we have enough mormon haters on this website. find something else to whine about.

Mormons are told from the moment of birth... They hold the Keys of salvation. When a LDS boy is 16, he becomes a priest (Aaronic priesthood). When he is in his 19th year, he becomes a Melchizedek priest. They have there signs, secret names and hand shakes. Everything is centered around how special they are. That they are the chosen new Jerusalem. And yes, this breeds intense arrogance on their part.

Chad1983 wrote: I don't hate them. I pity them. They deserve it. Should I feel bad about trying to point out how Mormons are a cult? Why don't mormons just admit that their faith is a corporation with a religious belief structure? No offense to mormons. But if your out there, why don't you? Are you brainwashed into believing the corporate rhetoric is reality? I just like to let them know, I know what they are and this whole you have to respect them to speak to them thing is very childish. Who is the one that is being egotistical here? Who is the one that is acting like they are better than everyone else? Maybe you should try taking a look in the mirror before you start leveling accusations.

Well I don't like the way that the question is worded because it's judgmental and preachy . . . However, it's a valid question since it's a known phenomenon. I think that what you're referred to is known as "Mormon Arrogance" in Mormon Studies circles - not to be mistaken with "Fundamentalist Arrogance", "Catholic Arrogance", "Scientologist Arrogance", "Atheist Arrogance", "Republican Arrogance" or "Democrat Arrogance". The bottom line is all groups carry some degree of arrogance. However, Mormon Arrogance has a few interesting twists that are noteworthy. As ExMormon Rocky Hulse (no relation to the "Rockie" that frequents the Mormon section of AB of course) notes: "The common denominators when dealing with Mormons on blogs or emails discussing their doctrines are arrogance and sarcasm. When trying to answer questions and hold an honest dialogue, you can be sure that the "Ad Hominem" attacks will be coming shortly. It's sad really. If one has evidence, then present it; if one has facts, bring them forth; if one has a logical, reasonable argument, then proclaim it. If one has nothing, then [don't] attack a persons character." http://mormonhomeevening.blogspot.com/2007/04/dealing-with-mormon-arrogancesarcasm-on.html And I just love this line from Robert Millet's Fireside Chat to a bunch of future LdS Missionaries who are all of 18 or 19-years old: "As Latter-day Saints you already know more about God, and Christ, and the Plan of the Gospel than those who will attack you. Take my word for that, you already know more than the attackers." http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1kt8h_robert-milletshort-version_news So like me get this straight . . . a bunch of 19-year old kids with NO exposure to anything but LdS Theology and no "real world" experience, ". . . already know more . . . " Say what? How the heck does THAT work exactly? If THAT's not arrogant I don't know what is! But it's been said that Robert Millet is the Poster Boy for Mormon Arrogance so I suppose when you consider the source it's hardly surprising (actually my vote is for Blake Ostler - but since he's already the Poster Boy for bad hair pieces he couldn't assume the "honor") However, Millet's comments really get to the core of Mormon Arrogance (and perhaps ALL arrogance) which is, "By virtue of the fact that I am in this group I have the truth and you don't!" Plus it doesn't help when the founding vision and "mission statement" for your world view begins with: "My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)--and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." He again forbade me to join with any of them..." (From Joseph Smith's 1838 "First Vision" account) http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,104-1-3-4,00.html Of Joseph Smiths' founding "First Vision" President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “This glorious First Vision . . . was the parting of the curtain to open this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. Nothing on which we base our doctrine, nothing we teach, nothing we live by is of greater importance than this initial declaration." (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, pp. 90–91; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, p. 71) Thus the very foundation of Mormonism is arrogance based. So in the end are some Mormons Arrogant? Sure - but they're certainly far from alone.

It's hard not to come across that way when we proclaim that our church is the only true church on the earth. Even though I would never say "Your church is wrong", I indirectly say it when I proclaim "My church is the only right one". I understand that. I also will not pretend that we as Mormons never come across as arrogant and condescending. However, we're counseled by our leaders not to be this way, and since we're imperfect, sometimes we just are that way. Oftentimes we need to do better. Like others have mentioned, however, we're *all* guilty of this at times. We all like to think that we're correct--whether it involves politics, religion, sports, etc. The key is to practice the Golden Rule at all times. The other key is to forgive quickly when you feel someone has taken an arrogant, condescending tone. I admit it is hard to do sometimes.

Why are you so obsessed with Mormons?

We have a better guide. But there is nothing elitist about that. We are more than willing to share it with all comers. . I have the feeling though, that your complaint actually rises from the fact that you can't talk them out of their choices.

They act like they're better because they think they are God's "chosen" saints of Daniel. They are "lawless" in many aspects of their quest to "rule the world forever" because they believe "all their lawless deeds will be forgiven". They believe , as Daniel says, the Most High raises up anyone He wishes to, even the worst of men. And since they believe "they" are the ones to be "raised up over us", they can be as bad as they need to be. I don't say the unthinking members are aware of this. Just those who are involved in the "planning (and execution(s)." The "unthinking members" follow their dictatorial leaders" allowing them to do all the thinking. They give up all responsibility for their complicity in this agenda- to their leaders, believing they will escape punishment, even if their leaders are wrong. My only hope, for the rest of humanity, is, that this is the "strong delusion" that would be sent for those who want to be evil, and this is part of the "separation of the wheat and the tares."

They act like they're better because they think they are God's "chosen" saints of Daniel. They are "lawless" in many aspects of their quest to "rule the world forever" because they believe "all their lawless deeds will be forgiven". They believe , as Daniel says, the Most High raises up anyone He wishes to, even the worst of men. And since they believe "they" are the ones to be "raised up over us", they can be as bad as they need to be. I don't say the unthinking members are aware of this. Just those who are involved in the "planning (and execution(s)." The "unthinking members" follow their dictatorial leaders" allowing them to do all the thinking. They give up all responsibility for their complicity in this agenda- to their leaders, believing they will escape punishment, even if their leaders are wrong. My only hope, for the rest of humanity, is, that this is the "strong delusion" that would be sent for those who want to be evil, and this is part of the "separation of the wheat and the tares."

They don't realize how they come off to the rest of us, or more likely they just don't care. They KNOW they are right, and wanting to be Christ-like they want to help everyone see the same truth they see. As much as I disagree with their religion, I must say I admire that quality. Anyone who wholeheartely believes in their religion SHOULD try to save those around them. According to the Bible all Christians should be doing the same.