Joseph Smith Rings

[Sleeping in EQ]

Originally Posted by BigFatMeanie

This is what I would call a "Mormon talisman". I've always thought it interesting the way Mormons use amulets/talismans. Traditionally talismans/amulets are used to bring the wearer luck and keep them safe. Of course, Mormons don't explicitly say "this will bring me luck and keep me safe". Instead, we say, "If I wear this CTR ring/Young Women's Medallion/Return with Honor ring/etc. then it will serve as a reminder and then maybe if I'm in some situation where I am tempted to do something wrong then maybe I'll see the reminder and it will help me to choose the right". I've always been of the opinion that those thoughts we're just a more long-winded version of "this will bring me luck and keep me safe". I really don't think Mormonism is very much different from other religions with respect to talismanry.

In Thailand, most Buddhists would wear some type of amulet - maybe a special stone or a little buddha statue or something. Sometimes even a carved little wooden penis was warn around the waist for children that were born after their mother's had worshipped at certain fertility shrines. I had a companion that was really bugged by these amulets. He was always talking about how wearing amulets was like idolatry. Of course, the guy would never even think of leaving the house without his CTR ring on and his little "white bible" in his pocket.

In the Philippines every Catholic household had a "Sacred Heart of Jesus" picture somewhere in the house. You know - the one with the flaming heart sticking outside of Jesus' body with a crown of thorns around the heart. Either that or they had a "Baby Jesus as King" picture - the one where a little baby is wearing a crown and holding a sceptre. Sometimes they even had a Sacred Heart of King Baby Jesus combo where the royal baby had the flaming disembodied heart thing. Again, there were many missionaries that were bothered by these pictures and equated it to idolatry. Of course, every Bishops office in the Church has a picture of the "The Brethren" in it. Mormons are also counseled to have pictures of temples and of Jesus in their homes to "help maintain the Spirit in the home". The implication of that counsel is that having various pictures/objects around us will help keep us safe or protect us - perhaps not directly but definitely indirectly. Otherwise, what is the point of having them displayed? Thus, it's not so different, in my opinion, from having a little "spirit shrine" or buddha shrine or other things that other religions do to help keep them safe and protect them.

This all sounds very close to animisim. And I've met one or two Mormons who seemed to have an odd regard for the Christus statue. They almost had a shrine going...had prayer in front of it...yeah.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Nothing to worry about, IMO.

1) I doubt folks will equate this to a crucifix (I certainly wouldn't have).
2) I doubt it will sell.

[YOhio]

Coming in late on this one.

I find myself more on the side of SIEQ on this one. Not that I'm terribly indignant or frustrated about it, but I am sick of Mormon kitsch. The worst place for this isn't Salt Lake, it's Nauvoo. They have every gimicky little trinket to try and profit off of members emotions while visiting the area. I went there a few years ago for the first time and saw this T-shirt. Pathetic.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by YOhio

Coming in late on this one.

I find myself more on the side of SIEQ on this one. Not that I'm terribly indignant or frustrated about it, but I am sick of Mormon kitsch. The worst place for this isn't Salt Lake, it's Nauvoo. They have every gimicky little trinket to try and profit off of members emotions while visiting the area. I went there a few years ago for the first time and saw this T-shirt. Pathetic.

I actually find this more obnoxious than the ring.

[Detroitdad]

Totems and symbols are fine with me. I think that this particular item is real cheesy. In fact most of Deseret Book's catalog is cheesy.

As I said I am generally in favor of totems and symbols, because I am in favor of group identity and peculiarity (not exclusivity). I think that group identity is what has allowed certain groups that are periodically the target of political and de facto discrimination to thrive. I dont think that the type of discrimination we have experienced is over permanently, and I wonder if sometimes we have forgotten the depths of the hatred for us. To the extent that totems and symbols can help reinforce these things I am in favor of them.

Maybe I am paranoid.

[Venkman]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

People are saying I'm overreacting, but they haven't said how.

You said you were beside yourself in the initial post. As mentioned ad nauseum, the ring is stupid and cheesy, but just because Deseret Book is selling it doesn't mean the church is encouraging us to wear one. I'd never heard of it myself. This isn't a big deal.

[SteelBlue]

Originally Posted by creekster

I actually find this more obnoxious than the ring.

I'd have to agree with you there.

[UtahDan]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

I'm putting you on ignore, Rocky.

Me too. Just did in fact. Very hard to talk to someone who cannot disagree respectfully. Its just a lack of maturity and it his age if that were going to happen it would have already. I suppose those who enjoy it can go on enjoying it.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by creekster

I actually find this more obnoxious than the ring.

Much more.

[RockyBalboa]

Originally Posted by UtahDan

Me too. Just did in fact. Very hard to talk to someone who cannot disagree respectfully. Its just a lack of maturity and it his age if that were going to happen it would have already. I suppose those who enjoy it can go on enjoying it.

That's what people normally do when they can't hang. I imagine that doesn't go over well in court. What a weenie....you can dish it out, but not take it. lol.