The Church releases no figures on anyone leaving the Church, this would be the only accurate source for this kind of information. Your second premise, "I listen when they tell me"..is that the voices in your head? Were you ever actually a member, or is that a tactic to bring credibility to what you say? So far you offer no proof that anything you have said is true.
@iqlusionblogspot Really, and how is it you could possibly climb into the minds of people on Sunday and know that? Thats kind of a neat trick, and I'd like to understand it.
Okay people you don't need to keep bagging on this all the time. First read the Book of Mormon. Okay? Then Pray about it. If the Book of Mormon is not true then God will let you know okay?
Most of the people who read and pray about the Book of Mormon decide the church is not what it claims to be. (If most people were converted by praying about the Book of Mormon, missionary work would be a lot easier.)
Yes. After a mission, four years at BYU and various leadership and teaching callings, my doubts became impossible to ignore. I begged God in prayer to help me overcome my doubts for about three years. My bishop had no answers. I couldn't understand why God wouldn't answer my prayers. Then I realized the silence was clear evidence God didn't exist; my feelings about the Book of Mormon had tricked me. I still ask God once in a while to set me straight if I've erred. No reply.
Ya know, I've lived in and out of the LDS church and have experienced miracles in both places. So in the process I tried to be honest with myself ... I really have come to think that all this banter and criticism, back and forth serves no purpose. It's a little like arguing with someone who doesn't speak my language if a painting is beautiful or not... too many hurdles and "blind spots", too much ethereal stuff (the stuff of FAITH); and subjectivity and personal taste/choice is a factor.
I'm a convert to the LDS church since 1981. I know there are many things about the church taken out of context, distorted, twisted, etc. I read all that anti-Mormon stuff when I was first investigating the church. We didn't have Internet back then and it was all I could find (in Christian book stores of all places!). But I took time to find the truth! I can't imagine being a member of any other church. We have the fulness of the gospel. It brings you CLOSER to the Bible and Jesus.
@cindybin2001 The fullness of the gospel is Christ crucified. John 3:18,36 First Corinthians 1:17,18. God is a Spirit John 4:24. God entered into human flesh, and gained nothing for himself by it. Philippians 2:5-11 John 1:1-3,14. It meant everything to man though, Romans 3:236:23 10:9,10 11:6. God is Creator of all things including man, body, soul, and spirit. Genesis 1:1 Hebrews 11:3 Genesis 2:7. God knows of no other God that exists, & He had no help Creating anything Isaiah 43:10 44:6-8,24.
If the LDS church wants a more favorable perception it needs to examine its REAL history & address it honestly. If they can find some way to acknowledge the obvious & profound flaws of Smith & still preserve belief in this instituion, people could respect that. As Pat Moynihan said, "You are entitled to your own opinions, you are not entitled to your own facts." Mormons have to quit speaking or their church in salesmanship jargon. Openly admit to all your doctrines, quit hiding things.
@iqlusionblogspot There you're wrong, we don't want to appear as a mainstream church. Mainstream churches conform the world. We are not of the world, but for it.
It's tough, when you've immersed yourself in an idea and surrounded yourself with people who think similarly, to break out of your point of view even momentarily and view the idea in a less biased way.
When I was a Mormon, I thought it was ridiculous when the church was called a cult. But after being able to see it from the outside, I recognize that the church does use some of the same techniques (with a kinder, gentler touch than a typical cult). I still wouldn't call the LDS Church a cult, but I would say it is more cult-like than some other churches.
@masterskyrunner An easy way to spot a Christian cult is when a leader of a group calls himself a prophet or Jesus Christ. The leader will reinterpret, denounce or close the Bible to rely upon his own definition, dreams and feelings. A sure fire method to find out if it is a cult, is to watch what happens to members that leave the group. If there is group shunning, slander or character assassination watch out. fyi. Slander of ex members has been voiced from the lds conference pulpit.
Public uproar seems to be a common response to loudmouths who confront the establishment, whether the loudmouth represents a true religion/philosophy/hypothesis or not.
It certainly is interesting, but I don't think it says anything about the validity of the loudmouth's position.
