Mormons Take to the Airwaves, But Why?

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[...] Mormons Take to the Airwaves, But Why? « The Washington Independent [...]

[...] Mormons Take to the Airwaves, But Why? « The Washington Independent [...]

Recent polls and studies have showed that majorities of Americans have unfavorable views of Mormons and, most notably, believe Mormons still practice polygamy (they don't). The LDS Church has been running ad campaigns designed to “mainstream” Mormons, and the public's view of Mormons and Mormonism, for decades. Yes, it's possible the latest campaign is damage control after the Prop 8 PR fiasco. But it's silly to speculate that it has anything to do with Romney's presidential hopes, or that it's anything more than the continuation of a PR campaign that began in earnest in the '70s.

I wish they would explain about Prop 8 and Mountain Medows.
more then one wife wives or husbands, no big deal.

But these two things are not going away.

Phil, both issues that you have raised questions about have been quite extensively discussed. Perhaps the responses are not satisfying to you, but they are there. The Church's official historian, in fact, released a book specifically on MM. So the church's take on that tragic event is out there. On Prop 8 I don't think the position could have been more clear and well documented…again perhaps not in accordance with your views, but there it is.

[...] Campaign: ‘We’re Normal!’ NewserThe weird middle-American Mormon ad campaign Salon The Washington Independent  - Salt Lake Tribune (blog)  - Religion Dispatchesall 18 news [...]

Mainstream Mormons believe polygamy will be reinstated. FLDS was created to keep polygamy alive until it could be restored.

It would be foolish to feel there is not a connect to Mitts run, and the resistance to Mormons during his last campaign and the new ads out to soften up the public to Mormonism. Which creates great torture guys like Mitchell and Jessen, DeLand and McCotter, Judge Byebee, Flanigann, and a host of other Mormons who worked hard behind the scenes to get enhanced torture accepted, and developed the program themselves.

As far as alternative marriage the Mormons will play a tight game, because they will use it to usher in polygamy,

They never have lost their ability for deception since the early days of the LDS Church, when deception was what they were and are all about.

Pareene: “But (in addition to incredibly expensive mission work) this could also be damage control for the messy press they got for bankrolling the anti-gay marriage campaign in [California].”

Correction: …for the messy press they got for [helping] to bankroll the protection of marriage legislation in California.

You see, mormons were not solely responsible for Prop 8; they were part of the unified effort of all relgion, including Baptists who were very active as well, to protect marriage. The only reason mormons got the spotlight/criticism was because it was on the heels of Romney's campaign and, as he's the only relevant name from 2008 on the Republican side, since he's still a threat, a bigger one today than yesterday, media identified the mormon church as the specter.

O.K. Pratt, one of Romney's ancestors took some southern man's wife as his own polygamist wife. This ticked the southern man off his wife was nabbed by Pratt, and guess what? He shot and killed Pratt ( Romney's ancestor) Romney's were big into polygamy.

Well, that ticked the Mormons off that Pratt wasn't allowed to steal other mans wife. After all the Mormon's are god's chosen people and they should be able to walk over anyone they want to.

A few years pass -

A wealthy southern wagon train passes through Utah. Great! the Mormon think we can have revenge and take all their wealth and blame it on the Indians! But first let's make those southern folk think we are their friends and out to protect them.

see deception -

and if you think they believe in our American constitution, you are nuts. They believe they are destined to govern over America and put in place a Mormon theocracy. And Mitt buddy boy of one of their big hopefuls in doing this.

Kinda silly to think that Mitt or the Mormon church is eager to bring back plural marriage. That polygamy thing was a one-time deal.

Read Mitt's history. He is and never was a fan of the church's history of Polygamy. I like so many other Mormons think that Polygamy could very well been a well-intentioned, yet mis-guided mistake in church history.

Bottom line, the church never endorses candidates and has much less political interest than all you conspiracy theorists are thinking.

Correction: …for the messy press they got for [helping] to bankroll the protection of marriage legislation in California.

CORRECTION AGAIN:… for the messy press they got for (being mis-blamed) for bankrolling the protection of marriage legislation in California.

The church spent ZERO dollars on that campaign effort.

Now devout Mormons around the world contributed greatly to the cause ($$$millions) but the church does not and will never fund such political actions. Blame the members of the church, not the church itself.

ScottyP, do you have any legitimate facts or evidence to back up your claims? Or just these silly conspiracy theories? Really?

Looks like you've never actually taken the time to get to know a Mormon, or honestly learn about their faith.

“FLDS was created keep plygamy alive…” Wow! in all my 40 years as a member of the LDS faith. I've never heard that one.

Quite the contrary. I think I can speak for most Mormons that if FLDS would simply die and go away, it would certainly be a good thing for our church PR wise. “FLDS to Mormons is like Reverend Wright to Obama” We can't run away fast enough.

Get the picture?

