I Have A Feeling

[cdowis]

I just am extremely saddened by the amount of "anti-Mormonism" and the misconceptions and outright lies about the Church that are becoming increasingly available

"I don't care what they say about me, just make sure they spell my name right!" P.T. Barnum

I don't care what they say, just as long as they do not ignore us. The antis are doing us a big favor, keep up the buzz! Thanks Jefferies, thanks O'Donnell. Bashir even gave a quote from the Book of Mormon!

The church is getting more inquiries than at any time in its history. The Baptists teach about us in Sunday School classes, the RCC prints articles in their publications. The Evangelists talk about us all the time on news programs -- Joel Osteen this week on Fox News Sunday talked about whether Mormons are Christians (yes).

Edited May 4, 2012 by cdowis

[AddamS]

Based on political exposure and the more readily available information (and dis-information) I think there will be much more anti-LDS sentiment in the near future.

That said, I think it's probably just a matter of time until the public at large tires of hearing anti-LDS rhetoric. The more it is on the non-LDS public's mind, the more opportunity there is for people to realize the LDS folks they know don't live up to many of the anti-LDS statements they will hear in increasing frequency.

In the long run, while I think the church will probably lose active members and/or growth will slow (like with most religious institutions in our curent climate) it seems to me to be a natural part of the course to widespread acceptance of the LDS church in a manner more like most other churches.

[Mudcat]

...that it's probably going to be pretty tough being a Mormon in the coming years, especially for the current generation.

Do you agree? What can we do to prepare for this?

I think you are in for a rough ride till November after that I think you will be dealing with same stuff you usually deal with.. maybe less.

[Monster]

Amen. No Mormon should think they are undergoing some great persecution because a blogger hurts their feelings, or a TV personality satirizes the religion. That's nothing compared to what happened to Mormons in the 19th century. And even that is nothing compared to what has happened to Jews.

Well said. I am not sure why we feel the need for this persecution complex we heap on ourselves. In reality the rest of the world cares little about Mormonism. At best they are mildly amused.

[Avatar4321]

I think it's time we started listening to what our leaders have been trying to get us to understand since the beginning of the Restoration. It's time we became sanctified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and obtained power in our priesthood and not just authority in it.

[Avatar4321]

For better or for worse, I think Joseph Smith's original idea of Zion as a physical place located in Missouri has lapsed within Mormon eschatology. The current LDS administration is firmly entrenched in Salt Lake City, continues to build up the church infrastructure there, and has never made any effort to, or expressed interested in, moving things to Missouri despite the ample ability to do so. Meanwhile, the church continues to expand worldwide, and it seems inconceivable that the church would ask all of its members to gather in one location. Zion is not a place or kingdom anymore. It is now solely a metaphor.

A nice place to start would be to have a full understanding of what Zion actually is.

[Avatar4321]

Well said. I am not sure why we feel the need for this persecution complex we heap on ourselves. In reality the rest of the world cares little about Mormonism. At best they are mildly amused.

It doesnt matter what the rest of the world thinks of us when we have an adversary who wants to destroy us.

[Cobalt-70]

A nice place to start would be to have a full understanding of what Zion actually is.

Zion has had many meanings. What it means depends upon the era. In the Bible, it was Jerusalem. In Joseph Smith's day, it was any communistic, pure-in-heart city like that of Enoch, and in particular the city that was to be re-established in Jackson County Missouri (and then Far West, and then Nauvoo). Then, it was the whole of the Americas. In the days of Brigham Young, it was the Utah territory. Then eventually, David O. McKay redefined it as a metaphor.

[ERayR]

I just am extremely saddened by the amount of "anti-Mormonism" and the misconceptions and outright lies about the Church that are becoming increasingly available, and the current generation in the Church, the youth, in my opinion, are going to be the ones to really experience the effects of this. They need prayers and guidance now more than ever.

I know this is probably obvious, and this thread may not really go anywhere, and there may be some who disagree, but I just wanted to express my thoughts.

It's a good thing you wern't a Missouri saint from say Far West or Haun's Mill. Sure it can be bad, especially if you immerse yourself in apologetics, but generally my neighbors are pretty congenial people and I have never been tarred and feathered.

Edited May 8, 2012 by ERayR

[cinepro]

...that it's probably going to be pretty tough being a Mormon in the coming years, especially for the current generation.

Do you agree? What can we do to prepare for this?

As with real estate, I think the most important factor in the answer to your question is "location, location, location." I personally have found others here in Southern California to be very accepting of my beliefs and behaviors as a member of the Church (even during the Prop 8 brouhaha). So my personal experience hasn't been so bad. But others have had different experiences.

But it will be interesting to see what Romney's campaign brings in the coming months.