Tuesday, February 26, 2008

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People in our country, especially here in the south, are so closed minded. One of my friends is a Mormon and several of my blog family are Mormon and I hate the lies and rumors that go around about this religion. This religion is a CHRISTIAN religion contrary to what people "think". Below is an article saying basically everything that I have wanted to say:

MICROSOFT FOUNDER, NFL OWNER PAUL ALLEN SPEAKS OUT ON MORMONS

Paul Allen is the owner of the Seattle Seahawks, the team who played the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Super Bowl. He is also the owner of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA basketball team and is co-partner with Bill Gates in Microsoft. He wrote this editorial in the Santa Clarita, California newspaper, 2006.I have heard and seen enough! I have lived in the West all my life. I have worked around them. They have worked for me and I for them. When I was young, I dated their daughters. When I got married they came to my wedding. Now that I have daughters of my own, some of their boys have dated my daughters. I would be privileged if one of them were to be my son-in-law. I'm talking about the Mormons.

They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I have ever known. They are spiritual, probably more than most other so-called religious people I have encountered. They study the Bible and teach from it as much as any Christian church ever has.They serve their religion without pay in every conceivable capacity. Not one of their leaders, teachers, counselors, Bishops or music directors receive one dime for the hours of labor they put in. The Mormons have a non-paid ministry - a fact that is not generally known.I have heard many times from the pulpits of others how evil and non-Christian they are and that they will not go to heaven.

I decided recently to attend one of their services near my home to see for myself. What a surprise! What I heard and saw was just the opposite from what the religious ministers of the day were telling me. I found a very simple service with no fanfare. I found a people with a great sense of humor and a well-balanced spiritual side. There was no loud music. Just a simple service, with the members themselves giving the several short sermons.They urge their youth to be morally clean and live a good life. They teach the gospel of Christ, as they understand it. The name of their church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Does that sound like a non-Christian church to you? I asked them many questions about what they teach and why. I got answers that in most cases were from the New Testament. Their ideas and doctrines did not seem too far fetched for my understanding. When I read their "Book of Mormon" I was also very surprised to find just the opposite from what I had been told I would find.

Then I went to another church's pastor to ask him some of the same questions about doctrine. To my surprise, when he found out that I was in some way investigating the Mormons, he became hostile. He referred to them as a non-Christian cult. I received what sounded to me like evil propaganda against those people. He stated bluntly that they were not Christian and that they did not fit into the Christian mold. He also told me that they don't really believe the Bible. He gave me a pile of anti-Mormon literature. He began to rant that the Mormons were not telling me the truth about what they stand for. He didn't want to hear anything good about them.At first I was surprised and then again, I wasn't. I began to wonder.

I have never known of a cult that supports the Boy Scouts of America. According to the Boy Scouts, over a third of all the Boy Scout troops in the United States are Mormon. What cult do you know of that has a welfare system second to none in this country?

They have farms, canneries and cattle ranches to help take care of the unfortunate ones who might be down and out and in need of a little help. The Mormon Church has donated millions to welfare causes around the world without a word of credit. They have donated thousands to help rebuild Baptist churches that were burned a few years ago. They have donated tons of medical supplies to countries ravaged by earthquakes. You never see them on TV begging for money.
What cult do you know that instills in its members to obey the law, pay their taxes, serve in the military if asked and be a good Christian by living high moral standards? Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Mormon youth get up before high school starts in the morning to attend a religious training class?

They have basketball and softball leagues and supervised youth dances every month. They are recruited by the FBI, the State Department and every police department in the country, because they are trustworthy. They are taught not to drink nor take drugs. They are in the Secret Service - those who protect the President. They serve in high leadership positions from both parties in Congress and in the US Senate, and have been governors of several states other than Utah. They serve with distinction and honor.

If you have Mormons living near, you will probably find them to be your best friends and neighbors. They are Christians who try to live what they preach. They are not perfect and they are the first to admit this. I have known some of them who could not live their religion, just like many of us.The rhetoric which is spread around against them is nothing more than evil propaganda founded in untruths. (Others) had successfully demonized them to the point that the general public has no idea what they actually believe and teach. If you really want to know the truth, go see for yourself. You also will be surprised. When I first moved here some 25 years ago there were five Mormon wards in Santa Clarita. Now there are 15. They must be doing something right.

6 comments:

chandra said...

Heather- I am so glad that I got the chance to meet you through this world of blogging :-) The world needs more people who are accepting and understanding like you. And who knows the facts instead of listening to what someone tells them. I am curious what was happening in your life that brought this post out?? And I read in Debbi's comments that you got an email about this. Just curious what they had to say. Will you tell me? On another note I am so jealous about your fun weekend! I LOVE shopping!!!

Debbi said...

Thanks Heather, you are the best friend. A true friend is someone who loves you no matter what and I'm glad you respect my religion! :)

{Erica} said...

Heather,
you're such a great person. It all just boils down to respect, regardless of the religion. The world is lacking in respect and there is evidence everywhere of this. I come from a family where there are Mormons, Catholics, Episcipal priests, and baptists....I have an Aunt who is African American, I am Chinese-French-Irish-Tahitian, my father was adopted....so tolerance and respect was embedded in me from a young age...it always frustrates me when tolerance and respect are lacking!

on another note....the oscars weren't that great for me either. Jennifer Garner was my favorite as well...she looked stunning! if you lived closer we'd so be getting together to talk about all the hollywood gossip :)

Debbi said...

ok, I've made one comment, but now the kids are asleep and I've had some time to think. I agree with what Erica says, respect is a big thing.

One of my good friends from Iowa and I had a few religious discussions last year and we would meet once a week for about a month. She asked me questions and then I would ask her quesitons. It was very enlightening on both sides. In the end we both agreed to disagree, which is better than losing a friend over something. Some people (unlike my good friend) just want to argue.

I know people out there might feel that they know more than me, but I also know what I have studied and prayed about. I went through a long long process of studying and praying for about a year when I was 19 when I was trying to decide what to do - what religion to follow - what I was raised or something else. No one can make me turn my back on what I felt when I recieved my answer to my prayers. I can't deny the feeling that I had and I knew what I should do.

I love to answer questions and offer advice when asked, but I would never force my religion on anyone else or tell them that they are a bad person for what they believe is the right thing for themselves and/or their family.

That is one of the reasons I love you Heather, you have never judged me. We are all here on earth together and as Christians we should all be loving and kind to everyone, extend a helping hand,hug, smile or even this nice post where needed.

K.T. is Mommatude said...

My hubby's best friend is Mormon as well-No problems with it around our house!

Thank you for speaking up on this topic!!!

chandra said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing I read that girls blog and some of the comments she got. All I can say in WOW! I also went through a doubting stage. I have family members who are all sorts of different beliefs. And it all came down to this. I felt peace. In this I knew that my life was good and that I could be truely happy. In your personal quest I hope that you will find something that brings you peace and happiness.
You deserve it :-)