It states there were 3 reasons for the action. 2 were released by the guy. It sure looks like this guy is using the church for publicity to sell calenders. Pretty sad.

The key:
Hardy has been inactive in the LDS Church for the past six years. He no longer pays tithing or wears the religious undergarments considered sacred. In an interview last week, Hardy said he had always struggled to fit in and live up to the expectations of membership.

Is this really newsworthy? Good marketing for his calendar but seriously why the story?

No big surprise, right Chad?

Well, if the 2009 calendar has already been to press, then you might make a little cash this year, providing you don't get slapped with a lawsuit. I wouldn’t expect a 2010 calendar, though. Somehow I think most of those 100 missionaries who expressed an interest might be re-thinking their position.

Before all the disparaging comments start, please realize that this individual left the Church many years ago, we don't know and likely will never know the full extent of how far he fell from the Church. I don't need to know. This man decided to try and make a profit by selling Church missionaries as sexual objects.

The Church has every right to defend its good name. Using missionaries, in missionary attire, with missionary name tags, in this manner is against the will of the Church. I am sure that this individual was given every opportunity to right this wrong, but he chose not to.

I wish him all the best and hope that one day he realizes that much of what is good in his life is due to the sacrifices of those six generations who went before him.

It is never a joyous occasion when someone falls away.

King Solomon once said, "There is no new thing under the sun." (Eccl 1:9).

There have always been members of the church, who have chosen to walk a separate path, and there will always be those that make the same choice in the future.

The vision of the Tree of Life, chronicles that there are a number of paths available for the taking. If you don't like the path your on, change direction, however, choose wisely, for each path, eventually leads to a destination.

"Men on a Mission," which has sold nearly 10,000 copies at $14.99 each."

""The project is about stepping outside the stereotypes and stepping outside of the image," Hardy said."

So, it wasn't about the money???

I am sorry that Hardy has chosen not to associate with the Church for the past six years, and I am sorry that he is no longer affiliated with the church (for his sake). That he considered resigning his membership rather than attend the hearing indicates to me the true depth of his devotion to the church and his beliefs.

From a practical standpoint, what really changes for Hardy? He still won't attend church services on Sunday, he won't be doing his home teaching, he won't be paying his tithing or attending the temple with any regularity. Will any of his acquaintances notice any differences?

So, his intention was to help us step out of the stereotypes and images that people have of members/missionaries of the LDS Church? I guess there are worse images he could be promoting than shirtless returned missionaries; I don't think that we really need to concentrate on redefining the image of returned missionaries.

I used to have the image that all sister missionaries were homely; my mission experience taught me otherwise. Maybe Hardy could put out a calender of attractive Sister Missionaries; just, please, keep the shirts on, thanks just the same.

In August of 1969, I was traveling thru a dusty backwater town called Saint George. I stopped to spend the night in an old Travel Lodge. I pulled open a drawer and saw a Book of Mormon in it and then decided to look at it to see what this "Mormon stuff" was all about. I asked for nothing. However, as I began to read, I knew that the book and all that was associated with it was true. I was baptised in 1970. The work associated with this individual in Las Vegas seems to do nothing more than dump trash on those powerful and true feelings given to me so many years ago. I've sent out 8 of my 9 boys on missions, and will soon send out the last. In my wildest imaginations, I cannot conceive of any of them having anything to do with this sort of thing. Speaking as parent, a son who would be involved in this would have more to fear that just a Church court. That would be me slapping him upside the head till the light finally went on, "Oh yeah, don't trifle with sacred things".

I am not a lawyer, but...if as an employee I use my company's name to sell products in my own new business venture and those products are viewed as running counter to company values, brand image, or cause 'damage' in some way, etc. then my company has the right to sever my employment and require that I stop using their name for my private personal gain.

So far the LDS church has only taken the first step of pulling membership. Hardy could have stopped his little venture months ago.

I also have a problem with the fact he used these RM's in a somewhat exploitational way. What if it were Sister Missionaries or Primary kids? The RM calendar is something I've heard many people joke about for years as being a funny idea. Hardy took it to another level when he made this a business.

I think, for a few thousand dollars, he has lost alot. Don't think many organizations would not take exception to what he did.

Anything for a buck, right Mr. Hardy? Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

This guy made the calendar for the same reason he made his excommunication very public: to make money!

Even if he has been inactive,for six yrs,he knew how the church was going to react.

He brought his excommunication on himself. He can't handle the higher standard himself, but wants to profit from his knowledge of the standard and the culture. He sold out.

I bet they are sad. I'd be sad too if my son openly embarrassed the church on such a wide scale, and then laundered his disciplinary action to the press - another open faced embarrassment. He's obviously got some issues against the church. His decision to not be a member came long before he was "ex'd". That was just a formality.

One point the public is not much aware of is that now that he's no longer a "member", it's the LDS belief that while he continues to not live according to the gospel standards, he won't be heaping further sin on his head...at least not the ones mentioned in the press.

