A sure way to get the Mormons off your porch is to start talking about stuff that they don't want to hear. There are some subjects that Mormons would literally rather die than talk about.
First is the temple. They don't mind talking about the temple itself; in fact, they do it all the time. But the secret, I mean sacred, ceremonies that go on inside are top secret! They do not even talk about it with each other outside of the temple walls. And even then, it's not really a popular topic of discussion.
I had just newly been through the temple and went with a friend on my second or third session. After it was over and we were still in the temple, I asked my friend a questions and she didn't know the answer. So we stopped a temple worker and asked her. Her response, "We don't discuss those things." (And I thought she was kind of rude about it too).
Going along with the secrets of the temple is your new temple name.* This name should NEVER be revealed. It is absolutely taboo to ask someone what their temple name is. You do not ask, and you do not tell. The ONE time when a woman reveals her name to her husband is during their temple wedding ceremony. The wife will never know her husbands new name. The only other time you reveal your name is during the endowment ceremony, but then it is only to a temple worker who already knows what it is anyway.
So if you want the Mormons to really squirm, just ask them what their temple name is. They will scurry away like mice that hear the cat bell... like roaches when the light comes on... like children who are given vegetables for dinner.
* Whats in a name? They are usually Biblical or Book of Mormon names that are used in everyday religious discussions.
Next are the temple garments. Mormons are given this sacred underwear on their first trip through the temple and are instructed to wear it their entire life (they are even buried wearing them). The garments have Masonic symbols sewn into them and they represent different things.
Mormons believe that wearing garments can give them several benefits, such as a reminder of temple covenants. Another benefit is supposedly physical protection.
Garments are viewed as sacred and holy and should not be treated as just any underwear. They should never be left on the floor. As with the temple ceremony, Mormons are instructed to not talk about the garments or their marks and meanings.
Polygamy is another taboo topic in Mormonism. While the members will discuss it, they prefer not to. Many members don't know that Joseph Smith was a polygamist, having as many as 33 wives, many of whom were married women and young girls.
The idea behind polygamy (as taught in church) was for a few reasons. One reason was to populate the church so that it could grow quickly. Even the early church leaders knew the best converts are the ones they can brainwash from infancy. The second reason for polygamy was to provide husbands for the women who had lost husbands. Yea, stupid, I know.
The real reason for polygamy was to cover up Joseph Smith's secret affairs. When he got caught having an affair on Emma, he claimed he was doing it because god had commanded him to.
Personally, the idea of being a polygamist scares the hell out of me! One wife is hard enough to deal with and provide for. One kid is hard enough and expensive enough to rear. Why add so much more unnecessary complication to your life? The whole idea came about because Smith couldn't keep his willy in his pants.
Anti-Mormonism - Mormons would rather drink poison than see or discuss what they call "anti-Mormon literature". In the mind of a Mormon, the church is the literal kingdom of god and therefore, anyone who speaks evil of it, is an agent of Satan himself. That would be me. Everything that disagrees with the church or its doctrine is a lie made up by evil men, most of whom were once members that were deceived by the lies of Satan and fell from grace.
Being in this fallen state, they are bitter and angry, and they fight against the true church even though they still know it's true. They want you to be as miserable as they are. Thus, many Mormons comment here to me about how I "still know it's true". They ask why I fight against god. They literally believe that I know it's true and am lashing out in bitterness and anger in a fit of rage because either 1) I committed a sin and it's eating me inside, or 2) someone offended me.
Therefore, Mormons are warned to AVOID anti-Mormon literature at all costs because it can... catch this... be devastating to your testimony! So, if I make a good argument why the church isn't true, 99% of Mormons will shrug it off, because their leaders have warned them that the devil would make convincing lies against it. The very fact that I am fighting against the "true church" proves that Satan is real (at least in their minds) and can deceive many carefully down to hell. This is part of the reason why Mormons have such a persecution complex.
Anything that makes Joseph Smith or his successors look bad is a HUGE LIE!
In fact, if anything disagrees with Mormonism, they don't want to discuss it. If any discussion does occur, the Mormon will be on the defense the whole time. In the end, they will accuse you of attacking them and will try to bear their testimony to you.
