Deseret News | Mormon missionary calendar-maker facing discipline

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Mormon missionary calendar-maker facing discipline

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I'm an.... | 7:19 p.m. July 11, 2008

RM and I'm just wondering if I could be on the next calendar? Maybe call it, the Chunk N Dale version?.....LOL!!!

Fool Hardy | 7:26 p.m. July 11, 2008

No way! Are you kidding?! He really said, "I just feel like my right to free speech is being violated"?!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

If this guy thinks he got his understanding of the constitution at BYU, then maybe this has nothing to do with the calendar. Maybe the church is just tired of being embarrassed by this donkey!

The teachings of the church obviously matter little to him. He admits he is not an active member of the church, so what does he stand to lose? The opportunity to EXPLOIT the church for further profit and sell 10,000 more calendars next year?

But if any of this hoopla does matter to him, and it looks like it might, then maybe he should ask himself why that is.

If his church membership DOES in fact matter to him, then it's high time he starts acting like it does. Let this serve as his wake up call.

But please, Brother Hardy, be hot or cold, not lukewarm. If you're in the church, then get in it.

Shoe on Foot; Foot in Mouth | 7:41 p.m. July 11, 2008

Shoe on the other foot,

I think a calendar with attractive topless sister missionaries would sell millions!

Great idea! I would buy one!

But seriously, overly prudish Mormons seem to believe that sexuality is a sin. It is no wonder so many LDS are experimenting with homosexuality... they are so discouraged from admitting to themselves their natural, God-given attraction to members of the opposite sex!

God gave us natural desires and instincts that will keep the human race alive into the future. Those desires and instincts prompt us to be optically sensitive to images of the opposite (and sometimes same) sex, and to experience a release of endorphins in conjunction with our viewing. Add to that natural tendency the technology to capture and publish attractive images, and you have a business: publishing calendars and other attractive images! There is nothing wrong with finding members of the opposite (or even same) sex attractive. Get off your high-horses and leave people alone!

Comments continue below

Rory | 7:41 p.m. July 11, 2008

Geeeeeeez ..... and we wonder why people leave the church?????? I wonder how the stake president handled the actor being in the beer commercial?????? Or how Brother Marriott sells alcohol and porn ......

Thomas | 7:55 p.m. July 11, 2008

Awwwwww.....the church leaders are just upset they didn't think this up first. They could have made millions at Deseret Book!

Just a thought | 7:58 p.m. July 11, 2008

What I think is sad is that the Church makes no room for Cultural or Social Mormons. We could have this amazing group of people who all share a common heritage, but instead, we just bicker and fight and push away the social Mormons by labeling them haters and antis.

If you look at other communities, like Jewish and Catholics, for instance, they still allow and welcome people who no longer believe all the doctrine. You don't hear about all these "excommunications" for every silly action or disagreement or newspaper article that someone chooses to write.

Maybe if the Church would lighten-up a little we could all just get along. You know, live and let live, and don't be so worried about everyone else's so-called sins.

Brother George | 8:01 p.m. July 11, 2008

What a fantastic idea! Any former sister missionaries want to make a little money?

Elizabeth M. | 8:19 p.m. July 11, 2008

If he doesn't go to church anymore, he doesn't need to respond to a "court of love". I have the 2008 calendar and love it. To be a member of a club you don't participate in doesn't make sense. Good luck on the 2009 and 2010 calendars! You don't need something that has little meaning to you.

RE: Shoe on Foot; Foot in Mouth | 8:32 p.m. July 11, 2008

Hm. Sorry, my friend, but I fail to see where I said anything offensive. But such seems to be life on these "if-you-don't-like-'em, trash-'em" comment boards. If trying to focus on facts rather than throwing around insults is being on a "high horse," so be it.

Just to clarify, though: Sex, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. In the proper context, it's among the greatest blessings men and women have ever been given. But the modern world tends to focus on the sexual SENSATION and the exciting IMAGE rather than the PERSON and the SOUL who's experiencing the sensations and/or whose image has been used.

The resulting objectification--denying the other's humanity by focusing merely on surface characteristics and treating him/her as a tool for your own pleasure--corrupts rather than elevates us as human beings. This calendar contributes to that.

