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On the church newsroom website, the following was posted: Quote:Individual Mormon voices — or, rather, the voices of many diverse individuals who also happen to be Mormon — are increasingly heard.
There was a time during the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century when Church members gathered from around the world and concentrated their efforts on establishing communities and settlements throughout the Intermountain West of the United States. That is no longer true. Countless students and young families have spread out across the nation and the world to attend prestigious universities and contribute to their professional fields and communities. They serve on city councils, volunteer at schools, and participate in local service projects. As a result, Mormons have become firmly embedded in the fabric of community life. They have become the neighbors and work colleagues of people everywhere. One consequence is that today there is an array of voices and a wide range of perspectives from within the Mormon faith.
Read the full article here:http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/article/the-diverse-voices-of-mormonism ” class=”bbcode_url”> http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/article/the-diverse-voices-of-mormonism I think the fact that the change in Mormonism being “firmly embedded in the fabric of community life” is something that changes what non-mormons think about the Church is one aspect, but it also changes how members of the church think too.
Maybe we aren’t such a peculiar people anymore, but more like others in our community than we realize.
Maybe the issues raised now with the use of the Internet expose non-mormons to true church teachings, but also expose mormons to historical things that weren’t shared before.
We no longer can huddle in the mountains of Utah and say, “well, others don’t understand us, but we’re cool.” It actually makes us face facts and deal with it, internally and externally…to seek truth and understanding…inside and out.
I personally think that is a good thing, and the use of these websites and blogs is a good way to express thoughts…and to realize that there is a diversity of thought and belief inside the church, which helps me shed a prior stereotype that the church is “obey the leaders or you’re less faithful and will fall out.” Realizing all the different voices out there (and trying to respect them all), is comforting to me that there is room enough in the church for all of us, even with our differing beliefs and perspectives.
I agree. I also see it as a good thing. The difficulty will remain between two people who don’t see eye to eye, that is an inherent uncomfortable situation until the people involved learn to not be threatened by ideas that do not match their own. I think it may be some time before the larger church membership becomes comfortable with “different” ideas being shared within a gospel context, but it is happening slowly — and I imagine has always happened to some degree.
I read this as significant. Thanks for sharing. Oh, how wonderful it will be when the whole church from the senior apostle down to the child in primary rejoices in the revelation of diversity! Amen, Tom. Sorry to be negative, but isn’t this just the latest public relations effort by the church? Like the profiles on mormon.org mentioned in the article? “Hi. My name is Bob. I’m a regular guy. And I’m a Mormon.” Does anyone really believe these are unscripted and/or uncensored? Because I have this bridge I was thinking of selling … BTW, this strikes me as more than a little cynical since we are still taught that we _are_ a peculiar people (arguably codified doctrine), and that ‘they’ are, more often than not, a bad influence (a cultural thing).
I personally think this and the ad campaign are a sincere attempt to have everyone realize Mormons are and can be diverse – and “everyone” includes members. I heard one of the commercials recently while I was driving in the St. Louis area, and I absolutely loved it – mostly because I believe many members need to hear it. We are hearing it more and more from the pulpit over the last few years, and I like hearing it over the public airwaves, as well.
I don’t doubt they are scripted, edited and filtered doug. That isn’t the issue to me so much as the Church openly trying to promote the idea that diversity is important. It means two good things to me:
1. They are realizing finally this is a big problem.
2. They are doing something, anything, within their power to promote a change of mind and heart (even if it doesn’t completely succeed or comes across as cheesy).
It doesn’t really matters so much to me if they even make up these profiles and people. The fact they are promoting diversity is a positive in my mind.
Brian Johnston wrote:I don’t doubt they are scripted, edited and filtered doug. That isn’t the issue to me so much as the Church openly trying to promote the idea that diversity is important.
Diversity is important because diversity is important, or diversity is important because our conversion numbers will really suck otherwise? I suppose in the end it doesn’t really matter, but it’s these kinds of things that get under my skin, especially since the message seems to be primarily for external consumption.Quote:Diversity is important because diversity is important, or diversity is important because our conversion numbers will really suck otherwise?
Both. Like Brian, I am ecstatic that they are beginning to recongize and openly admit it. I see it as a HUGE plus, personally. (And, btw, they aren’t fictional profiles. They are for real members.)
Quote:Diversity is important because diversity is important, or diversity is important because our conversion numbers will really suck otherwise? I suppose in the end it doesn’t really matter, but it’s these kinds of things that get under my skin, especially since the message seems to be primarily for external consumption.
Interesting thought — I haven’t heard anything preached internally about diversity — most talks and informal interactions are aimed at conformity.
SilentDawning wrote:Interesting thought — I haven’t heard anything preached internally about diversity — most talks and informal interactions are aimed at conformity.
Sure, there are a few folks up top who truly believe in diversity. Urtchdorf obviously. BUT – they are few. The LDS church is all about conformity, and what is sad, is it isn’t even what “we” believe. It’s “false.” Most these folks know it’s “right” to be accepting and tolerance of different folks and opinions and beliefs (what would Jesus do?) – but they won’t accept it, live it or practice it. I had a lot of hope for the church at one time – watched anxiously for the day the church would deliver some milk and honey. Watched for the day that “the church” would truly come back to gospel living and truths and get away from the traditions and culture dogma that is so prevalent — as a church, not just some individuals within the church. I have been terrible disappointed. I have finally come to the conclusion, IMO, that the church WILL NOT change and will not evolve and will only deliver salt and vinegar. If it ever decides to correct it’s current course, I will be happy for the members – but I’m no longer holding my breath or waiting for it to happen. I have to accept it and move on.
They are trying… My oldest daughter has a best friend who’s family came here six years ago as refugees from Sudan. She gets a lot of modeling and small acting jobs from the church to be the token “black girl” in their PR campaigns. She is a rare commodity in these parts!
flowerdrops wrote:They are trying…
I’m pleased for your daughters friend, but this is a PR effort we’re talking about. PR = advertising, and last I heard, advertising isn’t necessarily when we say what we really think, but when we say what it is we think will make someone else think what we want them to think. To me ‘trying’ implies a lot more than that.
How about… “They are trying” but said in a sarcastic tone! I agree that they seem to care more about appearances than they do actually living up to them. That was the point I was wanting to make.
flowerdrops wrote:How about… “They are trying” but said in a sarcastic tone!
😳 Ah, sorry ’bout that. My brain was trying to tell me there was sarcasm in your response, but I ignored it. In my defense, appearances so often seem to count for trying, and not just in our culture.
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