How I Lost My Faith While Serving as a Mormon Bishop

Former LDS Bishop, Jason Booth, details how he lost his faith in revelation and church leadership, due to certain things that he encountered during his time as Bishop of his ward. Jason also discusses his issues with the Gospel Topic Essays, as well as the Book of Abraham.
This excerpt is from Mormon Stories episode number 965 - “Jeanne & Jason Booth on
Losing Your Faith as a Bishop and Bishop's Wife pt. 2”
The full interview can be found at: • Mormon Stories #965: J...
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#Mormon #LDS #Bishops #GospelTopicEssays #BookofAbraham

[@pizzashopboys5657]

Gotta be real hard to leave after investing so much of your life into something

[@randyjordan5521]

But that's better than remaining in it when you know it's false.

[@johnlee1352]

Yes...admitting utter and abject failure is hard for anyone.

[@j3ffn4v4rr0]

Yup, that's why a lot of people in the world live their lives in denial, because they lack the courage

[@stingosdungeon]

For many, it’s impossible to leave, but God want our hearts not our work. Our best works are as filthy rags to Him, but through the eyes of Jesus, we are made righteous.

[@exmormonroverpaula2319]

I saw some research years ago that indicated about 5-6% of active Mormons don't believe it, but are just going along for some reason or other. I suspect that includes church leaders: bishops, stake presidents, and General Authorities. I kept on going to church and holding a calling for several years after I became an atheist.

[@koljag5]

This was such a good one. I forgot how good it was.

[@SteveSmith-os5bs]

When I told my Bishop that I. No longer believed in the church, he didn’t sound to surprised. His only concerns were, was If I had apostatized by following another faith, I thought that was weird because I was an active member and never publicly voiced any decent. I told the Bishop that I no longer believed in the church because of it’s history. The Bishop asked me if I wanted a calling, I said no. That’s were the interview ended. I think he had heard this issue before and did not want to deal with it. Nine years after loosing my faith I decided to go inactive. Since That time I have had 2 visit with my home teachers and the new Bishop, I let them know that even though I don’t believe anymore that they were alway welcome stop by. The don’t visit anymore. I am happier now, no more dealing with the mental gymnastics of doctrine. I still believe that a God exists without any religion, no holy books or holy men.

[@DPDisciple]

That's the damage these false churches and prophets do. They train people to believe that if they aren't true then nothing is. The LDS church changes who Jesus is and lies about the bible being corrupted. There is so much hope in Christ and they just screw people out of getting to know Him.

[@johnlee1352]

@@HeyJudie The only thing you took from them was family loyalty...fun, huh?

[@GospelOfTimothy]

Jesus Is God I am the Messiah. Gospel of Timothy

[@blackalien6873]

@@DPDisciple You have no more proof of your supernatural beliefs than the Mormons or any other religion does. You have stories in a book and your own feelings. That's it. Same as all other religious believers.

[@randyjordan5521]

Your comment reminds me of an experience I had about 22-23 years ago. I had two different Mormon friends who had previously been in a different stake. (We had all left the church around the same time.) Both of these guys told me that their stake president had confided in them that "There ain't a thing that's true about the church, but it's a great place to raise a family." You see, there are a lot of active Mormons who don't believe in the church's truth claims, but they are "social Mormons," or they stay active because their spouse, or their boss, or somebody else in their life is a true believer, so the "closet apostate" goes along to get along. On that note, I had a remarkable experience when I was a bishop's counselor around 1988. One family in the ward were like the "pillars" of the ward. The husband was on the high council, and the wife was a spiritual giant. The husband was a prominent local businessman. The wife tragically died of cancer shortly after I moved into the ward, and the husband just stopped coming to church. We didn't know why, so the bishop had a couple of guys go visit him and try to determine his problem. The guy had remarried to a Baptist lady, and he told the church guys that he never believed in the church, and that he only went along with it to make his wife happy. And this guy had been a stake high councilor! He told the church guys to remove his name from church records, and that's the last we heard of him. That story shows that even people who hold "high and holy callings" may not even believe in the church. Over my 40 years in the church, I knew several active members who said that they didn't believe in the Joseph Smith story. I suspect that you've known some too. When I was a troo believer, I couldn't see how anyone could be an active member and not believe in the Joseph Smith story. But shortly after that, I learned that a lot of members are "social Mormons."

[@debbiealtman4572]

I was raised Morman. I’ve had my doubts I heard that the prophet is the only one who ( as a morman ) gets his information from god . God speaks to them. There are things I disagree with. Things I don’t like and agree with so I have not gone to the church for 35 years and won’t go back. Yes, I believe in god, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

[@ralphwiggam7630]

President Hinckley admitted before he dyiied that he receives answers to his prayers by "promptings of the still small voice" ... EXACTLY like everybody else ... I was raised thinking that these men had some kind of "special" link to the divine ... nope lol :P

[@uptick888]

God is everywhere you don’t need a church for God.

[@bigtobacco1098]

@@uptick888 matthew 16:18

[@MaxwellsUnearthly]

This was/is an iconic moment in Mormon stories. I loved this episode because families like these are at the root of Mormonism, and these exact issues are the reason families are leaving the Mormon faith. Great video!!

[@johnlee1352]

According to US News and World Report, the LDS church is the only major faith group in the US to experience growth in the last decade. Dream on...

[@MaxwellsUnearthly]

@@johnlee1352 yeah, and you're still only what, like 0.3% of the population? Have fun with that 🤣😀🤣.

[@johnlee1352]

@@MaxwellsUnearthly Catholics have been at it for 2000 years and have roughly 1 billion adherents...the Mormons will reach their current number in less than 500 years! Deal with it. Pisses you off, huh?

[@MaxwellsUnearthly]

@@johnlee1352 Bahahaha, you made me spit out my drink ha ha ha, OHHHHHH ha ha ha ha.

[@MaxwellsUnearthly]

@@johnlee1352 Plus, why would I be mad, you're the one on a post-Mormon, progressive Mormon channel preaching your TBM thoughts of world domination LOL, shouldn't you be on a channel that supports more of your cult-minded, nazi-dominating narrative? LOL, go home John, you're drunk on apple juice, wrong channel 😜😜😜

[@JD-lt7uv]

This is how I got out of Evangelical Christianity. I discovered far too many contradictions. Good for you being strong and open to correction. It’s not an easy process.

[@audreymoran]

Then 2020 comes along and everything stops and suddenly we have time on our hands, lots of time. Now we have the time to watch things like this and reading the essays and not being in weekly church meetings beating it into our heads that we just need to follow the brethren. The church may not recover.

[@ralphwiggam7630]

The brethren are terrified and don't know what to do ...

[@exmormonroverpaula2319]

Some recent comments by General Authorities give me the impression that the church is running scared. When I was going to BYU in the 1980s there just wasn't much said over the pulpit of atheism or apostasy among Mormons.

[@valerieemery4562]

What exactly are you talking about? No one beats anything into my head!

[@ralphwiggam7630]

@@valerieemery4562 I was taught since I was a littlle boyy: "FOLLOW the "profit"" "FOLLOW the "profit"" "FOLLOW the "profit"" "DON'T go astray ..." "FOLLOW the "profit"" "FOLLOW the "profit"" "FOLLOW the "profit"" "HE KNOWS THE WAY!!!" Just make sure you remember to always pay that 10% ... even if you can't pay your utilities first ;) Also, we "shouldn't be critical of these men ... even when we know they're wrong" ... Now bow your head and say, "yes" ... :P

[@helenwalker716]

I have left. Only one person in my 40 years of being in the church knows this because he left too. I don’t run them down. I am glad they are such good people. There came a day when my husband and I knew we had to leave. I pray for all to accept Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. Leave the rest to him.

[@travelertrash1153]

I can relate to all of this. Finally officially had my name removed from the records that I’ve been on since birth

[@johnlee1352]

Thanks so much for slinking away from the church...your weakness and confusion will not be missed.

[@TheBones1188]

@@johnlee1352 wow you don't sound very Christian like here. Not the ones you espoused to be anyway. Where is the love compassion. The understanding. And people like you wonder why your faith is described as a cult. Why people don't believe in God and question the validity of the church

[@pabloareas2258]

Despite this bishop feels discouraged about this findings, he shouldn’t feel bad about it. He did his best and did what he could to keep going forward. And God knows of your heart, so your relationship with God doesn’t belong to any leader or any church as your relationship with our lord is personal. God does really exist no matter what religion you are from.

