I already wrote a reply to this posting, but it didn't show up, so either it's somehow tagged to another thread, or forever lost, or will show up later and I'll have a double posting. If so, sorry about that!
This particular thread is really disheartening as I see the same old nonsense being perpetrated once again, the same rumors, the same trash talk based on misinformation and mistrust. You know, trashing someone is easy. Even a 3-year old can call someone a poo-poo head. It doesn't take great maturity, intellect, insight or wisdom to spread rumors or call names. Hopefully one outgrows that stage and develops a preference for seeking common ground, a tolerant attitude, and the kind of genuine mutual respect that can surpass obvious differences between people.
To that end let me do my own chiming in here...
Someone said God is represented as being blond. No, actually, he is represented in picture and in word description, as being white-haired. White. Not blond. Blonds are not considered more celestial. That's not doctrine. Never was. That some might like to THINK it is doctrine (no doubt because they themselves are blond) is their problem. They can't back it up with doctrine.
And we don't believe in 7 heavens, but only 3 levels, same as in the Bible. We do baptisms for the dead not to "move dead relatives to a higher level" but to give them the opportunity to move themselves closer to God IF they choose to do so. The choice is always theirs. (We are very big on choice.)
Also, women DO become full-time missionaries, going door to door. We have two from our congregation now, in fact. My daughter-in-law served also. All three went to South America. We do have older couples serving in the same capacity. They just are not as obvious as the young men on their bikes, white shirts and ties. The women don't ride bikes (doesn't work too well with dresses), and neither do the old-timers (the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak).
Next, talented Mormons are not expected to "work like a dog for the church" as someone said. That Donny and Marie chose to become famous was their decision. It had nothing to do with the Church. Many equally talented, or more talented people choose to live far quieter lives in the Church.
Someone asked, "Have you seen any black Elders???" Yes. I have. And black High Priests, black Temple workers, black Stake Presidents, black missionaries, black Relief Society Presidents. Some congregations in places like Uganda are entirely black simply because there aren't any white members living within the Ward boundaries. So this is a total non-issue.
No we don't (pardon if I leave out the vulgarity) on other faiths. It has always been our teaching to look for the good in others, recognize it, applaud it, respect it, and encourage it. That is one of our greatest strengths since it allows us to be genuine in our love and friendship to others. It allows us to be open and friendly to strangers. It allows us to keep from falling into the "us versus them" mentality. Not every member is as good at doing these things as they should be, but if they are not good at it, they can't blame the Church.
No we are not "shady" with our true beliefs when dealing with converts. Milk before meat is a simple enough concept. How many 4th grade children are handed books on physics? While physics is something they may need to know someday, trying to teach it to them before they are ready serves no useful purpose whatsoever. Not everyone needs to learn everything there is to know. For those who do want to learn it all, the information is there, readily available, the same as in real life.
No we didn't make our own Bible. We use the standard King James.
No we don't shun. Period.
As for the spaceship, that was a delight to read. I needed a good laugh! Please ask whomever told you that one to show you chapter and verse on it. If you're a betting person, you can go to Bermuda at their expense when they give up trying to find the proof text (not that I'm advocating gambling, of course!).
To those who spoke kindly of Mormons, thank you, thank you, thank you, now and forever!
Susan