The Church releases no figures on anyone leaving the Church, this would be the only accurate source for this kind of information. Your second premise, "I listen when they tell me"..is that the voices in your head? Were you ever actually a member, or is that a tactic to bring credibility to what you say? So far you offer no proof that anything you have said is true.
bomac10000 2 weeks ago
It's not just the public that views the LDS Church negatively. The LDS Church is having a terrible time hanging on to its teenagers and young adults.
Lots of the people who show up to sacrament meeting each Sunday have very serious doubts and will leave the church in a few years.
iqlusionblogspot 4 months ago
@iqlusionblogspot Really, and how is it you could possibly climb into the minds of people on Sunday and know that? Thats kind of a neat trick, and I'd like to understand it.
bomac10000 2 weeks ago
@bomac10000
I read what they write. I listen to what they tell me.
iqlusionblogspot 2 weeks ago
Okay people you don't need to keep bagging on this all the time. First read the Book of Mormon. Okay? Then Pray about it. If the Book of Mormon is not true then God will let you know okay?
OtakuDeju 4 months ago
@OtakuDeju
Most of the people who read and pray about the Book of Mormon decide the church is not what it claims to be. (If most people were converted by praying about the Book of Mormon, missionary work would be a lot easier.)
iqlusionblogspot 4 months ago
@iqlusionblogspot Well you can tell me all about your experience once you have done that then.
OtakuDeju 4 months ago
@OtakuDeju
Yes. After a mission, four years at BYU and various leadership and teaching callings, my doubts became impossible to ignore. I begged God in prayer to help me overcome my doubts for about three years. My bishop had no answers. I couldn't understand why God wouldn't answer my prayers. Then I realized the silence was clear evidence God didn't exist; my feelings about the Book of Mormon had tricked me. I still ask God once in a while to set me straight if I've erred. No reply.
iqlusionblogspot 4 months ago
@iqlusionblogspot Where in is your faith?
OtakuDeju 4 months ago
@OtakuDeju
Will you restate your question? Was the "in" a typo?
iqlusionblogspot 4 months ago
Ya know, I've lived in and out of the LDS church and have experienced miracles in both places. So in the process I tried to be honest with myself ... I really have come to think that all this banter and criticism, back and forth serves no purpose. It's a little like arguing with someone who doesn't speak my language if a painting is beautiful or not... too many hurdles and "blind spots", too much ethereal stuff (the stuff of FAITH); and subjectivity and personal taste/choice is a factor.
Kclaybond 5 months ago
I'm a convert to the LDS church since 1981. I know there are many things about the church taken out of context, distorted, twisted, etc. I read all that anti-Mormon stuff when I was first investigating the church. We didn't have Internet back then and it was all I could find (in Christian book stores of all places!). But I took time to find the truth! I can't imagine being a member of any other church. We have the fulness of the gospel. It brings you CLOSER to the Bible and Jesus.
cindybin2001 8 months ago
@cindybin2001 The fullness of the gospel is Christ crucified. John 3:18,36 First Corinthians 1:17,18. God is a Spirit John 4:24. God entered into human flesh, and gained nothing for himself by it. Philippians 2:5-11 John 1:1-3,14. It meant everything to man though, Romans 3:23 6:23 10:9,10 11:6. God is Creator of all things including man, body, soul, and spirit. Genesis 1:1 Hebrews 11:3 Genesis 2:7. God knows of no other God that exists, & He had no help Creating anything Isaiah 43:10 44:6-8,24.
1stcorinthians1vrs18 5 months ago
This video made me laugh, because I don't care about opinions.
masterskyrunner 1 year ago
If the LDS church wants a more favorable perception it needs to examine its REAL history & address it honestly. If they can find some way to acknowledge the obvious & profound flaws of Smith & still preserve belief in this instituion, people could respect that. As Pat Moynihan said, "You are entitled to your own opinions, you are not entitled to your own facts." Mormons have to quit speaking or their church in salesmanship jargon. Openly admit to all your doctrines, quit hiding things.
VictorLepanto 1 year ago
A 2007 Gallup poll shows that 46% of American Adults have an unfavorable view of the LDS Church while only 42% hold a favorable view.
