For Mormons, this moment is personal

[_sock puppet]

Has the so-called mystery of Mormonism cast a spell of confusion across mainstream America? Curiosity about what Mormons really believe is at an all-time high. Having two Mormons as presidential candidates have brought a microscope of curiosity and criticism of Mormon beliefs and practices, at a level that, although familiar to our pioneer ancestors, is unprecedented in this generation. However, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, today, are taking this “Mormon moment” as an opportunity.

The media, together with the power of online social networking, make it possible to broadcast a message to a large number of people, regardless of credibility, at lightning speed. And some in the media are taking full advantage of this power, by promoting criticisms of the Mormon religion to deliberately perpetuate concerns of secrecy and weirdness in a potential Mormon president. In reality every member of the LDS church is inadvertently affected. But even more of a concern is the confusion created in the public about what Mormons truly believe -- and that’s when individual Mormons feel compelled to get involved in the conversation. It is always a breath of fresh air, and appreciated, when media report positive and accurate information.

Daily headlines relating to Mormonism are everywhere, and although the majority of it has absolutely nothing to do with the official church, or the general membership, these ongoing reports continue to turn the spotlight on the beliefs, practices and most importantly, the people of The Church of Jesus Christ.

When reporters were clamoring to find out the official reaction to the Broadway musical: The Book of Mormon, the LDS Newsroom released this succinct response:

“The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.”

Mormons are counteracting misinformation with their own messages. For instance, when the LDS Church was recently referred to as a cult by a prominent Baptist minister, many members took the opportunity to respond through the use of social networks, social media and blogging to let people know that Mormons follow Jesus Christ, and indeed believe themselves to be Christians.

The past year has brought about a surge in online member participation, in hopes of better educating the public about what Mormons believe. The LDS Church is at the forefront of creating social media for members to share. Perhaps you’re familiar with the “I’m a Mormon” campaign, seen a Mormon Messages video, or stumbled upon the new Web site -- The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos.

There are some concerns by church critics that the recent surge of Mormon media has to do with getting a Mormon candidate elected as president. I can assure you that it’s not. Personally, I did not vote for a Mormon candidate in 2008, and I, like many other Americans, have yet to make a choice in this election. The church and its members see this as an opportunity to clarify our beliefs and create a more positive perception of our faith. We didn’t ask to be in the spotlight, but we are, and instead of fretting over being perceived as weird, misunderstood, or persecuted we’ve largely taken a positive approach and are happy that people are curious about us.

As more everyday Mormons step out of their comfort zones to share their religious beliefs, they are learning how to have constructive conversations with those of other faiths and opinions. Leaders of the church provide counsel and encouragement to help members have positive experiences. Generally, Mormons don’t feel a need to try and convert others to our way of thinking -- we leave that to our 50,000+ missionaries serving throughout the world! We find little value in debating or defending Mormonism. We are sharing what we believe and how it blesses our lives, and our families.

Each member of the church is experiencing this “Mormon Moment” in a personal way, according to their own comfort level, enthusiasm and even gender. As a Mormon woman, of course I have concerns about how various policies of the LDS Church, such as equality, homosexuality, same-sex marriage and abortion, to name few, are handled by the media. I’ve been very candid about my own feelings on these and other topics, and am fairly comfortable discussing them in relation to my faith. Others are more private about their faith. If Mitt Romney gets the Republican nomination, which he most likely will, there is no doubt that the coming months, leading up to the election, will be rough going for some Mormons.

It’s amazing to see the popularity of Mormonism soar and to imagine the very real possibility of a Mormon for president. And regardless of how this journey ends, Mormons are grateful to have been in the spotlight. What’s most important to us is our knowledge of Jesus Christ, His restored gospel and fulfilling our responsibility, as Christians, to share this message with the world.

Kathryn Skaggs writes on her personal blog, A Well-Behaved Mormon Woman. When she’s not writing she can be found enjoying her nine grandchildren.

[_zeezrom]

My boss has been asking a lot of questions about Mormons lately. Luckily, he has 3 types of Mormons in his office to work with:

1. a TBM
2. a jack-Mormon
3. me

Today, he asked me if Mormons believe they can get their own planet after they die. He was curious to know if we had the ability to make a world with nothing but warm weather and palm trees. Since the primaries have been heating up, he has been coming to me with questions about every other day.

I would like the leadership to know that I'm doing my best to give my open, honest, and objective views about the topics he brings to me.