[@cinnamondan4984]

I was introduced to the Church while listening to Mormon Stories as a curious atheist from a Catholic background and I felt a pull from the missionaries as their psychological games that they play can be some powerful stuff even when they are unaware of what they are doing but in the back of my mind I knew too much to believe that the Church is true in the sense it is purported to be. Over a few years ended up just joining as a moderate member and enjoyed some years of activity.

[@rodney6405]

At ten years of age in 1957 I knew sumpin was fishy..Anoint me as Clever Fellow...quick before I die!!! Rodney

[@SunShine-sp8zw]

👏🏻👏🏽👏🏾

[@darren2796]

Hey it’s been five years But I want to say thank you Great video

[@windinthegospel2544]

Can I have the essays you are talking about? Because I want to lose my testimony or belief too. I can't deny the truthfulness of the doctrine that the Church teaches. Although, I wanna leave the church but I just can't deny it is true. I confessed to my bishop that I wanna leave the church. He laughed at me. And I have feelings that members don't want to see me in the church but I can't deny my testimony.

[@blackalien6873]

You could just stop going.

[@skhotzim_bacon]

Stay strong friend. Do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

[@skhotzim_bacon]

@@blackalien6873 Yeah because it's so easy to just leave your friends, family and support structure

[@blackalien6873]

@@skhotzim_bacon I responded to the OP who seems very much like a troll to me.

[@skhotzim_bacon]

@@blackalien6873 I just assume everyone is troll

[@John-jh999]

Leaning on leaders because we aren't spiritual IS NOT church doctrine my friends. He just admitted he never experienced personal revelation, ..now this isn't new. A calling in the Church ISN'T a sure sign of conversion, basically a new convert can have a stronger testimony than a bishop. "It has long been taught in this Church that the day will come when no one will be able to stand without an individual testimony of the divinity of this work. That day is here." A. Theodore Tuttle

[@kellyjo675]

Where are these articles? I haven’t heard of them but I’d like to read them. Thank you.

[@srso4660]

It's under essays on the church website

[@kellyjo675]

@@srso4660 ok thank you. I have a feeling I’m just totally lost. I have no idea what these essays are or even what exactly I’m looking for. I went to the church website (church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and there was no “essays” link. I’m really trying to educate myself. But unfortunately I’m just lost on this one at the moment.. thank you though 😊

[@anybm7329]

@@kellyjo675 you can find them on the Gospel Library app under restoration and church history.

[@UnderstandingMormonism]

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/essays?lang=eng

[@John-jh999]

If you haven't noticed yet "simply believe" isn't church doctrine. If you want a testimony of prophets and the Lord’s gospel you must experience personally THE ROCK OF REVELATION. "As the Lord built his Church upon the rock of revelation so that it would endure, I think we ourselves as individuals must stand on this same rock of revelation in our conduct, our thinking, and our lives, that we can endure; otherwise we will fall." George Q. Morris

[@pollydunn3191]

Love these shorter videos John. I don't have the attention span for 2 or 3 hour videos. lol

[@nicholasnoble]

Why would God curse people with the ability to better handle the SUN?!

[@amycsh9890]

I appreciate the perspective. And I remember that scripture too. 2 Nephi 5:21. I would like to have heard more from this former bishop’s wife though.

[@derektilley669]

I loved this but he missed the final conclusion, that if a prophet can misinterpret an answer/inspiration then how can we trust our own and therefore how can we have any confidence in that feeling that causes us to say we know the church is true. We can’t. And now it’s down to evidence, which thankfully there is none supporting the existence of a god.

[@MrJibbyjay]

Thanks for watching Derek. In the longer version of this video we discuss how my initial realizations about prophets and revelation lead to additional realizations about divinity. It sounds like you and I have reached similar conclusions. I'm still open to the possibility that there could be something out there, but I'm several years into living life as a godless heathen and I'm at peace with it.

[@derektilley669]

@@MrJibbyjay I had a similar experience and realization many years ago. I thought that I was the one with a problem in getting and interpreting answers. It caused a lot of guilt thinking I wasn’t worthy but watching everyone else apparently getting revelation easily. But after years of getting yesses that turned out to be no’s I decided I couldn’t trust the feelings that had led me to joining the church in the first place. Then the scales fell away. I’ll watch the long version. Thanks for putting this out there to be seen!

[@randyjordan5521]

@@MrJibbyjay You might enjoy watching this series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXzXaKKwmbCYeM0

[@pelegato9201]

You can not trust your feeling.

[@tinman3586]

Honestly, I think the Church is doing more harm (to itself at least) than good by disavowing the Mark of Cain doctrine and changing the Temple ordiances to be more inclusive for women. The reason being is that for decades we were taught we'd be intensely persecuted for our beliefs one day but we'd (as a church) endure and overcome. Well now, seemingly in order to avoid persecution, the church is channging it's doctrines and ceremonies to better conform to post-modern social mores promoted in academia and western pop culture. The latter things being "of the world" and therefore "evil" so how can they make those changes? And they expect me to just accept that without question because Russel Nelson signed off on it so it must be from God not external societal pressures? No.

[@yeboscrebo4451]

I agree. Your average church member can smell the weakness wafting off of these general authorities and their changes. It doesn’t inspire confidence in the leadership. Personally I see no issues with the black skin curse stuff. I do have a big big problem with the feminist bs creeping into the church

[@rachelsnyder296]

Thanks for sharing

[@Drums-ve8on]

Sounds like he is finally developing a bullshit meter. Now, what will he do about it?

[@allekatrase3751]

Those essays should be damning evidence to every member of the church as they directly contradict church doctrine. The excuse that the prophets speak for themselves as men sometimes does not cover the fact that they have clearly led the church astray multiple times, which they aren't supposed to do. Also, it's ridiculous to form apologia about the book of Abraham being inspired but not being the translation Joseph claimed it to be. How can you so thoroughly divorce the text from it's source and claim the person who produced the text didn't know what it was? Does the church stand or fall on the authenticity of Joseph Smith as a prophet as its leaders have claimed or was that them just speaking as men, too?

[@coliostro1006]

"Sometimes they speak as men" is an apologetic that is filled with land mines and I find it strange it is used so confidently. There is a reason people in important positions have to tread lightly about being right or wrong about something. In this day and age, we are taught young about the scientific method and how to weed out bias and follow facts that can be confirmed through thorough and consistent testing. A prophet doesn't have the luxury of "speaking as a man". It sounds good on paper to say they are men who have their own thoughts and desires separate from their calling, but when it comes to official church or doctrinal statements, they can't be wrong even once. It opens too many doors to what else they've said that is wrong. If Joseph was wrong about what the BoA really was and where his inspiration really came from, what about the Book of Mormon? What about the D&C? Church leaders say all the time to watch out because you might be getting inspiration "from the wrong source". Well, we now have proof Joseph was wrong about his inspiration in regards to the BoA, how do we know it was from "the right source"? How do we know any of it was "the right source"? Personally I've landed in the "there aren't multiple source, just yourself" camp, but the apologetics used by the church in this regard has far reaching implications and consequences that can't hold up to scrutiny.

[@Herosoulstone]

Can the people who wrote the Book of Mormon not speak as men sometimes either? It was a record by men, remember Christ had to correct them and told them to put samuel the lamanite who was a prophet and also dark skinned back into the Book of Mormon record. The papyri Joseph Smith translated the book of Abraham From was not the Book of the dead peices. According to the witnesses, Jospeh was translating from a different longer scroll Joseph never finished translating from... And Jospeh tried to show connect and teach the Book of Abraham with the Book of the dead peices. You can’t disprove the Book of Abraham with the Book of the dead peices he didn’t even translate from... according to the eye witnesses at least.

[@coliostro1006]

@@Herosoulstone Sorry but no. The "different, longer scroll" has been discredited and debunked over and over again. The theory of the longer scroll is based on 2 different witness accounts talking about 2 different things. Literally all other evidence, even evidence PRINTED IN THE BOOK OF ABRAHAM ITSELF, points to the recovered BoA pieces. You have to discard blatant, point blank references in the BoA and JS himself to maintain that position. As for BoM characters "speaking as men" - sorry but again no. First, they were given by a supernatural rock in a hat powered by God... So any "issues" that made it in were ordained by him. The cats out of the bag - Joseph biting his lip, studiously interpreting golden plates is a tall tale. All of the "speaking as men" problems are exponentially problematic, any way you slice it. Either God is a racist asshole, or Joseph Smith was.

