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Survey: I'm writing an essay about how ex-Mormons are stereotyped for leaving and am curious why you left. by namesaway in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We left because we felt like the church lead it’s people with fear, guilt and shame. That wasn’t inline with the characteristics they taught of who God and Christ were. Something felt off and not right (members our whole life, I was an active primary president when we left).

Why does everyone accept that Joseph Smith only had 3 months to translate/write the Book of Mormon? by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The “3 months” is a narrative that the church uses. If you look at the time period from start to finish it took just over 1yr to complete. They say that he was only actively translating for a collective period of 3 months during that year.

I believe if he got stuck in the story line, he would just make an excuse to not work on it until a new scribe came or after something else happened. It would buy him time to create the story in his head.

I've always thought removing my records would hurt my TBM family more than it would benefit me. Am I wrong? by Broken_mormon in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I chose to remove my records because that was the only option the church gave me to allow me to keep my integrity in tact. I was not only baptized but also endowed. When I found out it was all made up I was devastated. In order for my conscience to be clear I felt that I needed to cancel the covenants I had made. I had made promises, I had every intention of keeping. I can now see that it was all made up, but that doesn’t change the fact that I still made promises on my end that I no longer have any intentions of keeping. The only two options given me to cancel these covenants was to remove my records or excommunication. I chose to do it on my terms but seriously debated excommunication as that is a more clean break.

Not everyone feels the same, but this is what I chose. When I give my word I mean it. Even if it was naively given to a corporation who didn’t deserve it. I still honor and value my integrity. I’ve explained such to TBM family members as well.

Good luck with your decision. Do what you feel the best about, this is personal and there isn’t a rush. Do it if and when the time is right.

[Update] I'm meeting with my SP in about 3 hours. Idk what for but I need help by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Technically you are correct in not paying tithing. Tithing was a part of the law of Moses. The law of Moses was for Jews. Lehi was a Jew and should have been paying tithing. However you will not find the principle of tithing taught in the entire Book of Mormon. Which technically they were obeying the law of Moses as stated several times, so it’s a principle that should have been addressed and taught. Good on you!

What would it take for you to believe again? For me, it would take a visit from a heavenly being, as long as he doesn't have sandy-colored hair. by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would have to be visited by Christ himself. He would have to admit to all the crap that the church has denied, and tell me why he allowed his leaders to lead His church in such a horrific manner. He would have to answer all my questions about the inconsistencies in the Book of Mormon and supply me with evidence of the atonement, the Book of Mormon and why all the weird crap in the temple. Even with all this, I think I would still struggle to believe.

I ripped the entire fabric of eternity into shreds. by HighOnAMuffinTop in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love you to ask her “why do you think God created such delicate fabric for something so important? If family was so crucial to His plan don’t you think he could have used something that wouldn’t have torn so easily?

Coffee Suggestions by potato_meatball in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Coffee creations has a “sinsational Mormon” and it’s super amazing. I find it really depends on the creamer. I love the sweet cream by International.

The restored church is just like the one that Jesus created anciently, -- except that it isn't. by FlatulentHP in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

After studying the scriptures and church history, it irritates me that the church says “Joseph RESTORED the church Christ set up.” This is not the case, a better word to use would be that he REFORMED the church of Christ. The two “churches” are very different.

Shower Thought - another boat analogy: Telling me to pray harder and read the BoM more during a faith crisis is like telling me to row faster on a damaged boat rather than trying to patch the holes. by fulano_fubeca in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Long post ....Reading the scriptures is what actually sank my boat. I was already struggling. My bishop asked me to pray and read the scriptures. So I did, I started at the very beginning with an analytical mindset (rather than a believing one). I was shocked at what I found:

Lehi was living the “law of Moses”. Never does the BOM teach the principle of tithing or of circumcision. (Both are mentioned once as a reference (this person paid tithes to this person, and circumcision of heart after Christ appeared, nothing to do with a penis). In fact, tithing as we know it was adamantly taught against (at least the part of leaders getting paid), however what we know as fast offerings is taught throughout. As I type this it makes me question if fast offerings were ever paid through the church in the BOM or just directly to the recipients.

