Mormon Beefcake

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  • Posted By: karmagran@hotmail.com @ 07/19/2008 2:56:15 PM

    haha
    I once had a Mormon landlord. He was as mean as they come. I paid the rent on time, kept the place clean, etc. Still, he was a real jerk. I thought Christians were supposed to be nice. LOL

    • Posted By: inthemiddleoftheroad @ 07/19/2008 3:19:06 PM

      Can you really judge an entire religion based on one person? Why does his attitude have to be associated with being Mormon. Maybe that was just his personality. Ever thought of that?

      • Posted By: Eternal Happiness @ 07/19/2008 3:31:02 PM

        Thank you, "Inthemiddleoftheroad" for making that statement.

        The problem here is that you can't cloud the issue with facts. These "anti's" don't want to inject fact into what they're saying because they don't want to be wrong. So, as much as we try to help them see the facts, they won't... not until they're ready.

        • Posted By: Aeddon's mom @ 07/19/2008 9:33:54 PM

          I have a question for both of you. A man in this article was excommunicated for selling a calendar which misrepresents the way the Church of LDS wants its missionaries to be seen - in terms of respect for bodies, family and religion.

          In my community in Southern California, a large LDS family owns an employment agency. I worked for them for a short time, when I first decided to sell out personal ethics for short term gain (big mistake) to improve family finances - I found my professional ethics at risk and had to quit.

          These people were incredibly racist, unethical business people, operated their business in violation of most employment laws and actually voiced their opinions that their temporary employees (which they provided to business) were not human beings but simply product. (Not mere business meeting talk - but sincere belief that they didn't count - mostly because of their race).

          Why when other LDS members in the community asked me about them and I told them what I could about their racism, ethics and violations - were they not excommunicated? Because they tithe regularly? Attend regularly.

          I was raised with good Christian values. I know longer follow that faith, but I know enough after reading the book of Mormon and my extensive study of the bible as a young woman to know this family violated every tenet, commandment and principle that Christ stood for, again, why no consequence for their behavior which actually harmed a great many individual human beings?

          Which is the greater sin?

          • Posted By: ecawilson @ 07/20/2008 10:12:57 PM

            I am intrigued by your first question. I don't have an answer, sadly, mostly just a few questions of my own. First, questioning the assumption of why someone is excommunicated. Business practices are not themselves grounds. The little I understand is that someone must be a detriment to their own spiritual progression and to that of others before disfellowship or excommumnication proceedings are begun. If that is the case, and the person in question is not 'sufficiently repentant' (I have no idea how to define 'sufficiently'), they are disfellowshipped or excommunicated from the church. When this happens, they have less responsibility to promises they made to God and the church. Therefore, excommunication is really just a last ditch effort.
            In the case of this family, maybe they put on a different face to church authorities, who never found out, or maybe the authorities just had more hope in this family than you did. Either way, I have no idea why they weren't excommunicated
            But, your second question and third questions are easier to answer. Since Mormons believe that mortality is only act 2 in a 3 act process, the existance of consequences are always assumed, but their timing is the unknown. While I am in no position to judge, if the only information God used to judge him were the information you gave us, he will certainly receive consequences. As for the third question, which is greater? I don't know. I don't think it matters. Without repentance, both will be very unhappy in act 3 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/19/17-18#17).
            I have no idea how deep the hurt from this experience runs, and could not presume to think that a few words could fix it, but consider this: Judas Iscariot was a Christian. Ananias and Sapphira were Christians. I don't know how long it took members of that church to move past those examples, and maybe some never did, but I thank God that there were people who could serve as good examples to me, who somehow could move on. I won't judge you for your pain, and I won't excuse their behavior, but I do know that Christ has performed greater miracles by helping others, and is waiting to help you. I can hope it happens in this life, but I have faith that it will happen eventually. You see, the consequences of His actions, as well as ours, carry into all three acts. Good luck.

    • Posted By: katcelata @ 07/19/2008 3:19:21 PM

      I had a landlord that was a deacon in the fundamentalist Christian church- another church helped a lot of us start again by giving us homes in the building- we all paid ontime, were clean- when the new guy took over he threw us out cuz another church put us there-( (and he could rent for more without fixing dangerous things) it has nothing to do with religion- it has all to do with being a reasonable person, not putz! You are only a good church follower- IF you follow IT!

  • Posted By: Anne-Elisabeth @ 07/19/2008 5:44:23 PM

    Hello, my name is Elisabeth - I am America's Sweetie and featured on my profile at the site of one of the leading adult websites. I'm also a transition specialist. My husband passed away 18 months ago. He was a paraplegic for 34 years as a result of a spinal cord injury at the age of 17. Coincidentally, and perhaps not, we were both very open to providing information to persons with disabling conditions to enrich and improve their personal lives. This includes sexuality issues. Many persons in transition are faced with these circumstances. A little adaptation and information opens up a whole new world for them. I hold a twice-weekly Internet based presentation which draws many viewers who recognize the need for this area of counseling and advisement. This is a private show and, obviously, available to persons only of legal age. The issues I address advocate for men who honor, respect and wish to engage in providing healthy sexual fulfillment for their wives, partners or potential partners. I've addressed different ways of nurturing your partner through difficult times: surgery, rehabilitation, a new course of medication, grief, depression. These are things my husband I faced together and we had a very loving and fulfilling relationship and sex life. I have presented the program partially nude as I've become more comfortable. My first nude photograph has been posted this past week - an elegant black and white demure photograph of my backside in very good taste. I am very pleased with the results. My advocacy of transitional counseling includes many other subjects including career skills and employment training, academic advisement, advocacy for special education issues, barrier free universal design and ADA compliance, reintegration and re-socialization. I'm very pleased to be a part of the world Bob and I dreamed of which, I've gone forward to create. Why the nudes? To change, and to increase awareness of the image of someone with a disability as I strive, with others, to remove societal stigma. I myself have a disabling medical condition. This assists me in raising funds to support the non-profit organization and scholarship foundation in memory of my husband. I was baptized and raised as a Roman Catholic and converted to the LDS church almost 15 years ago. I remain true to my testimony in the church. No one has ever questioned my activities or actions. In fact, I know we are a progressive church adapting to societal changes and needs, while still holding true to our Christian beliefs and personal values and integrity within the teachings of the Church. I'm pleased to say my clientele (for counseling, there is no sexual interaction involved), includes the Veterans of the U.S. They love me, and I love them right back, unconditionally.

