Are Mormon girls special? They must be if they are the reason LDS men go on missions.?
488333
If you're going to ask and answer your own questions, why bother to post them on this site?  Bye the way, your last sentence isn't a question... it's a statement.
418470
It is neither required nor mandatory for young men in our church to serve a mission. In fact the Church now discourages our young men from doing it unless they are truly devoted to wanting to go on one. They have made the requirements alot tougher per say. The young men must have practiced the For Strength of Youth standards and honored their Priesthood in order to be allowed is the better word to use. As always our Church believes in free agency, it is on them to pray and seek for guidance on whether to go and serve the Lord. They must not only be worthy but living the gospel to the best of their ability in order to go. They need the guidance of the Holy Ghost while serving and to be in tune with it, especially to be successful in sharing our message. While it is a great disappointment for parents as we all want our children to grow up and serve the Lord we too must also learn that they (our children) don't always do the things that we know are best for them. They ultimately have the choice and that is really how it always has been.
698607
Sorry the only Mormons I knew had 5 kids + foster kids in and out. That is a lot where I'm from.
557344
I was married to a mormon once, and her daddy was a bishop.  For her sake I tried to validate mormonism, but Joseph Smith was a lying con artist who victimized the weak and ignorant.  This is based on the mormons version of the mormon history.\n\nBeyond that, their doctrine is a perversion of Biblical truth on almost every point of their doctrine.
457537
I would like to direct this answer to Mr. Curious. \n\nYou look like a caucasion in your picture and I presume you speak constructively good english. How come you find it hard to understand the question? Maybe, I need to rephrase the question for you and here it goes "Are Mormons brainwashed on their belief or they just don't have the clue? Did you get it now or do I have to elaborate some more? Or are you just trying to be a smart mormon.\n\nI was actually expecting a very logical and mindopening answer from you because I would usually see Mormons decently dressed, looking educated while visiting people's homes and converting Christians to another form of Chritianity. Oh! how such looks can be so deceiving.\n\nI am an oriental and I don't see anything wrong with the question. At least, maybe the best that you can do is presume that he is not an american or british. I believe that if you are in your right mind, you will also consider my opinion either as logical, fundamental, Romanical, mormonical or moronical. Which is which? I guess you are the only one who knows and be a smart moron.\n\nI just wish that we believers of Christ should not be as judgemental because I am Christian myself. Please try to be more objective and stop evading valid questions like that, like some prejudiced, hot headed, duel ready muslims (although not all), and feel justified by calling people to look like morons or if you have nothing better more to say, might as well stop the paranoia and shut the pipe down.\n\nNow, you have lost another soul to convince.
192496
They are wrong, and they won't go to Heaven I'm afraid.  It says in the Bible that nothing is to be added yet they went and made a whole extra testament!  Also, what's all that rubbish about Mormons inheriting their own planet when they die?  I have a former Mormon friend, who is now a Christian, he uses the analogy that Mormonism is like seeing a cardboard cut-out of The Beatles, whereas Christianity is like meeting them in person - there is just no comparison.  Sorry Mormons, you are wrong...you need to get yourself a personal relationship with Jesus or your off to Hell.
962339
thank goodness this attitude is changing slowly but surely. remember in Ancient Times the Ladies were thought to be second class citizens and were the ones who brought sin into the world since Eve was the one who first ate the Forbidden Fruit and talked Adam into eating it. ( if one looks at the same scenario a little differently Eve -- representing the ladies was the one who brought wisdom and knowledge into the world ). before I moved I went to a Church where we had three Lady Ministers who did as good a job and sometimes actually better than men. should be the ability that counts not the gender.
1138671
From the perspective of an outsider, this is my brief experience with coming across Mormon faith: They are good people; a lot of them give their lives for their faith. I respect this very much. But...I used to live in Taipei for a long period of time, during this time, I came across many Mormon youth who had come to Asia to preach their faith.\nOne incident that struck me negatively was a certain day when I witnessed a group of 2 Mormon youths (early 20's) approaching a Taiwanese man on the subway (also known as the MRT). This man was quietly reading his newspaper when they interrupted him (this is not acceptable etiquette-wise in Taiwan and was obviously embarrassing to this middle-aged man in the crowded compartment) to speak about their faith. I looked on, in awe at the profoundness of their go-get-it approach. A few minutes later, they noticed me (a white female foreigner) and obviously wanted to talk to me too. When Sister Something and the other Sister something approached I felt quite uncomfortable and felt like a was being interrogated. I then asked them how their evangelization was going. They then explained how each team was assigned a certain line of the subway system to meet potential followers. I was surprised at this, because according to the local laws, no political party or any other organization has the power to use the subway system for purposes other than traveling. What they were pursuing was clearing outside regulations. Not only this, but the method they used to interact with locals was not exactly what I call "localzied". Anway, I still believe that Mormons are good-hearted people. The only thing I would encourage them to do is "strive for communion with other Christians".
