tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post5964521045709627004..comments2023-07-20T05:18:17.630-07:00Comments on Mormon Disclosures: Sunshine is Good DisinfectantDavid Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357179418131851128noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-56353346362781509932014-04-11T14:54:16.545-07:002014-04-11T14:54:16.545-07:00People, good people who want the truth and will ac...People, good people who want the truth and will accept nothing less. Come to Jesus and leave "the cat with the hat" behind. You know in your heart it is false. Do not stay in the mud just because of your family traditions. If you stay around the crazies, you will be crazy and soon nonsense will sound like wisdom. We are what we eat, and we become what we believe. Choose Jesus and have nothing to do with childish myth and obvious lies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-15314567850062352422013-07-16T15:56:01.601-07:002013-07-16T15:56:01.601-07:00The very fact that most Mormons lie by omission an...The very fact that most Mormons lie by omission and white wash many facts about their cult organization, or they simply aren't aware of many things because they are not spoken of or taught anymore or seldom taught, was and is enough reason for me to have left and stay away for good! I can't stand hypocritical, contradictory, deceptive liars! I can't be mad at the clueless, but only frustrated with the clueless for being so damn stupid especially when I have tried helping many clueless Mormon individuals through my own knowledge and personal experience in Mormonism for most of my life!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-6736591655317871092013-07-04T09:18:19.457-07:002013-07-04T09:18:19.457-07:00Is this all disinformation? I would love them to t...Is this all disinformation? I would love them to try and explain the facts in the smooth, pious manner I know they will. But this could be more smoke and mirrors. It would be admitting a battle defeat to Mormon Think and the internet. The true Church shouldn't have to explain itself. The Church's history should just separate the wheat from us tares. So I doubt these essays will come from the Church.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-21720626865971066802013-07-03T20:15:26.536-07:002013-07-03T20:15:26.536-07:00Someone can only be 'punished' if he gives...Someone can only be 'punished' if he gives others authority over himself. Once I discovered the facts of the origins of the LDS church, I realized the leaders had no authority, and I removed myself from their games.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-82974762809207550672013-07-03T19:49:23.531-07:002013-07-03T19:49:23.531-07:00'the gospel is not for everyone'????? Hol...'the gospel is not for everyone'????? Holy cow, this is exactly the attitude that disenchanted me with the LDS church.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-66493865966443211382013-06-22T12:45:26.011-07:002013-06-22T12:45:26.011-07:00Honestly? They could treat their members who doubt...Honestly? They could treat their members who doubt better. This would go a long way toward fixing the problem.<br><br>- Not taking away temple recommends<br>- Not calling them unworthy<br>- Not speaking to their spouses regarding their "unworthiness"<br>- Not revoking or refusing blessings due to doubt<br>- Not making these members jump through insurmountable hoops to prove they are still fit to remain Mormon<br>- Not giving them the scarlet letter<br>- Etc.<br><br>All of these things would be huge for these struggling members. But unfortunately, whenever any member discusses his doubts or disbelief in the church, the bishop is all too quick to brand this person apostate and punish him/her accordingly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-781605038029431882013-06-19T07:39:04.066-07:002013-06-19T07:39:04.066-07:00These things are already happening. Take into acco...These things are already happening. Take into account the publication of the Joseph Smith Papers, the release of various youtube videos from 'prominent' LDS 'Egyptologists', and perhaps even the 'I'm a Mormon' campaign desperately trying to include well-known faces, particularly those important to the younger crowd such as athletes. It sure looks like the first phase has already begun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-36685455415042611962013-06-16T21:53:34.168-07:002013-06-16T21:53:34.168-07:00I am in the same boat! But a little older, and a ...I am in the same boat! But a little older, and a man haha. The thing is, though, I teach the youth in the wards I've been in, and I must say the youth are not stupid. They are having access to information readily. Now, entrenched parents will not let their kids think for themselves as much, but those doubters will grow up and have kids of their own. And they will be more open, and so on, etc. So I think, in time, all these things will eventually be laid to rest and the church will cease. But it will be quite a while in my opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-77952115028828257062013-06-13T07:00:36.250-07:002013-06-13T07:00:36.250-07:00This