    • Posted By: itwillcostyou @ 07/20/2008 10:07:38 PM

      Anne Elizabeth- do you really think you should adv ertise yourself as a poster child for the LDS church? I have seen your myspace page and I do not think the LDS church would say nothing about your picture you have posted there.

    • Posted By: inthemiddleoftheroad @ 07/19/2008 5:53:31 PM

      Okay, this is totally an example of someone who *SAYS* they are LDS but are not. If your bishop, Stake President, or if the prophet knew of what you are doing, you would be asked to stop or face a church court. And rightly so. If you want to live your life this way, then go ahead. Its not my right to tell you different. But I do believe I have the right to say that what you are doing is NOT in accordance with the LDS church.

      • Posted By: Anne-Elisabeth @ 07/20/2008 4:40:13 PM

        Now, how would you feel if I told you I am leaving the church based on your words and your comments. I'm not leaving the Church. I won't. I know this is where I want to be and this is where I belong. My testimony stands as true. I accept accountability for my actions. The first lesson I learned when the young missionary elders came to my home was that it is not in our power, nor is it our place, to convert or direct anyone to accept the Church and to become a member. Only the Holy Spirit can do so. Here is the second lesson I learned. A few months after I was baptized I was invited to an evening gathering held at the home of the Relief Society President. When she asked me to tell the group about myself I immediately focused on my son and my daughter - from a previous marriage. Both children were also baptized at the same time I was baptized. The Relief Society President interrupted me as I spoke lovingly about them, as any devoted mother would do, and told me she only wanted to hear about the children I had legitimately in the Church. I felt I had misunderstood her words and explained to her that my children were born several years after I married their father. (We divorced shortly after the youngest child was born.) She reconfirmed her statement to me at which point I understood clearly the judgment she placed upon me before the other women in this group. Some of them were obviously embarrassed and uncomfortable with the situation; in particular, the Bishop's wife, who was also present. I excused myself and left the meeting immediately. Later, my husband and I were called to the Bishop's office to meet with him. He asked us why we were not attending Sacrament meeting on Sunday. We both felt reluctant to disclose the events of the women's meeting and what had been said to me, Our Bishop was very compassionate about what I told him and asked us, respectfully, to please attend the next Sacrament meeting. He knew of the situation. The Bishop's wife, concerned about what had been said to me about my children, had shared this with him. Within the week, the Relief Society President resigned from her calling, quietly, and without any conflict amongst the members of our ward. The matter was never discussed again. Much later, the Bishop's wife quietly confided in me that she had converted from Catholicism to the LDS church when she married her husband. This is an early experience as a member of the church. I learned to listen to and follow quiet nonjudgmental direction and to avoid excessive noise, especially when I am not able to do so alone and by myself.

  • Posted By: mollikins @ 07/19/2008 10:02:06 PM

    To distinguished gentleman: From the outside looking in, your behavior in changing religions seems more to have to do with your age and your need to individuate from the traditions of your family than it does with religion per se. It's not uncommon for an 18 yr old to change political parties, religions, even gender identity to free him/herself from the constraints of a dominant family. I think that what Hardy and the kids in this calendar are doing is just that, loosening the parental noose (mother church et. al) from around their necks so that they can breath.

    • Posted By: a_distinguished_gentleman @ 07/20/2008 1:22:24 AM

      I appreciate the sincerity of your post and uncommon lack of vitriol that most of the others have presented. That said, you could not be more wrong about my reasons for changing my faith. First, I was about as devout a Catholic as one could find. In my heart, I believed I was going to join the seminary and become a priest. I still greatly admire and respect the Jesuit Order of Priests, Carmelite and Notre dame Order of nuns, all of whom were kind and understanding and incredibly generous with their time. As a father myself, when two of my sons were having difficulty in public school, being picked on because they were ???different,??? I did not hesitate to place them for a year each into the same Catholic elementary school that I attended. In truth, I loved the church and do not believe I left the church, rather, it left me.

      My parents were not overly strict, indeed, I would have gladly accepted an even more rigid home life than what I had. I also had the benefit of my deeply religious grandmother living next door who greatly influenced my love of God and faith in Jesus Christ, Sadly, she passed away when I was 10, but I continue to carry the memory of her love for me and of God in my heart. I was the model son. I did not do drugs, engage in pre-marital sex, didn???t smoke or drink, all by choice, not because I was Mormon because at that point in my life I only knew Catholicism. My junior year in high school I took a church history class with one of the smartest Jesuit priest I have ever known. He was simply the best teacher I ever had, bar none. But when I had some very basic questions that he was unable to answer, questions that seemed to beg for an answer, I began to look elsewhere. I used the admonition in scripture, ???by there fruit shall ye know them,??? speaking of God???s people and His church, as the basis for my search. I found this wonderful group of youth my age, all of them sharing the same values that I did, and focused my search there. They were LDS. It turns out, they had the answers I was looking for. More important, for the first time in my life, I felt the spirit and developed a deeper faith than I had ever thought possible.

