They are also good looking. It's like ugly people can't hack it, lol.

My exmo DH would likely fit the profile the OP described. Although he isn't perfect at home he is way less selfish, lazy, etc than I am and basically does way more without complaints. Not everyone in the church is nice. But young people are kind of forced to grow up quickly in some ways while maintaining innocence in others which is odd to me. He had a very different youth than I did, was thrown into a foreign country at a young age with the weight of the world (at the time, through his perceptions) on his shoulders. He faced pretty serious hardship was basically expected to work 24-7 with little contact with his family and home. In many ways I think that shaped who he is today. He is great at making small talk and making people feel at ease. He blends in easily with people of any social, economic, racial background. he definitely has "not nice" thoughts and things to say but the difference is he is more restrained and better at not showing it than a lot of people. He seemingly always knows the right things to say.

This could just be his natural personality and is to some extent but I think definitely being dropped in a foreign country as a teenager and having to communicate with people helped shaped his skills in dealing with people. In pretty much all ways he's a much more competent person than me but he equally has less innocence and more innocence...it's weird and hard to explain.

That's one thing, the other is that even before that from a young age they are socialized this way and spend a lot of time at church, sitting still, following directions, etc. so those skills transfer over to school and the workplace as well. Again, not everyone, but a lot of people.

But behind closed doors Mormons have the same number of problems or more (I'm going to say more but no I can't back that up...so I guess just take your pick, it's as much or more) as anyone else.

I'm a mormon that hasn't posted yet. Just like any other groups, you'll find people on opposite spectrums. A blanket statement for all members just doesn't hold true. You may meet one that's shallow, rude, judgemental, etc., but there are just as many that aren't.
I do have to say that one reason LDS people may come across so nice is that we're taught from a young age that the people around us are watching us for our example, and may be interested in joining the church because of our behavior. I don't try and convert anyone or advertise my religion to those I meet unless they directly ask me. Living in the DC area and having primarily non-LDS friends, I know I'm the only mormon that many of my aquaintences know. I still am 'myself' and don't think I put on airs to tout my religion. I'm just myself, and who knows what they come post on dcum about me. I hope that I'm normal and kind enough to make up for the ones that give us a bad name.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for your valuable insight.

I'm really not sure what were you would have me say. This is obviously a can of worms, and I'm not even sure where to start. If you would like honest answers, I'm happy to have that discussion in and ask me anything thread, but most people here seem to feel that they know more about my religion then I do, so not sure anyone would actually be interested.

Well there are a lot of honest answers about LDS doctrine on this thread already. But if you think you can add more that is welcome.
As long as it's factual.

There are lots of people claiming to espouse facts that are in fact not accurate, or are partially accurate. I am happy to answer any questions. For context: I was raised in the LDS church, in Virginia. I am female, early 30's, single (never married, no kids, virgin), work as a nanny. I consider myself a feminist and political views range from liberal to libertarian. I like Bernie Sanders but think Hillary will actually get things done. I currently nanny for a gay couple.

I am fascinated by Mormon mommy bloggers and yes, my experience with Mormons over the years have been positive. My son has a good friend who is Mormon. A lot of his siblings/cousins go to the school too and I really am struck by how genuinely good natured the kids are.

I also think the Mormons set an example with how they treat those with disabilities. Any of God's children are valued and loved.Sadly in some churches and temples there are a lot of issues with inclusion.

As much as I like the parents of my child's BF, I would never get into a political discussion because via FB I know their views (a lot of which are rooted in the church) and we would clash. It's amazing that such kind people could be so anti-gay and anti lots of things that are looked at as progress (gay marriage, women rising in the workplace)

I too am familiar with what has gone on at BYU with rape charges and it's so backward and frightening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for your valuable insight.

I'm really not sure what were you would have me say. This is obviously a can of worms, and I'm not even sure where to start. If you would like honest answers, I'm happy to have that discussion in and ask me anything thread, but most people here seem to feel that they know more about my religion then I do, so not sure anyone would actually be interested.

Well there are a lot of honest answers about LDS doctrine on this thread already. But if you think you can add more that is welcome.
As long as it's factual.

