The problem with yelling when mormon: 99.9% of the world is tired of it and chooses not to listen.

Shows not mentioned (please) | 8:32 p.m. June 1, 2008

well, isn't that special

Is there any relief? | 9:03 p.m. June 1, 2008

I enjoy the articles and some of the comments on here and am grateful for D.N. for providing this service. I am saddened that these sites have become a forum for people who want to rant against the LDS church for whatever reason. I suppose the reason we see so much of anger on here is because this might be the only place where someone, anyone will see their anger eruptions. If I wanted to re-read all the same boring,tiresome rhetoric that I have heard from these people for most of my life, I would go to one of "their" sites where apparently no one (except themselves) goes. I long for clean air sometimes.

Demeaning | 9:54 p.m. June 1, 2008

I think the question was meant to demean our LDS reality show success. Entertainers are to entertain. They usually are not thought about in terms of their church. Why single out LDS folks on television talent shows. How many times has the Pope been asked about famous Catholic entertainers? And there are many on the "famous entertainer" lists: Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Hope, Bob Newhart, John Wayne, Spencer Tracy, Annette Funicello, Paul McCartney, Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Pierce Brosnon, Sean Connery, Sophia Loren, Elizah Wood, Harry Connick, Jr., Lawrence Welk, Rosanne Cash, Nicolas Cage, Celine Dion, Josh Grobin, Loretta Young, Robert De Niro, Tim Conway, Jackie Gleason, Gregory Peck, Al Pacino, Sylvester Stallone, Faye Dunaway, Ann Bancroft, Nicole Kidman, Gary Cooper, Vivien Leigh.....It's the people who spend their time quietly working within the church and living worthy lives who are far more important than people who are seen on TV.

Becky | 12:03 a.m. June 2, 2008

Is there any relief? | 9:03 p.m.,

So now you are claiming the Deseret News as sacred Mormon ground, upon which heathen are not allowed to tread?

The DN is a public newspaper, advertised and distributed online to everybody who is interested! NOT just to Mormons!

Your self-centered assumption that the DN is only for Mormons is naive and arrogant. Shame on you for trying to appropriate the DN for your own selfish purposes and deny others the right to freedom of speech!

No wonder... | 12:14 a.m. June 2, 2008

There is so much war and suffering in the world. It seems that there are those just searching for any reason to hate and inflict hurt on others.

Be the change you wish to see in the world....

HATE IS THE DEADLIEST POLLUTION!!

SLC gal | 7:07 a.m. June 2, 2008

No fair.... I want to be on "Survivor"... it's my turn to be the next big LDS reality star (doesn't that sound like a show in it's self. LOL!! j/k)!!!!!!!

How Come? | 7:27 a.m. June 2, 2008

How come if you are LDS, yet have gay friends, you have to make yourself seem the model of tolerance?

How come if people read the Deseret News, they have to either be pro-LDS or anti-LDS?

How come people use these comments as a means of venting their frustrations and anger?

And even worse, how come I'm wasting my time reading them, and adding to them?

For some things - there are just no answeres!

Love in Hate's Clothing | 8:34 a.m. June 2, 2008

To No wonder... | 12:14 a.m.,

Hate is NOT QUITE the deadliest pollution. Actually, the subtle, arrogant "hate" that Mormons have for everyone who is not like them IS the deadliest. You know what I'm talking about -- the kind of "hate" that condemns everyone else because they haven't "earned" a "testimony" like the righteous Mormons have done, and so they patronizingly, condescendingly (but with the strongest contempt and disgust) SAY they "love" others and just want to "help" them by sharing the "truth" with them!

THAT kind of hate is the deadliest pollution because it passes itself off as righteousness and goodness and in God's name! It is the quintessential hate in love's clothing, mingling surreptitiously among us to devour us in pernicious ways.

Missionary Pride | 8:44 a.m. June 2, 2008

Why do some former missionaries or their families refer to their 'two year trip' on a national show, but locally rephrase it as having gone on a mission?

Nebraska | 9:02 a.m. June 2, 2008

I have met several converts outside the Utah/Idaho area who have joined the LDS religion because of the bad press and hatred. As they have pointed out, only Satan could orchestrate such hatred and division. So obviously, the LDS church must be worth looking at since Satan is fighting it so often.

Who's in charge of you? | 9:31 a.m. June 2, 2008

To those who say Mormons treat them bad or make them feel inferior, I'll refer to Eleanor Roosevelt who wisely stated,"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." I'll paraphrase and adapt this a little differently. Nobody can make you feel offended without your consent. Regardless of what anyone says or does, you are responsible for your emotions and reactions. Don't blame someone else.

To Nebraska | 9:49 a.m. June 2, 2008

I wonder where you find such logic. Are you really saying that any organization that receives "bad press and hatred" "must be worth looking at since Satan is fighting it so often?"

Some organizations seem to get a lot of bad press -- like the KKK, the Nazis, terrorists groups, etc. Would you apply the same logic to them?

In Charge | 9:59 a.m. June 2, 2008

Who's in charge of you? | 9:31 a.m.,

Funny you should say that, and yet Mormons chronically recount the stories of their "persecution" by mobs and anti-Mormons in rapturous glory, taking pride in how "offended" they always have been and currently are! Indeed we may say that Mormons have sanctified that CHIP on their shoulder over how the rest of the world "offends" them regularly.

Too bad Eleanor Roosevelt was a member of that "great and abominable Church of the devil" (according to Mormonism), and too bad Mormons don't take her advice seriously.

GAL50 | 10:04 a.m. June 2, 2008

As for American Idol, a southerner always wins. There are a few reasons for this, in my northern/western opinion.

Southerners are friendly church-going people. Music is important in churches and likability counts for a lot on Idol. People from friendly cultures are likable. Southerners also support each other and the show appeals to southerners. So, a lot of votes come in for the southerners.

Nearly all of the contestants are religious people which reflects an often overlooked benefit to church-going. Children get musical training in church.

Much of what I've mentioned about the South also applies to Mormons. The Mormon kids have been very wholesome and that plays well with the older voters.

PS-Let's not forget Tia, who came in 3rd in the spelling bee.

Tiffany | 10:07 a.m. June 2, 2008

when you have a state full or mostly full of the same religon, plus it's headquarters you find these kind of problems. I lived in Utah when I was going ot school and I thought the members up there were just different. I used to laugh when someone in class who is from Utah county area would say that Utah is no different than anywhere else. We had early morning seminary, we had a very diverse enviroment where we had to be on guard all the time. These Utah kids just make excuses to be different.

Utah makes excuses | 10:11 a.m. June 2, 2008

YOu don't realize what you have until it's gone. YOu better shape up Utah or your gonna look like Vegas minus the casinos and gambling. Serious the kids in Utah are jacked, it's the get rich quick scheme capital and everyone is smiling on Sunday like nothing is going on. I don't think you are a peculior people when you have such a strong support group around you and you screw it up.

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