getalife | 7:40 p.m. July 9, 2008
it's so easy to destroy, attack, dissect, confront, object, criticize, point out the errors of others....
how great it would be if we ALL decided to build, defend, promote, lift and encourage...
complaining is just wasted effort..actually it is worse...it is more lack a destructive cancer
Lets Simplify | 7:41 p.m. July 9, 2008
President Gordon B. Hinckley, October conference, 1998: "There is no such thing as a 'Mormon Fundamentalist.' It is a contradiction to use the two words together." He went on to state that Official Declaration 1 was a revelation to Wilford Woodruff.
A revelation that is given to the President of the Church stands as the official teaching, position, and doctrine of the Church. Even more so, OD 1 was ratified and accepted by the Church as a whole when it was presented.
The Church is simply seeking to have the media clearly make a difference between the Church and others who claim to be off shoots of the main body. As Pres. Hinckley stated - there is no such thing. A person either follows the teachings of the Church. There is no gray zone.
Tammy | 7:45 p.m. July 9, 2008
I really hate reading all the FLDS blogs, because it seems like all the polygamist demons come crawling out from beneath their floorboards, who all support this very sick practice of woman abuse. However, there are many good men who do not care for this kind of wickedness.
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 8:18 p.m. July 9, 2008
As was said I don't think the LDS Church should "complain and whine" it's beneath us. This gives us the oportunity to teach people who we are and what we believe. I think maybe its time for a multi-million dollar TV campaign to educate the country and the world. They should use this as an opportunity to teach rather than act like liberals and complain about what others say.
Phillip | 8:34 p.m. July 9, 2008
I dont see why Poligamy is thought of in such ill terms, Certainly it is better than devorce, which is more than common in our culture. How common is devorce in FLDS? Not very common I would think.
Outsider | 8:44 p.m. July 9, 2008
To:Krudd " Why do anti Mormons read the DN?"
I am not LDS. I love reading the DN because I find Utah and the Mormon Culture fascinating. I have my belief system. I would never publicly ridicule your Faith, although I strongly disagree with your doctrine, as you would with the doctrine of my Faith. But do you want only LDS members to read and comment here? What you call "anti" may just be an opinion or point of observation different from your own. Would you prefer to hear only those with whom you agree? That would mean that you are not open to anyone else's opinion. I respect your Faith. Please respect my freedom to make honest inquiry. Thank you.
Follow the Present-day Prophet | 8:51 p.m. July 9, 2008
What if polygamy wasn't discontinued 118 years ago??

Where would the Church be today?? It would be breaking the law and Dis-Obeying Article of Faith
#11.

Wilford Woodruff wrestled with this doctrine and its
problems immensely in 1890. It's true that the Feds were bearing down in America, (the land of "Freedom of Religion") during the late 1800's. The statehood thing is just a piece of that picture. The Feds had threatened to confiscate all Church property and
dissolve the organization (in the land of the
Freee).

The mainstream LDS Church really grew after dropping the polygamy. What would we have today if it hadn't stopped?? The issue of Joseph Smith receiving revelation on this or not, (IS IN THE ETERNITIES) between Joseph and his Maker (God).

If Joseph S. goofed in his intrepation of what most agree DID happen with many of the prophets of the Old Testament, then again, It's between Joseph and
God!!

It's our opportunity to take advantage of following the Prophet of today. Thomas S. Monson has lived
a good and noble life. He's a good role model.
We Should be Grateful for a man of his Integrity!!

Thank God for a Living Prophet.
James M. | 8:55 p.m. July 9, 2008
To Anonymous , Go see your Bishop and perhaps have your membership dropped. You are on your way out BUD! You are not following LDS standards or the "True Prophet". To tell you the truth-- I really doubt you are LDS.
Article of Faith #12 | 9:03 p.m. July 9, 2008
Sorry, in the "Follow the Present-day Prophet"
posted just moments ago, I made a mistake. It's Article #12 that talks about "being subject to kings, presidents,... and honoring and obeying and sustaining the law".

