My goodness! Talk about a tempest in a teapot! Definitely must have been a slow news day when that story made its way to the forefront.
Yizuman...That "symbol" of the cross with a crown around it is NOT used by Mormons today for anything. It is not used in the Temples. Where in the Temple would such a "symbol" be used? What would its purpose be? I did wear a coat pin with that exact symbol on it though, as a child when I was Presbyterian. It was for perfect attendence at the Presbyterian Church for one year. Maybe you're thinking of them?
You also commented that you were told we "definitely shun" those who leave the Church. No. We don't believe in shunning. Individuals may for their own reasons choose not to remain friends with someone for reasons of their own, but it is definitely not Church policy to turn away from anyone in that manner.
You also said we shun those who "turned against them and went public." Well, no we don't shun them, either, but there wouldn't be much desire to spend time with them. Wouldn't you prefer to avoid contact with formerly close friends who turned on you and slandered your name without what you considered to be just cause? Their actions would be sharply painful to you, especially if they "went public" in accusing you of things you never said and never did in the first place, in a vain attempt to justify their own lack of character and integrity.
You said, "The ones who are inactive are not shunned though. They try to help them, and are kind to them." It has been my experience that most of us try to be kind to the ones who choose to leave the Church, to the disfellowshipped, and even the ex'd ones. They often need our love more than any of the others. We see the failure of one person as the failure of the entire congregation. The mood of the congregation is always one of sorrow and concern when someone is in trouble. We all ask ourselves what we might have done to have prevented them from following that path and what might we do to help them find their way back.
Sangdigger... You commented on knowing a lot of Mormons "who are practicing masons." You said Joseph Smith at the time of his murder gave the "masonic distress signal"... who said he did and what would such a signal look or sound like and to whom was he supposed to have given it and when? I've heard many supposed tales of that night, but nobody has ever answered this clearly for me. Perhaps you can.
As for the "handshakes and secret things they do" (masonic and Temple comparison) they actually originated with Temple of Solomon times, so neither the masons nor Joseph Smith came up with it. I have a link to a couple of sites discussing that in length should anyone care to have it. I believe they're still valid. Were last time I was there, anyway.
I enjoyed your comments, as always. This is a great site.
Susan