last Sunday we had a member of the first pres...This last Sunday we had a member of the first presidency of the seventy, tad Callister, come and speak I'm sacrament meeting. It was an interesting talk. He opened by quoting Shakespeare's Julius ceaser and how the bells couldn't have rung when he was killed because clocks hadnt been invented in Ancient Rome. He went on to say how in 180 years of Book of Mormon history, no one has shown a " ringing clock". He went on to explain what an anachronism is and what they are. He said with a straight face that there were no anachronisms in the Book of Mormon. Really? If this is the new logic of Coming clean I. Think we can expect more of the same. By the way, the rest of his talk went downhill from there. He talked about the Spaulding rigdon theory, fawn Brodie, and others and how they were of the devil. Most interesting was the reaction of the ward. I talked with many, including the bishop, and f them either said what a good talk it was or didn't know what to make of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-68189352721029513212013-06-10T05:02:23.114-07:002013-06-10T05:02:23.114-07:00Jared, Fortunately I do not war against faith. I j...Jared, <br><br>Fortunately I do not war against faith. I just try to promote the use of reason.<br><br>You wrote, "The LDS church and other faiths have a history of miracles that can't be explained away." I'm not trying to explain this history away. Your argument is therefore a straw-man argument--a logical fallacy. This history of miracles is real. The experiences involve in these miracles are real experiences. I don't question the experiences. I just don't think you're interpreting those experiences with sound reasoning. These experiences lead people to believe in all sorts of things that contradict each other including things that contradict LDS truth claims. NDEs and out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are among these. For the most part the observations from OBEs are not that remarkable regarding things seen in the room during the OBEs. From what I understand, sometimes the things they thought they saw are not really how things were. What is remarkable is how culturally specific NDEs are. For example, Hare Krishnas often report seeing Krishna but not Jesus. You wouldn't accept this as evidence of the divinity of Krishna would you? <br><br>You've told us that NDEs cannot be explained, and it seems you think this supports your stance. This is an argument-from-ignorance fallacy and provides no support for your stand. <br><br>I don't feel like we're at war brother. I think we just disagree with one another.<br><br>Best regards,<br>Zack TacorinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-14731408209406975412013-06-09T16:53:46.959-07:002013-06-09T16:53:46.959-07:00For myself Jared, the question isn't "Was...For myself Jared, the question isn't "Was Joseph Smith a prophet???" I know he was, but do you know he was removed from his place for leading us astray? Do you know that his mistakes have remained inside the church for many generations? So let me ask you this: IS Thomas S. Monson a prophet? Joseph Smith never laid his hands up[on his head like Moses did to Joshua. It's not logical for him to be a prophet magically just because he has worldly experience. Thus all I see is an apostle trying to do a prophet's job. And please don't be offended by this remark, but he's doing as questionable of a job as Peter was during Jesus' time. I mean Peter was the eldest apostle and all, but ever notice how he was Jesus' special project that just never seemed to get it? Read your scriptures a little more, and I pray you'll see what I mean.<br><br>There's many things I agree with inside the church, more than what you may recognize because it's easy to judge me, but I do truly see the leadership of the church no better than the pharisees. I'm being honest when I say they aren't evening following God's laws themselves. Living a modest lifestyle? Hah! Look at their fine apparel they think makes them holy, and how big their houses are. Judging people according to the truth? Hah! The judge with justice without mercy, claiming mercy can only be given once a man is made perfect through the atonement. You fools! Don't you know God died for the weak who cannot pull themselves out of sins? You are God's church inasmuch as the Jews were, but you have all gone astray and in areas have forsaken the almighty God for idols that can give you no life.