Deseret News | Calendar-maker ousted by LDS

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Calendar-maker ousted by LDS

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Valery | 4:29 p.m. July 14, 2008

Anonymous 3:42
Good grief! Don't be so paranoid. There is no conspiracy.

Stuffed Shirts | 4:31 p.m. July 14, 2008

Sounds like a pretty lame reason to ex somebody. Hardy should get the same treatment as the models, which was apparently nothing. Why the difference?
Maybe Hardy's next calendar should feature shirts - the stuffed shirts who exed him.

JohnP | 4:41 p.m. July 14, 2008

Let's face it. Most mainstream Mormons don't treat their religion with an awful lot of dignity and respect.
Look at all the tacky popular culture that has sprung up around the church including businesses selling reams of worthless books written on every imaginable subject related to the church, bumper stickers, t-shirts, posters, utterly stupid movies, terrible pop music with church themes.
It's really not much of a leap to go from all this to a sexy poster of ex-missionaries. I don't really blame this guy. It think the entire Mormon culture has lost any sense of dignity and respect for itself.
Then there are the people who hang banners from freeway overpasses to welcome missionaries home. Compare the experience of early missionaries of the church who undertook their missions at great sacrifice often leaving their families behind in dire circumstances with the modern experience average ill-prepared, spoiled and soft 19-year olds we send into the world to ride around with their bike helmuts and be babysat for 2 years.

Comments continue below

Jeremy | 4:45 p.m. July 14, 2008

Alex,

No offense to you my friend but when those missionaries in Colorado defaced a Catholic statue and got off with only a slap on the wrist. Compare that to a calendar. Church just has their priorities all wrong.

Heads in the Sand | 4:51 p.m. July 14, 2008

He was "Xed" for the calendar. The pretext they found to ex him may have been something else but he would not have been hauled in but for the calendar. It's about PR folks! Nothing more nothing less. Don't you see a common thread in all these stories...we aren't polygamists etc. (for the tenth time). I think all this PR on overdrive is counter productive.

Jill | 4:54 p.m. July 14, 2008

Oh, come on...not all antiï¿½s or ex-moï¿½s take any and every opportunity to bash the LDS Church. I personally only disagree with some historical & doctrinal issues. I have no ill feelings toward any of the LDS people, and I am firmly behind the churchï¿½s action in this case. This guy knew what the consequences would be when he stepped into the LDS Churchï¿½s arena, and the church has every right to protect its interests and image. Soon it will all be over. He got his 15 minutes of fame, and it didnï¿½t cause me to hand him any money for a calendar.

Debochado | 5:00 p.m. July 14, 2008

I'm stoked the church roots out these kind of people. He's obviously super disingenuous. Passively aggressively poking Mormons were it hearts: in the things they consider sacred. Look, I'm sure all you haters have met jerks who are Mormons (I'm one of them), but give the feigned outrage a rest.

Denis | 5:08 p.m. July 14, 2008

Well- yeah, It's always easier for the church to blame someone else rather than take responsibly. Look at the LDS church history.

Jer | 5:11 p.m. July 14, 2008

Guess you could say the church went a little to far this time. It's just a calendar!!!

Alex | 5:17 p.m. July 14, 2008

"Anonymous 3:42
Good grief! Don't be so paranoid. There is no conspiracy. "

Who are you talking to? His comments have nothing to do with conspiracy. Read them again.

Dave B | 5:20 p.m. July 14, 2008

That's too bad. I grew up with Chad in my young mens group in Palm Springs, CA. He had a great family and Chad seemed to be a good kid. He was always a little different in young mens and he was teased a little bit at school.

I wish the best for him and his family. It's been years since I've seen them. That's tough.

Schnooner Sailer | 5:46 p.m. July 14, 2008

All the people bickering whether this is right or not. "Can't we all just get along." The world is beautiful place, I suppose horse, doggies, John Deere Tractors calenders just aren't good enough for some. Now this gentleman gets told your name is removed from the books of the church. Now he trys his case in the media and all the SLC Mormans get all worked up. It's only a media circus. Ride the wave and next week there'll be a new story. Let's put our resources in feeding the poor and shutins, end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home for a long deserved rest.

