Let's Really Talk About Mormons

okay, I admit it...I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints..(aka Mormon) I don't claim to be a good Mormon. I struggle. I have doubts, but I love what I DO believe. I don't advertise it. I don't really do missionary work. I don't really like going to church..but those are my issues, and I have to deal with them, they have nothing to do with the gospel of the church.


Lately there have been conversations about Mormons. It's about time. These discussions are important, these discussions will allow people to gain at least some understanding of this "Lifestyle of a Religion"
It is a lifestyle. When you are LDS you have a way of life that for some, seems bizarre. You choose to live a life that looks at Eternity. Families are forever. Marriage doesn't end at death. You have eternal goals. I love that. I love knowing that I will be with my family forever.


There are many different "TYPES" of LDS people.


1. True Latter Day Saints. These are amazing people, and sadly are hard to find sometimes. It's a hard thing to be. I know a few and I adore them. They make me want to be a better person. These people know what they believe. They don't judge those who think or act different from them. They know that the Church extends beyond Utah. They struggle like everyone else, but they keep the faith. They know that there is truth to what they believe. I love these type of Mormons. They make my heart happy when I talk to them.


2. Latter Day Saints. They are very similar to the "TRUE LDS' The only difference is, they close their eyes to different beliefs. I don't mind these people. If they are happy..I am happy for them.


3. Mormons.I don't know how to explain them. They're good people. They try to live the way they're supposed to. They struggle. They like caffeine, and they drink it even though they're not supposed to. They do things that they're not supposed to, but they constantly try to do better. I really like these people. They are amazing to me. I know many many many "Mormons" and I thank God every day for them.


4. Utah Mormons. Please do not take offence if you are in Utah..I am NOT necessarily talking about you. Utah Mormons are pretty awesome. Most have never been east of Colorado. They can live in Idaho, Nevada, even California. They live in areas where the majority of people are Mormon. They don't really have to defend their lifestyle, because most of their friends share it. They have gone to Seminary right across the street form their school and usually get high school credit for it (It may have changed since I went to seminary, but you get the point) The kids go to school with a majority of kids who go to church with them. They are a difficult breed of Mormon because they haven't really had to test their beliefs. I don't mind Utah Mormons. They are generally good people..just a little naive at times


5. Jack Mormons. We all know these. They party hardy during the week, but on Sunday they go to church and pretend that they are "True Latterday Saints." These people make me laugh. They really aren't hiding anything. We all know what they do. I tend to ignore what they preach to me. For instance, I had a "JM" preach to my husband on how to be a good father, a good soul mate...this man was having an affair. I have had many preach to me on how to be a better Mormon while at the same time gossiping about others. I don't like when the Jack Mormons make the news..it's just bad.


6. Struggling Mormons. I relate to these..in fact I am one of them. These Mormons love the gospel. They believe in most of the teachings, but have serious doubts about some of them. I love what I believe. I love what my parents instilled in me about the church, but I have issues. I will defend the Mormons, but my personal issues keep me from being a "True LDS." I accept that about me, and so do most of my family and friends who share my religion. Most struggling Mormons have more faith in people than they do the religion. I like the people in my group. We're not angry, we're just finding our own way.

This election coming up will bring the LDS faith to the front. Take time to learn about it. Don't judge it. Just learn. Read. You don't have to have missionaries come to your house. You don't have to start reading or listening to Glen Beck (in fact, I am begging you to NOT do that) We Mormons are everywhere. We're your neighbors. We work with you. We go to school with you. If you don't like one Mormon, meet another one. We're all different.