[@Herosoulstone]

coliostro1006 I’ve been studying the Book of Abraham for a long time, you just mentioned a few things. You should watch don vogel to learn more about the Book of Abraham. I agree with many of the things dan Vogel says. Secondly. I’ve seen visions and have experiences with stones through the power of god. The stone strengthens my testimony in Joseph Smith, particularly Jesus Christ. Christ is definitely no racist, Samuel the lamanite was legit put back into the record the people who were keeping the record held together and writing it, took him out of the record, and Christ had to get at them and put Samuel back in.

[@Herosoulstone]

coliostro1006 just because Samuel was black does not mean he couldn’t hold the preisthood. He spoke and he was God the Eternal Fathers Prophet here on the earth.

[@hollayevladimiroff131]

My decision to leave the Mormon Church was based on their belief in who God is, He is not an exalted man, Jesus is not an exalted man.

[@Deuteronomy_18]

When the bom is a fictional historical account of the Americas - the question remains, how is your trust in Mormonism formed? How is the deception done?

[@nute742]

So is he still a member? (Sad story). I wish him the best. Seems like he was very sincere.

[@firesondiego7666]

Whatever floats your boat Mr. Booth.

[@barrymahan4178]

I am a baptized active LDS member. As a "person of color" when I first read this in the scriptures I laughed. This and Moses 5:31,49 31 And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness. My surname is Mahan. Investigation and critical thinking is not encouraged in the church or in society in general.

[@johnlee1352]

I also am a person of color...pinkish.

[@jeccym8715]

Am an African and I don't fit into my ward! Sad but true

[@genuinecuriositee9088]

That is funny. I’m also a member. Not sure why you say critical thinking is discouraged in the church. That hasn’t been my experience after attending probably 20 to 30 different wards over my life across the world. Actually curious. Oh and there are always one offs, people like John Lee who need to allow people their opinion and stop being so antagonistic (hope you read this John)

[@Yaboipottphil420]

The only thing I will say nice about the Church is the Family oriented lifestyle. As a new dad and an ex member who has since been excommunicated, the family focused aspect of it all was the only highlight

[@mzungumzungu336]

Stop the mental gymnastics, the ridiculous parsing of words and verbal contortions, the highly selective pick, choose or ignore empirical historical data. Faith and reason complement, and cannot contradict each other. Call it as it is: Book of Abraham is false, a complete lie, a total fabrication. Prophesy is based on Truth, the Word; it is not "make it up as you go". Good for you, Jeanne and Jason!

[@exmormonroverpaula2319]

Are you a Christian?

[@seph4667]

CLEARLY...It is now impossible to be honest and to be a Latter-day Saint.

[@johnlee1352]

17 million liars, huh, SEph? Wow...back off the medication.

[@dylanzywicki]

What are the essays he's talking about?

[@utah133]

The BOM and D&C contain many ideas that closely parallel 19th century views about things. I think I know why that is.

[@steelrain52]

where can i read the essay that he talks about here?

[@bonojennett]

I've been listening to Jim Bennett's explanations on his interviews with Bill Reel and Mormon Stories. He attributes these problems to be with the "expectations" of the members on how revelation is received, or that the authors of the scriptures were racist themselves. We can allow for us to have our cake and eat it too, because we throw out that prophets are men, and the BOM says that if there are any errors, it is attributed to "the errors of men". But WHY did members believe these things in the first place? Do we foster an environment for these beliefs to be "doctrinal truth" by our leaders? How did it take until 2013 to acknowledge this? I still remember growing up in a small Mormon town in Alberta, Canada and my friend (his parents were Chinese) in high school asking what our beliefs were on why people had darker skin. Another LDS friend of mine and I explained to him that it was a curse of unrighteousness to separate from the righteous, covenant people. As the Lamanites accepted the gospel, we made sense of it that they "intermingled" with the righteous nephites, and their skin gradually became lighter, just like children of mixed-race couples (we didn't know that teachings were generally even more racist than this about becoming more attractive). We then explained that God did this with Cain in the Old Testament, so "we didn't make the rules... it's just how it is, if you believe the scriptures." We also justified blacks not having the priesthood because of the Levites only having the aaronic priesthood, and God even told the apostles to only preach to the Jews at first... "so is God racist?" My friend just thought it was ridiculous, but as "God's covenant people" we felt we had God (and fact) on our side with the "restored gospel". This was commonly taught and understand on my mission as well. It's frustrating when we have our prophets disavow these teachings as "opinion" when George Albert Smith established these things as doctrine in the 40's. I think our church is slowly going the way of the RLDS church and the FLDS feel more justified and validated than ever. Our church has created too many strings and defense mechanisms over the years that make it hard to disavow what we established as "truth". It just seems to becoming more watered-down with doctrines pushed into the background (or reserved for the faithful and committed in temples - like polygamy or the Second Anointing ordinance) until future generations of the faithful accept them as folklore or are never exposed.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Watch the mormon stories videos of Sandra Tanner ; Dr. Ritner on the BoA . Dr.Michael Heiser PhD on Psalm 82 and the Jewish trinity in the O.T.

[@bonojennett]

@@davidjanbaz7728 I've listened/watched the first two with Sandra Tanner and Robert Ritner. I will add the other two to my podcast list. Thanks.

[@bonojennett]

@@davidjanbaz7728 Haha, oh those Micheal Heisner ones are just on KZbin.

[@Cocoon68]

I’ve put in 68 years in this church only to find that the church LIED TO US! It was devastating to me! My husband can’t or won’t see it and still believes. I just have to agree to not agree with him at this point

[@John-jh999]

During those 68 years were you experiencing the intended fruits of the gospel?

[@PJ3U]

I appreciate your candor and hope this comment is well received because going through these essays, the CES letter, and all other forms of what others believe is problematic with the church I have continued find answers and believe all can continue to find answers to these difficult issues. I hope this comment int taken as an attempt to put down this previously called bishops journey but just to say a bishop can search these things and have a different outcome like myself.

[@fungiuse]

Ok, you people religious, here is a challenge for you to answer: Please answer this about TITHING: 1 Corinthians 9:18 and 1 Peter 5:2 and Mikah 3:9-11 ??? So, if the bible is correct, why does the church charge members 10% and get offers of money ???

[@helamanbrooking8552]

It didn’t come up in New Zealand because they had faith

[@workerworker7961]

You forgot to flip the switch to "Off"

[@chrisallen7911]

Anytime a Church comes up with a book besides the Holy Bible your in trouble. The New Testament of Jesus Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell you all you need to be saved. The book of Acts explains in detail how to become a Christian and follower of Christ. Jesus Christ loved everyone, red, yellow, black and white, rich poor, etc. Jesus set NO LIMITS to follow him, once you believe that Jesus is God's one and only Son who died for your sins and confess your sinful past to him, then he requires you be baptized (to be immersed in water) and your sins are all washed away. From that point on, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and he will guide you in the ways of truth and life. This is the plan of salvation for everyone. No one is excluded from it except those who refuse to follow it.

[@exmormonroverpaula2319]

What makes you think the Holy Bible is true?

[@Sashimiburger]

How does a bishop start to question? "I started reading"... That pretty much sums it up.

[@anthonyjames4478]

You think this isn't equally true when reading "history" of other faiths! People leave the Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church all because they find contradictory stories or tales throughout the leadership of their faiths. This is a profoundly weak and disingenuous argument.

[@rickhuntling7338]

@@anthonyjames4478 would you say the same if what was read was the HOLY BIBLE? Many ex- Mormons have left the occult bondage of the LDS antichrist cult after reading the Bible not filtered through Mormon so-called prophets. You might try reading it sometime soon and leave the Later Day Satanist. Didn't you take a vow to "the power of Lucifer's priesthood" and put on his green apron?

[@bartbutkis]

Easy to see, this is just a good man.

[@mbords01]

Before I finish listening this; I wish that other folks from other religions in other countries also consider other options if there is a safe way to do it. In the US there is what is called "Freedom of Religion." We all must defend it at all cost!

[@whothinksforme]

This is how I lost my faith. I was serving as a bishop and had a brother who was sincerely looking for answers to complicated church history. With the greenlight from my Stake President I went searching for answers to help this brother. I'm sure you can imagine what happened next. I always thought that anti-Mormon literature was fabricated tools of the devil. I never imagined that it was just factual church history! Suffice it to say, I'm out and couldn't be happier. The transition was tough and there's plenty I cherish about my Mormon past.

[@HeardFromMeFirst]

Creepy cult...you do well to claw yourself out of it..but that's only the first step,..to claw yourself away from the "god" belief, (any god) is the ultimate goal.