If Catholics and anyone who takes communion thinks they are eating Jesus' flesh and drinking his blood and Muslim men think there are 80, or whatever , virgins waiting for them in heaven, (what do Muslim women have a-waiting them, dishwashers?) why can't Mormons believe that their underwear can protect them from harm? Again, what do Mormon women get, just one husband to deal with?
Our dear Constitution guarantees all of us freedom of and from religion and that's the way I like it.

I'm afraid ScottyP is right…..

I admire your advocacy but you're backing the wrong horse. I lived in Arizona for 30 years and got to know lots of Mormons. They are evangelics. They just use a different bible. It's called the Book of Mormon. Again, maybe they ain't wrong they're just diffrunt as Willie says.

Bottom line…….the Mormon Church doesn't have to endorse candidates. The faithful know who to vote for….

They get one very NARCISSIST hubby and the ideal he feels he will have a whole bevy of women in the next life.

Gee, Mitt fits every category.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyE7SCK_OBQ&play…

1. grandiosity – yep, that’s Mitt
2. ego-centrist — ‘my son’s serve this nation, by helping me become president
3. pre-occupied with success – fixed — like missing over 230 plus days as governor
4. Belief one is special or unique — ‘shining star’, the nation can not survive without Mitt heading the nation – bigger than life fantasy of power – BIG warning sign — yep, and dangerous is right!
5. lacks empathy— fits the bill with Twit
6. Often envious of others or tells people they are envious of HIM – oh, my is this Mitt or not! It sure is!!!!!!!!!!!
7. Arrogant haughty attitudes – that shoe fits also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkxxEiqpjmE&feat…
Predatory like vampires —
Enjoy putting others into emotional pain – done to manipulate
It is also the Mormon culture. Narcissism is taught and cultivated – covert aggressor

Romney can believe what he likes, and as a nation of people we can decide if we want his beliefs in the White House.

Think it is being done for prop 8? Don't think so, the target areas are not high gay areas. More than likely area's to soften up Christians.

They are all facts, and you know it. Yhaaaa, got A's in Book of Mormon!! And in Gospel Principles!!! Yhaaaaa, I am bright!!!!!!! I know my history, and don't believe in lies !!!!!!!!!

evangelic? Mormons are not evangelical, they are cultist.

Get to know your Mormon history better, research Taylor.

I know enough about Romney.

Gee, Mitt fits every category.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyE7SCK_OBQ&play…

1. grandiosity – yep, that’s Mitt
2. ego-centrist — ‘my son’s serve this nation, by helping me become president
3. pre-occupied with success – fixed — like missing over 230 plus days as governor
4. Belief one is special or unique — ‘shining star’, the nation can not survive without Mitt heading the nation – bigger than life fantasy of power – BIG warning sign — yep, and dangerous is right!
5. lacks empathy— fits the bill with Twit
6. Often envious of others or tells people they are envious of HIM – oh, my is this Mitt or not! It sure is!!!!!!!!!!!
7. Arrogant haughty attitudes – that shoe fits also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkxxEiqpjmE&feat…
Predatory like vampires —
Enjoy putting others into emotional pain – done to manipulate
It is also the Mormon culture. Narcissism is taught and cultivated – covert aggressor.

Wouldn't trust a thing they say.

“like so many other Mormons think that Polygamy could very well been a well-intentioned, yet miss-guided mistake in church history”

OMGOSH! you mean it wasn't a revelation only church leadership lust!!!!!!!!

see mormorns cannot be honest about anything/

So, Romney believes like many others polygamy was a well intended error, huh? Well there must be many well intended revelations in the LDS church, right Romney?

They are SO annoying because LDS people can NEVER be honest or forthright about anything, it is always a spin, deflection, out and out lie, deception, projection, and FIB

polygamy was regarded almost as the most central, highest revelation
Joseph Smith, Jr., who taught that polygamy (or at least polygyny) was a divine commandment
Smith proclaimed a revelation recommending polygamy on July 17, 1831. This alleged revelation is described in a letter to Brigham Young written in 1861 by an early Mormon convert, William W. Phelps,[

830 version of the Book of Mormon does not specify that the Native Americans would become "white and delightsome" through plural marriage. A note from W. W. Phelps in the same document explains how the conversion of the Native Americans coincided with Joseph Smith's plan for a new system of marriage:[1][22]
“ About three years after this was given [i.e., about 1834], I asked brother Joseph, privately, how “we,” that were mentioned in the revelation could take wives of the “natives” as we were all married men? He replied instantly “In the same manner that Abraham took Hagar and Keturah; and Jacob took Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah; by revelation—the saints of the Lord are always directed by revelation. ”
A reference was made to this revelation five months after its alleged date in a letter by Mormon apostate Ezra Booth to the Ohio Star on 8 December 1831, in which he refers to the “revelation [that the Mormon Elders] form a matrimonial alliance with the Natives”, but the letter makes no reference to polygamy.[1

love the comment however Joseph Smiths revelation was a 'well-intended but mis-guided mistake in Church history”…. all of Joseph Smiths revelations were mis-guided mistakes.

