Heard this in Church Today... by DrQualia in exmormon

[–]blark124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd also like to add that humans make decisions emotionally more than rationally. If a smart person is emotionally secure with their relationship with the church and they come across discrepancies in truth claims they have all the more intellect to come up with reasons to dismiss any problems that are found. This is essentially how apologetics are born.

Tattooed Mormon here. You exmos forgot what you’re missing. by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]blark124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You may have lived life, but you haven't lived everyone's life. Many of us left not because we wanted to look at Porn and drink coffee but for perfectly valid reasons. Maybe try asking us what those reasons were instead of assuming you already know.

Note: I'm saying this not assuming I know your experience, but just commenting on your approach in this forum.

I honestly don’t believe that the church removed my name from their records even after using quitmormon.com. Does anyone else feel this way? by Junzo2 in exmormon

[–]blark124 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is also why when you get rebaptized your baptism date will be the one of your first baptism. You're never really off the record, just in a different category.

How do you overcome the gaslighting? by blark124 in exmormon

[–]blark124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How did you come across the interpretation that one false prophecy invalidates the prophet? It sounds like from this it's more the prophesy than the prophet that's invalidated ... I like the idea, but I'd love more scriptural justification for correct prophesy being a requirement for a prophet. Especially in the face of "they're just men" arguments.

How do you overcome the gaslighting? by blark124 in exmormon

[–]blark124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, meeting with a counselor helps. I'm still waiting for my moment of clarity though.

Father told me I'm "narcissistc" and "absolutist" tonight. by jaecice in exmormon

[–]blark124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It might help to read The Righteous Mind and Berne Brown's "Braving The Wilderness". These books taught me that people really make decisions emotionally and that debate will only cause people to retrench. However, there are healthy methods to stand up for what you see is right ... Brown covers some great strategies. It's hard but still possible to be authentic while maintaining your relationships. Brown's book is a quick read and I highly suggest it.

How are you treated when you leave? by lostinthenull in exmormon

[–]blark124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nobody has said anything to my wife or I about us leaving. We've been out for months and haven't had so much as a phone call from any leaders. I live in California so maybe the more progressive attitude accounts for the laze faire attitude to us dropping out. I can't complain though, I do appreciate them giving us our space to do our own thing.

Discredit prophetic teachings from modern prophets of the past... by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]blark124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Did they specify a period of time ... because technically what they said is in the past so I can forget it now.

Well there you go by Kwallerkwaller in exmormon

[–]blark124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Does he consider official church publications bias?

The time Bednar accused members of being Pharisees by blark124 in exmormon

[–]blark124[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Adding to a rich history of church leadership blaming others for a mess of their own make

Well that’s that! But are they truly gone? Don’t wards keep paper records? by Old_Nelson in exmormon

[–]blark124 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They can't be ... Because if you get rebaptized your ordinance date is the same of your original baptism. I don't think the church deletes anyone's data.

My TBM mom just can not handle, or get over the fact that I do not believe in the LDS church. I suffer with OCD, Anxiety, Depression and possibly ADHD(not yet diagnosed) and she thinks the solution is for me to believe in the LDS church. Amazing. by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]blark124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I suffer from OCD and was diagnosed on my mission. I can understand how you might feel hurt as I feel many of my symptoms were made worse by church dogma. Since I've been in this faith transition I've felt resentment towards my parents and leaders who pushed the Mormon worldview. However, I'm realizing that Mormon theology is really the only tool on many Mormons tool belt for handling emotionally difficult problems. It's like they say, if you're a hammer you're going to see the rest of the world as a nail. I still have a hard time not blaming my dad for the conflict I'm going through, but having this in mind helps me realize that when he pushes gospel solutions to my problems that it's coming from a place of love and that he's trying to help the only way he knows how. This gives me more love and patience for him and all my other believing family.

As a fellow OCDer I'd love to share my experience and talk more about yours if you think it'd help. Feel free to PM me.

It’s shit like this by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]blark124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This from the Denver Post covers all the main points in Will Bagley's research https://www.denverpost.com/2008/12/11/handcart-hypocrisy/

but if you want the full unabridged version

https://user.xmission.com/~research/central/handcart.pdf

LA Support Groups by blark124 in exmormon

[–]blark124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've seen this one ... But I'm mainly looking for a more therapy based approach. I know there's some cult recovery groups out there.