The council of elders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints likes its mission Mormons in white shirts and black ties, thank you very much. On Sunday, the council excommunicated Chad Hardy for producing his “Men on a Mission” calendar — showing hunky Mormons sans shirts who are on different missions around the world.
Hardy noted that “I felt like I spoke my truth, Bottom-line, they still felt the calendar is inappropriate and not the image that the church wants to have.”
What is interesting is that the calender also showed the men in their traditional garb and included little sketches on their faith — not exactly a Sports Illustrated Pin Up calendar.
Not only has the council excommunicated Hardy, but it has called the twelve Mormon months to appear for their own discipline.
There was no such fervor with the “Hot Priests” calendar, click here. Yet, it seems that the “Brigham Young and Restless” soap will be canceled as well. In the meantime, the planned “Six-Pack Shinto Priests” and “Ripped Rabbis” calendars are being shelved.
However, it does leave the market open to the recent Jewish swimsuit calendar, here.
I will join the deteriorating Moron religion if more guys would start “Shirtless Missionary Work”
I MEAN YOU CAN’T SAY ANYTHING AGAINST IT.
MY REAL NAME IS LUCIO VAZQUEZ AND WITH JOY A SAY I AM A MORMON AND RETURN MISSIONARY THAT I SERVED IN INDEPENDENCE MISSIURI.
THE MISSION IS VERY SACRED AND ALL THE MISSIONARIES HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HAD SAY: “IF YE LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDAMENTS. IF YOU LOVE THE LORD YOU WILL FOLLOW HIS VOICE. THAT MISSIONARY CALL CHAD HARDY THE THING THAT HE DID WAS WRONG VERY WRONG. AND ALL THOSE WHO SAID THAT WAS OK. REALLY YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING HOW SACRED IS THE MISSION, BECAUSE MANY OF YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU LIVE AS THE WORLD LIVES BUT THE DAY WILL COME THE YOU AND ME WE WILL SEE CLEARLY WITH OUR OWN EYE AND ALL THE WICKED WILL HOWLING AND CRY. I BEAR WHITNESS THAT THE MISSION IS VERY SACRED, THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IT IS THE TRUE AND LIVING CHURCH UPON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH, THE BOOK OF MORMON IS THE WORD OF GOD AS THE BIBLE, JOSEPH SMITH WAS!! AND IS THE PROPHET OF GOD AS WELL THOMAS S. MONSON IS THE PROPHET OF THE LORD TODAY!!!!! JESUS IS THE CHRIST THE LIVING SON OF THE LIVING GOD, NO MATTER WHAT YOU MAY SAY, BUT YOU CANT TAKE MY TESTIMONY FROM ME!!!! AND I FEEL SORRY FOR CHAD BUT HEAVENLY FATHER STILL LOVES HIM IF HE REPENT AND COME UNTO HIM WITH A SINCERE HEART A REAL INTENT HAVING FAITH IN CHRIST. I BEAR WHITNESS TO ALL OF YOU I KNOW TO BE TRUE NOT BY THE POWER OF ANY MAN OR ANY LEADER OF THE LDS CHURCH, I KNOW BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF THE LORD AND YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING AGAINST IT.
This young man presented himself fraudulently to be a current LDS Missionary. It is clear that we do not have the entire picture. AND, It is unlike the Church to talk about such private matters (to protect those in which “action” has been taken) so, we are likely never to have the whole story. As stated above, “disciplinary” action is taken to enable those who are truly repentant to come back to the Church with a clean slate. It is mutually done between the person and the Church in a very loving and considerate manner.
