Comments about ‘Mormon ranks in Florida growing — and diversifying’

Wonderful article, thanks for writing it! I remember the day I heard the announcement about all worthy male members could now hold the priesthood and I literally wept for joy as I was driving down the interstate. One can debate the past but perhaps, just perhaps, the church members had to grow and mature enough until the Lord thought we were ready to embrace everyone! I welcome all our wonderful African American and Latino brothers and sisters into full fellowship and rejoice at the strength and goodness you bring! You have so very much to offer and the church has so much to give back! Welcome!

I served in the Florida Tampa mission from 1995 to 1997. Orlando was part of that mission too. There were not a whole lot of active Black people were I served myself. Seems like Florida has a stronger presence of LDS people than other southern states.

The church message is universal, this is an excellent example. Great story!

The great stone is rolling forth from the mountain throughout the world!

What does the writer mean by no adatation to "ethnic foods"? Since I have been to ward activities where a Chaldean member brought Middle-Eastern food for desseret, I think that claim has no basis in fact. The music issue might have some basis in fact, but the food issue is without basis.

What is the same within the Church is the doctrinal teachings. However to claim that the Church subsumes and destroyes individual cultures, as some of the language in this article implies, is to speak things that are not true.

I think the author of this article was so intent on writing a "the Mormons force everyone into the same mold" article that they wrote it without every analysing the facts at hand. Language may be the most obvious accomadation but there are other things, and to say there is no ethnic food is just totally false. The very nature of church-sponsored events that involve food means that it will reflect the food choices of the local members. The author does not seem to understand.

JPL: I agree with your assessment. I thought that the author was only refering to the sacrament which isn't taken to be part of ethnic origins. It is in any ward or branch in the Church bread and water.

My wife is Korean and has stated that where we live no one knows what Koreans actually eat. She is having a wonderful time introducing the membership to the Korean cuisine. In every Branch pot luck she brings something she has made as part of her heritiage. When she cooks for the missionaries, it is something Korean generally. She tries to give everyone something they are not used to eating but something everyone can eat.

So yes though the sacrament isn't ethnic or activies can and are ethnic. This is the way it should be.

One thing I find interesting is that if Mitt Romney is elected and attends the temple he will get the same treatment as any other member. This is true regardless who the member is from the President of the Church to a new convert attending the Temple for the first time. All are treated the same.

Leadership os still very, very white and American centric with a few a europeans and hispanics thrown in for diversity - I suspect it is well calculated. This is such rare case and to prove that it noted a news story to show the faithful of diversity - propoganda at best.

RE; Bill in Nebraska, It is in any ward or branch in the Church bread and water,(Communion).

Ethic Passover and the Lord’s supper. Matzoh: Three unleavened matzohs a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, leaving no time for dough to rise.

Wine: four glasses of wine are consumed during the service to represent the four-fold promise of redemption, with a special glass left for Elijah the prophet.
Wine was used by Noah, Gen 9:20,21 . Melchizedek, Gen 14:18. Isaac Gen 27:25. Jesus 2:1-11, He turns water into wine not wine into water And 1Tim 5:23. Mogen David is popular for the Jewish Passover in modern times.

Fulffillment,1 Corinthians 5:7, Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it( ,Mt 26:27 NLT)

D&C 17:22-23, described the blessing of the wine and bread(now deleted)

mightymite - "Leadership os still very, very white and American centric with a few a europeans and hispanics thrown in for diversity - I suspect it is well calculated. This is such rare case and to prove that it noted a news story to show the faithful of diversity - propoganda at best."

Are you talking about local leadership? If so, than you do not travel. As an International business person, I have often been the only white person in the LDS Church except for one or two missionaries sitting in the back. This has been the case in Brazil, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bueno Aires, Cuzco Peru, Jamaica, Hong Kong, and Acapulco...and once in New York City.

I love our cultural diversity and embrace it. Our branch in Oklahoma hosts Lamanites, Hispanic, Marshallese, and Americans both black and white. There are times when we have translation in 2 languages. This thrills me to no end. I enjoy learning about other cultures and make an attempt to learn their languages so I can greet them properly on Sunday morning so all feel welcome. I hope it just gets bigger and better.

Our Stake Conference was hosted by a Hispanic member of the Seventy. Our church leadership is becoming more culturally diverse. And I personally enjoy hearing the messages that each give. The messages aren't ethnically slanted, it's all about the Gospel. Aren't we all Sons and Daughters of our Heavenly Father? Why is this even an issue.

Mightymite,

Simply put, the local leadership of today is the international leadership of tomorrow. I have known folks qualified for nearly any calling in the church, but leadership within their country or culture was thin so they were most needed locally. Once there is strong local leadership within that country or culture, then you will see folks go to the international level (depending on need and the Lord).

For those who dwell in the past...
1. Trying to get all of the facts about the past is impossible. Even if you and I were there 100 years ago we'd have different takes on what happened.
2. Moses would not stand up well to some people's scrutiny -- killed a man, fled the scene, did little for decades but tend sheep, had multiple wives, wished plagues upon people, got angry and broke sacred records, took authority on himself and was denied permission to enter the promised land, etc. But, he was a great prophet.

