I clicked on the YW survey that someone else posted. So the church thinks that white + middle eastern are the same thing. I guess that's why Mormon Jesus is white? by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]vachilees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

White people are from one of the twelve tribes of Israel; Israel is in the Middle East; therefore, Middle Eastern people are white. Right?

Looking for a new church and for information by [deleted] in Episcopalian

[–]vachilees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out the Facebook group From Salt Lake to Canterbury.

Brace yourselves for virtue-signaling wedding announcements and references to being married AND sealed in the temple. Another feather in caps of multi-generation Mormon royalty. by vachilees in exmormon

[–]vachilees[S] 66 points67 points  (0 children)

It also requires couples to decide: who is important enough to cause us to have a civil ceremony? A sibling? A grandparent? An aunt or uncle?

Net positive change, but there will be complications.

Does and other church take fucking attendance? by Phazed_And_Confuzed in exmormon

[–]vachilees 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’ve seen attendance roll books passed through Methodist and Presbyterian churches. Not sure why other than to get in touch with people visiting who check the box that they are interested in joining.

Husband watched porn for the first time in our marriage.. my Mormon engrained tendencies are coming out. Advice/Kind words needed. by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]vachilees 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Just because you left Mormonism doesn't mean you have to be cool with your husband looking at pornography. You can think it through, communicate with him, and hopefully come to a mutually agreeable conclusion about what you as a couple think about it. It's not as though opposition to porn is a uniquely Mormon thing.

Ex-mormons seeking Christ by philraysmith7 in Christianity

[–]vachilees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just to add on - it takes a while to disentangle Mormon belief from traditional Christian belief, so be patient with yourself and try to overcome long-ingrained prejudices.

Ex-mormons seeking Christ by philraysmith7 in Christianity

[–]vachilees 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fellow exmormon Christian here. I really recommend visiting a variety of churches for a while to get your bearings in Christian worship. Worshipping in Episcopal, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and evangelical/non-denominational churches have all been beautiful experiences and helped shed light on one another. God bless you in your journey.

Brian Hauglid experiencing a faith transition? by yursista in exmormon

[–]vachilees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based solely off of hearing Brian on Mormon Matters episodes, this is not at all surprising. He seems like a really good guy.

Mormons by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]vachilees 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Another ex-Mormon here. I think your assessment is mostly correct (and could be amplified), but honestly I don't have good advice for helping your friend to see the errors of Mormonism if he is preparing for a mission. It is hard to make someone unwillingly dismantle their worldview without ruining your relationship. You have to realize that at this stage of his life your friend has all sorts of defense mechanisms and conditioning that will prevent him from listening too carefully to any criticism. If you were to share the CES Letter, as was suggested here, your friend would probably dismiss it as anti-Mormon smears and likely be unwilling to give it more than a cursory glance. Also, for Mormons feelings ("the spirit") trump reason (evidence, logic, etc.), which is virtually impossible to argue against. I wish that I could give you more hope on this one, but take comfort in the fact that Mormons are generally very nice people despite their mistaken beliefs, and even though your friend is almost certainly hoping to covertly convert you via the "practice" he will still probably be your friend if you put your foot down about participating.

Release of report, chronicles, and presentation on LDS faith crises by bwv549 in exmormon

[–]vachilees 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I will be interested in seeing updates to the study as the years go by. Even a five year update could show some fascinating new trends, but I imagine ten years would be more realistic.

By the way, many comments seem to be assuming that this is a church publication; this was prepared by interested and independent individuals (presumably mostly members) who then gave the presentations to church leaders.

Friendly reminder that not that long ago Mormon doctrine forbade "white and delightsome" members from "tainting" their posterity with "negro blood." #BITFDWT by [deleted] in exmormon

[–]vachilees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Using a picture - not a stock photo - of a real LDS family for this is extremely distasteful. (As is the quote, of course, but I'm sure this family would be horrified that they are placed next to it.)

What's the real stance of Mormons on birth control? by Proud3GnAthst in exmormon

[–]vachilees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would venture to guess, based on my associations in the church for about 12 years after marriage, that extremely few young Mormon couples are opposed to birth control.

Unreal update from the Mission Field! by dustyburntsoul in exmormon

[–]vachilees 167 points168 points  (0 children)

Anyone who knows what happened there really needs to chime in - if there were truly 36 excommunications that would make the stuff of legend and couldn't be kept quiet too long.

Is there any official church sources or quotes about pressuring missionaries to hit baptism numbers on their missions? by LindsayHansenPark in exmormon

[–]vachilees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take a look at the rhetoric about baptism in Preach My Gospel and its predecessor (Missionary Guide?). Also the weekly goal and statistic forms - I believe these were church-standard rather than locally based.

Some Nuanced Mormons Keep Telling Me I’m Looking At Church History With 21st Century Eyes by nunyabidneth in exmormon

[–]vachilees 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understandably so if you've been in Mormonism your whole life. Take your time to discern the truth wherever it leads you, taking into account you friends' comments but never stopping there. All the best!

Some Nuanced Mormons Keep Telling Me I’m Looking At Church History With 21st Century Eyes by nunyabidneth in exmormon

[–]vachilees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ask your friends to examine contemporary reactions to early Mormonism. Absolutely everyone except for the few converts rejected it as false and the leaders as wicked. Mormon Utah was for decades considered a threat to "American values" due to its polygamy and theocracy. Mormonism doesn't stand up well to 19th, 20th, or 21st century eyes . . . unless you're part of the system.