Heavenly Mother - Yes, just as we have a father in heaven, we also have a mother in heaven whom is god's wife that he was sealed to in a temple on a planet before god was god. Together, they progressed to perfection until "BOOM" god became God. He and his many heavenly wives had sex and made spirit children to start the cycle all over again. (How can two people with physical bodies make spirit babies?)
Heavenly Mother is not discussed much. The reason is for her own protection. You see, the name of god is taken in vain all the time, and god, who respects his wife, does not want his wife's name to be used in that manner. Therefore, speaking of her is very limited. The Mormons do not want the world to know that they believe in a heavenly mother.
Personal experiences - Mormons receive the example from their leaders who often tell members that they have had experiences that are too sacred to share. Therefore, members will also do this sometimes. They claim they have had sacred visions or whatever, but will refuse to share. From the highest levels of the church to the lowest, I think it's a cop out!
The following is a true story, I swear on my life! I had a companion on my mission who, while saying a prayer, would stop right in the middle of a sentence and start snapping his fingers. I wish I was making this up! He would snap loudly three or four times and then continue on with the prayer. Sometimes he would do two or three reps in a single prayer. (No, this guy was NOT normal). Anyway, when I asked him one day why he always snapped during prayers, his reply was (and I'm not making this up), "I can't tell you. It's sacred."
I have heard many members claim, usually in testimony meeting, that they have had personal experiences too sacred to share.
Can anyone else think of something that Mormons don't like to talk about?
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Green
Aside from the fact that green is my favorite color, has anyone ever wondered why I have chosen a green template for this blog?
The word "green" comes from the Old English word growan, which means "to grow." While green is associated with other meanings, the main idea is that of growth or new life.
New life!
When you discover the truth about Mormonism, you begin a new life.
Kermit the Frog said it best: "It isn't easy being green!"
The word "green" comes from the Old English word growan, which means "to grow." While green is associated with other meanings, the main idea is that of growth or new life.
New life!
When you discover the truth about Mormonism, you begin a new life.
Kermit the Frog said it best: "It isn't easy being green!"
May we all embrace our inner Kermit!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The Painful Irony of Mother's Day
The following story was found on mormoncurtain.com and the original author is Ex-Lamanite. It was so good that I had to share it.
Within the LDS tradition, Mother's Day plays well into the whole "families are forever" theme, but for me, the irony was that Mother's Day eventually helped me to see the absurdity of Mormonism.
A lifetime ago, I was a young teenage convert who believed the Mormon message with all sincerity, but my parents remained unconverted. They respected my religious choices, but they themselves did not believe my new-found religion. Oh, I was a valiant little missionary who took every opportunity to preach the Gospel to my parents and to bear fervent testimony that our family could be eternal, if only they would accept the "truth." But sadly for me, my parents never joined the church. In fact, each of my parents told me in their own ways that they would never become Mormons, even if it were offered to them in the next life.
My parents' decision created a painful paradox. Every Sunday I sat in church and listened to the members, teachers, and priesthood leaders as they gushed on and on regarding the blessings of eternal family. Most of them came from multi-generational LDS families and would never know the pain of eternal separation from their loved ones, and more presently, they would never know that their words might create a miserable experience for the one lone boy in the congregation from the non-member family. But then again, most Mormons I knew cared precious little about the feelings of those who fall outside their narrow experience.
But I was still a young man, and I didn't see the church as the problem - I blamed myself. I thought perhaps that I had not been faithful enough, or that I had not prayed or fasted enough to be worthy of an eternal family. Even my patriarchal blessing said that if I was faithful, my parents would see my shining example and gain a testimony of the Gospel. When my parents remained steadfast in their denial of Mormonism, what other conclusion could I reach in my youth? I was the problem.
And this brings me back to Mother's Day.
Every Mother's Day, I sat alone at the back of the chapel and wept. While everyone else sang praises to their eternal families, I knew that I would be alone - I knew that my parents would never accept. The so-called blessings of the temple became a death sentence, an insurmountable wall that would one day separate me from everyone who ever mattered to me.
