Mormon Urban Legends

[peter_mary]

I'm kind of a SNOPES.COM junky, and frequently find myself checking out unlikely stories on that website. I like the way they reason, and I like the way they really make an effort to check stuff out.

I have always thought that the Mormon world was rich in similar material. Wouldn't it be cool to have a place where people could check out a Mormon Urban Legend? I'll toss out a couple of thoughts, and see what kind of response I get, and if the list grows long enough, well, it just might be worth a little time and effort to create a dedicated thread which "debunks" or "verifies" the legends.

To kick things off, I'm just interested in a list (although anyone with real, verifiable information would be encouraged to share it). If the list was sufficient to warrent the time and effort, we could look into each one and create an invaluable resource that I'm SURE will make the next edition of "Best Loved Stories of the LDS People." :rolleyes:

So here's the kind of thing I'm thinking about (please note that there is difference between Urban myth and religious myth...):

1) Did seagulls really save the early pioneers in the Utah Valley from starvation by devouring a locust infestation?

2) Was a Missionary zone meeting really scheduled to be held in the the Twin Towers on 9/11, but was cancelled at the last minute?

3) Is Sasquatch really Adam's son Cain?

4) Did Elder Gene R. Cook really have a conversation with Mick Jagger, in which Mick confessed to being in cahoots with the devil in bringing about the destruction of the youth?

5) Did three 18 year old boys really carry every member of the Martin Handcart company across a nearly frozen river, and later die as a result?

6) Does the Church really have an educational institute in Jerusalem that can be hastily converted to a temple at a "moment's notice?"

Those are the ones that spring immediately to my mind. What have you heard, especially those of you who are still attending (and hearing what's freshly served these days!)

Enquiring minds wanna know!

Paul

[Born Free]

I'm kind of a SNOPES.COM junky, and frequently find myself checking out unlikely stories on that website. I like the way they reason, and I like the way they really make an effort to check stuff out.

Enquiring minds wanna know!

Paul

I had occasion a year or so back to challenge a few Mo rellies, who were happily circulating a myth re see-through mirrors used in women's dressing rooms. They were all lapping it up, getting into a frenzy about perverts wacking off behind mirrors, and how to test mirrors for this.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/mirror.asp

I pointed out how this sort of thing encouraged:

Women to see themselves as victims,
Women to see men as potential perverts
Men to feel they are potential perverts
Men to be passive and ashamed in the face of other men behaving like perverts

I did not get a thank you for my efforts! :rolleyes:

It would be fascinating to see which myths get the most circulation in Utah. They are great projective tests, telling a lot about the psychology of those who find them appealing.

Daryl

[mutleydog]

There were quite a few of Pauls that I had heard....not heard many that are much different really....except for a few celebrities joining the church...though these two have occurred to me.....

1) It was rumoured that many lds YSA were popping across the boarder to Nevada to get a quick marriage before having sex and proportedly getting quick divorces a little later on......

2) I have also heard much talk about the associations of the church leadership and Proctor & Gamble i.e. some story of a leader in the church saying that if certain symbols were put on product packaging depicting the occult/satanism then the company would flourish - sounds bizarre to me, but I have wondered. On most of the packaging there are certain symbols that reflect the pentagon thing and the "all seeing eye"...(sorry the stars name has eluded me!!)..... :confused:

[nate]

There were quite a few of Pauls that I had heard....not heard many that are much different really....except for a few celebrities joining the church...though these two have occurred to me.....

1) It was rumoured that many lds YSA were popping across the boarder to Nevada to get a quick marriage before having sex and proportedly getting quick divorces a little later on......

2) I have also heard much talk about the associations of the church leadership and Proctor & Gamble i.e. some story of a leader in the church saying that if certain symbols were put on product packaging depicting the occult/satanism then the company would flourish - sounds bizarre to me, but I have wondered. On most of the packaging there are certain symbols that reflect the pentagon thing and the "all seeing eye"...(sorry the stars name has eluded me!!)..... :confused:

Funny that those same symbols are on the SLC and Logan Temples, eh?

"Nothing to see here folks! Move along! Move along!"

[nate]

How about the one about Satan having control over the water on Sundays?

Haha. I used to believe that too. What a joke! We couldn't get in the lake on Sunday cause Satan will pull us under, or cause an underwater current to drown us. Haha.

Does it mean every Mormon household has anti-devil filters on their shower heads and plumbing?