Another poll shows that Anti-Mormon sentiment is noticeably higher among Republicans than Democrats.
iqlusionblogspot 2 years ago
The LDS Church is going to get very frustrated as they try to present themselves to the American public as a mainstream Christian church.
iqlusionblogspot 2 years ago
@iqlusionblogspot There you're wrong, we don't want to appear as a mainstream church. Mainstream churches conform the world. We are not of the world, but for it.
masterskyrunner 1 year ago
I believe holy Os and cautionwills bias is oozing all over this page.
They represent the pinacle of the blind holding onto the iron devining rod, never to drink of the water.
awolLDSasap 2 years ago 5
It's tough, when you've immersed yourself in an idea and surrounded yourself with people who think similarly, to break out of your point of view even momentarily and view the idea in a less biased way.
iqlusionblogspot 2 years ago
Right!
This immersion of an idea is overseen , regulated and enforced by the leaders.
The definition of a true cult.
awolLDSasap 2 years ago
When I was a Mormon, I thought it was ridiculous when the church was called a cult. But after being able to see it from the outside, I recognize that the church does use some of the same techniques (with a kinder, gentler touch than a typical cult). I still wouldn't call the LDS Church a cult, but I would say it is more cult-like than some other churches.
iqlusionblogspot 2 years ago
@awolLDSasap SPEAKING OF DEFINITIONS!!!!!, could you define a cult for me, you seem not to know what one is.
masterskyrunner 1 year ago
@masterskyrunner An easy way to spot a Christian cult is when a leader of a group calls himself a prophet or Jesus Christ. The leader will reinterpret, denounce or close the Bible to rely upon his own definition, dreams and feelings. A sure fire method to find out if it is a cult, is to watch what happens to members that leave the group. If there is group shunning, slander or character assassination watch out. fyi. Slander of ex members has been voiced from the lds conference pulpit.
awolLDSasap 1 year ago
@awolLDSasap This is the definition I found : cult - a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
I am part of a cult because the first Church was a cult as well, and if we claim to be the restored Church of Christ, then we should be a cult.
Slander of ex-members. Example?
masterskyrunner 1 year ago
@masterskyrunner I have a Websters and another lengthy definition if you need one.
awolLDSasap 1 year ago
Yes, the video is opinionated. It contains people's opinions.
I do hope you'll keep posting in defense of Mormonism like this.
iqlusionblogspot 2 years ago
What did most people think about Jesus Christ when he was on the earth?
"He has a devil"
"He is blasphemous"
"He is crazy"
"He is evil"
etc.
Interesting, eh?
DefendingMormonism 2 years ago
Public uproar seems to be a common response to loudmouths who confront the establishment, whether the loudmouth represents a true religion/philosophy/hypothesis or not.
It certainly is interesting, but I don't think it says anything about the validity of the loudmouth's position.
iqlusionblogspot 2 years ago
Soooo, Jesus Christ was a loudmouth?
DefendingMormonism 2 years ago
I've seen louder, but Jesus declared his message far and wide, often to large groups; and by your own admission he offended people.
So yes, Jesus Christ meets the dictionary's criteria for a loudmouth.
iqlusionblogspot 2 years ago
Is that why you believe in a different Jesus? Because the real one wasn't good enough?
awolLDSasap 2 years ago
far be it from me to criticize but did you know your screen name says you are defending a fairy tale?
With Eliza Snow Smith around I couldn't understand why Joseph Smith didn't include secret footrubs in the temple.
awolLDSasap 2 years ago
You think you are Jesus Christ, but you are NOT. Jesus is worthy, you are NOT.
No Mormon at any time in the history of this world has been worthy to God.
Now go praise your leaders and worship your church.
awolLDSasap 2 years ago
I think many of these comments definitely show that BIGOTRY is still alive and breeding in the United States.
omiolo2 2 years ago
"me thinks thou dost protest too much"
OskyATL 2 years ago
If you're going to discuss Mormonism online, be prepared for lots of defensiveness.
iqlusionblogspot 2 years ago
apparently any criticism is considered bigotry. someone people have to act thin skinned to make it out like things are worse than they are.
OskyATL 2 years ago