Eventually I went on a mission and married in the temple, still hoping that my faithfulness would convince my parents, but at some point, my eyes were opened and the absurdity of Mormonism became apparent. I realized that the whole "eternal family" doctrine was really a curse, not a blessing. It only works if EVERYONE agrees and submits to Mormon authority. But if one family member disagrees or "falls away," then even the faithful are punished and eternally separated from the ones they love. Suddenly I became deeply aware that I didn't want to inherit ANY kingdom, celestial or otherwise, where I would be forever deprived of my mother and
father.
To borrow a Mormon phrase, the scales of darkness fell from my eyes, and suddenly I saw misery all around me within the Mormon Church. I saw faithful LDS mothers weeping when their daughters marry outside the temple. I saw parents in agony when a child chose to not serve a mission. I saw wives in misery when their husbands leave the church, and young people feeling isolated and alone when one parent doesn't believe. I saw gay and lesbian family members ostracized and shunned. I saw divorced women in terror that they would spend all eternity ALONE. The Gospel is supposed to mean "Good News," but instead I saw that the teachings of the church bring pain and unhappiness to anyone who falls outside the Mormon ideal.
Worse yet, I realized that my obsession with converting my parents actually prevented me from having a close relationship with them. The church prides itself with being the champions of the pro-family movement, but for so many of us, they actually drive a wedge between families, in this life and in the next.
Once the illusion dissipated, I finally saw just how amazing and beautiful my parents ARE - and how deeply they always loved me. My "eternal family" is HERE and NOW.
Within the LDS tradition, Mother's Day plays well into the whole "families are forever" theme, but for me, the irony was that Mother's Day eventually helped me to see the absurdity of Mormonism.
A lifetime ago, I was a young teenage convert who believed the Mormon message with all sincerity, but my parents remained unconverted. They respected my religious choices, but they themselves did not believe my new-found religion. Oh, I was a valiant little missionary who took every opportunity to preach the Gospel to my parents and to bear fervent testimony that our family could be eternal, if only they would accept the "truth." But sadly for me, my parents never joined the church. In fact, each of my parents told me in their own ways that they would never become Mormons, even if it were offered to them in the next life.
My parents' decision created a painful paradox. Every Sunday I sat in church and listened to the members, teachers, and priesthood leaders as they gushed on and on regarding the blessings of eternal family. Most of them came from multi-generational LDS families and would never know the pain of eternal separation from their loved ones, and more presently, they would never know that their words might create a miserable experience for the one lone boy in the congregation from the non-member family. But then again, most Mormons I knew cared precious little about the feelings of those who fall outside their narrow experience.
But I was still a young man, and I didn't see the church as the problem - I blamed myself. I thought perhaps that I had not been faithful enough, or that I had not prayed or fasted enough to be worthy of an eternal family. Even my patriarchal blessing said that if I was faithful, my parents would see my shining example and gain a testimony of the Gospel. When my parents remained steadfast in their denial of Mormonism, what other conclusion could I reach in my youth? I was the problem.
And this brings me back to Mother's Day.
Every Mother's Day, I sat alone at the back of the chapel and wept. While everyone else sang praises to their eternal families, I knew that I would be alone - I knew that my parents would never accept. The so-called blessings of the temple became a death sentence, an insurmountable wall that would one day separate me from everyone who ever mattered to me.
Eventually I went on a mission and married in the temple, still hoping that my faithfulness would convince my parents, but at some point, my eyes were opened and the absurdity of Mormonism became apparent. I realized that the whole "eternal family" doctrine was really a curse, not a blessing. It only works if EVERYONE agrees and submits to Mormon authority. But if one family member disagrees or "falls away," then even the faithful are punished and eternally separated from the ones they love. Suddenly I became deeply aware that I didn't want to inherit ANY kingdom, celestial or otherwise, where I would be forever deprived of my mother and
father.
To borrow a Mormon phrase, the scales of darkness fell from my eyes, and suddenly I saw misery all around me within the Mormon Church. I saw faithful LDS mothers weeping when their daughters marry outside the temple. I saw parents in agony when a child chose to not serve a mission. I saw wives in misery when their husbands leave the church, and young people feeling isolated and alone when one parent doesn't believe. I saw gay and lesbian family members ostracized and shunned. I saw divorced women in terror that they would spend all eternity ALONE. The Gospel is supposed to mean "Good News," but instead I saw that the teachings of the church bring pain and unhappiness to anyone who falls outside the Mormon ideal.
