Ad campaign re-branding Mormons as regular folks

Pittsburgh Post Gazette ^ | 8/22/2010 | Ann Rodgers

[markomalley]

The ads are catchy. Upbeat music plays as the surfer, the artist or the skateboarder states his or her beliefs about life.

They all end with, "And I'm a Mormon."

On July 26, Pittsburgh became one of nine test markets for the advertising campaign that cheerfully counters stereotypes of Mormons as straight-laced, white, humorless and sexist. The campaign from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes a revamped website at www.mormon.org.

The ads arrived on the heels of an anti-Mormon backlash by some gay rights activists on the West Coast. But the campaign's designers said it responds only to numerous survey findings that half of Americans don't know a Mormon.

"It's time to reintroduce ourselves," said Scott Swofford, the director of mormon.org.

"We hope the spots portray Mormons as diverse people who are united in their belief in Jesus Christ. ... We hope [Americans] see that Mormons are friendly, charitable, giving to others. We aren't perfect, but our behavior ought to reflect our beliefs."

(snip)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that it is the true church, which God restored in the 19th century, long after other churches had lost the complete message of Jesus. The Book of Mormon, considered by the church to be an equal companion to the Bible, says that ancient Israelites came to the Americas around 600 BC and that the resurrected Jesus visited their descendents in America.

The Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches don't recognize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Christian because it rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. It teaches that God is the father of the spirits of all people born on the earth. Jesus is considered the first of God's spirit children and also God's physical son.

[restornu]

So you say nmh,

I will let the Lord be the judge of that!

[laweeks]

“Those who walk in the spirit of the Lord need not engage in such academic for the Spirit of the Lord has better things to teach!”

I thought it was a simple “yes or “no” type question . . . do you or do you not consider yourself a Christian? or a Mormon?

Why do Mormons REFUSE TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION?

Simple . . . yes or no . . . well???

[mckenzie7]

No I received this during my conversion before I ever met a missionary or knew about the Church. I was alone in my NYC apt cleaning and humble myslef on my kness to God and prayed if the Book of Mormon was true tiall happen so quickly my whole being was flooded with Joy beyound words

Now, if I had never heard of the book of mormon how could I have prayed to God about its truth, let alone its existence?

[restornu]

Mormons believe the Bible you quoted from is CORRUPT and needed to be rewritten.

***

This is another vindictive misnomer attempt to marginalize the LDS.

I say vindictive because things are deliberately taken out of context to create distrust and ill feelings towards the LDS and when it gets to that point who ever started this and continues this is doing the work of the wicked one!

[restornu]

Now, if I had never heard of the book of mormon how could I have prayed to God about its truth, let alone its existence?

***

I was alone in my NYC apt cleaning and humble myslef on my kness to God and prayed if the Book of Mormon was true it all happen so quickly my whole being was flooded with Joy beyound words

Oh I receive the most beautiful spirit of Joy I ever felt in my life and that was around the Spring of 1982 and my baptism was also just as wonderful the Spirit of the Lord was so strong and my eyes of understanding were open.

***

I was cleaning house and was going to throw the Book out which a friend had given me a year ago.

[Godzilla]

That's not typical of LDS Scouting programs.

No? Just like the lds sponsored scout troop that prohibited black boys from being patrol leaders.

[restornu]

I thought it was a simple “yes or “no” type question . . . do you or do you not consider yourself a Christian? or a Mormon?

****

Of course LDS are Christians LDS are followers Jesus Christ as well as servants of Jesus Christ!.

[restornu]

That’s not typical of LDS Scouting programs.

No? Just like the lds sponsored scout troop that prohibited black boys from being patrol leaders.

****

Are you trying to say you try to join Godzilla

[restornu]

Also quoting from the Christian Bible doesn’t help either.

Mormons believe the Bible you quoted from is CORRUPT and needed to be rewritten. So you cast your eyes and heart to the rewritten Bible called the “Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ”.

The Book of Mormon that you elevate over the Bible are NOT compatible.

****

Such misconception and strange conversations going on here!

The Bible is a part of the LDS Standard works and also the Book of Mormon is another testament to Jesus Christ as well as the Old and New teatament is to Jesus Christ!

[Godzilla]

I say vindictive because things are deliberately taken out of context to create distrust and ill feelings towards the LDS and when it gets to that point who ever started this and continues this is doing the work of the wicked one!

nmh - still waiting for proof from resty that those verses she cites are translated correctly.

[Godzilla]

Are you trying to say you try to join Godzilla

an lds scout troop with leftover racism in its leadership - not on your life.

[laweeks]

“Of course LDS are Christians LDS are followers Jesus Christ as well as servants of Jesus Christ!.”

Up until about 20 years ago, Mormons refused to call themselves Christians, because they were LDS and everyone else was a gentile. Because of some of the LDS getting into politics at a national level, it was decided to start pretending they were Christians just because they were also using the New Testament.

But they completely ignore the fact that they believe that Jesus was 1) strictly human, 2) brother of Lucifer, 3) Jesus’ father was also a human, 4) and that there are thousands of gods. THAT IS NOT CHRISTIANITY IN ANY FORM.

But the fact remains: Christians believe that Jesus IS God, there is only ONE God. Belief in anything else is heresy.

‘Nuf said.

