, screamed my mother last night on the phone. She was referring to the fact that Joseph Smith (the first Prophet of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) practiced polygamy for a while. Apparently my mother has been operating under the false pretense for over 2 years that I converted in ignorance of the controversial parts of the Church's history. This realization has, as of last night, propelled my mother into a newfound state of panic and disgust, putting our relationship back by 3 years...
Since my mother is unwilling to hear explanations I would give her, I give them to my blog... in the hope that others will not think I converted in ignorance, or that I avoid the very hardest of issues.
http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201/m20117b.html
"Opposite the images of sensual appetite that McKeever and Johnson portray in relation to Joseph, plural marriage was something that Joseph himself was reluctant to practice and only did so under the threat of destruction at the hand of an angel.35 Joseph stated that "the practice of this principle would be the hardest trial the Saints would ever have to test their faith."36 He was not alone in his feelings. Upon learning of plural marriage, Brigham Young said that "it was the first time in my life that I had desired the grave, and I could hardly get over it for a long time. And when I saw a funeral, I felt to envy the corpse its situation, and to regret that I was not in the coffin."37
B.H. Roberts provides a concise and basic understanding on what was involved and expected in the practice of plural marriage:
The Saints did not accept into their faith and practice the plural-wife system with the idea that it increased the comfort, or added to the ease of anyone. From the first it was known to involve sacrifice, to make a large demand upon the faith, patience, hope and charity of all who should attempt to carry out its requirements. Its introduction was not a call to ease or pleasure, but to religious duty; it was not an invitation to self-indulgence, but to self-conquest; its purpose was not earth-happiness, but earth-life discipline, undertaken in the interest of special advantages for succeeding generations of men."..."It was indeed a principle of religion to them, a holy sacrament, and not at all designed to become a general practice under merely human laws. It is unfortunate that the world outside of the Church was not impressed with this phase of the subject; for then it would have been apparent that the things the world argued against and fought against--a general plural marriage system free for all to adopt, considered to be destructive of the monogamous system and the menace to the home itself--was not the thing upheld and contended for by the Latter-day Saints, who believed that the privilege of plural marriage is to be limited to persons of high character, approved lives, and living under the most sacred obligations to chastity, and granted this privilege of the marriage system only under the most carefully guarded permission amounting to divine sanction.38
Again, plural marriage was a matter of principle, revelation, and obedience; not lustful "errant yearnings," "extra-marital romantic liaisons," or "affairs," as portrayed by McKeever and Johnson. With this basis in mind, the following marital issues that are addressed become more clearly understood."
Historical accounts from the period say that very many members of the Church left, because the commandment was too difficult and disgusting to them. They were just like we are now... accustomed to monogamy, and believing polygamy to be evil and base. Joseph Smith actually received the revelation for polygamy years before he announced it, he disliked it so much.
Other than that, let me make it very clear that polygamy was revoked, and when "mormon polygamists" are mentioned in the news or on the radio, they are using "mormon" incorrectly. There are offshoots of the Church who continue practicing polygamy but all are excommunicated and are not associated with the Church.
*Phew*
Friday, February 29, 2008
Should I....
go on my mission?
That is a question I have pondered often, and I am afraid no answer seems correct.
I say to myself, "Yes, of course! You would love being on your mission so much, the lives you could touch, the service you could give... one and a half years of doing those things you're passionate about, what could be greater?!"
And then I say to myself, "Well, it's certainly the most difficult decision there is... with my family not being members of the Church, how could I explain to my father who supported me through 4 years of school that I am NOT entering the job market, but going on a mission? He might die! He might actually get a heart attack and drop right there... How could I tell my little sister, who looks up to me and depends on me, that i am abandoning her for one and a half years and we can't even talk on the phone?"
I can't!!! I can't do either!!!
I can't say yes because of my family, and I can't say no, because I want to go on my mission so badly!