[dogzilla]

4) Did Elder Gene R. Cook really have a conversation with Mick Jagger, in which Mick confessed to being in cahoots with the devil in bringing about the destruction of the youth?


BWWWAAAA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA


Good one. Never heard it. No doubt it's an urban legend. But it made me laugh.

For the record, Mick Jagger also admitted in that same conversation that they really did pump a gallon of Rod Stewart's semen out of his stomach. :eek:

[peter_mary]

For the record, Mick Jagger also admitted in that same conversation that they really did pump a gallon of Rod Stewart's semen out of his stomach. :eek:

One of those things I could have gone my ENTIRE LIFE without imagining was a gallon of Rod Stewart's semen.

Thanks, Dogzilla, that was a MOST disturbing thought (Dammit, where is that BARFING SMILIE??)

Paul

[silverfox]

BWWWAAAA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA


Good one. Never heard it. No doubt it's an urban legend. But it made me laugh.

For the record, Mick Jagger also admitted in that same conversation that they really did pump a gallon of Rod Stewart's semen out of his stomach. :eek:


LOL I remember this back in 1975. It was a big rumor in our school - my thought was how in the world could they tell it was semen????? The only difference in the story was that they had pumped a cup, not a gallon. So the story must still be floating around out there.

What about that gerbil and Richard Gere story??? I don't know the details but I always think of Richard when I see a gerbil......gross.

[dogzilla]

I actually discussed the gallon thing with an engineer once. We figured that the average ejaculation was perhaps a teaspoon, teaspoon and a half. If you had sex twice a week, it would take about 20-25 years to produce a gallon.

My theory is that, if men had a finite supply, they might be more careful sometimes about where they. . . oh, nevermind. :eek:

[noodle]

I actually discussed the gallon thing with an engineer once. We figured that the average ejaculation was perhaps a teaspoon, teaspoon and a half. If you had sex twice a week, it would take about 20-25 years to produce a gallon.

My theory is that, if men had a finite supply, they might be more careful sometimes about where they. . . oh, nevermind. :eek:

Doesn't anybody remember the band, 10CC? (I'm Not in Love). THAT, my friends, is supposed to be the average ejaculation. ;)

Janet

[dogzilla]

Clearly, a more scientific experiment is going to have to be conducted.

Volunteers? :eek:

[miss taken]

Good grief. 10cc were one of my favourite bands.
I thought it referred to horse power. I.e. as in a 50cc moped etc etc...

Satan having power over the water is a serious one though. I remember all the missionaries in my mission going on a boat trip, and there was a big discussion about whether we should do it because of the Satan/Water thing...

Sounded a bit wierd to me.

[dogzilla]

Wait, what are you talking about? Satan supposedly has what power over what water (all water?)? This sounds ridiculous, but of course this is the Mormon Urban Legend thread. Can you elaborate on the myth? (So I can better make fun of it?)

[miss taken]

The mission was full of 19/20/21 year old kids really, and I didn't know whether to take it seriously or not, but apparantly there had been discussions on whether to go because 'Satan has power over the water'. I had no idea what they were talking about then, and I have absolutely no idea now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought perhaps it came from Pagan Roots or something, you know, Plato's? stuff on categorising stuff into Earth, Air, Fire and Water.??? Other than that I would hate to hazard a guess, ... I can't think of any scriptoral reference for it, and Jesus went fishing, and calmed the seas..maybe that's where it comes from...
or..............it's an urban legend!

[peter_mary]

The mission was full of 19/20/21 year old kids really, and I didn't know whether to take it seriously or not, but apparantly there had been discussions on whether to go because 'Satan has power over the water'. I had no idea what they were talking about then, and I have absolutely no idea now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought perhaps it came from Pagan Roots or something, you know, Plato's? stuff on categorising stuff into Earth, Air, Fire and Water.??? Other than that I would hate to hazard a guess, ... I can't think of any scriptoral reference for it, and Jesus went fishing, and calmed the seas..maybe that's where it comes from...
or..............it's an urban legend!

No, there's more than legend here, but I can't put my finger on it. It is generally understood in the missionary world that missionaries shouldn't swim, because Satan rules the waters. Now, personally, I have always assumed this REALLY meant that where there are people swimming, there are girls in swimming suits, and THAT's just more trouble for missionaries than they can handle! ;)

I've heard this a number of times, but I can't put a reference on it. Any others of you who have served missions, especially coastal ones, remember learning this?

