As a child, I didn’t think there was anything unusual about my religion and never thought much about the differences in belief until this kid told me he wasn’t allowed to play with Mormons. I wasn’t too heartbroken over it because this was the kid who got sick in front of everyone while waiting in line after recess and did something I won’t repeat here. But still, I was a little confused as to why anyone wouldn’t be allowed to play with a Mormon. We were taught good values like being honest, kind, patient, giving, and many other things I considered important qualities in good friends.
In junior high, the level of animosity increased and then peaked when I was in high school. I didn’t understand why it concerned my friends so much that I was Mormon when I also believed in Jesus Christ, in keeping the commandments, in the power of prayer, The Bible, in miracles, and many other things. I was frequently told I was going to Hell and was handed anti-Mormon literature from one kid’s church. I couldn’t imagine my church spreading a bunch of misinformation about other churches.
As frustrating as those experiences were at times, there were those moments I had a great laugh! The accusations were so funny, I couldn’t help it, especially when they were stated with such conviction.
A friend’s sister was under the impression that Mormons in my area had to be baptized in Lake Washington. That’s not true. Our church buildings called Stake Centers have baptismal fonts.
Twice (thank goodness only twice) I heard that we are not allowed to change our underwear. Not only was this hilarious to me, it just defies logic. I was shocked when a close friend said someone at her church told her the same. When she asked me, I said, “Come on, think about it. If I weren’t allowed to change my underwear, don’t you think you would know it?” She looked rather sheepish and said, “Yeah, I figured.” Hopefully she set them straight.
Another myth I heard was that we can’t drink pop, but I appreciated that one because my friend was trying to be thoughtful at the moment, considering what I might drink instead. You know, it would probably be a good idea not to drink pop since it has no nutritional value.
I have had so many Mormons tell me that they have met people who truly believe we have horns on our heads. This I am skeptical about because I have never had a person say that to my face, only to the faces of people I know. How could a person really believe that?
Some rumors were started by silly ex-Mormons. For instance, that we consumate our marriages in the temple. Also, that virgins were sacrificed in the Salt Lake temple and that one escaped by jumping off the top into the lake. It’s miles away from the temple, so that’s pretty impressive.
I love being a Mormon - not only because I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but because I also love the little perks, like hearing the funniest myths ever.
What funny myths have you heard? Or perhaps you are a member of another faith. Please, feel free to share the myths you’ve heard about yours.
11 Responses
-Mormons wear magic glasses
-Something about Jello
Im sure there is more, but I keep forgetting
Posted on March 9th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
A friend became concened about me when I told her I was getting married. She ‘warned’ me not to go to the temple or she would never see me again. I couldn’t unerstand why being sealed in the temple meant I could never see my non-member friend again until it became clear to me that she thoght I would be ‘sealed in’ !
Another good one was the idea told to me by a worried mother when we were teaching her investigator daughter here in England. She was strongly against her daughter going on a church trip to visit some historical sites as it included Liverpool docks where the emmigrant ships left from. She had been told we had a tunnel from Liverpool under the Ocean which came up in Salt Lake City!
Posted on March 10th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
When I was a kid a friend of mine thought that we had “magical underwear”
I also enjoyed the one were I was told I wasn’t Mormon because Mormons do not sing
Mormon Tabernacle choir-Professional humming.
In another country they think we can only wear black. So a friend of mine got a foreign exchange student from there and she only brought black clothes. My friend laughed and bought her a new wardrobe.
Posted on April 30th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
somebody once asked me if we were allowed to eat pickles! haha i said to them… Yeah! i love pickles!!!
Posted on May 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
um i heard read on some mormon myth website that some people think that in seminary we dance around a bonfire singing sad ballads. it was the craziest thing ive ever heard.
Posted on April 29th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
someone told me i was a satanist because i believed that “Jesus lives on the sun with forty virgins”
i laughed and told him no, that was the craziest thing i had ever heard.
Posted on February 3rd, 2011 at 10:24 pm
I remember in Junior High, a boy came up to me and my best friend (whis also mormon) and said “wait, didnt your leader like get revelation and how to be mormon form a salamander that came and spoke to him?” i have actually heard of the whole salamander letter thing, however, that is just about the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard
Posted on March 28th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
I was once asked by my church leaders to participate in a community Christmas pageant. I agreed and went to the Episcopal Chapel for the first practice. I was introduced as the mormon and then was bombarded with questions, the first question being, Is it true I can’t eat chocolate covered raisins? I told them that it was mostly definitely not true. No man would ever take chocolate from a woman. (AND SURVIVE!) Needless to say, we all had a great experience together from then on out.
Yesterday, my boyfriend told me he heard that Mormons aren’t aloud to dance. I told him “Yes, mormons are aloud to dance, although some of us …it may not be pleasant to watch…hehehe.
Posted on May 21st, 2011 at 7:25 am
Some kid came up to me and asked if i worshiped cabbage. I told him “Only on tuesdays and thursdays ” and he believed me. I had to chase him down after school to tell him I was joking. hahha
Posted on August 18th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
I am a non-Mormon with Mormon family and Mormon friends. One friend, a jack Mormon told me she almost fell out of her chair when someone said to her, “Ummm, I hate to ask this, but is it true that you do a special dance with salt and pepper shakers?” She assured them that wasn’t true.
Posted on August 31st, 2011 at 9:16 pm
I really hate the polygamy one. My friends are constantly asking me questions like whether or not we are CHristian. I always reply with “No. Our name just says ‘church of Jesus Christ of latterday saints’ because we liked it.” I love answering questions like “do you believe in a god?” or “do you celebrate your birthday?” They are pointless.
Posted on December 13th, 2011 at 11:55 am
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