[@jacobsmith1987]

Was in Bishopric here, and discovered the same. Just over a year since I asked to be released and havn't stepped back in since. Still love the people, but I've never been happier since leaving. I feel authentic, free and connected in ways I couldn't have imagined. Thanks for sharing!

[@johnlee1352]

Thanks for leaving and for taking your weakness and confusion out from among us.

[@johnlee1352]

@@jacobsmith1987 Thanks for leaving and for taking your weakness and confusion out from among us.

[@jacobsmith1987]

@@johnlee1352 You got it! 🤣

[@pamelakilponen3682]

I have been through the 6 discussions many many times and prayed for an answer from God about Joeseph Smith if he was true. God gave me an answer alright. Run.

[@tylersuttle8857]

Recently I spent about six weeks with some Mormon. They just left for their mission and I’m kind of sad they left because we kinda became friends. Can you explain your comment more I’m curious?

[@evaang3616]

@@tylersuttle8857 if you are curious about that young person who just left to serve his mission you can check out comeuntochrist.org You can learn more about why they do what they do and ask whatever you’d like to local missionaries. If you’re looking to find something wrong you’ll find it, but when you go in with a clean conscious seeking truth, you’ll find the answers you’re seeking:)

[@callmeangie867]

I got that same answer at 17.

[@pollydunn3191]

The missionaries are sweet young people and easy to fall in love with like my oldest grandson but if you are really looking for truth read the New Testament. The church pushes the book of mormon. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life not the temples or becoming a God. It's an interesting concept but there is only one God has only always been one God and will always be just one God. Satan fell from heaven like lightning because he wanted to be equal with God. It's all about relationship with God not religion and trying to work your way into His love. He already loves you proven by the sacrifice on the cross.

[@libbysoutham]

Do you think the church keeps us so busy on purpose so there is no time to truly delve into better understanding thoughts like these?

[@ralphwiggam7630]

That's part of the plan ... if we (the members) are too busy to actually learn about our history and "truth" claims, it is a huge win for the "church"! :P

[@B1313-w3m]

oh definitely

[@markjames2747]

I am a seminary teacher and a stake president and have spent hours and hours "delving" into a better understanding of these thoughts and essays and have only found inspiration, truth, and a deeper faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through the prophet Joseph Smith.

[@ralphwiggam7630]

@@markjames2747 What does that have to do ... at all ... with anything the original poster said? :( Obfuscation ... a tried and true tactic of apologists ... :( Let me ask you this then. After all your "research", what is your answer? If Gawd is a liiar, is he still Gawd? The answer from deceiitfull apologists is always the wrong one :(

[@ferris_wheel9868]

@@markjames2747 me too. We just have to be willing to look deeper than the initial shock or confusion. Who are we, to try and understand God without going to Him for understanding?

[@trevordixon]

Once when I was a missionary, around 2009, a 20-year-old Polynesian member testifed to me that his skin would one day be as white as mine. The Book of Mormon made him ashamed of his body.

[@Plethorality]

being pale is a pain. i love melanin. its beautiful.

[@ednanelson1897]

Wow! We always make white good e.g. white lies. Would they say Jesus was cursed? His skin wasn't white.

[@michaelpeterson6174]

Rubbish. The Book of Mormon did no such thing to him. It was his mistaken interpretation of our doctrine that did that. And there's no logic or reason to such an interpretation. Otherwise you would see a mass exodus of members in Central and South America and in Polynesia over that one issue - in fact there would be no membership there. To the contrary these are some of the strongest areas of faithfulness and growth of the Church fo Christ in the world.

[@trevordixon]

@@michaelpeterson6174 That member hasn't left the church to my knowledge, so his "misinterpretation" (which President Kimball also believed and preached) could be widespread, even among darker-skinned members and converts, and might be the source of some self-loathing.

[@michaelpeterson6174]

@@trevordixon With due respect my friend you are still mistaken. President Kimball did not believe and preach this. In fact when he became President of the Church he taught the exact opposite doctrine than what was suggested by some comments he had made himself in a General Conference address over a decade before, when he was an apostle, in the early 1960's. He later gave an address to Latinos in Mexico (that became a First Presidency Message in the Ensign), AS Prophet and President, where he told them they should have no such feelings, that in reality the other branches of the House of Israel (implying all white Gentiles) had gone astray in many cases to a greater degree that their forebears did. And that Latinos are a chosen people. He later declared to other leaders during the leadup to the revelation on Blacks and the Priesthood that skin pigmentation in modern times has nothing to do with righteousness or worth before God. A great scholarly article on this is: "Spencer Kimball and the Revelation on Priesthood" by Andrew Kimball, which you can find in a Google search.

[@CJ-oc2ff]

Reading that exact same sentence in the essay made me finally realize that the LDS Church was gaslighting me.

[@tomklarks7312]

@Colten Hezekiah fkn trolls hahaha!

[@randallreed9048]

@Jennifer Seay Oh, Puleeze! Do you think you are addressing children? Just because you say it, does not make it so! Grow up. Think like a reasoning adult. "I believe it so you must believe it" will not work.

[@emilyacoxpsychic]

I am genetically and biologically an intersexed hermaphrodite and I also just went through a very traumatizing experience with the bishop and president. I am completely straight and heterosexual male, but I was ostracized and traumatized by the church just recently for the past four weeks due to my biological condition

[@barbaradavis4675]

@@tomklarks7312 q0p]0000

[@fidelfez2202]

@@emilyacoxpsychic because it's cult. Steven Hassan BITE model. Behavior, information, thought, emotional CONTROL. Get you stop swearing,food control,dressing control,hair style control,phobia indoctrination,undo influence.

[@swaneespeedramsey6080]

It’s much easier to stay than leave. It takes so much courage to step away. No one does it to sin or it doesn’t come about quickly. It’s a torturous event but once you know there’s no unlearning.

[@ralphwiggam7630]

It would have been far easier to just stay ... but is comfort worth living a liie? ... we all have to choose for ourselves ... :(

[@eastcoastguy_0803]

I felt it was much easier to just leave. My life suddenly became so much more relaxing. No more callings, meetings, rules, more rules. I could finally make my own decisions without thinking or worrying too much. Such a relief.

[@dalecaswell4217]

For those who have deep connections & history in the LDS Church, anyways. But that's not all Mormons.

[@c.k.mcknight8921]

Thank you for saying this. I've been going through this journey for a few weeks now, and it feels like torture. It would be so easy to just stay, not ask questions I "ought not ask," and keep my head down like a good Mormon. Maybe that's the greater torture, though -- to have to pretend to want to stay in a church that not only has so many skeletons in its closet, but also would look down on me for having sex with a guy. "It's okay to be gay, you just can't act on it" is something I've heard over and over in church meetings. Honestly, I'm not entirely convinced the church thinks it *is* okay to be gay. Its history of rhetoric against the LGBT community speaks for itself.

[@exmormonroverpaula2319]

@@c.k.mcknight8921, I did better after I moved on to Unitarian Universalism. It's a community that is very accepting to gays and atheists.

[@stephenjackson7797]

Every Bishop who reexamines and becomes honest is to be commended. All us boys grow up hoping to be a GA someday. Becoming a Bishop is the first step to believing that might happen. You're told you now magically have the power of discernment and your actions are now fully justified. To step back and let go of that is very brave and honest.

[@scottpurves]

And very difficult. It's hard to admit you don't have all the answers. it's even harder to admit that you used to have all the answers, but that they were all wrong, and so you were very confident in your beliefs in something that was actually false. That's hard on the mind.

[@China-Clay]

Would you say that boys and men “aspire” to become a GA? I know it’s a tough question.

[@stephenjackson7797]

@@China-Clay I know I did.

[@China-Clay]

@@scottpurves your family did a fantastic job when you were interviewed! It helped me so very much.

[@China-Clay]

@@stephenjackson7797 seems like everyone was climbing on top of each other to catch a breath of fresh air, I am so done with it

[@ASMRyouVEGANyet]

I studied my faith away.

[@michaelpeterson6174]

And I studied my faith forward, and it's strengthened my testimony and faith all my life. "Seek learning, even by study and also by faith." D & C 88: 118.

[@johnlee1352]

No, you just discovered your lack of faith. You need to leave. Your weakness and confusion will not be missed.

[@johnlee1352]

Stop it. You've never had even a mustard seed worth of faith. Own it. An excuse for your weakness.

[@randyjordan5521]

@@michaelpeterson6174 "And I studied my faith forward, and it's strengthened my testimony and faith all my life." That's because your "faith" is built on the falsehoods that the church has indoctrinated you with concerning its history.

