What examples of prejudice and discrimination has the latter day saints experienced?

Answer 1

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) have experienced much prejudice and discrimination over the 180 years since their church was founded. In the 1800's, they were kicked out of several cities and states. They faced mob violence - homes were burned, property was stolen, and people were beaten or killed. Local governments also had sanctions against them, such as a "Mormon Extermination Order" in Missouri, which stated that the Mormons were to be driven from the state, by force if necessary. The church leaders faced nearly constant trouble, the Prophet Joseph Smith was taken from his home, beaten, and tarred and feathered. He was arrested on false charges and was eventually murdered, for which nobody was ever found guilty. Upon moving to Utah in 1847, the Mormons thought they had found peace, but the United States government was suspicious of them and sent military troops to keep an eye on them and monitor all their activities. Missionaries serving abroad continued to face trouble, usually just being mocked or chased out of town, but some were beaten or killed Books and pamphlets spreading crazy rumors about the Mormons (having horns, throwing women of the spires of the temple, kidnapping girls to be slaves, etc) were often believed because there was no way to verify if it was true or not, and some of these rumors persist today.

Today, the Mormons don't face such physical confrontation, but there is still much prejudice and discrimination against them. This is most often perpetuated by the media, which quite often spreads false information about Mormons or portrays the Mormons as a strange, secretive group rather than the regular open people that they are. There is also anti-Mormon activity, with churches being vandalized or burned, or meetings being picketed or surrounded by protesters. It is somewhat common for groups to go to highly Mormon areas in Utah distributing anti-Mormon pamphlets to Mormon members. Individual members often face mocking from others for their standards or doctrinal beliefs. I personally have been asked to leave (or not allowed to join) some Christian social groups once they discovered I was a Mormon, because they felt that I was not really a Christian. The internet has also served as a way for anti-Mormons to spread lies and misleading information about the church.

Check out the "Related Links" below for a few photos of modern discrimination against Mormons.

Answer 2

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) has experienced severe prejudice and persecution throughout it's 180+ year history.

On several occassions in the mid 1800's, Mormons were forced from their homes, robbed, beaten, tarred and feathered, and even killed. Their homes, farms, and buildings were burned to the ground. People just didn't want Mormons living in their town because they were considered to have strange beliefs. Newspapers and magizines spread crazy false rumors about them - things like Mormons growing horns, serving Satan, and kidnapping young girls to sell them into sex slavery. Early missionaries, especially in the Southern US, faced attacks from the KKK and were often beaten, robbed, and sometimes killed simply for walking through town. This is why they walked across the country to Utah, where they found they could practice their religion without threat of violence, excepting minor encounters with Native Americans. (Until the US Government sent the army to keep an eye on them). The US government even passed a few laws against them in the 1800's, seizing all their property and not allowing them to vote if they continued certain religious practices.

Now, the Mormons are not generally the victims of such physical violence, although there are a few reports every year of Mormons being beaten or killed because of their faith. Generally, they face negative or false reports in the news. Anti-Mormon groups spread lies and half-truths about them, mock practices they hold sacred, and picket their meetings. Mormon Churches, homes, and businesses are sometimes vandalized. Many people have false ideas or beliefs about Mormons and refuse to let a Mormon explain the truth to them. They are often held in suspicion simply because of their faith.

Check out the "Related Links" below to see examples of prejudice and persecution against Mormons.

Answer 3

Throughout their nearly 200 year history, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have experienced many examples of prejudice and discrimination. Here are some things that happened historically:

-Mormons were forbidden to vote or hold public office

-it was made legal to kill a Mormon in Missouri

-they were kicked out of Missouri and Illinois by order of the governor

-the Mormon leader (Joseph Smith) and his brother were murdered and nobody was ever brought to trial for their death

-Mormons were beaten, raped, tarred & feathered, robbed, had their homes and businesses pillaged or burned to the ground by armed mobs-blatant and ridiculous lies were published about them and newspapers refused to publish corrections

-the federal government refused to grant them any sort of protection when faced with the above

-the President of the United States ordered Mormon men to fight in the Mexican American War, although they were living as refugees from America in Mexico at the time.

-the president of the United States sent the army to stop a rumored "Mormon rebellion" that never happened, which caused many Mormons to miss a harvest season

-laws were enacted making some sacred and essential Mormon religious practices illegal

-all the property owned by the Mormon church was seized by the federal government until they agreed to change their religious practices

-women (who could vote in 1800's Utah) were denied the right to vote when Utah was made a state

-Mormons elected by their constituents to the US Senate were refused their seat

-In some places, Mormons had to hold their services and baptisms late at night to avoid being harassed

-many converts faced being disowned by their families for joining the church

The prejudice and discrimination faced by Mormons today almost seems petty:

-churches, temples, and homes of Mormons are sometimes vandalized, burglarized, victims of arson, or other hate crimes

-gay Mormons and gay-rights affirming Mormons have been denied places at LGBT parades and festivals because outsiders believe "Mormons are anti-gay"

-black Mormons are sometimes accused of denying their heritage and joining what some believe is a "racist" church

-the most popular Broadway musical of the past several years is touring the country mocking Mormon culture, beliefs, and practices

-Mormon women are told by outsiders that they are being oppressed, brainwashed, or abused simply because they choose a more traditional lifestyle

-Mormons are mocked both personally and in the media for both their conservative lifestyle and their sacred practices

-Mormon events, conferences, building dedications, etc are almost always subject to picketers and street preachers, often yelling that Mormons are going to hell, and sometimes burning, spitting on, ripping, or stomping on sacred Mormon religious items or scripture.

-unfavorable and often untrue things are published about the church

-some other churches and organizations host events to teach their members what is "wrong" or "bad" about Mormons, send missionaries specifically to "save" Mormons, or to teach their members how to debate Mormons, causing unnecessary religious hostility and sometimes spreading false or misleading information

-Although they consider themselves Christian, Mormons wishing to join Christian schools, clubs, or organizations are often denied because they are not viewed as being Christian or are called a "cult"

-Some Mormons running for political office have had to explain or defend their faith and had questions about their religious practices dominate their campaign, rather than running on their political stance and merit

-Some Mormon converts still face being disowned, kicked out, or ignored by their family and friends

-In some countries, Mormonism not recognized as a "real" religion, and some go as far to make it illegal for Mormons to preach or discuss their faith in public.