Joseph Smith Jr. | Founder of Latter Day Saints | Mental Health & Personality

[@rachaelelkins]

Next time someone calls me with some drama, I’m going to say “let’s look at what could be happening in a situation like this.”

[@lorimiller4301]

I love that sentence. I can't wait to use it.

[@lisacarolyn3676]

LOL :D

[@briancrawford8751]

What if the other person said, "Oh, are we doing erotic roleplay, and you're going to be Dr. Todd Grande? Cool!"

[@NatashaCreatesThings]

YES!

[@Mysteria710]

OMG! I love this. I am gonna use this phrase to compare and contrast reality with the ridiculous things probation clients expect me to believe.

[@oliviaruth1954]

I was born into mormonism and it was a large part of my identity. it was everything i had planned on in life and influenced my ever decision. It is so incredibly difficult to sever yourself from the LDS church in ways many people wouldn't understand without living the experience. as someone who recently escaped that abuse that i was born into, hearing you explain it with rational thoughts about the beginnings i am reminded how fully i was indoctrinated to truly believe this and "know" it was true for so so long. As someone who is currently being ostracized and demonized by my still very believing family, i have feelings of releif and so much pain. For those who are still in the church, i wish peace on you and hope that you see through clear eyes one day. and for those who know the pain of having such a profound part of your identity shatter when you realize the reality of the mormon church, i'm sorry and i get it now.

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

Ex-Mo here. It's very hard but you can do it. You are doing yourself a huge service by leaving. You are also doing your children (present or future) a huge service by breaking the cycle of generation Mormonism!

[@loqutor]

How, exactly, were you abused?

[@fidelfez2202]

Cult Dr Hassan BITE model

[@fidelfez2202]

Your paid LDS shill and looks if it Educated mental health shill

[@laurabartschi2165]

@@loqutor Did she say she was abused?

[@Gideonslc]

I grew up in this religion. I've questioned narcissism & psychopathy in JS Jr for a while. Comparing him with Brigham Young though gets rather terrifying. The religion has been whitewashing its history for years.

[@danieljohnson6561]

There’s a few little in accuracies here, but the biggest is that Joseph died on-site, not months later. After falling from the window at Carthage, he was shot multiple times.

[@susancarver3685]

Probably should have been a bit more factual. J.S. wasn't alive in 1943 and he died on site, not months later. However, he was a horrible man. The men that lead the church now, have to be as bad because there is NO WAY they don't know the truth. All u have to do is pull up the history ( which is not advised, by the leaders) in a very short time, YOU KNOW. I wasted 33 years of my life..... Living the lie called Mormonism. It was shocking, horrifying and devastating to discover how completely naive and, I think stupid, I had been.

[@robd1329]

@@susancarver3685 he was a con-man. I also was a former mormon. But one day i realized and said to myself...why dont they ever talk about Lord Jesus ?? It was all about js...and just felt inside it was all humbug!

[@Bungie117MC]

@@susancarver3685 agreed, I was Mormon for 40 years until I did a little Google research that revealed a litany of facts that tell without a doubt that Joseph Smith Jr. was a fraud. Namely the book of Abraham. It’s so embarrassing

[@tylerfielding5311]

@@robd1329 What LDS church did you go to? We’re NAMED after Jesus Christ and literally talk about Jesus Christ and he is 100% the only focus in all things.

[@Knitter4life]

@@tylerfielding5311that might be YOUR experience regarding the church you specifically go to, but could you explain why I as a former church investigator also noticed the same thing he’s talking about?

[@kkandsims4612]

As an ex Mormon there whole faith is based on one boys account of seeing god I mean I lived in a mental hospital for 4 years I saw a shit ton of Joseph smiths there.

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

Mason minion

[@Kellethorn]

Well said!!! 🤣🤣

[@redram5150]

I can’t fault the wholesome family atmosphere most Mormon homes seem to have, but how anyone in the 19th century, let alone today, could buy into such clear BS is a mystery to me. Then again, Scientologists believe the insane stuff they do

[@lia2523]

4 years? How? Why?

[@Kellethorn]

@@redram5150 I mean... And to be fair, it's a 'wholesome family atmosphere' of you are not -black -poor -lgbtq+ -a woman with career ambitions -intellectually honest or well educated (you can have one of these) -american/reasonably 'westernized'. Which.... is that *really* a wholesome family atmosphere...? ;)

[@mlynn2161]

It just dawned on me that Dr. Grande has an NPR voice. He tells us all the awful things going on in the world, but with a soothing, reassuring voice that makes you want to take a warm nap while you listen.

[@guillermo3564]

@M Lynn Schweddy balls, anyone?

[@MrRaulstrnad]

that is an interesting thought

[@leepreston9637]

You mean lies about what's going on in the world. NPR is propaganda for the Chinese Communist Party.

[@enigmaticloremaster1700]

Yes Hubbard was one o the greatest con men ever, he discovered the goose that lays the golden egg.

[@ViceSociety]

@@leepreston9637 That is 100 percent TRUTH.

[@tictacnino3593]

An Angel threatened him to marry more wives? Sounds like he couldn’t control his lust.

[@tucsonamama]

Bingo.

[@Julesb2183]

He needed an excuse to sleep around.

[@frevazz3364]

"Trust me I don't want to but the angel is adamant that I have to bang more women" 😂😂😂😂😂

[@nairobikenya6154]

Say the same thing about my former religion and you won’t live very long. Islam needs the same microscope.

[@k.r.murphy4301]

In my faith, angels don’t threaten people...especially to do something weird!

[@PurrMore]

Dr. Grande, I'm so glad i found you! You're insight and humor is truly appreciated

[@alexplorer]

*ur

[@Mineav]

It utterly baffles me that so many will follow people like Joseph Smith, L. Ron Hubbard, Marshall Applewhite, Jim Jones, etc. Some people are just so desperate to believe and cling on to anything to give them meaning and a purpose. We see that today with a certain political figure as well.

[@myjeanification]

The Pope?

[@ETAFan]

Yep. Joseph Smith was a horrible and evil man.

[@kkandsims4612]

I mean I get it I do as an ex Mormon I understand the religion is low risk high reward it’s relatively the same as being Catholic but it’s still BULLSHIT!

[@mlovmo]

Don't forget Sun Myung Moon.

[@inkompetenzkompensationsko4188]

@@kkandsims4612 Low risk high reward depends heavily on your perspective and position. For me as a female it's not exactly "Low risk" to stop working, commit to my husband and have 20 children just to maybe possibly once have the chance to get to haven if there is one🙃

[@madihen]

Dr Grande’s dry sarcasm about JS is just 👌👌 for an ex member

[@shayladaw7791]

Agreed 👍

[@elanahammer1076]

Dr. Grande’s dry sarcasm is like a day without sunshine! Lol

[@CyborgSodaCollects]

It's sand dry

[@elanahammer1076]

@@CyborgSodaCollects so true! I think I might need my Coca Cola or some water! 😜

[@kathryncarter6143]

Ok funny. But laughs do not equal facts

[@christiea.6778]

Thanks for sharing this! As a former member of the LDS church, I was taught a very positive view of Joseph Smith. We were told that researching anything other than our scriptures was “anti Mormon propaganda”. Once I found out the truth about Joseph smith and the religion, I felt like I had been conned and I left.

[@abbyb2752]

I’m sorry you felt conned, that’s a hard place to be. I was there with a different religion. ❤️❤️❤️ I’ll keep you in my thoughts and I hope you’re having a nice day.

[@Kellethorn]

Same here girl!! 100,000%. Cheers for escaping too!!

[@cess4089]

I find your statement to be false. I go every week and I have always been told to study it out and pray for the truth on my own. Not to blindly follow. And in fact to blindly follow is to be a poor and slothful servant of the lord. We must question. We must study and pray. I got my answer. It’s ok to disagree with my personal revelation but saying that we are taught not to question is BS.

[@rosealexander9007]

@@cess4089I’m sure your a really nice person . But Joseph Smith was a deceiver. He’s no prophet of God

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

@@cess4089 Come down out of your great and spacious building there, expert. Your experience is outlier here, no matter how dutifully you recite your lines. My dad was a bishop (now patriarch) and our family (and our ward) were taught to avoid non-church publications too--for the exact same reasons the commenter above mentioned: they were tools of Satan that would corrupt your faith with slippery words or whatever bs rhetoric you wanna couch that into.

[@melfreemans]

I told my husband that an angel showed me plates that said he should buy me an Hermes bag, a lipizzaner dressage horse, do all the housework forever, etc. My husband should just take my word for it because that angel also said I couldn't show my husband the plates.

[@nickborrrego]

And then get all your husbands friends to agree with you. Everyone else will be disfellowshipped.

[@melfreemans]

@@nickborrrego lol yep!

[@learningisfun2108]

Crazy how an entire religion is based on, “god told me something and you should believe me without evidence or question”. LDS is not the only religion based on this, btw.