We find other people attractive for reasons God has given. But we also need to discipline our urges, whatever they may be. Such calendars don't help us do that, either--and many clearly do the precise opposite. That's one reason they're so wrong.

Anonymous | 8:35 p.m. July 11, 2008

Fool Hardy is the fool.

Why the black-and-white thinking? Why force people in or out? What does it matter to you? Leave other people to worship how where or what they may!

Ties?? | 8:35 p.m. July 11, 2008

"shirtless Mormon missionaries" Whoa............ I thought for a minute there that they wernt wearing their ties! Now THAT would have been a no-no.

Mark | 8:51 p.m. July 11, 2008

If the Desnews can run that relax-a-cation ad with the topless woman on the web version of this story, what the heck is wrong with the calendar?

Matthew | 8:55 p.m. July 11, 2008

Steven...Big Dave...Dave...Serendipity...Chris...OC Surfer...Steve O...Brother George...et al...

the problem with people like you and your narrow-minded outlook on life is you represent all that is bad with our society these days.

First, the whole lot of you speculate about some sort of perceived punishment coming this guy's way. What is that? Are you simply that stupid or are you all fortune tellers? Speculation is for simpletons.

Secondly, each of you have unequivocally missed the point, which is had this been Buddist Monks in uniform or Catholic Priests sporting skin and seductive looks...or maybe even some Jewish Rabbis doing the same...the outrage from around the globe would be heard.

It has to do with something called RESPECT for others religious beliefs...things that are most personal...and no matter who you are looking at, you owe it to them to be respectful.

Your collective lack of respect in this matter demonstrates your inner lack of self-confidence...your lack of proper training as a child...and simply put, you are an embarrassment to yourselves, your parenting...and frankly, this country.

What we need in this country is more people who care about each rather than self-righteous self-serving individuals who applaud disrespect of other's beliefs. Shame on you

funny really | 8:56 p.m. July 11, 2008

If I belonged to a group and they said that I should not belong to that group, wouldn't I want to leave that group? In fact, to be happy, I would leave that group.

Oh it is so hard to be free in Utah.

uritaata | 9:11 p.m. July 11, 2008

At the end all that matters is :
what's right and what's wrong? and being supportive of the what's right.

Verl Doman | 10:25 p.m. July 11, 2008

Church Councils are carried out in an atmosphere of love, fairness and kindness. If Brother Hardy is humble enough to acknowledge anything that he may have done that may could harm or embarrass the Church and if he shows that he does not intend to harm the Church, he will surely be completely forgiven and left in full fellowship. His bringing this matter to the press, will not bode well for him and smacks of beligerance and a continued effort to embarrass the Church.

Anyone who feels this way and acts upon those feelings publicly should not and likely will not remain if full fellowship with the Church.

Brother Hardy is responsible for his own inactivity especially as a returned missionary. I suspect there is much more to this than he has made known.

? | 10:25 p.m. July 11, 2008

Did anyone even think that these so called Missionaries are not now, or have never been missionaries?
Maybe the only one looking bad is Hardy.

Hey folks | 10:26 p.m. July 11, 2008

Don't you think the real issue here is being overlooked? The guy is making money selling these stupid calendars with the Church's name on it! Go sell a calendar with McDonald french fry maker's photos on it and with McDonalds name attached to it and you too will be "hauled into court". But not for your membership in the Ronald McDonald's club but for your profits on the calendar!

Show me the money | 10:51 p.m. July 11, 2008

It's all about money. The love of money. The pursuit of money.

I'm a devout LDS woman and would never had thought about buying a new calendar. Now I am thinking about it and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

This disclosure about the creator's possible disciplinary action is a shrewd marketing move on his part. And I'm sure it is working.

Mimi | 10:59 p.m. July 11, 2008

There was an LDS contestant on America's Next Top Model. She dressed with complete immodesty. It does seem unfair.

Gretzky | 11:06 p.m. July 11, 2008

time for a good hard checking but clean hockey game....