[ansel12]

The ads are a good thing. Catholics believe that their Church is the true Church as well. From a Polish Catholic like the late, great Pope John Paul II who lives in the township next to Kirtland, Ohio.

The Catholic Church has a different view of your devoted, non-ending, proselytizing for the non-Christian religion of Mormonism in the name of Catholicism and Pope John Paul II himself.

CATHOLIC ANSWERS:
Question: I read recently that the Catholic Church had rejected Mormon baptism, since their view of Christ and the Trinity is so unusual. But I have to ask: Are Mormons considered separated brothers and sisters? While their views are strange to say the least, they are still separated, and we should reach out to them. If we view them as something other than separated, doesn't that exclude ecumenism? I know that many view them as a cult, but aren't cult members separated as well?

Answer: The reason Mormons are not considered separated brethren is not because they aren't "separated" from the Church-they are-but they aren't "brethren" in the sense required.

The phrase separated brethren refers to those who, though separated from full communion with the Catholic Church, have been justified through baptism and are thus brethren in Christ. The Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio) of Vatican II teaches that "all who have been justified by faith in baptism are members of Christ's body, and have a right to be called Christian, and so are correctly accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church."

Because Mormonism is polytheistic and rejects the Trinity, Mormon baptism is not valid, and Mormons are not considered separated brethren. For the same reason, outreach to them, while certainly a good thing, is not ecumenism, though it can include dialogue and social cooperation as well as efforts to evangelize them.

[mckenzie7]

So you had a friend that was Mormon and so you actually had heard about the Mormon Church?

When we were a lot younger, two Mormon Missionaries came to our home and set up their displays and proceeded to tell us about three of the Gods in Mormonism. The one explained about God the Father being depicted as an older man, with a long white beard. Then came God the Son, Jesus, being depicted as a young man. Being a rather visual type of person, I then asked them if God the Holy Spirit was a bird as he took the form of a dove. The young missionaries couldn't explain that and left in a big hurry!

Sincere young men, but totally lacking in Christian understanding!

I am not suggesting that you are not sincere or that Joy did not come into your life, but for myself, I see a type of parallel in the lives of the founder of Mormonism and also the founder of Islam.

Do you know the history of each of these prophets?

[flowerplough]

RE: “stereotypes of Mormons as straight-laced, white, humorless and sexist”

They left off “and, formerly, officially racist.”

[mckenzie7]

Please be aware that I am not trying to denigrate you or your beliefs. Many here don't adhere to my beliefs either.

I do respect you, though I don't agree with you!

[Jmouse007]

For the feeble minded and those totally lacking spiritual discernment who are easily deceived it will be attractive. As for *just regular folks*, they are "just regular folks" who are totally deceived and members of a CULT.

As has been stated time and time again: Mormonism is a CULT and it has NEVER been accepted as "Christian" or viewed as anything else by Christendom, or Christian denominations because all of it's teachings are HERESY! <> Given the push by Mormonism to deceive the masses, it is vitally important that pastors, teachers and Christian denominations make every effort to preach messages, teach lessons and produce information that proclaims the TRUTH regarding the false docrtine, teaching and beliefs of Mormons and Mormonism. They must view this teaching with the SHORT TERM, (near), AND LONG TERM in view.

[greyfoxx39]

LOL resty...I love it that you posted the link on "Considering Adoption".

You might have actually gone to the site and looked at the requirements to adopt at "It's About Love.org"

From Frequently Asked Questions: Question: "We are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What are our adoption options?"

Answer: Lots of options are available still. "Check out Web sites like adoption.com where there are lists of adoption agencies."

LOL....just "just regular folks" but you aren't good enough to adopt one of OUR children if you aren't mormon. Notice how the reply was NOT "about love" in tone.

[Ripliancum]

As an Eagle Scout myself, I take exception to your belittling of the LDS Scouting program.

Thomas Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has served on the BSA National Executive Board since 1969, and still does. Others include the Young Men general president, who serves on the National Executive Board; and Young Men general presidency and Primary general presidency, who serve as members of the National Advisory Board.

According to a report published by the Boy Scouts of America (December 31, 2009) titled “Top 30 Chartered Organizations Ranked by Youth,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was ranked as number one in total units and number one in membership. The report also states that nationally about 17 percent of the BSA’s traditional membership is registered in units sponsored by the Church. The percentage is much higher in the western United States.

http://www.ldsbsa.org/pdf/resources/Booklet_Scouting%20in%20the%20Church%20Second%20Edition.pdf

You are free to degrade the good work the BSA and LDS community do together, but you will find no sympathy here! You may have an ax to grind, but you will find in me no stone to sharpen it on, so if you're looking for debate, sorry.

[nmh]

“nmh - still waiting for proof from resty that those verses she cites are translated correctly. “

We may have an eternal wait. You cannot whitewash false doctrine or pick and chose what you prefer to believe. The Bible is the litmus test for a Christian.

I'm waiting for why the Bible is quoted from when Mormons believe it is corrupt. Why quote from a “corrupt book”. The reason they look to the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, is because the Bible is so corrupt and had to be REWRITTEN.

Joseph Smith felt the need to correct God. Who's surprised that polygamy, was something to be added? Joseph Smith was an adolescent when he had this “vision”. Still this didn't stop them from following him. What adolsexsnet male wouldn't love the idea of polygamy to look forward to on earth as well as a planet full of eager virgins to please you?