      Sorry to disappoint, but no rebellious teenager here. And to those Christians bashing all of those of us who are LDS, claiming we are condemned to hell, well, if heaven will be full of people like you and hell full of those I associate with now on a regular basis, then hell it is. If you think the vile and hatred you spew is persuasive and convincing of the truth of your faith, you are sadly mistaken. And finally, since all Mormons accept Jesus as the Christ, believe in him, accept him as our Lord and Savior, by your standard, we are saved. We meet the criteria that every born again professes is ALL that is required for salvation, so we are saved, too.

      • Posted By: JESUSISMYSAVIOR @ 07/20/2008 2:20:27 AM

        A distinguished gentleman: AS you mentioned-the vitriol is sad and is completely inexcusable. There is no call to be rude and completely ignorant in the discussion. I don't undertsand why people think that the vulgarity makes their post any more effective, it actually tends to make one seem uneducated because they can't seem to use normal vocabulary to get their point across. I did want to respond to you rpost though because of something you said about salvation. You mentioned that based on "Christian standards" you are saved. The problem is that from what I understand of LDS beliefs, it is also about works and about your life and lifestyle. I was raised Catholic and also could not find the answers I needed. I searched as well and found CHRISTIANITY-the Salvation that comes solely from our Belief in God/Jesus and our acceptance of the free gift of salvation. We can not ever hope to "earn" salvation-it is a gift from the one PERFECT person, who died for our sins. We will never be "good enough" to go to Heaven. Jesus took our sin upon Himself and died on our behalf. Our works are simply an outward sign of our commitment. If we are truly grateful for what Jesus did for us, we should be doing good works but it is not a requirement for our salvation. The other thing that I see that is a concern is the Bible versus the LDS book. My belief is that the BIBLE, as it was written starting 2000 years ago is completely infallible and can not be altered. The Bible was written with all things pointing to Jesus both before He came down from Heaven as a baby and after He ascended back into Heaven after dying on the cross for my sins. The LDS book does not point to solely to God/Jesus, it points to your "prophets" as well and to their lessons and to them and it takes away from the true Savior. I know that I will go to Heaven when I die because I have accepted that I am a sinner and Jesus died for me. I can not earn my way to Heaven-Jesus secured my Salvation the moment He died on the cross and I accepted the moment that I admitted that I sin and that JESUS is the ONLY WAY!

        • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 2:47:15 AM

          In response to The Book of Mormon pointing toward prophets- every prophet in the Book of Mormon testified of Jesus Christ and his divine mission just as the prophets in the Bible. The book does not point towards them but rather shows us their example and allows us to draw inspiration from it. Do we not do the same thing with the Bible? Do we not look at the example of Abraham and Moses and Noah and all the other prophets as a source of inspiration as to how to live out lives. We look at them because they were faithful and valiant and followed the Lord and we hope to do the same. God has given us these men as examples to look up to for they were diligent in obeying him. We have modern day prophets as well who we look up to, always knowing that they are an example of how to lead a Christ-like life and not the ultimate source of our salvation. Salvation is in and through Christ alone and we worship the one and only living God. Not men.

          • Posted By: Presbyterian1978 @ 07/20/2008 4:38:37 PM

            them prophets that the mormons talk bout are made up by the mormons there fake.

            • Posted By: a_distinguished_gentleman @ 07/20/2008 9:43:35 PM

              Presbyterian1978: Given the use of Presbyterian in your screen name, I can only assume you are Presbyterian or bent on causing the Presbyterian church harm because your posts are about the most un-Christian things I have read in quite sometime. I can only guess that other Presbyterians are embarrassed by the level of hatred you spew and are hurt by the damage you have caused their church. If they are not, if they condone your type of bigotry, then I thank you for showing the world what Presbyterianism stands for. I suspect you are unique in this regard however.

              As to my remarks relating to salvation, I was only speaking to the issue of what born agains believe, which is that accepting Christ as your Savior, which ALL Mormons do, is sufficient for salvation. By that standard, the standard YOU believe, ALL Mormons are saved. I was making no other point. That said, since it has come up since I left this forum, I feel compelled to respond further. Others have spoken to the issue quite clearly, but I want to reiterate since my name was mentioned. We, too, believe that we cannot be saved but for the grace of Jesus Christ. All of the works in the world would be insufficient, but for the Saviors atonement for our sins. If you accept Christ as your Savior, however, then you accept his admonition that we seek to be perfect, even as he is perfect. Of course that is impossible, but nonetheless, he admonished us to do it. In fact, if grace alone were sufficient, when he saved the adulteress from stoning their would have been no need to admonish her to go and sin no more. He could have simply said, believe in me and then go do whatever you want. He didn???t do that through, did he?

              Someone talked about the thief on the cross and how Christ promised he would see him that day in paradise. He said paradise, not heaven, just to be clear. You might believe heaven and paradise are the same place, we do not. In fact, it was this scripture that caused me great concern in my youth because later, when Christ meets up with Mary after his resurrection and reveals his identity to her, he commands her not to touch him because he had not yet ascended to his Father that was in heaven. Obviously, that was 3 days after he promised the thief they would meet in paradise, that very same day. So which is true? In my mind, Christ being perfect and unable to lie, he had differentiated between paradise and heaven. Thus, what he told the thief and then told Mary 3 days later were both true, if you understand the difference between paradise and heaven.