Worse yet, I realized that my obsession with converting my parents actually prevented me from having a close relationship with them. The church prides itself with being the champions of the pro-family movement, but for so many of us, they actually drive a wedge between families, in this life and in the next.
Once the illusion dissipated, I finally saw just how amazing and beautiful my parents ARE - and how deeply they always loved me. My "eternal family" is HERE and NOW.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
My Conversion - From Mormonism to Atheism
Last week I published the testimony of the person who authors http://becominglds.blogspot.com/. This LDS blogger has a few other Mormon related blogs, one of which is devoted to the sharing of various people's conversion stories. They ask for more stories so I submitted mine...
Naturally, it never saw the light of day and probably got deleted within moments. But what can you expect from a person who has been reared in a bubble? I don't hold it against them. So, since it will never be published there, it will be published here!
I have told this story before, but it can't hurt to tell it again.
My Conversion - From Mormonism to Atheism
I was born into an active LDS family. I was baptized at the age of 8 and served a mission at the age of 19, as is expected. I never doubted or questioned the church. I never smoked or drank. I tried to convert my friends. I was a true blue Mormon (TBM).
I was married in the temple as all LDS youth are expected to. I knew the scriptures inside and out and had a very deep understanding of LDS doctrine. I was active all my life, accepting any callings that were extended to me. I prayed regularly and read the scriptures. I was the perfect Mormon.
On my mission, I experienced some things that strongly lead me to believe that the missionary program of the church was not inspired. I won't talk much about it except to say that the life of an LDS missionary is structured from the moment they get up until they go to bed. For two years, your life is planned for you and you have absolutely no privacy. This seemed very strange to me as I was always taught that everyone had free will. Also very strange to me was how they expected unquestioning obedience to the mission rules. I had always been taught to follow the spirit, but that was amazingly absent in mission life.
I served my two years and returned home. Within a year I was married as all good returned missionaries should be. We were active and went to church together for many years.
A strange series of events happened almost all at the same time. To call it fate might be pushing it, but who knows?
Event #1: My wife and I were not getting along very well. We had terrible fights and were very unhappy. But every Sunday we would put on our happy faces and go to church pretending that life as a Mormon was wonderful. It wasn't wonderful and I felt like a scumbag for always pretending.
Event #2: I would sit in Elder Quorum week after week and all of us would get grilled over how low our home teaching numbers were. I remember leaving church time and again feeling depressed because of all the guilt and shame they heaped upon us.
Event #3: I had the calling from hell! I was an assistant to the bishop, so everything that needed done, I did it. This calling required that I attend meetings before church, and my duties often required me to stay after church as well. There were Sundays where I was literally at the church before sunrise and wasn't home until after sunset.
Event #4: I remember sitting in Sunday school one day and we were discussing Jesus walking on water. I had never had a doubt in my life, but suddenly I had a very strong feeling that the story I was hearing was just a myth.
Event #5: I was just feeling burnt out! All of my life I had been living the Mormon routine: tithing, home teaching, church meetings, callings, more meetings, etc. There is tremendous pressure to do it all and huge amounts of guilt and shame if you don't. I just needed a break!
Event #6: This event was the most devastating on me. The LDS people are taught that a prophet can see the future and warn people of danger. When the tsunami struck in 2005, killing hundreds of thousands of people, I wondered why Gordon B. Hinckley had not warned the people. I am sure that some of the tsunami victims were LDS and their prophet failed them. This caused me to have a great deal of doubt in Pres. Hinckley.
These 6 events left me feeling frustrated, burnt out, and exhausted! To say Mormon life is demanding is an understatement. I quit church and my callings cold turkey. I originally planned to only be off for a month or two. At the time, I was still a believer, but was just feeling very overwhelmed.
After I had been missing from church for a few weeks, the "concerned" members started stopping in with messages to "give god a chance". My Elders Quorum president even showed up one day with, of all things, a home-teaching pamphlet. I know that they meant well.
I was driving down the freeway one day and I saw a car next to me with a bumper sticker. It was sharing an ex-Mormon website. I wish I could remember what website it was. So I figured that since I was already disgruntled with the church, I might as well have a look to see what those evil and angry anti-Mormons have to say.
