"So... you're Mormon, what do you think about Mitt Romney?"

I have been asked this three times now. It doesn't annoy me, it only reminds me how Mormonism is still considered so different to other Christian denominations. I don't see other Evangelical Christians being asked what they think about Bush (is he Evangelical?) Although I might have not heard the prior question being asked, I have heard similar questions being asked in the context of minority identities.

The school I attend has a minority of Asian, African-American, and Latino students and as such, I have heard some pretty horrific questions. In a discussion about race (which happens frequently), students were discussing the way minorities were being referred to. Descriptors such as, "asian pacific islander" "black" "white" "south american" and the "n" word came up. The descriptors for African Americans provoked the strongest reaction, with some students preferring to use "african american" and others "black." However, later in the day I heard about a student who went to an african american friend and asked, "so what do you guys prefer to be called." Needless to say I was ashamed to have witnessed such a question. What is worse is that these happen often. I will not try and recapture how the student reacted to that question, suffice it to say that they did not appreciate being tokenized for their racial identity.

Although I can relate, I have not had to deal with questions that ignorant too often. I often do have people asking me to either verify or disprove stereotypes about asians or germans or foreigners or mormons, in general. They are amusing, and also alarming. It is alarming because I see how incomplete our understanding of other cultures is. Cultural sensitivity seems to be studied in classrooms, but rarely exercised.

Back to my experience...
I don't know what I think about Mitt Romney. Perhaps you should ask me whether I have been following U.S. politics first? Perhaps you should find out who I am rooting for? (Obama 2008!) Perhaps we can first hold a conversation about policies and platforms and then gradually you can introduce the topics of different candidates... and then drop the Mormon Bomb.

Perhaps because being Mormon is so unusual it must infiltrate my every preference. Perhaps stereotypes my friends have grown up with dictate that Mormons always vote along religious lines. Perhaps Mormons are known to be prejudiced. (Ok, I know, that's a little harsh...) Either way, it seems that belonging to any kind of minority identity leads people to believe it affects you as much as it affects their perception. Perhaps because people see me as an Asian/Mormon female, my personal choices and preferences must be equally affected. Perhaps it is unprecedented that an Asian Mormon Female would not be interested in U.S. politics... "but you're Mormon! And Mitt Romney's Mormon!"... Hence we must be best friends :-) I must know everything about him and every other Mormon.

I love the idea behind it, honestly. I love the idea that any group I identify with (be it religion, racial, or hobby) automatically makes me an expert for all of them. That would make learning about people so much more easy! I wish I could tell you how every single Mormon feels about Mitt Romney. It would be amazing if my opinion of him would automatically answer the question you were really meaning to ask. "What do you (and every other Mormon alive) think about Mitt Romney?"
:-)

By the way, I love my friends... and I love these discussions. And if you have asked or probably want to ask any question like the ones I ranted about, please feel free to. Without conversations, I cannot correct stereotypes. You are actually doing me a favor...

Peace.

Passing of our Beloved Prophet

Gordon B. Hinckley possessed all the qualities of a regular decent, honorable man. He was not outstandingly eloquent, he wasn't particularly handsome, he wasn't wealthy, he wasn't well connected. He spoke simply and was incredibly humble. Yet, he was the Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 11 years, and before that he was a General Authority, and then an Apostle for a long time. His service to the Church has lasted his entire life, since the time he served a two year mission in England during the Great Depression.

I thoroughly enjoy this quote, "A prison guard has authority, but he or she is not a leader. A leader doesn't need a gun to motivate individuals" by Coach John Wooden. As I reflect on dear President Hinckley's life I can only remain in awe of how remarkable his leadership was. He lead by example, his example being loving and speaking truth, emulating our ultimate example, the Savior. He did not coerce, dominate, suppress, or compromise values. He was consistent and gentle.

True leaders motivate because of simply who they are. And everyone who has been blessed enough to cross paths with Prophet Gordon B Hinckley can only praise his loving way and his personal and charismatic nature. He genuinely cares, how many leaders do we know today that genuinely care about our well being? Who else gets on their knees to pray on behalf of all of us, for our wellbeing... and not just members of the Church, He was a Prophet to the world, and he never forgot that. He was dedicated every single day to listening, healing, and helping.

Since I only converted 2 years ago, He was the only Prophet I have known. I feel a sense of loss I wouldn't have expected, considering I didn't know him personally. But I feel like it happens sometimes, in life, you get a feeling about a person through the media, and you hear stories... and you just know a person is good. I remember how distraught my mother was when Princess Diana died, the whole world mourned her... oh, and Mother Theresa. My feelings of loss are comparable to those sad occaisions.

Good people are few and far between, and Prophet Gordon B Hinckley was an excellent leader who will be sorely missed.

Elder Russel M. Ballard, an Apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the following:

“We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches,” he said.

“While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.”

Church leaders have publicly expressed concern that while much of the recent extensive news reporting on the Church has been balanced and accurate, some has been trivial, distorted or without context.

Elder Ballard said there were too many conversations going on about the Church for Church representatives to respond to each individually, and that Church leaders “can’t answer every question, satisfy every inquiry and respond to every inaccuracy that exists.”

He said students should consider sharing their views on blogs, responding to online news reports and using the “new media” in other ways.

But he cautioned against arguing with others about their beliefs. “There is no need to become defensive or belligerent,” he said.


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This is the idea. I love writing about anything and everything... and being a member of the Church is one of the biggest parts of my life, and honestly, a topic I love to speak about most. That's why this blog is being started... to publicize my thoughts on the faith, and what it means to be young and single in the Church! Other fabulous authors will hopefully be contributing to this site, and we'll see how it goes!