618651
I love Mormons. Probably because I am one though. Keep up the good fight! \nFor REAL answers concerning the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), please visit the following:\n\nhttp://www.mormon.org\nhttp://www.lds.org\nhttp://www.fairlds.org\nhttp://ldsfaq.byu.edu/\n\nThanks, and have a wonderful day!
1071954
I think Mormons may be the nicest people I've ever met...I work for a Mormon and he is very kind.\n\nI agree that they are misled.  I feel sorry for the person I work for, he works so hard at doing all the things that the Mormon church insists you "have to do" to get to a certain "level" of heaven after you die.  He exhausts himself, he doesn't know that we are saved by grace, not our works.\n\nI think it's very sad that these wonderful people follow a false gospel (the Book of Mormon) and a false prophet (Joseph Smith)...I pray for their release from the false church of Mormonism, that they may become born again and have a personal relationship with the true Jesus Christ, the biblical Christ, not the Jesus of Mormonism.
1064686
They're probably married like me, after years of being neglected by women and dumped, I finally found a girl who likes being treated well, catered to, etc.  \n\nBut I'm not bitter, I just had to go through hell to get to heaven.\nGood luck finding someone!
148720
As usual, the so eloquently named EATGIZZ and I differ.  I AM A MORMON.  Are Mormons Christian? YES!! Latter-day Saints believe in Christ as the Savior, the Redeemer, the Son of God, the Creator of the earth, and the only source of salvation. It is His love and grace that give meaning to life and hope to humanity. We believe in the Bible, which plainly teaches that Christ is our Savior and that all men must repent and come unto Christ to be saved. Some critics proclaim that Mormons are not Christians and don't believe in Christ. I really don't like other people telling me what I believe! As a Latter-day Saint, I have been taught, and have personally chosen, to accept Christ as my Savior. I am taught to follow Him, to rely on His love, and to feast on His word. I know that real Mormons are Christians. We worship Christ and covenant to follow Him. We are baptized in His name to follow Him, we partake of the sacrament (the holy communion) weekly to remember the sacrifice of His blood and to remember His victory over death, we pray to the Father in His name, and we strive to obey Him, knowing that it is only through His merits and grace that we are saved. He is constantly held up in our meetings as our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lord, and the author of our faith and our salvation. We believe that He stands at the head of His living Church, leading it as in days of old through revelation to His prophets and apostles. The Christ we worship is the living Christ, the Son of God, foretold in the Old Testament, revealed in the New Testament, and affirmed in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
658116
Here are some things that I wish I had learned before my mission:\nI wish I had learned better to recognize how the Holy Ghost answers prayers in my life.\nI wish I had learned better how to get along with different kinds of people, and show my love for them in ways that they'd appreciate, not the ways that I like best.\nI wish I had realized that it doesn't matter how educated you are, but it does matter how wise you are.\nI wish I had learned not to be snotty, and to appreciate the value of every person and the place I'm in.\n\nAs you can guess, these are all things that I learned on my mission, but it would have been great if I had known them before.\n\nI would like to make the following recommendations:\nIf you haven't yet read the Book of Mormon or another of the Standard Works, read it and make sure that you have a testimony that it's true.  Also, be sure that you have a testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet.  You don't have to have one powerful experience to know that something is true.  The comforting, satisfying feelings from the Holy Ghost are enough.\n\nYou can get a copy of "Preach My Gospel" and study the gospel principles taught in the lessons.  It's good to have a complete knowledge of the basic doctrine before you go on your mission.\n\nLearn to establish good habits, such as getting up at a reasonable time, studying the scriptures daily, eating healthy, spending your money wisely, and taking care of your body appropriately.  If you feel you are weak in any one of these areas, it's a good opportunity to learn these skills from your parents.\n\nLearn how to bear simple testimony, and be sure to do it often.\n\nLearn some hymns of the church that you can sing at opportunities when you'd like to bring in the Spirit.  I found that singing hymns is a very effective, consistent, and quick way to invite the presence of the Holy Spirit to any situation (tracting, teaching, companion study, whatever).  It doesn't matter whether you think you have a beautiful voice or not.  The words of the hymns are true, and the Holy Spirit testifies that.\n\nBe aware of the symptoms of mental illness and know how to recognize them in missionaries you know.  Many missionaries discover that they have mental problems they didn't know about before, because being on a mission puts them in circumstances they haven't been in before.  Uninformed companions can cause them even more suffering by judging them as lazy or controlling when they are really in need of help.  