Sorry again for getting that "detail" wrong. Did memorize the Articles of Faith as a kid in Primary when around 10 years old. It was 110 degrees today
and was outside a lot today. I guess the ole brain cells had a little "synapse" problem in remembering the exact #'s of the great Articles of Faith ...getting older I suppose...
Anonymous | 9:12 p.m. July 9, 2008
What's the use of having a living prophet if you aren't going to listen to him? If he gives a proclamation that God wants to rescind polygamy for a long while, what's so difficult about that? Don't you think that a merciful God who wants us to obey the laws of the land, would be wise to instruct the saints thus when the government made the laws against polygamy? Not only are these polygamous groups going against the law of the land, but against God.
Anonymous | 9:17 p.m. July 9, 2008
If you do a little more research, you will find that Joseph Smith did not want to introduce or practice this principle. You will also find that the marrying age was much lower back then but most of the wives were older maiden ladies who didn't have a chance to marry and were rescued so to speak because they didn't have as many options to work. You will also find that it was an odd custom for many people who were married to someone else to seal themselves to a church leader, but have no other contact with them, until someone said...please seal yourselves to your own fathers and kin and not to the church leaders.
Silly | 9:22 p.m. July 9, 2008
Will the real Mormon church please stand up?
Clifton | 9:28 p.m. July 9, 2008
There is no such thing s a "Mormon Church" anymore than there is a "Fundamentalist Mormon" However, the Main stream and many others take delight in mocking Church and all it stands for. Someone show me where there is a handbook where "Fundamentalism" is a means of worshiping Jesus Christ, moreover, please enlighten us where in the Doctrine and Covenants there is any reference at all to some Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!
John C. | 9:43 p.m. July 9, 2008
Wow...from the comments it is very clear that people think they know what the LDS church teaches and what it dosn't, even among some members. I would say to those of you who are members its time to stop sitting on the side lines and really start studding what the churches doctrines are and get a strong testimony. Because (and this is my own opion) the time is coming when the peace we have enjoyed is going to end and you can no longer sit on the side lines and watch. Comments such as these are nothing as to what is coming. Again this is my opion and perhaps I should have kept my mouth shut.
Carol | 9:46 p.m. July 9, 2008
Oh LDS Inc., 'Ye blind guides who strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.' (KJV of the Bible) You are so far removed from the true teachings of Jesus, which is the biggest irony of all.
A true Mormon | 9:45 p.m. July 9, 2008
I for one am looking forward to the revelation that returns us to practicing the principle of the true and everlasting covenant.
I'm Confused | 9:48 p.m. July 9, 2008
There are lots of LDS posts that say polygamy is a terrible thing, one poster called it woman abuse. Does that mean your founding prophet abused women? It doesn't seem like it could have been a great thing pre-1890 and a horrible abuse of women and children now. It's either good or bad, you can't put a time limit on it to suit your current needs.
Drop It and Feed the Poor | 10:21 p.m. July 9, 2008
All this WORRY over the image of the church serves to hurt the LDS church far more than it helps. All these public relations gyrations aren't changing anyone's views.
Fray Jumper | 10:33 p.m. July 9, 2008
I love it... as a member of the LDS church, I love how church members are "tossed to and fro, from every wind of doctrine," getting tangled in words that may have no meaning in the long run.

Some LDS embrace polygamy because its in the very DNA of the LDS church, and others curse its existence, and say it has no place in the destiny of the theology.

I'm in the camp that says we stop apologizing, and quit denying that the Lord said to Joseph... (paraphrasing) You asked.. here's your answer, and now that you know, you must do.

Now... I wouldn't ever want to live under the principle (can you imagine the hassel?) but to distance the principle as "an embarrassment" is a dishonor to the thousands of our forefathers who fought and died (even killed) for the principle.

As far as I'm concerned, we're getting more strange and peculiar every year... and I'm not ashamed at being a member of the Lords "strange and peculiar" church.

So... who cares what we're called. Or what they're called. Why not try being nicer to the FLDS, or other people who believe 110% of what we believe.

Fundamentalist? | 10:47 p.m. July 9, 2008
When did straying from the truth become Fundamental?
James | 10:50 p.m. July 9, 2008
Charles:

Polygamy groups can believe all they want that the LDS Church is in a state of apostasy but they have no priesthood keys. According to Doctrine and Covenants 107 and 112, it is impossible for the "polygamy" groups to claim any Apostolic authority.

It's not about "orthodoxy" in the LDS Church its about priesthood keys. Go and ask your "polygamy group" friends and they can't point to a "restoration" or a "Apostolic" body or quorum that has priesthood keys.

Do a little research and you'll find that they all stem from the same break off that wasn't issued any keys or authority.

Polygamy groups rejected the exercise of the Quorum of the 12 in favor of holding on to a practice.

I think it's ironic that "polygamy groups" claim that the LDS Church is in a state of apostasy when the LDS Church publishes the Book of Mormon and is responsible for taking it to the world, a fulfillment of Book of Mormon prophecy.

