TO Fellow members

[Steve354]

I would like to if there is any fellow members of the Mormon church out there that might be able give same light on what,s like to a Police Officer and a church member and how does it effect does it have on one,s church life. Steve

[1sgkelly]

You can

[Kieth M.]

Steve -

I'm not LDS, but I have a friend who is. In fact, he's a sworn chaplain with our Department. I don't know if he's ever been on Officer.com, but I'll let him know of your post. I've worked with a few LDS over the years. Other than the regular grumblings over having to work a Sunday here and there, it never interfered. There are no requirements to smoke, drink caffiene, or do anything contrary to the church's teaching.

All the best to you!

[Digital]

I suppose I'll take the bait.

To sum it all up, it's not easy. It is very hard to stay active in the Church.

As soon as I started working my language got kind of... well, got rough around the edges. Call it justification, but when I want to establish a command presence, especially if there is a weapon involved, harsh language usually gets their attention.

I have to work many Sundays. It's no the working on Sunday that bothers me, it's the fact that I couldn't go to church. That puts a damper on things.

I have worked in California and in Tennessee. In California, all of my brothers and sisters were very cool about me being LDS. Of course there was the light hearted teasing, but it was all in good fun. They really liked having me around to talk about stuff with them when they didn't feel good.

In Tennessee however, it's a different story. You will find some people here will stop talking to you completley because you are a member of the church. Sometimes their radios mysteriously are 10-1 when you need help. It's all good though, I go out of my way to do nice things for them or be there when they need me even if they have those feelings towards me.

You will find that many people KNOW what you believe and they tell you what YOU believe. Some of the guys will try to convince me that our church doesn't believe in Christ and that we are not Christian. I think it's halarious considering I served a mission for 2 years in Peru so I'm pretty familiar with what we believe.

However there are some awesome people here who have humbled me. Some of the nicest, most honest, hardworking people I have ever met are here in Nashville. I drop my jaw constantly at how nice people are here. So it really depends where you work.

As long as you keep the big picture in mind, and always remember who you are, the Lord will take care of you, regardless of what religion you are.

I will tell you this though. The Lord likes police officers more than fire fighters. :D

[Digital]

Steve -
There are no requirements to smoke, drink caffiene, or do anything contrary to the church's teaching.


Just an FYI, the whole Caffiene thing is a farse. There are no restrictions on it. I think some of our members get confused because we don't drink coffee.

I knock back 2 Dr. Peppers a day.

I'm sure you don't care, I just wanted to share some general useless knowledge. :)

[Josh]

Just an FYI, the whole Caffiene thing is a farse. There are no restrictions on it. I think some of our members get confused because we don't drink coffee.

I knock back 2 Dr. Peppers a day.

I'm sure you don't care, I just wanted to share some general useless knowledge. :)
I know a girl who is a mormon and she always turns down coffee and sodas. Must be some kind of stricter thing over here in va.

[jwise]

It's like Baptists not dancing. Most don't know or care what their church doctrine says about it.

Utah LDS members (especially Temple Mormons) wouldn't be caught DEAD with a Dr Pepper in their hands. It gets more lax the farther from Utah one gets... :)

[1042 Trooper]

Here in Wyoming as you might imagine right next to Utah and the Morman trail disecting the state, we have a very large number of Morman cops. I have worked with dozens and many are my closest friends to this day.

First, you know how cops are - incesent teasing about anything diefferent. Constant (but good natured) jokes about the "Jesus Jammies," no caffiene, no booze, etc., and the biggie, four hours at church!!!!!

My division Sergeant was the Stake (not Steak) President. Like the head Morman in charge for the town.

Best boss I ever had. I was a cussing, drinking, smoking heathon and he loved me all the same.

[SlowDownThere]

In Tennessee however, it's a different story. You will find some people here will stop talking to you completley because you are a member of the church. Sometimes their radios mysteriously are 10-1 when you need help. It's all good though, ..... :D

If this is true, then it's not all good.

I'm not here to defend Tennesee (tony.o has that job), and there are probably no more Mormons here than Tennesee (ok, well maybe there is. Hill Camorah is in my Troop), but if this is happening it is totaly unacceptable anywhere.

But I can't believe Tennesee cops, would care what religion you are.
Why would they?

[CTR man]

I would like to if there is any fellow members of the Mormon church out there that might be able give same light on what,s like to a Police Officer and a church member and how does it effect does it have on one,s church life. Steve

I suppose I will have to bite at this one, too. If you can't tell by my screen name, I am LDS. However I am not a LEO. With that in mind, I will tell you of my experience.

Several years ago when I got married, my best man - escort - was a member of the California Highway Patrol. I will have to say that his job with the CHP did not affect his church life negatvely, it enhanced it. He was my Elders Quorum President at the time. We did lots of things together like work on cars, usually mine. Sure, there were some Sundays that he was unable to attend church, but he never let that get him down. He went through a divorce, child custody hearings and won custody, remarried in the temple when premission was given as his second wife had some issues to take care of, saw his second wifes oldest son through a two year mission for our church.

Unfortunately he was medically retired from the CHP due to medical issues. He contracted diverticulitis - irritable bowel syndrome and his joints were wearing out from having to scale fences having to chase after criminals. I know that CHP primarily works traffic control and that his primary area of expertise was accident reconstruction. That is what he told me, and I have no reason to doubt him. He decided to move back to Utah where he was raised and has found other empolyment. Unfortunately we have lost touch but it would not take much to find him again. I miss him very much. Someday soon I will try to find him.

He is an honest and true man. I would want him on my side in the event of any problems. He is a true friend and I would even hasten to say that he is a mentor. Someone who I would try to emulate and follow his example.

[Monty Ealerman]

Steve354:

As far as I know, the Mormon religion is disproportionately represented in the FBI, i.e. there is a higher Mormon percentage in that agency than in the US population at large.

I'm not a Mormon -- I think Joseph Smith was a charlatan -- but I've generally liked the elders I've met who were out proselytizing. Although the story they were telling sounded like nonsense to me, the concern for others they exhibited seemed genuine to me.

Regards,

Monty

[stangfather]

Steve354:

As far as I know, the Mormon religion is disproportionately represented in the FBI, i.e. there is a higher Mormon percentage in that agency than in the US population at large.

I'm not a Mormon -- I think Joseph Smith was a charlatan -- but I've generally liked the elders I've met who were out proselytizing. Although the story they were telling sounded like nonsense to me, the concern for others they exhibited seemed genuine to me.

Regards,

Monty


you know ive heard that as well, also i have a buddy who is Secret Service and he is a real straight arrow, 101st, 82nd, Ranger etc...and he has other agents that dont know him too well coming up and asking him if he is LDS as well.


kinda interesting, but i guess if you live your life by that belief system, it makes it easier to pass the background, youve never done drugs, drank, etc..

[Rapax]

Just an FYI, the whole Caffiene thing is a farse. There are no restrictions on it. I think some of our members get confused because we don't drink coffee.

I knock back 2 Dr. Peppers a day.

I'm sure you don't care, I just wanted to share some general useless knowledge. :)

My coworker and friend of 5 years is mormon and he drinks no caffine at all, no caffine even at his wedding. It was kinda weird.

[KenW.]

I'm in Utah, and have been working with LDS cops since I started. I'm a Baptist, so I asked an FTO about how the Church dealt with his shifts having him work every other Sunday.

He said the Church is more understanding with public safety workers than with the general population. Maybe that works as long as his titheing is current.

As far as caffiene goes, I've noticed that many of the older generation has sworn off it; while the younger ones (under, say, 45) drink mountain dew to excess. :eek: