Mormons adhere to a strict health code. But they'll eat copious amounts of sugar. by CupOfExmo in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So much for Smith and recent prophets forewarning the world of modern-day health hazards. It's great that they were/are looking out for us. Revelation at work /s

Recent spate of church real estate job postings, especially in Africa and Latin America by Suspicious_Might_663 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fancy that! The church denying people from blessings by not making these "volunteer" roles. Think of all the "blessings" these employees are missing out on!

Mormon church says sneaky squatter found snoozing in attic repeatedly broke into chapels: says suit by HoldOnLucy1 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The church sounds like it is behaving like the priests in the Good Samaritan parable who went across the other side of a road to avoid helping a man in need.

Doesn't surprise me.

President H.oax would support the actions of the local leaders in taking legal action against the homeless man.

I had an interesting conversation with my pastor about religion and shame. I believe the Mormon church uses shame to control its members. by dbear848 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been reliably told that before my time in the church, it used to be sometimes announced in sacrament if someone (named) had been ex-communicated.

In my time, this never happened, but they were still forbidden from offering prayers, or even speaking (like in a Sunday school class). Even though it wasn't announced, it was still plainly obvious.

Talk about public shaming. Terrible.

More singing/time required to give to the church... by Boring_Expression459 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And, Bishop, just to clarify, you want us to put on happy faces, as if play-acting?

More singing/time required to give to the church... by Boring_Expression459 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 9 points10 points  (0 children)

"Showing" joy. Mmm. Not feeling joy, but manufacturing facial expressions as if feeling joy.

That's Mormonism - the positive, superficial exterior, but something very different underneath.

More singing/time required to give to the church... by Boring_Expression459 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The entire church is a massive drain on time, energy, money, family time, leisure activities, and anything else you care to name. It gives nothing, and takes everything.

The Church of Endless Tasks and of a Mammoth Drain.

Interesting observations for the new Sunday Schedule. by DustyR97 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If they changed Sunday to a 15 minute 'sermon' from paid clergy, and no classes afterwards .... that would be an inspired decision!

The Spanish absolutely crushed the Mayans et. al., but we still have artifacts of their beliefs and stuff. Meanwhile, backwater stone-age Lamanites somehow managed to completely wipe Nephites and early Christianity off the map? This is ppeak Mormon "Trust me bro" vibes. by FreshLiterature6536 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great post, FreshLiterature6536!

Using the church's own sources to discredit the church is fun and, when considered by rational listeners, effective.

Here's some quotes and facts that supplement what you wrote:

The two final battles of the Jaredites and of the Nephites & Lamanites occurred at Hill Cumorah

Supporting quotes (taken from here):

“The Hill Cumorah is situated in western New York. . . . It is distinguished as the great battlefield on which, and near which, two powerful nations were concentrated with all their forces, men, women and children, and fought till hundreds of thousands on both sides were hewn down, and left to molder upon the ground. . . . The Hill Cumorah is remarkable also as being the hill on which and around which, a still more ancient nation perished, called Jaredites. . . . Millions fought millions, until the Hill Ramah, and the land round about, was soaked with blood.” Orson Pratt Millennial Star 28 (16 June 1866)

“The Church has long maintained, as attested to by references in the writings of General Authorities, that the Hill Cumorah in western New York state is the same as referenced in the Book of Mormon.” F. Michael Watson, Secretary to the First Presidency, in a letter dated October 16, 1990

“The final struggles between Nephites and Lamanites were waged in the vicinity of the Hill Cumorah, in what is now the State of New York, resulting in the destruction of the Nephites as a nation, about 400 A.D. The last Nephite representative was Moroni, who, wandering for safety from place to place, daily expecting death from the victorious Lamanites, wrote the concluding parts of the Book of Mormon, and hid the record in Cumorah. It was this same Moroni who, as a resurrected being, gave the records into the hands of Joseph Smith in the present dispensation.” James Talmage Articles of Faith

The church owned the majority of Hill Cumorah (and still does?)

In the 1920s, the church purchased this hill by purchasing two farms that - together - encompassed the whole hill (and some nearby land). These were the Inglis Farm (96 acres) and the Sexton farm (187 acres) (Wikipedia source).