[@pepedomingo4061]

don’t be silly. people only take such things seriously when a mentally ill male says them

[@MrRaulstrnad]

don't forget the time an Angel of the Lord appeared and threatened you with a sword unless your husband takes you to Vegas.

[@ShawnFerrell]

THEN: "No one would be a Mormon, that's crazy." NOW: "No one would be a Scientologist, that's crazy."

[@loqutor]

Tell me you don't know anything about either of those religions without telling me you don't know anything about either of those religions.

[@originalnilson]

@@loqutor tell me you can't tell the difference between a cult and a religion without telling me you can't tell the difference between a cult and a religion

[@ellamaeloftus3493]

I’m a Mormon and believe. Investigated several religions and this religion works for me.

[@loqutor]

@@originalnilson I have yet to see a decent definition of "cult".

[@MrRaulstrnad]

@@ellamaeloftus3493 yes but still was started by a conman

[@mb91435]

(Ex-Mo here) I LOVE when non-mormons (non-LDS, whatever) explain mormonism. It's fantastic. Mormons make the story sound SO spiritual, special, omit the "unnecessary" details, and are so serious about these stories it feels powerful. Then you read the CES letter/watch videos like this, and you remember that you were raised in lies.

[@loqutor]

Lol, you think the CES Letter is credible.

[@Blake_.Dryden]

@@loqutor WOW. You don’t know this person’s story AT ALL, neither do I. I’d practice withholding judgement if I were you. You really came across as an asshole when you posted this.

[@loqutor]

@@Blake_.Dryden He outright stated that he thinks the CES Letter somehow awoke him to the truth. How have I misrepresented him?

[@loqutor]

@@Blake_.Dryden ExMos in general demand about a hundred times the respect they're willing to give. I see no reason to be diplomatic with such people.

[@Blake_.Dryden]

@@loqutor This is the first I’ve ever heard of the term Ex-Mos, but I’m about giving someone a chance to explain themselves before dismissing them as one thing or the other. Maybe you’re right, but you could also be wrong. I’ve never met a single person I couldn’t learn something from. On the other hand, I completely understand being frustrated with those from a rigid ideological background. Just didn’t see that here

[@chuckiesrus1399]

I grew up in an LDS family/community in Utah. Never once have I bought into this bullshit. Very nice people, though. I love them

[@Kellethorn]

They all fun and games until you suggest that pedophilia is a bad idea on Facebook!! Then it's all "silence with your apostate lies" and "tHiNgS wErE DiFfErEnT bAcK tHeN!!" 😂😂😂 I say facetiously though I still have a decently good relationship with my Mormon family (though... Gotta keep certain social media accounts... Uh... on the D.L.)

[@tucsonamama]

How did you do it?? I grew up in an LDS family outside of Utah. Anytime the possibility that it wasn’t true raised its ugly head in my mind, I shut it down real fast. To me, it was impossible that it wasn’t true. And that was in California! Growing up surrounded by Mormonism, how did you see through it?

[@RemixedVoice]

They're only nice if you're white christian straight and cis lol. And of course, their "religion" follows the cult BITE model to a tee

[@IncredibleIceCastle]

Feigned nicety is absolutely essential to propagating an ideology that thrives on indoctrination.

[@rogerdavies8586]

Mormons today are often very well behaved but Smith himself not so much. A very interesting ex-Mormon is Aron-Ra. Marianne

[@megapint8598]

I was a member of this church for 25 years. I spent the last 3 years researching Joseph Smith, following my hunch there was something rotten there. What I concluded after 3 years of research on only facts, no propaganda either way, was he was a psychopath. He enjoyed power. He loved to test his followers, see how loyal to him they would be .. would they be so loyal as to donate their wives, their daughters, their lives to him. He wanted it all. Wanted full loyalty from the members .. restrict what you eat, you wear, you drink, no smoking .. consecrate everything you own including your lives if necessary. Power and loyalty to the death was what Smith sought. I saw this video .. it scratches the very surface of what went on, but the conclusion is accurate. Smith was a lying, teen molesting, adulterous, thieving psychopathic con-artist narcissist.

[@bajemo359]

Sounds a bit like David Koresh, cult leader of the Branch Davidians.

[@LiveHappy76]

How many liars give their lives up for their lie, at age 38, with a wife (wives) and children? That's not something liars do; liars are too selfish to do anything not for themselves. Instead of simply denying things to spare his life, he died to uphold his words and beliefs.

[@anamika3814]

@@LiveHappy76 nope, its what narcisist do....their ego/pride is far bigger than their will to live....u can see what hitler did, he could have stayed alive by escaping, but he commited suicide!

[@PInk77W1]

@@LiveHappy76 they weren’t going to spare his life. He was toast. They weren’t there to debate

[@LiveHappy76]

@@PInk77W1 What you replied is correct. The time and place for him to deny things, I wasn't specific, but I mean at any of so many points in his life he was persecuted, could have stopped teaching, could have stopped upsetting people to violence, could have denied his claims of the origin of The Book of Mormon--Another Testament of Jesus Christ, could have denied his First Vision and other claims...and spared whatever violence or persecution was next (against himself and others), including that he never would have been arrested or jailed in Carthage. This is what I meant. Sorry for the confusion and thank you for your accurate, honest comment!

[@Mountlougallops]

The connections btwn mental health disorders and “religion “ has always fascinated me.

[@ivorbiggun710]

It's always worried me.

[@tchrisou812]

What are your thoughts on this?

[@quester09]

it usually ends badly

[@DingDongDaddyFromDumas]

"Superstition is the only contagious mental disorder" -Me

[@tchrisou812]

@@DingDongDaddyFromDumas Lol that is possible. Have you read of the phenomenon of "emotional contagion" ?

[@k.r.murphy4301]

I am always a bit wary when only one person can translate the Golden Plates I’ve found.

[@gratefulila9980]

I call for the feeding of all brothers and sisters on the Golden Plates!

[@MK-Hogan]

Right? Never believe anyone who says they found a message from god that only they can interpret but the rest of us have to obey.

[@CL-lo4wd]

😂😂😂😂

[@sheilalopez3100]

I once found a dime. But I didn't have to translate it. it spoke english. Now that was a miracle. I usually find Canadian dimes and I don't speak Canadian.

[@christianmolick8647]

and I still haven't found what I'm looking for--that's the band from Dublin called the letter U and the numeral 2

[@Sealoctopus]

Who here has seen that South Park episode?

[@weareone2854]

Dum dum-dum-dum dum 🤣

[@tiffany_sant]

It was the Mormons!

[@KelseyDunlevy]

AND the Broadway musical "The Book of Mormon." My husband and I got to see it and we laughed the hardest we ever have!

[@doneestoner9945]

I did.

[@gazels11]

I love the variety of your subjects. So interesting. Thanks for sharing your professional and scientific insights.

[@SupremeLeader187]

I was the one who asked you to make this video . Thank you. Let you know when I watch it

[@blondesense1708]

I am always amazed when mormons come to my door here in Australia. I mean, I sort of get wanting to believe America is a real Holy Land if you live there, but to a foreigner, Mormonism is doubly bizarre. It’s just so uniquely American.

[@bluegrasskid4835]

Damn, I hope foreigners don't view Mormonism as uniquely American, we Americans really don't want to claim it.

[@tyrannicalbigtech5842]

@@bluegrasskid4835 imagine i came to your door and said jesus was going to return to Sydney. Lol thats what these guys sound like to us

[@bluegrasskid4835]

@@tyrannicalbigtech5842 It sounds crazy enough when they tell me Jesus is coming back to America.

[@NormaJean951]

Please don’t. There’s many Mormons outside of the US. They are not a uniquely American country. I can sit here and shit ok Australia for the way you treat native peoples but I realize that not all Australians are bad.

[@DesertPrimrose]

Mormons believe Jesus is returning to Jerusalem, not America.

[@jimmyzhao9748]

First you get the Money, then you get the Power, then you get the Women.

[@chad3232132]

True, but only one the the first two is really necessary for the last. Either money or power is enough. Nearly every notorious man sitting in prison for murder has no shortage of female admirers.

[@TheGreekCatholic]

Then U get the sugar

[@Ssm19494]

Okay, here’s the story. I come from the gutter. I know that. I got no education but that’s okay. I know the street, and I’m making all the right connections. With the right woman, there’s no stopping me. I could go right to the top

[@adrienneharding7145]

Homer Simpson’s best line!!!!

[@TheGreekCatholic]

@@adrienneharding7145 I'm glad U saw what I did there lol

[@saymynameice-zen-berg511]

I remember when I was younger. 2 Mormon missionaries one was American the other Canadian and they called on my friends dad, the Mormon religion is a big supporter of war in times of war and teach they have to kill when called upon. So my friends dad asked one of them if both countries went to war with each other would you kill your friend here. He replied yes, and the look on his young friends face was of absolute shock. My friends dad simply said because you are ok with killing your neighbor is the reason why I know your a false religion. Tremendously good reasoning I must say.