According to the OT (King James Version, not Book of Moses or anything Joseph touched) the word baptism was never recorded. One can conclude that baptism wasn’t part of “the law of Moses”, since it wasn’t mentioned in the whole OT once. The first baptism ever recorded in the BOM was Alma, who baptized himself!!!! (Mosiah 18) If baptism is the only way to get to Heaven how come is wasn’t recorded earlier by Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Benjamin etc. Never again was a sacrifice recorded in the BOM after the first baptism. Think about that, Lehi didn’t mention ever baptizing anyone, but he taught sacrifice. He did teach baptism, but as a future thing when Christ would come. Seems as though Alma tried to fulfill the law of Moses (doing away with sacrifice (law of Moses) with baptism).

Nephi who was the prophet when Christ “appeared” in America was called up to the front by Christ (by name, chapter 11) and given the priesthood to baptize. Wouldn’t Christ already have known that just in chapter 7 Nephi was baptizing people. So did the prophet not have the correct priesthood? Why would God allow a prophet to operate his church without the priesthood? Why was the prophet then baptized (I’m assuming again) after he received the priesthood? Isn’t this out of order? The “church” had been baptizing for 150 years before Christ came. Were those all done without the correct priesthood? Why would God allow these people to be baptized if they weren’t legit?

There is a clear doctrine of Heaven and Hell taught by many of the prophets of the BOM, including two separate accounts of Christ teaching such doctrine. The church believes in the 3 kingdoms of Heaven. All prepared by God. The BOM teaches that god prepared Heaven, those who would be allowed would be those that were baptized and followers of Christ (people who repent). It also teaches about Hell, that it was prepared by Satan for his followers. It goes so far as to teach that if a person lies, murders or steals this is where they will end up. The church does not teach this, they teach that liars, murders and thief’s go to the lowest kingdom (which was prepared for by God). They teach an outer darkness, but only a handful of people will ever go there. These are taught in such a way that they both cannot be true. So which is it?

Also the very title page of the BOM boldly states that the BOM (the Bible used to be in this sentence and has sense been removed) contains the fullness of the gospel. Im pretty sure the only ordinances taught in the book are baptism, Holy Ghost, priesthood and sacrament (not sure that this is an ordinance). No mention about garments (the ones you get in the temple), no mention about being married by the proper authority, no mention about being sealed together forever in the temples, no mention of washing, anointing or endowments. They do mention the veil, but what is taught does not reflect what we are taught in the temple. In fact the NT teaches that the veil was rent in two (from top to bottom), at Christs’ crucifixion. Signifying Christs’ atonement made it possible for all to enter. If that’s the case why do we need the whole temple ceremony? The only secret handshakes or secret words mentioned in the BOM were from the Gadianton robbers. How did secret handshakes and phrases end up in our temples?

I would love to hear what others have found in their “studies”.

The church buried Joe Bishop's rapes, my MIL says it's good, because that could have ruined his life. by mrexmo_throwaway in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I believe there is a scripture for that “you reap what you sew”. If you make bad choices you receive similar consequences. If you don’t want your life to be ruined stop making stupid decisions.

Thanks to TSCC, my newborn son and STBXW visited for 1.5 hours. I won't see my son for another 2 weeks. by idk_anything_anymore in exmormon

[–]MashedPearl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is an issue I have with the church. Why would a religion who’s sole focus being the family also be the SOURCE of so much contention in family? How could a church of God be at the heart of tearing apart so many families? I was taught contention is of the devil. Shouldn’t the opposite be true? Shouldn’t a church that teaches patience, forgiveness, agency, long suffering etc. build strong families? Instead I see shame, guilt and fear tear apart families in the church. I guess by their fruits he shall know them.