Paul

[peter_mary]

D&C 61 (Preface) says: "Revelation given through JS the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River, McIlwaine's Bend, August 12, 1831. On their return trip to Kirtland the Prophet and ten elders had traveled down the Missouri River in canoes. On the third day of the journey many dangers were experienced. Elder W.W. Phelps, in daylight vision [so you KNOW it must be true if it is a 'daylight vision... :Puking ] saw the destroyer riding in power upon the face of the waters."

Then later in verses 14-16: "Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters.

"Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters.

"And it shall be said in days to come that none is able to go up to the land of Zion upon the waters, but he that is upright in heart.


So apparently, this is the source of that particular legend, anyway that's the conclusion I came to after doing a google search of the topic. Interestingly, it is primarily the Missouri River that Satan controls, but its a good idea to generalize it to all water, 'cause you don't want to mess with Satan, you know. But here's where it gets really weird. YOU ARE NEVER COUNSELED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER! And in fact, one of the only times you are permitted to take off your garments is when you are GETTING IN THE WATER!! The only exception to 'water prohibition' is when you are a missionary, and I believe I've heard it said that the reason for that is that Satan has a special interest in missionaries...he eats them on crackers with cream cheese or something.

In the Church I once belonged to, Doctrine was stranger than fiction... :rolleyes:

Paul

[Free-soil]

No, there's more than legend here, but I can't put my finger on it. It is generally understood in the missionary world that missionaries shouldn't swim, because Satan rules the waters. Now, personally, I have always assumed this REALLY meant that where there are people swimming, there are girls in swimming suits, and THAT's just more trouble for missionaries than they can handle! ;)

I've heard this a number of times, but I can't put a reference on it. Any others of you who have served missions, especially coastal ones, remember learning this?

Paul

No swimming is absolutely a mission rule, one of the many. While I've never served a mission, one of my friends served on the coast of Chile. She said that it was because Missionaries are often not paying attention and get hurt or drown. The ocean is powerful(obviously) hence where Satan's power comes in. If a missionary drowns by the power of God's created ocean, it must have been Satan. God would never harm his "representatives." :Puking
Plus in many of the foreign countries the water isn't safe because of pollution. I'm sure there is an appeal factor for other missionaries as previously stated.

[dogzilla]

I wanted to clear up a misconception I saw in Miss Take's last post on the previous page. She was guessing perhaps the Satan's power over water thing had some sort of pagan roots -- in terms of the legend being out there.

I wanted to write a little about Satan and paganism. First, many Wiccans will call themselves pagan to avoid being burned at the stake or ostracized in some other, less physically painful way. (NOT kidding, though I wish I was.) So, I'm going to use the terms interchangeably although it should be noted, for those who have not researched pagan religions, that while Wicca is a pagan religion, not all pagan religions are Wicca.

The primary tenet in the pagan/wiccan belief system is "and first ye harm none," which is known as the Wiccan Rede. You can read all about pagan belief systems with a quick search on Google -- I'm not going to waste the bandwidth here to get into it. My point is: pagans, and more specifically Wiccans, but most pagans do not believe in the Christian concept of God. Many of us may accept Jesus as a philospher-king who lived 2000+ years ago and had some interesting, intelligent things to say. But most will not accept that Jesus was a son of God, produced by an immaculate conception.

By that very same token... pagans and wiccans don't believe in Satan either. There is a Satanic religion, but please do not confuse: Wiccans don't worship Satan and don't even believe in such an entity. If I don't believe in a Christian god, how could I possibly believe in its opposite? Such a thing would promote the idea of usurping personal responsibility to a being that doesn't exist so that one doesn't have to accept the consequences of one's actions or choices. "The devil made me do it," (or, "I was tempted to swim!") is a convenient way to avoid saying, "I'm sorry. That was all my fault. I chose poorly that time." This goes against the Wiccan Rede of not hurting others, because not taking personal responsibility could possibly be hurtful to others, generally speaking.

I post this not because I mean to embarass or flame Miss Take, (not at all) but because I want people out there to be aware that Satan does not equal pagan. Satanism, IMHO, is simply a mechanism for disenfranchised Christians -- who still believe in everything Christian (or else they would reject the idea of Satan as well) -- to be disenfranchised and express that publicly. In short, I think Anton LeVey's religion, not unlike Joseph Smith's, was started just to piss off other Christians. Wicca, and other pagan religions, have nothing to do with Satanists or Satanism. For the record. Not that anyone asked or anything. (It was just bugging me.)