[@elijahhernandez906]

A wise man for sure. May Yeshua bless him!😇🙏

[@kayjohnson4062]

Very good! However, they are a false religion (as are many others), because they preach a different gospel than the gospel the Apostle Paul taught in 1Cor 15:1-4, that we are to stand in and receive through faith in Christ blood on the cross,, by God's grace are we saved. This is a different gospel than what Mormons teach. Plus they know Joseph Smith used a Seer Stone to supposedly translate the book of Mormon yet their missionaries still teach he translated it from gold plates. God's book is not an open Canon to add to as anyone wishes. And as Paul writes in Galatians, it is not another testament but a false preaching and is to be accursed.

[@PInk77W1]

@@kayjohnson4062 Jesus started one church and said it would last forever The Roman Catholic Church.

[@kayjohnson4062]

@@PInk77W1 The one church of Jesus Christ is the BODY OF CHRIST! NO RELIGION!

[@PInk77W1]

@@kayjohnson4062 Jesus start the church with 12 guys. They handed their office over to others “His office let another man take” Acts 1:20 And this is still going on today. It’s called apostolic succession. The body u speak of is 30,000 churches all teaching different stuff. There is 1 God There is 1 Truth There is 1 Bible There is 1 pope There is 1 Church There is 1 faith. Not 30,000 churches. Your body ain’t a body at all.

[@MisterDoctorE]

"Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool" - Mark Twain.

[@sheilalopez3100]

Good one.

[@lujaynmigdadi]

Not all religion Some are *with all due respect* ridiculous. While others are basically close to a lifestyle Many are what u may actually describe as being in sync and in peace with nature and the good in this world Others contain truths older than our technology that were mentioned in the past I think it depends and it would be more foolish not to read about the world of religions than it would be to just assume none of it is real

[@CC-xn5xi]

Snide.

[@bohemiantheologian]

The pendulum is now swinging back too far the other way. Balance. 🙂

[@Mehki227]

@@lujaynmigdadi if it depends on some unseen force, or some guy who claims this unseen force, angels, voice spoke to him - he's chosen - it's fake AF.

[@JennyT101]

South Park actually did an amazing version of the founding of the Mormon church on their show...Meanwhile, my own husband just shakes his head in disbelief and says "Why would anyone want more than one wife?!!" Lol

[@kellyschutte2252]

Lol it’s no reflection on you Jenny Jen!

[@kimballbenson8116]

I hope you don't have a mistress and your wife doesn't have a boyfriend.

[@eye_doan_likeit6705]

🎵🎵🎶 Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb!

[@kathyclark8274]

The South Park explanation of Mormonism is a must-watch!!!

[@taticatnineland]

Lucy Harris, smart smart smart... Martin Harris DUMB 😂🤣😂

[@jingyen00]

"I wasn't around in the mid-1840's but sometimes I do feel that old" Dr. Grande pivots into self deprecating humour and continues to deliver comedy gold!!

[@doreenplischke7645]

Yeees. I would want to see that. Stand-up Dr. Grande😀

[@anonymousbosch9265]

He’s a sit down one liner comedian

[@plymouth491]

Here's the biggest thing that I learned while digging into Mormonism: there's a language barrier. They largely use the same terminology as Christians, but they affix very different meanings to those words.

[@julieochoa4062]

On interested. Can you give some examples?

[@patsysmothermon7861]

That's How they trick the unsuspecting by using scripture; but out of context. 😔

[@patsysmothermon7861]

@@julieochoa4062 they believe that Jesus is another Person than The Son of God.

[@On3man]

@@patsysmothermon7861 Oops. Completely wrong. They may not believe in the Trinity as the three-in-one that most Christianity buys into, but they do believe Jesus was the literal son of God and a member of the godhood with God the Father and the Holy Ghost.

[@timothybrooks1429]

They don’t believe that God is God (big G). They believe that God is a god (little g) and that he was created by another god.

[@jockospillink7318]

Please cover gaslighting in general and gaslighting vs gaslighting. Can two be doing that to each other. And if it’s an indication of Narcissism, histrionics, etc

[@IncredibleIceCastle]

I’m dying to see the dynamics of two narcissists in a relationship and how they interact as it’s been a fascination (narcissism) as of late. Check out HG Tudor if you haven’t already.

[@wedolearning4133]

Dr Grande has done several videos on gaslighting. It wouldn't be a bad thing if he did more, but you can check out the ones he's already done on his channel.

[@sweetpea9347]

Ug. I’d like to understand gaslighting. I was acused by a guy of it. He said I was trying to manipulate his reality. I was a was no more than a work associate who had lunch with him. In his head we were dating. He grew angry when I invited him out for coffee after work and realized there were several people there and I “ left” him with a group of people a half hour after I arrived. I was so confused. I told him I wasn’t interested. He kept asking me why I would not admit we were dating and why I was breaking up with him. Weird thing, he didn’t seem crazy. He just would believe I wasn’t treating him any different then anyone else. He went on about it for months to anyone who would listen. Crazy.

[@IncredibleIceCastle]

Sweet Pea when people who gaslight learn that it has an official term and that it aligns with their own behavior they often accuse others of it so that if those people in turn accuse them of it (which would be true), they can claim that those people are flipping the accusation on them to avoid responsibility.

[@CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

Jocko, look up the gray rock method. It is very effective with gas lighting

[@Jugivadi]

I've studied a great deal about the Mormons. I didn't think that you could do this one in 15 minutes, but you did an amazing job. You are supremely humorous. Fun story, a metallurgist estimated that the weight of the plates (gold) based on the dimensions given was a bit over 200 lbs. Smith claimed he ran several miles to his home with the plates tucked under one arm like a loaf of bread. LOL

[@sitathisfeet5797]

Hahaha

[@surewave8202]

So, when you studied "a great deal" about the Mormons, did you get your information from them or from anti-Mormon sources?

[@48917032]

@@surewave8202 The density of gold is a scientific fact, you ludicrous fanatic.

[@guydreamr]

Not to mention how much all that gold would in fact be worth - Smith would be dropping the translating, getting to the melting, and forgetting about starting a new religion.

[@tapsars7911]

@@surewave8202 Your message reeks of Mormonism .

[@Book_Bird]

Former Mormon, forever Dr Grande fan -- it's always weird to see different spheres of my life collide! Great and notably fair treatment of the material, as usual.

[@cheryleensimone3397]

Fair but not entirely accurate.

[@nairobikenya6154]

Grande if he was a real man would do the same approach with Muhammad, no way would he do that though!

[@a.b.5321]

@@cheryleensimone3397 Can you elaborate? That is not a snarky or rhetorical question. I’m just curious what the inaccurate areas are. I’m not an expert on this topic, but I find it fascinating.

[@michaelmuldowney3131]

@@nairobikenya6154 Jesus Christ dude. Not everyone has to talk about what you hate in order to be a “real man.”

[@andreaorlando7865]

Me too! And I’m on the spectrum. Each time I struggled with sensory overload I was told I “must be under the influence of Satan.”

[@oregon32nursenurse43]

When my grandchildren come to me with a problem, I will say “Well, now, let’s see what could be going on in a situation like this”.........😂

[@utah133]

The "First Vision" account actually had several versions and developed over time until a canonized version was set out. It has the red flags of being fabricated, as do the Mormon "scriptures," which seem to be not much more than Christian fan fiction. I'm also an ex-Mormon.

[@Coffee_Is_Magic]

Christian fan-fiction 👌😂

[@surewave8202]

no, there still are several versions, but they do not contradict each other. just like when you tell about something that happened to you, you say it differently at different times. I'm a forever Mormon - Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. And i love it with all of my heart. I know Joseph Smith was so much better than has been said here.

[@Katy32344]

I'm happy for you. If you're going to be an 'ex,' that's a great one to be.

[@damuffin91]

@@surewave8202 lol cope

[@utah133]

@@surewave8202 They strongly contradict each other.

[@ekhoyt]

I as an ex-Mormon, I really enjoyed this. I’ve seen loads of videos about the reality, but this was better, frank, scientific and factual. Thank you.

[@kathryncarter6143]

Not 100% scientific when sarcasm is interjected. Then it becomes a comedy

[@kkittycatkat1990]

I'm not an ex yet but I'm non active and learned the truth years ago. Difficult as both sides of my family are very long time mormons who settled the town I live in now. My family, minus a few, are extremely mormon. Smith bought papyrus from Egyptians going through the town. He bought it & said it was "The book of Abraham". We now know it was a run of the mill funeral announcement. Still not sure how they've explained that one. He was high up in the free Masons which were and some still are used in sacred temple ceremonies. Most mormons have no idea they're preforming free Mason rituals.

[@loqutor]

It's factual to psychoanalyze someone who's been dead for more than 150 years? Okay.

