LDS Faith Journeys Forums General Discussion Superstitions

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  • #112980
    Beefster
    Participant

    I’d say the canonical example of LDS superstition is garments. What started as a friendly reminder of covenants became a talisman of protection that you must never take off unless you have to.

    What other superstitions have you noticed?

    #227160
    Roy
    Keymaster

    I was struck by the similarities between the LDS garment and the historical Ghost Shirt of the Lakota people. At the time, both the Mormons and the Lakota were marginalized and oppressed. There was a need for them to believe in a magically protective garment.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_shirt

    I suppose tales of Moroni, Cain, or the three Nephites are pretty big examples of urban legends or superstitions.

    #227161
    SamBee
    Participant

    Roy wrote:


    I was struck by the similarities between the LDS garment and the historical Ghost Shirt of the Lakota people. At the time, both the Mormons and the Lakota were marginalized and oppressed. There was a need for them to believe in a magically protective garment.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_shirt

    I suppose tales of Moroni, Cain, or the three Nephites are pretty big examples of urban legends or superstitions.

    It’s thought the ghost shirt idea actually originated with the Mormons.

    Be careful with this question, you’ll get some bore who thinks the entire LDS is superstition.

    #227162
    Old-Timer
    Keymaster

    Satan ruling the water, so no swimming for missionaries. (I like the policy. It is too easy for missionaries to have problems when swimming in many places. However, the devilish angle simply is a superstition left over from Greek mythology.)

    “Face cards” being devilish – although that one is close to dead, I think, as my parents’ generation is dying.

    #227163
    BeJoyful
    Participant

    Beefster wrote:

    I’d say the canonical example of LDS superstition is garments. What started as a friendly reminder of covenants became a talisman of protection that you must never take off unless you have to.

    What other superstitions have you noticed?

    “Avoiding the appearance of evil”, no glass root beer bottles or to-go cups for hot cocoa.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

    #227164
    squarepeg
    Participant

    BeJoyful wrote:

    “Avoiding the appearance of evil”, no glass root beer bottles or to-go cups for hot cocoa.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

    Good one, Joyful! My mom used to scold us for pretending to smoke various cigarette-shaped objects (pencils, pretzels, etc.) and we had a rule, no “Big League Chew.” 😆

    [img]https://www.candywarehouse.com/assets/item/regular/big-league-chew-original-packs-125125.jpg[/img]

    #227165
    dande48
    Participant

    That’s a dangerous question to ask, on a place like this. I’m pretty sure there’s a number of us who would describe “God”, “the Priesthood”, “Angels”, “Prophecy”, “Spirits”, and/or “Judgement Day” as superstitions . I would (no tea, no shade).

    Technically, any belief in a supernatural being, element, or event is a superstition by definition. God, Christ, Prophets, spirits, the whole shebang all fit into that category. That’s not saying it can’t be true. That’s just believing in things beyond the laws of nature and scope of our scientific understanding. Religious beliefs are deeply personal, and are what help people cope with this crazy existance. I don’t believe it’s right, or effective, to look down on anyone for their superstitious (religious) beliefs, even if they do seem silly to us.

    #227166
    Beefster
    Participant

    Old Timer wrote:


    However, the devilish angle simply is a superstition left over from Greek mythology.


    Actually, it’s probably derived from a passage in D&C that’s taken out of context and misinterpreted. I forget the reference, but it’s something along the lines of seeing the face of the devil in the water and avoiding it.

    I’ve seen it debunked by orthodox members.

    #227167
    nibbler
    Keymaster

    Old Timer wrote:


    Satan ruling the water, so no swimming for missionaries. (I like the policy. It is too easy for missionaries to have problems when swimming in many places. However, the devilish angle simply is a superstition left over from Greek mythology.)

    In my mind I made up a story about how Zion’s Camp was traveling by canoe. JS wasn’t the best with a canoe, he got in one, started flailing all over the place, almost capsizing into the river, and other people in the group made fun of him.

    JS then told them that Satan was on the water to get them to stop laughing at him. It also had the added benefit that he could travel the rest of the way by land, avoiding further embarrassment.

    Hey, it could happen. ;)

    #227168
    nibbler
    Keymaster

    From LDS Living:

    Where the Saying “Satan Has Dominion Over the Water” Came from and What We’ve Been Misunderstanding All Along

    #227169
    nibbler
    Keymaster

    squarepeg wrote:


    Big League Chew

    Big league chew!

    As a kid I had a steady diet of these:

    [img]https://cdn.thisiswhyimbroke.com/images/candy-cigarettes.jpg[/img]

    Which turned out to be a gateway drug to the harder stuff like gobstoppers.

    #227170
    squarepeg
    Participant

    nibbler wrote:

    Which turned out to be a gateway drug to the harder stuff like gobstoppers.

    😆

    #227171
    SamBee
    Participant

    Old Timer wrote:


    Satan ruling the water, so no swimming for missionaries. (I like the policy. It is too easy for missionaries to have problems when swimming in many places. However, the devilish angle simply is a superstition left over from Greek mythology.)

    I’ve always found this ironic, since missionaries are supposed to baptize in it!

    Yes, there are a lot of nasty problems involved with water, particularly the sea and rivers so it is a sensible policy.

    #227172
    SamBee
    Participant

    squarepeg wrote:


    BeJoyful wrote:

    “Avoiding the appearance of evil”, no glass root beer bottles or to-go cups for hot cocoa.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

    Good one, Joyful! My mom used to scold us for pretending to smoke various cigarette-shaped objects (pencils, pretzels, etc.) and we had a rule, no “Big League Chew.” 😆

    [img]https://www.candywarehouse.com/assets/item/regular/big-league-chew-original-packs-125125.jpg[/img]

    I wouldn’t call that superstition… I think these type of candies are outrageous. We used to buy some of them and they were so obviously supposed to condition children into smoking. Nibbler’s examples were better.

    #227173
    Beefster
    Participant

    SamBee wrote:


    Old Timer wrote:


    Satan ruling the water, so no swimming for missionaries. (I like the policy. It is too easy for missionaries to have problems when swimming in many places. However, the devilish angle simply is a superstition left over from Greek mythology.)

    I’ve always found this ironic, since missionaries are supposed to baptize in it!

    Yes, there are a lot of nasty problems involved with water, particularly the sea and rivers so it is a sensible policy.


    Let’s not forget poolside “porn” i.e. women in bikinis.

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