I've been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints my entire life. Technically you're not baptized until you're at least eight years old, but I was raised going to church every Sunday since I was a few weeks old. I have heard all sorts of strange things said about members, and I'm sure most folks with any ounce of common sense would immediately disregard the most bizarre tales.
My sister was asked once where her horns were, since all Mormons are apparently devilspawn. It kind of makes sense if these people believe Joseph Smith was really Satan, but then it breaks down when you consider that the devil does not have horns, cleft hooves for feet or glowing red skin. I'm sure that amuses him; but no, he resembles a man, the most subtle and beguiling of them. It's also interesting to me that people vehemently refuse to believe there is a God, but they don't ever talk about disbelieving a Satan figure. If you don't believe in one, you don't believe in the other, but nobody ever says so.
Another myth I've heard is that Mormons aren't allowed to dance. Well, apparently we are, since every fourteen year old in the church is issued a dance card and is encouraged to attend church sponsored dances. Now, members do dance differently, in that we believe in modesty and moderation in all things. This means at a church dance you won't (or shouldn't) find teenagers grinding their private parts together through their clothing to rap "music." Dance partners are also requested to dress modestly, keep a respectful distance between their bodies, and just get to know each other without any serious commitments.
Some people used to believe Mormons couldn't drink Coca-Cola because a Mormon owns Pepsi. To my knowledge, this is bogus. The reason we're not supposed to drink Coke OR Pepsi is because of the caffeine. Part of our religion includes keeping our bodies healthy and doing everything we can to maintain our agency. Addictive substances like caffeine, nicotine and other drugs reduce our ability to choose righteously and can significantly shorten one's lifespan. Living a good life is hard enough; we don't need drugs to make things more complicated. But you will not be kicked out of church for drinking a cola.
The whole polygamy issue is a thorny one; there was a brief period of time in our church history where the members did practice polygamy. What most people not of our faith don't understand is the principle of modern revelation. God is not dead, and He still speaks to us through His prophets and to us directly, for smaller, more personal problems: personal revelation. Polygamy is one of those things that we were later instructed was no longer necessary or correct anymore. Those who practice it now are in direct violation of our current prophet's commandments.
But I'm not sure what will happen to them in the next life. Personally, I believe we "get credit for trying," as one illiterate pirate said about reading the Bible, in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. It just depends on the intent in a person's heart when they were doing what they considered "right."
Women in the church are allowed to wear pants, and pretty much any other piece of modern clothing as long as it is modest. This means we avoid skin-tight, revealing clothing, and anything too low-cut. Skirts and shorts must reach to the knee, shoulder must be covered, and no bare-midriffs. We definitely do not have to wear ankle-length pioneer skirts all the time (thank goodness!)
Mormon families are also not required to be a minimum size of seven, or any other number. A family's size is strictly between the husband, wife and Heavenly Father. (This is another example where personal revelation comes into play.) The only thing the church says about family size is the guidance to only have as many children as can be properly cared for by the couple. I think this means emotionally and spiritually, not just physically. The church also says not to put off having a family, and that things like education and careers aren't a good enough reason to wait.
Personally, I think that's because it's too easy to get distracted by careers, and before you know it, you're too old to have kids or too set in your ways for it to be an easy adjustment. You have more time to talk yourself out of it. Really, the leaders of the church just want as many people exposed to the Gospel as possible, and the family unit is the best place to teach, learn and grow.
Well, I think that's enough debunking for now. Bedtime!
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