Friday
Jul082011
Ross and Carrie Go Mormon (Part 1): And it Came to Pass
Friday, July 8, 2011 at 12:33PM 
You've seen the South Park episode, you've memorized every season of Big Love, you've scratched your head at a few articles about Kolob, and you've hidden behind a chair as the missionaries approached your window, but have you ever wondered what happens when you actually take their classes and... become a Mormon? Oh no! You're not telling me that Ross and Carrie... What?! Yep, in part 1 of this two-parter, Ross and Carrie complete five months worth of classes in an effort to become Latter Day Saints.
Reader Comments (16)
This episode totally had me cracking up! It's fantastic. BTW, Carrie if you had gone to those women's Relief Society meetings, or sat in on lessons that they give to teenage girls, you might reevaluate the 2 you gave Mormonism for "dangerous?" from a hetero woman's perspective.
Well done! Can't wait for the next!
http://lds.org/manual/young-women?lang=eng
http://lds.org/manual/relief-society?lang=eng
I mightily agree with all the above comments.
Thanks! We'll have a lot more to say about our experience with the Mormons in Part 2, coming at the beginning of August.
LOVE this show!
I hear ya, "Angsty." Since we recorded part 1, I have been to Relief Society, and experienced other things that have made my rating change. Do stay tuned for part 2!
I was raised LDS (technically still am a Mormon) and I just love hearing "investigators" talk about some of the quirky things that seemed so normal to me. I kind of wish I hadn't heard about this so soon -- I don't want to wait all month for part 2!
I stumbled across this interesting Great Mormon butterfly at the Natural History Museum in London this morning, which reminded me that I hadn't yet dropped by here to commend the two of you for undertaking your Mormon investigation. Looking forward to Part 2, cheers!
To get the full Mormon experience you will need to actually go through with the baptism... then remain active in the church for one year which will include: paying 10% of your income to tithing, no drinking coffee or alcohol, no tobacco, no pre-marital or extra-marital sex, and accepting any callings offered. You then will be eligible to go through the temple. That's where the real weird S**T happens. I'd actually like to see you follow up with part 3 - The LDS Temple Experience in a year.
As someone who served an LDS mission, this was really fascinating to listen to. And, even though I am on my way out of the Church, a little part of me feels bad for your missionaries, because they (the good ones at least) really, really care about the investigators they teach. Thinking back to my own days as an Elder, being on the other side of what you're describing would've been heartbreaking. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but be gentle with them.
Hi Anon,
We gratefully accept your criticism, and have been trying very, very hard to be as compassionate and careful as possible with our elders. We've become very emotionally involved with them and I guarantee that we care about them just as much as they care about us. I hope that really shows through in Episode 5. Do give us feedback once you hear that part of the story. Thanks so much! And best wishes as you find your place outside the church.
Hi Ian,
I agree-- we'll never have the full Mormon experience without going through the Temple. We'll also NEVER have an experience anywhere near someone who's grown up in the Church, which is why other voices are so important in this (on that note, you'll be hearing from Brian Dalton, who wrote our theme music and grew up LDS, very soon). However, because of how our trajectory went, it is unlikely that we'll be able to do the show you suggest in a year. Come back after Episode 5 and let us know what you think. Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks, Chino Blanco!
And Paul, you're almost there! Hold out for August 1st!
I'm an active Mormon who was also a missionary and I enjoyed this. And now I have to listen to the second part.
Your phone call to the elders telling them that you wanted to be baptized most certainly gave them the closest thing to an orgasm that they are allowed to have.
The Deity sent me right before he lost the lottery. I was going to wait until after watching all the videos about this to post but I thought I'd react right after I listen. I find it more fun that way. I was born and raised in the Mormon church. Many of my family members (including my children) are active members. Several of my extended family have served missions and all of my children are planning to go. Missionaries do receive extensive training at a Missionary Training Center sometimes getting intensive language instruction. Many people in the church are genuine compassionate people who think they are doing the will of God. They do not see the reality clearly and consequences ripple throughout many lives. The sacrifices they make in devotion to their beliefs are staggering. You think 3 hours on Sunday is a commitment? If you really played this out you would find that it permeates your entire life and your entire social network. It is all LDS all the time. There are no part-time Mormons, you are either active, inactive, or in outer darkness. The dynamics involved when you are inactive and still have devoted family members is nearly beyond description. I can't even tell them what I truly believe as the consequences would be staggering. When this is done, you guys get to say goodbye, imagine if all these people were members of your immediate family! I think what you are doing is a good thing. The more people know about the church the better. Boy could I tell you some stories. I am going over to listen to the next episode. I am eager to hear how this plays out.