Here (post 52) is an example.
At the time I knew it was sarcasm. But there clearly were people on that thread that did not, and who knows how many that did not respond that also left with a false understanding.
Now I agree that this is a small example, especially when compared to things like we worship Joseph Smith or don't sing Christmas hymns. But it is a mis-truth.
And, alas, this has to be a hit-and-run post. I'll try to look/respond later tonight or tomorrow sometime.
SHAME SHAME!!!!
"Many that do not respond will be left with a false understanding of how mormons celebrate Easter."
is that a mistruth?
Have not mormons been warned about going outside approved lds sites - do a search on google and you’ll find dozens of warnings.
Further - you cannot claim to have full knowledge that this isn’t a valid letter.
Face it TP - if this is the best example you can find - you are swinging and missing.
Oh come on Tadpole (btw, haven’t seen you in awhile how have you been?). The ‘letter’ was NOT supposed to be serious and I DID NOT EXPECT anyone to take it seriously (esp with the intentional spelling errors).
Looking back, I should have put a ‘joke’ disclaimer in and I did apologize if anyone took it seriously.
And it wasn’t a jab at LDS history or doctrine, it was a jab at the ‘business atmosphere’ that can permeate the LDS wards sometimes. But since you linked to it, and lest anyone think it was a ‘mistruth’ of value, I will post it here with a DISCLAIMER.
THIS IS A JOKE. I WROTE IT AND IT IS NOT A REAL LETTER!!
Letter from the Stake President:
Brethren,
It has come to our attention that our decline in converts and the increase of name removal requests is largely due to the widespread use of the internet. Therefore, please instruct your ward members of the two (2) following policy changes:
1) Members who wish to remain in good standing should only use Church approved sites. Tracking cookies provided on church owned sites will be used as evididence in an ecclesiastical court if the computer has been accessing sites containing criticism or unofficial documentation relating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
2) The increase in video technologies can be a useful tool to combat the vast, and unflattering, information available online. Therefore, please instruct ward members to “click” repeatedly on videos that show the Church in a positive light, thereby making them more prominent and non-members more willing to take the Missionary discussions.
Your cooperation in this matter is mandatory.
Sincerely,
Stake President XXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXX
North XXXXX Stake
Salt Lake City, UT
I’ve never said the LDS don’t sing Christian hymns and the reverence for Joseph Smith really is close to worship (the ‘nativity’ at BYU, “Praise to the Man”, the “Praise to the Man” missionary farewell card, etc).
The Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc. don’t have similar songs or devotions or things to their founders.
The closest would be the Catholic veneration of Saints and even then I don’t recall hymns to/about them.