A Mormon chimes in

by John Corrill 91 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Sentinel

  The only thing I ever remember hearing about the Morman faith, was that it was cultish and clannish, and that men could have more than one wife.

  When they had to conform to the laws of the land, they modified their belief structure, and kept on trucking. You can spot a Morman on the street...the younger men doing their stint in "the service work". I always wondered why we never saw older men or women, or younger women doing that. Must be something to do with the man being the head and all that.

  I'm glad you are free now and can stand back and view these various beliefs with objectivity. I'm certain it was difficult for you to make a stand, as Morman's are also very family oriented. However, one of the main differences from JW's, I believe, is that they don't disfellowship or shun.

  I have read the information about what being a Mormon did to the Osmonds, especially Donnie and Marie. It really screwed them up. Apparently, if you are talented, you are supposed to work like a dog for the church.

  I recently heard an ad on TV for a free Book of Mormon, and I wanted to get it, just to have for research purposes. I specifically requested that it be mailed and that no one call on me. Well, they came twice and I didn't answer the door. Then they called and said "we've been trying to visit your home but no one answers the door". So I told them I requested it to be mailed, and if they couldn't do that then to forget it. It took three more weeks, but it finally came in the mail.

  Glad you are here. You can help us to understand the nature of cults and how easily it can be to get pulled in, although I'm certain that most of your members are just the result of "growing family membership", and not that much from going door to door.

  Love and Light,

  Sentinel/Karen
• 

  Crazy151drinker

  Double,

  The problem I have with the Mormon CHURCH (not the mormons themselves) is the fact that they hide things from people (like the Mark of Cain). It is HIGH control. Last time I checked, there where MANY black pastors. Have you seen any BLACK mormon Elders???

  I have talked to missionaries and when you ask them ???? they get offended, but yet they can sit there and preach to you telling you how your religion is wrong. They are not upfront with there core beliefs (IE YOU WILL BECOME A GOD AND CREATE YOU OWN WORLD). Yes they have good family values. That is if you belief that a wife should be nothing but barefoot and pregnant and clean the house all day.

  I have heard my Mormon friends BASH CATHOLICS NON STOP. The POPE this, the POPE that, and yet here they have a LIVING PROPHET- who interprets new things all the time.

  Yes they are like Cousins.

  The have a group of people that Change things constantly- New Light???

  The Shit on other Faiths

  The are SHADY with their TRUE beliefs when the first convert people

  The made their own bible! (but here they out did the WT in that they made a whole new BOOK!)

  They DO Disfellowship and SHUN

  I have read some of the Book of Mormon and it is utter CRAP. Hand me the Koran or something please. HOw are you going to write a book claiming that there were Horses and Cows here in America before the Europeans came. It is utter non-sense. It is a CULT.
• 

  Xander

  found the people of that city (predominantly Mormon) to be the friendliest and most hospitable I had ever met

  I live (and work) right near Kirtland, OH - one of their big settlements and BIG tourist spot for them. The wife and I actually visit a park very nearby their town, and visit an icecream stand in it quite frequently (it's right next to one of their churches). LOTS of Utah plates - which is really strange for Ohio!!

  In any case, this is what strikes you most about them. They aren't preachy when you run into them informally, but are SUPER FRIENDLY. It's almost weird. I mean, situations when your typical American wouldn't even bother to nod in your direction, and they come right up and chat with you, never even mentioning religion - just REALLY, REALLY friendly.

  And YOUNG, too! There are SO MANY young Mormons about! Weirdness....

  They were always bustling to and fro with their Relief Society activities....

  Which is their other big thing, at least out here. They are REALLY active politically and socially - and not for religious reasons. They just seem to want to help and work for general society improvements.

  Again, it's pleasent to see.

  I don't actually mind visiting Kirtland for it, it's a nice little town in a gorgeous valley with really nice people. And it doesn't feel like the creepy kind of friendliness the JWs give you - it's not like they are probing to see if you have some flaw that means they can't associate with you.