It seems to me that if they were the "true" Church, THEY would hold the Book of Mormon copyright and THEY would be taking the Book of Mormon to the world. That's reasonable.
AZLDSguy | 10:53 p.m. July 9, 2008
Let us make this very elementary � the FLDS Church has no basis to say, �Call us Mormon�. They do not follow LDS Doctrine; they do not follow LDS Leadership. They do not follow LDS teachings or policies.

The closest definition is they are a distant sect. For them to say they are Mormon by definition, is liken to the Protestants of old saying we disavow the Pope and all Catholic teachings and doctrines but we still want to be called Catholic.

The Catholics, Evangelists, Lutherans, Methodists, Mormons, Protestants and so on. Have all accepted their social labels so now should the FLDS as� well let�s let history sort that one out. For now, the Fundamentalist Polygamists label is close enough.
Mr. Jeff's brother | 10:56 p.m. July 9, 2008
Leave Warren out of this! He is ill.
What? | 11:02 p.m. July 9, 2008
To say there fundamental is not the subject when did lies become fundamental that is a big misunderstanding, they rejected being fundamental
Lynn | 11:06 p.m. July 9, 2008
If someone works for Coca Cola and leaves the company to make another cola product, he cannot call it "Coke" or "Coca Cola" or "New Coke" no matter how long he was with the company nor why he left.
The word cola is generic. It doesn't begin with a capital letter.
The word Mormon is a proper noun, because it's a name of a person, and a group of people.
The LDS church was established for a long time before some groups decided to break away and call themselves some derivative name.
Too many others are still confused by the use of those other names. (See 'They're all Mormons to me.')
Polygamy is not for me, thank you. But I can see why some would be drawn to the ideal of it.
The trouble is not so much the ideal as the reality.
It's one thing for consenting adults to adopt this lifestyle. Probably no worse than living together without being married, (which I don't condone)
but the "marriages" of under-age girls to these older men, the evictions of the young men, the abuse and control, the private property control. etc., seem to be the most objectional issues, besides illegality.
Alittleclarityplease | 11:08 p.m. July 9, 2008
Yes you are confused. There are many differences between early LDS polygamy and the practices of the FLDS. For one, young girls were not essentially bred for the purpose, nor were they forced into marriages against their wills in the early LDS Church as they are in FLDS. Two, young girls could legally marry in the 19th century where they cannot now. It was cultural and economic thing.

No, it does not mean our founding prophet abused women any more than Abraham, Issac, Jacob or a number of other Biblical prophets did.
Hal N. | 11:15 p.m. July 9, 2008
if the LDS church still practices and believes in polygamy,-- please opt me out! If I ever find that to be true i'd be gone in a flash!
Dear Carol | 11:19 p.m. July 9, 2008
Also from the KJV -
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Sounds like them crazy LDS may have something working for them. They still have a prophet.
Distinction | 11:33 p.m. July 9, 2008
The fact is that it is about distinguishing the groups. My family back east heard the headlines and thought that this referred to the LDS Church. There needs to be a clear distinction, which there is. There are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or "The Mormon Church" and there are members of other organizations who have separated themselves from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or "The Mormon Church". Its an issue of protecting and defining yourself and your organization rather than being defined by others.
Nonmember | 11:34 p.m. July 9, 2008
You polygamy folks seriously need to get some mental counseling. Polygamy is very cruel and immoral. You polygamist groups don't need to use god for this evil practice, which will eventually be your condemnation in the end. Coveting many woman to have sex with is very destructive, abusive, unholy and very ungodly. God knows the filth and intent of a evil mans heart.
Lynn | 11:32 p.m. July 9, 2008
It isn't that Mormons (the real ones) are perfect. We aren't. But to have those issues of often forced under-age, not legally-recognized-marriages, eviction of young men, forced break-ups of marriages, with families and property given to other men, private property issues, abusive control, etc, be the hallmarks of many of these polygamist sects - well, who would want them to be confused with your own church?
Aside from the practice of polygamy itself, which happens to be illegal.
Anyone ought to understand that, even the most rabid anti-Mormon.
I think that as gay marriage is legalized in more states, the issue of the legality of polygamy is going to come up and that sooner or later, it will be legalized, at least in some states. Hopefully not here.
If polygamists are smart, they will clean up their acts and resolve the issues I named at the beginning of this letter. Because I think that whether or not we approve, polygamy between consenting adults will eventually become legal.
And I hope that at some point they will create their own names which do not confuse them with the current LDS Church.
Just a word | 11:35 p.m. July 9, 2008
the word "Mormon" is about as close to a trademark as you can get for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

As such it is implied that the word Mormon represents them. This is common knowledge and has been used in this manner for many many yhears by everyone on this planet.