Gary | 11:21 p.m. July 11, 2008

I have presided over a number of disciplinary councils in my service in the LDS church and there are a few points that I wish to make. First, almost certainly, Church headquarters would not be involved. The church is just too extensive for them to be looking in to every ward and stake trying to uncover the dissidents. They leave this to the discretion of the Bishop, and/or the Stake President. Like the Stake Pres. said, there is more involved, which I think there has to be. Mr. Hardy though certainly did not do himself any favors by leaking this tothe press, which the church will view as trying to embarass. This will be viewed as something akin to apostacy. I had to laugh at Dave's 3:06 post. Uneducated Dave? Well, let us see here. just off the top of my head....Harvard educated professor at Stanford, Chief Pilot of an international airline, (thats the equivilant to a top level VP here) world renowned nuclear scientist, heart surgeon, Utah Supreme Court Justice, another with a Doctorate of Education, Attorney and CEO of a health care organization, another high powered attorney. Times up Dave, but, you might get the point.

happy camper | 11:28 p.m. July 11, 2008

I like nature and travel calendars. Hope the best for all parties involved. Obedience learned is not "mind control". To be trusted is greater than to be loved. Church leaders are wonderful people. When talking about the Lord's annointed I use my free agency to obey. Makes me a happy camper.

Consequences | 11:43 p.m. July 11, 2008

DC 134:10 states, "We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies."

This is between Mr. Hardy, and his Priesthood leaders. The church never makes public the outcome of these proceedings. The fact that an AP writer has done this piece, is because Mr. Hardy chose to leak the information. Perhaps he wanted a free ride on the publicity wagon. Still, he's a grown man and is responsible for his actions.

Bottom line, every action has consequences attached to it. This action has obviously brought him, some regional attention, and money for the calendar. The consequence is that it may cost him his church membership.

objectification | 12:02 a.m. July 12, 2008

Just curious, is it wrong to the LDS to objectify their spouse? Or is any form of objectification wrong no matter what? Is there an unofficial website or forum to get those kinds of answers?

A Proud "mindless" follower. | 12:19 a.m. July 12, 2008

You know, I am one of those Mormon's that has 150% commitment to the church. If the church leaders advise us to not or to do something, I really try. I am very imperfect and I have made mistakes down the road. I myself was excommunicated for a short while, most people thought I would be angry or bitter, because usually a person would not get excommunicated for the infraction I committed. That put me on a road of really trying improve my spirit and to not blame anyone but myself for what I did. If Mr. Hardy does get excommunicated, he may not, the spirit directs differently in every situation, but if he does, he must not blame the church. He has made a choice and he has exploited that choice and the action that it has caused, with all my heart, I hope he will humble himself and not go with a confrontational attitude. I hope that he will reach deep in his heart and seek to feel the spirit in his life, that he will remember the love he had for the Gospel. I hope he will make this positive towards his eternal life, not negative.

$$ | 12:23 a.m. July 12, 2008

This guy just struck a gold mine. He will have a hard time keeping up with orders. I can see him on national TV.

The real issues | 12:34 a.m. July 12, 2008

The real problem is that Hardy has taken a group that (outside the GA's) most represent the LDS church and exploited them for MONEY in a way that openly contradicts their values.

Let's take his comment about 'shaking the church up' to a logical end - what would he expect would be the consequences with the church? That people would relax their values and attitudes towards modesty? That HQ would change the mission rules worldwide for sunbathing missionaries?

I suspect his only wish was really to provoke. Well, he got that. When you do something of this nature, you can't complain when some people object and the organization you've provoked doesn't like being provoked.

By the way, how did this get in the news? Did Hardy contact them -- to help sell more calendars and get his 15 minutes of fame? I am sure the church and members in Las Vegas did not.

Ing | 12:56 a.m. July 12, 2008

Free speech, huh? Not an issue. Nobody is stopping him from putting out the calendar.

Any church is within its rights to impose religious discipline on its own members, including excommunication.

I don't care one way or the other, personally, but of course the LDS church is not going to be happy about somebody marketing a calendar with shirtless missionaries (even ex-missionaries). Poke a hornet's nest, the stingers come out. Shouldn't be surprising to anyone.

