Mormon Life - Poll tag

{Poll} Family Size

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:03:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Apparently family size is going back up in America (after dipping down). How do Mormon families reflect these trends?

I recently ran across a study about family size in the United States that says the average household size has gone from 3.67 in 1930 down to 2.62 in 2000, but is now going back up. Interesting. I suspect some of that has to do with young adults moving back in with their parents due to economic circumstances, but not entirely.

Mormon families don't really fit into these statistics, though. Having only two children is on the lower end of the spectrum, and six is not really a novelty, especially if you live in Utah. I'm curious, though, has the Mormon household size followed the national trend, just on our own Mormon scale? Take the quiz below and let's find out.

Wall Street Journal: One in four say having a Mormon president would cause concerns

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:22:00 -0600

source: wsj.com

Mormon Life says: So says a poll done by WSJ and NBC News. More than one in four Americans say having a Mormon as president would cause concern for themselves or someone in their family, neighborhood or office, presenting a challenge for Mitt Romney, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds.

In general, Americans are reluctant to admit they harbor biases against particular groups, so the portion of people who say Mormonism is a concern is notable, pollsters said. Mr. Romney is set to be the first Mormon to be nominated for president by one of the major political parties.

{Poll} The Wedding Thank-you

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:02:00 -0600

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Having recently gotten married, I'm now facing the daunting task of sending thank-you cards. What rules do you think are most important when sending cards?

It's a given that thank-you cards should be sent when people come to your wedding and give you gifts. But the exact manner in which this should be done seems cluttered by a lot of rules and sometimes debate. I've seen some that are monogrammed in sealed envelopes and others that are just postcards, some with photos and some not. Some mention the gift (and some mention the wrong gift), and some add a personal note while others are more formulaic. What's okay and what's not? You tell me.

{Poll} Mother's Day vs. Father's Day

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:03:00 -0600

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Mothers and fathers are equally important in a child's life. How do the days in which we honor them compare?

Sunday will be my first real Mother's Day. Last year on that day, I was unhappily sitting in church, very pregnant, one day overdue with my son. Why couldn't he have arrived in time for Mother's Day? I thought. (Obviously the wound is still fresh.) But I digress.

More than anything, I've been looking forward to the simple joy of holding my own child on that day for quite some time. But even before I was really a mother, I had been honored along with other women in my past wards for being a future mother. I've seen flowers, heard songs, and eaten chocolate (no complaints there). Occasionally the men of the ward have taken over the women's non-Relief Society Sunday callings so those women could attend Relief Society.

On the other hand, I vaguely remember that Father's Day has been celebrated in these wards, though I honestly can't remember if my dad or my husband received any small gifts. However, growing up, my dad got just as much attention as my mom did on her day (with perhaps slightly fewer presents).

What's been your experience? How have the two days compared in your life, and do they get a different amount of attention?

{Poll} Plastic Surgery

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:06:00 -0600

by Jamie Lawson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: How do you feel about plastic surgery? Is it ever appropriate?

I remember the first time someone I knew chose to get plastic surgery.

My good friend often complained that giving birth to five children had left her body in less than ideal condition—and there were certain things that could not be improved with diet and exercise alone. After saving for a few years, she elected to have a tummy tuck and breast lift. “It’s not plastic surgery, it’s reconstructive surgery,” she told me.

The results were amazing. Not only did her figure look great, but she also enjoyed a new level of confidence that I had never seen in her before.

Another woman I know just finished her third round of liposuction. After getting breast implants, she decided the rest of her body could look better. So she had liposuction on her thighs, back, and upper arms. But now she believes her 42-year-old face doesn’t match her youthful body. She regularly receives Botox injections to help soften the wrinkles in her face, and she is now considering an eyelift.

To me, it seems there can be legitimate reasons for plastic surgery, but it can also be a slippery slope where someone can never be quite satisfied with his or her appearance when there is always another body part to improve upon.

So here’s my question: How do you feel about plastic surgery? Is it ever appropriate? How much is too much?

Take our poll and leave a comment below.

{Poll} Public Displays of Affection at Church

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:04:00 -0600

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Some of my friends' religion professors have said church is absolutely not the place for PDA, but I've also seen plenty of leaders show affection for their wives in public settings. Where is the line?

I like to show affection for my husband. Whenever I can, I try to hold his hand. When we say goodbye, we give a quick kiss to let the other person know he/she is in our thoughts while we're apart. Sometimes, I'll rest my head on his shoulder and move in close next to him for some mild cuddling. We even do these things at church.

Now, I really don't think any of these are inappropriate. But some might. And I know some people definitely think back rubs or scratches are completely inappropriate in a church setting.

While I think it's pretty safe to say that making out is not acceptable at church (or in any public setting, really), what about more innocent forms of affection? We'd like to get a general survey of church membership, so let us know what you think . . .

