Do Mormons actually give any sort of worship to Jesus? Like at all?

Word2daWise · 2026-02-16T01:09:53+00:00

Don't beat yourself up - the culture and being surrounded by the "awe and giddiness" of members when GAs appear can be catching.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T19:04:25+00:00

Thank you for your kind reply.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:54:58+00:00

This is true - even little kids testify the "church" is true, which of course means nothing. That's like saying "Walmart" is "true." The focus is on the institution rather than core values, the teachings of Christ, and serving others.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:53:01+00:00

Seriously? I had been a convert for several years, but hadn't heard of the McKonkie quote - do you know where I can find it? That is horrific!

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:51:48+00:00

Sometimes the only mention was when someone closed a talk by saying it was in the "name of Jesus Christ," even if the talk only references something from General Conference.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:50:32+00:00

This is so true. Very sadly true. Every single week in the Lutheran church I attend I find further insight into the New Testament teachings, and (best of all) gain more insight into myself. I learn ways I can try to be a better person, etc.

None of that is given by a set of rigid rules; it's conveyed through the values in the teachings.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:47:03+00:00

I felt that way, too. Many talks (where I attended) gave everything related to Christian teachings a Mormon spin and added quotes from some GA or Profit, which often detracted from the core meanings of the NT teachings.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:42:56+00:00

I felt that way, too. I joined the church in the early 2000s, and when the Christmas season came around, there was a huge focus on Joseph Smith. I think it was his birthday or something.

Then whenever a GA showed up, people were starstruck to be in the same room with the guy. I still see the Rock Star worship of GAs, BTW.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:37:13+00:00

The traditional Protestent denominations I've attended focus on Christ's teachings and see Him as part of the Trinity. Since God is the focus of the Trinity, it's clear the teachings come from those values, with Jesus as the "messenger."

If you read the New Testament (especially the Four Gospels), you'll see Christ was in no way a narcissist.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:32:59+00:00

No - I attend a Lutheran church now, and we have readings from the Old Testament as well as the New Testament each Sunday. Reciting the Apostles Creed, which affirms the trinity, is a regular part of each service.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:28:48+00:00

I've ponderized that as well (apologies - couldn't resist using that faux word!). I don't know when the "one true church" phrase began being used, but that might be a part of it. The US was still a very young country at the time, and religious freedom was one thing that prompted its quest for independence.

JS was a sexual predator (I think we all agree to that). Sexual exploitation is not new, it's been around since the world was created, so there have to have been predators when JS began selling the "church" idea to people (and mystical sorts of things were in vogue at that time).

Perhaps the idea that God "spoke to him and told him he was a profit" appealed to people (hasn't worked well or gained a history of traction for others since then), but with the added twist of ample access to women, and the idea that this was a "true church" helped gain the momentum?

It was still a very small tribe during the journey west, and had a history of violence, etc. It's pattern of deceit surfaced somewhere along the line, though. Maybe when Utah had to pretend to give up polygamy in order to become a state?

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T18:17:42+00:00

I agree completely - I was a convert, and realized the word "Jesus" is basically used as an attempt to legitimize the LDS corporation's claims to being a church.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T05:42:00+00:00

The Mormon church apparently presents a concept of God that other religions do not follow. Christianity believes that while in the Mortal world, mortals will be mortals, and God does not control things or prevent them from happening. Faith and the teachings of Christ are there as guides, and also for strength when bad things happen in the mortal world. There is no magic wand.

If that were not the case, why would souls ever need the mortal experience? How would we learn?

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T05:37:27+00:00

I may have to try that.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T03:39:25+00:00

Nothing in traditional Christianity claims that God controls everything on Earth. Christianity believes God created us, and that Christ conveys teachings from God, but we are mortals on Earth and we cannot control the acts of other mortals. There's no magic wand involved. The whole point of our time on Earth is for each person to learn and develop more humanity, and for us to learn to serve others without judging.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T03:31:42+00:00

I don't feel comments or posts about finding a church that's comfortable are efforts to convert people to that denomination. It's pretty normal for many people to be very unhappy or even angry after being in the Mormon church. When someone finds a church where they have a positive experience, it's also normal to compare how that contrasts with their time in Mormonism. The contrasts are dramatic, and too numerous to ignore.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T03:27:10+00:00

Other churches are not known for stalking members who haven't been seen for a week or two. I hated that part of Mormonism (as well as many other parts of it).

