tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post8633385016524297312..comments2024-03-28T15:23:18.071-07:00Comments on Pure Mormonism: Why Don’t They Like Us?Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-6011728142693579292014-02-10T19:22:52.555-08:002014-02-10T19:22:52.555-08:00The whole missionary image thing is of no conseque...The whole missionary image thing is of no consequence when it's is remembered that "ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts." In fact, the only people I know that are still active since my mission are the one's who immediately opened the door when we knocked and ended up getting baptized... in spite of my terrifically dumb companion and his complete inability to teach the Gospel. The intellectualized convert and the social member who comes to Church for a good lesson or meat filled ward activity is typically just a telestial or at most, terrestrial summer camper coming up for a visit while they still can. There are very few elect people in or out of the Church and for the rest, though they may be smart enough to not be swayed into an Amway scam, they're still just sheep wandering in around who don't really know the Shepherd.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-21162232477274011082013-12-21T23:28:49.031-08:002013-12-21T23:28:49.031-08:00I've read some of your blog entries; some I mo...I've read some of your blog entries; some I mostly disagree with, while others I think are pretty spot on, this being one of them. I've always hated when people compare missionary work to sales (though I know some here would argue that they are one and the same--not if I have any say in the matter, though I recognize that many Church leaders have essentially viewed it as such). <br><br>This is especially true after I tried being a salesman twice now (Cutco knives and Living Scriptures--never again!), and even though I think the products I tried to sell were at least halfway decent, both companies were plagued (especially Living Scriptures, interestingly enough) by underhanded policies, techniques, and/or contracts. In Cutco's case, they were also too heavily dependent on getting referrals from customers (much like the Church, in my opinion), and I wasn't going to pressure people into giving me them.<br><br>I cringe (at least on the inside) whenever the missionaries ask the ward to "pick a person," etc. I want to add on such occasions, "while you're at it, actually become friends with these people." (Same with home/visiting teaching as well.) I understand, though, that the missionaries in turn are pressured to reach "their" goals (even though none of the current official "key indicators" are directly under the missionaries' control, unless that's changed in the past 5 years). I fought this pressure as a missionary (and succeeded, usually) by ignoring it, and I continue to do so now.<br><br>Here's my approach to missionary work: I'm going to live the Gospel as well as I can, hopefully improving each day (and being honest with myself when I'm not), and when the opportunity for sharing the Gospel arrives, I'll use it. I'm not going to force any opportunities to show up, just like I can't force the Spirit to do anything.<br><br>I recommend reading "Law of the Harvest" by David G. Stewart as well. It's a good, honest read (though pretty redundant, if I remember correctly--and "dry," to be polite). The only major issue I took with it is the idea that "a missionary who obeys 90% of the mission rules is just as disobedient/lacking in the Spirit as one who only obeys 50%" Of course that isn't true, since the one who is obeying 90% is probably trying his or her best, and that does, in fact, count for something--no matter what Yoda said! Also, there's no index; I couldn't even find the idea mentioned above, so it might be a little different than how I put it. Anyway, those were my main problems with an otherwise exceptional book. It's free at Cumorah.com, or the printed version is available as well.<br><br>I want to comment on some of the other entries as well, though I'm kind of a lazy writer/typist, so probably not tonight.mtman318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-40781773825386732622013-10-02T10:38:04.741-07:002013-10-02T10:38:04.741-07:00These are some fantastic observations. If you real...These are some fantastic observations. If you really want to see how "real" your friendships are in your ward, tell people that you no longer believe and see how you and your family are treated. My experience is that you'll be treated like you have the plague. If you think the Amway kiss-off is bad, it's nothing compared to the Mormon reaction to a former member. <br><br>The most shocking reaction will come from your family. My wife of 15 years was told to leave me by her parents and an uncle. Thanks for holding up the mirror. <br><br><br>I don't think many are conscious of how they build walls. It's just part of the culture. I was guilty of the same thing as a member. I only dated Mormon girls. I only hung out with the Mormon kids. That's just the way it was.