{Poll} Technology Boundaries for Kids?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:04:00 -0600

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: It seems we can't function in life without our various technological devices, but they carry a lot of dangers and responsibility as well. When and how much can kids handle?

Growing up, the most advanced technology I had was a Super Nintendo that my mother begrudgingly allowed us to have, only after realizing we were using our friends for their video games and constantly asking to go to Toys 'R' Us solely so we could play on the demo video game consoles.

Today, the world is a bit different, and my younger siblings who still live at home have iPod touches that connect to the Internet, handheld video game consoles that do the same, and a cell phone for the elder one. Again, my parents delayed as long as possible before finally relenting this past Christmas.

The traditional rules I grew up with--no computers in the bedroom, no TV on Sundays--become blurry when an mp3 player can be used as both. And the statistics of how much time kids spend on these devices are staggering. Where do the boundaries lie? What age do you think is appropriate for kids to have such devices, and what restrictions (if any) do you put on them?

Washington Post poll on Romney's Mormon religion

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:06:00 -0600

source: washingtonpost.com

Mormon Life says: Click on the forwarding link to see the poll results. Q: Is Romney's Mormon religion a major reason to (support) that candidate, a major reason to (oppose) that candidate, or not a major factor?

{Poll} Birthing Methods

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:07:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: When it comes to children, everyone has an opinion. And the way you give birth to them is no exception. We Mormons are in the business of baby birthing. It's not uncommon for a Mormon mom to give birth five, six, seven(?!) times in her life. It's a pretty big deal. There is no right or wrong way to have a baby, just different ones; and with all the moms out there, I'm curious to know which methods are most popular.

For me, I got an epidural before I even got my ice chips. Let's just say I'm a big baby. My personal philosophy (personal, ladies, not for everyone) is I would never ask to have a root canal natural, so I surely am not going to ask to have a baby natural. But I really respect women who do. Truly. That is some serious willpower. I also chose to go the traditional, Western medicine route with an O.B. and in a big, fancy hospital. But I've read that midwives and even home births are increasing in popularity among women in the United States.

Your turn: If you've had a baby, or plan to have a baby one day, what's your personal birthing style?

{Poll} Public Displays of Faith

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:05:00 -0700

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: We are taught to be examples of faith to those around us, but we're also taught not to cast pearls before swine. Where does that line fall for you?

In Christ's Sermon on the Mount, he commanded us to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." But only one chapter later, he also encouraged us that "when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret."

Obviously, we know we should be good missionaries for the Church, and we also know there are some things, such as what happens within the temple, that are too sacred to discuss. But there is a lot that seems to fall in a sort of gray area, left open to personal interpretation.

For example, praying in public. I've seen families bow their heads in unison and utter aloud a prayer in a restaurant, and I've seen others dig into their food without a moment's hesitation. Growing up, my family found a sort of middle ground: we all offered silent (and sometimes three-second, I admit) prayers individually.

Most recently, NFL quarterback Tim Tebow brought Christianity to the spotlight with his public displays of faith, including praying on the field and citing God as the reason for his success. Some people were thrilled to see a role model so open about their faith and using their position to spread religion, but others were bothered by how over-the-top it seemed and thought more discretion should be used.

What do you think is an appropriate amount or way to show your faith? Is that a question that is even answerable? Let us know in the poll and by leaving comments below.

Hot topics on LDS Living polls

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:50:00 -0700

source: ksl.com

Mormon Life says: Check out LDS Living's Erin Hallstrom and Jamie Lawson on Mormon Times TV!

{Poll} What's Your Home or Visiting Teaching Style?

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:11:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Home and visiting teaching are invaluable programs for reaching out to all the members in our ranks, but they take on a different appearance for each person. How often do you go? When do you try to complete it? And what constitutes a visit? We'd love to know.

We've become curious about how home and visiting teaching play out in real life. For me, I call it good when my visiting teachers come over and sit at the kitchen counter while I cook Sunday dinner and we chat about work, kids, school, and life. Sometimes they share a quick message, sometimes they don't, but I always feel loved. It's funny, on the Sundays they come over, the whole family gathers in the kitchen to be involved because the informality of it makes it fun.

But I know others who would never dream of doing it this way. The home/visiting teachers are escorted to the formal living room of their home and teach of spiritual message. And then there are those who drop off cookies at the doorstep, or leave a message on the answering machine and check it off their to-do list.

I'm not suggesting there's a right or wrong way to do it, I'm just curious about how you do it. Take our poll and leave a comment below on your own personal style.

{Poll} Waiting for Missionaries

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:04:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: We've been counseled time and again that "waiting" for missionaries isn't a good idea, for anyone involved. And yet, it's a fairly common and accepted practice in Mormondom. I’m no exception; I sent a boy off on his mission with great intentions to wait for him. But I didn’t. I wrote him his whole mission, but got married just a few weeks before he came home. (Something we’re both glad about because we’re happily married to other people.)