[@g26s239]

@@loqutor Fear of what Smith MIGHT have written is why the church had members buy Mark Hoffman's writings and then made sure Hoffman didn't face the death penalty for planting bombs and killing people. Magic sky friend stories are all bullshit.

[@loqutor]

@@g26s239 Oh look, an edgy New Atheist. Sorry, I don't have sincere discourse with people too cowardly to admit they're part of a religion themselves.

[@DEPARTMENTOFREDUNDANCYDEPT]

The LDS church is the 19th century version of and template for Scientology. Both require a level of credulity and gullibility on the part of believers that makes belief in older traditional religions appear positively reasonable. The absurdity of the ancient religions benefits from their antiquity and their connections to even more ancient beliefs and traditions, while the modern "religions" which have emerged in modern times clash more obviously with modern understanding of science, psychology, and history. The fact that the LDS Church and Scientology have managed to recruit thousands of believers in the modern age is an indictment of the deeply imbedded credulity of human beings.

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

I think like a lot of beliefs, religon is passed down through families. If your parents, grandparents, cousins, and neighbors all believe in it and you are born into it isn't hard to see why people would go along with it. A lot of Mormons are Mormons before they were old enough to even really think about whether it's true or not.

[@Faith-Trust-Pixie-Dust]

He didn't die a couple of months later, he died upon impact

[@williewonka6694]

That's what I thought. Hard to imagine the crowd dispersing after the Smiths shot three of them. They came for blood that day.

[@barbwire7449]

Joseph Smith did not die a martyr's death as the LDS church claims. Considering Smith's appetite for women, it is obvious that Smith was killed by a jealous husband. Even a monkey, knows not to monkey, with another monkey's monkey.

[@astrinymris9953]

I'm surprised that you didn't mention Smith's foray into banking fraud. It's one of the more telling parts of his colorful history.

[@g26s239]

I read The Godmakers about 30 years ago but don't recall a reference to bank fraud in there, Can you provide a reference to that for me?

[@DarkDennis1961]

The most interesting thing about JS's experience in fraud, is his creative writing. For example his translation of some Egyptian Papyri from a circus. He produced the Pearl of Great Price. Sadly for him he had no idea that that very year a French linguist successfully used the Rosetta Stone to crack Egyptian. So today we see those papyri clearly do not say what he said they say,

[@MeganVictoriaKearns]

@@DarkDennis1961 Hahaha that's so funny about the Rosetta stone. What a doof JS was.

[@widehotep9257]

No, banking is one area where Smith was correct. He started a private bank to compete with the blatant fraud committed by state banks who were practicing "fractional reserve lending" (charging interest for loaning out money that doesn't exist). His bank failed, but so did hundreds of "legal" banks that were practicing fraud.

[@earlscheib7754]

You would have to be brain dead to take the book of Mormon seriously 😒

[@jenniferberger2005]

I grew up Mormon I always wondered of this mans mental state Thank you for this

[@winterfrost99]

@Cory Green lmao *Sigmund Freud, biblethumper

[@winterfrost99]

@Cory Green i wish your spelling and grammar were as strong as your delusion

[@illmsg77]

@Cory Green hey kid, you think hallucinating an angel with golden plates named Moroni and having 40 wives his having a perfect mental state? You really want your own planet and all those virgins huh?

[@gisselgreene]

​@Cory Green how do you know that? I extensively studied the gospel from beginning to date and encourage you to do the same. Search church doctrine the good, bad, and ugly before you jump in the defensive line. Joseph Smith was secretly practicing polygamy behind Emma's back and lied. I can go on and on but.......... Ask yourself this question, the true and living God gave the prophet Moses the ten commandments. One of those commandments says, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife. But, you mean to tell me that same God give Joseph Smith permission to marry eleven women all of whom already had husbands. So it was okay for Joseph to covet other mens' wives. God does not change he is a perfect being along with his son.

[@gisselgreene]

@Cory Green and what have you found? Please share with me, unlike you, I am not a religious scholar.

[@karliekrinock6101]

If you’re a practicing Mormon, and your reconsidering, get out now. There’s a world outside the Church to support you. They beg members not read or listen to anti-church material for a reason. They push young marriage for a reason. They pray on vulnerable or emotionally distraught people. They want you stuck and scared to leave, but you can do it!

[@loqutor]

I've been reading anti-Mormon literature since I was twelve, and it hasn't swayed me in the slightest. Get outta here with that nonsense.

[@doreenb.8928]

Nothing you said is true. I’ve been a Mormon my entire life and I’ve never been encouraged to marry young (quite the opposite) but I HAVE been encouraged to read ALL about our church’s history-good and bad. So... I guess your experience isn’t ‘the truth.’ Too bad you’re stating your experience as the norm.

[@katiedubuque7481]

Yes there is a world outside the church you're right. However you are very wrong about it being supportive. The world is an evil place and once you get away from the church it will kick you down so hard. It hates the idea of anything good happening to you and people are very mean. I'm more afraid of the world than I am the church no thank you I'm staying with Jesus. Also I don't know where you got your facts from but I would encourage you to maybe meet with missionaries and either learn or relearn about the church:)

[@Ssm19494]

Wow people have different opinions wow that's so crazy

[@NathanRBradfordMusic]

What a terrible comment.

[@holaizzy]

That "seerstone" really would've come in handy to find that missing manuscript!

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

hahaha--nice :)

[@kevinross6235]

"Sounds like the relationship with that Angel was growing a bit tense" the humor never fails

[@lorimiller4301]

Phony monroni full of baloney.

[@ramonaearnest4709]

@@lorimiller4301 😂👍

[@adamkumpmusic]

It’s pronounced more own eye. So the rhyme sounds very outsider lol

[@nairobikenya6154]

Do Muhammad next. I Am a former Muslim, I’d like to see all religions treated with the same fairness. Guaranteed you won’t do it.

[@ms.annthropic4888]

I hate it when angels whip out a sword!

[@Thundersnowy]

This is the best analysis I've heard someone give in a succinct way about Joseph Smith. Being born in the church, and having to climb through a labyrinth of minefields set up by the church in my mind in order to escape it, I liken it to Stockholm Syndrome. Logic and critical thinking were my only way out, and tho the story of Joseph Smith is much more complex than told here, the most important point is your analysis of who he was. After much study in great detail, I'd say YOU NAILED IT. He was a narcissistic psychopath. Thank you for that validation. An interesting sidenote, his son was institutionalized with schizophrenia. The men who were 'witnesses' and those who would succeed Joseph as leader, remained part of the inner group of about 3 families. Or people who spent decades subservient to those original families. The church has been involved in many deceptive practices over the years, including Smith claiming to translate the Book of Abraham, from Egyptian papyri. His big mistake there, for his future prophets, was that he left the originals because nobody could translate Egyptian at that time. Once the Rosetta Stone was found, and later the original papyri were found, the church has had to explain why Joseph's translation 'didn't get one word right' according to experts, once it could be translated. The church explained this away as being that 'it was a spiritual translation instead of a literal one,' tho up until that time it had always been described as literal, even by Joseph. A lot of intelligent people left the church at that time, including an Egyptologist who had helped them translate the found papyri, and realized the whole translation had been a hoax. The rest unravels pretty quickly from there if you have a brain.

[@dakrontu]

@@DaMensch86 A run-of-the-mill funeral papyrus.

[@hbendzulla8213]

Pretty good pretty good, many of them have been fooled, big time.The ones, which are now being taught, to join, do not have the brain capacity, to realize that they are being fooled, if they join.

[@MeganVictoriaKearns]

@@hbendzulla8213 Nobody sets out to join a cult. The followers who join the group are always certain they're doing something right and good.

[@judithnelson1581]

@@hbendzulla8213 One summer during college I sat thru the series of lessons from 2 of their young door knockers. Not in Utah where they are most parochial and cultish. The things which are likely to set off major alarm aren't revealed until after people have joined often years into it. So if people haven't done independent investigation prior to joining it is easy to be reeled in. They emphasize family and community - belonging. Fortunate for me I knew about some.

[@hbendzulla8213]

@@MeganVictoriaKearns your right

[@edwardcolgan6105]

“How am I gonna make up all that stuff again?” 😂🤣

[@edwardcolgan6105]

Cult

[@Fauntleroy.]

@@willhelmberkly3025 LOL You engage in a lot of "You're not allowed to think That because of This." A common symptom of the chronic apologist. Engaging in gotchas. It's amusing to see how triggered you are all over these rather tame comments.

[@kathryncarter6143]

Pretty easy actually. Much of it is highly repetitive of Bible verses.

[@kkheflin3]

Priceless.

[@bluegreenglue6565]

D'oh! : D

[@romaworks8248]

You’re sooo good at what you do on this site. Thank you, Dr. Grande. I’m sure you help a lot of people.

