Where did the rumor that Mormons have horns originate?

I'm a mormon, and I understand where a lot of rumors come from, like polygamy (which is DEFINITELY not a mormon practice), but I just don't understand where the "mormons have horns" comes from. So please help me understand. Why do you think I have horns, when, very very logically, I don't.

Where did the rumor that Mormons have horns originate?
This is just a rumor too, but back when the wearing of hats, trench coats, etc. was common. President Heber J Grant (LDS President 1919-1945), was in Chicago, arrived at the home of a non-LDS family, he was invited to remove his hat, and, in jest, he said something to the effect of "My dear lady, if I were to remove my hat, you would then discover my Mormon Horns." The saying is there were many "old wives tales" going about the area, one of which was that Mormons had horns. It was probably just a made up rumor, aided by president Grant in jest, ash e had quite the sense of humor, just rolling with the rumor and the absurdity of it.
Reply:I don't believe that you have horns or anyone else that believes as you do. Perhaps it's a urban myth or bad joke, or by someone who doesn't understand Mormons,and makes fun of that for which they refuse to understand. I don't know where the origins of the rumor of horns originated. But,I would not let it ruin my day.
Reply:Hmmm... I heard that someplace too... and I don't know where it originates. But then it is one of the rumors that is easily dispelled about us.
Reply:Probably from the same imaginative folks that claim Wiccans sacrifice kids. No accounting for some acts of human stupidity.





Nice rack, by the way. ;D
Reply:NO. You got it wrong. Since they have multiple wives. The rumor was Mormons are horny.....not horned.
Reply:Could it possibly be from those old bible-toting, fire and brimstone preachers who thought Mormons were devils because they had more than one wife, when the bible preaches monogamy? Actually, didn't some back in the Old Testament have more than one wife?
Reply:Never heard of it. Perhaps you just started the rumor right now!
Reply:it was Jews have horns and that was Little House on the Prairie
Reply:If you were a real Mormon, you wouldn't refer to yourself as such!! You would be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, if I remember correctly. Either that, or you are a member of one of the small sects that broke away from the Latter-day Saints movement. In any case, there are definitely sects of mormonism that most certainly do subscribe to polygamy - why esle would Warren Jeffs (on FBI's top ten wanted list, now be in custody having been just arrested) be the leader of his polygamist sect?





As to the horns, see:


http://home.utah.edu/~nahaj/Mormon/#comm...


about halfway down the page under RUMORS.
Reply:I have not heard the rumor that Mormons have horns. But it is my theory that when people do not understand a group, or they are made out to be so different from others, people start rumors to make the gap greater. As to the question why do I think you have horns, when, very very logically , you don't? Why do you presume to know what I think?
Reply:My guess might be that when the missionaries went out during the early days of the Church they would wear nice clothes which in those days included a hat. I suspect that some people just invented the idea that they wore the hats to hide horns, instead of being decently dressed.
Reply:from the one that tell you this
Reply:sorry bro never heared that one before?....
Reply:Becky B is the closest to being right. The preachers that were against us in the early days of the Church started the rumor about us having horns because they called us devils and therefore likened us to Satan whom they depicted as having horns. By the way, Satan doesn't have horns either. He is in the same form as we are, just without the mortal body. I have seen early cartoons printed in the newspapers depicting the Church leaders with horns hidden under their hats. It is all nonsense promulgated by wicked people that haven't the Spirit of Christ anywhere in their personalities.
Reply:Goat-like mormons? No, never heard of them.





(Being silly, as usual)
Reply:well since you guys have a gazillion wives and children that would make you horny and down thru the years that got misinterpeted as to meaning you have horns!
Reply:Rumors are circulated by hate group to ridicule opponents. It would have been better to avoid the question.
Reply:Perhaps you are horny?
Reply:I never heard of that and I ususally have heard them all. So I can't help you out, but I just wanted to say not everyone thinks you have horns!
Reply:Their belief system is the concoction of Joseph Smith and not inspired.





That is from which the 'horn' thing originated. Of course, it's crazy. Those poor lost souls will not be given horns in the physical world.
Reply:I have read a great deal about your faith and Honestly have never heard that one. Maybe it's a regional thing somebody made up.
Reply:Never heard of it.
Reply:LOL.....I never heard of that ridiculous rumor before you brought it up....did YOU start the rumor? (just kidding)





Josh K
Reply:Don't know exatly, but maybe its got to be related with sex god Amon who has got horns.
Reply:Haven't heard the rumor... Do you drive cars without them?



performing arts