Funny, I keep wanting to type, Santa instead of Satan. Hmmm.... Coincidence? :p

[nate]

D&C 61 (Preface) says: "Revelation given through JS the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River, McIlwaine's Bend, August 12, 1831. On their return trip to Kirtland the Prophet and ten elders had traveled down the Missouri River in canoes. On the third day of the journey many dangers were experienced. Elder W.W. Phelps, in daylight vision [so you KNOW it must be true if it is a 'daylight vision... :Puking ] saw the destroyer riding in power upon the face of the waters."

Then later in verses 14-16: "Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters.

"Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters.

"And it shall be said in days to come that none is able to go up to the land of Zion upon the waters, but he that is upright in heart.


So apparently, this is the source of that particular legend, anyway that's the conclusion I came to after doing a google search of the topic. Interestingly, it is primarily the Missouri River that Satan controls, but its a good idea to generalize it to all water, 'cause you don't want to mess with Satan, you know. But here's where it gets really weird. YOU ARE NEVER COUNSELED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER! And in fact, one of the only times you are permitted to take off your garments is when you are GETTING IN THE WATER!! The only exception to 'water prohibition' is when you are a missionary, and I believe I've heard it said that the reason for that is that Satan has a special interest in missionaries...he eats them on crackers with cream cheese or something.

In the Church I once belonged to, Doctrine was stranger than fiction... :rolleyes:

Paul

Thanks for finding that Paul! It does appear to be the origins of that ridiculous urban legend. I'm pretty sure that at least some instructors at the MTC use this as a fear tactic to keep the young horny missionaries away from the topless beaches.

Two of my brothers returned from their missions in Puerto Rico and Brazil with the Satan/Water myth as an explanation why they could not swim. Even though I'd never heard anything about it uttered officially at church, it was a common belief for my family and neighboring families as well. While on family vacations or wherever, our parents told us this was the reason we couldnt' swim on Sunday; not because it was breaking the Sabbath, but because Satan would actually cause the water to pull us under and drown!

It always freaked us out when we were kids. We would get scared if we were out on the water on a Saturday night, thinking that Satan was at the bottom of the lake watching us, just waiting for midnight to roll around.

[jmkm]

I wanted to write a little about Satan and paganism.



The primary tenet in the pagan/wiccan belief system is "and first ye harm none," which is known as the Wiccan Rede.

What are you talking about?!

I hope Miss Taken and anybody else doesn't get the impression that we are all into crystals, and "Wicca". To me that sounds about as weird as peep stones and Kolab.

[miss taken]

THanks Dogzilla, (and JMKM)
When I said Pagan Roots, I just meant non-christian, which is the way it gets interpreted over here in the UK!!! (I think) Anyway,! I think it was Aristotle, not Plato who started categorising elements into earth, air, fire and water, and I guess his belief system, would have encompassed the culture at the time. I just wondered if some pre-christian belief system had started the whole thing off, and then got adapted, but I am probably wrong, and Paul gave a good list of church scriptures for the belief. I still have no idea why there is a link between the adversary and water though!!!
Mystery. Especially since we get baptised in the stuff, and it is usually a symbol of cleansing.. and thinking about it fire can be a symbol of cleansing also, as well as a symbol of the adversary. So I guess missionaries should also switch the fires off, and drain the central heating!

[nate]

THanks Dogzilla, (and JMKM)
When I said Pagan Roots, I just meant non-christian, which is the way it gets interpreted over here in the UK!!! (I think) Anyway,! I think it was Aristotle, not Plato who started categorising elements into earth, air, fire and water, and I guess his belief system, would have encompassed the culture at the time. I just wondered if some pre-christian belief system had started the whole thing off, and then got adapted, but I am probably wrong, and Paul gave a good list of church scriptures for the belief. I still have no idea why there is a link between the adversary and water though!!!
Mystery. Especially since we get baptised in the stuff, and it is usually a symbol of cleansing.. and thinking about it fire can be a symbol of cleansing also, as well as a symbol of the adversary. So I guess missionaries should also switch the fires off, and drain the central heating!