<br><br>I do not speak this because I desire to hurt your feelings, but becauseI desire we reach a mutual understanding. It is not godly to make a covenant that demands a man to keep the law, or else be excommunicated. It is an abomination before God, and it makes me sick. No man is justified according to the deeds that are written in the law, but the righteousness of faith in Christ and the atonement. Which faith should be willing to keep the commandments, but willingness does not add up to ability. Are we not all weak? Do we not all fall short of the glory of God? The Mormons single out those with sins such as fornication and drug addiction, but forget that liars and hypocrites are equally guilty before God according to the deeds of the law. Therefore there are none worthy before God this day, and you are all defiled. For you have become a respecter of persons, and forgotten that God has chosen the weak, despised, poor things of this world who are yet rich in faith. And so all your offerings are vile before the Lord, and he delights in none of them. Of that I am convinced, but I do no more than give you my opinion and wisdom according to my own understanding of the scriptures.Tohru Hondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17604683908315139747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-26599010942724451282013-06-09T16:36:33.863-07:002013-06-09T16:36:33.863-07:00Perspective means everything, and not all anti-mor...Perspective means everything, and not all anti-mormons are telling lies. People are leaving over truths, and that's what I earnestly believe. What I believe is that if the church was more truthful, it'd also cause some dramatic changes to it. Meaning that some of it's works would be "burned up" so to speak. Particularily the endowments, and interviews to determine so-called "worthiness" for the kingdom of God in my mind. No man is justified according to the law, but rather only by the righteous that is in his faith.<br><br>Nevertheless there's some issues such as ones regarding science that simply will not be able to be addressed. This should be plain to see if you just look into how just about all scientists throw the idea of intelligent design out the window. Of course science isn't going to be anymore kind to Mormonism. It's based upon the theory of intelligent design, and arguably creationism also.<br><br>But all in all? What peeves me is the church being so hypocritical as to not even following it's own doctrine correctly. Example? They say we're saved by grace after we give our best efforts of keeping the commandments, but then turn around and say people who are doing their best to overcome a drug addiction are not saved by Christ's atonement until they overcome. Seriously? What the flip? Idiots don't realize that some drug addicts spend their whole lives trying to overcome, and still die in the sin. So what then Mormon hypocrites? They going to hell despite trying their hardest? Please pardon my language, mais l'église est un imbécile.Tohru Hondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17604683908315139747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-31831242871923877702013-06-09T14:29:01.529-07:002013-06-09T14:29:01.529-07:00Personally I think these essays will end up offend...Personally I think these essays will end up offending those asking scholarly questions than inoculating them. Yes, yes, people WANT to believe. I am one of those people. But I am yet offended when my question isn't fully answered, and I'm aware of it inside my spirit.<br><br>You see, my biggest pet peeve is the doctrines I can see the church being hypocritical in following. They rationalize their hypocrisy as being scripture, and hey! We got pharisees.<br><br>They can try to tackle history problems, science, and whatever else. They can try "answering" questions with answers that don't actually answer. But truth be told, all that will not phase a true believer in Jesus Christ. You need the Holy Ghost added to the word.<br><br>The letter kills, but the spirit brings life. Thus an essay will leave a man for dead, unless God is actually in all of it. Believe in it? Don't believe in it? What you believe means is death if the Holy Spirit is absent. There is a way that seems right unto man, but the ends thereof is death. But the way God leads us to is eternal life.<br><br>Want to know the ONLY true way? That would be JESUS CHRIST! And I can witness to that because he has spoken to me in my childhood as if it were out from the clouds where I could not see him. Don't believe if you want to, but I know the spirit is with me. <br><br><br>Posts I've done that explain where I'm standing at in my faith. You find these fascinating David, because I try to take a scriptural approach in challenging the church, wishing it to become better:<br><br>http://saintlywoman.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-commitment-to-following-mormons.html<br><br>http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Think-The-Mormon-Church-IsnT-Perfect/3199434<br><br>P.S. I know things don't look like you'd have your name written done in the history books by Mormons for good now, but hun... I believe in the God who has the power to turn things around! I believe in a God who can do something for us that we could not do for ourselves. I believe in the God who knows how to get us to where we need to be, even when we make mistakes and cannot see where we're making them! :-)Tohru Hondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17604683908315139747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-23225137539056047842013-06-09T13:39:51.307-07:002013-06-09T13:39:51.307-07:00Jared, I believe that everyone knows, deep down, w...Jared, <br><br>I believe that everyone knows, deep down, when they are doing wrong, even and especially church leaders. I believe every leader from Bishop to President of the Church knows enough and sees enough to know that the Church is 'not' following Christ's laws. Even young children know the basics of right and wrong, yet somehow to keep their positions and pride, such leaders don't want to stand for the right and speak out on what they see is wrong, things they would never go along with if it happened to them.