I was floored! The more I read, the more I wanted to know. I couldn't find enough. As I read, I slowly came to realize that they were not lies made up by the devil, but evidence being shared by concerned people for those who are trapped in a mind-numbing cult. I sat at my computer screen for several months reading anything I could find.
I was having serious doubts at this point but was still not entirely convinced the church was not true until I read the Book of Abraham controversy. Here was undeniable proof that Joseph Smith was pulling "scripture" out of dark places.
At that moment, my Mormon world shattered. I felt a range of emotions from betrayal to anger, confusion to joy, and excitement to fear. Everything I had ever known to be true was gone, and I was left standing in a heap of rubble that resembled my past life. Naturally, I tried to share my new found knowledge with my wife but that proved to be futile.
For nearly two years I struggled with my lost identity. What do I believe now? The answer came slowly after much more reading and soul searching. I studied the history of religion and the characteristics of a myth and I realized at some point, that Jesus was not real. I came to the conclusion, after thinking the matter through very carefully, that I could not believe in god. The Bible was full of nonsense and many horrible things have been done in the name of god. I realized that religion is just a way to frighten people into submission using fear.
I had a difficult time still. By rejecting god completely, one will go to hell if their conclusion is wrong. The fear of damnation kept me hanging on to faith by a thread. I asked a former LDS member that I knew how to get over the fear of damnation. I was told that when you realize the truth, the fear automatically vanishes. That didn't help right then and there; however, when I finally came to terms with the fact that I did not believe in god, the fear of damnation melted away. Now there is absolutely no fear whatsoever of this angry, jealous, ruthless god.
Since I have abandoned the concept of god, I have never been happier. I have had some pretty harsh "trials" so to speak, but I would rather be godless and homeless than rich and Mormon. Any day! I have never looked back and I now author an ex-Mormon blog where I try to reach out to others who might feel as trapped by religion as I did. It has been very rewarding.
Letting go of god was the most wonderful event I could ever hope to experience. For me, it was more wonderful than the first time I had sex (which actually was very disappointing in my opinion). Now I don't have to wonder if everything I do will be approved by god. I never have to worry if I will make it to the Celestial Kingdom. I can live life and enjoy it without being constantly afraid of offending god. And when I go to the gym, I don't have to be embarrassed being seen in my goofy Mormon prescription underwear.
I let go of god and have never looked back. I am okay with the idea that life has no purpose and that when I die, I'm dead. I have accepted reality and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.
So here is my testimony. I don't know what is true... I just know what isn't. When you are honest with yourself, the only possible conclusion is that god does not exist. I know the Book of Mormon isn't true. I know that Joseph Smith was a con man and a pervert. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a lying fraud and that the LDS church is a cult. There is no father in heaven who loves me. There is no side-kick Jesus. It's all a huge lie.
I say this in the name of truth and honesty, amen.
Naturally, it never saw the light of day and probably got deleted within moments. But what can you expect from a person who has been reared in a bubble? I don't hold it against them. So, since it will never be published there, it will be published here!
I have told this story before, but it can't hurt to tell it again.
My Conversion - From Mormonism to Atheism
I was born into an active LDS family. I was baptized at the age of 8 and served a mission at the age of 19, as is expected. I never doubted or questioned the church. I never smoked or drank. I tried to convert my friends. I was a true blue Mormon (TBM).
I was married in the temple as all LDS youth are expected to. I knew the scriptures inside and out and had a very deep understanding of LDS doctrine. I was active all my life, accepting any callings that were extended to me. I prayed regularly and read the scriptures. I was the perfect Mormon.
On my mission, I experienced some things that strongly lead me to believe that the missionary program of the church was not inspired. I won't talk much about it except to say that the life of an LDS missionary is structured from the moment they get up until they go to bed. For two years, your life is planned for you and you have absolutely no privacy. This seemed very strange to me as I was always taught that everyone had free will. Also very strange to me was how they expected unquestioning obedience to the mission rules. I had always been taught to follow the spirit, but that was amazingly absent in mission life.
I served my two years and returned home. Within a year I was married as all good returned missionaries should be. We were active and went to church together for many years.
A strange series of events happened almost all at the same time. To call it fate might be pushing it, but who knows?
