DiscussMormonism.com

I'm not a member of the LDS Church-yet. But I will be. I'm moving to SLC permanently in April, currently in Austin, Texas. I've been to 46 states and a few other countries, and I've been to SLC with both tens of thousands of dollars, and homeless. I got treated GREAT both times. Friendly, substantive, with courtesy. I was AMAZED at how much different the ways of treating people are there, compared to the vast majority of the country. I found the negative stereotypes that people have on LDS, that aren't familiar with LDS, to be completely unfounded and false. I've travelled extensively for 20 years, and have decided to go back to college to pursue my dream of becoming a high school football coach, for which a BA is required. Utah is the place. Not just for that, but also because of the family values. It was easy for me to see there, how much that's stressed in the LDS culture, and that's a redeeming quality I've looked for in a place to raise a family/live (when it came for that), that I haven't found anywhere else. I'm a San Francisco native, and bi-racial. I didn't get stereotyped AT ALL, or looked at funny, or had derogatory comments made to me when I was in SLC, under EITHER socioeconomic circumstance. Anyhow, now is the time to make the move there to kick all this off. Well, here in Austin, obviously LDS don't make up the majority. Christians (of several different denominations) do. I have a Book of Mormon, which I read daily. I practice treating others daily the same way LDS did for me in SLC. Yet I've had people talk down on LDSaints, talk garbage about SLC, tell me I'm an idiot for being "suckered in." Yet when I ask what they personally know about the LDS faith, or from having spent time in Utah around LDS members, they admit they don't know much, and haven't. So they invariably ask me why I'm moving there, and why I'm so interested in the LDS faith, and wanting to live in Utah, I explain. I tell them that, unlike the "Christians" here, NOT 1 SINGLE TIME did I have someone shout at me with a bullhorn on a street curb that I'm going to hell, having incorrectly stereotyped me as a drug addict, prison parolee, etc, just because I'm not dressed like them-AND THEN JUSTIFY IT AS CORRECT! I have here. I had TOTAL strangers that I asked for directions welcome me to SLC when I visited, offer to drop what they're doing, show me around, go OUT OF THEIR WAY to be courteous to me, even though I'm a different race, from a different state, etc. I've never had that happen here. I didn't get assualted with f bombs because I'm from out of state or dressed differently. I have here-and then have these actions justified! In short-I got TREATED well. I could sense the people had a peace, an inner sharpness, that also showed on the outside, that they walked with everywhere they went! I told several people that those qualities are what I seek-and that if indeed it's the LDS faith that leads them to have that peace and treat others that way, then that's the way for me. I was told that "They're just trying to good deed their way into Heaven, and you can't do that." I pointed out to them, "Oh, so, assualting people, being racist, being arrogant, uncourteous, not having respect for others, being high and drunk, degrading everyone else not like you is living the way God's outlined for us?" They didn't have an answer for that, they just kept deriding Utah and the LDS Church. I told them point blank that, "I don't know if people in Utah, and LDS members treated me the way they did because they were trying to convert me, as I didn't have one single person try to preach to me. But after experiencing what I have here, I can sure as heck tell you that if that indeed WAS what they were doing (and I don't know that), then they've succeeded." I'd like to know from anyone's experience how they've dealt with people like these, naysayers, in the past, and some advice on how to keep pushing forward, and if you've ever had experiences like this before? I can't wait to get there, and look forward to doing all that is right in The Valley! Thank you for any advice, and experiences you can share.

You might want to look closer at the church. All is not as it seems on the surface. I know. I converted to Mormonism at the age of 21, being attracted to the religion for many of the same reasons you cite here. I spent 18 years serving in the church as a fervent believer. Had some good times, associated with many good people. But the church is not all it seems to be--the people and, especially, the institution, work very hard to project an image that all is hunky dory, but also work hard to cover up many foundational flaws. I recommend you spend some time here, look at the Mormon Think web site, check out stories of people on the Postmormon site, find out from people who have experienced for themselves not only the good of Mormonism but also the very very ugly side before you make a life-altering decision that you may live to regret.

being racist,

Also, if this is an issue for you (i.e., you are not racist), you might want to look into the church's white-supremacist doctrines (which are found in its scriptures and the words of many of its past prophets and apostles). Mormons believe God has, at times in the past, cursed wicked people with dark skin as a sign of their wickedness. Mormon prophet Spencer Kimball taught that Indians who converted to Mormonism experienced a whitening of their skin. People of African descent were denied full membership benefits until 1978 (e.g., black men could not hold the priesthood and black women could not go to the temple). Mormon scriptures say that black people are descendants of Cain, who slew Abel, and Mormon prophets taught for many years that black people were cursed with dark skin because they were less valiant in the premortal life. You really should get more informed before making such a commitment.

After you join the church try to leave it and then report back on how well you were treated.

Equality wrote:

being racist,

Also, if this is an issue for you (i.e., you are not racist), you might want to look into the church's white-supremacist doctrines (which are found in its scriptures and the words of many of its past prophets and apostles). Mormons believe God has, at times in the past, cursed wicked people with dark skin as a sign of their wickedness. Mormon prophet Spencer Kimball taught that Indians who converted to Mormonism experienced a whitening of their skin. People of African descent were denied full membership benefits until 1978 (e.g., black men could not hold the priesthood and black women could not go to the temple). Mormon scriptures say that black people are descendants of Cain, who slew Abel, and Mormon prophets taught for many years that black people were cursed with dark skin because they were less valiant in the premortal life. You really should get more informed before making such a commitment.