              In my two years as an LDS missionary, I never once attacked or criticized anyone else???s faith, rather, I simply taught them doctrine that I knew to be true. I just do not understand the need by so many here to try and teach the truth of their faith, as they see it, by criticizing mine? It reminds me of the old adage that no one every built anything of value or worth by tearing others done.

            • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 5:26:06 PM

              Made up? Like imaginary? Well, I believe that there is a living prophet today that guides my church. That is my belief and I have received a spiritual witness of it. If you don't believe it then so be it, that is your choice and your opinion, but for somone who claims to be a follower of the one true Christ you show very little tolerance, love and patience for those of other faiths...especially mine.

        • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 2:40:07 AM

          I cannot speak for a distinguished gentleman but as a fellow member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I know just as you have stated that we are saved by GRACE after all that we can do. We do put a lot of emphasis on our works in the church. Jesus went about daily doing good and blessing the lives of others and we strive to emulate that. However, official church doctrine is that we are saved by grace. No matter how good of a life we live we will always fall short of perfection and therefore need a way to bridge the gap between our imperfection and returning to live with God. That is where Jesus Christ comes into the picture, taking upon himself our sins if we choose to repent, and allowing us to return to the Father's presence.

  • Posted By: trace_a_smile @ 07/19/2008 4:05:15 PM

    One more comment I would like to make. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. I would like to set the record straight. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does not practice polygamy. Any religion that does is not a part of the previosly mentioned religion. Just as Lutherans are a break off of Catholics so are Polygamysts from the LDS. Please get your facts straight before posting items and please stop the name calling it is quite rude. I'm sorry for any harm or hard feelings that has befallen anyone to make them say or do such things. As a whole the LDS church is a loving and accepting religion, just as God is loving and accepting. Please be respectful of all religions, not demeaning.

    • Posted By: Jubilee12 @ 07/19/2008 4:13:51 PM

      I personally know polygamist mormons. Should I name names? (J/K mormon homies) Why don't you mainstreamers just fess up already? If the church hadn't officially squashed polygamy it wouldn't have survived, polygamy isn't acceptable to a puritanical christian nation like this one. But it still happens ALL THE TIME. And 'ol Joey Smith started the whole business of "celestial marriage" (muffled laughter). BTW, I got celestially married in the back seat O my car last week. The best thing about those celestial marriages is they aren't legally binding or anything! LOL. Just remember your prophet coined that term.

      • Posted By: homieDclown @ 07/19/2008 4:23:15 PM

        You may know polygamist people claiming to be mormon.......... Most murderers in prison claim to be born again Christian; I guess all Christians are murderers....... Trust me, thats how stupid you sound.

        • Posted By: trace_a_smile @ 07/20/2008 7:57:31 PM

          thank you homieDclown. Well said. I can't believe all the hate in this room. It seems to me those who are hating have it all backwards. We love and they hate. I don't get it.. I suppose I never will.

      • Posted By: jjjacks @ 07/19/2008 5:11:34 PM

        The LDS church only teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. They can't and don't control people's actions or strap lie detector test to people. People are going to do what they are going to do. Don't judge a church by it's member's actions. Nobody is perfect. right. And please don't degrade something that mormons hold sacred. I don't walk into your house and spit on your floor now do I?

  • Posted By: tha8 @ 07/19/2008 4:25:01 PM

    Who cares if you practice polygamy or not.....??? You're still just as inflexible, demeaning, self-righteous and backwards a religion as you ever were... Be upset all you want... Call me ignorant all you want... It won't change the fact that your CHURCH is in an UPROAR about grown men posing without a SHIRT ON in 2008!!! Now, really... just WHO is the ignorant one???

    • Posted By: emrld49 @ 07/19/2008 5:00:57 PM

      Ok, if you like, you are stupid and ignorant!! My son and I go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and my son ABSOLUTELY REFUSES to go outside without a shirt on!! If that's being "inflexible, demeaning, self-righteous, and backwards" so be it. I am repulsed about this stupid, idiotic calendar and personally happy the moron who created it got excommunicated!!

      • Posted By: singinasong @ 07/20/2008 7:41:23 PM

        Can you blame him???? That garmie is not exactly the height of fashion.

    • Posted By: jjjacks @ 07/19/2008 5:14:38 PM

      Our church isn't in an uproar. It is just that when people say or do things to demean our beliefs it hurts us.

  • Posted By: 1976baby @ 07/20/2008 7:07:25 PM

    I can't believe the anger and hate that exists in the world . I applaud people who believe in God. It takes courage to believe in something that you can't physically prove exists. The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints beliefs are based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ. We believe this is the same church that existed when Christ was on the earth. We believe the church is lead by living prophets who are called upon by God. They are not perfect. No one in the church is. This is why we continue to go. I am truly sorry for anyone who has had wrong done to them because of a member of the church. This is not what the people are taught. People who live the gospel within the church do so because it is what they want to do. Commandments are given. We don't always know the reasons for each commandment. I do not have the answers to everything. I do not confess to be an expert on religion or any other subject. I only know that when I live according to what the latter day prophets teach I feel better about life. Anyone who claims they are an expet studies and researches but, might not ever really know the spiritual side of something. I would also say be carefull what you say about history. It can be alterd depending upon who is writting it. No matter what we will only ever know Mr. Hardy's side of the story because the church will never come out and say what they believed him to be doing wrong.

  • Posted By: Lowxs @ 07/20/2008 5:20:31 PM

    I would just like to say thank you for the calendar. I am a proud gay man that would love to go out on a date with any of the men in the calendar. Thank you.

  • Posted By: Lowxs @ 07/20/2008 5:18:51 PM

    I am a proud gay man and I would just like to say thank you so much for the calendar. I would love to go out on a date with any one of the men in the calendar.

