The 2010 Men on a Mission Calendar features 12 Mormon Missionaries in their white shirts (complete with their names). The calendar has created quite a controversy in Utah and with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as the Mormon or LDS Church).
Chad Hardy, the man who produced that calendar lost his LDS Church membership and BYU diploma in a church court. Hardy had already completed all of his coursework in June of 2008, walked with his graduating class in August, and received a letter in September from BYU saying they were pulling his degree for breaking the BYU honor code. Hardy was told that he would not be able to receive his diploma until he was re-instated in the LDS Church. Hardy has since hired attorneys to help him get his diploma (see his website link below to donate to his cause).
Ironically enough, the calendar has been selling extremely well because of the LDS Church attention to Chad Hardy, and the calendar is back for its second season.
A similar calendar, Hot Mormon Muffins Calendar contains 12 Mormon mothers in sexy vintage pin-up style photos.
A spokesman for the calendars stated that the calendar is designed to shake up stereotypes that paint Mormons as "stuffy or hyper-conservative and mothers in particular as homemakers from another era."
"For Mormons, the most holy calling next to missionary work is motherhood," the spokesman said. "But they're not all the subservient housewives that people think they are."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints doesn't endorse or even acknowledge the calendars, and as expected many Mormon's are offended by them.
Amazon description of the calendar: Back for its second year, the 2009 Men on a Mission calendar features twelve handsome returned Mormon missionaries who have dared once again to pose bare-chested in a steamy international calendar. At one time seen riding their bicycles and preaching door-to-door, these hunky men of faith are now on a new mission to powerfully tear down stereotypes and promote religious and cultural tolerance around the world. Hand-selected for their striking appearances and personal humanitarian commitment, the "devout dozen" are stepping away from the Mormon traditions of modest dress, and "baring their testimony" to demonstrate that they can have strong faith and be proud of who they are, while reaching out to a broad audience with a sense of individualism and a sense of humor. The Men on a Mission calendar benefits a variety of worthy causes. Each of the twelve former missionaries have the opportunity to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the calendar to a cause in the area where he has served. Not only have they helped those in need personally, they now have the opportunity to help financially.
Sources: Chad Hardy, Amazon
Related article:
Hot Mormon Muffins Calendar causes controversy
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