Actually, it was Plato, or at least is credited to him. While studying geometry and mathematics he found the five "Platonic Solids", which are the only five possible polyhedron whose faces are all identical polygons. He attributed an element to each of these solids, ie. air, fire, water, earth and spirit/aether based on their shapes and patterns found throughout nature. After this, Euclid made them more well known in his work "Elements".

Although Paul did give us scripture that the Satan/Water urban legend was probably based on, there is something else interesting. In the early years of the church (roman) they were attempting to assimilate the new religion into the highly pagan belief systems of the people. In order to do this they took icons of the various belief structures and demonized them, through art and other methods. One of the things they wanted to do away with was was the worship of the stars and planets, but also the greek gods and goddesses. Poseidon was the God of the Sea/Water, and was always pictured with a trident. Soon after, it was common place for the Satan/Lucifer of Christianity to be pictured with.....a trident, or pitchfork.

[dogzilla]

What are you talking about?!

I hope Miss Taken and anybody else doesn't get the impression that we are all into crystals, and "Wicca". To me that sounds about as weird as peep stones and Kolab.

I was talking about Miss Taken's comment regarding Satan controlling the waters and -- as we've established now while I was out to dinner -- her mistaken memory that the myth came from pagan roots.

"An first ye harm none" is nothing more than the Golden Rule. Nobody said anything about crystals. Wicca is a recognized religion and no wackier than mo'ism -- no need to put it in quotes. Sorry that sounded weird to you.

[Born Free]

D&C 61 (Preface) says: "Revelation given through JS the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River, McIlwaine's Bend, August 12, 1831. On their return trip to Kirtland the Prophet and ten elders had traveled down the Missouri River in canoes. On the third day of the journey many dangers were experienced. Elder W.W. Phelps, in daylight vision [so you KNOW it must be true if it is a 'daylight vision... :Puking ] saw the destroyer riding in power upon the face of the waters."

Then later in verses 14-16: "Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters.

"Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters.

"And it shall be said in days to come that none is able to go up to the land of Zion upon the waters, but he that is upright in heart.


So apparently, this is the source of that particular legend, anyway that's the conclusion I came to after doing a google search of the topic. Interestingly, it is primarily the Missouri River that Satan controls, but its a good idea to generalize it to all water, 'cause you don't want to mess with Satan, you know. But here's where it gets really weird. YOU ARE NEVER COUNSELED TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER! And in fact, one of the only times you are permitted to take off your garments is when you are GETTING IN THE WATER!! The only exception to 'water prohibition' is when you are a missionary, and I believe I've heard it said that the reason for that is that Satan has a special interest in missionaries...he eats them on crackers with cream cheese or something.

In the Church I once belonged to, Doctrine was stranger than fiction... :rolleyes:

Paul

Here is Daryl's theory on why water is a no-no!

When you live a fear-based existence in your head (as opposed to in your body), then getting into water is a sensual experience, which is extremely problematic for good LDS missionaries who see their sexuality/sensuality as some sort of impediment to their Godliness.

So anything that makes you aware of your body, gets reframed as: water makes me conscious of my body, in short sensual, and that is BAD, so I can't own responsibility for my own sensuality, therefore it is much easier to project responsibility outside myself onto something/one else. Satan (greatly overrated character IMO, but makes a great projectee) must be causing this process, hence water = Satans' domain.

Interestingly water is also a feminine energy, and we know that Mosim has a problematic relationship with the Feminine. Again women are seen as more sensual than men, and therefore great to project onto.

Personally, I think they should follow this teaching through to its natural conclusion and stop bathing. That would really slow missionary work.

Daryl

PS: I have asked a friend who is former SDA if they have a 'water-thing' as a cross check. Fundy SDAs have a lot of the same anti-black/indian beliefs as Moism, and clearly sourced out of a similar sociology.

[silverfox]

What about the whole rainbow thingy? I hate it! I can never enjoy a rainbow anymore without hubby ruining it by saying...."Good. A rainbow. The world won't end this year". Something about no rainbow the year the world is supposed to "end"????? I have it heard it often but always shrugged it off. But now as a Post Mo it bugs the jeebus out of me whenever someone makes that remark. grrrrrrrr

[nate]

What about the whole rainbow thingy? I hate it! I can never enjoy a rainbow anymore without hubby ruining it by saying...."Good. A rainbow. The world won't end this year". Something about no rainbow the year the world is supposed to "end"????? I have it heard it often but always shrugged it off. But now as a Post Mo it bugs the jeebus out of me whenever someone makes that remark. grrrrrrrr

Yes! I believe it's in Genesis, Chapter 8 or 9. After the global (uh-hum localized) flood, God made a rainbow as a promise to Noah, and all the creatures of the earth, that he would never destroy the whole earth again by flooding it. So....if rainbows stop appearing, well, that's a good sign that :eek: we're ALL GONNNAA DIIEEEEEE!!!!!

