Deseret News | Mormon Media Observer on MormonTimes.com: Focus on Family pulls Glenn Beck article

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Mormon Media Observer on MormonTimes.com: Focus on Family pulls Glenn Beck article

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Jed Merrill | 10:47 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

One would think 2008 would have reduced this ignorant criticism. Mormons and Evangelicals have a great deal in common. Unfortunately for Evangelicals, who are not all closed minded, their competitive spirit wins out over the spirit of Christ that teaches to put aside such minor differences and that true religion has little to do with doctrine God, not man, must be the ultimate judge of.

I haven't read Christmas Sweater yet, but have heard glowing reviews of it.

Anon | 10:48 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

The Mormons make claims that divide and separate. Then seem confused as to why these views that diverge from classic Christianity (example who God and Jesus are and their origins) raise concerns among classic Christians. If as other Christian denominations the church were to say their views past and present are their leaders best interpretation of what the bible says not calling all other views incorrect you would not get the same level of scrutiny. The claim that the LDS church is the only true church will always open the church to serious questioning regarding these claims. Do not be suprised. If another church claimed to be the only true church and had views that contradicted your fundamental understanding of who God is I would expect you to react to them the same way classic Christians react to you.

I have always wondered how the we believe the bible to be word of God as far as it is correctly translated led to not just some corrections yet to a whole new view of God and his relationship to man. These are not the type of corrections that biblical scholars make when older more accurate manuscripts are made available.

Keeping_it_Real | 11:15 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Linda...no I wasn't calling MA to repentance...not my job!!! But I agree with you whole-heartedly that he is a TROLL that is looking for an argument!
I love it! When truth it spoken, the opposition gets mad!!!
Two earlier posting hit the nail on the head:

"The early followers of Christ were also considered a cult - these followers of the man from Galilee. As a member of the LDS church, I feel I'm in good company."

And:

"Don't deliberately seek occasions to offend others when nothing is at stake; When you have the truth, you don't have to silence your opposition. You need only to tell your own story, and let people decide for themselves".

Comments continue below

KM | 11:13 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Charles U. Farly 8am

Secularism is fast becomming the state religion of our country. Soon, we will see how that all works out.

Let it go | 11:16 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

It's interesting that as Mormons we are a "cult" when we worship and follow the Savior that evangelicals and other religions follow. The LDS church will continue to love and stand for something and not be moved by changing winds. We'll continue to do Richard G. Scott said and to love those we disagree with and those who disagree with us.
So maybe those who attack the church can realize it's a waste of time. The church will not change to accomodate the "world" and it isn't leaving, the church is here to stay.
The church doesn't get swayed by it's members stance unlike mr. Dobson's church.
When other religions again come to call for the church's assistance in moral issues, we will heed the call and won't remember such issues as this. You can call us a cult, ridicule us, and attack us for our beliefs. But, the church will always welcome you and in times of need, we are always willing to give supplies, money, and our hands to aid in any way.

To Anon | 10:48 | 11:17 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Just so's you know -- most of us don't really care what you think about us. We just state the truth and move on.

That's not to say we're an exclusive bunch -- we're not. We are inclusive of anyone that wants to accept the truth and join us. But we won't water down the truth to please you.

We'll be as pleasant about stating the truth as we can. If you like us -- OK. If not, that's OK too. We'll still state the truth.

Dobson and his Focus crowd have a lot to recommend them. We'll use them as allies in building up God's kingdom as long as they stick with the truth, but we won't change the truth to appease them so they'll be our friends. We care too much for the truth.

We've been using this approach for a couple hundred years now. It seems to be working. I suspect we'll stick with it.

No offense intended.

Bonnie | 11:23 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To all Mormons! It's okay! Heber C. Kimball said in 1931 that "even SLC would be classed among the wicked cities of the world, mainly because of financial bondage. Persecution would come next and all true Latter-day Saints will be tested to the limit. Many will apostatize and others will not know what to do.
The Savior taught that when one makes a commitment to the gospel it may bring suffering and persecution upon him. In John 15:20 he said "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you..."
Mormons have endured much persecution, and will have to endure much more. Although there are a lot of righteous people, it is truly a wicked world we live in.