<br><br>This is especially true the higher the leader. They know too much to be innocent. The higher leaders even have the best knowledge, books and professors at their fingertips. They have no excuse. They see the sufferings of the abused and abandoned single mothers, and other women and children in the Church, not only today but since Brigham Young's days when abusive doctrines like polygamy, divorce and remarriage were started and allowed, which continue today in most ways. They see the truth yet they continue to ignore it all. <br><br>If Moroni were here, and he will be shortly, you would see what real prophets and righteous men and leaders do in the midst of such evils being taught, supported and done by Church leaders today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-40636343882578990192013-06-09T13:26:23.571-07:002013-06-09T13:26:23.571-07:00Jared,I believe the reason most awake people '...Jared,<br><br>I believe the reason most awake people 'delight' in seeing members realize the truths that have been kept quite, is because they hate to see people deceived and deluded to follow false prophets and false doctrines and give their time and money to causes that not only are false, but will likely cause them to lose their salvation unless they wake up and repent from falling for the craftiness of wolves in sheep's clothing.<br><br>It is wonderful that members finally wake up, even if it causes them some temporary pain and confusion, for it may cause them to finally question and prove all things before following anything or anyone from now on.<br><br>I believe we will lose our salvation if we remain deceived by the false prophets of the LDS Church.<br><br>The more the Church tries to do and say anything to stop the exodus, the more members will start to think and question. Such admitting will only cause the exodus to increase faster. The truth is out and too many people know it and thus it will only snowball.<br><br>It's a wonderful thing that people are learning the truth and escaping the bondage of the Church's brainwashing. The truth really sets people free, to learn from God himself and not trust in the arm of flesh anymore.<br><br>One need only study Christ's teachings in the scriptures to know how opposite the Church teachings are from his. The problem is few bother to compare Christ's or even Joseph Smith's proven and published teachings to what the Church leaders have preached and practiced all these years. <br><br>Oh, and Joseph never preached or practiced polygamy either, it was all Brigham Young and his gang, who only tied to Joseph to try to justify their whoredoms.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-92206155256137486902013-06-09T13:21:04.061-07:002013-06-09T13:21:04.061-07:00It seems to me that the only thing the church lead...It seems to me that the only thing the church leadership can say about all these problems is this: "Look, all of these really smart people see these inconsistencies, hateful speech, contradictions, etc, and they still believe. And so should you, now pray, pay and obey!" It's just a big appeal to authority.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16177038723342267453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-8971188482710516222013-06-09T04:56:57.681-07:002013-06-09T04:56:57.681-07:00The information has been out there a LONG time. M...The information has been out there a LONG time. My uncle found and gave to my brother and I some thing like a 1913 Encyclopedia Britannica. For Joseph Smith it had all the information you mention, generally and more. The fact is he was a treasure hunter and a person with low credibility before he launched his religious offering. His sexual misadventures are hidden only to those who refuse to believe the facts. Then there is the supposed slaughter of the innocents in Utah. Much information, but a general willingness to ignore this information. I wonder if these matters are shared in small foreign countries where I have been recently and the LDSers are everywhere. I suspect not. These people are VERY superstitious and a lack of facts fits well with this superstition. I do not mean this a diatribe, it is just facts and my concern for the well-being of these peoples.