[@zaboomafia]

I think some people feel it is true because of false hope narratives. The church narratives are different from church history and journals.

[@jackfenton2271]

It's a business selling a god product.

[@genexrollins]

LDS Inc does a Bernie Madoff every year, and gets away with it year after year after year by doing their crime in the name of God.

[@janelllorenz1787]

100%!

[@FFM115]

It takes courage to face reality and learn the truth.

[@johnlee1352]

No...it takes weakness and confusion to slink away for the truth...

[@kelleren4840]

@@johnlee1352 you seem pretty weak and confused to me. At the very least dishonest and unoriginal with your copy and pasted trolling on multiple videos and comments. But hey, at keep it up and at this rate, maybe we'll be able to get your KZbin ban sped up. :)

[@johnlee1352]

@@kelleren4840 Is there an "originality" contest going on?

[@kelleren4840]

@@johnlee1352 wOw, yOu'Re rIgHt! There is no originality contest so feel free to troll and harass your little heart out!! If only I had the spirit of Mormon Jesus to fill me, I would have known that ages ago.

[@johnlee1352]

@@kelleren4840 If I post"honest and original" stuff, will I have your approval?

[@markoproduction]

I think for many members this is one of those things that is in the back of their mind. I am still active but I don't look at any religion as the only true religion. All religions have their faults. All religions are a reflection of the society they come from. God is bigger than any one religion.

[@markoproduction]

The Book of Abraham was a tipping point for me back in 2012. I almost left the Church then. I was called as a Bishop in 2015 and just recently released after 5 and a half years.

[@tigerhood6830]

Don't follow religions follow Jesus Christ,

[@davidpalahame9971]

I concur

[@duckylmexican]

This is why I left the LDS church. I was often told “Trust in the Lord, the church is made of people who are human, the prophet is human, so we are viable to mistakes, misinterpretations, misdirection, etc.” It took a few years but then I realized they were correct, saying that. Why would I trust my soul & everything to the fears that are spun into hopeful teachings by the LDS church leaders on any level, including the prophet? Trust in the Lord, period. No one else, no religion. So now I’m not affiliated with any organized religion. I continue to study the Bible, say my prayers, devote days to community service/a neighbor/etc. everyday but that’s it. I’ve never felt more free and closer to God on personal terms rather than having the church dictate whether I’m close enough to Him or not just because circumstances in my life caused me to miss a few Sundays for work, not pay a high amount of tithing for one pay cycle, etc.

[@allisonschmidt639]

The problem is you're following a different Jesus. If the BOM isn't true and D & C isn't true it's like reading someone else's biography with the same name. The Lord told me while reading LDS scriptures, this isn't my voice, not the real me. I then imagined him saying depart from me I never knew you. It took me a long time to have the heart to investigate I was broken but the evidence was overwhelming. Good luck sister

[@dande3139]

Honest question for all honest believers out there: How much of your religion could be blatantly made up without ever anyone realizing or caring? Because heck, even looking at early Christianity now, folks didn't agree on the fundamentals of who Christ was or what He did. Most of those New Testament letters were Church leaders "setting the record straight", despite being several decades removed from the events themselves. Frankly, everyone could've been "making things up", and how would anyone know? And how when "correctness of belief" is so paramount for salvation, does anyone stand a chance to know what's right?

[@frandanco6289]

dande 313 - The Holy Ghost, the Testator of Truth, has confirmed truth to me many times, that is how I know..I also study and pray a lot... That helps too... Even more, I serve others, and am always ready to do so..Sometimes, this beautiful man's voice speaks to me directly, and tells me what I need to do at this moment, and I always obey... Yes, we can, and many, many, spend a lot of time wondering, questioning, etc., about everything, and that is fine... Me, I would rather be out doing what the Savior wants me to do... He knows me and knows, I absolutely have Faith in Him, and that I believe in Him... I once married a "cradle to grave" Catholic, we were really in love... She later on her own, decided to study, work with the Missionaries, and later, on her own, decided to join the Church.. We had an incredible life together... Later, she decided that because so many people on the Internet said the Church was not true, that it was not true now, and she left the Church, and our temple marriage... My heart was so broken for years... I could not think or talk about it without crying... I prayed constantly for her, her children, and her family, as well as everyone else.. One night, I woke up, and the Savior was standing next to my bed.. He was wearing a white robe... He took his hand, put it into my chest, and took my heart out, and looked at it... I could see that part of it was like torn away, and it was very red and bleeding... This was my broken heart... He then, took his other hand, put it into His chest, and took a part of His beautiful heart out, and placed it on the broken, torn, part of my heart... He then, put my heart back inside me... I fell asleep... The next morning, I woke up and my broken heart was no longer broken... He healed me... I did not pray every day, asking Him for this... He did it because He loved me, He did it because He probably heard my dear Mother praying for me, He must have decided that my Ex wife was not going to even try to reconcile our marriage.. He did it because He knew I was not going to make it...I was and am still so thankful and grateful ! Since then, I have been able to be there when He calls me to do something for others, many, who I don't even know... But He Does... And He knows I will absolutely obey... All of these events have been absolutely the most beautiful, spiritual, loving, experiences I have ever had ! I am not at all worried or bothered by all negative comments, etc., in this entire thread, because I Know He Lives.. I Know He worked All His Beautiful Life, doing what ? Loving, Everyone... Serving Everyone...Everyone... I love Him so much !!! I love His Church, I love His people... I want to be worthy enough to see Him ! I pray God's Blessings be upon ALL who have posted here and everywhere... With Love, Fran Danco

[@frankiegiltner6163]

I studied Hebrew and the LDS has twisted Hebrew into its exact opposite. The meaning of "Lavan, or Laban, or Laman" (V, B, & M being in this case, interchangeable), means white, or pure & sparkling, and does not refer to a color but of inner character in Hebrew mythology and children's stories. I was given the name "LaVanna" by a Rabbi, which he said literally meant, "Lady of the White Moon," which meant "one of pure character, a charitable do-gooder." On the other hand, "Nephilim," (plural), Nephi-(singular) means "A giant," or "The Sons of the Gods." The Nephilim were the Giants of old in Genesis, who were children of supposed demonic angelic beings, and were told to have been destroyed by God in the Great Flood. What the LDS has done is REVERSE the Hebrew language and state that LAMAN is evil and NEPHI is good. Hmmmmm. Interesting, because, bear with me here... if these tablets were of God, and if they were translated correctly, and if these tribes were lost Hebrew tribes, would they not have written their tablets in their own Hebrew language? And IF an angle helped transcribe the tablets, would the angel have mistranslated the Hebrew meaning of those two words into their polar opposites??? If the tablets were really about two lost Hebrew tribes, would they not have stayed at least somewhat true to the Hebrew language and culture? Soooooo actually if this were real, the Lamanites (meaning white, meaning pure of heart) would have been the good ones, and the Nephi (evil) the bad ones. And in this case...the dark skinned Lamanites good and the white skinned Nephi bad. This whole translation defies the Hebrew language, which I cannot believe to be true if these two are in fact lost tribes.

[@Jeweliedear]

😂 i do remember laughing out loud when i first heard nephi and some of the names. Even moroni 😂 i mean Bible NT was translated from Greek. Moron was a Greek word then loaned to latin. Meant foolish one 😂 so i have no clue how mormons claimed that angel was Moroni. Similarly, Moreno in spanish means dark skinned or brown or refers to Moors. Is also Sephardic Jewish last name. So all around just seemed odd considering their beliefs. The verbiage isnt congruent with anything else in ot or nt. Just stands alone as if made up without any kind of divine purpose congruent. NT did not discard Old or discredit it. Jesus fulfilled prophecy and anything recorded in NT was enough/complete. The end. No need for new revelation. It was finished.

[@fidelfez2202]

You took Hebrew. Ok in Temple they used to say PAY,Lay,Ale. In threes. What's it say

[@shandihuddleston2167]

I was raised in the LDS church and there are such wonderful people there that are being deceived and it makes me cringe. My brother being one of them. When I use to talk to him about it, he was so gracious and kind to me and he just "knows it is true." I hope one day he will investigate and come to know the one true God.

[@callmeangie867]

Same here. I’ve got a massive bunch of LDS family. They weren’t very happy when I said that I was done with it. And they don’t know that I’m now Catholic, but they’re gonna know within the next year because I’m getting married as one.

[@zajournals]

"...come to know the one true god." We'll never know until we die. Man has worshipped thousands of gods and none of them have been proven nor disproven. That's why faith is necessary.