[miss taken]

What about the whole rainbow thingy? I hate it! I can never enjoy a rainbow anymore without hubby ruining it by saying...."Good. A rainbow. The world won't end this year". Something about no rainbow the year the world is supposed to "end"????? I have it heard it often but always shrugged it off. But now as a Post Mo it bugs the jeebus out of me whenever someone makes that remark. grrrrrrrr

I hate telling the story of Noah to my 6 year old. I just don't like the picture of God out to destroy men, women and children. I don't know that he is like that. Anyway, I do subscribe to the belief that most of the OT is myth, with a little truth historical/spiritual here and there. The Epic of Gilgamesh has much of the flood story contained within it, and I am quite happy to believe in a cataclysmic flood, much like the recent tsunami that devastated so many lives. As for Noah taking ALL the animals in two by two, well...what about the kangaroos, platypus and other antipodaean creatures! A lot of it, just doesn't make for good common sense. Most of the OT could probably fit into the category of urban legend!!
X files BC style.!!!

[bigeddy]

More than an urban legend, this one is a complete fairy tale. It seems as though Joseph was scared during a journey on the Mississippi (maybe he was just sick of how hard it was to keep his canoe from tipping over) so he received the revelation in Section 61 of the Dogtrain & Covariants. He saw the "destroyer riding on the face of the waters" and so God told him that the day will come when "no flesh shall be safe upon the waters." Reading that section makes me howl with laughter.

Ed

[Jeff_Ricks]

More than an urban legend, this one is a complete fairy tale. It seems as though Joseph was scared during a journey on the Mississippi (maybe he was just sick of how hard it was to keep his canoe from tipping over) so he received the revelation in Section 61 of the Dogtrain & Covariants. He saw the "destroyer riding on the face of the waters" and so God told him that the day will come when "no flesh shall be safe upon the waters." Reading that section makes me howl with laughter.

Ed

It sounds a little paranoid schizophrenic to me! :eek:

Jeff

[dogzilla]

Sounds to me more like poor canoe training!

[silverfox]

It sounds a little paranoid schizophrenic to me! :eek:

Jeff

As the daughter and mother of schizophrenics, you are RIGHT ON! I had a hard time understanding where JoeBoy came up with half his crap until I witnessed the behavior first hand of paranoid schizo family members. They are very very manipulative, charming, persuasive, etc. They live in their own world and it is very easy to get caught up in it if you aren't careful. I've had to second guess my judgements with them way too many times. It is very easy to understand now that IMNSHO, Joe had some mental issues going on.

[miss taken]

As the daughter and mother of schizophrenics, you are RIGHT ON! Ion.

Um...what's a schizophrenic, oh i know, no you don't, um yes I do, pardon, what, hello!!!! ;)

[4thesoul]

No truth to that at all. And I was a member of the church when one of the 12 personally told me that the story was a rumor with no truth to it.


I'm kind of a SNOPES.COM junky, and frequently find myself checking out unlikely stories on that website. I like the way they reason, and I like the way they really make an effort to check stuff out.

I have always thought that the Mormon world was rich in similar material. Wouldn't it be cool to have a place where people could check out a Mormon Urban Legend? I'll toss out a couple of thoughts, and see what kind of response I get, and if the list grows long enough, well, it just might be worth a little time and effort to create a dedicated thread which "debunks" or "verifies" the legends.

To kick things off, I'm just interested in a list (although anyone with real, verifiable information would be encouraged to share it). If the list was sufficient to warrent the time and effort, we could look into each one and create an invaluable resource that I'm SURE will make the next edition of "Best Loved Stories of the LDS People." :rolleyes:

So here's the kind of thing I'm thinking about (please note that there is difference between Urban myth and religious myth...):

1) Did seagulls really save the early pioneers in the Utah Valley from starvation by devouring a locust infestation?