Sloagm-
One small point. True the Chruch's book on the actual MMM is out there. The volume however DOES NOT address the aftermath and cover up— which are huge parts of the story. The actions of BY in the aftermath, the obvious cover up and mock trial/scapegoating on J.D. Lee are key to understanding the story. Turley and the others who wrote book one have said they will deal with these in another book but it has yet to be seen. Truthfully until then the Church really has not dealt with the massacre completely.

GoSox—
Belief in polygamy in polygamy as a eternal principle is a generational thing in Mormonism— and I suspect you are a younger Mormon. Maybe?

While the idea is uncomfortable for you calling it a mistake is going against LDS leaders from the 1840s until even now. Isn't that above your paygrade? I was raised in the 80s and was taught that the practice would be restored repeatedly. McConkie and many others taught it.

It comes from early LDS teachings that polygamy (patriarchal marriage) was required to reach the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. That's reason the Church fought so hard and was so deceptive in trying to keep the practice alive in the 1880-1900. It wasn't until the pressure became too great that the manifesto was written that people like Talmage and Smoot began to redefine the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage. Prior to then it and polygamy were equal.

Besides LDS men are still sealed to multiple women now after the death of a wife. Dahlin Oaks, Russel Nelson and others have been sealed again and made it clear that both wives are theirs in eternity.

D&C 132 is still canon and the Manifesto is only an earthly hold on the practice not a commentary on whether the Principle is eternal doctrine or not.

LDS polygamy can't be dismissed that easily. It played into everything. It was largely the reason Joseph was even at Carthage. It was why the Church moved West.

Some great books on the topic are:
Solemn Covenant by Carmon Hardy
In Sacred Loneliness by Compton
Mormon Polygamy by Van Wagoner

Fish-
ScottyP's partly right. Historians believe that Hector McClean killing PPPratt in Arkansas over marrying his wife (Eleanor never wasn't divorced legally from Hector when she ran of w/ PPP) played in the massacre. It was only one part though. Eleanor returned to SLC on July 24, 1857 with word of PPP's death which is the same time/place where the Mormons learned Johnson's army was on it's way out to UT. Sadly the Fancher Train while being from Arkansas had nothing to do with PPP's death. Hector McClean wasn't even from AR but lived in SF, CA before hunting down Pratt.

BY had been posturing against the US Gov't threatening to use the Indians as a weapon. Mix this with anger, paranoia with other things (greed, complete obedience to authority etc.) and it created the environment where the Mormons massacred 120 men, women and children after assuring to save them under a flag of truce.

Check out the facts if you want. The best books on the topic are:
Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks (LDS author)
Blood of the Prophets by Will Bagley
Massacre at Mountain Meadows (LDs Chruch's book by 2 LDS authors)

scottyp ,your a wack job !!!! what alot of time spent on untrue crap that you know nothing about ….. get your facts straight looser or get a job!!!

Gsmith, The wack job is not me, but you, since you LIE and try to deflect. My facts are straight, you cannot take the truth Gsmith64.

by the way your comment represents the poor attitudes and bullying nature of Mormon culture.

Mormons don't run away from polygamy, they embrace the icons of Mormon polygamy. Stop faking it. Think “Brigham Young” University–a running advertisement for the church's historic connection to polygamy. If you don't think this is an issue, think in a few years how you would feel about a “Warren Jeffs” University. When Joseph Smith formally initiated polygamy in Illinois in 1841 (secretly and illegally), eight of his first ten “wives” were already married to other men (read “In Sacred Loneliness” and “Nauvoo Polygamy” for comprehensive documentation taken mostly from Mormon Church resources). What kind of creepy, intensely immoral, power trip is that? Instead of outrage, there is only deeply-seeded reverence for some seriously flawed “prophets.” Brigham Young was coercively marrying teenagers into his 60's. Where is anyone in modern Mormon leadership with the principled integrity to disavow the ministerial abuse of these people? Where is the outrage? Catholics don't continue to revere fallen Popes and nobody reveres the name of Jim Jones any more. But Mormons. . . .

Nonmormon here, but that's besides the point. You stated the resistance to mormons in 2008 prompts this advertising. Perhaps it does, but that too is besides the point. Romney didn't lose to McCain because he is mormon. He lost to McCain because Rudy sandbagged out of deference to his “good friend” John McCain, which sent all the moderate to liberal Republican votes John's way. Meanwhile, Friar Huck and country Hollywood Fred Thompson syphoned Mitt from the social right. Nonetheless, Romney performed the best across the full spectrum of Republican voters, finishing first or second where effort was made pretty much everywhere but South Carolina. Where did Huckabee and Fred do well? Only in one region.

