Hi Jeanie

I know this is between you and Russ, but hope you don't mind me giving a few observations (from ignorance).

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Bull hockey. How about focusing on the fact that these young men in their prime hormonal state take out 2 years of their lives completely devoting themselves (no dating, music, tv) to scripture study and PAY FOR THEIR OWN MISSIONS.... I've known young men who put off promising athletic careers or even just their schooling. My son-in-law is a returned missionary going to school to become a Dr. If he hadn't spent those 2 years on a mission, he could've been in med school by now. He spent about $9000 of his own or families money to go out and teach the gospel. Our Bishops don't get paid. They put in many hours, yet still work full time jobs and have families to take care of. My present Bishop is only in his early 30s and has 5 little kids. Do you think they do this for their health???? No, they don't know everything there is to know....and many times they have been sheltered and sometimes just go cause they are supposed to. The majority of the time, though, they come back with great discipline from it, and a strong testimony that they might not have had before. Yet they get doors slammed in their faces. Some have been threatened. Hmmm. What would make them do that????


I do not know enough about Mormonism Jeanie, so I cannot comment on what you or Russ are saying with any real judgement calls. But I have indeed seen these young men go from door to door and do indeed risk having those doors slammed in their faces. Their demeanor is always very gentle, they are dressed modestly and nicely and their courage and faith is admirable. I couldn't do it! But I never studied the Mormon faith, so I can't be certain about the foundation of their faith and I wouldn't like to judge.

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Yah - because people like you twist and mock what goes on in there. You are listening to the wrong sources here...and dark ones at that. Everything is symbolic of the Priesthood and the apron is of the leaves that covered Adam and Eve's nakedness.


There is symbolism in our church that has been twisted and demonised that is completely incorrect. I have been horrified at some of it. If that's happened here, I am sorry. I think we need to be very careful when representing another person's personal religion, as there are plenty out there who are demonising aspects of it, without being interested in the actual meaning from the real source itself. Much false propoganda. It's ripe, I've been witness to it.

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While LDS members are no less vulnerable to depression than anyone else....I guarantee that those who truly believe and live their religion are the happiest people in the world. But life is not without opposition and we are here to experience trials.


Many people suffer depression and suicidal thoughts, no matter what denomination. Suicides happen in any denomination. As does any illness. Suffering, enduring our cross is not limited to particular suffering. Christ Himself was in mental and spiritual anguish, not just physical. The key is to hold his hand and keep the faith that sometime, somehow, He will take you through it. Focus on Him and the cross. Some may have weakened and perhaps not been as strong in their faith. I can't judge that, there are some horrible horrible illnesses/toxins out there that can reduce a person to a state of a human wreck. I have been there many times with mercury poisoning and at times I shudder when thinking back at how close I was to ending it all. Sufferings can afflict anybody and any part of the body/mind. Some of the worst are the psychological ones. Nobody is immune, BUT Christ does offer graces/strengths and insights to suffering. He gives it meaning. But sometimes that is hard to get through to a person who is almost out of their mind in anguish. I believe there are extreme circumstances to which only God understands and only He can judge.

Admittedly occult involvement gave me a sense of emptiness, even when I was healthier that I couldn't explain and torment at night before sleep. Christ lifted me out from it and gave me a sense of fullness. However, at evenso, it did not always lift the agony of my later sufferings. It was sheer faith and will that got me through. And there were times I felt abandoned. So did Jesus.

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Those garments you are blaspheming are to remind of us covenants for purity and modesty. I have not had an easy year marriage wise. Life is not easy. I have felt much like Job this past year. BUT I CANNOT DENY WHAT I KNOW TO BE TRUE. We are on opposite ends of that spectrum. You are dead wrong my friend.... Some day you will find that out.


I'm not sure Jeanie whether Mormonism is the true church, as I take Christ as the authority first before anybody, any prophet. Christ and His word come first (we have prophets in our church also). Testing them by Him and His word should always be done. If there are contradictions or anything that puts Christ or any aspect of His word in confusion, which leads to doubt, then alarm bells should ring. Christ Himself has been tested time and time again and proven Himself to be who He is. But what about our prophets?

But I do appreciate having anything clarified that maybe an incorrect or unfair misrepresentation of your church.

One thing is certain, Christ's word has been tested and proven for over 2000 years. There many miraculous healings that have occured, with doctor's verifications that it's overwhelming. Many wheelchairs, crutches left after prayer crusades, interventions etc. It does occur, and so does the supernatural. Been witness to it myself.