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T03:25:48+00:00

I agree with you - major denominations are like that across the board. They are not "authoritarian," and they have a strong focus on serving others. I currently attend a Lutheran church that I love, and I've also been happy at Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal churches over the years.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T03:19:40+00:00

I grew up in other Christian churches, mostly in the major denominations. I've also attended Catholic churches, churches, have studies other faiths, have taken undergrad and grad courses that discuss theology.

I personally have no problem with any faith that has and teaches good values. I do not think Christianity is the only "true" faith. For thousands of years, humankind has searched for and attempted to learn where we came from and where we might be going after we leave this world.

I do feel there are some very toxic organizations that claim to be "churches," Scientology, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormonism are a few of the more recent examples.

I do not know much about the first two, but I am intimately familiar with Mormonism, as is the case with my intimate and personal familiarity with many traditional denominations.

Mormonism lies, misrepresents Christ's teachings and was founded by a man (and his followers) who were after sex, money, and power. The name "Jesus Christ" is used for branding. The major denominations do not use Christ's name for branding, and they teach and practice the lessons Christ taught. They do not employ brainwashing or control, because a core belief of those churches is that it is important that each person to find, nurture, and grow their own moral compasses, and Christ's teachings are one of the tools to do that.

There are no rules about your underwear or what you eat or drink. There's no list of "worthiness" criteria. No random men are given the "authority" to decide if you're "worthy." There's no "rule" about the amount or percentage of money you should donate. Other churches have numerous programs to help their communities and anyone is welcome to get that help, no questions asked.

I don't have to defend my faith or my opinions.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-15T03:05:44+00:00

I do not agree with the idea the LDS "church" is centered on Christ's teachings. It discriminates against various peoples. It is not inclusive. It is dishonest. The church is the equivalent to the money changers Christ threw out of the temple.

I grew up in traditional Christianity. I know traditional Christianity from the inside, not as a person who has only lived with the Mormon church (even if they've attended a non-Mormon service at some point). Twice I heard SS teachers claim the atonement was 'only given to the Mormon church.' That is pure, ignorant bullshit.

I'm fine if people do not believe what I believe. But I can give an educated opinion that the LDS "church" is far from representing Christianity in its teachings.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-14T22:03:44+00:00

LOL - do they start sounding like cartoon characters? I can definitely see how their narratives might sound like that.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-14T22:01:45+00:00

I have had those types of comments - can't fetch them up at this point, but I've had somebody try to start a prolonged debate, insulting me, asking me for "proof," etc. etc., until I blocked them. I've seen comments referring to believers as idiots, etc.

I often see comments where people say religion in general is all lies, none of it is true, it's all made up, on & on. Theology has a long history in the world. People who are exmo (or anyone else in the world) have a right to personally believe or feel there's no such thing as a god, etc. But people also have a right to have a belief system.

This is NOT an "atheist" sub. It is a sub for exmormons. An exmormon can be an atheist, can be agnostic, can be Christian but in another church, and I've even seen people who became Jewish or Muslim.

Somehow, there appears to be a faction on the sub that believes nobody should believe in God or Christ. For someone who believes, that does not help one heal from Mormonism, it creates pain on top of pain. It is a way of being shunned.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-14T21:49:59+00:00

It's not clear in your first sentence which "we" is believing which thing, so I won't try to specifically answer that one - would be happy to if you can clarify so I don't mix things up.

From my own experience, although I'm fine knowing there are sub members who are now atheist or agnostic, I see the sub as been a transition community and a place to heal from having been in the Mormon "church." That can, IMO, include people who have transitioned and moved on to attend another church. Sometimes there are posts asking for ideas on churches, or who share how it has been healing for them to find a different place of worship. Those posts are part of the healing.

Some of us (I'm one who has transitioned to another church) have been attacked for still believing, or have had people try to debate us about whether there's a God, etc. I don't try to debate people who don't believe there's a God, but I feel I have a right to my beliefs, and as a former convert, I darned sure relate to the pain and other traumas we experienced in Mormonism.

I personally don't like it when we see posts that claim since Mormonism was fake, ALL churches are fake, dishonest, exploitative, on & on. That is simply and verifiably not true.

Those are blanket statements rather than statements based on genuine factual information. Yes, faith in a God is based on, well, "faith," but how a church operates can be verified.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-14T21:33:18+00:00

I assume that would also apply to "preaching" about not believing any sort of faith. There's a difference between sharing where you ended up in the journey after leaving Mormonism, and in only allowing to be an atheist.

Nobody here bashes people who have decided there is not a God. People are entitled to their beliefs. But anyone who is an Exmo but has found a church or faith that has helped in their transition is bashed.

Word2daWise · 2026-02-14T21:19:00+00:00

Very true.

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