As it matters today, of the 2008 names, only Romney is relevant. The left knows this, which is why he's attacked (again) more than any other Republican (as he was prior to McCain sealing it in 08). While antimormon bigotry is alive, it is not the factor antiRomney fanatics make it out to be.

You are about as ignorant as they come. You don't know the first thing about Mormons, really! If you want real information about Mormons, go to the source, not to some touring preacher who profits from sensationalism, and is ignorant himself.

Scottyp, you obviously have a sad, sick little ax to grind about the Mormons. Why don't you get a life of your own, and stop spreading your paranoid delusions about people you are ignorant (whether you know it or not) about.

the truth is …. i know alot of mormons and their some of the best people I know . my comment toward you is not intended to bully ,only me expressing my pitty for your sickness..find a differnt hobbie !!!!! maybe finger painting might be your speed

I don't know about anybody else, but I find you a little bit creepy, scottyp! Talk about a conspiracy theory….!!!

Yeah, that's why Mitt Romney and Harry Reid are the two most prominent Mormons today in U.S. politics: a very clear and consistent direction. One of my fantasies is that Mitt is elected President and Harry returns as Senate Majority leader and that Glenn Beck would provide the blow-by-blow commentary on their battles: three Mormons, all in fundamental political disagreement.
.
BTW, you can watch Harry Reid's 2007 talk at BYU, where his children attended, here:
http://www.byub.org/talks/Talk.aspx?id=1531
Money quote: “I'm a Democrat because I'm a Mormon.”
.
Another spoke in the Mormons' political diversity is founding Black Panther Eldredge Cleaver, who was a member of the Church the last 14 years of his life.
.
Given all this, exactly for whom do we know to vote?

I find you a compete nut Zedster, so how is that!

Nice try to at attempting to blow off by using conspiracy theory. There is already a softening up of the public in regards to polygamy. The reality show showing a real live polygamist living out in the open in Salt Lake City. A case was on polygamy.com of an attempt in Utah to make bigamy legal. So, don’t try to BS. Mormons believe in polygamy, and believe they will be living it in the next life as well. Men get additional wives sealed to them all the time in the temple ceremonies after they pass away. No, Mormons will attempt to have polygamy re-instated; it is part of their doctrinal belief system.

Romney is NOT the only one relevant, see how narcissist your statement is. Romney is trying to buy the GOP, and attempting to put his cronies in.
repeat :
As far as Romney being the ONLY viable candidate, goes to show how narcissist he is.

Don’t mess with S.C. or the South; Romney was stupid, stupid, stupid. And he lost 42 million dollars in his last bid of his own funds; he will lose more this next time around.

Dumb, arrogant, narcissist, Romney's (and corrupt)

Also, here's a recent comment by Dallin Oaks, a member of our Quorum of 12 Apostles, “I found some wisdom in liberalism, some wisdom in conservatism, and much truth in intellectualism — but I find no salvation in any of them.” So with this direction, exactly for whom do we know to vote?
.
Recent Apostles, like James Faust, were prominent democrats as well as others who were Republicans. A Canadian who served as an Apostle, N. Eldon Tanner, is the only person to have held two Cabinet postions simultaneously; he was known for his liberal political views.

I know a lot about Mormons too, and the are some of the most cruel, lying, corrupt people one could ever come across.

Finger painting is your style Gsmith64, go to your room at the little white house at the end of Center Street in Provo, That is the ONLY white house Romney belongs in!

Mitt Romney, Harry Reid on the Dem side, Orrin Hatch, on the Republican. Maybe not Bennett.

Romney is going for the first Mormon LDS presidency and his counselors of the United States.

Fulfilling the White Horse prophesy of government control going into the hands of Mormons.

Frankly, Mormons are far too abusive to be in political power.

why don't you stop defending cultist?

Mitt Romney Torture Series, link below

http://justthoughts-blogger.blogspot.com

see Zedster, you are a verbal abuser and display the typical response of narcissist Mormons in your response regarding 'paranoid delusions' — Mormon culture is abusive in language and actions towards those who see them for what they are, and those who question them.

Mitt Romney Torture Series link below, what every American needs to know.

http://justthoughts-blogger.blogspot.com/

Romney is for Torture,

http://justthoughts-blogger.blogspot.com

Romney's have never, never served in the military. But they are great believers in abuse.

http://justthoughts-blogger.blogspot.com/

Dalin Oaks? Oh, boy you do want to get on a subject!

Dallin Oaks – Don’t read real mormon history, you might find out too much!!! ROTFL — Glad you brought up old Brother Oaks!!

LDS Apostle Dallin Oaks recently warned members to be careful when reading articles on LDS History. The growth of the Internet has made available a number of sources discussing LDS History. Mormon scholars were excommunicated or disfellowshipped because of writing truthfully about the history of the Mormon church.
Dallin Oaks, whose comments recently appeared in the church owned publication, The Mormon Times, gave advice on how faithful Mormons should pursue the study of LDS History. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a controversial history, and easily available sources of information such as the Internet have caused many obscure pieces of Mormon history to come to light.

