LDS members???

Question

What is up with this rash of really ignorant questions about the church, and doctrine, and now Temple garments?
And do you feel that Mitt Romney's campaign is calling unwanted attention to the church?
Why do think that a small-minded individual gets such a perverted pleasure, out of denigrating a particular religion??
How do you keep your cool when they belittle everything we believe?
How do you handle the misconceptions and downright lies, that these people tell about us.
And do you agree that the adversary is working overtime on yahoo answers????

What do you think, members??

Well Oog, there you go, how sweet of you to join the Members of the church with your comments.!All you had to say was you didn't AGREE with what we believe!! But, you had to insult instead! Way to go OOG!!

Answer 1

Oh, there are always people here bashing the Church. Probably more now than in the past, due to the success of Romney.

I think some people have never grown out of the junior high school mentality of ripping on other people to make themselves feel better.

I don't keep my cool very well. I'm probably one of the more combative LDS folks here on R&S. But I've learned to not take their bigotry personally. Baby steps... :-)

I'm learning how to behave better from other LDS members who are very good examples here on R&S. You folks know who you are. :-) Thanks!

Answer 2

I have been on here long enough that I think I am pretty good about weeding out the bashing questions from those who really want to know and are truly curious about an answer.

First of all I remember that my ancestors dealt with a lot more of this nonsense than I do. At least I can put roots down and stay in the same place forever, without living in fear of someone violently taking it all away from me. I have not had to pack up my family and move to an unknown place in harsh weather. When I put it all in perspective then what we deal with now does not seem so bad.

About the garments- I usually say something about how juvenille it is to obsess over another person's underwear.

Sometimes I correct the misconceptions I see on here, but never for the benefit of the person posting the lies, most of them could really careless- I will correct them for the benefit of someone else who is reading this and may accept it as truth. I generally invite the asker and other users to visit www.Mormon.Org for the most accurate information.

Sometimes I just make a sarcastic or off the wall comment. When I can tell that they did not check any of their facts- then I just mess with them. Like when someone goes on about John Smith and his gold bible- I just make a snide comment about Pocohantas and never correct them. I figure that if they aren't willing to do a little research and find out the prophets real name, then that is their problem- I am not going to help them out. Maybe that is wrong- but come on.

The ones that really get me are the ones that reference the South Park episode- I mean come on people, When did South Park become a reliable source of information?

Answer 3

I think that the nature of this question community creates a pool of individuals who many of us would not see on a regular basis [or associate with]. There is no bad publicity - as it will lead someone's heart to be softened as they ask sincere questions about the Church. Certain persons who get 'perverted pleasure' bashing religion are contentious -- and contention is of the devil -- [not to say it's not easy to get into an argument with persons regarding truth -- but take a moment and double check the spirit you're feeling -- make sure it's charity, not contention].
Sometimes, it gets to a point where you must call the person a willful liar - after having pointed out their willful efforts to teach falsehoods [for an example see the BoM and how the prophets & righteous dealt w anti-christs].
I think the adversary is working overtime in the world around us, not just on y!a. I found it very interesting that Elder Ballard requested that the Saints be involved with the open forums on the internet - making certain the truth is there. Go back to his conference talk from October. He states very clearly that all of us should keep a small card or some such with notes regarding specific aspects of the church we are asked frequently. Make concise, simple answers.
I remember being taught not to get involved in bible bashing - rather, bear your testimony and let the spirit in - the spirit will either touch their hearts or bear witness and condemn then for their hardness, stiff-neckedness, and wickedness.
Perhaps, a prayer for inspiration and that we might have the spirit before we log in or answer tough questions is not out of order.
Best wishes.

Answer 4

When people do not know what we believe, yet hear from an outside(and often incorrect) source, they want to poke fun at our "beliefs" because usually the source has made it seem like a funny thing. I often laugh at antis because they misunderstand what we believe and why.

No and yes regarding Romney. Some people don't even know what a Mormon is, I would rather have them ignorant of the fact rather then being like "Mormon? What's that? *google* *view anti-LDS site* ....MORMONS BELIEVE WHAT?" and then having a messed up view of us. However, it would also lead some people to investigate what he believes and they might to go the correct source(the church) and atleast learn something true about us whether they join or not.

You said it...small minded. How can you expect someone who can't think abstractly to be reasonable and respectable to others?

I just show them how they're wrong. Keep looking up stuff about the church. You'll learn the truth, and when people try to tell you you're wrong, you can explain to them how their view/understanding is skewed from what the church teaches. But if someone comes and starts attacking you with blind ignorance, it's better to stay calm and let them stay in ignorance. If they don't take their time to learn the truth, don't waste yours trying to share it because they wont believe you.

For the misconceptions, same answer as above. jefflindsay.com is a great source that covers more than our basic doctrine unlike mormon.org or lds.org. I love jefflindsay.com if you have a question and can't find it on his page. He'll either answer your question, or give you a link.