Don't listen to this non-sense. Gladys Knight is a very prominent, successful black woman and a Mormon and leads a choir that sings Gospel music across the country. (http://www.suvchoir.org/) Mormonism has nothing to do with racism. What Equality is saying is akin to stating that Christianity is racist and false because members of the Southern Baptists held African slaves and were white-supremacists. Please note that the civil-rights protests were carried out in the Southern United States into the 1960's where this brand of Christianity is overwhelmingly practiced.

But what about Brigham Young sending missionaries into Polynesia in the mid 1800's? Because considering Hawaii's history, the missionaries essentially saved many Polynesians from genocide. Which is what happened to Hawaiians. And Native Americans. And Africans. And......you get the point. And also, Deron Williams, when he was drafted by Utah (I was in SLC when the Jazz drafted him) said that he hoped that of all the teams that were in position to take him, he had hoped it would be Utah-and he was glad they did. He said that him and his wife had looked at places to raise a family, and he had loved Utah. Andre Miller (from Watts) stated the same thing about his time in SLC. Bryon Russell, Karl Malone, etc. Vai Sikahema-same thing. From what I saw during my time there, and also have read from others, many Polynesians are grateful for what the LDS Church has provided them. If Southern Baptists and other denominations are so much more open minded-then why aren't they, and didn't they, send their missionaries to save them (along with Native Americans and Africans) from genocide? Because from what I've read in both the Bible, and Book of Mormon, stomping people unconscious, shouting racist names, excluding them from using public bathrooms and shotuing, "You f'n Californian!" isn't Godlike. And all of this, from "God fearing Christians. But that's what they seem to think here. I was unaware that hanging people from trees was "Godlike." If indeed actions do speak loder than words that is.

It is great that you have found a religion and associated group of people with which you feel comfortable. If their claims are genuine and their beliefs are true, then these should stand up to a little scrutiny.

You are about to make a life altering decision. I would urge you to take some time for due diligence before you sign on the dotted line.

Best place to go for accurate information on both sides of various issues is: http://www.mormonthink.com

Assuming that you have not already done so, other message boards you might wish to visit include:

http://www.mormondialogue.org/ a heavily moderated pro-Mormon board can be very instructive for glimpses into the Mormon mindset.

http://www.postmormon.org/ a minimally moderated post-Mormon board with very well spoken and polite people.

Many Mormons who no longer believe in many of the core teachings of the Church, but cannot leave the Church for social or financial reasons, also have a message board:

http://newordermormon.org/ It might be interesting to ask yourself why such a board was set up in the first place.

Then there are always the recovery boards such as:
http://www.exmormon.org/

Better to read before you join than to bleed once you are in.

Utah ohana wrote:But what about Brigham Young sending missionaries into Polynesia in the mid 1800's? Because considering Hawaii's history, the missionaries essentially saved many Polynesians from genocide. Which is what happened to Hawaiians. And Native Americans. And Africans. And......you get the point. And also, Deron Williams, when he was drafted by Utah (I was in Salt Lake City when the Jazz drafted him) said that he hoped that of all the teams that were in position to take him, he had hoped it would be Utah-and he was glad they did. He said that him and his wife had looked at places to raise a family, and he had loved Utah. Andre Miller (from Watts) stated the same thing about his time in Salt Lake City. Bryon Russell, Karl Malone, etc. Vai Sikahema-same thing. From what I saw during my time there, and also have read from others, many Polynesians are grateful for what the LDS Church has provided them. If Southern Baptists and other denominations are so much more open minded-then why aren't they, and didn't they, send their missionaries to save them (along with Native Americans and Africans) from genocide? Because from what I've read in both the Bible, and Book of Mormon, stomping people unconscious, shouting racist names, excluding them from using public bathrooms and shotuing, "You f'n Californian!" isn't Godlike. And all of this, from "God fearing Christians. But that's what they seem to think here. I was unaware that hanging people from trees was "Godlike." If indeed actions do speak loder than words that is.

The church does have a checkered history of racism, and it's not hard to find rather ugly racist statements from Mormon prophets and apostles from the days of Brigham Young well into the 1960s and 1970s. That said, most Mormons I know are not racists, and I'm convinced that the vast majority of Mormons were relieved and happy when the priesthood ban was rescinded, though some members continue to make excuses for the policy. I know my family celebrated when the ban was lifted, as did most members of our ward.

In the end, whether you join the church is your decision, not mine or anyone else's. Equality's advice is good: whatever you do, make sure you've looked at all sides carefully. If Mormonism brings you happiness and fulfillment, I congratulate you and am pleased for you.

Utah ohana wrote:I'm not a member of the LDS Church-yet. But I will be.

Greetings Utah O,

If you're converting do you then believe that the Book of Mormon is a historically accurate story of ancient America?

Tobin wrote:Don't listen to this non-sense. Gladys Knight is a very prominent, successful black woman and a Mormon and leads a choir that sings Gospel music across the country. (http://www.suvchoir.org/) Mormonism has nothing to do with racism. What Equality is saying is akin to stating that Christianity is racist and false because members of the Southern Baptists held African slaves and were white-supremacists. Please note that the civil-rights protests were carried out in the Southern United States into the 1960's where this brand of Christianity is overwhelmingly practiced.

Mormonism and Christianity are not really comparable in this aspect. The Mormon church is led by prophets. The doctrine comes in a top down structured manner. The church denied full membership to blacks. It came from the prophets, and is supposed to have been God's will.