There is no easy way. Some people say that often the harder way is right... but in this case I am choosing between two extremely difficult ways. If I do go on my mission it is going to be brutal... being away from all my family and friends, not being able to talk on the phone with them, being sent who knows where, having companions i might not get along with, dealing with people who hate what i stand for on a daily basis... that is ridiculously hard. (Also remembering that if I do end up going on my mission, I would have had to risk my father dying from the news.)
But then I could also not go on my mission. I could enter the workforce, have my father proudly tell his colleagues how I just graduated, and I work at X company doing X amazing things. I could continue talking regularly with my mother and sister on the phone... I could see my friends... I could have my own place, make money... and I would probably forever have the "what if i went on my mission" in the back of my mind. Living with regrets isn't easy. I know many people who can let go pretty easily, but I am not one of them...
What do you think?
That is a question I have pondered often, and I am afraid no answer seems correct.
I say to myself, "Yes, of course! You would love being on your mission so much, the lives you could touch, the service you could give... one and a half years of doing those things you're passionate about, what could be greater?!"
And then I say to myself, "Well, it's certainly the most difficult decision there is... with my family not being members of the Church, how could I explain to my father who supported me through 4 years of school that I am NOT entering the job market, but going on a mission? He might die! He might actually get a heart attack and drop right there... How could I tell my little sister, who looks up to me and depends on me, that i am abandoning her for one and a half years and we can't even talk on the phone?"
I can't!!! I can't do either!!!
I can't say yes because of my family, and I can't say no, because I want to go on my mission so badly!
There is no easy way. Some people say that often the harder way is right... but in this case I am choosing between two extremely difficult ways. If I do go on my mission it is going to be brutal... being away from all my family and friends, not being able to talk on the phone with them, being sent who knows where, having companions i might not get along with, dealing with people who hate what i stand for on a daily basis... that is ridiculously hard. (Also remembering that if I do end up going on my mission, I would have had to risk my father dying from the news.)
But then I could also not go on my mission. I could enter the workforce, have my father proudly tell his colleagues how I just graduated, and I work at X company doing X amazing things. I could continue talking regularly with my mother and sister on the phone... I could see my friends... I could have my own place, make money... and I would probably forever have the "what if i went on my mission" in the back of my mind. Living with regrets isn't easy. I know many people who can let go pretty easily, but I am not one of them...
What do you think?
Friday, February 22, 2008
American Mormon Perceptions
This is the trailer for a hilarious documentary. Two Mormons travelled all over the U.S. and asked people what they thought Mormons were... :-D
Agency vs. Compulsion
So I have been doing a lot of corrective work in my blog thus far, and that is actually not the way I usually speak about my faith. I usually talk about the things that make me happy, which is what I want to do today.
One of the reasons I became Mormon was because of the feelings I felt inside when I was being taught the doctrine. Faith and religion are not on a logical/scientific level much of the time, and so feelings constitute budding convictions, at least it did for me-- and still does.
I don't know how other people experience things, but there are times when I will hear something and it will just make sense to me. Simple as that. It's like it aligns with my innermost inclinations and desires, even those we may not be aware of. Perhaps you have heard song lyrics that feel like they were written for you because they capture a certain emotion or experience perfectly. Or perhaps there is a riff on the guitar that seems to strum your story, no words necessary. Perhaps you have a friend who you can go to, and no matter how fragmented your communication is, they will be able to nail exactly how you feel and bridge the gap of misunderstanding that no one else can.
That is kind of how it went for me and Mormonism. They taught me things that I had always believed, but was never able to form words about. I always wondered where I came from, who God was, and why we were here... and I had my own theories, my "Marina-ism philosophy".