Janice | 11:28 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Mormons are the ones who need to repent and get over themselves. They are NOT better than any of Gods other children. This is part of their brainwashing program as members, and VERY SAD INDEED.

One true church - yeah right | 11:27 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

It seems that the mormon church treats their own cousins the same way. They are the big bully on the playground telling the FLDS groups that they aren't mormon. It's just like Christians are telling the mormons that mormon's aren't Christan. Mormon's sure don't like having the tables turned on them.

Fact is (as dirty as it is) the FLDS have more in common with Joseph Smith's version of mormonism than the existing LDS church does in SLC. Like it or not, FLDS are mormons. They follow Joseph Smith and the book of mormon.

The Rock | 11:34 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

I own a web based business. I sell homeschool curriculum. Most of my customers and Evangelical Christians.

Focus on the Family had a link to my web site until somebody pointed out that I was LDS. The link disappeared.

I had an add running in a homeschool magazine and it was pulled when they found out that I published an LDS version of my curriculum.

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association contacted me and asked me to advertise with them. The invitation was recended when I told them that I am LDS. (Too many people complain.)

When Evangelical Christians tell me "You're not Christian because you are Mormon" (not rare at all) they get a whole lot more than they bargained for. I will not put up with it. They find out quickly that this Mormon is more than capable of defending his faith.

to | 11:37 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To Alaskan Christian: when I grew up in Utah around Mormons every day, outnumbered 30-1, they told me everyday that they were not Christians, but Mormons, and proud of it. Day after day, week after week, month after month,year after year...

As I have gotten older I can see that the Mormon church is trying desperately to sneak into the christian tent. And, apparently they have convinced some that they are christians.

As my Mormom friends told me for years and years and years, "Become like us, Mormons."

Christianity is not Mormonism, no matter how you try to paint it or spin it.

tru_enuf | 11:37 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To Hijacked and Sloop John D:
first Hijacked - Romney caved to the right wing evangelicals and deserved his fate; he went along with the hijacking. Guiliani was an idiot basing his whole primary campaign on Florida - the guy runs away from political races and exercises poor political judgment.
To Sloop John D: you are correct in addition to having a cool ID. The truth is not on the far right nor far left. It is in the LDS Church and its leaders and, to a lesser extent, in the center-left of the political spectrum. President Obama has the pulse of the truth in playing his cards from the center-left and running a transition of inclusion. His inclusion of even Rick Warren was a smart choice - but President Monson would have been a better pick.

Henry Drummond | 11:36 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

I've brought this up before, but why does KSL continue to give free air time to James Dobson for his "Focus on the Family" program? It should be entitled "Focus on the Right Kind of Family" which excludes not only Gays but Mormons as well.

It reminds me of Lenin who referred to western communist sympathizers as "useful idiots". Why do you continue to let these people use you?

Barb | 11:48 a.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Another bad bad day for Latter-day Saints. This has been a horrible year and set the Church back decades. I guess it is one last parting shot in 2008. I am not sure if the Church can survive another year like this.

mda | 12:02 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Gloria--your comments dupicate what I would have said. Way to go!!!

Wilford | 12:05 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Times are changing and peope are gaining more knowledge and the world is becoming wise to the mormon church.

Oh Please | 12:05 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

I would have pulled Beck's stuff also, not because he's a Mormon but because he's a sappy, sentimentalizing demagogue who lays on the tears and flapdoodle to the point of nausea.

ramper | 12:26 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To "from the other sie".
First, I have no idea what "sie" means. You must have missed a key. But, to answer your challenge to look up the definition of "cult" to see if we qualify, no problem. It is more a question of who is throwing that term out to whom. Lest you forget, Christ and his followers were considered a cult by the political and religious leaders of his time. Soooooo! Well, that should be enough for your lesson for today.

Cats | 12:29 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

TO Barb: The Church will survive ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. It is the stone rolling forth from the mountain that will fill the whole earth.