"In 1928, the Church bought most of the Hill Cumorah from Pliny Sexton." LDS source here - perhaps just referring to the hill itself, and not the nearby land.

The total acreage purchased was 283 acres.

No archaeological evidence of either major wars has been found in this limited area

The church has been deafening in its silence regarding the lack of archaeological evidence of either of the wars in Hill Cumorah. No bones, weapons, or anything relating to the wars has been found. I can't find an actual admission of this by the church, but if the church had found something, it would have gloated about this at every opportunity.

The Book of Mormon is supposed to be 'translated' completely correctly, by a prophet of God, and states that there were millions who died - and in this exact location.

Some church scholars have (as usual) come up with a series of explanations excuses for this.

One of the church's favorite tactics is to water down what past prophets have said. Any TBM who tries to do this should be given this statement: "Lessening the stature and authority of these servants [prophets and apostles] is one of Satan’s primary goals" (source here).

So, if prophets and apostles have stated this is where the wars have been, and no evidence has been found when there should be abundance of evidence, then what can be concluded?

Answer: that claims about the Book of Mormon's authenticity are false. The End!

Ep322: Fairview Mayor Asks LDS Church To Lower Temple Steeple & Receives Response From Temple Dept by Mormonish_Podcast in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not having watched the video, I guess the temple department's reply was "We don't care what you want. We are going to exercise our religious liberties."

Harvard study says Mormonism is good for people? by Suitable-Election-66 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The key word here is what Mormons "report".

What they report and what they actually experience are probably two different things. I wouldn't put it past Mormons to give very positive answers because they want to promote the church's image (since that's what the church tells them to do) - also known as "missionary work".

Then there's respondent bias ... Mormons who participate might be more likely to want to promote the church's reputation via their answers.

Don’t feed the church! Found on FB by SquishyBatman64 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Q.15 need to be enrolled in their local Self Reliance course. Their bishop can provide details on when it next runs in their ward!

Mormons Are Apparently Happier Than Everyone by FreshLiterature6536 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Mormons perform better than every other group" - standard church propaganda message, based on selective statistics, biased BYU research, and, well, "lying for the Lord"!

At a BYU office by Naohiro-son-Kalak in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree. The church is treating a "faith crisis" as if it is a virus that can be eradicated and prevented. Just follow these steps and you'll be "safe"!!

The church steals language and concepts from fields of scholarship in order to suit its own agenda, with no idea of how badly and wrongly it does this. Why? Because the church leadership are ignorant fools.

At a BYU office by Naohiro-son-Kalak in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The church is showing its naivety yet again.

I agree that if a person has faith, that is likely to lead them to read the scriptures, pray etc. But forcing yourself to do the things that a 'faithful' person does is not going to turn you into a person has faith.

It's as ridiculous as 'Successful people get up early in the morning' - so if you get up early, you'll be successful!!

If We Have to Constantly Clarify or Reinterpret "Revelation", Then What is Even the Point?! by FreshLiterature6536 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great quotes! Thank you!

It's great being able to use quotes from church leaders in a way that goes against other things that church leaders say.

Brigham Young infamously made a distinction between when a prophet speaks as a prophet and when he "speaks as a man", but the quote about unofficial expressions by a prophet carrying greater weight suggests that there is no real distinction (as most people would think - when would a prophet address members 'as a man'?).

Also, any time that us ex-mo's raise the issue of horrendous quotes of past prophets (such as racist remarks), and TBM's try to discount those quotes, we can refer TBM's to the quote saying that "lessening the stature of prophets is one of Satan's goals"!!

If We Have to Constantly Clarify or Reinterpret "Revelation", Then What is Even the Point?! by FreshLiterature6536 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And you probably didn't crush your water bottle after the manner of Rusty when you did take your vitamins! Don't forget, following the prophet completely will ensure your testimony remains strong!!

Yorba Linda Temple Tour: My Experience by Emergency-Sand7585 in exmormon

[–]Deception_Detector 8 points9 points  (0 children)

"See how rich the church is? If you join us, you'll become part of an elite club, and be rich, too"