The adversay is working overtime all over the place, not just yahoo! answers.

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edit: Max is the perfect example. He is very ignorant of what the church believes, and goes as far to say we break the 10 commandments and our beliefs contradict the bible.

Let him go in ignorance because he can not learn because his mind is closed to other possibilities.

Answer 5

Ugh. They've been doing this for months. It's nothing new as far as R&S is concerned.

Unwanted? No. I'd only be afraid if we had something to hide or be ashamed of. ^_^

I've been asking myself the same question for a while. It's elementary school all over again. Lets pick on something we know nothing about cause it makes me feel superior.

I don't pay them much attention. The only ones I focus on are the ones who have problems with the church that DO know what they are talking about. Then i am more concerned than anything.

all i can do is clear them up for the people who may read it and think it truth, and pray for the ones who dont want it and will use it as a misguided weapon later on.

The adversary? Nah.... I'm not convinced. But could be. ^_^

Answer 6

The missionaries can help coach a lot of those concepts and component out their foundation interior the Bible. although if, there are a number of stuff that are actually not spelled out interior the Bible, yet are the effect of revelation the place God is development on the scriptural documents we could desire to continuously circulate His artwork forward. comprehend although that usually people are not waiting for what you have discovered. although if it has introduced you plenty exhilaration and peace they won't be waiting to savor, or perhaps desire the stories you have had. those stories basically are available in my view to us from God. Even the missionaries will probable draw a line someplace approximately proving each thing biblically on your chum. you come all the way down to most of the comparable issues Joseph Smith had himself whilst he stated, "for the lecturers of religion of the countless sects understood the comparable passages of scripture so in a distinctive way as to wreck all self assurance in settling the question by applying an attraction to the Bible." many cases it comes all the way down to interpretation, and one is in simple terms left to have confidence the witness that has come from the Holy Ghost. do no longer problem, the solutions will come. it quite is reliable to stand the inconsistencies that look to exist on your suggestions with desperate faith. you will locate large and straightforward truths approximately your Father in Heaven, and your Savior and their love for you. I truthfully have been blessed with notion from the Holy Ghost many cases that has cleared up my confusion. each so often the main conflicting circumstances are quite the wrapping around an stylish and maximum invaluable certainty which will make you ask your self why you probably did no longer see it till now. Sorry, i haven't quite given what you asked, however the assumption right here is which you would be able to attempt to formulate arguments and locate scriptural help till your blue interior the face, yet in simple terms as many rejected Christ, so will some reject His gospel at present regardless of any style of miracles they see, till they're waiting and prepared to be sure. you may desire to locate some help from the missionaries, bishop, and contributors close to you. Such issues are ideal dealt with in guy or woman, and over the years.

Answer 7

Garments, often called “Mormon underwear” by those unfamiliar with our beliefs, are a form of religious clothing used by some Mormons. In early adulthood, prepared Mormon men and women typically participate in the higher ordinances of the Mormon temple for the first time. During these ceremonies, they make sacred promises to God, including the promise to dedicate themselves to Him. The day these promises are first made is one of the most important days in the life of a faithful Mormon. From that day forward, Mormons wear their religious clothing underneath their “street closes” as a quite, inner reminder of the sacred promises made. Mormons don’t think of their garments as “underwear,” but rather a sacred reminder of their renewed dedication to God.

Mormonism is by no means the only religion that uses religious clothing as a symbol. Catholic clergymen have religious robes, protestant clergymen often use a distinctive “collar," Jews have their yarmulkes (skull caps), Muslim women wear the hijab, and the Sikh wear their turbans. I have even heard that some Orthodox Jews wear an undergarment with religions significance (the tzitzit), much like the Mormon garment.

Contrary to the allegations of many anti-Mormon bigots, Mormons do not believe that their garments are “magic.” They do not believe that garments necessarily “protect” them from physical injury. Garments serve only as a reminder of special promises made to God; because of this powerful religious symbolism, mocking the Mormon garment is a very offensive form of hate-speech.

If you’d like to learn more about Mormonism, visit my site at http://www.allaboutmormons.com

Answer 8

I don't agree with people putting down other people's religious beliefs and then trying to say that they are good christians.

I have to add, though, that controversial practices of mormons in this country have been in the media for quite some time - so that is probably why people criticize it. Just like people think all Muslims are fundamentalist terrorists, many think mormons are freaky dudes who marry 8 women and have sex with little girls who might also be their cousin.

Answer 9

People ignored us and with Romney in there the bats are out! I really don't understand their purpose in being so nasty. Some posts are so over the top in errors, that are stated as fact. They are lies!

It is really insulting at times!

Answer 10

It would seem that Oog, is one of the small-minded claiming to be open-minded, and yet still judgmental.
Misconception s can only be corrected. I have said before that if someone is looking for something, they WILL find it, regardless of how many people try to hide it, and claim it is a lie.