[@christianorthodoxy4769]

@@callmeangie867 Good for you.

[@markkrispin6944]

Of course the Mormon Church wants to keep you busy so that you don't have the time or energy to research the truth of the cult of the Mormon Church

[@audreymoran]

I quit attending church a few years ago and except for some so called friends there I don't miss it.

[@MrChilli26]

If the friend drops you because you left the church shows how good members are afraid that this friendship will take them out of the church. There is so much unspoken of fear in this organisation.

[@Vayeya333]

Having grown up as a child in the church but left as a teenager becuase of trumatic expereninces , i blamed god for not having protected me , becuase for so long i prayed as a child that the abuse would stop and i blamed god for doing nothing , i lost all faith. Years later as an adult Moving to peru with my husband i rejoined the church becuase i liked how people where nice and kind and we helped eachother and their was a sense of community that reminded me of my family that was still here in the U.S . 2 weeks ago i finnally read the book of mormen and i read that verse of gods curse and i cried . Me being a women of color a direct descendent of the laminaities to think god cursed us with our skin , it hurt . How could i teach this to my son that our skin is a curse ? To investiagte and find out more about the indian placement program of how they took native indigenous children from there homes and destroyed there culture there identity . That for so long African americans could not be sealed in the temple or recieve the presithood that they could not enter the highest leval of heaven for so long , it hurt . That children of lgbtq memebers cannot join the church becuase of there parents and are not allowed salvation when they have done nothing , finding all these things out has hit me like a truck . I still believe in god and jesues and know in my heart that the real god would never do that becuase he is love but i know people use god to excuse horrible actions and racist and homophobic agendas . I feel very conflicted and hurt , where is god . I am coming to think that god is not in any church .

[@lifeastoldbyheather2411]

I feel like I have lost 29 years to the church, I can't imagine how this former Bishop and his wife feel ❤️

[@johnlee1352]

Just think how we feel...we endured 29 years of your weakness and confusion. Imagine how we feel! Thanks for leaving. We don't need any more posers...

[@my0p1n10nst1nks]

@@johnlee1352, you're incredibly Christlike. Real Celestial quality and we are blessed to have you.

[@sleepycactusart]

@@johnlee1352 my favorite words from jesus, "thanks for leaving, poser"

[@johnlee1352]

@@sleepycactusart What do you think he said to the moneychangers as He drove them out of the temple? "Thanks for leaving"?... "Get the hell out" is more likely...

[@12567NoYouCannot]

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. New International Version,

[@DoctorZisIN]

I couldn't count the times I heard fervent testimony of things I know went against Church doctrine or procedure. People will say: "They were just human, they make mistakes". Yet they claim that the spirit told them this or that. It shows how easily people deceive themselves. If the creator of the entire universe has as much effect as a figment of our imaginations, what good is he? Powerful enough once to create stars, quasars, black holes, galaxies without end, but now reduced to a bit of powerless wishful thinking, trapped inside our brains.

[@AVspectre]

“What if everyone is like me?” was the same thought that was key in my loss of faith (Catholicism).

[@tomoates8568]

It's an interesting thing to think about. Because if you're religious obviously you would want to believe that the leaders are somehow on a higher level of spirituality or understanding or whatever. But we're all just people, including them. And that's not a bad thing

[@nightshade99]

I sure hope you moved to a relationship with Jesus Christ and disavowing the demonic doctrine of Catholicism.

[@AVspectre]

I don’t have a religious faith now. I still focus on being a kind, empathetic, and helpful member of my community. I have friends of various beliefs and backgrounds, and don’t have issue with their own god beliefs. I find scripture interesting and enjoy examining the wider historical and cultural frameworks that it exists within. Any attempt to establish a ‘personal relationship with Jesus’ in the past just lead to the same feeling of displacement. It is impossible to try to believe in and develop a relationship with an entity you don’t believe exists (or at least does not communicate directly with or intervene in their creation). I have no way of knowing for certain what comes after death. I don’t believe it’s anything. If a loving creator god does exist, I can’t imagine they would condemn people for living their lives as best they can governed by the faculties they created within them (including reason, observation…). If they would allow their creations to suffer eternally in some kind of hellfire, and would be willing to leave the promise of salvation to a giant game of Telephone extending over millennia rather than reveal themselves definitively, they could not possibly be loving or all-powerful. It simply doesn’t make sense to me. A god willing to gamble with the enteral destiny of their ‘children’ under the guise of free will seems silly. A loving god could reveal themselves definitively to their creations in a way they would be capable of understanding and still leave it as free will what they do with that knowledge. A god unwilling to do while the consequences were so severe would seem to me to be undeserving of worship. I am happy you have an outlook that brings you happiness, and I wish you joy and peace.

[@nightshade99]

@@AVspectre So you do not believe in the Christian God? I understand how displacement can occur from Mormonism because that system isn't from God, but how come you have thrown the baby out with the bathwater? I can take that you hadn't asked God earnestly for proof of His existence? I did, and I received a glaring vision. God created you for His own benefit, not your own. He gave you direct revelation never leaving it to mere consequence of morality choices as you might believe. I do understand your predicament because your rationale is purely human and not fueled by the Holy Spirit. God does not want slaves, but He simply cannot grant you access to heaven just for the sake of it. He has standards. If God revealed Himself in the way that you wished, He still would create people who followed Him out of fear, not love. I suppose it comes down to your designated chance in pretending that there is no afterlife; a sedation for your mind, if you will. Many documented cases confirm real Jesus encounters through NDEs. I am happy because I have discovered the truth of things. I pray that you will be shaken awake too. God Bless.

[@AVspectre]

@@nightshade99 I have asked earnestly for the type of revelation you describe. I spent years leading retreats, attending bible school… I was excellent at apologetics and knew the right answers for the questions people would raise. Nothing - from my daily prayers, scripture study, praise & worship, or heartfelt cries to what I believed was god ever resulted in anything that could allow me to believe with confidence… to know I was hearing/feeling something divine. I related original comment because I always felt alone. I felt that I must be broken somehow. Surely those around me weren’t just going through the motions. I must be the only one who hadn’t experienced god. As I realized I wasn’t, I stopped seeing myself as an aberration. It’s interesting to me that you see a lack of belief in an afterlife as ‘a sedation for your mind’. I actually felt the opposite. I liked feeling like I had the answers to the big questions. It was easy to feel like I knew how to spend my life. After all, if this life is only a wink in eternity, what does it really matter? Why not give everything to serve god and try to help people discover ‘the Truth’. Sure, I could focus on trying to relieve suffering here on earth or improve conditions for others. But if the ‘real’ life is eternal, of course my priority should be on trying to aid their eternal lives by bringing them to Jesus. It was a scary transition to recognizing that I don’t actually know any of the ‘Truths’ I proclaimed. To realize that it’s entirely possible that my life ends upon my mortal death. To realize that I was attributing my whole purpose to a belief I had only hoped was true. I’ve read people’s accounts of NDEs, and they don’t stand out to me as convincing. They fall in line with physiological occurrences in the body, and make sense based on the person’s own cultural understanding of the afterlife etc. I thank you for this respectful exchange. I won’t be able to reply back quick to this as I’ve other commitments today. I am happy you feel secure in your beliefs and hope they help you live the life you want - hopefully one that leaves a wake of love in action (at least that’s what I hope for my own life). Be well. Happy Friday! :)

[@jdrobinson4865]

Shout out and high five to Sis. Warburton who I served with in the Oakland California mission. My family and I have also resigned from the church and are so much healthier and happier. I watched your long MS episode and had the same feelings about our Mission President from the South. Best wishes to you, your husband and family!!! - Elder Josh Robinson

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Check out The Naked Bible podcast of Dr.Michael Heiser PhD on Biblical languages: glad you are out.

[@jdrobinson4865]

Thanks, but no thanks. I’m more interested in real truth and science. I do enjoy learning about ancient civilizations, but in that study I’ve found all theistic religions were created by people to try to explain creation and the natural world. They all just as made up as Mormonism. We have a better understanding now through science and we are learning more incredible and amazing truths through scientific discovery every day now. So much to learn and study. There’s some amazing programs on the probable creation of the earth on the Discovery Science channel you should check out!

[@SteveSmith-os5bs]

@@jdrobinson4865 I have to agree with that science does make sense.

[@johnlee1352]

@@jdrobinson4865 Why do you still cling to the Mormon title I assume you had? Stop it. Get on with your unaccountable life.