2) Was a Missionary zone meeting really scheduled to be held in the the Twin Towers on 9/11, but was cancelled at the last minute?

3) Is Sasquatch really Adam's son Cain?

4) Did Elder Gene R. Cook really have a conversation with Mick Jagger, in which Mick confessed to being in cahoots with the devil in bringing about the destruction of the youth?

5) Did three 18 year old boys really carry every member of the Martin Handcart company across a nearly frozen river, and later die as a result?

6) Does the Church really have an educational institute in Jerusalem that can be hastily converted to a temple at a "moment's notice?"

Those are the ones that spring immediately to my mind. What have you heard, especially those of you who are still attending (and hearing what's freshly served these days!)

Enquiring minds wanna know!

Paul

[pseudogratix]

Wouldn't it be cool to have a place where people could check out a Mormon Urban Legend?
There used to be one at LDSWORLD.com that is now at SHIELDS and Archive.org. See
http://www.shields-research.org/Hoaxes/LDSWorld_Internet_Hoaxes_and_Mormon_Urban_Legends. htm (http://www.shields-research.org/Hoaxes/LDSWorld_Internet_Hoaxes_and_Mormon_Urban_Legends. htm)
http://web.archive.org/web/20020607185416/http://www.ldsworld.com/gems/ul/
2) Was a Missionary zone meeting really scheduled to be held in the the Twin Towers on 9/11, but was cancelled at the last minute?
http://www.shields-research.org/Hoaxes/LDSWorld_Internet_Hoaxes_and_Mormon_Urban_Legends. htm#wtc
http://web.archive.org/web/20020607185416/http://www.ldsworld.com/gems/ul/#wtc
4) Did Elder Gene R. Cook really have a conversation with Mick Jagger, in which Mick confessed to being in cahoots with the devil in bringing about the destruction of the youth?
http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/daily/arts/cook_jagger.htm

[Born Free]

There used to be one at LDSWORLD.com that is now at SHIELDS and Archive.org. See
http://www.shields-research.org/Hoaxes/LDSWorld_Internet_Hoaxes_and_Mormon_Urban_Legends. htm (http://www.shields-research.org/Hoaxes/LDSWorld_Internet_Hoaxes_and_Mormon_Urban_Legends. htm)
http://web.archive.org/web/20020607185416/http://www.ldsworld.com/gems/ul/

http://www.shields-research.org/Hoaxes/LDSWorld_Internet_Hoaxes_and_Mormon_Urban_Legends. htm#wtc
http://web.archive.org/web/20020607185416/http://www.ldsworld.com/gems/ul/#wtc

http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/daily/arts/cook_jagger.htm

I just went to the Cook/Jagger site.

Oh, to trip back through LaLa Land! Like being a child again, wrapped in the protective/stifling blanket of patronising BS.

What seems to totally elude fundies like this is how they don't even know when someone is winding them up!

"I wish I were a child again ............................!"

[miss taken]

Was reading one of the threads about over zealous missionaries, and remembered another urban legend.

It had something to do with an ordinance of 'wiping the dust from off your feet' that I heard when I was a missionary from the Elders. Some of them took this stuff seriously, and were saying that they had known of times when elders had performed this ordinance of ...I cant remember it exactly...I know it was something about dust...and feet..... and wiping....

anyways there were these stories of that ordinance being performed on particularly 'unrepentant' peoples and that the consequence of this 'curse' was that 'terrible' things would then happen to the people/city etc.

It really wasn't talked about as a joke and was taken deadly seriously.

Wierd

Mary

[helemon]

I actually discussed the gallon thing with an engineer once. We figured that the average ejaculation was perhaps a teaspoon, teaspoon and a half.

Thus the origin of the band named The Lovin' Spoonfuls. ;)

[helemon]

I thought perhaps it came from Pagan Roots or something,

I believe the Norse legends held that water was a portal to the underworld. I think they thought it had magical properties because of the way it reflects the world around it when it is calm. Some European tribes also buried their dead in peat bogs and I think water was generally not trusted by many people prior to the modern age, ie sea serpents, the Kracken, giant squid, mermaids, etc.

[helemon]

Personally, I think they should follow this teaching through to its natural conclusion and stop bathing. That would really slow missionary work.

