spudnik

Neither the Bible or the Book of Mormon can be considered "more important." I think we emphasize the Book of Mormon more because it is new scripture (relatively speaking) and people are less familiar with it (that includes Mormons too). However, I can't imagine my religion functioning or even existing without the Bible. Its essential in teaching us about God and about the life and teachings of Christ. The Book of Mormon and Bible are complementary and work together to create a stronger witness of Jesus Christ. I'm kind of confused about Mormonism and christian being different religions though. From my point of view, practicing my religion is practicing Christianity. I'm not choosing to be one or the other (or both) because they are the same to me.

Hi, actual Mormon here. First off, this may seem a little nit-picky but in the context of this thread I think its important - the official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I think in a discussion of definitions of christian, it seems a little suspect when you drop the "Jesus Christ" from the name (especially when you are arguing that we aren't christian). I don't mind references to "LDS" or "Mormon" (because people widely recognize those terms) but "Church of Latter Day Saints" can be confusing as to who you are referring to. Second, to clear up any confusion - we do believe in the Bible. We use the King James version. Our Sunday School course for this entire year is the Old Testament. I went to BYU and took religion courses in the Old and New Testament as well (they were actually required to graduate). Third, you basically have baptism for the dead correct. It is done by proxy in dedicated temples. God requires certain ordinances to be performed in order for one to progress. However, not everyone gets to receive the necessary ordinances in this life so God has made it possible for them to receive it in the next. However, I know lots of people have problems with baptisms for the dead. Just so you know, for recently deceased (by that I believe its actually several generations) its required that you receive the permission of living relatives. Also, those we do perform ordinances for are not listed on any membership records. We simply record what ordinance work has been done so it isn't duplicated. Finally, God has given us all free agency (free choice, free will, whatever you want to call it) and that is not taken away after we die. It is still up to the spirit of the deceased to decide if they want to accept the ordinance we performed in their behalf. Finally, I appreciate the plug for actually reading the Book of Mormon before dismissing/pass judgment. It seems most people I have met object to the mere existence of it, rather than its actual content. Its the most literal (and most repeated) case I have ever encountered of judging a book by its cover. I appreciate honest questions and curiosity and will do my best to answer them or at least direct anyone to resources that may be helpful. There's a lot of misinformation and simple lack of knowledge about what I believe and its great to be able to help foster new understanding.

You can see an example of the 2010 Census form here: http://www.census.gov/schools/pdf/2010form_info.pdf. Remember that the Census is required by the Constitution. Not only is it used to dole out federal, state and local funds, representation in the House is determined by the Census (and in case you think it won't matter if you don't respond, Utah missed gaining an additional seat in 2000 by 857 people). The long form will no longer be administered because the Census Bureau now administers the American Community Survey once every 2 years. This is basically the old long form and they are doing this because demographics now change so quickly that data gathered from a decennial census would be useless in only a couple years. And, as I am a current census worker, please don't be "clever" or make a "statement" with your census form. Like other people have mentioned, it will only cause problems for everyone and if too many people do it, the Census will go back to your home to contact you to correct your form which only costs the government (and therefore the rest of us) more money. Just fill it out properly and send it back in, its not that hard.

Please don't forget that there is an actual Mormon among you. You can always ask him. But it also seems to me that there might be some simple ignorance on what my religion believes. You can go to http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/ to read up on the basics of my religion or you can just ask (if you have questions that go beyond "the basics"). But for future reference, here is what we call the Articles of Faith. These are considered to be basic doctrines of the church. 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. 3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth. 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (Background - these were written by Joseph Smith as part of a letter in 1842 to John Wentworth who was editor of the Chicago Democrat)

As an actual and active member of the LDS faith, I feel the need (although reluctantly) to chime in. First of all, let me say, that I was a missionary for two years. The arguments and quotes I am seeing here are the exact same ones I heard for those two years. In my experience, these were used by people who were either looking for a theological fight or simply hoping to make me look stupid. This is why I am reluctant to write this because it is highly reminiscent of those circumstances. I know how I, as a missionary, used to respond to these arguments so if you would really like me to, I can try and respond to the points mentioned. However, a couple of the doctrines I've seen discussed are very obscure and abstract and are rarely, if ever, mentioned in weekly Sunday School or other instruction at church. I am also concerned about the sources being cited regarding my faith. Quotations from church leaders and other sources (including the scriptures) are often taken out of context or altered in some manner (trust me, I have seen quotes from speeches and articles not more than 3 years old that have been cleverly tweaked). Also, some of the sources linked to in this thread are to groups or sites that have adversarial positions towards my faith and as a result may not be presenting with accuracy or fairness. Has anyone thought to check the church's official website at www.lds.org? Please consider it as an additional and balancing source. But overall my main concern is that it appears to me that obscure doctrines are being cited as reasons why I am disqualified (for lack of a better term) from being considered a Christian. I am willing to try to provide answers to honest questions people have (and who are open to the answers) but at the moment I don't want to engage in what in my experience is a classic set-up for what we called "bashing." I also hope I didn't offend anyone either as that was not my intent. And for the record - I consider myself a Christian (definitely not mainstream or traditional, but a Christian nonetheless) because I believe in Christ and that through his sacrifice and by following his example and commandments I can gain salvation.

The University of Utah is a state (and therefore public) university. The article is not entirely accurate either - the court case was concerning a state (public) university and the ruling applies only to the universities under state control. Private colleges in Utah, such as BYU, still have bans on firearms. From the Utah State Code: 53B-3-103 Power of board to adopt rules and enact regulations. (1) The board may enact regulations governing the conduct of university and college students, faculty, and employees. (2) (a) The board may: (i) enact and authorize higher education institutions to enact traffic, parking, and related regulations governing all individuals on campuses and other facilities owned or controlled by the institutions or the board; and (ii) acknowledging that the Legislature has the authority to regulate, by law, firearms at higher education institutions: (A) authorize higher education institutions to establish no more than one secure area at each institution as a hearing room as prescribed in Section 76-8-311.1, but not otherwise restrict the lawful possession or carrying of firearms; The problem with the university banning (or regulating, if you will) firearms is that it is not within their authority to do so. Only the legislature has that authority. I am currently a student at the University of Utah and I have no problems with the concealed-carry rule. I know most people aren't carrying weapons any way and if they are they are completely within their right to do so (as long as they are doing so legally).