For some people, any perceived slight against Mormons is “persecution”. Looking at them cross eyed would count for some.
Mommmm, make him stop looking at meeee......
Oh, man its like driving with the grandchildren........smack waaaaa. Ok what happened? I hit him because I thought he was going to hit me.
ROFL.
Indeed. Mormons tend distort most of what is touched. Let me give you a historical example, admitted to by a Mormon author:
Latter-day Saints have universally condemned the notorios Haun's Mill Massacre by a mob-militia shiortly after Missouri Governor Boggs issued the infamous extermination order as the result of actions of a Hitler-like official. A second look at the definition of the word 'exterminate' as it was used in 1838, however, might cause us to take a second look at Governor Boggs as well. An American Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1828, defines 'exterminate' as 'literally, to drive from within the limits or borders.' Is this all the Governor intended? (George W. Givens, 500 More Little-Known Facts in Mormon History, p. 26)
So, here Mormons for generations have been assuming that the MO guv wanted all Mormons in that state killed off. (And I'm sure some would simply say, "Well, it was bad enough that he wanted them out of Missouri"; and granted, that is true).
But it goes to show you, Metmom, exactly how Mormons are so prone to exaggeration. And God has allowed them to be religious disciples of Joseph Smith -- religious disciples of exaggeration -- because they follow after the great exaggerator...as even Joey Smith's mother conceded in this "pro-Mormon" book edited by Preston Nibley:
"During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of the continent, their dress, mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them. On the twenty-second of September, 1824, Joseph again visited the place where he found the plates the year previous; and supporting at this time that the only thing required, in order to possess them until the time for their translation, was to be able to keep the commandments of God...he fully expected to carry them home with him. (Lucy Mack Smith, edited by Preston Nibley, History of Joseph Smith, p. 83, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1958)
Now keep in mind Lucy Mack Smith's account placed all this, time-wise, before Smith, Jr. had ever supposedly "translated" any gold plates of ancient history -- about the age 17.