  • Posted By: salutriansfirst @ 07/19/2008 8:48:21 PM

    the lds beleive polgamy will be practiced in the celestial kingdom [reserved for mormons only] it is still part of their canon scripture. doctrine and covenants section 132:4 declares: "for behold ,i reveal unto you a new and everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant ; then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory" in 1820 joseph smith jr. claimed to be visited by god the father and jesus christ, in 1826 he was tried and convicted in a ny. state court of "glass looking" fraudulently using seer stones to locate treasure on peoples property. the pearl of great price ,also lds canon scripture, was translated by joseph smith jr. from a paprys scroll smith claimed "was written by abraham in his own hand" it was later found to be a common egyptian funeral text. jesus and satan were brothers , jesus was an ordinary man exhalted into godhood, all good mormons will become gods too [for this reason satan was kicked out of heaven] and the list of obvious fraud in endless in lds theology. of course this is all just anti mormon to true beleivers.but anti is just another word for the truth and it reinforces the lds persecution complex, but it is all found in church approved litrature. just investigate for yourself and don't rely on fuzzy feel good feelings or burning bosoms to acertain the christian truth. i pray for all mormons to come to the real truth before it is too late

    • Posted By: justagrl @ 07/20/2008 5:08:10 PM

      its so refreshing to know that im not the only one out here who actually does reasearch!!! lol its amazing how blind some people choose to be. love your "anti" truth :) cheers

    • Posted By: a_distinguished_gentleman @ 07/19/2008 9:34:55 PM

      Isn't heaven, according to just about all Christian faiths, reserved for "believers" of Christianity? Isn't everyone else condemned, according to most Christian faiths, to hell? So what was your point here? That Mormon's believe their church is true and, heaven forbid, the teachings of their faith are true? What a truly extraordinary concept! People actually believe their church to be true and its teachings to be true and its leaders to be representatives of Jesus Christ. Stop the presses, please; you may have uncovered a diabolical scheme here! Look, you obviously have it in for Mormons. In this free land, that is your right. But please stop pretending to be an expert on a faith that you know very little about and what you do know is taken from such, yes, dare I say it, anti-Mormon literature as the previously mentioned "God-makers."

      I was born and raised Catholic. I went to private Catholic school for 12 years, including an all-boys Jesuit-run College Prep. I was an altar boy for most of my elementary school years. I spent several years as a sacristan, the only paid altar boy and the head altar boy. To this day I defend the fine Jesuit priests who educated me and provided me guidance throughout my life. When the Catholic Church was painted with the broad brush of pedophilia because of a few bad priest I wrote a letter to the Editor of a prominent paper, a letter that they published, entitled "A Mormon Defend Catholicism." The Jesuit priests I knew throughout my life could have easily taken advantage of me and yet they never did, instead treating me with dignity and respect. My junior year of high school, when I told my Jesuit priest counselor of my desire to convert to Mormonism, he advised me that, of course, he would prefer that I remain Catholic, but he understood my reasons and only knew good people in the Mormon Church. My father, a devout Catholic, cut-off all of his sizable donations to the school because of this. I have the utmost respect for that counselor and ALL of the wonderful men who taught me over the years.

      At the age of 18 I joined the Mormon faith, for reasons that are beyond those of you so filled with hatred. At 21 years of age I decided to go on a mission and was cast out of my home and disinherited. That was 28 years ago. I could, today, renounce my faith and be accepted back by my family and, frankly, be made a rich man. I will never do so and nothing you or any other anti-Mormon propagandists say will ever have any effect on those of us who know, in our hearts, that our faith is true.

      What I find to be sad and truly disturbing is when other faiths base their entire existence on anti-Mormon doctrine. When you cannot persuade non-believers to join your faith based on what YOU believe and have to resort to publishing and preaching anti-Mormon hatred, how sad and pathetic for you and your faith. If your beliefs cannot stand on their own then of what value are they, re

  • Posted By: ElderSR. @ 07/19/2008 3:09:05 PM

    I was a member of the church a few years ago and after I meet the rest of the congregation I think that it is unfair that ex member of the church judge Mr. Hardy. After all nobody is who to judge ANYBODY here on earth. He just show his nake chest! What happens with the men that have a 12 wives? It is that ok for your little girl? People learn to keep your mouth shut!

    • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 3:21:32 PM

      Once again I feel inclined to respond to your comment due to its multiple inaccuracies. No member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints may have more than one wife. Those that do are excommunicated and stripped of all church privileges. This has been the practice and policy for generations now. There are certain people that the Lord has appointed to pass temporary judgements on people within the church. This man's ecclesiastical leaders are such people and he knew and accepted this far prior to his excommunication. He was warned of the possible consequences of continuing to produce the calendar and lead the life that he had been leading and he decided to press on regardless of those consequences. This young man cannot be shocked at the outcome of his church disciplinary action. He without a doubt knew what was going to happen years ago(6 to be exact)when he decided to stop attending church. There are issues far larger and more important in this man's life than that of the calendar. Please learn to base your comments on fact next time rather than mistruths and raw emotion.

  • Posted By: ElderSR. @ 07/19/2008 3:14:59 PM

    I wonder what happen with all this people that keep point out Mr. Hardy action? Havent you know that nobody is who in this world to judge another man? If you feel so insulted because of his calendar why dont you stop and think about all the mormons that have a 12 wives? And if homosexual are an abobination in God's eyes, Why you guys acept them? Dont be HYPOCRITS MORMONS!!! A calendar is nothing compare to all the DIRTIES Secrets that your churchs administrators keep for being confidentials! Have a Bless day!!!!

    • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 3:10:20 PM

      Dear Sir,

      No "Mormon" that has 12 wives is considered a member of the church. Excommunication has been the policy and practice for people who practice polygamy for generations now. Please read more current information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints so as to understand us better. Homosexuality- the act- is an abomination before God. Just as regular sin is. Heterosexual sin(adultery, fornication)is looked at the same way and cannot be condoned. We accept people for who they are, even if their beliefs may be different but there are certain standards that must be adhered to within the church to become and stay a member. I would hope Mormons would show love towards all of God's children regardless of whatever situation they may be in. That is what we are taught and commanded in church. That does not mean, however, that a person may continue in sin without there being judgments and consequences for his actions. Also, what "DIRTIES Secrets" are you referring to that are kept confidential? Please enlighten us as to what you know that we don't. I am always interested in hearing the newest conspiracy theory surrounding my religion. It makes for good conversation.

  • Posted By: karmagran@hotmail.com @ 07/19/2008 3:21:09 PM

    Yeah, right, that's why my ex-landlord, a Mormon, was so "nice."

    • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 2:45:30 PM

      One mormon out of 13 million plus...perhaps you should branch out and meet some more. I am positive you will find many great and amazing people trying to live Christ-like lives. Do not presume that all Mormons are the same as the one you had a bad experience with.

  • Posted By: Phyrexius @ 07/19/2008 3:55:42 PM

    ~~>~>>>~>>>~>~>>LOOK UP MORMON BLOOD ATONEMENT AND BLOOD OATHS<<~<~<<<~<<<~<~

    • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 2:39:21 PM

      Yes, look it up and find speculation without facts to support them. NO credible evidence has ever been presented and no proof has ever surfaced proving that early Mormons(Danites)participated in this false and misleading lie.

  • Posted By: spicefire @ 07/19/2008 6:47:05 PM

    LDS is not a CHURCH at all, but a cult!

    • Posted By: beelt @ 07/19/2008 6:53:36 PM

      All religins are "cults".

      • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 2:24:00 PM

        Two of the more educated and profound comments I have read on this post...

        Perhaps, spicefire, you should investigate more fully the definition of the word cult considering the fact that there are 13 million plus members of my church who think and live similarly to the way I do.

  • Posted By: Phyrexius @ 07/19/2008 3:28:30 PM

    My father and I were kidnapped, animals murdered, house and cars broke into, threatened, run over etc. by the "Danites of the White Mountains" My family has lost EVERYTHING after 11 years of terror perpetrated by the LDS church and its criminal members. My Great Great Grandpa is Jessie N. Smith who had 5 wives and 44 children and ancestors that settled most of eastern and southern Arizona. The LDS church is nothing less than a criminal organiztation whos only role in life is to make as much money and enslave as many ninds that they can to a beleif system consisting of ripped off ideas. Ideas such as Satanism, Masonry, Islamic, Hinduism etc. The LDS faith is NOT and original idea, rather rip offs of other faiths, do some research, you might actually LEARN somethin. You

    • Posted By: case130 @ 07/19/2008 4:42:28 PM

      phyrexius: out of all the postings I have read,yours seems to be the most accurate, although most of your comments would seem birthed by anger and molded by imagination; If any of the people that have time to read these sights would invest a little time researching the LDS they would discover there are alot of people parting thier short hair on the side in neatly pressed white shirts and name tag who are, quite purposly misleading all about thier religion. ---- HERE IS A QUESTION ---- Prior to 9/11 , in America, what was the Nations largest non military mass killing of innosent citizens? ANSWER: A place called Mountain meadows,an act knowen as the "Mountain Meadows Massacure" Purpitrators: LDS. Date: 9/11/185?. Over 120 unarmed civilians shot point blank in the meadow, men women and all children over 7 years of age.
      Hollywood put out a movie about it entitled " September Dawn" get by the Hollywood goop and you have the basic story and facts. SEE THE MOVIE-SEPTEMBER DAWN !!!!!!!

      • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 1:46:09 PM

        Since this comment has been posted numerous times here I will post my reply numerous times.

        Comment: You are using a hollywood produced movie as evidence against the church? Please provide intellectual sources for your arguments. Not to mention "September Dawn" was one of the biggest box office flops of the past couple years. Look, any objective Mormon will tell you that what happened that day was a terrible tragedy. Sadly, men of our church performed that act but it was in NO WAY ordered or sanctioned or approved by the presidency of the church. Those men acted on their own accord and will be judged just like you or me one day for their actions. We don't have the time or space here but what was not mentioned is how the Mormons were run from their homes multiple times prior to this, always being the object of religious persecution. We were not there and the historical evidence is minimal as to why it happened, however, it is the goal of conspiracy theorists like yourself to pinpoint that one atrocious deed to the leaders of the church in an effort to slander it and claim outrageous ideas that the church sanctioned the killing of innocent people. No one is justifying their actions and as a church we have tried to make amends for what happened that day, we have done all we can to apologize for the despicable actions of a few of our members but some people just won't let it go...some people cannot forgive.

    • Posted By: inthemiddleoftheroad @ 07/19/2008 4:48:15 PM

      Like I said above, let the police and the Mormon Church know of specific names who did this to you and I'm sure that they will be excommunicated to your satisfaction.

  • Posted By: karmagran@hotmail.com @ 07/19/2008 3:26:50 PM

    Why do Mormons call themselves "saints?"
    Give me a break.

    • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 1:41:18 PM

      If you read the Bible and understand the New Testament you will find that the members of the Church that Christ established at the time called themselves "saints". Not because they were perfect, but because they were trying to lead a life which emulated Christ's. We wish to do the same- emulate Christ- and therefore consider ourselves "saints" according to that definition of the word. Not "saint" in the way that a Catholic might define it.