[@kennethyoung7564]

More like a mediocre diagnosis. His diagnosis is an embarrassment. Joseph Smith ran for president in part because they had no rights in missouri, and also he opposed slavery, an issue he was willing to die for. He also freely forgave his enemies even when they beat him to the point of unconsciousness. For instance W.W phelps bore false witness against Joseph, and Joseph Smith spent months in Jail, lost 80 pounds, etc. W.W. Phelps later came to him, and Joseph freely forgave him. That is not what a Narcissist does. He draws the conclusion based off him having leadership positions, and ignores many evidences that he was not a narcissist, such as forgiving the men who tarred and feathered him. He doesn't even get the name of the church right. I give his diagnosis an F.

[@Dandelionfleur]

I went to a Mormon church as an 8 year old, even at that age I suspected that I was being conned.

[@doneestoner9945]

Good on you.

[@anonymousbosch9265]

I was raised catholic and thought the same thing.

[@dakrontu]

Same age I figured out the same about C of E.

[@Dandelionfleur]

@Cory Green Have a beautiful day Cory!

[@anonymousbosch9265]

@Cory Green wow

[@therenegadepianotechnician5170]

Mohamad was allegedly given the Quaran by an arch angel when he was in a cave by himself. Moses was given the 10 commandments by God himself. A very similar story as Joseph Smith. I have yet to see the proof. Just seems way too incredible.

[@kkandsims4612]

Cough cuz there was no plates I mean he could have saved himself and his followers a lot of hate if he had just showed the plates

[@mlovmo]

There is no "proof," man... It's religion. You either believe or you don't believe.

[@teresamckeown5594]

@@mlovmo Right. It is called “Faith”

[@cardhutt]

@@mlovmo agreed. Some adults believe in magic.

[@myozbubble]

Yea, lots and lots of similarities in the foundings of religions. Even the virgin birth goes back to ancient Greece and further back to Samarians.

[@Travelin2Wit]

The Man in Plaid There once was a sleuth, so keen, In crime scenes, he'd always be seen, With data he'd pore, And evidence adore, His analysis, truly pristine. From fingerprints to trails he'd chase, With logic, he'd quicken the pace, In the dimmest of light, He'd solve crime through the night, With a flair and an impeccable grace. In his wardrobe, a secret he'd hide, A penchant for plaid, he'd confide, In suits of all shades, In clandestine escapades, For plaid, he'd proudly decide!

[@furiousape7717]

My first time seeing Dr. Grande’s hands. Got to say, I’m not disappointed

[@pinkgorilla99]

Don’t let it be your last!! Dr Grande is AMAZING!!!

[@MrRaulstrnad]

yes Dr Grande is very good, he is not a psychiatrist or a psychologist, he is a licensed counsellor He has a very dry sense of humor which is largely responsible for his popularity but his analysis of various situations is truly amazing. Earlier on, he used his analytical skills to interpret various events and crimes in a whole new way but he tends not to do that anymore since he probably felt it was speculating too much. On a personal level, although you don't really see it in the videos he is living with a personal handicap. He is very knowledgeable about cars, motorcycles and guns which he sometimes uses in the videos

[@MK-Hogan]

Why do I get the feeling Dr. G doesn’t believe Joe Smith’s shenanigans? 🤔 😂🤣😆

[@elke9499]

🤣🤣🤣

[@fuckles8089]

He called him a narcissistic psychopath who refused to take responsibility lmfao!

[@anastasiabeaverhousen9067]

Hmmm 🤔 I think you're right ❗

[@generalpatton7876]

Because only 5 million morons out of 7.8 billion people in the world believe that bs. They have 12 million in the rolls but only 5 million members that actually attend and pay tithes.

[@generalpatton7876]

Joey sounds just like Mohammad

[@Mineav]

'If anyone believed they needed to hire Smith to find anything, their brain is the first thing that needed to be found.' LOL!

[@abbyb2752]

☠️

[@kkheflin3]

Exactly. How desperate would you have to be to hire treasure seekers to find "wealth" on your property? Probably not much return on their investment I'm guessing.

[@Catlady-mw4en]

People lacked the basic education and information we have today. Many weren’t even literate. If Joseph Smith were around today, he might start a temporary small cult, but it would never grow to be the widespread, long-term religion it currently is.

[@jaynefranck1]

I've been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all my life. Proud of my heritage and grateful for the Restored Gospel and Joseph Smith's incredible journey of faith and perseverance. The early Saints endured predjuce and severe cruelty. Dr Grande is a wonderful analyst. I've enjoyed his insights but this one missed the mark. I would encourage Dr. Grande to be more objective and certainly more knowledgeable on such a complex extraordinary man as the Prophet Joseph Smith. Many LDS scholars have studied and researched our Prophet and the church's history truthfully and objectively. I think Dr. Grande would change his opinion and amend the posted analysis. Having conversations with LDS scholars through BYU and Church Headquarters would be encouraged and welcomed by these good brothers and sisters. Love and blessings to all who have posted. Let's collectively make the world a better place by being kind and tolerant no matter who and what we believe in. God Bless. Jayne Franck

[@pnw6324]

Get out! Run!

[@hellepost1439]

Mountain Medowes Massacre ‼️

[@sunlight-sky151]

@@hellepost1439 War is War

[@Imhereforfun-jz2lu]

Do you believe in blood atonement? Do you believe in polygamy. According to Joe and Young you can't reach the celestial kingdom without it? Have you had a temple recommend? And most importantly do you reject the racist curse believe? You either believe these things or you can't say JS was a prophet?

[@careforjusticealways]

😯

[@ameekasoar]

South Park taught me all I needed to know about Joseph Smith

[@utah133]

As an ex-Mormon, I can assure you that the South Park storyline was mostly accurate!

[@ameekasoar]

@@utah133 thanks for that endorsement lol

[@barbarastrayhorn4667]

Right. Everyone wondering about the church should see that first.

[@IncredibleIceCastle]

Check out the video of a Mormon girl reacting to that episode. It’s priceless

[@ameekasoar]

@@IncredibleIceCastle Link

[@mattmccracken1768]

I have two wings of the family that are Mormon. They are, for the most part, extremely wonderful people: honest, hard working, sober, and generous. I don't think much of Joseph Smith or his theology, or why people buy into it, but he must have been extremely charismatic.

[@ElCid48]

he was nothing compared to Brigham Young. Smith was a cub scout when it come this Young. Smith talked a lot but Young established the cult in Utah. one thing I have to say good about these people is that they gave up their multi wives thing in order to become a state yet the muslims will not at all. Like some guy needs a lot of women when he cannot even made one wife happy with his junk. I could never understand that. Smith was probably a drug user. another thing about mormons , is that they are prepared for the end times. Smith was also a free mason , 33% and the cult is based on freemasony and not Christianity. they do not believe in the Divinity of CHRIST or that GOD was is and will always be GOD. they believe HE was a man first. which is kind of stupid.

[@richardacosta686]

@@kellysims5732 most of them are good people just like people in general

[@plymouth491]

It seems that Smith was, indeed, a big personality. We know from his own mother than he had a knack for storytelling so putting those things together, he was probably able to manipulate people pretty easily. There's a death mask of him and a picture purportedly of him, showing that he wasn't a particularly handsome fellow, but that certainly didn't stop Donald Trump, did it?

[@illmsg77]

@@kellysims5732 And gullible

[@plymouth491]

@@kellysims5732 And it only costs you 10% of your income. What a bargain!

[@jaredjones1752]

I remember when Mormon missionaries came to my house 25 years ago and my mother invited them in. It was so interesting the way they carefully use language to make Christians like ourselves feel more comfortable. I remember them saying: "You may be wondering what the difference is between our religion and yours. Well, other Christian denominations focus on Jesus' preaching the gospel in Jerusalem. We focus on the gospel Jesus taught here, in the New World," before showing us kids an artist's depiction of Jesus appearing to stereotypical-looking American Indians. A very clever way to sell their nonsense.

[@wilsonkartchner758]

I find it ironic for Christians to call Mormon beliefs nonsense when Christianity is just as nonsensical as Mormonism. It's all nonsensical because all religion is.

[@tiffanyl4829]

@@wilsonkartchner758 Not really Buddhism and Christianity are simple, practical, and peaceful. It's humans who aren't. If horses or dogs practiced those religions they'd look beautiful.

[@cutekoala]

@@tiffanyl4829 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person cannot be my disciple.

[@JackRainfield]

@@cutekoala Wow, I never heard that one before. I wonder what Jesus's motives were on that. Maybe looking for alienated individuals who would be easier to control?

[@fidelfez2202]

Lds takes special kind stupid sorry the earth is 6000 years old. What do flat Earthers and lds have in common. Everything lol

[@lynmoulder3843]

I always enjoy your thoughts and opinions. I do learn from each case you present

[@myjeanification]

I live upstate NY where most of this started and know many LDS, frankly in my opinion it’s no weirder than believing someone parted a sea, built an ark or talked to a burning bush. Let’s analyze the pope next. How about televangelists?