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-82662815791741770952013-06-08T18:02:27.318-07:002013-06-08T18:02:27.318-07:00New to this blog and following now. I can't wa...New to this blog and following now. I can't wait to see what the church comes up with. I left the church 5 years ago as an 18 year old confused girl who, when faced with the real world, realized I grew up in a bubble under a rock. I am wondering what they are going to try to say to make the youth stay. I personally have every confidence in the youth of today. Information is more readily available than ever before and with social media, etc. it is travelling at unparalleled speeds. I feel the church may be crumbling and am watching to see as it unfolds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-60619036323991064422013-06-07T14:35:35.700-07:002013-06-07T14:35:35.700-07:00Zack-I've read the link you provided, seen it ...Zack-<br><br>I've read the link you provided, seen it before, and other explanations to discredit the workings of the Spirit. I agree that there are come valid points made, however, it doesn't explain the kind of experiences I've had. The LDS church and other faiths have a history of miracles that can't be explained away.<br><br>There is also the phenomenon of near-death-experiences that defy explanation by those who desire to debunk workings of the Spirit. For example, how does a person who was born bind and claims a NDE and proceeds to tell the doctors about all that occurred in the operating room. They had to be able to see.<br><br>So the beat goes on, those who war against faith just can't understand miracles and the workings of the Spirit.Jaredhttp://www.ldsaliveinchrist.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-78367918391387725412013-06-06T15:07:53.403-07:002013-06-06T15:07:53.403-07:00If only they did have the ethics, morals and princ...If only they did have the ethics, morals and principles to honorably admit the nearly 200 year old hoax and come clean. They are in a Catch 22 situation. The funny thing is, if they actually did embrace the true concepts of Christianity, there is a way out of the impossible situation. Completely confess all wrong doing, feel remorse, ask for forgiveness and try to live an honest life going forward. Ironic, isn't it? They say they are Christian and the answer is right there in Christianity actually. It would be a bold crazy move and the only one that would offer a final solution. <br><br>I understand why it wouldn't work, because members who want to cling to Mormonism as something unique would be devastated. I am just saying, in a weird way, there is a solution.<br><br>And the guys at the top don't have the right stuff to do this anyway. No,ethics, morals, honesty or principles there. Everything is about the perpetuation of the organization, no matter what means you have to stoop to to accomplish this. That is the one non-negotiable item in this organization. The perpetuation of the beast...that is what the doctrine boils down to.<br><br>Sorry I've blathered on. These last two articles were great, Mr. Twede. Thanks for getting me caught up on the latest.Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07282296619436185788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-11067416614771896502013-06-06T11:58:17.248-07:002013-06-06T11:58:17.248-07:00I am thankful for this site because it helps me to...I am thankful for this site because it helps me to understand why I have never fully drank the cool-aide! I am a convert of 33 years. It was nice to think there is one true church. This sites work will blow the lid off of "popcorn popping on the apricot tree!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-87861486112416411492013-06-05T21:55:10.023-07:002013-06-05T21:55:10.023-07:00Jared,For examples of these kinds of spiritual exp...Jared,<br>For examples of these kinds of spiritual experiences leading people to believe in things that contradict LDS truth claims, please visit:<br>www.theamateurthinker.com/2011/02/how-can-we-find-truth-part-4/<br>and read from the heading "A Short Experiment – Comparing Descriptions of Spiritual Feelings from Different Religions."<br>Even as a former Mormon I was shocked to see these spiritual perceptions are universal among various religions and even atheists.<br><br>Again, my best<br>Zack TacorinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-74806799968181218982013-06-05T21:45:56.190-07:002013-06-05T21:45:56.190-07:00Jared, On June 5, 2013 at 6:40 PM you wrote, &q...Jared,<br> On June 5, 2013 at 6:40 PM you wrote, "How is it that a voice speaking from beyond the veil in answer to prayer happens all the time?"<br> Voices, impressions, visions, angelic visitations, and other experiences like these are fairly common. They may come from prayer, fasting, other religious rituals, or just out-of-the-blue and often lead many to believe truth claims that contradict LDS truth claims. Since these experiences (including claimed LDS personal revelation) are completely subjective, they are useless in discerning the truth.<br><br>My best,<br>Zack TacorinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-57923076318722282212013-06-05T14:37:39.675-07:002013-06-05T14:37:39.675-07:00Well in my opinion with my Mormon past and my know...Well in my opinion with my Mormon past and my knowlege, and my brain having common sense...the BOM is a load of bull$&#+...the church is full of it too..ya'll should move on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8223497504999189608.post-26128038282663136482013-06-05T13:21:58.398-07:002013-06-05T13:21:58.398-07:00I agree. And the internet has been the great sani...I agree. And the internet has been the great sanitizer...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com