The child in me believed that after we die we go to heaven, so my logic and intuition followed, causing me to believe that we came from heaven in the first place. This is not Christian doctrine, this is not a "normal" belief, I think... but it is for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe in the premortal existence, where we all lived together as Spirit sisters and brothers with our Heavenly Father (God) before we came to earth. Furthermore, we believe that there was a war in Heaven. God wanted us to be perfect on earth, our mortal test, so that we could then return to Him. Lucifer (the devil) wanted to make us perfect to ensure that everyone came back to heaven. 2/3 of everyone chose God's plan, choosing agency over compulsion. That's us. Our belief is that anyone that has ever lived on earth chose agency over compulsion. :-)
Anyways, I think I went way too deep into doctrine. Suffice it to say, everything is a choice. We have the choice to be happy, to be sad, to be offended, to do good, to do bad. It's amazing! I love it! When I consider agency as a power, then i consider my choices so much more carefully. My perspective on agency has brought me so much joy because now I realize I have a choice in the way I feel! In the past, if someone hurt my feelings then I would blame it on them and feel miserable until their apology suited me. Now, I do not wait until the other person has a change of heart, I change mine. Instead of choosing to be offended or hurt, I try very hard to choose to forgive, let go, and not let anybody but myself ruin my own day. It's liberating!
You know how there are those wristbands that saw WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). Well you can tell if someone's Mormon because they have a CTR ring. Choose The Right :-)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Women in the Church
One thing that has baffled me is the outsider's perspective on Mormon women. I can see where most stereotypes and misconceptions about Mormons come from, but I cannot see any reason for the falsity of notions stating that women are considered of lesser importance... that women should be, "barefoot and pregnant" and that Mormon women are inherently submissive-- or are inevitably forced to be so in order to survive in the Church.
My experience as a woman in the Church has never resembled any of these ideas-- in fact, ever since I converted to the Church I have never felt more respected, appreciated, and admired as a woman. I have also never been around a group of men who have greater honor and reverence for womanhood and its challenges.
In fact, it is a running joke in Mormon culture that women are the better of the two, and the men are serious.
These are some quotes from our beloved Prophet Gordon B Hinckley who recently passed away:
"Notwithstanding this preeminence given the creation of woman, she has so frequently through the ages been relegated to a secondary position. She has been put down. She has been denigrated. She has been enslaved. She has been abused. And yet some few of the greatest characters of scripture have been women of integrity, accomplishment, and faith.=
We have Esther, Naomi, and Ruth of the Old Testament. We have Sariah of the Book of Mormon. We have Mary, the very mother of the Redeemer of the world. We have her as the chosen of God, described by Nephi as “a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins” (1 Ne. 11:15)."
"There are some men who, in a spirit of arrogance, think they are superior to women. They do not seem to realize that they would not exist but for the mother who gave them birth. When they assert their superiority they demean her. It has been said, “Man can not degrade woman without himself falling into degradation; he can not elevate her without at the same time elevating himself” (Alexander Walker, in Elbert Hubbard’s Scrap Book [1923], 204)."
Our new Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, said the following remarks at last October's session of General Conference (bi-annual meeting where all the leaders of the Church give talks)
"As I speak to you, I realize that as a man I am in the minority and must be cautious in my comments. I’m reminded of the man who walked into a bookstore and asked the clerk—a woman—for help: “Have you got a book titled Man, the Master of Women?” The clerk looked him straight in the eye and said sarcastically, “Try the fiction section!”
I assure you tonight that I honor you, the women of the Church, and am well aware, to quote William R. Wallace, that “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
I include these quotes because aside from my word saying that women are nothing but valued and cherished in the Church, I admit that there are good and bad people in every religion (and good and bad people who are not religious whatsoever)... and with that truth comes the fact that I am certain some women have had less positive experiences. Overall, the women are loved, and their value is always highlighted :-)
I love it!
My experience as a woman in the Church has never resembled any of these ideas-- in fact, ever since I converted to the Church I have never felt more respected, appreciated, and admired as a woman. I have also never been around a group of men who have greater honor and reverence for womanhood and its challenges.
In fact, it is a running joke in Mormon culture that women are the better of the two, and the men are serious.