[_mocnarf]

So let me get this straight:
Romney gets paid for speaking engagements but the is not "Earned Income"
Romney gets paid for serving on Boards Of Directors but that is not "Earned Income"
Romney gets paid to run the Olympics and that's not "Earned Income"
Romney does work but does not have to pay "Medicare and Social Security Taxes"

I think Romney has found the perfect way to scam the tax system. I'll bet there are plenty of other wealthy Mormons that have figured out how to scam the Tax system just like Romney. Though to be fair I am sure it's not just wealth Mormon that know Romney's method of scamming the Tax system.

I wonder what would happen if the companies I worked for paid me money and called it interest instead of wages. Do you think the IRS might come calling on me?

[_cafe crema]

My boss has been asking a lot of questions about Mormons lately. Luckily, he has 3 types of Mormons in his office to work with:

1. a TBM
2. a jack-Mormon
3. me

Today, he asked me if Mormons believe they can get their own planet after they die. He was curious to know if we had the ability to make a world with nothing but warm weather and palm trees. Since the primaries have been heating up, he has been coming to me with questions about every other day.

I would like the leadership to know that I'm doing my best to give my open, honest, and objective views about the topics he brings to me.

Shortly you will be receiving a lecture and have your character besmirched. :)

[_Sethbag]

So let me get this straight:
Romney gets paid for speaking engagements but the is not "Earned Income"
Romney gets paid for serving on Boards Of Directors but that is not "Earned Income"
Romney gets paid to run the Olympics and that's not "Earned Income"
Romney does work but does not have to pay "Medicare and Social Security Taxes"

I'm not a lawyer, tax or otherwise, but I think you're mistaken.
1) I do believe he would pay a normal income tax rate for speaking fees. He "only" earned like $300-400k doing that last year though, which was swamped by his $20m overall income, so it didn't much affect his effective tax rate.
2) It would depend how he was compensated for serving on the boards. If he's paid a salary for it, that would be taxed normally. Again, it's probably very small compared to his overall income, so it wouldn't affect his taxes much.
3) The Olympics he ran were years and years ago, and aren't in the tax returns he has made public, so I don't know why you brought it up.
4) Medicare and Social Security taxes only apply to I think the first $106k or so (the number is probably wrong, but in the ballpark) of anyone's income. This doesn't sound fair at first, but it's actually not that bad when you think about it. What if SS applied to all of a person's income, so you had a person who paid a million dollars a year to SS, but when they retired they drew the same $1200/month as everyone else? That would be pretty lame.

I am pretty offended by the whole "carried interest" thing, which seems narrowly tailored to give a huge financial benefit to precisely the kind of people Romney was at Bain Capital, and to pretty much nobody else. I do think that has got to be changed.

Overall, I do think it's ridiculous that you and I are paying like 35% or whatever in income taxes, and Romney is making $20million/year in total income and paying 13.9%. It must be nice.

[_Sethbag]

I can't believe that Republicans, of all people, are fretting over Romney's being both filthy stinking rich, and paying lower taxes than everyone else. This is precisely what Republicans have been hired by their constituents to be doing for a very long time. Look at Congress this past year. They have been digging in their heels and kicking and screaming to avoid erasing tax loopholes, or to insist on extending temporary tax cuts for people who make over a million dollars a year, and their constituents have been eating it up.

Romney should be the automatic nominee on the Republican ticket by virtue of his tax returns. He is exactly what Republican voters seem to demand. He is the damned poster boy for what Republicans want from our government.

[_bcspace]

Romney should be the automatic nominee on the Republican ticket by virtue of his tax returns. He is exactly what Republican voters seem to demand. He is the f*****g poster boy for what Republicans want from our government.

Amen. In conservative America, the opportunity to be like Romney is afforded to all.

[_Dr. Shades]

Generally, Mormons don’t feel a need to try and convert others to our way of thinking -- we leave that to our 50,000+ missionaries serving throughout the world!

That's a flat-out lie. If she has nine grandchildren, then she's old enough to remember President Kimball's "every member a missionary" slogan.

[_Drifting]

Today, he asked me if Mormons believe they can get their own planet after they die.

I'm assuming you answered honestly and said yes, yes that is what Mormon's believe.

[_harmony]

Today, he asked me if Mormons believe they can get their own planet after they die.

I'm assuming you answered honestly and said yes, yes that is what Mormon's believe.

Only the male Mormons.