Hopefully he'll come around and make the necessary changes, humble himself and have a true change of heart. After all, this isn't just about the here and now, it's about eternity. That's why his family will be sad. I wonder if he thought of that in all his flamboyance.

I hope his family is able to find peace and a way to reach their son.

"Hardy has been inactive in the LDS Church for the past six years. He no longer pays tithing or wears the religious undergarments considered sacred. In an interview last week, Hardy said he had always struggled to fit in and live up to the expectations of membership."

Nobody is excommunicated for the above offenses, so I don't think they have anything to do with the disciplinary council.

Hope Chad releases a "Women on a Mission" calendar. I will be first in line to send in my photos to be Miss January. I wish the church would grow up and move into this century.

And just what did this accomplish? now that the church has exed him he will continue to publish the calendar. if the church sues him to try and stop the calendar, then that will only sell more calendars. sometimes it is best just to ignore some things.

The sad part is that so many are willing to pose for the Calendar. That there is a calendar doesn't surprise me, just that so called "good members of the church" are willing to be in it. NO the photos that I saw in the article were not any where near Porno status, it is just the theme of the thing that bothers me.

I agree with the outcome. However, if it is true that the men being photographed were all missionaries (I assume active)then they ought to be punished in some manner for taking their shirts off and allowing this nut to photograph them.

It isn't the fact that some Returned Missionaries were photographed with out their shirts on, it was that they were also shown as Missionaries in the same photo. It went over the line representing the church in the calendar. No the photos were not immoral, but the context of the calendar is not the wholesome image the church fights to maintain. SO when you see the young men in their Missionary dress on the same page it makes it harder on all the missionaries who are working out there. Many will be harrassed over this and it is a shame

I live in Texas and I just saw this on my local TV station. It was accompanied by several crass comments about the church. I guess Hardy has done what he wanted to do. He has put the church in a negative light. Congrats to you Mr Hardy, you are where you need to be right now. OUT OF THE CHURCH. But I am sure this won't stop you from your goal. Have a happy life. ( sarcasm intended)

It's a private matter involving a private individual. If it belongs anywhere (and I can't see that it does) then put it in the Mormon Times. NOT in the general news section of this newspaper.

Hardy is definitely using the church for financial gain. He left the church six years ago. It is a sad fact that some people who leave the church, can't leave the church alone. We'll probably hear more from this guy.

How very sad.
As a person who tries hard to follow Jesus Christ, I cannot help but reflect back to what we are supposed to do.... ask ourselves "What would Jesus do"?
In this situation, I cannot stretch my imagination to "fit" Christ into the picture of total rejection of a person who does not totally agree with all rules set down by MAN. Did Christ Himself "reject" even the woman at the well? How much time has the Morman members who voted to "reject" this person spent personally talking with this "piece of garbage" tossed out of the "church"?
Sad. More than sad.....enlightening!

I don't see why this is making such noise. He made a calendar that has "sexual content" according to some people and may represent the Church in the wrong light. However, the article states the calendar also contains the young men's reasons for beliving in the LDS Church and why being LDS is so important to them. Not having seen said calendar I don't know how risque it is but I do find it difficult to believe that it should cause one to be excommunicated.

This guy is just money hungry and all the press he can get will help him sell his calenders. I think the Elders who posed should also discipline for their actions. Maybe not excommunicated but something because they were enablers.

This guy is just making sure he gets plenty of free advertisement for the wares he is selling. His motive appears to be $$$ in the bank. I don't know to many people who would call the media over church disciplinary actions.

Doesn't sound like he is considering a return to church membership anytime soon does he? I wonder if the money earned from calendar sales on the back of this publicity will go anywhere but to line his pockets?

Promoting those missionaries as "sex symbols" goes against the Lord's Law of Chastity where members who have taken upon themselves the name of Christ with a promise to be obedient to his commandments and endure to the end...one of these commandments include the Law of Chastity, where we are taught to be chaste in word, thought and deed which doesn't go right with the image of "sex symbols." It takes away the proper attraction of the opposite sex for who she or he is, rather than being attracted to her or his body.

It's good to know that the punishment fits the crime.

I feel so bad for his family! But maybe now he won't be able to profit from the church anymore. And by the way, if any evil people decide to do anything to the missionaries in the field as a result of viewing this calendar, I think that Mr. Hardy should pay the damages. In others words be sued!

Being inactive and not paying tithing or wearing the garments is not a basis for excommunication. What actions are involved in the "struggle to fit in and live up to the expectations of membership" are really the key. That is none of our business, but I would hope it was a legitimate basis.
I have posted before and I still wonder how a Marriott or Romney could escape action when the hotels they oversaw could push porn for profit. Does the amount of tithing one pays act as a buffer? Some of the excuses I have read by Marriott execs. on this matter were pathetic. Consider: "It would be wrong to impose his (Romney) own personal beliefs if they were contrary to the financial interests of the company." What is worse? Being a user or a pusher? The excuse that most of the hotels are franchised does not wash either. Try changing anything at a McDonald's if you are a franchise owner without the companies permission. If you sign away your right to control what your name and reputation is attached to then shame on you.