These are some quotes from our beloved Prophet Gordon B Hinckley who recently passed away:
"Notwithstanding this preeminence given the creation of woman, she has so frequently through the ages been relegated to a secondary position. She has been put down. She has been denigrated. She has been enslaved. She has been abused. And yet some few of the greatest characters of scripture have been women of integrity, accomplishment, and faith.=
We have Esther, Naomi, and Ruth of the Old Testament. We have Sariah of the Book of Mormon. We have Mary, the very mother of the Redeemer of the world. We have her as the chosen of God, described by Nephi as “a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins” (1 Ne. 11:15)."
"There are some men who, in a spirit of arrogance, think they are superior to women. They do not seem to realize that they would not exist but for the mother who gave them birth. When they assert their superiority they demean her. It has been said, “Man can not degrade woman without himself falling into degradation; he can not elevate her without at the same time elevating himself” (Alexander Walker, in Elbert Hubbard’s Scrap Book [1923], 204)."
Our new Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, said the following remarks at last October's session of General Conference (bi-annual meeting where all the leaders of the Church give talks)
"As I speak to you, I realize that as a man I am in the minority and must be cautious in my comments. I’m reminded of the man who walked into a bookstore and asked the clerk—a woman—for help: “Have you got a book titled Man, the Master of Women?” The clerk looked him straight in the eye and said sarcastically, “Try the fiction section!”
I assure you tonight that I honor you, the women of the Church, and am well aware, to quote William R. Wallace, that “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
I include these quotes because aside from my word saying that women are nothing but valued and cherished in the Church, I admit that there are good and bad people in every religion (and good and bad people who are not religious whatsoever)... and with that truth comes the fact that I am certain some women have had less positive experiences. Overall, the women are loved, and their value is always highlighted :-)
I love it!
"Don't you have to go on your mission?"
One of the most trademark things about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are our missionaries. We all know them: white shirts, neckties, riding bikes with bike helmets. Many studenty choose to dress up as Mormon Missionaries for Halloween... which I personally don't understand. I don't find missionaries scary at all, in fact, since they happen to be 18 year old boys (generally) they are usually more scared of us. I also don't find the missionary getup particularly unusual, considering they are wearing suits.... but something about them obviously warrants Halloween copycats.
I am proud that the Church has become associated with our missionaries, and my logic is as follows. I know when I find a particularly good buy, or I fall in love with a new product, I just want to share it with everyone! (For example, I use BareEscentuals makeup, it's a pure mineral powder and it is much more sheer and natural than the liquid foundations most people use. I am a huge fan, and now many of my friends are using it too because I raved about it so much. http://www.bareescentuals.com/ :-)
I think our missionaries reflect the same idea. We have something amazing, something that makes us happy and we want to share it... we want to let other people know! Contrary to popular belief, Mormon missionaries don't force the Gospel on anyone. They knock on doors, and they don't force their way into any houses. If they are invited in, then fantastic! If a door gets slammed in their face, then they leave.
Let me just explain something about Mormon Missionaries. Young men are generally expected to go on their mission after they turn 18, and go on a 2 year mission. Young women can go after they are 21, and their missions last 1.5 years. However, young people choose to go on a mission. Nobody is forced. And you can go home whenever you want to.
I think it's awesome we have missionaries, I absolutely LOVE missionaries. For me it sends a powerful message about what we have in the Church, if young people choose to leave normal life for up to 2 years to share it with others... then there must be something to it!!! :-D
Monday, February 11, 2008
Is it true that Mormons are quick to defend other religions because of their own experience with religious persecution?
I have no idea whether this is a stereotype or not, or a commonly held notion, but I appreciated this question my friend asked me so much.
Religious tolerance is not a common principle. It is not considered a basic right. Religious intolerance has been a common thread in my experiences over the last few years and have been both a source of trials and sorrow as well as an opportunity to grow in the face of opposition and adversity.