Hey, people! | 6:22 p.m. July 14, 2008

You're doing his advertising for him. Just ignore him. This ISN'T news.

To: Rick Ingram, 2:03 AM, July 1 | 6:26 p.m. July 14, 2008

Rick -

I wholeheartedly agree. I have 4 children; 2 are sons. I too would be very disappointed if they chose to be photographed for this kind of thing.

It isn't the "shirtless" thing that bothers me, it's the part about them being touted as LDS missionaries. I agree that this is NOT what the Lord's church is about; not before, not now, or in the future. Non-members (and even a seemingly growing number of members) may clamor for Mormons to fit in to the mainstream of society. So be it. But, Christ said to be "in the world, but NOT of the world".

You say you'd "smack some sense into your son" if he chose to pose for this. Seems to me that many, many parents feel that they should never be stern with their children. It might "hurt their feelings". There certainly is a point where a parent can become overbearing, but some pointed, straight talk (w/o raising losing your temper) isn't it.

Who knows, maybe your last son will be companions with mine?

Keep the faith and don't forget what you learned in that St. George hotel!

Ed Helmsley | 6:33 p.m. July 14, 2008

I'd have been disappointed if they didn't punt this guy. He did damage to the one product the church has put the most effort into...the brand itself. The image. I get the impression he didn't necessarily figure he was going to come out of it unpunted, either. And that he didn't really care.

Who Ousted Who? | 6:35 p.m. July 14, 2008

Hmmmm.....

the DesNews title for this story said "Calendar Maker Ousted by LDS".

Really?

It was the LDS Church that removed this man from membership???

What about Hardy's own actions? Wasn't it Hardy that chose to quit attending church 6 years ago? Wasn't it Hardy that chose to stop paying tithing? Wasn't it Hardy that chose to stop wearing Temple garments? Wasn't it Hardy that chose to create and sell the calendars?

If you look at who ultimately is responsible for his (hopefully temporary) excommunication, his answer is looking at him from the mirror.

And it seems to me that whoever came up with this tag-line either has an axe to grind against the LDS church or they don't understand personal responsibility.

Alex | 6:38 p.m. July 14, 2008

Jeremy:

"No offense to you my friend but when those missionaries in Colorado defaced a Catholic statue and got off with only a slap on the wrist. Compare that to a calendar. Church just has their priorities all wrong. "

Your disagreement over the Catholic statue I understand. However, your assertion that the church has its priorities wrong by comparison of that scenario with the current situation is based on the premise that Hardy was excommunicated because of the calendar. The problem is that we just don't on what basis he was excommunicated. It is pure speculation both ways.

Breaking News | 6:36 p.m. July 14, 2008

Just in from the church office building.... "Why didn't we think of that first!!! We could've made millions!" More at 10

Jessie | 6:54 p.m. July 14, 2008

Did anyone bother reading the July 2008 Ensign? Refer to the cover.

Accountability | 6:56 p.m. July 14, 2008

I haven't read most of these comments so perhaps this has already been noted. I find one particular comment most interesting, "I feel like I no longer have to apologize for anything."

Stones for throwing anyone? | 7:10 p.m. July 14, 2008

Sorry, I just read through the first page of comments and I'm not going to read more. I'm LDS, and am embarrassed by the calendar. But I feel worse that someone has left the church. That's really the sad part here, that the church had to step in and ex this guy.

The other really sad part of this is the comments I've read. Since when were any of us perfect? I'm not, but I'm not going to criminalize this guy. Sorry guys, the church made a decision and you all need to quit worrying about it. So he tried to make a quick buck and tried to do it at the church's expense (intentional or not). Not the worse thing that's happened. Leave it up to him and God now. Other than being a friend and a support there's not much else you can do.