That calendar is filth. It should be banned.

A stand-up, really honest guy who goes to the press with something of this nature would expose to the same press ALL the counts of this disciplinary council and it's actions - something else is seemingly missing from the details provided, and its unlikely any potential personal behavior detail will be forthcoming from the church itself, nor should it since they only commented publicly after it was known. So, we have to rely on this man, and it appears he ain't telling the whole story, just the part that sells the calendar...

Utah again made the national news over a IN state story.I wish him the best and many more profitable years of publishing!

Isn;t this what the scriptures meant when they said separate the wheat from the tares?

There are so many who want to proclaim they are mormon and they then turn out to be so jack! I guess they get a lot of publicity from saying they are mormon. Then you hear about their life and your like Do they even go to church? Julianna Hough???? and others....

there is more to this story than Hardy is saying. I know how easy it is NOT to get ex'd, personally

Speaking as a life long memeber of the church, I am stunned by the judgements being passed here. What happened to, "hate the SIN but love the SINNER?" This man has done nothing to warrent your scathing judements and critisism. How many othe memebers have we lost because thier brothers and sisters scorned, ridiculed and critisized rather than loving them?

Hardy...let's get to the heart of the issue. This has never been about your disenchantment with this particular religion...free speech...coming to the rescue of those within some religion you have chosen to abandon--those members who you claim want to express a new image...and this has never been about the money you have made...your smoke and mirrors scheme has not worked on those of us who can see past religion.

It has been about selfishness pure and simple. Although I suppose it is possible, I simply can't imagine a set of parents who would have taught you to show such disrespect.

My sense is your parents/family are not so hurt by your departure from thier religion as they are by your display of selfishness.

My hope would be that somehow someway the supremacy of ego in your life will be weakened...that you will get RELIGION out of the equation, look introspectively, and realize the error in your ways.

Those of us not so interested in the religion piece of this equation, but rather are disgusted with your complete lack of respect for others, wonder what's in store for your family, neighbors, work colleagues...those in your next religion of choice?

Sorry I think it is a little bit hilarious when people come on this comment board and announce that they too are leaving the church. While I am sad for you in one way, I feel sorry for you in another. The church standing up for themselves against goons like Hardy or only going to make more honest in heart people interested in the church. The church is going to keep growing and be more successful than ever. So sorry to anyone who comes on here and says their leaving, its just your loss!

Tradegy. I hope he returns as soon as he can.

But there is an interesting point that we should all realize: evil always wants to hang on and hang around and have a big discussion.

Our reponse shouldn't be to keep the discussion going. We have too much to do. Our reponse should be to kindly dismiss, and get back to our knitting.

And if this guy comes to church, I am sure he'll be treated kindly.

And as many times as he calls his Bishop, I'm sure he'll be welcomed to come chat.

And if and when he says he wants to come back, I'm also sure he'll be welcomed with open arms.

Pat, if the woman at the well was unrepentant, and covertly went about doing things that Chris found embarrassing to his church, what would Jesus do?

Certainly he loves us unconditionally, but he only forgives those who repent, just like his church does.

It's interesting that he claims to have been trying to break down stereotypes. What that really means is that he was trying to convince the world that the standards of the LDS church are lower than they actually are. The stereotype of strict moral standards is one that the church will gladly live with.

What happened to the Mormon doctrine known as “Free Agency” that is espoused, asserting that each individual is free to make choices, even to the point of placing God and his plans on hold until the sinner makes his or her choice concerning him?

The calendar obviously wasn't the biggest issue. I hope the kid finds what he is looking for, but next time leaves missionaries out of the picture.

Looking at the picture of this dude & the fact he decided to make a Mormon missionary beefcake calendar rather than one of returned sister missionaries makes me wonder if there isn't more to this excommunication then just the calendar. My guess is he may have some sort of "alternative" lifestyle that had more to do with his excommunication than anything else (not that there is anything wrong with that).

Regardless, I think it is safe to say the guy is using this whole thing to get PR for himself and his calendar. The last thing is concerned about is excommunication and his family.

A friend of mine at the gym was asked to pose for this latest calender. He didn't have a problem with taking his shirt off, as I'm sure most of us don't think that that is a big deal. He did turn down the offer, because he felt it was pretty tacky and inappropriate to make the sexy/physical connection to something such as his mission and a part of his life, which he felt should be seperated from this kind of marketing. I'm pretty liberal about taking my shirt off, but I totally agree that this is not the appropriate venue for it

There are a lot of comments about the punishment fitting the crime, that Hardy is doing this just for the money or that LDS church leaders overreacted. The truth is we have very few details on either side of the debate. I, for one, don't feel like I can pass judgment one way or another. I hope this arrangement works out best for all involved, but I am certainly no more motivated to buy the calendar than I was the first time I heard about it.