So the gentleman in the article was right... it is about today because it is a result of the teachings and the great leaders and people of the past. "Nothing comes from nothing."

I've lived all over the world and been to more than 80 countries, attending LDS services wherever they had a group. Always uplifting, positive and filled with good people in divine communion and fellowship. Problems? Sure, but working hard to help each other and to personally live the Gospel in thought and deed.

Appreciated this article. Well written and true.

Re: putting primarily white people in leadership positions. You will see the opposite gradually take place, but before you can efficiently serve in a position you must know it. Before you can be a doctor, lawyer, nurse, school teacher, you must study, practice and have someone at your side instructing you. The same happens in the church, any church. If I were to convert to another religion, it would be a mistake on their part to give me a Sunday School lesson to teach the next day. Guess what folks would hear? Yup, Mormon doctrine. Think how the original apostles conducted the affair the workings of the church. But when they were converted and received the Hold Ghost, they took on the leadership roles and taught of Jesus until the evils of the world killed them and removed the authority of God from the earth. I love being able to visit any ward or branch and find the essential things firmly in place - the weekly lessons, leadership positions, music, families worshipping together. I also really love the opportunity to go to ward functions and find different foods, programs, languages.

@Sharrona:

Perhaps you are referring to D&C 20:75-79. It describes the blessing of the wine and bread. Maybe you don't know what you're talking about.

Bill in Nebraska
Maryville, MO

One thing I find interesting is that if Mitt Romney is elected and attends the temple he will get the same treatment as any other member. This is true regardless who the member is from the President of the Church to a new convert attending the Temple for the first time. All are treated the same.
•4:35 p.m. July 8, 2012
==============

Arrrgh!

You mean to tell me us Temple Worthy covenanted Mormons really ARE Socialist/Communists after all?!
And that means Mitt’s treasures horded away in the Cayman Islands actually belong to the Church?

I’m game, but that makes me a Liberal and a Socialist.
And I’m not trying to be someone I’m not.

LDS Liberal I said nothing about his holdings. That is his privilege. You have nothing to do with it nor does anyone. If he wishes to give it to the Church so be it, but as of right now it is a personal choice.

As far as the temple is concerned, you are not his Bishop or Stake President. What he reveals is between him and them. Your judgement of him is superficial at best and has nothing to do with this discussion. If it bothers you don't vote for him. It doesn't bother me. It does bother me that the current president has no regard for the Constitution nor his predecessors.

If you were seated next to Mitt Romney in the Temple could you give him the same respect as he would give you. At this point with your remarks I doubt it.

@Cats....are you kidding.... really.....a great stone rolling forth....The Church may be really important to a specific number of people but it will never get much bigger than it is. It can't. It doesn't have the structure to make it happen.

God is … the King eternal, immortal, INVISIBLE, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1Tim 1:17). Skin color is not an issue.

Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called the black man, Lucius (from Cyrene)….(Acts 13:1 NLT.

Re: Symphonic, Perhaps you are referring to D&C 20:75-79. It describes the blessing of the wine and bread. Maybe you don't know what you're talking about. No, it was moved?

D&C 17:22-23, is located in the concordance of the JST(finished 7/ 2,1833) . Also on p. 81, Wine for the sacrament should be unfermented, pure, and preferably of “your own make. “,See D&C 26:1;86:1.,relocated as well.
The A of F. #8 We believe in the Word of God recorded in the Bible; we also believe the Word of God recorded in the Book of Mormon, and in all other good books. See current edition change.

Sharrona: You are so twisted in trying to prove the LDS Church wrong that you really fail to understand or see anything. Regardless whether water or wine is used, it is all symbolic of the Lord's blood. That is all it means. It shouldn't matter one iota whether it is water or wine. Unfermented and pure, preferably of your own make is nothing more than Grape Juice, not actual wine, yet you are so twisted in looking for.

What you miss by what is in the Doctrine & Covenants is the same as it is written in Moroni 4 and 5. So what if it was moved. The LDS Doctrine & Covenants only has 138 sections, yet the Community of Christ has well over 150 different sections. Yet you will use their Doctrine & Covenants over ours. Why, because they have all but given up the Book of Mormon and adopted the trinity as mainline christians.

This is what sets us apart. I've talked to many christians that believe just as I that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are each separate but until they talk to their pastors they actually understand Christian trinity against LDS Trinity.

RE: Bill in Nebraska,This is what sets us apart. I've talked to many christians that believe just as I that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are each separate*[gods] but until they talk to their pastors they actually understand Christian trinity against LDS Trinity.

"If even adult and educated Christians in trying to think of the Blessed Trinity have to guard consistently against to falling into the heresy of *Tritheism what can we expect of children, In other words the difference, between believing in God and in many gods is not one of arithmetic. As someone has said ‘gods’ is not really the plural of God; God has no plural”. C.S. Lewis..

“…baptizing in the* Name(not names)of Father ,and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.(Mt 28:19)Three persons but one God,(Tri)same being or essence(unity). Monotheism. Christians worship One God
Re; It shouldn't matter one iota whether it is water or wine. Wine(oinos ,3631)Fermentation see Mt 9:17,Mark 2;22…. Jesus and the Apostles drank win: ,they would be excluded from the temple today.