The Official "Ask A Mormon" Thread

[Hartsock]

Mr Hartsock, I grew up in Utah as well. I was one of only a handful of male Seminary graduates that did not go on a mission. Only my best friend waited until he was 26 to get married(the one). I can name five that are already divorced, three of which had children during the first go at marriage. On top of that, 3 gentlemen in my graduating class who came back "playing for the other team".

One of us is clearly the minority.



You're probably right. And I apologize if I've hurt any feelings. Question withdrawn.

I think your question is fine. One of us is in the minority, tough to tell who though. I really don't know hardly any returned missionaries that got married very soon after getting home. Maybe I just hang out with the less weird mormon crowd. Who knows.

 

[colton]

Why are Mormons, for the most part, only white?

Because the church was started in a mostly white area of the country, then moved to Utah with that mostly white group of people. Then missionaries didn't proselyte much to blacks until 1978 because until that time the church didn't allow black men to be ordained to the priesthood.

 

[Harambe]

https://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith/Moon_inhabited

Thank you, Mr Colton, now if you would draw us all a horse, I'll continue with perhaps some better questions.

 

[colton]

Okay, seriously.. why does the LDS church feel that Jesus needed to be rescued? Meaning, God so loved the world that He ga e his only begotten Son so that we may not perish.

Jesus experienced a horrible death, a miraculous resurrection.. yet God felt it wasn't enough? That without the intervention of a new church organization in the 1800's, His work would remain unfinished..

The Mormon view is that the restoration was part of God's plan all along. It wasn't part of any sort of rescue attempt.

I'm not in any way hating.. at all. I just don't get where God's plan was to say, "yes, you believe upon my Son.. "
And then follow it up with "BUT" for the fullest of glory you must be a Mormon.

A more accurate way of looking at the Mormon view is to say "BUT for the fullest degree of glory, you must follow the teachings of His Son, which among other things include being baptized by someone with the proper authority."

Also please keep in mind that Mormons believe that the gospel is being taught in the hereafter, so it's not like we think only Mormons will be saved. But we DO think that only those that accept Christ through baptism--be it in this life or in the next--will be saved. It's just that in the here and now, the authority to baptize is only present in the LDS Church.

 

[colton]

Is Jason a Mormon?

Yes, I believe so.

 

[franklin]

The social agenda within the church after you get married is to have kids ASAP(deny it if you want, but it's reality). So now, before you have a chance to get back into school to get an AA, AS, etc(2 year degree, pretty much required for a respectable job) you have two mouths to feed other than your own.

How is that fair?

Back in the 1800's, that was fine, as most people weren't college educated. It's a vastly different world now.

I don't know why anyone would doubt that. The last unofficial official counsel I heard from the pulpit was in paraphrase "don't put off family for worldly treasures", followed with discussion of children being blessings and don't wait to have them. I find this particularly obnoxious, and have been told by some members that they agree.

 

[colton]

How can I get myself into those YSA meetings?

Just show up. Or, if you don't know when/where, you may need to visit your local congregation first for a regular meeting and ask someone.

Once I get in what strategies you think will get me the honies?

Convert to Mormonism.

 

[Dr. Jones]

The Mormon view is that the restoration was part of God's plan all along. It wasn't part of any sort of rescue attempt.



A more accurate way of looking at the Mormon view is to say "BUT for the fullest degree of glory, you must follow the teachings of His Son, which among other things include being baptized by someone with the proper authority."

Also please keep in mind that Mormons believe that the gospel is being taught in the hereafter, so it's not like we think only Mormons will be saved. But we DO think that only those that accept Christ through baptism--be it in this life or in the next--will be saved. It's just that in the here and now, the authority to baptize is only present in the LDS Church.

I knew all of this and am very impressed you stated it so plainly. People I have known for years try to dodge the question .. primarily, the last sentence. Kudos for sharing your belief without spin.

 

[franklin]

Okay, so here's my question on doctrinal issues. A few conferences ago there was one of the high ups who gave a talk praising John Huntsman Sr. and went on and on about how he bought this guy a $4000 suit in New York city and that only the most expensive wardrobe would do in his world. Isn't this pretty much against the entire theme of the BoM's anti-riches message (let alone bragging up a guy from a pulpit)?

 

[colton]

Thank you, Mr Colton, now if you would draw us all a horse, I'll continue with perhaps some better questions.

I really don't know what you mean by the horse comment, but I suggest you re-read the first post in the thread before continuing on with your questions.