Public Apology | 7:33 p.m. July 14, 2008

The appropriate church disciplinary action was taken here for Mr. Hardy for private and unspecified reasons and he acknowledges this, NOT because of the calendar as has already been noted above.

The young men evolved in this unfortunate and misguided affair should make a public and heartfelt apology for their participation or receive some form of church discipline. It's hard to understand how they could fail to see that they were undermining the church and it's message. What could they possibly have been thinking? Did they not know that their missionary uniform would be used to draw an unseemly and lustful comparison? My guess is that they were exploited in their naivety by Mr. Hardy who was simply an inactive member eager to turn a quick buck.

What a sad and pathetic episode for everyone involved.

Feel for him and his family | 7:44 p.m. July 14, 2008

Ultimately, the sad part is that he has lost his membership and his family has to suffer through the consequences of his actions, which he brought upon himself. That is the real story. There's always hope that he'll take responsibility for his actions, make amends, and return to full fellowship.

Anonymous | 7:58 p.m. July 14, 2008

First of all, my heart goes out to anyone who has to go through the Church disciplinary process. This is a terrible thing for all those involved. We should not be celebrating the fact that this man no longer is counted among us. Secondly, this article, in my personal opinion, unfairly characterizes this disciplinary hearing as being a result of the calendar. It is not. This individual had not paid tithing, had not been to church in years, has not been wearing the garments, and probably many other things we don't know about that were discussed during the hearing. You don't just excommunicate someone in the Church for creating a "sexy" calendar. It just doesn't happen. If that were the case, how many of us members of the Church would be excommunicated for purchasing the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue or for visiting certain websites on the internet. This action on the part of the Church has very little to do with calendars and much, much more to do with his personal lifestyle and engagement (or lack thereof) in the Church today.

New Idea for Calendar | 7:59 p.m. July 14, 2008

Why don't you make a Calendar showing
different people, of all ages, asleep
in church. Most people have a very
cute and endearing expression of peace
on their faces. You don't have to make
it just a Mormon Calendar. I am sure
people of all faiths nap in church too.

Mary | 8:25 p.m. July 14, 2008

OHHHHH SOOOOO SADDD!

Free Agency | 9:06 p.m. July 14, 2008

This person had his agency and used it.
Just like the modern views on freedom or speech, We should be able to say anything, anywhere, at anytime and not have consequences...

Well free agency let this guy make a decision. There are consequences.

This is really a private matter and would never had made the papers unless he, himself, discussed the matter.

To him it isn't a big deal. He made his decision to live outside of church rules years ago.

He is still free to exercise his Free Agency.

Re: Ted | 9:10 p.m. July 14, 2008

"The feeling of liberation and genuineness is one of the most powerful spiritual experiences I have ever felt! No more doing things because you are commanded or because someone is watching. You do things because you genuinely believe in them."

That's funny, Ted, that's the exact same thing many Mormons feel, too. We follow the commandments because we love the Lord and love our Savior, and we want to do as They have asked us to do. We genuinely want to obey, because we genuinely believe there are reasons for everything we're asked to do, and we genuinely believe that when we obey, we're doing good.

Mormons are not sheep blinding following their leaders in everything they say and do, and we are not brainwashed. We are (in most cases) adults, and we can think for ourselves and come to our own decisions. Many of us have come to recognize the quiet joy and power that comes from keeping the commandments and following the prophets, and so we continue to do so, no matter who thinks it's strange. And you know what? It's liberating. It's exactly what real freedom is all about.

ants | 9:23 p.m. July 14, 2008

i dug into an ant hill the other day ... thank you to those few above who are not acting like those ants!

rn | 9:55 p.m. July 14, 2008

Well, this is just standard operating proceedure of how the church tries to dampen opposing oppinion. If they don't like what you write or publish they ex you to shut you up. Where's freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed by the scripture called the Constitution?

Jeremy | 10:12 p.m. July 14, 2008

I've read a lot of the comments posted today. I think it's great that Mr. Hardy has been released by the church. He will find that it's probably one of the best things that could have happened to him in his life. He was very noble in not showing anger or resentment toward church leaders. He has a lot of character. He will find that there are plenty of faiths out there that are true religions and will lead his life in a much better direction than the one that just excommunicated him.