Read more at Suite101: LDS History Articles Warned Against: Dallin Oaks Cautions Members to Use Spirit to Discern Truth http://mormonism.suite101.com/article.cfm/lds_h…

Really, then you should talk to the church general authorities who have links to law firms which represent FLDS.

Maybe Utah should not protect FLDS as they do!

Scottyp, who else from the 2008 GOP primary is relevant and viable today? McCain? Rudy? Fred? Huckabee? They plus Mitt comprised the top tier. Fred, Huck and Rudy are even arguably not in the top tier apart from their name IDs and air-time since, after all, none of them did well in more than one or two states here and there.

Yet each did weaken Romney and strengthen McCain. Romney and Huckabee, in terms of national recognition today versus where they were then did the best since now the nation knows both of them, whereas before all it knew were Rudy, McCain and Fred. Though, as I said, Huckabee only did well in one region of the entire country; Romney was competitive everywhere. Including the south and, yes, among evangelicals even. Not as well as Huckabee, obviously, but well enough to dispel the notion that southern antimormon bigotry and hateful discrimination was what did Romney in.

You say Romney's not the only viable name from that cycle. I ask you who else is? Sarah Palin? Albeit she didn't run for the nomination, I'll consider her as a valid consideration given she made her national entry then. First of all, like Huckabee, she seems all the more interested in fame and its fortunes–especially since she quit the job voters elected her to do in Alaska. Quitters, no matter the reason (excuse), in national politics face a very steep incline to win higher office.

Among the non-2008 pool of known Republican talent there are: Pawlenty, Jindal, Cantor, Paul Ryan, Haley Barbour, Thune, Daniels, and maybe a couple more. I like Jindal, Cantor and Ryan; though, I don't think any of them is ready for primetime. If one is, it's Paul Ryan—Cantor and Jindal are nowhere near as publicly sharp, apt, organizing, confident, challenging and appealing as Paul Ryan. Barbour would only win the south, meaning he couldn't win the nomination. Daniels couldn't either. Thune would stand a better chance than probably all these guys so far, though he's a Senator still. And then there is Tim Yawnplenty, er, I mean Pawlenty. This guy is a giant bore. And he had a mullet just a few years ago, in the 2000s.

GOP dream candidates? I say Petraeus, naturally. I think, as I did in 2008, that in any order, Petraeus (McCain then) plus Romney, presents the nation with an Administration whose composition provides the core competency to SOLVE our present ills (then and now; war and economic malaise). Instead, McCain gave us a stunt pick in Palin, leaving us no logical peace of mind in veep in case McCain went down in his 70s like his dad and grandfather did. You telling me, Senator, that if you take a knee that we get Sarah Palin instead of Mitt Romney? Nuts. And so from then on out McCain flamed out. But that's fine since none of them would've likely beaten Obama on the heels of national Republican fatigue coming out of 2 drawn out and endless wars and what was then a sputtering economy. Obama's only done what Bush did but about a thousand times more in terms of spending (one year of Obama spending eclipsed all the red ink from Bush's 8 years, in case you care about that sort of minor detail). So where Bush turned off the general public, Obama has done the same only he thinks he can sell it because he is the epitome of narcissism, he has media not nightly counting our war dead, not blaming him for BP's oil spill (despite Obama's Admin. fast tracking that well, exempting it from certain safety inspections, etc.; if Bush had done this, it'd be all his fault), not covering the so-called “horrors” of Gitmo, not doing specials on it, not asking why it's still open, not talking about the collateral damage of civilian deaths in our drone attacks, and not talking about deficits and the spiralling national debt.

But, hey, you hate mormons so none of this matters. I get it. I'm not mormon. I don't think I can even call myself christian since that would be, imo, dishonorable to myself and disrespectful to christians (as it would to true believers of any faith) since I would be claiming I believe in something that I wonder has any truth. But I do fullheartedly believe in God and I am of the same opinion that Thomas Paine described in Age of Reason that any religion that teaches man to be good and do good is good. So, from what I can tell, mormons seem to have well above average moral conditioning, they live clean, work hard, amass wealth, are very charitable and value, most of all, the family. Do mormons actually believe every letter of the book of mormon? I'm sure some do, just as some christians believe every letter of the Bible is the word of God. But I don't think that's nearly as important as the type of character that comes out of the adherence or dedication to worship and service of any religion. To me, mormonism seems to be more of a way of life than anything else. I don't mean it's not a religion, at all; obviuosly it is. But it seems to be beyond that as well, as its devout seem especially focused on optimization in this life and trying to become more than our nature. I think that's what true christians do too. I see no rational conflict in philosophy, only conflict in geography due to tradition and culture—as if God would exempt the sins of those of one faith on the basis of cultural identity when no matter how good any human can be, we fall short of the purity of God.

