Reader responses regarding "The Mormons" PBS series

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 3, 2007

The early leaders of the church, as well as those who lead today, were not and are not perfect individuals and some things in the past that were acceptable ideas were based on traditions. It's all they knew. Today we can see that things have changed so there is a sanitizing of our thoughts and actions needed if we are to function in today's world.

"Everything flows and nothing abides,

Everything gives way and nothing stays fixed"

Heraclitus

Thanks, -- Dean Allen, Ellensburg, WA

I was disappointed in some of the comments that were made because they were based on things that were not true; i.e., the church is rich and the leaders never tell the members how they spend the money. On the contrary; in general conference they give a full financial report. They consider the money donated by the members in tithing and fast offering as sacred money, and they use if for building temples, chapels, and church schools, as well as humanitarian efforts.

They spend billions of dollars on humanitarian aid throughout the world. Whenever there is a disaster, such as Katrina, the Mormons are on the scene -- ready to work -- long before anyone else. I know that was mentioned, for which I was grateful.

Some of the people who were interviewed were obviously bitter about different issues involving the LDS (NOT MORMON) Church. We are not Mormons. Mormon was a prophet in ancient America. And that was another thing that was mentioned. They said there was not proof of people populating the U.S. continent, but there are some ancient ruins in Central and So. America. They eventually migrate north, which is why there were Indians here when Columbus arrived.

I was disappointed with comments made about Elder Packer's BYU Devotional address in which he discussed the church's stand on gay & lesbian issues, as well as feminists and intellectualists. They said it was supposed to be a secret but somehow got out and into the media. Elder Packer was then interviewed, and about all he said was, "...I guess if it was in writing, I must have said it." He didn't go into much detail because church leaders are used to being misquoted. It isn't worth is for them to say much about it because people don't listen anyway.

And that reminds me about what they said about our temples. They are NOT secret, strange ceremonies, but what we do in the temple is very sacred to us. I don't like the way people make it sound ridiculous, because it is very sacred. When the Godmaker's movie was shown at other Christian churches, they made it look ridiculous; but the people who had been members and helped them produce the movie, later admitted they had lied. When people have a grudge, they often say things that aren't true.

The woman who talked about not being able to dress her sister for the funeral was not aware that a church member in good standing needs to be the one to dress men and women in their temple clothes for burial. She was upset about it, but should have realized temple clothes are also sacred to us, and should not be used by anyone not worthy of a temple recommend.