This wuld be like tryhing to nickname a soda product, Fundamentalist Pepsi. I do believe there would be a law suit.
But the point isn't about a law suit, but rather whom the name tolls for.

Dumbfounded | 11:46 p.m. July 9, 2008
I can settle this. In order for me to become a member, I had to be baptized, with the proper authority.

Ask any FLDS to show you their baptism certificate with the proper authority having signed it.

That's what I thought! The only part of the religion they want is the polygamy part and they perverted that!
D&C 42:18-24 | 11:47 p.m. July 9, 2008
How could a person write, to explain a fundamental fact, explain why there against polygamy, therefore be a fundamental fact.

If the polygamists are called FLDS how could fundamental be indifference to being fundamental?
Lasser Zay Saint | 12:16 a.m. July 10, 2008
I gotta say, I'm pretty embarrassed by the poor grammar, spelling, and just flat-out wrong words used by most of my fellow Mormons. I couldn't care less about who wants to call whom whatever. Those FLDS are hilarious. Have you seen their clothing line? I don't know about polygamy. I've never known anyone who has more than one wife (unless they were just plain cheating). What I do know is that I'll be at church this Sunday. I think the LDS church is the greatest organization to ever exist. Booyah!
A Fundamentalist Mormon | 12:21 a.m. July 10, 2008
While the LDS church is busy pulling teeth trying to distinguish themselves from us, many of us are praying for them. We acknowledge that the church is doing a great work by taking the gospel to the world, we love the church, we are only trying to keep these doctrines alive, because we follow Joseph Smith, if the "living prophet" contradicts his teachings. God did not reveal that polygamy should be done away with. No where in the scriptures does it say this. He does not change. We would hope that the LDS church would pray for us as well. But we know not to expect it.
Who are Christians? | 12:23 a.m. July 10, 2008
It never bothers me for other people or churches to say I am not a Christian. I don't even argue with them because I reserve the right to define my own religion. Usually the conversation goes something like this: "Hello, my name is Jim." No, your name is not Jim, you are deceived, your real name is Bob. "Well, I am very sure my name is Jim and not Bob." No, it isn't, that guy over there said your name is really Bob and I agree with him. "Well, you can call me anything you want, but my name really is Jim." Absurd to argue with people like that, isn't it?
Re: Russ | 12:42 a.m. July 10, 2008
You are so right! I almost spit my grape juice all over my computer screen when I read your post and started laughing! I'm still laughing! did not, did too! too funny!
EXTEND DEFINITION | 12:44 a.m. July 10, 2008
=

MAKE AN EXTENDED NEW DISTINCTION OF:

(X) MODERN LDS MORMON CHURCH
(X) "TRADITIONALIST LDS-FLDS MORMON CHURCH"
INSTEAD OF FUNDAMENTALIST MORMONS


JUST LIKE

(X) MODERN CATHOLIC CHURCH
(X) TRADITIONALIST CATHOLIC CHURCH
INSTEAD OF CATHOLIC FUNDAMENTALISTS




DISCLAIMERS AS PREVISOUSLY STATED


SIGNED: RECKIPS


=
==
Dear Concern from tsmith3452 | 1:18 a.m. July 10, 2008
Your information is very misconstrued. You said "Joesph claimed its God commend to practice poligamy while his actual motif is lust and to multiply its members." If you did your history you would understand that the concept and principles of polygamy were received in 1831, not in Navuoo, but written down in 1843. Lust had nothing to do with. If you could only understand the principle of polygamy. There is a sacredness to such a principle, and you and I will never fully understand it. You only mock it because you don't understand it and don't try to see the logic behind it. If you thought you knew how to get back to Heaven, wouldn't you want a bigger family instead of letting them live in a corrupt house or drug infested one? I am not sure which missionaries you have spoken to, but I know we speak of Christ and rejoice in Christ. "the weakest part of lds members is they dont dare to speak up," Well I have spoken, but I do have to agree with one thing, More Should Speak up
Rich | 1:16 a.m. July 10, 2008
Jobu, Your analysis is interesting but inaccurate.

