"Hi, my name is Robert and I'm an Ex Mormon."

http://www.i-am-an-exmormon.com/

http://www.postmormon.org/

http://www.exmormon.reddit.com

I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so it was natural that I had questions about the Church and its teachings. As I matured, I struggled with questions that it seemed could never be answered. I was told that I just needed to have faith, or that the answers to my questions were not important to my salvation.

Some people might get the wrong idea and assume that my constant questioning meant that I was not living by the standards of the Church, or that I doubted because I was sinning. That was not the case. I lived up to the Church's standards to the best of my abilities and was a good son growing up at home--which is not to say that I was perfect, but I tried my best.

On my mission I expected to learn a lot and grow a lot, which I did. As a part of my missionary zeal, I studied a lot about the Church and its doctrines. But the more I studied, the more unanswered questions I had. Believing that my Mission President must be closer to God than most, I brought my questions to him, hoping that I might find some satisfying answers. However, his answers were the same as regular members and my previous bishops' answers were. There never seemed to be this "meat" or deep doctrine that we were promised would come.

About 2 years after my mission, I felt that I needed a break from going to church--I needed some "me" time to get things sorted out in my own life. There was always so much pressure to conform to a certain image of a Mormon: get married young, have lots of kids, live happily ever after. During this time away from the Church, I never planned on leaving the Church because I still had my testimony that is was true. For quite some time after my hiatus from Church I would always defend it against all attacks, whether they came from my friends or from TV shows like South Park. However, after a while I wanted to see where people were getting these outrageous claims from. The more I studied on my own the more I realized that most of these bizarre things I was learning about the Church and its history were not only true, but that most of it came directly out of Church literature--things recorded by some of the early prophets and apostles.

After learning that most of the things I thought were anti-Mormon were facts, I felt betrayed and lied to. I knew that there were many good things I had learned growing up in the Church; however, I could never go back to an organization that is based on lies and that covered up its "little flecks" of history.

I believe in honesty and integrity, my name is Robert and I'm an Ex-Mormon.

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• Robert

[masterjedidavidsharp]

@iamanexmormon I find it interesting that the "I am a Mormon" messages were made to show to people that we aren't weirdos but come from all walks of life. Not to bring any church down where as your messages only purpose seems to attack the church.

No matter how hard you fight you won't change what's truth and what's not. And weather you're right or I am I guess we'll find out one day. Until then, I know where to find truth and I hope you can find it as well.

[iamanexmormon]

@masterjedidavidsharp Our purpose is stated on our website: "...video series is dedicated to sharing the stories of those who have courageously followed their own path out of Mormonism. We hope that their struggles and accomplishments will help others to have compassion and respect for those who have made this journey."

Personally, I believe that the LDS method of finding truth is incomplete, and I agree with my close friend Dustin on this topic:

watch?v=JciFDrhnVzs

[masterjedidavidsharp]

@iamanexmormon So, let me ask you this, what is your proof that it is false?

[iamanexmormon]

@masterjedidavidsharp Let's start with psychology. Do you believe the true church of God would use psychological manipulation to retain membership (that looks similar to other religious movements such as Scientology or the Jehovah's Witnesses)? Would that bother you?

I feel like understanding the church's methods of indoctrination began to open my eyes to the very real possibility that I believed for psychological reasons and not because it was true. Do you think this is a possibility?

[masterjedidavidsharp]

@iamanexmormon If you really believe there is no evidence to support what the church teaches then you are blind

[iamanexmormon]

@masterjedidavidsharp I said "extraordinary evidence". I would be a fool to claim that there is no chance of someone finding evidence (the low hanging fruit you chose to criticize) when given millions of followers and 180 years to do so. But the evidence is exactly the kind you would expect if you were actually dealing with something that is false. Extraordinary evidence is needed for extraordinary claims.

Chiasmus? My brother wrote a software program that identifies chiasmus in every book.

[Sk8er408]

@AnatoleBelge

I would not say it is "settled"

Yet no 1 has claimed those in the BoM were Jews. They were of the Tribe of Joseph not Judah. They are of the House of Israel. "Jew" has two meanings. One being from the Tribe of Judah (modern day Jews) the other being the generic name for the Children of Israel. Remember, there were ten tribes (including Joseph) that were taken captive to the East. The remaining 2 (Judah and Benjamin) make up what we call Jews today.

[masterjedidavidsharp]

@AnatoleBelge Just so everyone knows, I am done posting on here. You all are so blind and unwilling to accept the truth because it hurts your pride. Not only that your arguments make no sense. Scientist ALWAYS go in search to prove or disprove. Its called the scientific method. BUt regardless. I am done with this pathetic attempt to stop God's work. Y'all keep the faith, as I've said it takes more faith to not believe in God and to trust science than it does to believe.

[AnatoleBelge]

@masterjedidavidsharp "THeir sole purpose was to find archeological proof the BOM is true."

That alone discredits them without even having to consider their church affiliation. An honest search goes where the evidence leads rather than try to prove a desired outcome.

And the DNA evidence isn't nearly a jumbo like you say. The only dispute among various studies has to do with how exactly the eastern Asians came to N America. That they were E Asians and not Jews is settled.

[masterjedidavidsharp]

@tbas5889 So what would be a credible resource? Go look at the FARMS organization. THeir sole purpose was to find archeological proof the BOM is true. but its a church affiliated organization so its probably not "credible" to you. Do an OUNCE of research about DNA in native americans and it is a complete mixing bowl of ancestrial DNA. Middle Eastern being one of them. I won't take away the experience of learning from you by doing your own research. go have fun.

[tbas5889]

@masterjedidavidsharp I would love for you to point out one credible source of archaeological proof of the Book of Mormon. I would also love to hear your explanation of the fact that the Book of Mormon claims that Nephi and his family migrated from Israel to the Americas, and their future generations are what we recognize as the Native Americans, yet DNA evidence PROVES Native Americans are of Asian descent.

[misstrishdesigns]

@masterjedidavidsharp The videos are here to comfort others going through the process of leaving the LDS church. Many non-believers are shunned and rejected by family. It is comforting to know there are other people who have gone through the same struggles, and are living happily.

[BiGMANJOE32]

Good for you robert I hope you one get Born again and let the Holy Spirit tlk to you and you will find someone whose honestly integrity and truth will blow you away Jesus Christ.

He will lead you in to all truth the road will tough and fake Christians will try to water down your faith but stay strong

[masterjedidavidsharp]

@atdd22 Then EVERY religion is manipulative.

[masterjedidavidsharp]

@AgnosticTao As far as President Hinckley, consider this, can a fourth grader understand calculus? the same principle is here, your small brain and limited knowledge but mostly your lack of faith wont allow you to understand this. So what else do you want to throw out... polygomy? I do commend you and the other atheist/agnostics. I think it takes a lot more faith to not believe in God than it does to believe in Him.

[masterjedidavidsharp]

@AgnosticTao helping prove what some of the story is in the Book of Mormon, as for no archealogical prove, you're either ignorant or choose to ignore the proof. It's there but since it was probably found by Mormon scientist you don't accept it. racism. oldest argument in the book. I wont even address it because of how pointless an argument you have for it.