I don't think you understand that we did everything together all the time. I was really under the impression we were BFF. Mormons are very tight. Another Mormon is automatically a friend and a non- Mormon never is. It just never dawned on me until that moment. It was like being the token "other" in a group. She was assigned people all the time but I never realized how much was expected of her until that instance. It just really highlighted how their lives and interactions were dictated. Yes they are that nice but I think it is a heavy burden.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for your valuable insight.

I'm really not sure what were you would have me say. This is obviously a can of worms, and I'm not even sure where to start. If you would like honest answers, I'm happy to have that discussion in and ask me anything thread, but most people here seem to feel that they know more about my religion then I do, so not sure anyone would actually be interested.

Anonymous wrote:Is it offensive to call someone your neighbor instead of your friend? I have neighbors that are my friends but I'm not sure I'd be bothered to be introduced one way or another.

Yes. That seems like a really weird thing to be offended by. It is relevant that you are her neighbor because it gives context for how you know one another. She was just being nice by introducing this new woman as her friend, and using it as an honorary title for someone who obviously doesn't have many friends in the area yet. You can be her neighbor and also her friend, but neighbor is more descriptive in that context.

Is it offensive to call someone your neighbor instead of your friend? I have neighbors that are my friends but I'm not sure I'd be bothered to be introduced one way or another.

I had a Mormon neighbor that I knew very well for five years. Our child was the same age as the eldest of six kids and the mom and I hung out all the time. I began to question our relationship when she introduced me to her friend; as her neighbor, but the other as her friend. I asked her how long she had known the friend and she replied one day. The church assigned her friend to her as a new transplant to our area. So I was only a neighbor after 5 years of daily interaction and association, but the new Mormon was a friend after a single day. Yes; my neighbor was a lovely person and I was quite sad to realize that I would never be her friend.

Yes, most Mormons are unfailingly nice.

But if you are annoyed by the missionaries knocking on your door and want to have a little fun with them, read Jon Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven." He exposes the religion for the cult it really is.

Joseph Smith was a real piece of work.

Trivia question: what was his occupation before the angel Moroni showed him where the golden bible was buried and how was he able to read it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've only known 3 Mormons closely enough to observe their personalities over time.

1) Married man in his 40's who hit on me incessantly when I was 22 and working my first job out of college.

2) A fellow teacher who was one of the kindest people I have ever met.

3) A fellow teacher who was bitchy and rigid and very hard to work with.

Given that, I have to conclude that Mormons are humans and have varied personalities and levels of morality like the rest of us.

I do agree that the Mormons I have met, but haven't gotten to know, have been universally polite. They are good at things like please and thank you and holding the door. They remind me of many military families in that respect. I think that politeness is great, but there are other things I value more highly.

You win the thread. I too have met hardworking Mormons and lazy Mormons, Mormons who believed they deserved special treatment and Mormons who did not, Mormons who I trusted and Mormons I hated. Conclusion: They're definitely humans.

It's entirely likely most people have met Mormons and haven't even known the person was a Mormon.

I'm the top PP, and I agree 100%. I am sure I have met lots of Mormons I didn't know were Mormons. I mentioned the 3 I knew well enough to judge their character. All I can say is that they were varied.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mormonism is not Christian. Its roots lie in Christianity but saying that Mormons are Christian is like saying Christians are Jews.

A couple of Mormons over the years have told me that, "We think we are Jews." I'm not sure how that works. Some sort of lost tribe that wound up in North America or some such nonsense.

you win the award for the most ignorant and downright stupid and uninformed post on this thread. Congrats.

Actually Mormons believe they are a tribe of Israelites who came to North America and fought holy wars with Native Americans.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamanite

And that relates to them being or not being Christian how exactly?

Here's a very short explanation for that though -
http://magazine.biola.edu/article/12-summer/what-are-the-key-differences-between-mormonism-and/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mormonism is not Christian. Its roots lie in Christianity but saying that Mormons are Christian is like saying Christians are Jews.

A couple of Mormons over the years have told me that, "We think we are Jews." I'm not sure how that works. Some sort of lost tribe that wound up in North America or some such nonsense.

you win the award for the most ignorant and downright stupid and uninformed post on this thread. Congrats.

Actually Mormons believe they are a tribe of Israelites who came to North America and fought holy wars with Native Americans.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamanite

And that relates to them being or not being Christian how exactly?

This is in response to the "lost tribe" comment. Mormons do not believe they are Jewish, the do believe they are Israelites.