Then there’s the other side of the story. My sister was dating a great guy who was ready to marry her when she told him she was going on a mission. He sent her off (sadly, I’m sure), and told her he would wait. And he did. They’ve now been married for a year.

So here’s my question about the whole thing: How do you feel about people sending off missionaries, telling them they’ll wait? Is it fair to the missionary to read distracting love letters? What about for the person waiting--do they feel guilty for dating other people?

Take our poll and leave a comment below.

{Poll} Breastfeeding in Public

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:38:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: I'm a new mom, and yes, I nurse. But I have mixed feelings about doing it in public.

I am so grateful to be able to give my baby breast milk, and I love that it's healthy, easy, and free. But I'm not so sure about feeding her in public. I understand that it's not indecent exposure; it's a beautiful thing for a mother to feed her child. But I feel so awkward doing it, and I know people around me feel awkward, too.

I bring this up because we recently had a discussion in the LDS Living office about breastfeeding in public. There is a mother in someone's ward who breastfeeds during sacrament meeting. She is very considerate of others and covers herself, but everyone in the congregation can still hear it, and that bothers some people.

The Salt Lake Tribune ran an article a few months ago on a mother who was asked to nurse in a more private area while out shopping (she was not wearing a nursing cover). Long story short, she was in the right and other customers will have to accept it in the future. But is it wrong that I kind of feel bad for those other customers? I know it's not pornographic - I'm a nursing mother, I get it. But I also wouldn't want my husband or a teenage son to see another woman's breast. Is that wrong?

Your turn: What do you think? Am I totally crazy? Take our poll and leave a comment below.

{Poll} Where's Your Pew?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:03:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: We like to joke about the permanence of family pews in Mormondom, but seriously: where do you sit?

Finding a place for your family to sit during sacrament meeting or stake conference can be a frustrating experience—particularly if you’re a family of nine. And if you’re a family of nine who has recently moved into a new ward, you run the risk of accidentally usurping someone else’s “usual” pew.

It’s true that most of us like to sit in the same area, if not the same row, each week. But Facebook friend Brittney Meyer McOmber thinks we should “mix it up.” She writes, “None of us own a pew and [we should not] get upset if someone is sitting in the place that we [typically] sit in. Sometimes due to disabilities, people do need to sit in certain areas. But most of the time, that isn’t the case. It’s fun sitting in different places every week!”

Your turn: Why do you sit where you sit? Tradition? Convenience?

Food, Intimacy or Cars?!

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:43:00 -0700

source: bycommonconsent.com

Mormon Life says: This blogger came up with a silly game that's actually fun to play (and see how other people voted). Welcome to the inaugural installment of “Food, Intimacy, or Cars?!” The game where you, dear reader, must make commensurate the incommensurable! Here’s how you play: Various alimentary, hominid, and vehicular choices will appear below, grouped together in eight successive rounds. Since this is a politically and religiously correct version of the original game, all choices will be Mormon-relevant, and both genders will be catered to. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to decide which of the three selections in each round is the most desirable: the food, the intimacy, or the car? (“Intimacy” here means anything from a slow, romantic walk around the temple grounds to a NCMO at a BYU International Cinema screening, so nothing unseemly). Each round you choose correctly, you win one point.

{A&E} Poll: Favorite Christmas Hymn

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:17:00 -0700

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Vote for your favorite Christmas hymn!

A few months ago LDS Living held a contest called The "Favoritest" Hymn of All where readers voted for their favorite song in the hymn book. (Click on the link to find out the winner of that poll!) Today we're doing the same thing, but with Christmas songs. Vote below for your most-loved Christmas hymn, and leave a comment of your favorite secular (or non-hymn) song.

{Poll} To Mormons: Questions from Your Non-LDS Neighbor

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:46:00 -0700

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

In our article "To Mormons, With Love," non-member Chrisy Ross explains what it's like to live in Happy Valley, Utah. She doesn't regret her choice to live there, though it has come with its share of confusion and frustration. After the initial culture shock, she has come to accept and embrace the unique (sometimes quirky) culture of our Mormon community.

Take LDS Living's poll below to see how you might look in the eyes of some of your non-LDS neighbors.

{Lifestyle} Poll: Neighbor Gifts

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:02:00 -0700

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Take our poll and find out how others handle (and receive) neighbor gifts!

Neighbor gifts are a time-honored tradition, but some of us are, well, less traditional. Find out how this holiday staple measures up with LDS Living readers in today's world.

{Food Dish} Poll: Jell-O

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

J-E-L-L-O. (Did you sing that in Bill Cosby’s voice? Good.)

Jell-O is probably one of the most popular Mormon clichés; however, is it out of date and time for a new cliche, or is it still showing up at every Mormon function? Take our poll below and let’s put the debate to rest. Oh, and if you want some gourmet Jell-O recipes (yes, it can be gourmet), read {Food Dish} Ultimate Guide: Jell-O Recipes.

What’s your favorite Jell-O dish? Leave a comment below.