[@jdrobinson4865]

I served a Mormon mission with the Bishop’s spouse in this video. I want to say hello, so I used the title Elder and my name that she would remember me by. Does that make sense? Otherwise, I’m still connected to Mormonism through my extended family, but I love my post-Mormon, unaccountable life! Me and my family are healthier and closer than we’ve been without the toxic dogma of the church.

[@MClollolol]

I have no ties to mormonism, but i am absolutely fascinated by the phsychology of belief in this system. Hats off to this man. It seems like a Bishop in mormonism has a lot of power. I wonder how many lose their faith when they become a bishop.

[@fidelfez2202]

Lds is down syndrome of religions

[@danielmoore4024]

@@fidelfez2202 Don't discredit neurodivergant people please. People with Down Syndrome have abilities nonexistent in neurotypical people, I'm a ND myself and I love the gifts that come with autism that I think the profound challenges are worth living with.

[@jacobopstad5483]

Recognizing that others were just as unsure about guidance from the spirit is exactly how I felt on my mission. I fully expected some kind of spiritual confirmation during baptismal interviews but never felt anything. I had to just go by their answers and trust that they were telling the truth. I felt like a fraud and it made me wonder about others so I started paying close attention and I realized that the others were just like me.

[@johnlee1352]

I'll bet you were just an awful missionary. Nobody was "just " like you. Your weakness and confusion ooze from your words. From your post, you need to get used to frustrated expectations. It'll be your constant companion...

[@jacobopstad5483]

@@johnlee1352 That's a great example of the kind of toxic, narcissistic response you can expect from church members

[@greatmike3120]

I too felt the same way you did. I had to interview a woman that had an abortion at the time I felt like I was being courageous but now I just feel awful, there was no comforter to help me or guide me then. I came home from my mission not believing in the spirit.

[@johnlee1352]

@@greatmike3120 Weakness and confusion seems to be epidemic among our youth...you should never have been a missionary. You need to get out and move on with your unaccountable life.

[@michaelpeterson6174]

Well I mean no offense but you drew the wrong conclusion. You could have placed yourself in a position to receive revelation. But we're not going to have it every minute. I too conducted many baptism interviews. some of them I remember like it was yesterday. Sometimes I was in tune, sometimes I wasn't. When I was in tune, amazing things happened. One woman walked in and the moment I looked at her I knew through the Holy Ghost that she was totally ready. I didn't need to ask her a single question. Another time I was rushed into another interview, unprepared, and a couple came in and even though they answered the questions satisfactorily I sensed something was wrong. But under some pressure from another missionary I ignored the prompting and went ahead and passed them, and they transgressed right after their baptism.

[@ShinbrigTV]

The church literally teaches it's member to "Seek ye the best books" and study as much as you can...then for whatever the second you start questioning the doctrine you're an apostate.

[@cellphonemusiciansmusicmad3644]

I left the Mormon church after 42 years. I had my name removed.

[@johnlee1352]

And why did you think anyone cared about your life 40+ years ago? Were you making a point?

[@cayea4076]

@John Lee Be kind. It's what the Lord wants of us.

[@sam327]

John Lee why you gotta be mean? he’s just making a comment, didn’t hurt anyone

[@johnlee1352]

@@sam327 What was the point?

[@sam327]

John Lee well it seems quite clear he wanted to make his point, if i had to guess, maybe in tangent to the video’s message that number of years in a religious community need not necessarily mean you have to have a self-confirmation bias that you’re on the right track because you’ve invested so much time.

[@DeRothschild]

Is it wrong that the only reason I haven’t officially left the church is that in case of an emergency I would use the Mormons for all the food and prepper supplies?

[@chanah-hoa5106]

😂😂😂😂😂. And the invites to ward and stake activities... aka free feed. Lol

[@sensiblesoul1840]

I like this format, much more digestible than the multi-part podcast episodes (which are good too!)

[@PhilipSteeves]

Thankfully someone was willing to question these issues with simple common sense! The world is leaving behind all the blaring inconsistencies in scripture! Religions provide much needed support in many ways but it’s time to drop the judgment and discrimination!

[@michaelking9818]

Not easy to make sense of a load of nonsense

[@whfowle]

Does God ever lie? When a prophet who speaks for God changes fundamental beliefs, is he really a prophet?

[@michaelpeterson6174]

Baloney. And what fundamental belief has changed? Not one doctrine in the Thirteen Articles of Faith has changed. Practices and culture change, but not fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles and prophets. And just know I'm aware of all the twisted positions on this topic in the disaffected world, and none of them hold water and are easily shot down.

[@my0p1n10nst1nks]

@@michaelpeterson6174, so is darkened skin a curse or not? It's a contradiction.

[@michaelpeterson6174]

@@my0p1n10nst1nksThere's no contradiction. It would be wise to reconsider your assumption. It's clear from the scriptures that God has in the past in some few instances used a change in skin color as a discipline of his children. But that is not manifested in the millions of people of many different races found on the earth today. What is also clear - because these things have been revealed and made clear by modern prophets of God - is that the many races and colors on the earth today are not in any way a manifestation of God's disfavor, including as regards to receiving the Priesthood of God. As I pointed out earlier, President Kimball even went to Mexico and gave a talk where he let the people know that they should not consider themselves less than any other race, that they were of the House of Israel and chosen of the Lord, and very precious, and that the ancestors of the Gentiles (whites in this context) may well have been more rebellious than some of their ancestors were as branches of the House of Israel.

[@my0p1n10nst1nks]

@@michaelpeterson6174, ah, so it was bad to have dark skin before but now it isn't. I'm sure that's comforting for people of color. It's a contradoction whether you write a long response or not.

[@michaelpeterson6174]

@@my0p1n10nst1nks You have no logic, no real reasoning, no grounds. You just repeated your senseless, twisted charge and empty criticism - based on a false assumption. You haven't got an argument. I explained it well. And drawing attention to the length of my answer - which is irrelevant - is a dodge.

[@amechealle5918]

When my mom was investigating the church when I was 4 (she joined when I was 5) She told me about how dark skinned people couldn’t do certain things in the church. At 4 I knew that couldn’t be right, in my child mind I just couldn’t believe it. Half my friends were naturally dark nationalities! We even had a fantastic neighbor and his wife who had come from Africa. They were seriously the best people. He had been working so hard to support him and his wife (he also eventually brought his younger sister over from Africa as well) he was finishing school and had been offered a really good position in the San Diego area and I was heart broken that they left. He could speak French, Italian and was learning Spanish as well as his native language and he loved telling us about his childhood even though he had been raised poor (until he was sponsored) but his family was extremely close. He had so much enthusiasm for life and was always helping neighbors. I think the whole thing was racist BS from the start. I never believed the church was true but was forced to go to church. That ended on my 18th birthday and was glad to be rid of it.

[@johnhorner1969]

I had a conversation with my believing family around prophets last night. They admitted that prophets and apostles are all fallible but wouldn’t admit that they have ever made a mistake. I pointed out the priesthood ban and they insisted that it came from god and god wanted the ban then lifted it, not that men made a mistake. It was eery and disturbing the level of commitment to illogical brainwashed thinking.

[@ibobeko4309]

Brainwashed thinking and religion, who could thought about that `? 😂 My new goal in life is to become an apostle, i will create a new church called LSD, Lately Saints Delusionists.

[@sidvicious2845]

Hi, Thank you for expressing your experience honestly and without condemnation! When faith and reason collide, faith almost always wins by default with religious leaders. Could this be caused from brain washing, the desire to believe or perhaps the cost of honoring truth over falsehoods!? So much to loose when one steps forward and says "the emperor has no clothes." Like our former President who seeks to destroy his own who don't fall in line! Its wonderful to hear someone is seeking God and truth as the presidence over simply following imperfect leaders as though they were Gods!

[@lauraoverstreet9987]

You can really see and hear, his sincerity, his compassion and honesty!" Bet.he was a great bishop! They always lose their best and brightest!

[@tiffanyt7121]

I like your profile pic/logo! Half beehive, half brain 🤗

[@JimmyPlato1]

If God is Love Itself, which is His highest attribute and essence, then all people in nature are loved and nurtured in a Universal way by God. All people have the potential to understand God and live by God's Grace, and by receiving God's Grace by living the best way possible, thereby making the attempt to emulate what God truly represents. This is the way to come closest to humanly understand what "healthy minded religion" is.

[@carlduffin]

"If God is Love Itself, which is His highest attribute and essence, then all people in nature are loved and nurtured in a Universal way by God." By attributing all that is good in humans - and many other animals really - to a god, really misses the point that with God or no God, all sentient beings have the ability to love and have empathy for all of nature and that is every being's core nature.