This whole thing seems kind of ridiculous to me. Shouldn't even be a controversy. (Mind control...give me a break.) The church leaders will decide what happens in the religious context, the calendar guy will still be free to express his opinions and publish calendars (though maybe not to use the name of the LDS church--no different than if he'd gone and published something using the Coca-Cola logo without permission), and God, Liberty, Justice, and the US Constitution will all still be working exactly as they should.

Newsworthy? | 1:04 a.m. July 12, 2008

This isn't news! This is just fodder for the anti-LDS complainers who have nothing better to do than throw insults and degrade something they don't understand.

Ironically, this article is about just such a person... Somebody who doesn't understand what he is doing. Free speech? Give me a break! The LDS Church is about morality and goodness. This guy can do whatever he wants... Just not as a member of the church.

Returned missionary? He should know better. He obviously was not a good missionary, nor a good member of the church.

Embarrassing | 1:06 a.m. July 12, 2008

Sometimes it is embarrassing to be LDS.

Excommunication? For publishing a shirtless calendar? Are you kidding? The Church seems really out of touch with younger members especially.

Gus | 1:06 a.m. July 12, 2008

Many of you say there is nothing wrong with this calendar because there there are mormon models who pose in swimwear, Marie Osmond wore revealing costumes on that dancing show, and Steve Young posed without a shirt on, Julianne Hough, etc, etc..

While I agree that none of the above merit a disciplinary council, you all are failing to see that this calendar is mocking sacred things. Missionaries preaching Christ's gospel, wearing no garments and not shirts, Books of Mormon appearing in the shots, sultry poses, arousing images; and all this just to make a buck. That's where the problem is. That's why he's going to a disciplinary court.

weak minds | 1:08 a.m. July 12, 2008

"...I'm a devout LDS woman and would never had thought about buying a new calendar. Now I am thinking about it and I'm sure I'm not the only one..."

So who will you blame for your weak will?

Rich | 1:13 a.m. July 12, 2008

Hardy should go back to basics: read the scriptures, obey the commandments, pray daily, try hard to live as Jesus would live, obey the Ten Commandments, honor his commitments, including to use his talents, resources, intelligence and energy to build up the church and spread the gospel, repent of any wrongdoing that has caused him to decide to not wear his garments, and then attend church regularly to renew his covenants each Sunday. If he doesn't believe he should do these things, then he should disassociate himself entirely from a religion that he does not believe enough to live its teachings. He could join another religion or, like many Americans and most Europeans, practice his own religion, deciding for himself what is right or wrong, or living with no regard or worry about that concept, either. I'm all for forgiving and forgetting if Hardy is remorseful and repentant, even if he takes 30 years to come to that point.

Upset | 1:11 a.m. July 12, 2008

The actions of the leadership are symptomatic of generations of poisonous pedagogy.

re: wrong Dave | 1:38 a.m. July 12, 2008

"By the way, all church callings are presented to church membership for a vote, so calling them unelected is a little off, too."

I'd hardly call the sustaining an actual election. Its not like the members of the congregation actually have a choice between multiple candidates, nor do people actually "run for office" in the LDS church. The authority figure calls them in and says "we think you should have this job". The sustaining "vote" is more to make sure there isn't any problems with the person holding the position in terms of worthiness, rather than actually electing him/her.

re: Edith | 1:42 a.m. July 12, 2008

"If this guy is excommunicated, he has earned it. His attitude and his work offends me."

Sorry, but "offending" someone is not an offense one can be excommunicated for.

re: Shoe on the Other Foot | 1:58 a.m. July 12, 2008

"it'd imply that we as a church approve of gateway imagery to soft porn--which puts people on a slippery slope to hard porn."

Are you aware that the "slippery slope" is actually a logical FALLACY?

"This is not right by any standard of any known world religion."

Um, how many world religions are you familiar with? Really, only the Judeo, Christian and Islamic faiths are so uptight about sexuality.

re: Rich | 2:03 a.m. July 12, 2008

"Hardy should go back to basics...If he doesn't believe he should do these things, then he should disassociate himself entirely from a religion that he does not believe enough to live its teachings."

Ooooh, a two-for-one. Both a 'no-true-Scotsman' fallacy and false dillema/either-or/black-or-white fallacy.