[@Julie44Inlouisiana]

I agree. Talking snakes , burning bushes. There are plenty of ridiculous religious stories people follow.

[@socialmoth4974]

Totally!

[@kkandsims4612]

Agreed Mormons are not horrible there faith is questionable but I mean all faith is questionable all faith if you dig deep enough into all religions there all sketchy in some way or another .

[@myjeanification]

@@kkandsims4612 exactly

[@suzbone]

I agree, Kathleen Bierdenstadt, it's all rubbish.

[@GodManCan]

Another intriguing person is Ellen G. White. Around the time of Joseph Smith, the Seventh Day Adventist church was established

[@kkheflin3]

Yes he should do one on her and the SDA church and on Charles Taze Russell who started the Jehovah's Witnesses all around exactly the same time period.

[@kivawyandotte6941]

I will look into her. Thanks

[@emiliadavis8247]

Restless Viking I've listened to the Seventh Day Adventist speakers and program on the radio, where callers could phone in with questions. So far, the only 2 things I see differently, in the scriptures, from their teachings, are about when the rapture will take place, and that the Sabbath is on a Saturday. They are definitely Christian. The Mormons definitely are not biblically correct, in many areas. Mormonism is a cult

[@rebeccarayburncooper7062]

OMG - I grew up as an SDA. Trying to forget. I was completely unprepared for the real world when I left at 19.

[@emiliadavis8247]

@@rebeccarayburncooper7062 Were your parents overprotective? The doctrine is Christian, with my not agreeing on just a couple of beliefs, so far, in my listening to messages, and call in programs, on the radio, some days.

[@sherylbeamer7189]

Thank you Dr. Grande. I went to the U of Utah for a year ( I’m not Mormon) and found it to be the most exclusionary group of people I’ve ever met. You are brave for doing this video.🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰💕💕💕

[@Fauntleroy.]

@@willhelmberkly3025 Oh my guy, you have to be a missionary parody account. You just have to be.

[@DesertPrimrose]

Sad

[@sheilalopez3100]

So true. They have tiers of importance.

[@sheilalopez3100]

@@KA-in6sx I really don't have that kind of time.

[@DesertPrimrose]

I just have to add this. I'm LDS and Utah Mormons have a reputation among LDS people from other places. I think it has less to do with our religion, and more to do with being an insular community where you become narrow minded, because the vast majority of people around you are the same. I've always been grateful that I don't live in Utah 🙃

[@beadyeyedwomanify]

Thanks!

[@nancylarkin2251]

I am a Mormon, LDS, and my religious beliefs enrich my life in every way. They encourage me to have a positive outlook and to continuously strive to be a better person. You have presented one angle of looking at his Joseph’s life. I experience the outcome of his efforts each day and they are sweet.

[@billhildebrand5053]

Why put blinders on your eyes? I. Would shoot myself if that was a real church. The leader does not even turn the other cheek as Jesus said....

[@bobbyologun1517]

@@billhildebrand5053 dont be rude.

[@billhildebrand5053]

@@bobbyologun1517 if I see you leaping off a 3000 ft prespice, is it rude for me to warn you about jumping. Same way, telling someone their prophet was a liar, is also preventing a leap into the dark. If I’m rude to be kind, I’m okay...

[@bobbyologun1517]

@@billhildebrand5053 hello again. thanks for taking the time to reply. i recognize this attitude. the ends justify the means, more or less. wholly disagree. i find it presumptuous and condescending. in short peter aktins is wrong, its not ok to be arrogant when you are right. even dr grande says he cant be sure bc he wasnt there. x mrs. larkin expressed her enjoyment of mormon lifestyle, regardless of origins. hardly leaping to a gruesome death. cheers

[@billhildebrand5053]

@@bobbyologun1517 do you think drinking cyanide coolaid would be ok, it too is enjoyable... it would be an enjoyable cyanide experience ??

[@realmofthemisunderstood166]

This is such a pleasant surprise! I can almost feel a warmth in my cold, apostate heart. Thanks, Dr. Grande ❤️

[@ElCid48]

this idiot Smith was a mason 33% and we should know that masons are in league with satan. In 1919, they were in Rome screaming in the streets about satan and had carried flags with satan winning over St Micheal. this event was written by many people who say it, they are not Christians because they also do not believe int eh Divinity of Christ and they believe that GOD was a man and than turn to a GO, kind of like some paganism. and to those who believe they can wear special underwear that it will protect you, you are in for a shock. I had former Mormon tell me that it is like wearing on of those little caps that jews wear that tell the world you are a mormon. so I asked him do you wear your pants hanging under you butt so people can see your underwear??

[@michaelfisher7170]

@@ElCid48 I don't disagree with your thoughts on the matter....but I'd take it a step further to say "I think people who believe they're going to be granted eternal existence after they die because an individual was nailed to a cross two thousand years ago are in for a shock." Mormon underwear? Weird. Christianity...Weird. Everyone's religion is weird to someone else. Even yours.

[@jamesmorgan2064]

@@michaelfisher7170 and if I'm correct you will be in for a worse shock. I pray for you. Life is over in an instant and you for will stand before the creator of the universe. Good luck

[@michaelfisher7170]

@@jamesmorgan2064 I'm not really worried about it. Mythologies are myriad. The afterlife is an ancient ideal...bred from what? Our own fear of the extinction of ourselves. What shall I be afraid of if "i'm wrong"? Which afterlife is there? The Egyptian, the Mesoamerican, the Jewish, the Christian, the Islamic, the Hindu? You don't know. I can honestly say I don't know either, but I'm willing to gamble that none of them exist, as so many "versions" do exist. We want to comfort ourselves, which is perfectly natural, about the reality of death. Our human imagination has spawned many, many stories about it. Yours? Its just one among a myriad of them. There is no reason to expect that your version is more or less likely than any other. So I'm okay with it. Never bought Pascal's wager, don't think I ever will.

[@pennylane9289]

Fear in religion is not freedom or love. We are facing millennial times now. An awakening, knowledge, light and love that would blow my grandparents minds AND its Beautiful !

[@Flowersandtrees]

There are many “cult” leaders masquerading as religious. I would add Scientology to your list. I had an experience when my family had moved and we decided to try out a new church. It appeared to be a small Christian church. It was small, the pastor was nice. Everyone welcomed us. On the second visit the pastor approached us as we were leaving and asked us if we would like to come to the Tuesday service. We asked, what is a Tuesday Service? The pastor said that he invited only the people he believed were actually saved to come for communion. He went on to try and convince us that he was responsible to God to make sure that no fakers were present. So only special people got invited. 😳 it was creepy, but immediately I felt like I was being recruited into a cult. But you can see how some people would have bought into this! If you had shown up for the Tuesday Service.....he had you!

[@Cultwatch123]

I've given my testimony to new churches I've visited. Ordinary mainstream christian faith. Later they refused me communion as claimed they don't know where I'm at. Yet they allow people they don't even know to take. Then they wonder why I stop going. 🤔

[@lindawilliams2623]

@@Cultwatch123 I would have stopped going as well.

[@gowdsake7103]

Umm there are just religions and cults ! All religions reject anyone not of their doctrine

[@69eddieD]

All religions are cults.

[@earlscheib7754]

If Tuesday service has a fish fry, bbq or fried chicken I'm down

[@jimmeltonbradley1497]

As an ex-Mormon I came to the conclusion many years ago, that he was, at the very least, a charlatan. No doubt, he also had mental issues.

[@MartinFluteCompany]

A tenth grade psychology assignment was to pick a famous person from history and do a psychological breakdown of that person. I chose Joseph Smith and came up with similar results as this video. It was a half year class consisting of two quarters. After I turned in that assignment during the first quarter I got an F for that quarter. As you may have figured out my teacher was Mormon however I got an A the following quarter so at least I didn't fail the class at a loss of credit.

[@yeboscrebo4451]

Maybe your breakdown sucked

[@brucedillinger9448]

Patrick Martin - if you knew your teacher was Mormon ahead of time I have to say you made a pretty reckless choice on who to analyze. That said, I probably would have done the same thing. 😆

[@fidelfez2202]

What about rusty nelson

[@MrRickb75645]

It's because you didn't do real research.

[@pennylane9289]

Good for you !! The moormon mafia will control tax's, grades, social acceptance etc..

[@AnneSofieLovesMozart]

He sounds like an 19th century L. Ron Hubbard...

[@danilovega2029]

Every religion sounds like L. Ron Hubbard if you think about it...

[@jollyandwaylo]

Or a modern day Trump.

[@sarah2.017]

He was.

[@AnneSofieLovesMozart]

@@danilovega2029 I guess you could say Cult + time = religion.

[@kkheflin3]

@@AnneSofieLovesMozart That's my quote! I use it all the time!