Anonymous | 10:30 p.m. July 14, 2008

Doesn't seem he'll miss the Church and the Church probably won't miss him, so what's the problem??? But some of us girls will sure miss his hunky calendars. Seriously, we all know it was a publicity stunt on his part, and it certainly got him the publicity he wanted. Next time, try a calendar of "college men gone wild" instead of LDS boys serving missions. They look good without shirts too!

Sandy | 10:41 p.m. July 14, 2008

I bought one of the calendars...it's pretty cool looking :}

Nope | 10:41 p.m. July 14, 2008

rn, freedom of speech is never taken from its members by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. People are free to say, do, act however they want. However, if they truly believe in what the church teaches, they would have no need to write or do anything that is a serious disagreement. If a person is very busy saying/writing that sort of stuff, perhaps they don't believe enough in what the church teaches to really claim being a truly converted member. Sure, there are consequences to breech of church covenants or for intentionally damaging the church. But freedom of speech is certainly not muffled. Excommunicated or not, people are free to say or write what they like. The church won't go out and stop anyone.

Anon 808 | 10:56 p.m. July 14, 2008

I am not at all sure that he did anything he has to be sorry for. The pictures where designed to make a point. They where in Good Taste. These Men are Not Current Missionaryï¿½s. They are all returned from Honorable Missions. To include the maker of the Calendar. Parts of me do not see where it was/is the Churches Business. Parts of me do see their point and why they where/are upset. If he had been a non member there would have been nothing that they could have done about it. A young man wearing Black Pants, riding a bike, with or with out the shirt is Not a Trade Mark of The LDS Church. Tacky I agree. Other then that not so much.

awesomeron | 10:58 p.m. July 14, 2008

I fed Missionaries the other Night. Fish, Poi, BBQ Burgers and Chicken. On my New Survivalist Gas Grill w/side burner. Even they knew about this, with out being told.

Boston | 11:01 p.m. July 14, 2008

So I just got off my mission six months ago from Massachusetts and when he first came out with this stupid calendar, we (missionaries) got a lot of criticism for it from the people that we were trying to share the gospel with. So to everyone who can't understand why the Church would excommunicate him for it, I feel its because when you start to do things that fight against, destory, and hinder the Work you haven't kept sacred covenants and that constitutes some form of disciplinary action. In this case a council felt excommunication was the appropriate action. I hope that one day he has a change of heart and comes back to the Church.

Ronald A. Young | 11:04 p.m. July 14, 2008

You guys have a Spa Ad on here that shows as much skin if not more then the Young men on the Calender did.

rn......huh? | 11:07 p.m. July 14, 2008

Ugh.........rn. Have you ever read the "Constitution"? It says that the government cannot infringe upon your rights to speech and expression. It does not require religions to grant those rights unto you. What it does is give you the right to choose a religion, or choose not to be a part of any religion. If you don't like its teachings don't join, don't participate.

Had you ever taken a 9th grade Civics course you should probably understand that. In case you didn't, the short answer to the question is that the first amendment doesn't apply here.

Jenni | 11:21 p.m. July 14, 2008

With all that is going on in the state, nation & world...is this really news? Seriously...this is not news!

Ed H | 11:27 p.m. July 14, 2008

If he were a Lutheran in Minnesota, he would be getting the same punishment and the same press coverage... and rightfully so. The Lutheran Church is the one and only true church on the earth today.

Back to Basics | 12:14 a.m. July 15, 2008

Being active in "the church" is not the pinnacle of existence nor is "going on a mission".

Unless people are humble and Christlike you just end up making yourself into a bigger hypocrite.

If the veneer of "mormondom" were ripped away we would find that some of the worst people are active and some of the best are "inactive". There will be a lot of surprises on judgement day.

Wow | 12:39 a.m. July 15, 2008

All of the anger.

Hardy said he was fine with the decision.

