Feeling a little thin-skinned

[carlimac]

Anyone heard about the "Mormon ads" being shown in a number of states? I haven't seen them but I suppose they are nice- professionally done and create a good feeling for other Mormons. But I'm afraid it's having the opposite effect hoped for among the general public. I've been reading some of the responses about them and (whistlling) they are nasty!! Crude, mean, just awful.

First of all, I'm not sure why the Church feels the need to put these ads on TV. Really, if we're doing the Lord's work and living the Gospel, why do we care if we make a good impression or not? It's almost embarrassing to me that we're so caught up in our public image. But aside from that, hopefully, the truly elect and pure of heart will be touched by the spirit when they hear the Gospel (whether or not they have seen the ads). Some have conjectured that the ads are priming the public for Mitt Romneys potential run again in 2012. The Church publicity team denies this. Who knows?

Anyway, I'm feeling fairly upset by all the vile comments about the Church. Normally I can shrug this all off like water off a duck. But for some reason it's getting under my skin. It's not our public image of being weirdos that bothers me. (I think it's the genuinely weird and bizarre folks that think WE are weird.) But the completely false information and all the misunderstandings people have about us- the perpetuating of lies and ugly stuff about us is getting to me. The bold and blatant rotteness that is being flung at us. I'm appalled at how it's PC to beat Mormons to a pulp.:

Anyone else having a problem with this? And any suggestions for what to do about it? (Besides quit reading it? LOL) Someone help me put this in perspective.

Edited August 14, 2010 by carlimac

[UrbanFool]

I go out of my way to NOT read the comments on articles. Once you read them, they're seared in your brain for forever. I just don't read them. Recently, my husband has forbid me to read the Voice of the Martyrs magazine because it just ticks me off beyond belief.

I'm also thin-skinned and just can't stand reading the hatred filled posts by people who are clueless. Or Daryl and his brother Daryl.

[Maya]

Maybe the commerseals should be more directed in the truth. It is forbidden in LDS Church to have more than one wife... or ... LDS believes in Jesus Christ the Saviour....

[beefche]

The perspective is found in Moroni 7:16

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

So, what does that mean? Quit reading them. If they are making you that angry, then they are not inviting you to do good, or persuading you to believe in Christ.

[MarginOfError]

I haven't had a problem with this at all. In fact, while at scout camp, I was talking to one of the boys' mothers and she commented to me that I had entirely changed her opinion of mormons. People can have all the preconceptions they want. But when they meet a good and righteous person, that will do more to persuade opinions than anything else you can imagine.

[Still_Small_Voice]

The Lord has said: "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22

We live in a telestial world. Many are offended at the Word of God because He is not their Master.

Mosiah 5:13

"For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?"

[Suzie]

It doesn't bother me at all. Maybe because I am used to it and I'm thick skinned but generally I would either shake my head, laugh if the claim is ridiculous or just totally ignore it.

[carlimac]

The perspective is found in Moroni 7:16

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

So, what does that mean? Quit reading them. If they are making you that angry, then they are not inviting you to do good, or persuading you to believe in Christ.

I'm not sure they are really making me angry. More just sad that people have such a messed up view of the Church and what we're all about. The claims of ongoing polygamy don't bother me because it's so far from the truth. But the rumors of wife and kid beatings, the big headed general authorities who are only after money, and the whole racist and homophobic claims, etc. are troubling at best. There was some guy slamming the church for not giving enough money to help third world countries. Some tried to put him straight on that but he twisted it to say that what we do is puny and selfish in comparison to other organizations. Sheesh.

I guess my point is not so much that I'm personally offended but that I'm just shocked to realize that there are people out there with such a distorted view and that they are so vocal and mean spirited about it. I've always known there were opposers to the church- the protesters at General Conference, the people passing out pamphlets at Nauvoo- whatever! They were generally just peaceful and misinformed and twisting the truth for their own advantage or for sport or who knows why. But it's this lynch-mob mentality that comes out on the internet that is really sickening. Honestly- if they don't believe our doctrine or don't want to participate with us, why do they even care? Sigh!

[pam]

I guess my point is not so much that I'm personally offended but that I'm just shocked to realize that there are people out there with such a distorted view and that they are so vocal and mean spirited about it. I've always known there were opposers to the church- the protesters at General Conference, the people passing out pamphlets at Nauvoo- whatever! They were generally just peaceful and misinformed and twisting the truth for their own advantage or for sport or who knows why. But it's this lynch-mob mentality that comes out on the internet that is really sickening. Honestly- if they don't believe our doctrine or don't want to participate with us, why do they even care? Sigh!

People have had this mentality since the days of Joseph Smith. We certainly didn't have ads then. So you can't blame the ads on the mentality of those that post. It's just another avenue to spread their hatred.