Daryl

I seem to recall a talk, probably by BKP, about not lingering in the shower and being sure not to linger while cleaning your privates. Taking long showers in the mission field not only used up all the hot water but made your companion wonder what you were doing in there all that time. :eek:

[helemon]

More than an urban legend, this one is a complete fairy tale. It seems as though Joseph was scared during a journey on the Mississippi (maybe he was just sick of how hard it was to keep his canoe from tipping over) so he received the revelation in Section 61 of the Dogtrain & Covariants. He saw the "destroyer riding on the face of the waters" and so God told him that the day will come when "no flesh shall be safe upon the waters." Reading that section makes me howl with laughter.

Ed
He probably saw someone in a long cloak floating on a raft or riding on a raft that was being pulled from shore by a horse and didn't understand what he was seeing. :eek:

[helemon]

Was reading one of the threads about over zealous missionaries, and remembered another urban legend.

It had something to do with an ordinance of 'wiping the dust from off your feet' that I heard when I was a missionary from the Elders.

Yeah this was a favorite thing to joke about when finishing a tracting street that was unreceptive. I do recall being told that missionaries should not do this and that it was not up to us to decide when these people had received their final chance to repent and join the church.

[helemon]

6) Does the Church really have an educational institute in Jerusalem that can be hastily converted to a temple at a "moment's notice?"


What building of the church couldn't be "hastily converted to a temple at a moment's notice"? All you need is a movie screen and some curtains. :D Heck I bet you could even do this in your own house!

[Born Free]

I seem to recall a talk, probably by BKP, about not lingering in the shower and being sure not to linger while cleaning your privates. Taking long showers in the mission field not only used up all the hot water but made your companion wonder what you were doing in there all that time. :eek:

Ah. So oral sex is dirty, and unhealthy as the Church Leaders said (if you don't wash your privates properly).

AND at the same time, if you aren't afriad to introduce some soap to your nether regions, it can be healthy, pleasant and even fun!

Ah! Parallel universes.

Daryl

[Born Free]

Yeah this was a favorite thing to joke about when finishing a tracting street that was unreceptive. I do recall being told that missionaries should not do this and that it was not up to us to decide when these people had received their final chance to repent and join the church.

This is a great illustration of how much myths are projections to ease our discomfort and reinforce our world view.

Missionaries trapse about flogging the "saving message" to people who feel little to no need for saving, and wonder why the people get pissed off and irritable.

So after a whole street of rejections and attacks, the missionaries are feeling pretty shitty.

BUT, instead of owning the unpleasant feeling as theirs and of their making, they project it out onto the people as their evilness, and unpreparedness to receive the Word of the Lord. Of course, this process is great training for life within the crazy mental boundaries of MoLand where all is as Alice in Wonderland.

How far down the rabbit warren do you want to go?

Daryl

[mindbender]

There were quite a few of Pauls that I had heard....not heard many that are much different really....except for a few celebrities joining the church...though these two have occurred to me.....

1) It was rumoured that many lds YSA were popping across the boarder to Nevada to get a quick marriage before having sex and proportedly getting quick divorces a little later on......

2) I have also heard much talk about the associations of the church leadership and Proctor & Gamble i.e. some story of a leader in the church saying that if certain symbols were put on product packaging depicting the occult/satanism then the company would flourish - sounds bizarre to me, but I have wondered. On most of the packaging there are certain symbols that reflect the pentagon thing and the "all seeing eye"...(sorry the stars name has eluded me!!)..... :confused:I actually work on subaru cars , i have found that every subaru diff head has a pentogram on it , check your nearest subi and see , this is 89 to 96 models , i just wondered why

[papa]

I've been a surfer all my life. When I attended CCH, I noticed an overt antagonism to surfing as a sport among the school/church leaders. I received comments about my surfing--when you gonna quit, don't you wanna do something you can still do when you are old, "Oh, you're a surfer then?" rolleyes nudge wink. Or a frown. Ten years ago I was chatting with Rick Shumway, BYUH prez, and he asked if I was still surfing, and when I smiled and said yes, he said nothing further, but portrayed a sad look on his face.

I always thot this antagonism was derived from the "work ethic" thing, cuz everyone knows surfers are a bunch of bums who will never pay tithing. But maybe it is this water thing. I know at CCH, the school pool is considered cool by the whole community, but the beach is frowned upon.

Of course, surfing is an ancient Hawaiian and POlynesian culture trait, but no, you won't find anything about surfing at the PCC, heh. Ironic that the school's sports team nick used to be the "surfriders" (maybe still is?).