[@lindanorton2088]

Our stake president said he got revelation about who to call by driving by there houses and seeing which house makes him feel the most spirit. So just rich people were called.

[@melodiesteele3021]

Praying for the Holy Spirit to show you the truth in God’s word. Keep seeking and asking the Lord to show you Himself.

[@choosetolivefree]

It's comical watching religious dolts cheering a person on for going from one stupid faith to another stupid faith. The lack of intelligence in the religious is astounding

[@matthews8576]

I looked in the magic hat and all I saw was dandruff!

[@codyw5799]

I’m starting to realize that growing up I had 3 bishops before I was 14. I got along with them and it wasn’t uncommon for my dad to help them with horses, tractors, and other types of chores or for them to help my dad. But as they were released from their calling they would eventually go inactive. And one even asked that nobody refer to him as bishop anymore. But since I knew them outside of the church I always looked up to them and never doubted about where they left. Now that I’m older and looking at everything from a apostate view. I bet they saw, heard, or acknowledged something that made them wake up

[@matthewmitchell68]

Bishop get work to death with no compensation. Imagine working a part time job away from your family and kids with any compensatory pay. Wednesday nights are always taken up and you don’t get any Sunday off, it’s just better to leave it all behind.

[@jonhilderbrand4615]

I don't get it. Nephi and the Lamanites were supposed to be in the Americas ca. 600 BC. But there were already dark skinned people all over the world by then. Even Jeremiah, who lived at virtually the same time, wrote "Can an Ethiopian change his skin?" Did the curse operate retroactively, spreading throughout the world?! This alone should demonstrate the preposterousness of the Book of Mormon.

[@joelgoldsmith4747]

Yeah.....you're right and exact. Delving deeper into the history of the Bible and its history - makes this to be purely nonsensical !!🤔🤔🤔

[@GlowingMpd]

👍

[@ewankerr3011]

This guy experienced a loss of faith. But what about his Testimony? Does he now understand this subjective religious experience is worthless. Before the internet era, I highlighted many historical and factual information to LDFS Missionaries who dismissed what I said simply as anti-Mormon propaganda. ( I often wonder what they think now). Even though I showed them information from LDS Church publications, including copies of the first edition of the Book of Mormon, they struggled to comprehend the significance of it all. They were very nice, but deluded people.

[@davidjanbaz7728]

Yes ,and the temple rituals keep them Spiritual blind to the true Gospel of Christ. Check out Dr.Michael Heiser PhD videos on the real meaning of Gen.1:26 and Psalm 82 also the Jewish trinity.

[@ewankerr3011]

@@davidjanbaz7728 : The "true" gospel of Jesus Christ. Now where have I heard that before. So many groups claim to have the "true" gospel.

[@michaelpeterson6174]

This is rubbish. I have a first-edition copy of the Book of Mormon, and unless you're some kind of hardened skeptic, reading it will build your faith and testimony, as it did mine. This is the copy that was the instrument of the conversion of some of the greatest men and women in modern times, including Hyrum Smith, Eliza R. Snow, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Mary Woodruff, Parley P. Pratt, W.W. Phelps, and the list goes on and on and on. John Taylor, among many of the others, was a very well educated man. When he read this same first edition Book of Mormon he immediately recognized, through the Holy Ghost, it's truthfulness. And your claim about the Internet is also baloney. The Internet has done more for the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints than any other technological development in our age. Out of courtesy we won't go there on the issue of who is deluded...

[@ewankerr3011]

@@michaelpeterson6174 : The Book of Mormon contradicts current LDS teaching. It is clear from the witness statements that Joseph Smith's belief about the Godhead was a mixture of Trinitarianism and modalism and very different from his later theology. Joseph Smith claimed to translate the Book of Mormon from the 'gold plates' which were returned to heaven. So without the gold plated, how could he or anyone else make theological changes to the 'most accurate book ' ever? Perhaps the great and the good you mention would not have been so quick to believe the book if they had been aware of the complete lack of evidence in support of it. I wonder why they did not believe in the works of Brewster or Strang who also "translated" ancient records.

[@michaelpeterson6174]

@@ewankerr3011 You are completely mistaken. I've probably read the Book of Mormon through over 30 times in my lifetime - a lifetime of deep study. It IS the source of our teaching and theology, and hardly contracts it. You are referring in the witness statement to the final phrase "which is one God." That means one God in purpose - and if you cross-reference that phrase you will find it in scores of passages across the Old and New Testament, all with the same meaning. When the Prophet said the Book of Mormon was "the most correct of any book on earth" it means the doctrine and teachings are correct. The Book had to be translated into English and grammatical and other semantic adjustments naturally made. This was done under the direction of living prophets of God over years. But this takes nothing away from the book as scripture, which is why you can feel the Holy Ghost as much reading a first edition Book of Mormon as you can reading a current edition.

[@jonbaker476]

I feel for this man

[@arrriadna]

It's like: wellcome to the Free Will! Greatest gift one has 😜👍

[@stimey14]

Very very powerful.

[@unoecho974]

My heart goes out to all of these mormon people that have been let down (forlack of better words). My mother is mormon, and I didn't realize the depth of control going on.

[@RichardSteuland]

I lived among the Saints nearly50 years ago. I’ve ever met a kinder people.

[@tse93s]

The crazy part about this is that you were OK with it...until they disavowed it.. that’s wild to me.. like if they had stood their ground on blacks being cursed then it would’ve been ok. That just shows how you’ve been conditioned/brain washed

[@MrJibbyjay]

You are absolutely correct. It is crazy. It's dangerous to put faith in leaders who claim to know the will of god. There's a lot of emphasis in the LDS church about our leaders being modern day prophets who can lead their followers back to god's presence. I'm sorry to say that there were many shitty ideas that I accepted without critical thinking. It took a long time for me to see it. Thanks.

[@duckylmexican]

Or he was just plain ignorant of it until the essays came out. Keep in mind, some of these LDS members come from families that were inbred into the church for decades and generations. Otherwise, the church is also great at keeping some of their past, hurtful, racist teachings hidden or at an arms length that most members aren’t even aware of them.

[@markmcmahon8338]

Great to hear you had the courage to follow your heart and instincts!!

[@colinmayfordcolin884]

He sounds very sensible and reasonable, and right.

[@ravello99]

Thank you for your intellectual honesty. It doesn't take much true TRUTH seeking to see all of the falsehoods and distortion of the true Word.

[@jstewardjr]

I left the church behind around 1971ish. This was one of the two main reasons for my disbelief, the other was the position of women. Black Power and Women's Liberation were hot topics then. Although I'm not really a feminist, this didn't settle well with me. I came to a solid belief in the Gospel of the Bible about 15 years later. My prayer is that Mormons would embrace the true Jesus of the Bible. It will truly set you free.

[@jstewardjr]

Other things that had a big influence on my departure. My Bishop accused me of something that was untrue and told it to my mother. The first counselor was one of the biggest cutthroat Real Estate Brokers in town and had a very poor reputation for dishonesty. The second counselor was a teacher at my high school and had the reputation of berating students and cursing them out. A big time potty mouth. Also he slept through most Sunday services.

[@johnlee1352]

50 years (a half century) has passed and here you are...still pathetically bashing a faith you claim to have rejected. Move on already...wow

[@johnrowley310]

I know this church is true = It's not a lie if you believe it. Best line from Seinfeld...

[@DoulaInReno]

I left 16 years ago. Determining what Christianity after 17 years in the church - 13 of them with a temple recommend - has been quite a journey. I have a podcast and I'm happy to be a guest

[@kerstinklenovsky239]

What a man of integrity! 👍

[@toddsloan2485]

Any so-called preachers out there??? Genesis chapter 2 verse 11 and 12 and God tells Adam and Eve Gold of the land is good. Adam and Eve have not eaten of the tree of knowledge yet. why would God tell Adam and Eve that gold of the land of good if they have no knowledge of Good and Evil they have no knowledge of Gold to them they are only stones. Wake up to the Roman dystopia

[@anybm7329]

They have the essays as part of the institute classes.

[@rockywiteri8609]

I'm a moari who is brown and I'm proud to say I was attacked by kids in school cause of my brown skin and called a nigga everyday. I didnt take it out on white people. I respect and love them like I love other darkskin people. We r 1 and we stand in 1ness and love

[@abi1021]

Ugh that sucks. I’m sorry people wwre so awful to you. Good for you standing strong!! Most people are good