  I'm sure they have their own problems, though - which is too bad, as they seem like nice people.
• 

  Xander

  Although, oy, reading through that message board....

  It's deja vu all over again!
• 

  breeze

  Leave us alone we are confused enought as it is......

  Please.........

  THank you very much!!!!!

  BREEZE
• 

  Xander

  Oh, and teihr funnAy si >

  (Hey, I've seen these!!)
• 

  petespal2002

  Id love to know about the ceremonial undergarments!

  And that super righteous mormons get their own planet to populate after death?

  True or false?
• 

  Mulan

  I worked in a scrapbook store, for nearly a year, and it was owned by a Mormon couple, and all but one of the employees were Mormons too. The husband was just the sweetest, nicest guy, but the wife was a bitch. I'm sure the other Mormons who worked there loved her to pieces, but as soon as she realized I was not a Mormon, I know she set out to get rid of me. They aren't allowed to ask religion in hiring, and I was careful not to say anything to give her a clue whether I was or wasn't.

  Their four daughters all worked there, including a 9 year old (after school), and a 13 year old who was so wacky she was being home schooled, that we were expected to cow to them, because of who they were. It really irked me to ask permission of a 9 year old, to help a customer, and to be so sweet to her when she made a sale, and didn't know how to operate the register, so asked me to do it. But of course, she got credit for the sale.

  Finally I had to quit, because I was sick to death of being blamed for everything a customer complained about. Even when I wasn't there, they assumed it was me because I wasn't really one of them. I was tired of defending myself, so after one of the "chats" with the boss lady, I said, "I don't want to work here anymore." And I gathered up my things and left. Several of my friends went in during the next few weeks, asking for me to help them. They were always told that I had gotten another job. A lie. One of them said she asked what store I went to because she wanted me to help her, and didn't want children waiting on her. (I loved it)

  A week later, the boss lady's husband sent me a BIG check, including all the time I was scheduled for the next two weeks, and a bonus. He said he missed me and that I was a valuable employee, and to call on him anytime for a reference.

  During the time I was there, we had many conversations about my exiting the JW's, which of course they loved hearing about, and I learned a lot about their religion too. One of the great gals who worked there taught at their Sunday school, and always asked me for ideas. I KNOW the boss hated that part. (she talked to me about it, not the other gal)

  One of the things I was accused of was making the customers ill because they could smell my coffee, under the counter. The eldest daughter (19) complained to her mother about that and said many of the customers were complaining that coffee smells made them sick. I asked her which customers, because I wanted to apologize. Finally she had to admit it was the daughter who complained. I said "are you telling me I can't drink coffee? The girls drink milk and juice and keep it under the counter. Is there a rule I missed that said I can't drink coffee?" That really pissed her off, because she knew she couldn't tell me that. I stopped doing it anyway. BUT...........one day a customer came in and handed me a Starbucks. She said "You are so helpful to me, that I wanted to bring you a gift." She did that right in front of the boss. I LOVED IT!!!

  Edited by - mulan on 24 September 2002 18:30:55
• 

  Double Edge

  FYI....I'm reposting this (below) from last week (to save time)... it's goes along with this topic.

  I've got several Morman friends ... some wear the 'underware' some do not.

  The underwear (they call them garments) are worn only by members who have been to their Temple (like couples who are married there). Just being baptised doesn't do it. I am told that the garment itself is nothing 'mystical' or weird, and is thought of as a religious vestment, like Rabbi's who wear the Tallit (prayer shawl) or Yarmulkah. Like a lot of religious vestments or symbols, the garment is a reminder of the Temple and is worn on the body as a reminder of the scriptures that indicate that the body is a 'temple of God' for housing ones spirit and to treat it with respect accordingly.

  Now you may agree or disagree on the need for religious vestments, whether they be Communion dresses, Yarmulkah's or garments.... different strokes for different folks .... however, I do not think that anyone's religious attire should be a source of ridicule.
• 

  Crazy151drinker

  Double,

  Its not the fact that they wear them that some find strange, its the fact that they wear them 24hours a day, 365 days a Year! (except when showering).