Event #1: My wife and I were not getting along very well. We had terrible fights and were very unhappy. But every Sunday we would put on our happy faces and go to church pretending that life as a Mormon was wonderful. It wasn't wonderful and I felt like a scumbag for always pretending.
Event #2: I would sit in Elder Quorum week after week and all of us would get grilled over how low our home teaching numbers were. I remember leaving church time and again feeling depressed because of all the guilt and shame they heaped upon us.
Event #3: I had the calling from hell! I was an assistant to the bishop, so everything that needed done, I did it. This calling required that I attend meetings before church, and my duties often required me to stay after church as well. There were Sundays where I was literally at the church before sunrise and wasn't home until after sunset.
Event #4: I remember sitting in Sunday school one day and we were discussing Jesus walking on water. I had never had a doubt in my life, but suddenly I had a very strong feeling that the story I was hearing was just a myth.
Event #5: I was just feeling burnt out! All of my life I had been living the Mormon routine: tithing, home teaching, church meetings, callings, more meetings, etc. There is tremendous pressure to do it all and huge amounts of guilt and shame if you don't. I just needed a break!
Event #6: This event was the most devastating on me. The LDS people are taught that a prophet can see the future and warn people of danger. When the tsunami struck in 2005, killing hundreds of thousands of people, I wondered why Gordon B. Hinckley had not warned the people. I am sure that some of the tsunami victims were LDS and their prophet failed them. This caused me to have a great deal of doubt in Pres. Hinckley.
These 6 events left me feeling frustrated, burnt out, and exhausted! To say Mormon life is demanding is an understatement. I quit church and my callings cold turkey. I originally planned to only be off for a month or two. At the time, I was still a believer, but was just feeling very overwhelmed.
After I had been missing from church for a few weeks, the "concerned" members started stopping in with messages to "give god a chance". My Elders Quorum president even showed up one day with, of all things, a home-teaching pamphlet. I know that they meant well.
I was driving down the freeway one day and I saw a car next to me with a bumper sticker. It was sharing an ex-Mormon website. I wish I could remember what website it was. So I figured that since I was already disgruntled with the church, I might as well have a look to see what those evil and angry anti-Mormons have to say.
I was floored! The more I read, the more I wanted to know. I couldn't find enough. As I read, I slowly came to realize that they were not lies made up by the devil, but evidence being shared by concerned people for those who are trapped in a mind-numbing cult. I sat at my computer screen for several months reading anything I could find.
I was having serious doubts at this point but was still not entirely convinced the church was not true until I read the Book of Abraham controversy. Here was undeniable proof that Joseph Smith was pulling "scripture" out of dark places.
At that moment, my Mormon world shattered. I felt a range of emotions from betrayal to anger, confusion to joy, and excitement to fear. Everything I had ever known to be true was gone, and I was left standing in a heap of rubble that resembled my past life. Naturally, I tried to share my new found knowledge with my wife but that proved to be futile.
For nearly two years I struggled with my lost identity. What do I believe now? The answer came slowly after much more reading and soul searching. I studied the history of religion and the characteristics of a myth and I realized at some point, that Jesus was not real. I came to the conclusion, after thinking the matter through very carefully, that I could not believe in god. The Bible was full of nonsense and many horrible things have been done in the name of god. I realized that religion is just a way to frighten people into submission using fear.
I had a difficult time still. By rejecting god completely, one will go to hell if their conclusion is wrong. The fear of damnation kept me hanging on to faith by a thread. I asked a former LDS member that I knew how to get over the fear of damnation. I was told that when you realize the truth, the fear automatically vanishes. That didn't help right then and there; however, when I finally came to terms with the fact that I did not believe in god, the fear of damnation melted away. Now there is absolutely no fear whatsoever of this angry, jealous, ruthless god.
Since I have abandoned the concept of god, I have never been happier. I have had some pretty harsh "trials" so to speak, but I would rather be godless and homeless than rich and Mormon. Any day! I have never looked back and I now author an ex-Mormon blog where I try to reach out to others who might feel as trapped by religion as I did. It has been very rewarding.
