Mormons and the Book of Mormon

[chaplin]

It seems that Mormons have been more present, nationally, recently, what with PBS airing a 4 hour documentary on the church and a Mormon running for the President of the United States.

What are your views on them, as a people, church, and culture, and also on the Book of Mormon as literature, religious text, and historical document?

[dan020350]

I read the whole book. Very interesting for those who love Jesus.

[kari]

I am mormon and didn't even know about that documentary being aired! I have to admit...I was very active in the church for 6 years, after converting. Then for the past year or so I have no attended...so maybe that is why I hadn't known about it.
kari

[Logos]

You can still watch the documentary online here :)
http://www.pbs.org/mormons/view/

[kari]

Did they actually interview the prophet?
kari

[kari]

I also wanted to add, for the original question...that you would be curious to know that there are some of the same stories (I know that "stories" isn't the right word...but with my 2 year old asking me the same question over and over again at the moment, after I already answered...my mind is blank on the more appropriate wording) in the Book of Mormon as there are in the Bible. I myself was very surprised to find that, when I started searching the Bible a bit more, and came across the stories taught from within the Book of Mormon. Hmm...maybe parables is what I was looking for!
kari

[Aunty-lion]

I am mormon and didn't even know about that documentary being aired! I have to admit...I was very active in the church for 6 years, after converting. Then for the past year or so I have no attended...so maybe that is why I hadn't known about it.
kari

Why have you not been attending Church? Are you still Mormon? I used to have a Mormon friend (at primary school) and she had to go to Church every week. What's the deal with that?

[Ryan_002]

Every Christian is supposed to go to church weekly actually.

"Remember to keep holy the Sabbath" is a doctrinal decree. Its just that smaller denominations tend to exhibit greater fervency in their faith, whereas with big denominations that have a large membership there are bound to be more people who ignore this bit. I'm Catholic and in our doctrine not going to church regularly is actually a very serious sin.

[Aunty-lion]

Every Christian is supposed to go to church weekly actually.

"Remember to keep holy the Sabbath" is a doctrinal decree. Its just that smaller denominations tend to exhibit greater fervency in their faith, whereas with big denominations that have a large membership there are bound to be more people who ignore this bit. I'm Catholic and in our doctrine not going to church regularly is actually a very serious sin.

Thanks Ryan, that's what I thought.
I wonder if maybe it's not such a big thing to some Mormons. Or maybe Kari is no longer Mormon????

[kari]

I haven't been to church basically for personal reasons. I joined the church at 21, and have since gotten married and had children...and see things with a different eye. Why your friend was made to attend church, sounds as if you might have to ask her parents that? There are many children growing up that are made to attend church. Even when I was young, I remember my mother always telling me.."God gives you everyday of the week, you can give Him one!" And I grew up attending a Baptist church.
Kari

[kari]

It is still a big thing to Mormons to attend church. Those that do not, are referred to as inactive members. Technically, I am a member because of the records and paperwork, I have been baptized, attended the Temple, and all of that. But I no longer attend regular church meetings, and haven't for the past year or so. I occationally still get a phone call, or a knock on my front door for invitations to certain activities, but other than a "hi" and "thanks" at those times, I don't really know anyone from there, and they don't really know me. We are also a military family, so it isn't like we were close friends with all of these people and got to know them, then just fell silent and disappeared. I only attended this ward for a couple of weeks really, and even while I was going, no one seemed to remember who I was. But, it isn't so important to me personally to attend anymore, because as I mentioned, I see things with a different eye now. But for many other members, it is still important to attend every week. If they do not, it takes away from their worthiness to attend the Temple.
Kari

[NikolaiI]

I think they're nice people.

B.t.w. I sort of remember you chaplin!