<br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-48869407704379753392013-09-16T10:38:54.856-07:002013-09-16T10:38:54.856-07:00Amen to stopping the proselytizing and to assignin...Amen to stopping the proselytizing and to assigning humanitarian missions. Besides, ironically the mission itself is not necessarily retaining the missionaries anyway. According to Grant Palmer, after 5 years of being home from a mission, 45% no longer have a temple recommend.<br><br>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHsvZooc4Bc (about minute 14)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15280384329402542595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-47600513038194313812013-09-12T12:48:14.380-07:002013-09-12T12:48:14.380-07:00The fake Mormons are what gets a lot of people. Wh...The fake Mormons are what gets a lot of people. When I was in high school, I was working 30+ hours a week and had early morning church. I have to admit to not feeling dedicated to getting up early and being at church every week, but still made an effort. I didn't go to weekday activities because of work. Anyway, I ran into the young women's president at school who said "We missed you on Sunday" to which I responded, "That's funny because I was there." It was that moment that I found out two things. First, I was considered "a project". Second, they didn't really care. I went atheist for a few years shortly thereafter.<br>This same ward that had such high percentages of home and visiting teaching (90%+) contributed to several of my husbands siblings leaving. They went to a girls camp where there family was made fun of for having so many children in a skit and none of the adults did anything to stop it. While this particular girl was thought to be sleeping, the other girls in her tent made fun of her and her family for several hours, saw the sun rising, then said how they hoped the sunrise in the worlds they made would be so pretty. Yeah, needless to say, that had a negative effect.kearns_hippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15552160069134433427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-2744204803700434432013-04-15T17:23:37.721-07:002013-04-15T17:23:37.721-07:00I know this is an older post, but I'm new here...I know this is an older post, but I'm new here, and I just read it for the first time. Well, I skimmed it - it's very hard to read every word with that blurry picture behind it. Is there a fix for that? or do I just have to suffer?<br>Anway, my thoughts as I read were what Paul Dunn said when he visited our mission. I'm not sure if anyone would agree officially with what he said. But he did in fact say that missions were not to convert people. They were (are) to convert missionaries. So yes, the world doesn't like them. But at the end of the day, who cares? The church has a converted young man/woman who will likely stay obedient, continue to wear white shirts, stay active, marry in the temple, produce children & pay tithing for the rest of his/her life. That's a better return than a hundred wishy-washy converts.Ken Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11120485295848642725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-20886025252550333302013-04-03T22:48:29.720-07:002013-04-03T22:48:29.720-07:00My experience at Cove Ft. (Identical to yours, I h...My experience at Cove Ft. (Identical to yours, I had to swerve to avoid the mishie as I was pulling into the parking lot.) seemed pointed towards information control. He stopped any conversation and talked over us. It was clear he was making up things as he went along, some of the things he said were absurdly wrong, just to fill space.<br><br>I find this type of 'control the information' behavior consistent with the mishies I encountered at Temple Sq.<br><br>Which isn't true with most mishies I've encountered...MTgunfighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05985092048056869700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-49371911842326931812013-04-03T21:17:35.253-07:002013-04-03T21:17:35.253-07:00"A nineteen year-old wearing an expensive sui..."A nineteen year-old wearing an expensive suit isn’t going to risk ruining it by helping someone dig a post-hole in their backyard."<br><br>I am a 're-activation' project of the local branch. The mishies were instructed to come and rake my yard. One day, they show up and work for about half an hour in regular clothes (with name tags, of course). Then they leave. About an hour later, I look up and see them out there raking my yard in their suits!