What happened:
I was at work and it was crazy busy. I work at a resort in the Phoenix area. It’s an older but nice place. My position is dishwasher. (At some point I will tell more about one of the most important positions in the kitchen but not now) Tonight I’m working in the ballroom kitchen. I had two temps working with me. The dishes, pots, pans and utensils were rolling in from at least two events. I was at this point doing two things: washing dishes and helping put way. (My hands got washed in between don’t worry.)
I was just putting away some odd ball plates that my help did not know where to put when I over heard one of the under chefs start-up a conversation about Mormons. How they own Coca-Cola and cant drink caffeine. How they have lots of wives and she does not know how they do it. She had a bunch of the staff around her at the time and they were laughing and joking about how stupid the Mormons are.
I am Mormon.
So I was not happy with the things they were saying. But how to say something and that might not start an argument in a busy kitchen and with me having no time to really stop. So as I was putting a pot away near them I spoke up. I picked the current subject they were on which was polygamy. I said that the polygamists were the extremists and that there were not that many in Utah. Just in certain areas. They did stop talking for the moment but went right back at it like I had not said anything after I moved on.
This whole event has been bothering me all night. I even trying to figure out a way to handle it in my dreams last night. It makes me angry when someone judges another’s faith with out trying to find out the facts first.
My religion may not be for you but it does not mean you have to make fun of it.
Go to any religion or for that matter any group of people who gather for any reason. Politics, volunteer groups, work, government, any organized group and you will find someone who is doing something wrong. It may or may not be on purpose. It could have just been an unwise decision. Or maybe it was done on purpose. No matter what the reason it will always reflect badly on the group they are associated with.
That does not mean the represent the whole group.
Just like not every Muslim is a terrorist. Not every mormon is a polygamist. My husband and I were never asked to “get another wife” when we joined the LDS Church. We have met a few polygamists when we were living in Utah. So yes they are there but not as many as some assume.
By the way we worship God and Jesus Christ not Mormon. Mormon was just one of the prophets in the scriptures that the LDS have. Yes the book was named after him but that is not who we worship. If you look at our Churches full name you will see it right there The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. It would be like calling everyone who reads the Bible: Bibles. I think that is a funny image don’t you? Yep, so and so is a Bible .. So that would mean Muslims are Korans? … though I guess Taoist are like Mormons as they are named after a book.
For those of you who are now stuck on the Coca-Cola thing and caffeine. As I know you are out there… I mean the caffeine is one of the things most people bring up and even I had to deal with it when I was looking to join the LDS.. also as far as I know they have investments in Pepsi but don’t own it.. though what does it matter if the Church is smart in investments? From what I understand they invested a long time ago. But there will be those who will still have issues with it as they sell things with caffeine in it. As for the Word of Wisdom. It just says not to drink Black Tea and Coffee. If you look at the time in history this was written it will have more meaning… Maybe some day I will go over it all in more depth but for now I will leave it at that. Though personally I find I do better not having any caffeine and try my best not to drink things with it… I don’t always manage to avoid it in sodas.(Though I’m trying to get off soda too… that sugar messes with me.)
Does that make me a bad person? No. It is something I have to work on. Mormons are not perfect people. Most of them will tell you that they are not perfect. We strive to better ourselves thru Christ and his teachings. We struggle like everyone else. But we do our best to do what is right… but there will always be those who don’t see it that way.
So back to the event that started all this and what might I do to change the minds of a few of my coworkers? Well when I see them again I’m going to talk to them. I want to let them know I’m a Mormon. We will see were things go from there.Hopfully we can find some understanding…
Baffled Dreamer 