As with all stereotypes and assumptions, my word by no means disproves them. What I am more concerned with is dispelling the notion that one can speak for all. When I learned about mediation and communication, one of the essential guidelines was that we were to always state our opinions in the "I" form to own our ideas.
I personally believe in the importance of religious tolerance, and the right for people to worship whatever sources they have experienced truth in. I believe this because when I chose to convert, people were not supportive of my faith, and preconceived notions fueled their worry that I was joining a brainwashing cult. Luckily my friends were quick to notice that other than the fact that I didn't drink alcohol/coffee/tea and stopped swearing I was still the same person. However there was a person who made my conversion public and confronted me on several different occasions which caused me a lot of pain and anxiety. He did not speak from a place of understanding and personal experience, he spoke from a place of perceived intellectual superiority and did not even try to hide his open prejudice.
I felt severely wronged at those times, during those conversations. I did not appreciate the attacks... and I call them attacks because they were not seeking discussions about doctrine or anything... they "knew" what they knew and were not seeking out the truth, only to have their notions confirmed, which I couldn't do... because most of the stereotypes were unfounded.
I was surprised and shocked by how involved people got in my personal conversion process. It was not deemed enough that I was happy about my choices and satisfied with my situation, they needed to unleash some inner resentment of the faith.
I remember how misunderstood I felt... nobody asked me for my own opinion on the matters, many failed to ask me why I joined the Church in the first place... most had decided that because I was dating a member of the Church I joined out of love for him. The truth is incredibly different.
I know that I have the tendency to assume things about people and institutions, which is why I confess I am eager to think the best of other faiths as well. I know that Mormons have serious misunderstandings and stereotypes floating around which has brought a lot of negative publicity and developed a strong stigma on this aspect of my identity.
I hope that people will seek out the truth from reliable sources... and I don't mean just me... I mean wikipedia it, contact an official Church leader or representative, wikipedia it, cross reference that information with the official website lds.org or mormon.org, and then combine it with your own personal experiences with members... and then form your own opinion. Please do not rely on one source.... one scandalous news story, one bitter person... and not on my blog, and my ramblings.
This does not only apply to religion of course, this is an important habit that I try very hard to develop when I stay informed on current events. Fox News, NBC, BBC, Al Jazeera, Daily Yomiuri... all of these news sources say something different. It is up to us to figure out what we find to be true... and even then, to stay open minded. Just in case the truth may turn out to be very different to what you thought it was.
I hope that I will be as willing to give other religions the benefit of the doubt in exchange for being given the benefit of the doubt about my faith... until more knowledge and more truth is unearthed.
Religious tolerance is not a common principle. It is not considered a basic right. Religious intolerance has been a common thread in my experiences over the last few years and have been both a source of trials and sorrow as well as an opportunity to grow in the face of opposition and adversity.
As with all stereotypes and assumptions, my word by no means disproves them. What I am more concerned with is dispelling the notion that one can speak for all. When I learned about mediation and communication, one of the essential guidelines was that we were to always state our opinions in the "I" form to own our ideas.
I personally believe in the importance of religious tolerance, and the right for people to worship whatever sources they have experienced truth in. I believe this because when I chose to convert, people were not supportive of my faith, and preconceived notions fueled their worry that I was joining a brainwashing cult. Luckily my friends were quick to notice that other than the fact that I didn't drink alcohol/coffee/tea and stopped swearing I was still the same person. However there was a person who made my conversion public and confronted me on several different occasions which caused me a lot of pain and anxiety. He did not speak from a place of understanding and personal experience, he spoke from a place of perceived intellectual superiority and did not even try to hide his open prejudice.
I felt severely wronged at those times, during those conversations. I did not appreciate the attacks... and I call them attacks because they were not seeking discussions about doctrine or anything... they "knew" what they knew and were not seeking out the truth, only to have their notions confirmed, which I couldn't do... because most of the stereotypes were unfounded.
