About this user
I am a former Mormon.
I was born and raised LDS by good parents who were descendents of Mormon polygamous pioneers. All of my family (brothers and sisters) are all active Mormons. I love them all, dearly, but am a bit frustrated that they can't see the fraud in Mormonism.
I saw the fraud in 1999 as I studied Mormonism to become a "better" Mormon. I resigned my LDS membership (as did my wife and 5 of my children) a year and a half later on July 4th, 2001--my "declaration of independence", as it were.
I was an active Mormon believer. I served a 2 year mission, attended BYU, married in the temple and held several positions in LDS leadership and teaching. I was a 2nd counselor in a bishopric as well as in a Sunday School Presidency and a Stake High Councilman. I taught several classes, one of which was Gospel Doctrine.
I am now considered by my Mormon family and friends as an "decieved"--and by LDS, Inc., an apostate. I don't mind that designation as evidenced by my YT moniker. It's also interesting to note that ALL early members of LDS, Inc. were also apostates as they all left the religion of their upbringing.
Contrary to their expectations/teachings I did NOT become a depraved, drunken, gutter-dwelling, drug addicted slob they had been taught I would. Rather, my life now is infinitely better than it EVER was as a Mormon. I am much happier than ever. My hope is that my siblings will be able to see by my example that life is much more rewarding outside the confining thought controll environment of authoritarian Mormonism. There are better "ways" out there than Mormonism.
I am now somewhat anti-organized religion--especially Mormonism, due to the fact that it is a "corporation" and subject to Corporate Law above God's Law. I see the US Government of today as given over totally to Satanism. The idea that "God's Church" would have anything to do with Satan's evil ways is ludicrous--that His Church (supposedly) would sign corporate agreements (make alliences) with the Federal Government AND the IRS (501c3 Tax Exempt status) is beyond ludicrous!
I have some favorite quotes to share, if you're interested, that assised me in my transition out of Mormonism. I hope you enjoy and appreciate them as I did and do.
"The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going...The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge."
Prov. 14:15,18
"In religion, what damned error, but some sober brow will bless it and approve it with a text, hiding the grossness with fair ornament." [Polygamy? Racism? Homophobia?]
- Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, III:2
"I will not attack your doctrines nor your creeds if they accord liberty to me. If they hold thought to be dangerous - if they aver that doubt is a crime, then I attack them one and all, because they enslave the minds of men."
-Robert G. Ingersoll, The Ghosts
"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same god who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
- Galileo Galilei
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently."
- Nietzsche "The Dawn" (1881)
(I hope to add a few quotes more later on.)
So. What do I "believe" now that I am no longer LDS? I believe in God and Jesus Christ as I did as a Mormon. (I didn't throw the baby out with the bath water.) I consider myself a non-denominational Christian tho I currently attend no "church". Doctrinally I believe that the only command of any importance is Christ's number ONE Commandment--to love God and my fellow men and do it unconditionally. It's a tall order all by itself. I am working on it, tho I don't expect to ever master it completely, but I don't worry or fret about not being "good enough" as I did as a Mormon. I'm free of that guilt. I simply do my best and am content and at peace with that.
For those LDS who would like to resign their membership as I and many others have, it's easy to do. Simply send an E-Mail to Greg Dodge at Member Records in Salt Lake City (Church Office Building) and include your full name and birthdate and tell him that you are resigning your membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, effective immediately. As soon as you send it and they receive it, you are OUT! It'll take another month or so for the paperwork to run it's course. When they're finished with the paperwork they'll send you a confirmation letter.
(It might help to know that there are more resignees than there are active Mormons !)
Anyway,
Cheers to all my friends as well as my enemies--brothers and sisters, whether in Christ or not...
Hometown
Oakland
Country
United States
Occupation
Exuberantly Retired
Schools
BYU--SBCJC
Interests
Spirituality--Zero Point energy--The Near Death Experience--Constitutional Law
42apostate
commented:
@JohnnyNyberg
NEWS RELEASE!!---Jonnny-come-lately!!
I'm NOT LDS, m-boy.
What made you think I'm a member of the Morg?--my moniker, 42apostate?
LOL!!
(Hint***I was referring to the caller, not Shawn.
Sorry for not being clear...)