I've read all these blogs and I can't believe how much misinformation and complete untruths that have been spewed out from anti-mormons, pro-gays, bitter former mormons, etc. And for "TO"--I don't believe ANY mormon ever told you that he/she wasn't a Christian. We have always been Christians and have always avowed it. No one is trying to "sneak in to the Christian tent." That's absurd and you know it.

As LDS people we hate no one. We teach love for all God's children. We don't claim all other Churches are false. We only claim that we have the FULLNESS of the truth. We ask everyone to take the truth they already have and see if we can add truth to it. If you knew there was more truth to be had, wouldn't you want it? That's what we are offering.

Truth ultimately speaks for itself. Only if you are unafraid of TRUTH can you find it. Those who sincerely seek it will.

Sally | 12:30 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To mda

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! People are more educated and it's a bit harder to pull the wool over someones eyes.

I have always thought Glen Beck was kind of creepy.

Cats | 12:37 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To Wilford: If the World is becoming "wise to the Mormon Church" they will know that the lies that have been told about the Church for so many years are just that---LIES.

And to all those who attack Glenn Beck--many of the things said here about him are just plain NOT TRUE. He is NOT a hater. He is NOT a demogague or any of the other nasty things that have been said. You need to spend some time listening to him.

I have read Glenn's book "The Christmas Sweater" and it is of very great worth. I recommend it to everyone. It is about the redeeming love of Jesus Christ and how we all have worth. It is about repentance and second chances. How could ANYONE have any complaint about that unless he/she is someone who is so full of venom they can't see straight. Unfortunately, many people are so busy spewing their emotional problems all over the internet, they don't have time to see value in anything.

re: Janice | 12:45 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Throughout my life as a Mormon, I have been taught in church just as you suggest... that if I think for one second that because I am a Mormon I am better than any of God's other children, then I have some serious repenting to do. I can't recall even one teacher or church leader in my life who has taught differently.

One of the things I cherish most about my Mormon faith is the doctrine that we are indeed all God's children, each one loved dearly by Him, and each one with access to His kingdom when this life is over. (Many evangelicals are unaware of this and I do think we Mormon's sometimes forget or get defensive, which does sometimes offend others.)

As someone living among many evangelical's in the south, I'd suggest to my fellow LDS to relax just a little bit. I find that as my evangelical neighbors get to know me and my family, the vitriole they may have learned from others disappears. Any former missionary knows that bashing in either direction never, ever changes hearts. Let's love them and overlook any disparaging comments that may come from a minority of evangelicals.

What is a cult? | 12:45 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Noun: cult
1. Followers of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
2. An interest followed with exaggerated zeal
3. Followers of an unorthodox, extremist, or false religion or sect who often live outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader
4. A religion or sect that is generally considered to be unorthodox, extremist or false
"it was a satanic cult"
5. A system of religious beliefs and rituals

Okay - so, by the dictionary definition, EVERY religion in the entire world that claims to be true is a CULT! In fact, global warming true believers are part of a cult, extreme environmentalists are a cult, Darwinists are a cult... In fact, by the strictest definition, any religion you consider false is a cult. So, to me, "Mormonism" is the only true religion. To an evangelical, only their religion is true. So, by this definition, we can call each other cults until we're blue in the face.
I'm not going to call them a cult, because I recognize that we agree on one thing - Jesus Christ, born about 0 A.D., died on a cross, and resurrected, is the Savior of mankind. Enough said.

John Pack Lambert | 12:52 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

The reason why we join with groups like Focus on the Family who hate us is in many ways similar to the reason why Catholics join with the same groups.
The goal is two fold. On one hand we deeply value marriage as Latter-day Saints and have deep and at times unique resasons to defend it. Anyone who thinks the Prop 8 fight had to do with image needs to read "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" to understand what the baqsic Latter-day Saint beliefs on these issues are.
Likewise, the views on the atonement, on Jesus as being our Savior and related issues that Brother Beck expressed in the interview are Latter-day Saint views. The fact that the "Underground Apologetics" claim that he is being presented as a Christian believer of their kind actually shows how the differences in belief between Evangelical Christians and Latter-day Saints are not as broad as some think.
I will write a fuller explanation of this at my blog, mormoninmichigan.

Skippy | 12:59 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

There will always be people who claim that Mormons are not Christian. Look at the facts, by their fruits you shall know them. Wait until the end when the truth is revealed and everyone will know the truth. Yes, mormons are christian.

Focus on the Family | 1:01 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Focus on the Family is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As a Colorado Mormon, I want to state a few things here that might shed some light. First Colorado Springs has a large and vibrant Mormon population. Believe me Dr. Dobson knows full well about the LDS church and its success right in his own backyard. Dr. Dobson has always attempted to undercut the church in various ways. He was outspoken against Romney in the election for example, and threw his weight in favor of Huckabee.

Glen Beck no saint | 1:04 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

James Dobson scored a huge victory this year when Prop 8 passed in Calif. and the LDS Church took the heat for its passage. Did you hear him stand up for the LDS church? Oh yeah, there was some on-line petition? Big deal. Dobson is a wolf in sheep's clothing. And Glenn Beck? He kisses up to Mormons while talking hate on his show. Example? "Would you kill someone for that?...I'm thinking about killing Michael Moore...I could kill him myself, or if I would need to hire somebody to do it,. OR "Can you let your son's body become the same temperature as your son's head before you turn this into a political campaign against the president? Could you do that?" (talking about Michel Berg, whose son, business Nick Berg was beheaded in Iraq).

To Bonnie | 1:17 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Heber C Kimball is my wife's ancestor, and believe me he was not alive in 1931. So you might want to look at your dates of your quotes.

Cap'n Ron | 1:23 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

The USS Mormon is sinking faster than the Titanic.

soakblue | 1:24 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Amazing -- they'll associate with us when it means bringing $ in for prop 8, but when the pressure comes from the evangelicals, focus on the family has no problem stabbing Mormons in the back.

RG | 1:44 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Ignorance is a said thing.Shirley Dobson and James Dobson,have not risen above their theological roots which can be traced back to apostates from the major religion of their day. It is sad that the fruit from that tree has not fallen far from its tree and has the same tone as that tree's inquisitions. Events never change they are just repeated at different times by similar ignorant minded people.

V. for VIP | 2:19 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Re: RG
I love you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Much!

JB | 2:19 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To those who think we Mormons feel sorry for ourselves or are devastated at our treatment, that is seldom the case. My comment at the beginning of this thread had no victim mentality to it. I am sad whenever I see hatred. So is God. We have been commanded to love one another. I feel sorry for people who hate and I wish they did not because I know it does not add to the Light of Christ that they have. They would be happier and have a closer relationship with the Lord if they loved everyone.

Some Evangelicals I have dealt with disagree with the LDS Church strongly but react in a loving way, and this is fine. Many others act in a vicious way. When I was young, I was kicked out of several protestant churches when they learned I was Mormon, even when I kept silent about it. Honestly, this is not a Christian reaction and I feel sorry for people with such animosity and hope they can let go of those negative feelings.

Follow Christ, not stars | 2:25 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To Cats. It is absolutely believable that Mormons several years ago would've corrected someone who called them "Christian" instead of Mormon. But what they would've meant when making that correction is that they don't consider themselves to be affiliated with the other Protestants.

I would love to see Glen Beck practice on his radio show what he preaches when speaking to Mormons. I get a kick out of Mormons who avoid R rated movies yet devotedly listen to Sean Hannity. Like the serpent who fooled Eve.

Lori | 2:32 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

I was on the Focus On the Family donation mailing list and I even occasionally donated to their cause, UNTIL I heard about them not allowing Mormons to pray at their "interfaith" National Prayer Breakfast. Apparently my money is good enough for them, but my prayers aren't, so I wrote them and asked for my name to be removed from their donation mailing list because of their bigotry against me and my church.
It's too bad we can't take the good from everything we see and hear; apparently they can't.

Gregg | 2:32 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

i have an idea. We can ban Protestant vendors from the mormon mall downtown. That will teach them.