What is the problem with the rest of you?

Go watch TV.

Kevin M | 12:40 a.m. July 15, 2008

So much for a "Court of Love", as it is ideally supposed to be. It's all too often become a "Court of Face-Saving" for the Church. We all know that the biggest crime in the LDS Church is to have dirty laundry made public. It's ALL about the image.

Lynn | 1:06 a.m. July 15, 2008

People keep missing the point. He obviously was not excommunicated ONLY because of the calendar. He admitted himself that he has been breaking sacred covenants for several years.

Some of you here seem to think this is just a joke, not a big deal, and the Church leaders over-reacted. As one who once fell away, and then years later repented and took the long road back to the fold, I can tell you it's a very big deal!

He may not realize it now, but he has just been turned over, by the consequences of his own choices, to the buffeting of Satan. He no longer has the right to the Companionship of the Holy Ghost. He is on the way down the paths of darkness unless and until he decides to repent.

This makes me sad. I especially feel sad for his family. I also feel sad for the Returned Missionaries. They've been disgraced, and exploited by an apostate, and allowed the good reputation of our missionaries to be tarnished.

There is a ripple effect for everything we do. Many people, in, and, out of, the Church, will be hurt by this.

Overblown! | 1:24 a.m. July 15, 2008

I am active LDS and believe in free enterprise myself. It is not like this was porn or something against a hard church rule! Seems fairly tasteful as calendars go, he even let the missionaries give their testimony. Guys without shirts is not really a big deal is it? If the church was smart, they would have left it alone to not give this guy more publicity/sales and make a big deal out of it. It is not like they are excommunicating the other millions of members who are not active, so why make such a big deal out of this because of a fairly tame calendar that does not break any commandments or church regs/covenants that I can think of? Again, he is not saying this is an official church sponsored calendar or anything, so give it a rest and move on to a real story.

The Lovesac Dude is at it Again | 2:15 a.m. July 15, 2008

I remember the first time I heard of this guy he was running his Lovesac company and on that TV Show Rebel Billionaire with Richard Branson. Now he's making calendars? Who gives?

In my opinion he's just an entrepreneur and just because he failed at bean bags and now his dreams of making calendars are being crushed he will sooner or later find the product that will make him rich beyond his wildest dreams.

This guy deserves forgiveness.

If Pope John Paul II could forgive the Turkish gunman who shot and tried to assasinate him I know that President Monson could do the same for this fine young man.

I have a lot of respect for President Monson and let us all remember his recent words:

President Thomas S. Monson said members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are ready to welcome "the less active, the offended, the critical, the transgressor" into fellowship.

David the Ex-mo | 5:33 a.m. July 15, 2008

If the other 12 models received NO punishment, that tells me this WASN'T about the calendar but something more which can clearly be inferred by Hardy's own words. As an ex-mo, I take many issues with the Church, but this isn't one of them. The calendar may have put him on the radar, but the other stuff got him in the situation he willingly put himself into...for starters that he wanted out anyway. So please, stop with the, "this is all about the calendar" garbage when obviously it is clearly not.

John B Sheffield | 5:42 a.m. July 15, 2008

We now live in 2008, how long did it take for African Americans to be Fully accepted into The LDS Church, Far too many years! and for me with many Church Members on this subject it is sadly still "Work in Progress" - RM's now get divorced and that seems to be accepted? - I have been brought up that it is not my place to judge anyone only ONE! will be the JUDGE! - I wonder if Our Loving Savour JESUS CHRIST, from who The Church takes its name ever turned away a sinner , well we know the answer is NO!

Marie | 5:46 a.m. July 15, 2008

The church did not announce that it excommunicated Hardy, Hardy made that announcement. How is it that so many here do not see that distinction? This was all purposeful publicity, using the church for his means. No, I am not LDS but it seems many LDS on here are not the brightest bulbs in the pack and think this is about money/the calendar/big brother/freedom of speech or other such nonsense. It is about a man that sought publicity USING a church known for its high moral requirements of its members to get a quick buck.

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