EllenMaksoud Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Are new converts automatically suspect? Is there a way to prove yourself? I think it is a huge mistake to ever ask the Bishop to ever give you a food order, or pay your bills.
Coreyb Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 some are I am sure, but please don't generalize us all
Avatar4321 Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 I tend to be cynical but i dont think ive ever questioned the sincerity of a new member. Seems to me if you want to join us you are sacrificing alot and you wouldnt do that for trivial or insincere reasons. 2
bluebell Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 There have been new members who have joined or feigned interest in the church simply to take advantage of the welfare that the church often offers it's members, so yes, some members can be a bit once bitten twice shy. But you just have to try to remember that the problem is with them, and not with you. We all have our weaknesses. 4
thesometimesaint Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Are new converts automatically suspect? Is there a way to prove yourself? I think it is a huge mistake to ever ask the Bishop to ever give you a food order, or pay your bills. We know all about you new converts always wanted us to support you in our decadent lifestyle. More seriously the Church is there to help you in all of your needs. See the Four Fold Mission of the Church. 1
EllenMaksoud Posted February 10, 2014 Author Posted February 10, 2014 I tend to be cynical but i dont think ive ever questioned the sincerity of a new member. Seems to me if you want to join us you are sacrificing alot and you wouldnt do that for trivial or insincere reasons.I came out of Islam, so I do not see the sacrifice in joining the church. In the beginning Jesus Christ was the only item on my agenda, and now that I see certain things, it is doubly so.
JLHPROF Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 It's not actually cyncism. Mormons have a deep rooted persecution complex. New people who haven't proven "loyalty" can be met with open hearts, open arms, and a touch of mistrust. Mormons in my opinion have a touch of mistrust about them dating back to pioneer days. 2
rpn Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 I don't see Mormons as a group as cynical generally. We tend to be optimistic and open minded. We have a reputation for being so naive (opposite of cynical) that we are disproportionately victims of affinity fraud.
The Nehor Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 I am joyfully cynical. Don't think I am deeply cynical.
thesometimesaint Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Man said in the end we're all dead anyway, and God said no your not. That is about the opposite of cynical as it gets.
The Nehor Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Man said in the end we're all dead anyway, and God said no your not. That is about the opposite of cynical as it gets.And I asked if I could hurry up and die now as this life is very overrated.
thesometimesaint Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 And I asked if I could hurry up and die now as this life is very overrated. Sometimes God says no.
Mola Ram Suda Ram Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) I think it is a huge mistake to ever ask the Bishop to ever give you a food order, or pay your bills.Esp if you were baptized a week earlier. but if you really do need it and you are new you should go ask. I don't think there is a way to prove your self upfront. Only by what you do after you ask. As to proving your self, to me the only thing that sets up red flags is the way people act after being baptized. The whole "you will know them by their fruits" and stuff. Edited February 10, 2014 by Mola Ram Suda Ram
EllenMaksoud Posted February 10, 2014 Author Posted February 10, 2014 It's not actually cyncism. Mormons have a deep rooted persecution complex. New people who haven't proven "loyalty" can be met with open hearts, open arms, and a touch of mistrust. Mormons in my opinion have a touch of mistrust about them dating back to pioneer days.Well founded. I was indoctrinated with all the patriotic propaganda back in the 50's, so all the dirtly laundry was hidden if possible. In real fact, Mormons were systematically deprived of their first amendment privileges. Sure JS ran a bank that failed, but so did many others. America had in fact entered a Depression. As to Polygamy, I can't be objective about it because I believe in it as long as there are not abuses or deprivation of rights. And, having grown up in an extremely abusive pseudo Amish household, giving the male too much power is just too scary.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted February 11, 2014 Posted February 11, 2014 Are new converts automatically suspect? Is there a way to prove yourself? I think it is a huge mistake to ever ask the Bishop to ever give you a food order, or pay your bills.It is difficult to do so, and Bishops or Counselors when Bishop out of town, but they have to use the spirit of decrement because it is (or can be) something very important that it be done right. This is way when the person can also work to help themselves. There are some who join because of the Church welfare program. But the Bishop has a serious responsibility to handle the Church resource better than he would his own, while at the same time helping the member to keep his self esteem by also giving back. Food orders are easy, in fact they should come for food orders and use the money that would have spent on food to other bills. New members are only "suspect", because the Bishop does not know them well. But if he helping, and discerning by the Spirit, he will do fine.
rodheadlee Posted February 11, 2014 Posted February 11, 2014 (edited) I was cynical before I became a Mormon. I'm trying to change. Edited February 11, 2014 by rodheadlee
flameburns623 Posted February 11, 2014 Posted February 11, 2014 I do not feel I was treated as 'suspect' when my wife and I received food assistance, following a car wreck, in 2001, at the same time that my wife received Missionary lessons. It was, I think, simply assumed that the accident had brought each of us closer to our own sense of mortality and led us each to ask tough questions. That I attended faithfully for a few months as work permitted while my wife attended only a few times--was treated as exercise of our Agency. The help we were tendered was appreciated and no one ever treated us/me badly because we received help. I don't doubt there are cynics among the Saints but it was not a part of my experience among them.
Daniel2 Posted February 11, 2014 Posted February 11, 2014 Even as an "apostate," "anti Mormon" who has left the church, I would say that I believe that on the whole, most Latter-day Saints are some of the most optimistic, good-hearted, least cynical people I have ever met. 1
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