The Mormon Advantage

Townhall.com ^ | 4/5/2007 | Maggie Gallagher

[Utah Girl]

Mitt Romney is riding high this week after his victory in "the first primary," which consists of raising cold, hard cash to compete: more than $20 million in the first quarter, $5 million more than his closest contender, Rudy "Lay off my wife!" Giuliani. John McCain came in a lackluster third with $12.5 million.

Romney's campaign benefited from two distinct donor networks, according to media accounts: Wall Street and Mormons. GOP front-runner Rudy, struggling with one of those weird media freak shows erupting around his wife, Judith (her alleged participation in future Cabinet meetings and former puppy killings), must be a little envious on both counts.

Why is it that all the Dem candidates are still married to their first spouse, while among the current crop of leading GOP contenders, the only guy with just one wife is the Mormon?

Truth is, I don't think this is just an accident. There's something about Mormons the rest of us ought to pay attention to: Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do much better than almost any other faith group at sustaining a marriage culture -- and they do this while participating fully and successfully in modern life. Utah is above the national average in both household income and the proportion of adults who are college graduates.

[colorcountry]

Thanks tant.

I have been very blessed. He indeed guides my path and has led me to this place.

[Liberty Rattler]

You have indeed attempted to put me in a “box”.

I am offended.

You try to make it out that the prayer and all the other actions I participated in were somehow not “WORTHY ENOUGH” and that is why I didn’t receive a testimony!

You, by inference, disparage me.

You are wrong!

Go and repent for judging me.

I already described enough of my experiences in the Mormon Church. I was weeping tears as as I wrote.

I will not share any more of my soul with you.

It’s all I can do not to be VULGAR! And you have now lost the respect that had been growing in my heart for you.

[tantiboh]

Christ has made me free. I will never again be in bondage to the teachings of a false god, or false prophets, or false commandments. I will never be a god. Before my God, I am just a humble servant and that my friends brings me the greatest JOY imaginable. It far surpasses any “false face” of perfection I put on to present to the world the perfection of being a Mormon.

I, for one, am truly happy that you found a source of peace and healing in your life.

Perhaps, then, you can relate to what the LDS Church has done for me?

What does sadden me is that you have made it such an active goal of yours to try and deflect people from a course of action that could very will lead them to the same sort of peace and healing that you and I have found - simply because you disagree with it.

That's really all it boils down to.

[tantiboh]

Uh oh... am I next?

[restornu]

Faith can be a funny thing. Some get it pretty quickly, (like restornu) others have to work for it and prove to the Lord that they will do what it takes to get a dispensation from God.

In reality it was not quick I had the Book for over a years, I search for almost 18 years.

And even when I had received a testiment of it truthfulness I still have to even today nurture and maintain my faith or it would wane.

The Lord will not be taken for granted!

D&C 6
1 BEHOLD, I say unto you, my son, that because you did not translate according to that which you desired of me, and did commence again to write for my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., even so I would that ye should continue until you have finished this record, which I have entrusted unto him.
2 And then, behold, other records have I, that I will give unto you power that you may assist to translate.
3 Be patient, my son, for it is wisdom in me, and it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time.
4 Behold, the work which you are called to do is to write for my servant Joseph.
5 And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you.
6 Do not murmur, my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner.
7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
10 Now, if you had known this you could have translated; nevertheless, it is not expedient that you should translate now.
11 Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now;
12 For, do you not behold that I have given unto my servant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? And neither of you have I condemned.
13 Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to no temptation.
14 Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. Amen.

[colorcountry]

I’m sorry this has been painful for you. It is indeed a very painful experience, and we are open to abuse even here.

It is very difficult to escape the tentacles that reach out at every turn to try to remind you that your weren’t “good enough,” “didn’t try hard enough,” “weren’t as good as them.”

If they were truly honest with themselves they would see. But we know the constraints they are under - -to always be a missionary. It is the pupose of their lives, to convert as many people as possible.

This website might be helpful to you in your continued healing.

http://members.shaw.ca/blair_watson/

[colorcountry]

tanti, if your faith is real, I cannot say anything that will shake it.

If someone out there is questioning their faith in Mormonism, I am here to offer the Bible alone. There is life in that Book. It truly saddens me that Mormons continually doubt the Word of God. That LDS say it is missing many “plain and precious parts.” That is offensive to me. Why can’t Mormons just let Christians be content in their “faith.”

Do you see the dichotomy in your request that I not speak the truth?

[Liberty Rattler]

I will check this out and respond at a later date.

I have a real life to live too, you know.