As the Moral Majority knows, the believers of all faith must unite to protect their values and improve the human state of condition as apathy and anything-goes seems to only increase and spread. Mormons are allies to Baptists in politics. Mormons are from the most red region in the whole country, and 90% of them vote Republican. They have no problem voting for baptists, methodists, episcopalians and catholics, as they have and will continue to do. Ostracizing them nationally only hurts your own cause as it not just creates fissures within our party, but distracts the focus of the public (to the glee of media and Democrats) from the more pressing issues that politicians are trying to escape responsibility for in the first place. And now that means all the missteps and ramjobs Obama has perpetrated.

I think that many of the comments posted here show the necessity of this new campaign. People like ScottyP who are obviously angry over support of prop 8 continue to disparage the Mormons doing whatever it takes with no regard to truth. Apparently the fact that the prop passes with 52% of the vote and the CA. Mormon population is 2% makes absolutely no difference to these people. I would like to know exactly why the attack on the garments Mormons wear under their clothes – no one sees them, they hurt no one – it is just another ploy to make Mormons appear weird. Our garments are symbols to us – just as that cross around your neck. No difference. The Mountain Meadows Massacre was a horrific event but no one addresses the persecution that the Mormons had undergone in several states – the murders, rapes, forced to leave their homes. There was an extermination order put out on them by the Governor of Illinois. The Mountain Meadows Massacre was possibly an overreaction to fear which escalated into something horrific. Mormons don't claim to be perfect – we are human beings with human emotions. There is so much misinformation out there and so many preachers and pastors willing to ignore the commandment about bearing false witness, spreading many distortions about Mormons. The church has finally decided to fight back. I for one am very happy about that decision. As for the White Horse Prophecy mentioned here – again, the poster didn't check his facts. I hadn't heaqrd about such a prophecy until a blogger spoke of it. I checked into it and discovered that the blogger really didn't know what he was talking about. Reading the posts here make it is obvious that people believe what they are told without actually doing any research. Mormon scripture includes the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon – we do not have our own Bible as implied here. The bottomline is that the best source for information about Mormonism is a Mormon…not a blogger filled with contempt for our values or a clergyman who loses his income if he loses his sheep.

It has nothing to do with Prop 8 and goes to show why Romney is a dysfunctional candidate, making rash opinions.

Tjc – nice try, It has nothing to do with Prop 8, nice try at deflecting. Romney speaks with a fork tongue, it is about a man who cannot tell the truth, is a master manipulator, which Romney is.

Several things are going on these days with the Mormon church. They are a large purchaser of mortgages in the United States. Their sizable portfolio has stopped performing sufficiently to bankroll the massive building program they are committed to. Revenue from their substantial holdings (Bonneville International, Deseret Management & Intellectual Reserve) and membership donations have dropped due to unemployment and the worldwide economic downturn. They desperately need new blood to grow their business, like any large worldwide corporation. The 3 men at the head of the Mormon church are called the Corporation of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Make no mistake, these are not men with degrees in theology. They are shrewd attorneys, bankers and business professionals. That’s who’s running the Mormon church. Not necessarily men of god.

The other aspect of this PR campaign to rebrand Mormonism has to do with the goodwill generated by flooding radio and television stations with sorely needed revenue during these very lean times in the broadcast industry. The Mormon church owns radio stations in virtually every major market of the United States. It's a ‘godsend’ to the media in the eight markets they're saturating–all swing states in the 2012 elections. What's the return on such an investment? Favorable press in the future. Political capital for the battle ahead with Mitt Romney’s run for the presidency and the same-sex marriage issue. After all, Mitt Romney has tithed millions of dollars to the Mormon church. They’re investing back in one of their shining stars. That pretty much sums it up, folks. My Name is Kendall and I'm an ex-Mormon.

There's only one group that it's still politically correct to be bigoted against. That's Mormons. You want an explanation for the ad campaign? I just gave it to you.

Kendall, you didn't need to admit that you are an ex-mormon; it is painfully clear from your post. Only an ex-mormon would have that kind of supposed familiarity with the Church and go through all those mental gyrations to turn this ad campaign into a deep, dark conspiracy theory. I also didn't realize that someone couldn't be a “man of God” and still have a professional career as do these leaders of your ex-church. It would be interesting to see how your logic brought you to that conclusion. Could the ad campaign be as simple as this Church wanting to improve their 'brand' so that the general public will be more open to learning about the Church and perhaps converting to their faith? That seems to have been a major focus of the Church since it was founded so this latest activity doesn't seem to be outside the modus operandi. Sometimes the most obvious explanation is the correct one.