<br><br>They get ordered by the Branch Pres to do a lot of stuff for me. Thing is, they never finish, anything. Which sure gets them respect from me...MTgunfighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05985092048056869700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-18484046757934280872013-02-15T22:32:46.261-08:002013-02-15T22:32:46.261-08:00I wish I had known of this site many, many months ...I wish I had known of this site many, many months ago. But I have to say this: during my mission some of the Sister missionaries were trained to be "Welfare" missionaries, this was during Pres. Kimball. I was trained to be a welfare missionary. My mission president did not like the welfare sisters and forbid any welfare work. I was very angry, and how could a mission pres. go against the Prophet. I only had two companions who were also welfare trained and we did welfare/service unknown to the mission pres. We had so much success and planted many seeds and made many friends. It breaks my heart that the welfare missionary program was done away with. <br>I agree with everything said in the article. The church needs to focus on service/helping with no strings attached, and I would bet the success rate of retaining converts and gaining converts would go up. More importantly maybe respect would increase. I hated being called sister and still do and I hated the way I had to dress, Plus missionaries are not properly prepared to do what they are sent out to do. There needs to be a major overhaul concerning many things in the missionary world, starting in the MTC and attitudes of leaders, including mission presidents. My mission was not that great, and thankfully it wasn't as bad as others I heard about. I was very unhappy and had to put up with awful companions. Plus because I would not complain I got the raw end of many happenings. Thank you for giving this subject attention.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-52632856761847401992012-12-11T09:48:22.856-08:002012-12-11T09:48:22.856-08:00Let's hope so...Let's hope so...Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-37417987718714948642012-12-11T00:01:50.068-08:002012-12-11T00:01:50.068-08:00I am quite sure you meant white "shirts"...I am quite sure you meant white "shirts" not shits...LoL<br>cascadepeakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04469344558350761497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-41273801740571960472012-11-15T13:15:19.300-08:002012-11-15T13:15:19.300-08:00There is another way to regard the Restoration Mov...There is another way to regard the Restoration Movement. Not to look so much to the past to guide us, there is much to despise in the excesses of the original movement, but to take the essence of a prophetic people and understand that while God is eternal, humans evolve,and God isn't finished with us.<br><br>Obviously, I belong to another Restoration faith. I'm dismayed at the inordinant amount of reverence for Joseph Smith on this post. To say he was a flawed prophet us understating the fact. But there aren't any religions out there that can point to a blameless past, and the trick is to learn from the past and move forward.<br><br>Because of encounters with Mormons early in my life, I've pretty much learned to avoid them. I didn't have much opinion one way or another, I just didn't want to deal with it. I'm afraid you lost me when the Mormon church spent so much money and so much time getting Prop 8 passed in California. Believe what you want to believe. I know that the Mormon church operates pretty much as it wants to in Utah, but this is California, and you lost a lot of respect over that issue. And Prop 8 will be overturned.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-48919519641962900362012-07-26T12:29:54.345-07:002012-07-26T12:29:54.345-07:00Why don't you allow the individual the agency ...Why don't you allow the individual the agency to choose for himself. After two years of not being able to choose for oneself hardly anything. I think it creates a weird mental illness in men(cannotchooseonesdestinyosis). It may be a cotributing factor why so many mormon bachelors are afraid to commit to a marriage after they come home.<br>Jonathan HortonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-9600131575227391332012-07-26T12:21:46.954-07:002012-07-26T12:21:46.954-07:00Here's a crazy idea. Do away with the mission...Here's a crazy idea. Do away with the missionary program. Have young men spend 2 years of their life building houses while allowing them to date. At the end of the two years they recieve a small house. With that and a perpetual mortgage fund. I think people would be beating down our doors to join our church. I think our church tries to convert people to "our doctrine" instead of creating a forum where people that have a love of treating eachother nice want to congregate. Doctrine comes as biproduct of treating people kindly. I think the missionary program is a screwed up paridigm. I think I spent two years of my life in a vortex that sucked all my creative energy.<br><br>I am not fully conviced President Monson is revelations are free of industry and banking influences. So don't expect a perpetual mortgage fund anytime soon.<br><br>Jonathan HortonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-22144584737882217742012-06-02T23:38:56.642-07:002012-06-02T23:38:56.642-07:00I enjoyed this article very much and will pass it ...I enjoyed this article very much and will pass it on to my family who are still active LDS.<br><br>I learned a lot of valuable lessons while growing up in the church: How to be kind, not judge others, and live a wholesome life.