Personally, I think the ads can do much good. If there is anyone that has been diligently seeking, one of these ads just must be the kicker that brings them to investigate. Whether they join or not, at least they've had the opportunity to learn more.

I read the comments. Most of the time I just laugh as these people really don't have a clue. You have to just move on.

[carlimac]

People have had this mentality since the days of Joseph Smith. We certainly didn't have ads then. So you can't blame the ads on the mentality of those that post. It's just another avenue to spread their hatred.

Personally, I think the ads can do much good. If there is anyone that has been diligently seeking, one of these ads just must be the kicker that brings them to investigate. Whether they join or not, at least they've had the opportunity to learn more.

I read the comments. Most of the time I just laugh as these people really don't have a clue. You have to just move on.

I've always known it was bad during the earliest days of the Church. But it's only been in the last few years that I've realized it's just as bad now. I guess I've lived in a bubble for 40 or so years. Back then the assaults were verbal and physical but very out in the open and in your face. Now they are mostly just verbal but can be spread insidiously to millions via the internet. The rumors and lies and poison can be spread much faster and further. But then, hopefully, so can the good. For every 10 negative comments there are only 1 or 2 positive. HOpefully people reading the comments will be touched by the spirit when they read the good.

I'm not blaming the ads for anything other than perhaps being unneccessary. I don't think they are doing harm other than bringing out the creepy commentors.

[Wingnut]

I'm not blaming the ads for anything other than perhaps being unneccessary. I don't think they are doing harm other than bringing out the creepy commentors.

I've known a few people that came into contact with the missionaries -- and were later baptized -- because of ads they saw on TV. Media referrals are a much more effective method of "finding" than tracting is.

[carlimac]

I've known a few people that came into contact with the missionaries -- and were later baptized -- because of ads they saw on TV. Media referrals are a much more effective method of "finding" than tracting is.

I've always thought the old Mormon ads were great...the messages that made you think about how you were living your life and how if you were treating people as Christ would. These new ads just seem a little more (maybe too much) focused on us rather than on our message and Christ. Oh well.

[hordak]

I've always thought the old Mormon ads were great...the messages that made you think about how you were living your life and how if you were treating people as Christ would. These new ads just seem a little more (maybe too much) focused on us rather than on our message and Christ. Oh well.

Haven't seen the new ads but i liked the old ones. I catch an ad ever now and again with some short message followed by something like "Fairness, pass it on" and keep waiting for the "Brought to you buy the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints." but it doesn't come.

[Guest mormonmusic]

It bothers me, but I consider if the price of being a Mormon.

[carlimac]

It bothers me, but I consider if the price of being a Mormon.

I guess you're right. That makes me smile.

[Honor]

It's been pretty easy for me most of my life to be a member of the church and not be ridiculed or "persecuted". It's been pretty easy to just go about my life and not really worry about how it fits in with the general population, though I suspect that as we progress farther into the latter days the gap between the Lord's people and the rest of the world will only grow wider. Probably less of a gray area socially and more of a requirement to make a stand or just stand by.

[pam]

Honor I agree. I also think that if we allow a few ads that showcase Mormonism affect us so deeply now, I'd hate to think how people will feel as the last days get closer and closer. Our perceived and real persecution now will be a drop in the bucket of what we will have to endure as time goes on.

We have been challenged to use the internet and other media to further the gospel. That also means the internet/media will bring out the negative comments as well. We have to stand as a people above these and continue to do what we have been challenged to do.

Edited August 14, 2010 by pam

[Matthew0059]

carlimac-

I'm glad to see that you seem to have come to terms with everything (judging by your last few posts). I agree with what's been said. When I first started investigating the Church for myself I read the anti-Mormon stuff- it's evil. Stay away from it. Remember that in Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life, those who stayed at the Tree and abided in its joy were those who didn't heed the detractors in the great and spacious building. Persecution will intensify over the coming years- learn how to rely on CHRIST when you approach something attacking the Church. The LORD will always provide means of escape- look for them and be willing to use them.

[carlimac]

Honor I agree. I also think that if we allow a few ads that showcase Mormonism affect us so deeply now, I'd hate to think how people will feel as the last days get closer and closer. Our perceived and real persecution now will be a drop in the bucket of what we will have to endure as time goes on.

We have been challenged to use the internet and other media to further the gospel. That also means the internet/media will bring out the negative comments as well. We have to stand as a people above these and continue to do what we have been challenged to do.

It's not the ads that bother me. I watched a couple of them online and they are OK. It's the language used to describe church members in the comments that gets to me now and then. I've read comments on the whole Prop 8 whoop-dee doo and lots of other topics on KSL.com or Desnews.com and what people say against the church is tame compared to some of the national media sources. The one I was looking at was salon.com. I guess church sponsered media is going to edit and censor comments more than the national sites or SLtrib.com. does. Those get pretty nasty, too.

