tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68890917458151515352024-03-04T22:59:11.366-07:00Mormon411This blog documents my life in the Mormon church, my escape from it, and my transition into atheism. This is a place for ex-Mormons to share their thoughts and experiences, to discuss current Mormon issues, and for those people in the church who may be doubting their faith or feeling that something is not quite right. Comments are welcome from all points of view.Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.comBlogger555125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-3423916777709990062015-04-02T22:01:00.000-06:002015-04-02T22:01:56.429-06:00Anyone ever wish that hell was a real place because you know a few people who really, really deserve to go there?Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-28033380363475110012015-03-29T10:02:00.000-06:002015-03-29T10:06:44.796-06:00A PrisonerI have an interesting and sad story to share. And it's all 100% true.
I'm a single guy and I have "needs" just like any other guy. So I posted a listing online looking for a playmate with the potential for a long term relationship.
One girl from Idaho responded - those Idaho girls are so naughty! She was LDS and horny as hell. She frequently sent me naked pictures Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-5058510801598087882015-01-17T04:11:00.000-07:002015-01-18T13:11:14.458-07:00Why Religion Is Harshly Inferior To Science!Let's start at the beginning!
Creation:
Religion states that god built the world in 7 days only 6,000 years ago. There is no evidence for this other than a really old book that just says so.
Science states that the earth is about 4 billion years old. There are mountains of evidence and studies to support this.
Life on Earth:
Religion teaches that god created each creature on the Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-87918606128683142072015-01-09T20:08:00.001-07:002015-01-09T20:12:50.719-07:00Oh, To Understand the Religious Mind!I can't believe I haven't posted since November!
I've been wondering lately - but am too lazy at the moment to go find out - if there is a book about the "Science of Religion".
It would be fascinating to find out if there have ever been any scientific studies on the religious mind and what it is exactly that causes people to cling so desperately to the "truths" they have been raised in Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-43167309933857573692014-11-30T04:11:00.000-07:002014-11-30T04:11:00.663-07:00Christian Love At It's FinestThe following is a word for word email exchange (irrevalent details removed) that I had with a woman a few weeks ago who is obviously Christian. This will blow your mind.
Her: "I believe if I ask anything in Jesus name it shall be received."
Me: "We live in the 21st century.. the information age. We are a little too advanced to be believing in stone-age myths, and talking snakes, andMormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-45334449019723852792014-11-23T04:11:00.000-07:002014-11-23T04:11:00.136-07:00Why Jesus Dying For You Is Not As Heroic As It SoundsOr, Why The Resurrection of Jesus Really Isn't That Great
Even back in my believing days, I had a question:
If Jesus loved me and died for my sins, (which is very sweet of him to do) and he had power over death, why is that such a big deal? Why is it a sacrifice if he could just come back to life again?
Jesus has power over death. He dies for me. He comes back to life a few Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-35303535777533544002014-11-16T11:59:00.001-07:002014-11-16T13:56:49.787-07:00The Missing Secret Ingredient: The Real Reason Why Diets Don't WorkThey are missing faith!
Browsing through the book section of the nearby grocery store, I came across this precious gem: The Pray Fit Diet: The Revolutionary Faith-Based Plan to Balance Your Plate and Shed Weight.
Seriously? I have a million thoughts on this and don't even know where to begin. I need faith in order to balance my plate? I need religion in order to exercise Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-8359315779830096042014-10-26T04:11:00.000-06:002014-10-26T04:11:00.159-06:00A Proud Missionary MomWithin the last month, I have had a cousin enter the MTC and travel to his assigned mission.
His mother - my aunt - is one proud missionary mother. Almost every day she posts on FB something about his mission, how choice and righteous he is, how proud she is, blah blah blah.
I have noticed that the LDS church isn't just a church. It isn't just a lifestyle.
It is their identity.
I Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-31953194931822002482014-10-21T21:21:00.001-06:002014-11-13T07:12:59.725-07:00FreedomI want to talk about freedom. I'm not even sure what I want to say really. I just remember being taught that to obey the commandments was not a restriction - as it seems at first glance - but rather it is freedom.
It does seem like a restriction to the young boy or girl who wants to explore forbidden things.
But on second thought, it does make some sense. Abstaining from Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-87428446089839740132014-09-25T19:38:00.002-06:002014-09-25T19:38:30.540-06:00"Bless You"Is it just me, or is it terribly annoying when someone says "Bless You" whenever you sneeze? I realize it is a social courtesy of politeness, but is it really necessary? What is the purpose of blessing someone for a natural bodily function? How come we don't have social niceties for when someone burps, or coughs, or farts?
I'm not necessarily offended when someone says "Bless Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-10609466515648954142014-09-14T17:03:00.001-06:002014-11-13T07:19:49.783-07:00Good Life, Bad LifeI have been away from the blogging world for about six months and during that time I suppose I got out of the routine of getting on the blog to write my thoughts and check for comments and emails.
When I announced 6 months ago that I would be taking a temporary leave of absense, someone left a comment asking me if I was going to jail.
No. But the question made me laugh!
I was going Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-35668433712860386592014-03-08T04:11:00.000-07:002014-03-08T04:11:00.022-07:00M411 Takes A Leave of AbsenseMormon411 is displeased to announce that, effective immediately, because of some circumstances beyond his control, he will be unable to blog for a while. This includes responding to comments and emails. I wish it wasn't this way and I hope to be back soon. It might be several months or maybe just a few weeks. Let's hope the latter.
I will be back, promise. JustMormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-40303242777058170772014-03-01T04:11:00.000-07:002014-03-01T04:11:00.578-07:00Praise Un-godPeople all over the world make the mistake of thinking that their beliefs brings them good fortune, or that their good fortune validates their beliefs, or that the misfortune of others is their punishment for not sharing the same beliefs.