That's because LDS believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible, whereas the Christians who call LDS non-Christian hold to the traditional concept of Jesus and God the Father, which is non-Biblical. Those concepts were arrived at through debate, political maneuvering, philosophies, votes and consensus in the Nicean conference as well as other meetings. This is why LDS object to being called non-Christian. The LDS believe Jesus Christ meant it when he called himself the Son of God and deferred honor to God the Father. The LDS believe the Bible when it described how God introduced his son, Jesus Christ, at a couple of events. The Bible is quite clear on the character of Jesus Christ. The Nicean creed and the various statements of faith adopted by the Bapitists and other Christian denominations are not as clear and can sometimes by obfuscating and confusing. The argument for the confusion is often, "God is incomprehensible." Yet the Bible is perfectly comprehensible.

FLDS: We are Mormon because we believe in Joseph Smith.
LDS: You are not Mormon because you don't believe in Thomas S. Monson. WE get to say who is Mormon, not you.
Rich | 1:20 a.m. July 10, 2008
The reason the LDS Church asks that certain terms be reserved for describing the church is that failure to reserve those terms leads to confusion. The Church is not saying that the off-shoot polygamous groups do not believe in many fundamental principles of Mormonism; however the church does not wish to be confused with sects that hold to may principles that the church rejects. My personal view is that the church ought to rename itself to the Church of Jesus Christ and should rename the Book of Mormon to the Book of Nephi. Of course, then the FLDS would demand to be called fundamentalist Nephites.
To be or not to be, Mormon. | 1:43 a.m. July 10, 2008
If I am not mistaken, all of these groups were mostly part of the same organisation at some time back in the old days and then they all split off from each other. Each of course claiming all of the truth. If that is the case why doesnt the FLDS Church say that they are the REAL Mormons and tell the LDS or any other Church not to use the name. What I am saying is that no one particular group had any right over the name than any other does. Isnt the BOM supposed to be available to every person in the world like the bible??? I mean no one has a copyrite on the Bible and no one can stop me from calling myself Bible-man can they?!
Liv | 2:06 a.m. July 10, 2008
wow we have strayed far from the issue havn't we? seriously, all elder cook wants is for the media to differentiate between the LDS chuch and the FLDS church better than they do.
dave hanson | 2:20 a.m. July 10, 2008
yo people, i think your missing the point. If your approached by the mormon missionarys there is no better way to turn them off than by saying you are interested in warren jeffs church. No better way than to say that you want to participate in polgamy.
Embrace the beauty of the differences. Let the missionarys know that you would love to have a few wifes. It worked for me. As far as polygamy goes, it has been a great p.r. tool for the lds church. millions know of the church because if its historical past who otherwise would have never heard of the church. Think positive.
John C. | 4:18 a.m. July 10, 2008
To fundamentalist mormon: Sorry for your logic but you are flat out wrong. There was revelation, the groups you stem from chose to ignor it and creat something different all together. You don't even practice polygamy the way it used to be practiced. You have changed the laws and the ordinances. Therefore are apostate and have nothing to do with the chuch Joseph founded. From the very begining of time man has always some how thought he was smarter then God, and was shore that God would do it his way if God only had all the information.
To Rich | 6:01 a.m. July 10, 2008
No, Rich, we don't care for "Fundamentalist Nephites". We're good. We also don't care for "polygamist sects". We reserve the right to decide whether we want to go to all the trouble to change our name. The main body of the church can go to all the trouble to differentiate if it's embarrassed, that's fine, but the audacity that it would try to change how we are identified as if they're in charge, while claiming they have no affiliation with us is beyond me. You're a good follower Rich, whatever they say you do. No questions asked. And you all claim we're mindless drones. You may disagree, that's fine. But I think you need to take a good, long look at yourself and see how YOU are being deceived.
To "concern" | 6:03 a.m. July 10, 2008
How could anyone ever take anything you say seriously? Not only are you and other ignorant anti and mormon haters spouting off nonsensical garbage to begin with, but "concern" you may want to learn how to spell and use correct grammar before posting. Your garbage is almost impossible to read. All of you anti's, get educated before you spout off all your diarhhea from the mouth, but first of all learn to write and spell properly. Geesh!
To Krudd | 6:09 a.m. July 10, 2008
I keep asking the same thing over and over...either it doesn't get printed to begin with or the anti's never answer. Makes no sense to read an lds newspaper if one has no interest in it or is an lds hater. Go elsewhere. I figure they just don't have a life AT ALL. Wish they'd get one and stop spreading their vomit ad nauseaum.
debg | 6:27 a.m. July 10, 2008
If I say I am a cucumber salad, does that make it so?

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