<br><br>Since then I've also learned that religion doesn't really make much sense so I've stripped out all the good, left the garbage and now I'm truly happy. <br><br>I can actually love everyone and never feel like I'm trying to sell them anything. I just treat them with respect and they do the same to me. No ulterior motives. Just love.<br><br>Love one another baby!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-89540627199593572812012-04-18T10:14:37.453-07:002012-04-18T10:14:37.453-07:00I'm not LDS, but I have neighbors who are whom...I'm not LDS, but I have neighbors who are whom I respect and admire. There's a lot of good things about your church. And I think part of what makes that possible is that you maintain a cohesive, somewhat "weird" identity that is separate from the world around you.<br><br>I think your practice of missions is an important part of that. Regardless of the stated purpose, I think the primary function of missions is the formation of young people, strengthening their commitment to the LDS. A cynic might call it "brainwashing," giving young people exposure to other viewpoints in a very controlled environment where they're equipped to respond to opposing views. But even to those who are sincere in their goals of sharing the faith with others would have to see that the actual fruit of missions is as much or more in the effects it has on the missionaries as it is in making new converts.<br><br>And I think the "weirdness" - the nerdy uniform, the name tags and titles, etc. - are probably an important part of that. There are other churches that place a high value on witnessing and sharing their faith with others, but in trying to hold their members only to the core essentials of their faith, they tend to get too involved and entangled with the world to the point that they don't really have a distinct identity and a solid community.<br><br>I suspect you probably can't hold onto your identity without going a little too far, separating yourselves a little more than is strictly necessary, erring somewhat on the side of "weird." The important part is that there has to be genuine love and faith behind that weird. People are pretty good at telling the difference between someone who sees them as a "project" or a "target" and someone who offers genuine friendship and compassion. And where there is real love, people will accept and get used to all sorts of weirdness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-23747976381574867302012-02-19T15:16:48.781-08:002012-02-19T15:16:48.781-08:00proselytizing is the only way to for the cult to e...proselytizing is the only way to for the cult to exist , as they fish with holes in their nets and truth will prevail in the end .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-66941038592403271002012-02-17T07:57:48.039-08:002012-02-17T07:57:48.039-08:00missionaries are there to teach; the members are t...missionaries are there to teach; the members are there to dress normal and build a true friendship.Kamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12454411996097944659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-92135944099386971372012-02-14T19:54:32.987-08:002012-02-14T19:54:32.987-08:00I love Mormons. They are generally kind and loving...I love Mormons. They are generally kind and loving people. They mostly have good morals. And if Mormons are deceptive about their friendship/missionizing intentions, it comes out of concern for the welfare of the eternity of others. These things I can recognize and appreciate about the members of the LdS church. <br><br>I love Mormons, but I do not like Mormonism. The LdS church claims that as a mainstream Christian I am apostate, my creeds (which are nothing more than my articles of faith) are an abomination, that I am corrupt for professing them, and that I give lip service to God but my heart is far from Him*. That the LdS church calls these beliefs about my faith "glorious"** is disturbing. I am a big girl though, and I know that every faith to some extent paints other faiths with tar in order to "prove" their own rightness. So for the LdS to claim these things about Christianity is disturbing, but not remarkable. <br><br>What I truely find wrong and confounding about the LdS church though, is that while claiming these things about mainstream Christianity, they simultaneously claim brotherhood with us. I cannot count the amount of times I have had LdS say to me "we are ALSO Christian". This is deceptive, irrational, and insulting. The LdS church is basically asking mainstream Christians to accept that LdS view them as apostate. Accept that LdS deny the basic tenents of the mainstream Christian faith. And along with all of that, accept LdS as fellow Christians. And if mainstream Christians happen to point out that we cannot in good conscience embrace into our fellowship those who see us and our beliefs this way; we are called bigots and Anti-Mormons. <br><br>At least Jehovah's Witnesses have the honesty to say that they believe they are the only Christians, and mainstream Christians