If you find yourself in a situation like this, tell the mission president immediately.\n\nWhatever you do, always refuse to hear gossip about anyone you know (missionaries or members) and don't participate in it.  You'll be a lot happier.\n\nDon't worry about not being able to watch television, listen to music, and so forth.  You'll find that these are choices, not necessities.  When you get home, you'll discover that you haven't really missed a thing.\n\nDon't be afraid of your mission president.  He's there to help you, and he's the only person to whom you can tell ANYTHING.  Use him as a resource.  Tell him things that he needs to know.  Mission presidents care very, very much about their missionaries.  You have no reason to be ashamed with him, unless you have done something wrong, in which case you need him all the more.\n\nDon't be intimidated by the sisters.  If you are attracted to a sister in your mission, there is no need to annoy her by teasing her or something.  Just don't act on your attraction.  Sisters and elders have very different styles of doing missionary work sometimes, and you can learn a lot from each other.\n\nDon't be surprised if you discover that a mission is a lot of fun.  I expected to work hard, but I never expected to have such a great time doing it.  It's the funnest adventure I ever had.
1174683
Mormons are Christians, first of all.  According to the teachings of the church, we must follow Christ and accept Him as our Savior.  They pray in the name of Christ, and perform all church ordinances in the name of Christ.  They sing hymns about Christ.  Christ is considered to be the Head of the church.  Yes, they believe Christ also visited the American continent after His death.  Yes, they believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings, yet one in purpose.  And they believe that God continues to reveal His word to man through living prophets.  But how do these doctrines make them non-Christian?\n\nMormons study from the Bible just as much as they do from the Book of Mormon.  In fact, the curriculum for Sunday School lessons this year is the Old Testament.\n\nIf the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints only pretended that they believed in Christ, then why would people stay in the church after getting baptized?  Why would the church keep growing at such a tremendous rate if its members only pretended to believe in Christ in order to attract more converts?  More than two-thirds of its baptisms every year are convert baptisms.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fastest growing religion of North and South America.  Joseph Smith, at a time when the church only had six members, prophesied that the church would fill North and South America, and eventually the whole world.  Brigham Young prophesied that the earth would be dotted with hundreds of temples, at a time when they were just beginning to be built.  We are seeing these prophesies fulfilled before our own eyes.\n\nSo many people have been deceived by a pack of liars, who say the Mormons aren't Christian, and consider the Mormon religion to be one of the most evil on the planet.  Christ said "Ye shall know them by their fruits."
333818
With Donneley Back I think Cal can pull an upset based on experience. If it BYU had no mormon mission loophole they wouldn't even be here.\n\nPaulie the Hat
544323
I am not 'Mormon' but have read about and understand your point of view. My unbiased opinion is that if you are targeting a large audience and want to incorporate your beliefs, emphasize your basic belief that through serving others, people can experience joy and be drawn closer to God. This underlying theme will attract the largest group of people and spread a good message, as I believe your goal is. It is, aside from the value of family, the message that most people can relate to and benefit from amongst the LDS doctrines.
1067886
Nope. Currently, the Church calls as missionaries single men from the ages of nineteen to twenty-six, single women twenty-one years and older, and older married couples with no dependent children. These missionaries serve on a voluntary, temporary basis. At missionary training centers, missionaries are instructed in gospel doctrine and in the language of their assigned missions. A missionary never labors alone, but always works with a companion. Single missionaries are assigned to a companion of the same gender; married couples work together. Missionaries are asked to follow a stringent daily schedule. Their time is dedicated to the service of the Lord and is spent finding receptive people and teaching them the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Letters, phone calls home, and nonmission business are limited. Their clothing is conservative business wear with distinctive name tags. Married missionary couples may be given considerable latitude with their schedules because they often fill several different assignments. Although missionaries face challenges, they are typically dedicated, enthusiastic, and faithful. The experience of teaching the basic doctrines of the gospel and serving others daily leads to solemn introspection, earnest prayer, and continual study. Consequently, missionaries gain a new perspective of themselves, of people, of the place where they serve, and of the gospel.\n\nabstracted from "Missionary, Missionary Life," in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, ed. Daniel H. Ludlow, 4 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1992),