I was surprised and shocked by how involved people got in my personal conversion process. It was not deemed enough that I was happy about my choices and satisfied with my situation, they needed to unleash some inner resentment of the faith.
I remember how misunderstood I felt... nobody asked me for my own opinion on the matters, many failed to ask me why I joined the Church in the first place... most had decided that because I was dating a member of the Church I joined out of love for him. The truth is incredibly different.
I know that I have the tendency to assume things about people and institutions, which is why I confess I am eager to think the best of other faiths as well. I know that Mormons have serious misunderstandings and stereotypes floating around which has brought a lot of negative publicity and developed a strong stigma on this aspect of my identity.
I hope that people will seek out the truth from reliable sources... and I don't mean just me... I mean wikipedia it, contact an official Church leader or representative, wikipedia it, cross reference that information with the official website lds.org or mormon.org, and then combine it with your own personal experiences with members... and then form your own opinion. Please do not rely on one source.... one scandalous news story, one bitter person... and not on my blog, and my ramblings.
This does not only apply to religion of course, this is an important habit that I try very hard to develop when I stay informed on current events. Fox News, NBC, BBC, Al Jazeera, Daily Yomiuri... all of these news sources say something different. It is up to us to figure out what we find to be true... and even then, to stay open minded. Just in case the truth may turn out to be very different to what you thought it was.
I hope that I will be as willing to give other religions the benefit of the doubt in exchange for being given the benefit of the doubt about my faith... until more knowledge and more truth is unearthed.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
"So... how come you're not from Utah?"
I am not from Utah because I am from Japan and Germany! I am not a U.S. Citizen, I am here on a visa!
Being Mormon automatically makes people think about Utah. What's interesting is that all my friends from Utah actually aren't Mormon at all. Since people believe that Mormonism is a cult or sect it follows that they still believe Mormonism is primarily an American faith. Here are a few interesting facts:
-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has approximately 3 million members in over 150 different countries.
-The majority of member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are NOT U.S. citizens. (Yes, it's true!)
.... and I am one of them!
I have seen the Church referred to as an American faith just because it was founded in the United States but nothing about the faith is exclusive to Americans. The doctrine preaches the same things that was preached even in the Old Testament, namely, that we are all divine children of God, and that we are all brothers and sisters and should treat each other as such (and of course to believe in the Saviour, but as the purpose of this blog is not to proselytize I am keeping doctrinal references to a minimum.)
I think people would feel differently about the Church if they saw the huge impact it has made in other countries. I attend a Japanese ward (our name for congregation, or church) during summers and winters and the people there are absolutely phenomenal. Imagine what it took for a completely non-theistic Japanese person to adopt beliefs and principles as those of our Church? To stand up for these beliefs in a country where few are Christian, and few are active religious practitioners? They do service projects, they help each other out... they still attend their office parties but do not drink alcohol... :-) All those little details! It is major! If you need to know anything about Japan to impress you about Japanese Mormons, it is that you absolutely HAVE TO DRINK to network in businesses. That's all people do. When my father joined a new company he was out every single night after work having drinks with his employees... that's just the way it works. Now imagine a middle-aged man trying to get to know his employees without the nectar of comfort. It's so much more difficult!
Anyways. I have seen the Church in Japan and Germany, and in both places people sacrificed significant social capital to become members... and they are some of the strongest members I have ever seen!
I think I completely digressed from the topic at hand... suffice it to say that Mormons are not all from Utah, and not all from America. *Sigh* that feels good. One more stereotype dismantled.
Being Mormon automatically makes people think about Utah. What's interesting is that all my friends from Utah actually aren't Mormon at all. Since people believe that Mormonism is a cult or sect it follows that they still believe Mormonism is primarily an American faith. Here are a few interesting facts:
-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has approximately 3 million members in over 150 different countries.
-The majority of member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are NOT U.S. citizens. (Yes, it's true!)
.... and I am one of them!