are not Christian at all. They do not try to be our brothers while denying our faith and calling us apostate. <br><br>Please LdS, be honest and stand up for your beliefs! <br><br>You believe that mainstream Christians are apostate, and our beliefs are abominations to God; fine. You go ahead and believe that. But stop trying to force us to accept you as fellow Christians, while believing those things about us. Be honest, and claim you believe you are the only Christians. Be honest and claim we are apostate and you do not believe we are Christian. No more of this "you mainstream Christians have some truth, you just don't have the fullness of truth" deflection and deception. Stop trying to be our brothers in faith, while denying our beliefs. <br><br>*<br>"My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)--and which I should join.<br><br>I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof."<br>Joseph Smith Jr. official first vision<br>http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,104-1-3-4,00.html<br><br>**<br>"Our entire case as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rests on the validity of this glorious First Vision."<br>President Gordon B. Hinckley<br>http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&sourceId=7c86605ff590c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-16719327122005201172011-10-04T08:02:02.400-07:002011-10-04T08:02:02.400-07:00Yup. Just fix the name tags and the dress code fo...Yup. Just fix the name tags and the dress code for the missionaries and that will solve the whole problem. I'll add my own ideas here. First. Just because someone disagrees with you does not mean that person is "Anti". Second. People should be treated as people not "quality's" of people. Do not group us non members based on some "worthiness scale" you guys have. Black, Non member, Doesn't speak English etc. Humanity is one body.<br><br>Think about this. Your doctrine and deity is yours. I respect that. In America you have a right to embrace your faith as you wish. Again I respect that. How ever have you ever looked around you. The Mormons claim to have the only answer and everyone else is wrong. Well everyone else has taken the challenge and found no substantial evidence to support the Mormon claim that they as a group have the only answer. A case in point is the blacks in the priesthood. It was the ACLU that helped the Mormons realize what would happen to their organization if things did not change on that front. And more recently the ACLU helped out again when it informed the Church under no nu-certain terms would it tolerate another prop8 job. The Mormon organization seems to be more focused on revenue and numbers rather than helping and giving back to others. Disagree? Just show us your financials.<br><br>The last thing that would help Mormons is if they did not give the blatant impression that they are not allowed to think for themselves. Every conversation and I mean every conversation I have ever had with a Mormon contains the sentence "Our leaders have told us...." I mean really are that empty inside you have to told how to think and act.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-51008596452569474792011-08-16T15:27:47.500-07:002011-08-16T15:27:47.500-07:00"Mormonism is the Amway of religions." B..."Mormonism is the Amway of religions." <br><br>Bike Helmets. We had a set of missionaries over for dinner. The senior companion had taken the junior comp's "Specialized" brand bike helmet and scratched off the "iz" so that it said, "Special Ed." I'm sure that helped the work. <br><br>Somehow we got from "Love is the first commandment of heaven" to "Obedience is the first law of heaven." Sad.Michael Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15494214196613847171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-15562614827848370932011-08-15T13:02:32.919-07:002011-08-15T13:02:32.919-07:00Thank you for this post. Thank you for being so co...Thank you for this post. Thank you for being so completely open and honest. Thank you for having a desire to just be you and live the way you do.<br><br>I've just left the church after nearly seven years of being a convert, and part of the reason is what you've highlighted here. If the church was just a church, where people could freely meet and worship without having to be "worthy" or go through so many interviews and ordinances, then there would be a greater chance that I would still be around.<br><br>I value the friendships of the people I've come to know through the LDS church, and I'd like to think of them as friendships based on respect and trust rather than just being Mormon. I value some of the Christian teachings that I have been given during my time in the church, and you know what? If more LDS were able to put out these feelings in a free and open forum where everyone could communicate and discuss their concerns, then I think everyone, Mormons and non-Mormons alike, would be so much happier and feel like they have so much more freedom.