[@heathernikki5734]

Dr. Grande is the highest quality content on KZbin

[@kathryncarter6143]

I miss the more factual ones. Once you try to get funny; the scientifically based goes out the window.

[@Catlily5]

@Cory Green If you believe in them.

[@womanofcharacter]

I would love to see a video on Joseph 'Judge' Rutherford who established the organisation Jehovah's Witnesses upon the death of C.T.Russell. He managed to convince people that Moses was coming back from the dead and would need a house in Florida where it was warm. He was a drunk and a bully but managed to get a large following and establish a sect/cult/high control religion.

[@Unedited43795]

He was just another grifter conman out to sell his publications that gullible people of the time would buy.

[@IMWeira]

Pretty hard to fathom that. I remember hearing about a woman who had millions of followers but disappeared with the money. The name is on the tip of my tongue. Is it McPherson? That seems to be it. If you are looking up unusual religions. Try that one.

[@lindastrang6755]

The majority of Mormons and JWs are happy, law abiding citizens of every country they live in.... so what does it matter what their founders were like?

[@tiernanryan2078]

He should start with a video on Charles Russell.

[@summerbrooks9922]

Did Moses come back meandering?

[@franmiller1381]

Apparently he was caught cheating on his wife and used a revelation to explain it away. However the date he gave and the cheating were years apart. Coincidence much??

[@kkheflin3]

I wonder how effective that would be for most men.? "It's not an affair dear! I was given a revelation by God." I have a feeling it wouldn't go well for most men. Perhaps I'm wrong!

[@gokussj397]

Day two of asking Dr. Grande to use the acronym OCEAN again when talking about personality traits.

[@Zach-h2l]

you ever watch pekin woof?

[@leightodd9431]

It was in this video... he just doesn't preface the personality assessment by saying OCEAN. They all start with the Openess spectrum assessment. Re-watch the videos.

[@dakotakeller1606]

He used it in this video... he just didnt actually say OCEAN, but he did mention the five factors

[@gokussj397]

I know, but I just like him saying the whole classic, just like ' I'm not diagnosing anyone, only speculating what could happen in a situation like this.'

[@kathryncarter6143]

Don't worry; you'll see it plenty more

[@inannanightingale9718]

"An angel made me do it" testimony straight from Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell

[@emiliadavis8247]

Andrea Geidart When in the heck is their trial going to be held?!

[@ellamaeloftus3493]

Now you don’t know the facts to the case. My inside sources to Rexburg court implies nothing about Mormonism being the cause. It is about a man and woman above the law and tried to form their own cult

[@ellamaeloftus3493]

And Daybell’s has is own cult. Recommend to follow the facts to the case.

[@collettedobrocke5585]

Yep.. Right on

[@gleefulme9617]

@@ellamaeloftus3493 Once you realize what fantastic stories both Chad & Lori were raised upon, it is not that much of a stretch to understand how revisions were made to accommodate their needs for recognition.

[@RyanAnthonyDigitalMedia]

Always remember: Smith was 15yrs old when he made these stories up. When was the last time you believed a 15yr old? lol it’s far more likely he was lying.

[@PInk77W1]

The children at Fatima were way younger than 15 and everyone called them liars.

[@ggrace1133]

But what if it was all true?

[@PInk77W1]

@@ggrace1133 if it was all true The. Show the golden tablet. Simple to prove it’s all true

[@RyanAnthonyDigitalMedia]

@@PInk77W1 that’s because they were also lying. Children lie or misinterpret things all the time cuz of lack of life experience & education.

[@RyanAnthonyDigitalMedia]

@@ggrace1133 what if the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy are true? lol Don’t worry, they also aren’t.

[@zyxmyk]

if anyone has any interest in smith there's a fantastic biography of him called, "No Man Knows My History." it was published in the late 40's by a woman who went to New England and found criminal records about smith still in existence in the basements of courthouses there. It's a riveting read.

[@scottrobinson9334]

The most interesting thing about that is not a single person who was involved in his murder was held accountable, nor were any of those charges that were proven to be false dropped against Joseph Smith

[@adampetersen2494]

In the Church-authorized biography titled Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, the author praises No Man Knows My History.

[@fidelfez2202]

Yeah there is proof guy was pissed off enough get shot through window. Lds cult fails tell truth joey had pistol and shot couple people

[@majesticliberatoroftheoppr3971]

@@adampetersen2494 I just read rough stone rolling. It is not church authorized and bushman describes the shortcomings and circumstances behind fawn Brodie’s work. He wrote it as an attempted non biased academic text

[@adampetersen2494]

@@majesticliberatoroftheoppr3971 Obviously Bushman did not agree with her conclusions, but he did praise her historical work. And while there may not be an official record of Rough Stone Rolling being Church-authorized, it was written specifically for Joseph Smith's 200th birthday, and he received a blessing from the Twelve when he wrote it. Also, the Church essays largely agree with his book.

[@tinalove11909]

😂😂 Dr. Grande coming for everyone! I'm so glad you're comfortable enough to show your humor! We're here for it! 🥰

[@larar-pecadorarandom8400]

Thank you so much, Dr. Grande! I've followed your channels for a while now, and I'm a surviver of narcissistic abuse, by several people, and by this coercive organization. This abuse pattern had always been intertwined with the LDS religion. I finally broke free in my 30s, and I can see hope and feel peace in my life, and best of all, now I understand most of the red flags... And avoid them.

[@larar-pecadorarandom8400]

@@KA-in6sx thank you for the kind words and good wishes! I have actually been able to learn a lot from the experience (good and bad, even). I'm happy I'm no longer there, though, of course. Never to return again.

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

Good for you! It's hard to leave the church especially if your family still believes in it. I have told my family that I will not send them "anti-mormon" stuff if they don't send me Ensign articles. They can talk about their callings and things in church around me but they can't try to have a spiritual experience with me to try and bring me back. I respect their right to believe what they want and they will respect my right to believe what I want.

[@TheFiddle101]

Fascinating. I know a couple of people from that church. They are actually sincere in their belief and certainly did not try to win me over. And I still like the early Osmond Brothers songs....

[@davisholman8149]

I went to Brigham Young University. There were handfuls of young women who joined the LDS Church, came to BYU, & lived in the apartment building owned by the Osmonds in the late 70s. Seriously, the Osmone groupies were there, LOL.😎✌🏽

[@jacopoarmini7889]

I have only one issue with this, why did he call the angel Moron-i? The usual Gabriel wasn't cool enough?

[@adamkumpmusic]

Because Moroni was an ancient ancestor of The Americas, he was delivering his own plates (records) himself. The Book of Mormon was written as a testament of Jesus Christ. Also Joseph Smith claimed to have seen and dealt with many other angels as well as Gabriel. An honest answer for what was probably only meant to be a joke.

[@ghostophelia2245]

The all american angel! My people lived here long long long ago. This is a history of my race, please read the words within. We were Jews who met with christ but we were all american!

[@KelseyDunlevy]

@@ghostophelia2245 I sang your comment in my head! Lol

[@kathryncarter6143]

@@adamkumpmusic actually, Moroni was said to be an ancient survivor of Central America

[@48917032]

The same reason Hubbard called one alien race Arslikus. He wanted to test the gullibility of his followers.

[@cassiemontgomery45]

I've been waiting for a video on this topic. My ex husband is a Mormon and I don't know if he actually believes the church's teachings, but I know he uses it to obtain resources and/or to coerce others into doing what he wants. I firmly believe that Joseph Smith Jr was a sociopath, as my former husband is. Lying, conning, stealing, etc are the very best one can expect from these types of people. But then again my ex has Klinefelter Syndrome and that could also explain some of his behavior problems.

[@kathryncarter6143]

If your spouse has no qualms in conning others... Beware. It's only a matter if time until you're next. You may well have already been conned & don't even know it. Sadly, it took me many many years to figure out all the lies my x shoved down my throat.

[@cassiemontgomery45]

@@kathryncarter6143 I should have clarified better, I meant my 2nd ex husband. I left and had the marriage annulled almost 4 years ago. Thank heavens!

[@sarah2.017]

I've never heard of KS causing sociopathy. People with KS do have a slightly higher risk of learning disabilities.

[@willnill7946]

If you want to understand the religious landscape in smith’s time, and all it’s confusing and contradictory claims, prophets and so on, involve your self in the weight lifting and fitness community on the internet. Talk to a weight lifter who has found his prophet and try and argue with him

[@speechy_keen4878]

Oh my god. Such a great comparison 😂

[@abbyb2752]

Oh I see and then they just had a TON of kids and passed it down. I see.

[@PanicattheDiscourse]

That is actually such an astute analogy (Rippetoe or BUST by the way)

[@quester09]

weight lifters know where to find plates

[@mdhhthh8593]

@@quester09 good one 🤣🤣🤣

[@elisaseverns2543]

I’ve read many comments from former Mormons. I think the members of each church make a huge difference on people’s experiences. My sister has been a member for almost 50 years. Her church still embraces those family members that have quit going. Her church has always been very kind, loving and accepting of family who are non members like me and our parents.