  • Posted By: Buckskinner @ 07/19/2008 3:31:40 PM

    Comment: It should be noted that while there are several comments that reference the Book of Mormon in conjunction with the Bible (both Old and New Testaments), there is literally no historical evidence to support the existence of the Book of Mormon prior to it's being offered up by Joseph Smith Jr. In point of fact, Pre-Columbian history, culture, linguistics and technology that has been uncovered over the years is totally incompatible with the civilizations described in the Book of Mormon. While the Bible has a vast amount support in fhe form of archaelogical and historical data the same cannot be said of the Book of Mormon.

    • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 1:35:53 PM

      Can you show me on a map where Mount Sinai was? Or how about where the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry ground? Can I see the Arc of the Covenant? I believe in the Bible and know these places and things existed even though I may not know where they are right now. I believe the words of the ancient prophets in that book the same as I believe the ancient prophets who testified of Christ in the Book of Mormon. Even though I may not know where certain cities were located I cannot deny the spiritual confirmation given to me that this is a divinely inspired book given to us by the same loving God that gave us the Bible.

  • Posted By: tha8 @ 07/19/2008 3:28:55 PM

    This whole issue is crap! Such hypocrosy! Oh, the church has a problem with these young, handsome men having their pictures taken with their 'shirts off' (heaven help them) because they didn't abide by their rules of modesty and sexual conservatism... On the other hand, it's perfectly OK for them to go back home to Utah (The Promised Land) and marry 6 wives and procreate to the high heavens because THAT'S more in line with their teachings and beliefs!! Give me a break! They certainly aren't modest while they're impregnating multiple partners... They're certainly being seen with more than their shirts off to make that happen! No, the real problem here is the church didn't want any gay men (gasp) or single women to view their young men as sexual objects because that's reserved for MORMONS only!!! Ridiculous!! Call it whatever you want... it's ridiculous... I can't wait for the "self-love" videos to come out... Now, THAT would be something to talk about!

    • Posted By: Jubilee12 @ 07/19/2008 3:34:09 PM

      LOLOLOL! You said it. BTW, some have multiple wives here in northern Arizona, too.

      • Posted By: exploited @ 07/19/2008 3:56:42 PM

        tha8 has stated it with such grace!! I agree!! Besides, it is about time that it is men who are being exploited! I guarantee if this was a half-naked woman, the Mormon men would have no problem with it! If we cannot even evolve to an era where women are not strutting themselves across a stage in their bikini's for beauty pagents, then we should be able to see men doing the same thing in the name of money and entertainment! Since women are judged soley on their physical beauty...then let me be the first to say that this man is hot!! Are there 11 more like him on the calendar??

        • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 1:29:01 PM

          You are way off base in your assumptions and have a terribly mistaken understanding of the sanctity of womanhood and the human body within the church. Had these been women, sister missionaries for example, the outrage and condemnation would have been far greater(or at least I would hope so). The church has never and will never peddle half naked men or women on calendars in order to spread its message. The problem here is that this young man directly associated this calendar and the men inside with the church and their missionary effort without the consent of the leadership. If you wish to produce a calendar of men with their shirts off that doesn't include the church then by all means do it. I see it as no different than watching the Miss America Pageant. However, this young man was warned of certain consequences and chose to ignore those and continued on regardless. He knew full well what might have happened had he chosen to produce the calendar and continue making the life choices he had been making. He now has to act responsibly and accept those consequences as any adult would do.

    • Posted By: yourface @ 07/19/2008 3:34:01 PM

      ok, everybody give up the polygemy thing- mainstream mormons don't do it anymore... let's focus on the *** up thing they do now... don't worry you still have lots of choices...

      • Posted By: Jubilee12 @ 07/19/2008 3:51:42 PM

        Maybe "mainstream" mormons don't do it anymore but I live within 15 miles of a polygamist compound in northern Arizona and I personally know a guy with several wives. Whatever. As long as it's between consenting adults why should I care? Although, the little girls in those families are raised to accept that as normal and I don't think it is. I'm fixin' to start my own new religion and I plan to have me about 3 husbands so I don't get bored. LOL! God told me to!!

        • Posted By: john.doe.2008 @ 07/19/2008 4:30:58 PM

          I am sure the polygamists who live by you believe polygamy is right, but they are NOT Mormon, mainstream or otherwise. Anyone practicing polygamy is excommunicated from the LDS Church.

  • Posted By: Eternal Happiness @ 07/19/2008 3:45:21 PM

    Wow! There is so much hate, discontent and lack of eduation on the planet! All of the negative posts on here only reveal that those of us with values have so much more teaching to do. There are plenty of good Christians, from all different Christian churches, and we all need to work together to help these poor, lost souls. Instead of fighting over whose religion is right, why don't we all just work together and celebrate that Jesus is all around us and loves us, regardless of our mistakes. He does not discriminate, as we are all God's children!

    Spead God's loving and forgiving message today!

    • Posted By: yourface @ 07/19/2008 3:56:09 PM

      "those of us with values"??? could you BE anymore condescending?!?!?! could you?!? i don't know how. also, i'm not a christen so this whole lets love baby jesus crap can stop. are buddist and hindus not allowed to your little party? it's my experiance that these religions show more jesus like values then your racist sexist church ever will so too bad you don't think you could learn something from them...

      • Posted By: Eternal Happiness @ 07/19/2008 4:26:29 PM

        "Yourface", you have just illustrated that the truth hurts. Thank you for making a statement! Have a blessed day!