<br><br>As Anonymous has said, it's the product, the organisation, and the various levels of worthiness and exclusionary practices and teachings that really put me off, but I couldn't have nicer things to say about the people I've had those experiences with.<br><br>God bless you, I really do admire and respect you for your objective and positive contribution to religion and faith.Shaunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12549263926368058355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-13827096922048049342011-08-15T09:35:36.985-07:002011-08-15T09:35:36.985-07:00I enjoyed this post and agree with most of it. Th...I enjoyed this post and agree with most of it. The description of Mormon phoniness is EXACTLY what I encountered in my years as a nonMormon at BYU and now many many years later with Mormon inlaws who make all sorts of proclamations of affection, the insincerity of which are clearly showed by their actions. <br><br>However, in the end, it is the actual PRODUCT I am unwilling to buy because I have found it to be defective and not at all what it purports; likewise my former RM husband has also rejected Mormonism for the same reasons. <br><br>Furthermore, I disagree that were Mormons to live 'pure Mormonism' that their dispositions and reputations would be any different. Unless of course the Mormon church were to change its exclusionary temple practices and a myriad of other teachings.<br><br>In the end, although completely disgusted by Mormon arrogance and phoniness whenever it is encountered, it is Mormonism itself I dislike the most and blame for making its followers so obnoxious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-91272032151872418462011-08-15T06:41:57.515-07:002011-08-15T06:41:57.515-07:00Finally, a Mormon who understands what a collectiv...Finally, a Mormon who understands what a collective organization of yahoos the LDS church is. My chief complaint about the LDS church is... Well, I have too many chief complaints about the Mormon church, so it's hard to find a starting point. Let's start with how they want to be perceived as Christian, but aren't willing to much act like it. They believe that they will have special privileges based on the grips, handshakes, and tokens they learn in the poorly re-plagiarized Masonic endowment ceremony, and so actually doing Christian works or merely acting like the Christian is of no consequence--the "endowment" has saved them and promises them safe passage at the Pearly Gates.<br><br>Another beef is that generally you have to be outside the Mormon church to know anything of consequence about the Mormon church. By that I mean that Latter-day Saints know precious little about the religion they hold so dear. They turn their trust to poorly written and terribly compromised, truncated, obfuscated, and suppressed publications of the LDS church. This perpetuates their ignorance and creates a situation where the more you know about Mormonism, the more difficult it is to practice it. Of course, true knowledge about Mormonism, its actual doctrines and its true history and origins is what led me out, and I joined a queue of thousands of others as I left the chapel for good. But it's no less irritating today to see Mormons I know spouting their ignorance based on shallow church manuals while shunning any real facts, even facts that come from LDS resources.<br><br>So long as Mormons continue to make nuisances and public asses of themselves while keeping themselves blissfully separated from facts about their doctrines, history, and origins, their church will continue to be the Incredibly Shrinking Church.cludgienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-89457516982533374832011-08-14T12:54:52.609-07:002011-08-14T12:54:52.609-07:00Your blog literally had me in tears. 5 years ago I...Your blog literally had me in tears. 5 years ago I left the church...wasn't right for me anymore. After being sealed to a husband that beat me, cheated on me, and even more horrific things, I watched my family and the church take his side. Then I got told over and over that the church is perfect even if the people aren't. It simply didn't make any sense to me. I still had my mind open though...for about 3 months. Everyday for a year and a half my parents told me I was going to hell as a way to get me "back into the church". The missionaries wouldn't leave us alone. Lots of friends left me by the wayside because I wasn't Mormon anymore. I was so shocked that our friendship was based on what church I went to. Even though, as far as I know, we still worship the same God and the same Jesus. I decided that the people in the church weren't the ones I wanted to praise my Lord with. Things have somewhat settled down. However, recently my mom let me know that she thought once my husband (new one) died I would convert back to the church. Nice...hoping for my husband to die so I can go to the right church. Yeah...pretty done. It's nice to have a member of the church realize the damage that members do by trying to get make sure people go to the "right church".mum22babeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03760145885344009888noreply@blogger.com