This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Several recent columns prompted loud reader reaction, including columns on sustaining vs. obeying, when to have children, and divorce. I even got yelled at for one I wrote two years ago.
Most of the response was agreeable. I like excerpting the negative ones because they make me laugh.
On sustaining vs. obeying
"You need to have a long talk with your bishop and become more in tune with the Lord." C.K., e-mail.
"Why are you so quick to point out the negative and tell everyone all our faults when you claim to belong to the true church?" R.T., e-mail.
"No one would have this problem of obeying wrongly if they didn't belong to a destructive organization in the first place. Ridiculous. Double ridiculous. Get out while you still can." Anonymous, SLC.
"You call it sustaining. Those who honestly follow the Lord Jesus Christ know it for what it really is - the road to Hell. Yes, Mormons are going to H-E-L-L for sustaining false prophets." Anonymous, SLC.
On having children
"My wife and I waited to have children until we finished med school. It's the smartest thing we ever did." K., e-mail.
"We should and do listen to the prophets about having children because there is no more important decision a couple can make about life." T., e-mail.
"I wish more people put more thought into having children." F.H., e-mail.
"Is it your business if I follow the commandments of the prophet? Get a real job." E., e-mail.
On divorce
"Whenever I bother to read your nonsense I feel sorry for your poor wife. You could still become divorced." S., e-mail.
"Your darling wife is amazing. Anyone who could stay married to a crazy man like you should be a professional marriage counselor." D., e-mail.
On being quoted during
LDS General Conference
"When a Mormon leader uses your column for a talk, it's very clear that you have sold out. What happened to you?" Anonymous.
"You will be teaching seminary before we know it." T.M., e-mail.
"Polygamy, blood atonement, and now Kirby in Conference. I can't take it anymore. I have to leave the church." G.S., e-mail.
"Dude, I'd sue that General Authority for defamation. This totally is going to kill your rep." W., e-mail.
"Big deal. My bishop quotes you all the time." P.A., e-mail.
"[My sister] hates you and won't read your articles but now she'll have to because it will be in the church magazine. LOL!" G.D., e-mail.