Your portrayal of how Pratt ended up with this woman is incorrect. She married Pratt years after converting to the Church and well after she had left her husband. It is true that she wasn't officially divorced, but in those days a woman couldn't get a divorce unless it was her husband's idea. Do you see how your portrayal of the situation is incorrect? Even Wikipedia has a much better explanation than you have put forth.

i have been mormon for 38 years, then about a year ago I stopped believing. You will hear many sides of the story from mormons and exmormons and nonmormons. Please understand that many mormons don't even know their own history. I was that way for many years. They will eagerly defend the church from nay sayers without having the slightest idea of what they are talking about.

The church PR campaign is running because the mormon's church image is in the crapper. The anti-gay marriage battle that they through their weight behind in california did not turn out well for them. Their image is one of a weird, fringe, bigoted group of people who may or may not still believe in polygaymy, we don't know.

That's the general feeling. They don't practice polygamy anymore, but it's still in their doctrine and in their scriptures. They claim to be christian and believe in Christ, but their actions suggest otherwise. THe church is currently up to 4 billion dollars building a mall in downtown salt lake instead of helping people as Christ commanded.

They may not run the campaign to attract new members, but it could be damage control for their horrible image. I am embarrassed to say I was a member for so long before I saw the church for what it really is. I still go to church with my family and I have the strongest feeling that they don't care about me individually, the mormon church only cares about one thing, the growth of the mormon church. Enter at your own risk

who cares about that?

and my g.g. grand father killed your g.g grandfather in the civil war. Your logic is nonsense!

Sounds great! Big Love sold everyone on consenting adults and their right!

“They don't practice polygamy anymore, but it's still in their doctrine and in their scriptures.”
That can be said of all Christians, Jews, and Muslims that are not currently practicing polygamy. It's in the Old Testament as well as the Qur'an.

“The church is currently up to 4 billion dollars building a mall in downtown salt lake instead of helping people as Christ demanded.”
I heard it was $3+ billion, but either way, what does it matter? The City Creek Center is an undertaking by Property Reserve, Inc., the commercial real estate division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's not being funded by tithing but rather by private investments, and it's really not expected to be an extremely profitable project for Property Reserve. Its purpose is primarily to establish a wholesome atmosphere around one of the most theologically and historically significant sites in Mormonism, but it is also an effort to revitalize the downtown Salt Lake community. City Creek Center is being praised by the Sierra Club (a grassroots environmental organization) for “employing new-urbanism practices by choosing locations and designing projects that are transit-oriented and encourage walkable communities and more efficient energy and water use.” The project is expected to bring 10 million visitors to Salt Lake annually, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the local economy.
And the Mormon Church most certainly is helping people, outside of this instance, “as Christ commanded.” From 1985 to 2007, the Church's “Humanitarian Services” provided more than $1.01 billion in total assistance to needy individuals in 165 countries, and that's not including individual members' donations to charities. For example, in 2007, high profile Latter-day Saints John and Karen Huntsman donated more than $672 million for charitable causes not associated with the LDS Church. Also in 2007, Utah was ranked #2 of all 50 states in charitable contributions. For more examples of how the LDS Church is “helping people as Christ commanded,” see http://www.ldschurchnews.com/humanitarian

“…the mormon church only cares about one thing, the growth of the mormon church. Enter at your own risk”
I'm sorry that you are under the influence of such an incredible misconception. Mormons care about the growth of their church only insomuch that it means more people are accepting the gospel and incorporating it into their lives. When Thomas S. Monson speaks in General Conference, do you honestly believe that he could possibly be a vain, power hungry man? What about the other apostles? If you do believe them immoral, I don't think you can deny their Oscar-worthy performances. Personally, while I can see why some would think the Church is false, I don't see how anyone could possibly believe that the prophet and the apostles aren't sincere believers and practitioners of what they preach. I'm sorry that members in your area don't take a more active, caring role in your life and commend you in your still choosing to attend church with your family, even as your faith degrades. My advice to you is to give the Church a second chance. I know my faith has been severely shaken on several occasions in my life, but as I resisted the impulse to immediately set myself against the Church and to gain a deeper understanding of what was giving me doubts, I began to understand. I know that the same will be true for you if you seek to truly comprehend the nature of your doubts. Helpful websites in doing this (at least for me) are maxwellinstitute.byu.edu and en.fairmormon.org, and of course never underestimate the power of scripture study and prayer. I sincerely hope you change your mind, but either way, have a wonderful life.

[...] that the CJCLDS refutes the claim but as they say, the bell has rung.  There was reaction in The Washington Independent, a Pittsburgh TV station and the Mormon Times.  EFM passed it on, and seemed to get in some hot [...]

scottyp claims to have some special knowledge of the lds church, it’s history and culture that members do not, therefore we are bullies and have a poor attitude for disagreeing with him. I notice he uses the word “Narcissism” 7 times in his posts thus far in describing LDS members, sounds more like he has been offended by someone and just can’t let go. Me thinks though dost protest too much

I'm sorry, but since when was doing things that help the Salt Lake community grow and develop and draw businesses to it NOT helping? Economic help is the BEST HELP you could possibly give, because it lasts for generations. I'm sorry you didn't have a chance to really study what you were getting into before you joined the church. But, be advised, there are millions who know what they are in, what ALL of the problems are, yet still have firm faith in and spiritual knowledge of what the church is and what it stands for. If you had studied LDS theology about the Latter-days, you'd know that they EXPECT to be small and eventually so unpopular that they draw the worst form of persecution the world has ever seen (check the entire book of Revelation). Call your leaving the church what you want, but I will see it for what it really is: A lack of integrity to what you knew because you were afraid of being made fun of by the other kids.