Linda | 2:35 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To- JB, I'm glad you know how God thinks and feels. It must be a great gift to have, because I've often wondered myself how god himself may think and feel, and have no idea, because I am not God.

Historian | 2:38 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Calvinist cult members (evangelicals) have been persecuting Christians for the last 350 years. John Calvin had those that did not share his extreme fundamentalist ideas burned at the stake. They were the chaplains of the KKK that lynched many including LDS missionaries in the early 1900's. You LDS should be thankful that they are not burning your houses, just haranging you doctrine.

Jenks | 2:39 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Re Follow Christ, not stars

Many Mormons watch R rated movies they just fast forward through the sex scenes.

One Word | 2:49 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Ignorant.

al | 2:49 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

The word "cult" is a shortened version of the word "culture." Get over it.

Bickertonite from Michigan | 2:57 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

It is inaccurate to say that the Utah LDS church is a cult. A cult is any organization that does not permit its members to leave.

However, they do believe in many erroneous doctrines based on their book of (false) Doctrines and (incorrect) Covenants, which The Church of Jesus Christ (whq: Monongahela, PA) has never accepted.

Sanity | 2:58 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

I don't see the LDS church putting up evangelical works on their Web sites. Where are they?

If you anti-evangelical posters are as "righteous" and "fair" as you are inferring by blasting Dobson's so-called "bigotry," then why don't you all get together and protest about the lack of other Christian churches material in the LDS church?

Get off of the persecution complex garbage and see things the way other people see them---it's like the kettle calling the pot black!

For that matter, why not put up some of Focus on the Family's stuff on the LDS Web site? We'll see how far that goes!

Klueth | 3:03 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Evangalists and Mormons are just way to familiar with each other and their ways to ever get along. Both preach intolerance and bigotry but try try to wrap it up under the auspices of love. I find it very difficult to believe that Jesus Christ is at the head of either organization. There is truth out there but niether of these two groups even come close to it. You guys are battling for last place and the most un-Christlike church.

Alaskan LDS Christian | 3:14 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

"On the Cross" 9:00am post:
The end is near and I wonder how many Mormons or Christians really know Jesus. The only way to know Him is to study and read the New Testament. "Will you know Me when I come again?"
===============================
YES! LDS more so than most others, Apparently you did not read the 3rd comment, so I'll repeat myself.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

By evidence of our fruits, their is no doubt we keep the Saviors Commandments.

Glenn Becks recovery from wickedness, unto his Christian successes of today is one example of Christ like obedience to God's commandments.

Jesus is the reason for the season, Merry Christmas!

Calling names on the name caller | 3:27 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Please be careful with name calling. What is said may not be untrue...but James Dobson's ministry teaches many good things worthy of listening to. He has put his life into being a Christian psychologist and has done many good things.
My family is both Evangelical and Catholic and I have converted to LDS. I know some of the the issues first hand. But calling HIM bigoted and names does not do any good.
Many evangelicals are very good hearted people doing their best to follow the Bible. The bottom line of many of these churches is follow the money though--if they lose converts, they lose their donations and the ministry loses its source of revenue. The minister loses his job. They are not volunteer funded and they are not large enough like the Catholics to keep the parishes going.

Bonnie | 3:41 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

To 1:17 pm. The Heber C. Kimball quote was a quote from him in the Deseret News, Church Department, page 3, May 23, 1931. Sorry I didn't include that.

Julie | 3:46 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

You Mormons need to do some serious repenting or God someday will smite you down in the end. You shouldn't be playing with God saying he says this and he says that...that is a BIG no no!

Lloyd | 3:44 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

It is all about the almighty dollar folks. Both evengalists and mormons are competing for it and each of you show greed and hate in order to fill the plate. What a terrible game you both play with souls. My vote, niether group is Christian!

Huh? | 4:25 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008

Why would have the theological differences been an issue? His book has a central Christian message. What is so wrong about that? I'm just so disappointed in Focus on the Family, esp. after the LDS Church took the beating for the passing of Prop 8 in CA.

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