There are as many different levels of faithfulness in the LDS church as there are people in the church. All ~12 million members are NOT cookie-cutter copies of each other.

re: Show me the money | 10:51 p. | 2:05 a.m. July 12, 2008

"It's all about money. The love of money. The pursuit of money."

Yep, its what makes our entire economy function. Thats the entire foundation of Capitalism.

Susie | 2:08 a.m. July 12, 2008

As a member of the church, i feel like losing this guy who really doesn/t care about the gospel is no big loss.

Why does he want to be a member when he doesnt go anyway?

this is ridiculous | 5:02 a.m. July 12, 2008

Is everyone here really serious? I heard about this on CNN, it's front page news, and it's embarassing. I am active LDS but this is ridiculous. I may not agree with the calendar but it is not grounds for excommunication. Now if they can get him on copyright infringement that's something else, but this "no shirts" thing is beyond silly and ultimately naive.

ramper | 5:30 a.m. July 12, 2008

The church has a right to have a meeting on this and what the outcome will be is not certain. I sometimes wonder how important the non-tithing issue is for some however. When is big contributer Marriott going to have his meeting concerning the porn prevalent in his hotels? And please do not use the "most are franchised out" excuse because so are McDonald's restaurants and they control every thing that can affect their image.

Kim Sorensen, MI | 6:42 a.m. July 12, 2008

Aren't we supposed to be "in the world but not of it"? The human body is a beautiful, sacred thing. To flaunt it for any purpose, but especially in order to make money is repulsive. I'd also like to add that in light of the fact that this brother was never contacted by the Church in six years, we would all do well to be more vigilant home/visiting teachers. Maybe things like this wouldn't happen, and more of the Lord's sheep wouldn't be left wandering in harms way.

Kirby | 6:43 a.m. July 12, 2008

"The Lord's hall monitors are at it again."

zezette | 7:04 a.m. July 12, 2008

Free advertisement, and it's working.
He can do what he wants, but he can not drag the church and its programs into it. Silly small-minded man trying to make a buck at any cost. Sad.

RV Sweden | 7:10 a.m. July 12, 2008

If Mr. Hardy had done a "Men from McDonalds" with the golden arches in the pictures he would findout pretty quickly how many attorneys that McDonalds has. McDonalds will not let their image be torn down by a calendar of beefcakes with the arches on their chests. Hardy crossed the line when he put the missionary name tags in the photo's and implicated they were mormon missionaries. The Mormon church has every right to dicipline a member for such an act and if this man is excommunicated he earned it.

I'm Certain.... | 7:19 a.m. July 12, 2008

He's laughing all the way to the Bank! Nothing like free advertising from the Deseret News and SL Tribune to get the dollars flowing. I'm sure his website has gotten so many hits in the last 24 hours his server probably is close to crashing. My prediction is a whole lot of members will order this calendar.

Michael | 7:37 a.m. July 12, 2008

How many times, have we used other businesses that are perfectly legal to get a dime out of people we know, and attend church with?

Anytime, you do something that is contrary with the teachings of the church there is a "reason" that things happen to you. In this case, there is a hearing coming in roughly 24 hours on the subject. His motives were honorable, but they are in direct contrast to the teachings and the image that should be held up for those gentlemen who have been on their missions.

I feel deeply worried about those "young" men who have had their pictures taken. We could get into a long and heated discussion on things that would make me boil, but it would not be worth the effort. I am worried that any attempt to make people more accountable will drive many souls further away.

Reality Check | 7:46 a.m. July 12, 2008

First, we do not know why mr. Hardy has been summoned to meet his Stake President. For Mormon-bashers it's just convenient to assume it's about his most public dealings.

Second, I would like to know the motive behind making a copy of a personal communication available to a news agency (I suspect there would be $'s in play).

Third, it is Stake President, not HQ inviting him to talk. And if he hasn't attended church in 6 years, it's about time.

Personally, I don't like people using Church membership for monetary gain.

But at least we can be kind to each other and give *everybody* the benefit of doubt (meaning that, since it's *not* our job to judge to start with, at least withhold our judgment till we know what's up).

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