I do think they practice polygamy….a man can be married again in the temple if his wife passes away…I think that is called polygamy. I agree with you stating that most mormons don't even really know what they believe in becasue they just “believe”…..I know as I was one of those people once uppon a time. The more you step back though and look at the things Mormons believe in the more weird it is. I agree the focus on family is wonderful but temple rituals, garments, unequal rights, bigomy, and belieivng that the book of mormon translation story is not credible. Since I have stopped going to church the members have shunned me and treated me horrible, they preach acceptance and non judgement but in my expereince I have found then to be the worst at it. I agree they do seem to be focused on growth growth growth. Missionaries only show investigators the good part of the church not all of the weird stuff. If people knew about temples and temple rituals when joininh most of them wouldn't. I have been to the temple a lot so I do not say this lightly.

Totally stolen idea from the Church of Scientology several years ago. Go to YouTube and copy/paste the following title. See for yourself!

Meet a Scientologist: Kenton, Race Car Driver: Scientology Video

Among the countless facts Mormons don't get right, you apparently didn't get the facts on this one either . . .

“According to the Fair Political Practices Commission’s Web site, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 'failed to timely report making late non-monetary contributions totaling $36,928.' The commission had requested the church pay $5,539 in fines, which it has done, and the commission will meet to vote on finalizing the penalty on Thursday in Sacramento.”

When a widower remarries, in the temple or wherever, it is simply that…remarriage. It is a stretch to conclude that this is polygamy!

You are a complete moron and a biget. It is ignorant self cenetered people like yourslef who would cast your own child to the wolves in the name of religion. You may make me sick…..

Your response was atleast more intelligent and less abrasive than some. However, you fail to offer any information of real value or any factual backing. Mainly you gave a nicer response to the fact that you must have faith and blindly follow. Seriously? You say this money for the new mall in SLC is funded by private sources and not tithing. I highly doubt this. Church funding alone is tithing? Also, it is a huge investment by the church. The church presents it as a holesome place to visit and see the front of what the church is. Won't this entice people to become a part of the church and therefore pay tithing for many years to come. I could go on and on. I just can't see the light in any religion that would outcast their own sons for not believing or choosing a different life path. I think that's called a colt? True families stick together through thick and thin. False families outcast….

Emphasis on *non-monetary* “contributions totaling $36,928″. In other words, not spending money, but spending time, which can be given a rough dollar value. So, the 'ZERO dollars' statement is still correct. Get your facts straight please.

“The anti-gay marriage battle that they through their weight behind in california did not turn out well for them.” – Their side won didn't it?

“They don't practice polygamy anymore, but it's still in their doctrine and in their scriptures.” -Polygamy is not once mentioned in mormon scriptures, well wrong excuse me it actually is…in the Bible.

“They claim to be christian and believe in Christ, but their actions suggest otherwise.” – We are all human, and frequently our actions do not mess with our beliefs/words.

“THe church is currently up to 4 billion dollars building a mall in downtown salt lake instead of helping people as Christ commanded.” – LOL

“I am embarrassed to say I was a member for so long before I saw the church for what it really is.” – Oh there is the bias…couldn't tell

“I have the strongest feeling that they don't care about me individually,” – Why would 'they' (who ever they are) care for someone who so obvious is battling against them?

Great and truthful post Wally. I will be praying for your courage to leave the Mormon church and share the real truth with these people. The Bishop in my neighborhood will not leave my 19 yr. old daughter alone. I have asked him over and over–”Are only mormon families forever? Why can't you leave mine alone?” You are very brave Wally for thinking on your own! Praying you can break away!!!

They believe in marriage for eternity, so, in essence in the afterlife that man can have all of the wives that he is sealed to in the temples. They will then make spirit babies to populate their own planet.

You really think Jesus came to America? You really believe you have to wear special underwear to get to celestial kingdom and participate in temple ceremonies? Do you know how many wives Jo Smith and Brigham had? Open your heart and study the truth my friend.

If you have doubts about mormonism, it is the real spirit working in you, read the Bible about false prophets.

Psychological Effects of BP Oil Spill Reported Even in Non-Coastal Residents…

A new study has found that the psychological effects of the BP oil spill, the largest recorded environmental disaster in human history, extend far beyond people living around the areas of the Gulf of Mexico that were directly impacted by the spill. ……