I have an idea. Let's try the religious way of proving atheism is true and that un-god is the true un-deity (the non-existent god of atheism). Hey,Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-20214961469337431932014-02-22T04:11:00.000-07:002014-02-22T04:11:01.293-07:00The Advantage of Always Being Right......is that if you are wrong, you're still right.
It is a pretty bold claim to be the only true church, lead by prophets and apostles who walk and talk with god. They are the mouthpiece for the lord so anything they say is the lord's will. In other words, continuing revelation. But what if something that was taught is later shown to be wrong? This would place the Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-74450771302359583012014-02-15T04:11:00.000-07:002014-02-15T12:01:15.411-07:00How A Patriarchal Blessing Destroyed My MarriageFor my readers who might not know, a Patriarchal Blessing is a guide for LDS people. It sometimes predicts the future and is supposed to give guidance.
Every worthy member is encouraged to get their blessing. It is usually given to people shortly before they leave on a mission or get married.
In every stake, there is a man called a patriarch. He is the person who gives the Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-46685277892807910182014-02-09T17:58:00.000-07:002014-02-10T21:19:39.997-07:00How A Snowflake Might Disprove the Theory of Intelligent Design
Please enjoy these highly magnified images of actual snowflakes.
Beautiful, are they not? Nearly perfect symmetry. No two alike. Truly, these little ice crystals are magnificent!
How these little wonders of nature are formed could almost be called miraculous. They are breathtakingly beautiful.
Surely, something this complex mustMormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-55022586286840123012014-02-01T04:11:00.000-07:002014-02-01T04:11:00.335-07:00I Am Not Responsible For Your Hurt FeelingsFor those of us who have left the church, we know there are people who do not approve. They will try to guilt you back by saying things like, "We are so disappointed in you."
I had one family member actually say to me, "You used to be my hero." The only thing that changed... I no longer attend church.
When my father left the church years ago, it nearly killed his parents. TheyMormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-5831869199515926332014-01-28T01:15:00.002-07:002014-01-28T18:44:13.960-07:00Believers vs. Atheists - Does It Really Matter?There is only one of two possibilities. Either there is a god or there isn't.
If there is no god, then all believers are wrong. This means that they navigate this life on their own with nothing more than a delusion of divine guidance. But they make it through just fine anyway, even if they are wrong.
If there is a god, then all atheists are wrong. However, they Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-76713954131993154762014-01-23T04:00:00.000-07:002014-01-23T06:29:33.766-07:00Name Removal, Update 3 - It Is OfficialI am no longer a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I received official confirmation in the mail yesterday.
Other than the two-month wait and the unexpected visit from the local bishop (both of which I specifically requested in my resignation letter not to happen), the resignation process really wasn't that bad.
I was an official member of the LDS church for just Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-79923895103855883722014-01-21T22:04:00.001-07:002014-01-21T22:04:40.422-07:00What Is Wrong With This Picture?
Something about this graphic rubs me the wrong way.
God has a great plan for you. There's only one problem... You don't know what it is.
It's like a lost traveler who stops at a gas station and asks for a road map, only to be handed a blank piece of paper. The traveler sincerely thanks the attendant for his help and continues on the way. Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-48080839174977974712014-01-18T14:28:00.000-07:002014-01-18T14:28:01.395-07:00New Kid In TownI would like to welcome Senigami of Mormon Doubter to the ex-Mormon blogging world.
http://mormondoubter.blogspot.com/
Everyone, please go visit his new blog and leave comments! I will be a frequent visitor as I believe he has a lot of good things to say!
Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-69611713209813337682014-01-12T07:33:00.001-07:002014-01-15T06:34:11.961-07:00The Same-Sex Marriage Uproar in Utah
Let's face it... Utah is the last place on earth that anyone suspected would legalize same-sex marriage. Naturally, the Mormons are doing everything they can to appeal this law.
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-instructs-leaders-on-same-sex-marriage
Dated January 10, 2014, the link above is a letter from church headquarters to their local leaders across the country. Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-3521390334277091562014-01-11T13:09:00.000-07:002014-01-15T22:29:40.047-07:00The God Makers, Part 1All of my life, as far back as I can remember, I always heard about the evil anti-Mormon film, The God Makers. I always thought it would be full of blatant lies, so I never even bothered to watch it, even as an ex-Mormon. Well, today, I figured I might as well watch it and write a review. As an ex-Mormon myself who blogs against the church, I still make every attempt to be as Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-38535092112484509972014-01-04T15:54:00.000-07:002014-01-04T15:54:50.410-07:00How Come Mormons Don't Use the Term "Saved"?To be "saved" implies that you're finished. Your place in heaven is a guarantee.
Not so in Mormonism.
Being baptized by the proper authority isn't enough.
Going through the temple isn't enough.
Paying tithing isn't enough.
Reading the Book of Mormon 100 times isn't enough.
Obeying every single rule and commandment isn't enough.
Going to church faithfully, praying, and reading scriptures Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6889091745815151535.post-16681876537721436722013-12-26T11:53:00.000-07:002014-01-04T05:43:29.196-07:00Christmas with the MormonsI hope everyone had a nice Christmas. Mine was good. I was able to see family that I haven't seen in a while.
I had a few interesting experiences that I thought I'd share.
For our annual family Christmas Eve party, we gather and listen to someone read the traditional story from the Bible of the birth of Jesus, exchange gifts, and eat.
This time is not, of course, without Mormon411http://www.blogger.com/profile/04113317471178740266noreply@blogger.com7