I can rise above this. More than anything it just makes me sad that there is such a coarse element of naysayers are out there. I pity them. They are so off base and so negative toward something that could bring them the most joy.

[pam]

First of all, I'm not sure why the Church feels the need to put these ads on TV. Really, if we're doing the Lord's work and living the Gospel, why do we care if we make a good impression or not? It's almost embarrassing to me that we're so caught up in our public image. But aside from that, hopefully, the truly elect and pure of heart will be touched by the spirit when they hear the Gospel (whether or not they have seen the ads). Some have conjectured that the ads are priming the public for Mitt Romneys potential run again in 2012. The Church publicity team denies this. Who knows?

It's not the ads that bother me.

I guess I'm just a little confused. In your OP you appear to be against the ads and wonder why the Church puts them out. Now you state it's only the comments and not the ads themselves.

[carlimac]

I guess I'm just a little confused. In your OP you appear to be against the ads and wonder why the Church puts them out. Now you state it's only the comments and not the ads themselves.

Two separate issues that I'm trying to address in my true-to-form confusing stream of conciousness style of posting.

I'm not completely against the ads. They're really Ok and nicely done but I think the motive behind them will seem a little suspect to the world viewing them. Why does a church feel the need to identify itself in this way? What are they trying to sell us? What's the point? What's the message here? Why should we care if this cute surfer girl or funny artist mom is a Mormon? I think insiders (members of the Church and those well aquainted with us- some of my old Minnesota neighbors included) will recognize that the ads are simply trying to send the message that we're regular people and not fundamentalists or polygamists or gun-packing hoodlums ready to blast anyone crossing our paths like in the Mountain Meadow Massacre. And that's an OK message to send. It will probably be received pretty neutrally by most. Some may think, "Cool." Some may become educated. Some may even want to investigate the church because of it. But we already know from the feedback on lots of these websites that a large number of people think it's really strange to see this kind of ad on national TV. They think we're trying too hard. I think maybe we are trying too hard myself. I also wonder about a possible perceived message that we think we're "all that and more" and want the world to know it. I've never been one who feels comfortable tooting my own horn. I think we should be more focused on the message of the atonement and Christ than what public image we're putting across. JMO

I AM concerned about the really mean and nasty stuff people write about the church. Apparently they have done this for a long time and always will. I just think this particular way of trying to sell ourselves to the public (the ads) will only give the anti Mormon groups more ammunition and fodder for the criticism grist mill. If we're going to go so public with trying to paint our image, the antis will feel more emboldened to say whatever they think without filtering in public forums and settings. And that may cancel out a lot of the good these ads could do.

Edited August 14, 2010 by carlimac

[pam]

Your opinion is noted and I respect that. Even if I disagree. :)

We've been called a peculiar people. How many times have I heard that we are just Church going people who raise kids and bake bread and quilt? Mind you none of those things are bad or not worthwhile. In fact I highly admire those that are accomplished in these things. I think the ads show that Mormons can be every day people that have the same interests as others. Even interests that would be out of the norm for what people would normally think of as LDS interests.

Personally I can see a reasoning behind the ads. Take the skateboarder ad. Skateboarders are usually not seen in a good light. But here we have a guy that skateboards and is a Mormon to boot. Someone just might think, well if he can skateboard and be a Mormon, maybe the LDS Church isn't all that bad.

Stereotypes go both ways and I think it's brilliant to try and correct some of them.

[carlimac]

I think trying to correct them is always a good thing, too. It's just the method that makes me cringe a little. I'd be more comfortable with flyers or a carnival put on by the church where all the public is invited for free and everyone has a good time. I know in Minneapolis there is a clothing give away going on sponsered by the church. That seems a more genuine effort than buying advertising time on TV that everyone knows is exhorbitantly expensive and spotlighting a handful of members who may be typical Mormons ...or not.

Sadly, the commentors on media websites are more often than not really negative. It's the positive ones who rarely post anything which is too bad.

[pam]

Sadly, the commentors on media websites are more often than not really negative. It's the positive ones who rarely post anything. I think the negative is heavier than the positive

Which sadly is usually the case. I just can't worry about all of that. I always try to think of it as; if ONE person is touched by the ad or it sparks an interest then that's a good thing. Then perhaps that person gets another interested and pretty soon you have a domino effect.

We will never get rid of the negative comments.

[Suzie]

You are using technology, you are using the Media. What can you expect? You can only get two reactions: The positive ones and the negatives ones. The negatives ones WILL happen with or without the ads. The Church has experts on the field, they know exactly what they are doing and the whole purpose of the ads is to let people know that Mormons aren't only missionaries dressed in suits, moms with 10 children and all we do is go to Church and worship. The Church wants to let people know that our members can also be fun, exciting, intelligent and pretty much like your next door neighbor! That's the message they are trying to send.