The thing I am disturbed about is their practice of not being inclusive. I dated a Mormon girl when I was a senior in high school; they really don't desire outside races. They learned I am half American Indian and asked me to go to another denomination.
The other thing I have wondered is why they decided to dress up like American Indians and slaughter a wagon train of non-Mormons who were going west during the expansion west. Those people, who were murdered, were merely doing as other Americans; they were looking for a better life and a place they could worship in peace.
genesisone312006-05-18T23:48:17Z
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You should be jumping up and down and thanking God for saving you from their lies and brainwashing!!! They are a cult and believe that lucifer and Jesus were brothers among other blasphemous things. Praise God! stay far away from them!
In 1850 civilized life as we know it was very rare. The Mormons that were traveling west were extremely agitated but so have other groups been who have escaped censorship. Their prophet was killed and they were forced to leave their nest. Friends broke with friends as some stayed in the mid-west and paranoia ran high. Possibly the group that was murdered was planning much worse once they reached the west. Life was full of dangers compared with today. Nonetheless the Mormons use the Indian Bible to make their church somewhat different from the other christian churches then and now.
First of all, I am very sorry that you think that Mormons discriminated against you. Although it is quite possible that some individuals who are members of our church are racist, the church as a whole has made it very clear that our church is for everyone. In fact, the president of our church gave an address on that very topic in the most recent General Conference in April. I beg you to look beyond this experience and realize that, just like in all churches, people in our church are not perfect and sometimes don't perfectly live the teachings of the church. There are actually many native American members of our church, and native Americans were some of the first people that missionaries from our church preached to years ago shortly after the organization of the church.
In fact, of all ethnic backgrounds, Mormons feel a special tie to people of native American descent because we know that native Americans are descendents of the people that the Book of Mormon is talking about. There are portions of the Book of Mormon that are addressed specifically to that people, and there are prophecies that this group of people will "blossom like a rose".
As far as the second part of your question, I assume you are referring to the event known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre. I have studied this event a little, although I don't claim to be an expert on Mormon history by any means. There were probably many factors that went into this event, but you should know that the killing that took place was not sanctioned by the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, Brigham Young, president of the Church, sent a messenger to try to stop it from happening when he heard about the people's plans, but it was just too late.
I hope I have addressed your concern about Mormons not being inclusive of other races. It is true that many times, Mormons can give the impression of not being inclusive of people of other faiths, as well. This is often just due to the fact that Mormons are very busy. Our church encourages us to have a weekly family night, and the church often organizes other activities for youth on weeknights as well. When kids have those activities plus homework to do and church on Sunday, they often don't have time for their friends. It's not intended to be exclusive, however.
I am also a mixed race LDS member. You are incorrect in your accusations against the church. The church is not racist/non-inclusive and will accept anyone who is interested in learning more about it. We have a world wide congregation of over 12 million members of all races in nearly every country of the world.
It is possible that there are some individual members that have certain racial tendencies. However, you can't judge the entire church by the actions of a few. The members are simply not perfect although most try very hard to follow Christ's teachings and example.
The incident to which you are referring is a sad event in church history, although it was not church sponsored. It was the actions of individual members. They didn't actually dress up like indians. They worked with the indians to attack the wagon train. While it does not excuse their actions, you must understand that the saints had been forced from their homes, by persecution or violence, in New York, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, etc. Members' homes and property were taken or destroyed. Members were tarred and feathered, falsely imprisoned and murdered. They were forced to flee to the Utah territory, outside of borders of the United States, in order to find peace because the governement wouldn't even help. Many members, men, women and children, lost their lives crossing the US, some on foot. While in Utah, the US army had come already once to subue them and then a new wagon train of people showed up outside one of their settlements. It is understandable, not excusable, that they were willing to fight to protect their lands, property and families when they thought that they might be in danger.
You have focused on one of the few instances of retaliation by church members but fail to criticize the many people that persecuted the church, including Governor Boggs of MO, who actually signed an extermination order, legalizing the murder of church members. You don't decry the burning of the LDS temple, the printing press, or documented murders of many church members, including Joseph Smith.
I am sorry that you feel that you were discriminated against. I feel confident that it was an isolated incident. I hope that this reply may help shed some insight on your question and comments. Fell free to contact me if you still have concerns.
Well I find their practice to be parallel to their beloved and spiritually lost founder Joseph Smith. He based his new church on a vision in which God and Jesus appeared to him and said all the present day christian churches are wrong in their teachings. He was a very intelligent man obviously to have the effect on so many people as to lead them so blindly but yet so strongly. He fails to recall Galatians 1: 6-9
6-I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7-Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8-But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9-As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.