alright guys. time to listen up.
I was born in Utah, and been raised a Mormon. No I don't believe some of the bullshit but a lot of it is whatever. No we don't believe in no kissing until your 16, and no caffeine. I drink monsters and mountain dew constantly. There are some Mormons (super Mormons) that follow the laws and "suggestions" down the the very last punctuation so they don't go to hell. I normally don't associate with them.
Before this discussion goes any further, I want to clear stuff up so you don't look ignorant.
Polygamy: yes we did it. It was supposedly God's will so the first Mormons could have more Mormons, because there obviously wasn't enough. We do not believe in polygamy anymore. The only sect that practices it that are sometimes confused with Mormons are the FLDS (fundamental latter day saints) Their basically a bunch of people who didn't like all the rules so made there own religion and call themselves Mormons. They are the ones behind molesting children and the Texas incident.
No sex til married: most religions believe this I believe?
can't kiss until 16: we are ADVISED not to date/kiss until 16 and ADVISED to double date until we are 18. Why? I'm not so sure. If I was going to do anything with another girl, it is more then likely going to happen when I am older. Not when I'm 14.
No caffeine:
[QUOTE="Wiki: Word of Wisdom]A longstanding issue among members of the church is whether it is permissible to ingest drinks containing caffeine that are not coffee or tea. In 1918, Frederick J. Pack, a Latter-day Saint professor at the University of Utah, published an article in an official church magazine in which he reasoned that because Coca-Cola contained caffeine, which is also present in tea and coffee, Latter-day Saints should abstain from Coca-Cola in the same way that they abstain from the Word of Wisdom "hot drinks".[35] Since Pack's article, many Latter-day Saints have come to believe that the reason tea and coffee are proscribed is the presence of caffeine in the drinks. However, the church has never stated that this is the reason for the prohibition.
The church has no official stance on the consumption of caffeinated beverages and the consumption of such does not constitute a violation of the Word of Wisdom. However, a number of church leaders have discouraged the use of such products.[/QUOTE]
No consumption of hot drinks: This means coffee and tea, not stuff like hot chocolate. It doesn't really matter to me because I hate coffee. Tea's not so bad but I prefer soda. The reason being is that straight up it's not good for you. Modern studies have shown that coffee is bad for your skin and teeth, and tea contains a bunch of chemicals that aren't good for you. If you think it's bullshit read this:
A 14-year selective study conducted by UCLA epidemiologist James E. Enstrom tracked the health of 10,000 moderately active LDS people in California and ended in 1987. Of these non-smoking, monogamous non-drinkers, Enstrom concluded from the study "that LDS Church members who follow religious mandates barring smoking and drinking have one of the lowest death rates from cancer and cardiovascular diseases—about half that of the general population. ... Moreover, the healthiest LDS Church members enjoy a life expectancy eight to eleven years longer than that of the general white population in the United States."
So it looks like it works?
And that about sums it up. We believe in the Bible fully, and the Book of Mormon. The BOM doesn't contradict in the Bible, and in some places it fills in gaps. Yes missionary's can get annoying. How would you act if you couldn't even hug a girl of watch anything or listen to music for 2 years. BTW, going on a mission is suggested, not required.
Now debate away, just don't look like an idiot. Any questions, just ask.