[Raider Sam]

This article is an extreme stretch and very much an application of the writer’s own biases towards the subject.

Each bullet point can be tied to multiple religions, writing techniques, and pop culture.

The story’s teenage heroine, Bella, avoids coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco — not unlike the Mormons’ “Word of Wisdom” health code. Bella also advises her father to “cut back on steak,” much like the LDS teaching to eat meat and poultry “sparingly.”

Are Mormons the only ones who dont drink, smoke or eat red meat? What about Prohibitionist Baptists? What about Hindus? How about non religious vegans.

• Feminists have questioned Bella’s frequent cooking and cleaning — household chores that reflect a strong Mormon work ethic and traditional roles for women. The official motto for mostly Mormon Utah is “Industry,” and its symbol is the beehive.

Because the heroine of the story cooks and cleans, and because Mormon women cook and clean, they are related? If a=b and a=c, it does not mean b=c (apple is red, apple is round, round is not red)

• A crucial Mormon belief is that humans can become divine. In the “Twilight” series, the Cullen family of vampires once was human but now lives without death in a resurrected condition. Meyer describes the Cullens, particularly Edward, as “godlike” and “inhumanly beautiful.”

All vampire mythology has vampires living forever with incredible beauty.

• Mormons believe angels are resurrected beings of flesh and bone. The most familiar is Moroni, who stands high atop LDS temples, trumpet in hand. The Book of Mormon, the faith’s trademark Scripture, says Moroni was a fifth-century prophet who visited church founder Joseph Smith. Smith described Moroni as radiating light and “glorious beyond description.”

Bella describes her vampire boyfriend, Edward, as an angel whom she cannot imagine “any more glorious.” Edward’s skin sparkles in the sunlight, and he visits Bella’s bedroom at night. But Mormon angels don’t have wings; in the “Twilight” film, Edward sits in the science lab, the outstretched wings of a stuffed white owl just over his shoulders.

Another a=b, a=c, b=/=c. Plus, how many teenage girls say their boyfriend is glorious?

• A unique LDS teaching is that marriages are “sealed” for eternity; spouses are referred to as eternal companions. Bella describes her relationship with Edward as “forever.”

How many non-Mormon’s have ever said they will be with their spouse forever. Quite a few. Every one I know that is married has said something similar.

• Bella and Edward’s marriage, and her quick pregnancy, underscore the Mormon emphasis on the family. But Bella’s half human/vampire fetus nearly destroys her, so her distraught husband suggests an abortion and artificial insemination. Mormons permit abortions if the mother’s life is in danger, and artificial insemination is an option for married couples.

Liberals also permit abortions. This is not reserved solely for Mormons.

None of the bullets relate directly to Mormons, or Mormonism or anything of the sort. You have to want it to be true to say that.

[mnehring]

What I find interesting about this article is that it seems to imply a negative connotation, yet most of the attributes they bring up are actually positive attributes.

You are right though, this article could have been written with any number of religions replacing Mormonism.

[Colofornian]

All vampire mythology has vampires living forever with incredible beauty.

(How long have you gone for that extremely pale gothic look?)

[Colofornian]

From the article: • A crucial Mormon belief is that humans can become divine. In the “Twilight” series, the Cullen family of vampires once was human but now lives without death in a resurrected condition. Meyer describes the Cullens, particularly Edward, as “godlike” and “inhumanly beautiful.”

All vampire mythology has vampires living forever with incredible beauty.

(I'm sorry, but I missed your disconnect here: How many vamp tales feature them becoming gods again?)

[Colofornian]

Another a=b, a=c, b=/=c. Plus, how many teenage girls say their boyfriend is glorious?

(Oh sure. I run into teen girls all the time talking about the "sparkling skin" of their guys...as for the bedroom visitations in the book/movie, Joseph Smith said the angel Moroni visited him in his bedroom...and they make the point that in the movie an angel-like image is quickly flashed via the wings in the background of the character)

[Elsie]

 

Are Mormons the only ones who dont drink, smoke or eat red meat?

 

 

HMMMmmm...

 

---

 

 

THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

SECTION 89

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1: 327–329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.

 

1–9, Use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks proscribed; 10–17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18–21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.

 

  1 A ^aWord OF Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—

  2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the ^aword of wisdom, showing forth the order and ^bwill of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—

  3 Given for a principle with ^apromise, adapted to the capacity of the ^bweak and the weakest of all ^csaints, who are or can be called saints.

  4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of ^aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of ^bconspiring men in the last days, I have ^cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

  5 That inasmuch as any man ^adrinketh ^bwine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.

  6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, ^apure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

  7 And, again, ^astrong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

  8 And again, tobacco is not for the ^abody, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

  9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

  10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome ^aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

  11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with ^aprudence and ^bthanksgiving.

  12 Yea, ^aflesh also of ^bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used ^csparingly;

  13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be ^aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or ^bfamine.

  14 All ^agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

  15 And ^athese hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

  16 All grain is good for the ^afood of man; as also the ^bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

  17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

  18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, ^ashall receive ^bhealth in their navel and marrow to their bones;

  19 And shall ^afind ^bwisdom and great ^ctreasures of ^dknowledge, even hidden treasures;

  20 And shall ^arun and not be ^bweary, and shall walk and not faint.

  21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the ^adestroying angel shall ^bpass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

---

The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Rights and use information. Privacy policy.

[Elsie]

None of the bullets relate directly to Mormons, or Mormonism or anything of the sort.

You have to want it to be true to say that.

[Ransomed]

“All vampire mythology has vampires living forever with incredible beauty.”

I would say that is true with most modern versions of vampires in the media. But Max Schreck as Nosferatu isn’t exactly a heart throb. And if you look at the eastern europe myths about vampires I think you will find a lot of variance with the modern vampire ideal.

As far as the incredible looks of the twilight vamps, I reckon it has more to do with attracting young girl readers in volume than any LDS stuff. Just like they made the aliens in the movie Avatar graceful cool looking cat people instead of ugly tentacled blob-beasts.

Freegards