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Some will be driven up a wall, that's true. But what really irritates most Mormons is the total ignorance and intellectual dishonesty of the majority of those who make the criticisms. Indeed, criticism can be very helpful. Honest criticism is welcome, from within and without the church. However, when people start spouting off about Mormons praying Hitler into Heaven three times or this whole "talking animals" bit or they wear funny underwear stuff, these "critics" veer into dishonesty.

You know, (here's a scoop for the media) Joseph Smith once said that the moon was made of green cheese. He was kidding, of course, but for generations after, opponents of the church used that statement to "prove" he was a false prophet. They knew it was a joke and yet they presented it as truth.

If you go to these "critics" websites, you will find quotations from church leaders. Some are footnoted, others are not. Some just have a name attributed and nothing else and we are left to believe that they were church leaders to. I looked up a number of those names and discovered that they were actually critics of the church not leaders. No wonder their credentials were left to inference.

Many quotes are judiciously edited to contain only the words and phrases the "critics" want their audience to read. The use of "..." is wide spread. Frequently, if you look up one of the "damning" quotes, you will find that if you read the surrounding paragraphs and the words that the "..." cut out, the quote has a totally different meaning than what the "critics" led the reader to believe.

So yes, there will be Mormons who cannot take the criticisms. Some do not have as strong a testimony as others. We are all at different maturity levels. But it must also be understood that much, if not the majority, of the criticism the church draws results from ignorance or willful misinterpretations and that wears on even those of us who don't normally respond to this junk.

"But what really irritates most Mormons is the total ignorance and intellectual dishonesty of the majority of those who make the criticisms."

Really?

Do tell about the dishonesty!

Joseph Smith found tablets, reburied them had witnesses who later recanted about the veracity of what they attested to ....blah bah blah

It has been a long time since I did any reading on the 'doctrines and covenants" aspect of mormonism, and other stuff. Still, it is in my view, nothing less than a cult that has somehow among its members the most loyal, trustworthy, honest, hardworking, patriotic, and intelligent Americans of any group that I can think of.

I simply do not get the Mormonism thing, but I for one will never hold it against any one of them.

Mormons are generally among the most decent of people in this country.

It is a conundrum for me, but I am long past dwelling on it.

I've seen Romney up close, and he has been I am certain the very best Governor of my state (Massachusetts) in my lifetime. He dealt with incredible opposition, and I wish him well now and in the future.

I'd vote for him before I'd vote for any of the other current leading candidates even though I disagree with him on a lot. Not the least matter is the health care thingy that he signed into Law here.