 

[Zulu]

Mr Hartsock, I grew up in Utah as well. I was one of only a handful of male Seminary graduates that did not go on a mission. Only my best friend waited until he was 26 to get married(the one). I can name five that are already divorced, three of which had children during the first go at marriage. On top of that, 3 gentlemen in my graduating class who came back "playing for the other team".

One of us is clearly the minority.



You're probably right. And I apologize if I've hurt any feelings. Question withdrawn.

GreAt sample size... What's that a n of 10

 

[colton]

Okay, so here's my question on doctrinal issues. A few conferences ago there was one of the high ups who gave a talk praising John Huntsman Sr. and went on and on about how he bought this guy a $4000 suit in New York city and that only the most expensive wardrobe would do in his world. Isn't this pretty much against the entire theme of the BoM's anti-riches message (let alone bragging up a guy from a pulpit)?

Sure seems like it. If you can find the actual talk, I could give you a more detailed opinion.

I did have a friend who worked in the finance industry, and his boss made him get a $2000 or $3000 suit for work so that he would present the company in the light they wanted to be presented in. I guess if your boss makes you get a suit that expensive in order to keep your employment, then you've got to do it. Maybe with Huntsman it's the same sort of thing--he can't do business unless he dresses the part complete with super expensive suit.

 

[colton]

OK, I think I've answered all of the sincere questions so far. And a few of the questions that probably were not as sincere.

 

[Zulu]

I knew all of this and am very impressed you stated it so plainly. People I have known for years try to dodge the question .. primarily, the last sentence. Kudos for sharing your belief without spin.

I was going to point you to a few scriptures in the bible and a basic outline that Colton gave you, but since your question was more about testing Colton's Mormon doctrine then a really current concern I'll leave it be!!

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Um, and you believed him? You do realize that missionaries are taught to respond to that specific question, right? And that's certainly not the response they're taught.

I don't want to answer this one since I'm not LDS but I'd say that is a misinterpretation of LDS belief.

Just saying what I was told. I told him he probably heard him wrong or misunderstood.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I think that generally speaking most Mormon are considerate of not overly displaying wealth. I deal daily with the wealthiest in the state (Sorenson/Harris/Huntsman, etc) and a much larger majority than that of non mormon are cautious to not be ostentatious. Very careful, I'd say.

I don't subscribe to the doctrine but I don't fault the fruits, generally.

 

[colton]

The social agenda within the church after you get married is to have kids ASAP(deny it if you want, but it's reality).

There may be some societal pressure, especially for those living in Utah, but the official counsel from the church these days is to do what's right for your family, and don't judge others who choose differently than you do. See here:

https://www.lds.org/topics/birth-control?lang=eng

Children are one of the greatest blessings in life, and their birth into loving and nurturing families is central to God’s purposes for humanity. When husband and wife are physically able, they have the privilege and responsibility to bring children into the world and to nurture them. The decision of how many children to have and when to have them is a private matter for the husband and wife.

God has a plan for the happiness of all who live on the earth, and the birth of children in loving families is central to His plan. The first commandment He gave to Adam and Eve was to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28). The scriptures declare, “Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Those who are physically able have the blessing, joy, and obligation to bear children and to raise a family. This blessing should not be postponed for selfish reasons.

...

Husband and wife are encouraged to pray and counsel together as they plan their families. Issues to consider include the physical and mental health of the mother and father and their capacity to provide the basic necessities of life for their children.

Decisions about birth control and the consequences of those decisions rest solely with each married couple.

Delaying having children because you are still in college is not what I personally would consider a "selfish reason", especially if it prevents you from being able to provide the basic necessities of life for your children.


(edited a bit for clarity)

 

[The Black Swordsman]

How can I get myself into those YSA meetings? Once I get in what strategies you think will get me the honies?

What an interesting question

 

[franklin]

Sure seems like it. If you can find the actual talk, I could give you a more detailed opinion.

I did have a friend who worked in the finance industry, and his boss made him get a $2000 or $3000 suit for work so that he would present the company in the light they wanted to be presented in. I guess if your boss makes you get a suit that expensive in order to keep your employment, then you've got to do it. Maybe with Huntsman it's the same sort of thing--he can't do business unless he dresses the part complete with super expensive suit.

Thanks. I wouldn't expect anyone to dress up like a bum and hit up Wall Street or anything, it just seemed a little out of focus with the greater message.

Any set in stone doctrine is going to have seeming contradictions like this. Sometimes I think the emphasis is what matters, other times think it's hindering. I like the LDS "patch" here of helping your own community instead of solely the poorer areas a lot.

 

[Zulu]

What an interesting question

Just go to one and then convert to be LDS...


Plastic surgery doesn't hurt either!!