Letting go of god was the most wonderful event I could ever hope to experience. For me, it was more wonderful than the first time I had sex (which actually was very disappointing in my opinion). Now I don't have to wonder if everything I do will be approved by god. I never have to worry if I will make it to the Celestial Kingdom. I can live life and enjoy it without being constantly afraid of offending god. And when I go to the gym, I don't have to be embarrassed being seen in my goofy Mormon prescription underwear.
I let go of god and have never looked back. I am okay with the idea that life has no purpose and that when I die, I'm dead. I have accepted reality and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.
So here is my testimony. I don't know what is true... I just know what isn't. When you are honest with yourself, the only possible conclusion is that god does not exist. I know the Book of Mormon isn't true. I know that Joseph Smith was a con man and a pervert. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a lying fraud and that the LDS church is a cult. There is no father in heaven who loves me. There is no side-kick Jesus. It's all a huge lie.
I say this in the name of truth and honesty, amen.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
An Actual Mormon Testimony
From infancy, Mormon children are indoctrinated with "their" testimony. It is heard and repeated thousands of times. It involves "knowing". Notice in the following testimony how this person "knows". It is never believed.
This is a cookie-cutter testimony. This person has been brainwashed with it their whole life. Mormons change the order around sometimes but it always involves knowing that 1) Joseph Smith was a true prophet, 2) the Book of Mormon is true, 3) we have a living prophet on the earth today, 4) the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church, 5) god lives and loves us, and 6) being grateful that "I know" all these things.
If you've heard one testimony, you have heard them all. Check it out:
"I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. I know that it is Christ's church restored to the earth in our day by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he saw our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. I have a testimony that God answers our prayers, that He loves us, and that He sent His Son to die for us. I bear testimony that our Savior is our perfect example, that He did perform the atonement for us, and that through Him we all may be able to return to live with our Father in Heaven again. I am so grateful to have the Book of Mormon so that I can continually feast upon the Word of God. I know that this book is true and can give us direction in our lives. I am grateful for all scripture, including the Bible and the words of our living prophets and apostles. I know that our modern-day prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is a true prophet of God who leads and guides us in these days. I am so grateful that I have been able to grow in this knowledge through the guidance and assurance of the Holy Ghost. What a wonderful blessing it is to be a member of the church. My hope and prayer is that all might have the opportunity to gain this knowledge for themselves."
Becoming LDS
Pretty sad... and I am embarrased to admit that I spouted this crap too, almost word-for-word.
Mormons are under the false impression that repeating their testimony will make everyone have an orgasm with desire to join the church. It will confound the wise and the learned. Children will silence professors. It will trump any and all arguments that can ever be forged by the enemies of the lord.
A testimony is bullet-proof armor to a warrior, now repeat after me, "I know..."
This is a cookie-cutter testimony. This person has been brainwashed with it their whole life. Mormons change the order around sometimes but it always involves knowing that 1) Joseph Smith was a true prophet, 2) the Book of Mormon is true, 3) we have a living prophet on the earth today, 4) the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church, 5) god lives and loves us, and 6) being grateful that "I know" all these things.
If you've heard one testimony, you have heard them all. Check it out:
"I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. I know that it is Christ's church restored to the earth in our day by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he saw our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. I have a testimony that God answers our prayers, that He loves us, and that He sent His Son to die for us. I bear testimony that our Savior is our perfect example, that He did perform the atonement for us, and that through Him we all may be able to return to live with our Father in Heaven again. I am so grateful to have the Book of Mormon so that I can continually feast upon the Word of God. I know that this book is true and can give us direction in our lives. I am grateful for all scripture, including the Bible and the words of our living prophets and apostles. I know that our modern-day prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is a true prophet of God who leads and guides us in these days. I am so grateful that I have been able to grow in this knowledge through the guidance and assurance of the Holy Ghost. What a wonderful blessing it is to be a member of the church. My hope and prayer is that all might have the opportunity to gain this knowledge for themselves."
Becoming LDS
Pretty sad... and I am embarrased to admit that I spouted this crap too, almost word-for-word.
Mormons are under the false impression that repeating their testimony will make everyone have an orgasm with desire to join the church. It will confound the wise and the learned. Children will silence professors. It will trump any and all arguments that can ever be forged by the enemies of the lord.
A testimony is bullet-proof armor to a warrior, now repeat after me, "I know..."
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