Shun Tom Hanks.

According to him, Mormons are un-American because we supported Proposition 8.

Uhm... I'm sorry, but when did freedom of religion and having the right to vote as we saw fit being un-American?

At least we're doing something to support what we believe to be right and keeping some values instead of sitting back and letting this Nation go to Hell in a hand basket.

He's just messing up with the religions. If he keeps this up, he'll have no fans left.

Tom Hanks, an Executive Producer for HBO’s controversial polygamist series “Big Love,” made his feelings toward the Mormon Church’s involvement in California's Prop 8 (which prohibits gay marriage) very clear at the show’s premiere party on Wednesday night.

“The truth is this takes place in Utah, the truth is these people are some bizarre offshoot of the Mormon Church, and the truth is a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen,” he told Tarts. “There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of them. I do not like to see any discrimination codified on any piece of paper, any of the 50 states in America, but here's what happens now. A little bit of light can be shed, and people can see who's responsible, and that can motivate the next go around of our self correcting Constitution, and hopefully we can move forward instead of backwards. So let's have faith in not only the American, but Californian, constitutional process.”

When informed of the "Forrest Gump" star's comments, Kim Farah, a spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, told Tarts, "Expressing an opinion in a free and democratic society is as American as it gets."

Bill McKeever, a rep for the Mormonism Research Ministry, added, "Personally, I find it un-American to tell people that they shouldn’t vote their conscience. Hanks said he doesn’t 'like to see any discrimination codified on any piece of paper.' Considering that just about every law discriminates in some form or another, makes this comment ridiculous. Hanks’ comment shows that he very much believes in discriminating against people with whom he disagrees. I may not agree with Mormon theology, but I certainly defend their right to express their opinion."


So thank you, sir. If it's un-American to persue something I believe in, then I'm the most un-patriotic person alive. And for the record: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints didn't pay the government or anyone else to make this law pass. Members of the Church may have donated money to help spread awareness, but how is that worse than Gay Rights groups donating money to get their voice heard?

That's all I have to say on the matter (even though it was a lot...).

Trekking Onward...

This week I had the opportunity to go on a 3 Day Trek for church, and to be quite honest, it was was the roughest experience of my life! We walked a lot, didn't get to bathe and wore pioneer clothes.

I guess to nonmembers, we would have been seen as insane to do it, but I did gain a greater understanding of what the Pioneers went through. At least we had shoes, food, port-a-potties, tents to sleep in, nice weather, and the knowledge that we'd be going home soon. It made me re-evaluate myself and I know I learned more about myself throughout it.

It was hard though. Lots of tears were shed. But at the same time, there were many laughs. We kept our feet moving forward by singing off key and trying to make light of our challenges. I'm glad I did it, but I can't say I would ever do it again!

It really makes me appreciate having showers, flushing toilets, and a warm bed even more now! I'm grateful I didn't have to be alive then, because I really don't know if I would have had the strength to make it living like that for 60 days, walking more than we did even on our longest day!

The Pioneers had to have had crazy strong strength to make it through all that they did!