he other day, I received (yet another) email about my interview with two Mormon teens. It read:

“While the interviews were interesting, and the girls indeed impressively articulate for their ages, I wonder: Does someone who despises every facet of a group to which they belong really count as a member of that group? Especially when it comes to religion, I think it misleading to label someone who slanders Christ a Christian or someone who goes out of their way to curse Allah a Muslim. Therefore, perhaps the interviews represent more of a South Idahoan counter-culture as expounded by those who view themselves as being outside of the religion, more than a general Mormon culture, as your site would seemingly imply.”

I couldn’t have agreed more. Well, I could have agreed more, if he had ended this email by saying something like, “Obama 2008!” or, “I think peanut butter and honey on toast is, like, the best food ever.” Problem is, I don’t know any practicing Mormons. Fortunately, they know me. I didn’t even have to ask Sam to take the following interview. He sent me the answers himself, and told me if I liked them, I could post them. I’ve posted them. Part IV in the most unexpected interview cycle ever on this site.

How did you become a Mormon? In other words, how did this happen to you?
I was brought up in the church, but didn't really have my own spiritual awakening until I was in my teens. I had a few profound (profound for a teenager) spiritual experiences in which I actually came to the conclusion that there was something to all this stuff I had been taught all my life, and that it was the path that God wanted me to follow. That led me to serve a mission for the church, and has informed every decision I have made in my personal and professional life.

What do you think of Joseph Smith? And who would play him in the movie?
I think Joseph Smith is an INCREDIBLY interesting, underexplored historical figure. This was a teenager in upstate New York in the early 19th century who was told that his name would be “known for both good and evil among all nations” at a time when people were rarely famous outside their own community.

Whether you believe he is a prophet or not, you can't deny that he was an incredible person who started a movement unlike anything similar. There is tangible evidence of his work, and I leave it to individuals to encounter it and judge it for themselves.

I think Joseph Smith should be played by Val Kilmer.

What is the craziest thing about Mormonism?
The craziest thing about Mormonism is the same crazy thing about all Christian religions, that we actually believe that there is a guy out there we can't see, hear, or touch (we call him God or Jesus) who loves us, knows us, and who sacrificed himself to pay some incomprehensible price for our faults and shortcomings. Really, this defies logic and reason, that one person can somehow pay for another's mistakes, and yet we Christians believe it.

Why are Mormons so nice?
Three answers...
1. Cause that's the way to be. No one wants to be around jerks.

2. Cause that's how they want to be treated in return.

3. On a deeper level, Mormons feel good about themselves, optimistic about their life and future happiness and salvation, and want others to feel that same way. Thats why they're handing out those pamphlets. Because they don't know any better way to express the positive feelings they have toward their faith.

What is the worst thing about being a Mormon?
Hypocrisy within the church. It's hard to see people pretend to be good Christians at church and then find out they are wife beaters, drug addicts, and child molesters in the outside world.

I'm also going to interpret this question to mean: What is the most difficult thing about being a Mormon? The answer to that is that the church requires a HUGE sacrifice and devotion on the part of the individual. This is not a religion you can just casually practice. It consumes its members and can take over every corner of their lives.

What’s the best thing about Mormonism?
The power of the unity, love, and friendship that can exist among those with whom you worship. Practically speaking, that means when I'm struggling, I know others will be there to help me, and when others struggle, I am there to help them. In a world of insecurity, that is important. (You'll find out when you move for the first time and need help.)

What does a Mormon teen do to rebel? I mean, other than reading Sarahhepola.com?
The things that all teenagers do to rebel: things that authority figures (parents, teachers, clergy, friends, family) tell them not to do. Drugs, alcohol, breaking the law, getting tats, getting piercings, talking back to their parents, hating their siblings, wearing skanky clothes, etc. We have a hard enough time keeping Mormon teens out of these incredibly destructive (read “rebellious”) behaviors. R-rated movies, kissing boys, and drinking Diet Coke are way down on my list.

What is the one thing you want us to know about you, maybe to assure us that [this random Mormon guy isn’t] totally insane?
I'm a totally normal guy. I could be your neighbor. I just want to have a happy, healthy, normal life.

Mitt Romney: Hot or not?
Umm... he's really not my type. :)