I have seen the Church referred to as an American faith just because it was founded in the United States but nothing about the faith is exclusive to Americans. The doctrine preaches the same things that was preached even in the Old Testament, namely, that we are all divine children of God, and that we are all brothers and sisters and should treat each other as such (and of course to believe in the Saviour, but as the purpose of this blog is not to proselytize I am keeping doctrinal references to a minimum.)
I think people would feel differently about the Church if they saw the huge impact it has made in other countries. I attend a Japanese ward (our name for congregation, or church) during summers and winters and the people there are absolutely phenomenal. Imagine what it took for a completely non-theistic Japanese person to adopt beliefs and principles as those of our Church? To stand up for these beliefs in a country where few are Christian, and few are active religious practitioners? They do service projects, they help each other out... they still attend their office parties but do not drink alcohol... :-) All those little details! It is major! If you need to know anything about Japan to impress you about Japanese Mormons, it is that you absolutely HAVE TO DRINK to network in businesses. That's all people do. When my father joined a new company he was out every single night after work having drinks with his employees... that's just the way it works. Now imagine a middle-aged man trying to get to know his employees without the nectar of comfort. It's so much more difficult!
Anyways. I have seen the Church in Japan and Germany, and in both places people sacrificed significant social capital to become members... and they are some of the strongest members I have ever seen!
I think I completely digressed from the topic at hand... suffice it to say that Mormons are not all from Utah, and not all from America. *Sigh* that feels good. One more stereotype dismantled.
Monday, February 4, 2008
"All I know is that Mormons have like 10 kids..."
Hahhha. I love this one.
This one always makes me smile. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue to be mistaken with the Amish, and I am thankful that no-one was surprised that I use technology and don't wear a bonnet.
I am sure that Mormon families with 10 children exist (actually, a mentor of mine is actually a mother of 10-- go figure!) However, having many children is not a trend of members of the church, neither is it a requirement.
I think that the reason that this stereotype may have emerged is because Church doctrine on the family has been so well publicized. One of our basic beliefs is that families can be together forever. Not until "death do us part" but here in this life and after we pass away-- for eternity. Perhaps because we believe in eternal families, it goes without saying that we want huge families as well? I have no idea.
It is also possible that Mormons love having many children because they have successful marriages, and a lot of support from each other. Or perhaps Mormon families have enjoyed a lot of success in their careers and therefore are able to support larger families.
Let us get back to the point, though. If all you know is that, "Mormons have like 10 kids", then we need to do some more reading don't we? Let's sit down and have some frozen yogurt and talk about life... and then maybe we'll move back to what I might copyright as the Mormon Bomb. Then I will tell you that I personally would love to have more than 1 child but have no ambition for 10. Then perhaps I could dispel just one more stereotype.
This one always makes me smile. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue to be mistaken with the Amish, and I am thankful that no-one was surprised that I use technology and don't wear a bonnet.
I am sure that Mormon families with 10 children exist (actually, a mentor of mine is actually a mother of 10-- go figure!) However, having many children is not a trend of members of the church, neither is it a requirement.
I think that the reason that this stereotype may have emerged is because Church doctrine on the family has been so well publicized. One of our basic beliefs is that families can be together forever. Not until "death do us part" but here in this life and after we pass away-- for eternity. Perhaps because we believe in eternal families, it goes without saying that we want huge families as well? I have no idea.
It is also possible that Mormons love having many children because they have successful marriages, and a lot of support from each other. Or perhaps Mormon families have enjoyed a lot of success in their careers and therefore are able to support larger families.
Let us get back to the point, though. If all you know is that, "Mormons have like 10 kids", then we need to do some more reading don't we? Let's sit down and have some frozen yogurt and talk about life... and then maybe we'll move back to what I might copyright as the Mormon Bomb. Then I will tell you that I personally would love to have more than 1 child but have no ambition for 10. Then perhaps I could dispel just one more stereotype.
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