I hope it has somthing better than I’ve seen elsewhere or you will have lost the last bit of respect I might have had for you.

Later...

[tantiboh]

“I’m sorry this has been painful for you. It is indeed a very painful experience, and we are open to abuse even here.”

I do think I understand where you’re coming from. We can be overzealous at times; I don’t think any of us mean to offend, and certainly not to abuse (and any who do have need to repent). I do think that some of our conversation could have been more productive had there been greater charity, on both sides.

Be that as it may, I hope that perhaps this whole experience has helped you to understand how some of the things that others claim about us are indeed hurtful. Some of us brush it off; others bristle. And it’s so blasted difficult to communicate effectively in written form, which misses all the nuances of verbal communication. Combine that with a natural human propensity to assume the worst, and it’s a powder keg.

[restornu]

It is very difficult to escape the tentacles that reach out at every turn to try to remind you that your weren’t “good enough,” “didn’t try hard enough,” “weren’t as good as them.”

after reading both accounts I did not come away with what you are posting

weren’t “good enough,” “didn’t try hard enough,” “weren’t as good as them.”

Before I was saved I probably guilty of more things than you... all I was wondering if those tools were earnestly given a chance before ya walk out the door?

[sevenbak]

I’m sorry you feel this way. I said from the very start of this topic that there were 2 reasons In my experience that youth left the church.

1- unreconciled sin and the inability to utilize the atonement of Christ.

2- thinking church was not exciting enough.

Here’s what you said in your post that made me think you felt that way, and thus fell under the #2 “box” if you will...

"I found Church it’s self excruciatingly boring."Post # 941

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1812842/posts?page=941#941

I'm sorry that you are so offended. You come into this thread trashing the LDS and relate your "experience" to ward off unsuspecting lurkers. (even though that's not what this forum is for at all!) The fact that I have seen this happen before in other boys who similarly left seems hard for you to swallow. While it's nto common, it does happen, and the pattern is the same. Usually it's bases on parents who didn't teach their children by example, but I can't say that about your parents, that would be rude. I do however suspect something similar, but you are probably wise to leave them out of your story as you have done. Again, I am sorry you were offended. Equally, I'm sorry I was offended at the posts you have offered here. All the best.

[colorcountry]

I’m sorry rest - I didn’t understand your question. I’ve always tried to be Mormon enough and yes, I had all the tools at my disposal before I left Mormonism for good.

Now, after explaining myself, you may also understand why I will not jump through any more hoops the Church places in front of me in order to have my records removed. They won’t remove them anyway.

And how do I know that, you may ask? My daughter who has never been a member of the Church, received a birthday gift from the Relief Society welcoming her to that Women’s organization the week she turned 19.

Tell me just how the heck they know anything at all about her, let alone her birthday and how old she is. Obviously they have her on record...like I said she was never baptised.

[colorcountry]

You did not read his post. Mormonism is extremely boring. THAT ISN”T WHY HE LEFT!!

Did you read his story? I did.

Perhaps you need to stop guessing what compels others and start looking at that beam in your eye.

[tantiboh]

I agree, there is indeed life in the Bible. For example, it has the story of Christ Himself; the covenants made to the Patriarchs; many great and glorious prophecies. I love the Bible.

I do believe, however, that God is quite capable of continuing to speak to His children, and that He does. He didn’t suddenly become disinterested in us when the Twelve Apostles died. And that is a very comforting thought.

Mormons are perfectly happy to let Christians be content in their faith. We offer the opportunity to learn more. If you don’t want to avail yourself of that opportunity, then we move on to someone else who may. Believe me, I did a lot of this as a missionary in Italy. I even brought back a funny story or three.

I do not request that you not speak the truth. I request that you not perpetuate falsehoods about my faith. We have discussed at great detail what those falsehoods are. My hope is that you will be more conscientious in the future. You have had bad experiences that you blame on the LDS Church; my hope is that you will realize that we acknowledge those experiences were unfortunate and unjust, but also isolated. To paint Mormonism with a broad evil brush is a little bit of injustice on your part, and I hope that you will be more careful in the future.

Best regards.

[sevenbak]

Because you are still a member on record, they have your family records. I would strongly encourage you to remove your name from the rolls to prevent further interaction.

[sevenbak]

I did read his post, twice.

[tantiboh]

I probably am still guilty of more things than CC. I am amazed with how she has turned her life around.

[restornu]

That still is no reason for him to be cold and ruthless!

[restornu]

You forgot before I was saved, things have improved for me since than!:) LOL

[tantiboh]

And... 1000!

*Fireworks*