Two Gilbert Arizona Mormons Beaten Because Of Their Faith
This story first reported last night makes me sick, and I hope the individuals who did this get everything that that law can throw at them. As members of the Church we always have faced a certain amount of persecution, but the last several years have been very good to us. In the media they are kind, even when one of the Presidential candidates was a Mormon, we get good press about being the first on scene to a disaster area and many other situations where people could (if they wanted to) attack our faith.
It is one thing to not agree with the teachings of the LDS (Mormon) Church, but to get physical about it? That is just coward, and like I said earlier, I hope those responsible feel the full extent of the law.
In Church on Sunday we had a very good priesthood meeting talking about some of the mis-conceptions of our faith, and we only have ourselves to blame for that. If our neighbor does not understand why our Church use to practice polygamy, then it is up to us to teach them. If we don’t teach them, someone who is not a member of the Church will teach them, and probably not the truth. If we don’t let our neighbors and friends know that our Church is different from the cult (FLDS Chuch) in El Dorado Texas, then who will? They will not learn that from the media! If people do not understand that our Church official name is “The Church Of Jesus Chris Of Latter Day Saints” and that “Mormons” is just a nickname, then who will? An interesting story was told that in one of the latest disaster relief efforts the media describes only two Churches stepping in and helping out with relief; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint, and The Mormon Church. Yes, it is funny, but if we do not do a better job at letting the world know our beliefs then this is going to continue to go on.
What does all this have to do with two of our own getting beat down in Gilbert last night? I have a feeling if there was more knowledge about our faith in the general public, there would be much less hate, and more tolerance. It is our duty as members of this Church to educate those who do not understand what our Church is about. I served a full time mission, but my mission did not end when the State President released me. We can’t hate these people who did this crime, we have to forgive them, and do a better job at educating them. Hate fuels hate, and we need to be the water that puts the fire of hate out.
May 6th, 2008 at 10:06 am
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptIn the media they are kind, even when one of the Presidential candidates was a Mormon, we get good press about being the first on scene to a disaster area and many other situations where people could (if they wanted to) attack our faith … [...]
May 6th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Another occurrence like this is quite surprising, particularly because it is just one of a few in the news recently. Interesting post, with which I agree.
I have realized more and more over the last few years that the more educated someone is about the Church, generally the more friendly they are toward the Church as an organization and its members as individuals, even if they do not agree with the doctrine.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:15 am
[...] So last night I voted again (of course) for David Archuleta on American Idol, not because hes a Mormon (LDS) but because that boy can freaking sing!! Out of all the singers last night he brought his “A” game to both performances. People are always talking about him singing the safe songs that are his style - well DUH! He’s not trying to be a David Cook rocker (thats not him), he is more like a John Mayer, or even Dave Matthews type singer and can have a HUGE successful career as the winner of American Idol! I am still pretty bummed out to see Jason Castro (who is a horrible singer and performer) on the stage still because I think the other LDS contestant (Brooke White) who got voted off last week still deserves to be up there instead of him. She has made some mistakes, but she is such an amazing singer. I loved her version of “let it be” that she sang a few weeks back. Anyway, I was pretty happy to see how well David Archuleta did because this could be a good positive press for the LDS Church, and a good opportunity for him to educate those about the church who do not understand (remember my post from yesterday)! [...]