To the person, “me” above: I would say that I fear you are very mistaken, my friend. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as the Mormons) is not an occult. The members believe that they ARE saved by GRACE after all they can do. Otherwise the Atonement of Jesus Christ would be unnecessary. There are consequences to all our actions whether good or evil. If you run out into the middle of the street you will likely face the consequences however unpleasant they may be. Of course we all hope the best for everyone. And, we can not possibly pay the consequences for all we do wrong in this life. So, Christ paid the difference for us, otherwise how could any one of us, who are human get to Heaven? Most of us want to return back to the presents of a loving Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ. The Church DOES teach to love unconditionally and provides guidelines not dictations. The guidelines are in place to help avoid the painful consequences of wrong choice. The members of the Church are taught, what is believed by them, to be correct principles so that they may govern themselves.
Mormons believe that the Church is a hospital for all to heal, and to learn, and “Come unto Christ”. Non of us are perfect. So we gratefully need Christ, not as a badge but, as our Savior.
Excommunication by the Mormon Church is a way of wiping away serious mistakes and starting over. You might call it a new beginning. It has an added appeal because it promises that the mistake, sin, or whatever you have made will be forgiven by God and will be remembered no more by him.
I have known people in other faiths who have been excommunicated who go through life with a cloud over their heads. I believe the Mormons have hit on something because they say this act is done with love and understanding with the goal of bringing the excommunicated member back into full Church fellowship. All members are urged to forgive and forget in these circumstances. After all, if the Lord can do it, why can’t Church members do so?
My guess is that Chad probably wasn’t repentent enough to write a check to give the LDS part of the proceeds of the calendar, so out he went. Possibly the additional discussion they had with him (according to a Salt Lake newspaper article I read) took some personal lifestyle issues into account as well. I’d bet he’s glad to be an “ex”.
If you read more about the calendar, BJ, you’ll see that the ripped abs (delightful as they may be) were not the complete bit – there was also a bio on each “praymate” (great one Miss Poppy!) that shared a little about their spiritual beliefs.
If the Song of Solomon can rejoice in the beauty of a woman’s body, why can’t we thank the Maker for these young hotties?? Seems unfair. 🙂
Mormon Brainwashing
“yes sir, may I have another??”
Wake up, your church is a fraud based in the OCCULT.
Look it up, sanctimonious saviors, and learn that ANY church not believing in GRACE is based on CONDITIONAL love. Conditional love is LUCIFERIAN.
Christ taught UNCONDITIONAL love, remember? And you wear his name like a LITERAL and figurative BADGE…you are the new Pharisees and Sadducees.
I think they just need to take a chill pill. It’s ridiculous! The guys only have their shirts off…whats the deal..so what if they are fit, healthy, and being of service? (ok..well might be distracting) =0)
There a many other things they could be worried about then missionaries in a calendar. No one is bleeding or hurt from it, they got paid for having their pictures taken. The humane society does not behead you for taking pictures of animals (with clothes on, which is unnatural for the animal) and making calendars. They must have a LOT of time on their hands to be worring about unimportant things.
Well the guy did a great job, and I for one have no problem with it. =0) They are just being human for heaven’s sakes.
As a member that has been disaplined by the church, it is evident that the attitude of the Elder is way out of wack, It is not church standards period. Elder Hardy was and is in the wrong, I feel for his parents, brothers and sisters, he is not setting a good example for future young men or women. Having a ripped body is not what it is all about. Maybe he needs to rip his brain. the comments by others that I have read would also imply, they are not in compliance with church standards either, and need to rethink thier positions.
I am really surprised they just excommunicated him like this. While that was one option available to the church leadership as a possible penalty for transgression of church law, its usually reserved for the most extreme, “unrepentent” cases, and then usually only for speaking out against the church leaders or doctrine in public, or sexual activities.
I’m betting this guy was getting some.
Geesh, it’s not like they were touching their adders or anything.
Miss Poppy,
Are these guys really called praymates? That is hilarious!
I like the May praymate, best.
“the The Church” – one too many
“they still felt the calendar WAS inappropriate and not the image that the church wantED to have”
“SportS Illustrated”
“it HAS called the twelve Mormon monKs”
No typo left behind.
Whatever happened to Sunday being a day of rest?? These guys in Salt Lake City don’t waste any time! Wow. If they keep up this kind of discipline, they just may find themselves without any young people.