        • Posted By: Aeddon's mom @ 07/19/2008 4:56:33 PM

          I have a wonderful, however I consider misguided, mormon friend, who tried to "convert" my family to LDS. I have heard from the elders. I remember the "how could the tablet story and other crud not be anything other than true?" line. My respect for her kept my husband and I from stating what we already knew from research of history books. Your founder and his friend in the wilderness were con men. His "friend" was a rapist. They met in jail. How could it not be true? Insanity? A con? An age in America when many "new religious orders were cropping up?"

          I have read the book of Mormon. It doesn't square with me or most of us. Does that mean we don't have "values" ? No, in fact, that was the surprise of my friend, when we didn't join LDS. "But you have such similar values?" Yes, values, have nothing to do with a belief in god, but everything to do with a belief in Good. So please, in the name of your god, don't insult those who question whether your religion is the on'ly path to enlightment on the basis of values.

          • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 12:52:57 PM

            What a vague criticism of Joseph Smith and the church. Do you have facts to back up these outlandish claims? What tablets? And who met in the woods? And who met in jail? Who was the rapist? Another critic lacking intellectual and academic honesty only regurgitating the same anti-mormon rhetoric they have heard or gained from biased sources their entire life. If you wish to contribute/criticize please back up your claims with facts and evidence.

          • Posted By: foolkiller @ 07/19/2008 6:07:37 PM

            Good for you, Aeddon's mom, As the late William Cowper Brann pointed out, "Any one who tells you they know what goes on in the mind of God just because they can quote scripture is practicing "humbuggery."

      • Posted By: jjjacks @ 07/19/2008 4:32:19 PM

        Woah, you have a bad chip on your shoulder. How come you aint practicing what your preaching.

        • Posted By: yourface @ 07/19/2008 8:02:01 PM

          i ain't preaching shot, i'm having a conversation... you people seem to be labouring under the impression i said i was lord buddha or some other... dude or something.... i mean at this point it's obvious i'm just *** with you for shits and giggles but really here you are still responding, looks to me like you've got a whole BAG of chips on your shoulder... oooo.... are they bbq? i love that kind.....

  • Posted By: case130 @ 07/19/2008 4:56:04 PM

    Prior to 9/11 what was the largest , non-military non-war related mass murder of innocent citizens in America? ANSWER: Mountain Meadows Massacre, Place: mountain Meadows, Utah. Purpetrators: LDS . Date: 9/11/185? Casualties: over 120 unarmed men, women, and all childeren over 7 years of age, shot point blank. hollywood put a movie out about it called september dawn. ----get past the Hollywood goop and you have the basic facts----- SEE THE MOVIE "SEPTEMBER DAWN!!!!!------

    • Posted By: AHenrie @ 07/20/2008 12:36:17 PM

      You are using a hollywood produced movie as evidence against the church? Please provide intellectual sources for your arguments. Not to mention "September Dawn" was one of the biggest box office flops of the past couple years. Look, any objective Mormon will tell you that what happened that day was a terrible tragedy. Sadly, men of our church performed that act but it was in NO WAY ordered or sanctioned or approved by the presidency of the church. Those men acted on their own accord and will be judged just like you or me one day for their actions. We don't have the time or space here but what was not mentioned is how the Mormons were run from their homes multiple times prior to this, always being the object of religious persecution. We were not there and the historical evidence is minimal as to why it happened, however, it is the goal of conspiracy theorists like yourself to pinpoint that one atrocious deed to the leaders of the church in an effort to slander it and claim outrageous ideas that the church sanctioned the killing of innocent people. No one is justifying their actions and as a church we have tried to make amends for what happened that day, we have done all we can to apologize for the despicable actions of a few of our members but some people just won't let it go...some people cannot forgive.

    • Posted By: Ising @ 07/19/2008 6:22:00 PM

      I don't thinnnnnnk so. Mountain Meadows Massacre was not the biggest one before 9/11. What about Oklahoma City Bombing?

      And there is no mention of the Haun's Mill Massacre in Missouri when innocent Mormons were slaughtered. And how about Missouri Gov. Boggs in the 1800's who issued an extermination order that any allowed for any Mormon to be expelled from Missouri or exterminated? That order happened right here in the United States of America where all are guaranteed the "freedom of religion." The extermination order was never rescinded until 1976. It is this kind of hate that causes problems in our beautiful God created world.
      The Mormon people are Christian and therefore love all mankind. They believe in being good, honest, hardworking and obedient to God's teachings. They are taught to keep their bodies clean and modest and to be chaste, to not engage in sexual activity outside of the bonds of marriage. They are taught not to take harmful substances into their bodies. They give one tenth of their income back to God, which is then used to build sacred places of worship and shared with those in need. They are taught not to go into debt and to give service in their neighborhoods and communities. They are encourage to search for knowlege and be educated.
      Not all Mormons are faithful or in any way perfect, just as in other religions. But, if all in the world followed the same guidelines, think about how many social problems we would solve. There would be no hate, no crime, no hunger. We could eliminate STD's, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Those alone would make the world such a better place.
      I know these things because I was taught by loving parents who instilled in me these virtues and taught me the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They encouraged me to learn for myself the reasons that they joined this religion. Yes, there are hypocrites and problems. We are by far a perfect people, but I have studied and learned and have gained my own testimony of this beautiful loving religion. I love all people, races and creeds. I believe that if we all followed these Christian principles, the world would be a much better place. And yes, we don't need pictures in a calendar to show a different image to the world. We are who we are and we have no need to display anything else.

    • Posted By: inthemiddleoftheroad @ 07/19/2008 6:17:04 PM

      Gosh, if Hollywood made a movie about it, it must be true! NOT!!! (Just in case anyone doesn't understand what sarcasm is, this is it.)

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