[@amberowen2004]

Oh sweetie lol that’s just to your face, if you only knew what they thought or said about behind closed doors if they know they can’t convert you. Mormons are really good at looking kind, loving, accepting etc. but they are far from it. I was A member for 30 years and their beliefs and teaching are full of racism, misogyny and judgment. They are just really nice to you because they want to convert you.

[@elisaseverns2543]

@@amberowen2004 my sisters people are genuine. I’m 60 now and strong in my own faith and so is our other sister in her faith. But I’m sure what you say is true for many people. Just because a person goes to church doesn’t mean they’re a good person.

[@hellepost1439]

@@elisaseverns2543 Mountain Medowes Massacre 1857‼️

[@janburn007]

I think it's all down to how "religiously" some Mormons follow the official teachings of their religion in relation to the shunning of those who leave the religion. You may just happen to know Mormons who do not follow the teachings of the Mormon church in relation to the shunning of apostates & admittedly, not all Mormons follow this teaching of their church - nevertheless, it is still an official teaching of the church, whether church members actually choose to follow it or not.

[@HawklordLI]

As an ex-RLDS, (Mormon offshoot) I appreciate this video. I had the 'Smith dogma' crammed down my throat for the first 18 years of my life. At about age seven I had already figured out it was a bunch of nonsense.

[@justthatgirl-ct4jo]

All religion is nonsense.

[@lockman004]

@@justthatgirl-ct4jo Never fail to be amazed by the gullibility of people. They believe in a all powerful god but he need them the give money to his earthly representative. Like all good cons it comes down to extracting money from the mark.

[@guitar0wnz]

Ah, so this is what happened to Rogan's old studio

[@lisetteeliseparis7070]

😂😂😂

[@SKY-wt2pp]

🤔 just needs a little more DMT and for Doc to speak about apes and drop some 'That's preposterous' lines and he'll be good to go.

[@yannick245]

@@SKY-wt2pp It's entirely possible!

[@fubytv731]

After watching Dr. Todd Grande's videos, I concluded that everybody is a narcissist.

[@annjohnson6193]

And nuts!

[@lesliel.6260]

He's a mental health professional, he's not going to do videos on normal people now is he.

[@WillPhil290]

Except me. No way I'm a narcissist. I'm too amazing.

[@marelinem541]

Maybe everybody is ...

[@patriciahenkleman6241]

My sister is LDS and I don't think she knows anything about the church except that she finds them very friendly. She is 70 and I don't think I'll pop her balloon. I'm younger at 65 and have studied religion most of my life. I just want her happy

[@chuckbuckbobuck]

I agree with your line of reasoning as the LDS church is truly 24-7 church and not just a Sunday hour and half experience. I grew up in Utah and the church always had something you could do every day--Family Home Evening on Mondays, primary-mutual on Tuesdays, Relief Society several days of the week, etc. etc. If you are one of them, you are in an all-encompassing bubble and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It is way of bringing meaning to your life and the church provides that succor!

[@Rjohnson8641]

Former Mormon, who also left a vulnerable narcissist. So many similarities between political or religious cults and personal narcissism. Thanks for sharing!

[@Kellethorn]

Congrats on making it out!! Escaped here too a year ago. Cheers!

[@rambojoe2323]

Me too, on both counts.

[@Kellethorn]

@dread nes I've heard it called that. Most commonly it seems to be 'ex-mormon', 'exmo', 'post-mormon' or 'apostate' (oh, and lately 'unruly children" as a tongue-in-cheek reference to a top church leader who called us all such in a recent general conference.)

[@sarah2.017]

@@Kellethorn I've mostly heard "apostate" used to describe ex-Jehovah's Witnesses.

[@Kellethorn]

@@sarah2.017 yeah, to my knowledge it's super common there as well. Not sure where it's more common, but it's definitely a "household term" in Mormonism (there is even a question in the Mormon temple recommend interview that says "Do you sympathize with apostates?"). If I had to guess, I'd wager both religions use the term about equally.

[@dariushmilani6760]

Soon Dr. Grande your subs will surpass 600 K. Congratulation !! I am still baffled how people can believe this sort of nonsense in this day and age.

[@wiluqx]

How did they believe it back then either😂😂💀

[@maryloufrisch54]

Just think if Mitt Romney was president, this is his religious beliefs.

[@roverdover4449]

As a big fan, I've got to say... not really loving the new studio look. Looks like you are outside of a prison wall. Maybe a bookshelf on one side and nice picture on the other side... something like that would look more appealing.

[@lorimiller4301]

I so hear ya. The whole wall idea is 🤢 what's the meaning behind it ? How about a fireplace instead or a nice open field ?

[@kathryncarter6143]

Ya, I don't like it either. It just plane looks way to harsh.

[@tegoblue]

Brick wall is oppressive. Need a plant, a window. How about a computer screen in the background?

[@lornagoodman1891]

Add some plants! They make everything look better 🌱

[@jguenther3049]

The wall reminds me of the wall that a girl's summer diet camp posed its graduates in front of to show how much weight they'd lost. Only problem was that the bricks had slimmed down, too.

[@danielbarth3559]

Joseph Smith had a severe case of Typhoid Fever as a child, which caused a doctor to want to amputate his leg. In rare cases Typhoid can cause brain damage.

[@jairojrnj]

Makes sense

[@MrRaulstrnad]

interesting-Smith like L Ron Hubbard are examples of conmen who were so delusional that they actually believed their lies. Certainly there had to be some abnormal mental factors involved even the possibility of brain damage

[@Kat-tr2ig]

Brave of you to do this video. The LDS are a very politically powerful cult, and they'll send their goons on you. Please do a video on Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Jehovah's Witness cult. Dude was a real tool.

[@anitalassiter4266]

Yay! Do Pentacostal Holiness. Not sure thats how its spelled. Talk about a cult!! Sheeesh!!!! Thanks for this video Dr. Grande. I find religious studies very interesting.

[@valnsky]

Yep! Their leaders will promise them 7 virgins in heaven if they vandalize your car! Beware of the wiped minds!!

[@lauraarcher6996]

Knew him personally did you?!!

[@chuckiesrus1399]

LDS don't send goons. If anything, the "goons" will stop by with a casserole dish and try to have a nice conversation

[@DickslapMcgee]

@@wordsalad01 they’re certainly friendly, but the religion quite literally is the foundation of their lives, and as soon as they see you as a non-member instead of a potential member, spending time with you is putting them in “spiritual jeopardy”

[@Rushmore222]

As I grew into adulthood, I began thinking that the whole notion of angels delivering messages and ultimatums on behalf of the big boss sounded uncomfortably close to how mob lieutenants operate.

[@joeking433]

Seek the Lord and He will show you reality. Until then you're just guessing.

[@PinkToe6]

I grew up Mormon - my parents are very strict Mormons and I unfortunately had to cut them out a while ago due to them not being accepting of me and my decisions of marrying a non member and not being active ect. I just recently discovered that the Lds church is a cult and my whole life and everyone I know feels like a big lie. It’s an insane feeling. But I have always been into psychology and the church never felt right and fortunately for me, that in itself has saved me a lot of pain. I still live in Utah and I don’t have any friends or family - because they are all Mormon. It’s hard but I feel like most confidant and comfortable and more myself that I have ever been. I am now scouring the internet searching for psychologist specifically speaking about the lds church and theirs thoughts and opinions. Would love more videos from you. Thank you

[@johnlee1352]

What about the other 55% of the people ? Maybe your plight to have no friends or family is the natural consequence of your choices. Confident and comfortable people always have friends and family...just sayin'. Maybe you need therapy...

[@LucasKirbyMusic]

A couple corrections: Moroni is pronounced Moroneye. Joseph died on the same day from gunshot wounds and fell out of the jail window. These little things are important because Mormons who might be swayed by videos like these, will often think that this information (that is not taught to most members) is not true when you get the simple/obvious things wrong. Good video. You're dead on in your assessment.

[@kennethyoung7564]

Not really. Joseph freely forgave those that tarr and feathered him, and part of his running for president was his opposition to slavery. He was going to use the sell of land proceeds to buy the slaves their freedom. He makes the argument based off him having positions of authority. Mayor, General, etc. Its a pretty weak argument. Personally I am not the least bit impressed. He didn't even get the name of the church right. How am I supposed to take this seriously? A ten minute video that is full of logical errors.

[@MrChi31]

Dr. Grande, would you ever consider making a video discussing the psychology of religion as a whole? Your insights would be amazing.

[@scar2766]

Great idea.

[@mellie4174]

Yes!!!! I so want that, as a survivor of conservative, fundamentalist evangelicalism.

[@OGitGirlJess]

I think he’s doing the right thing by staying away from that.

[@MrChi31]

@@OGitGirlJess nah, don’t trip :)

[@kimberlyhennessy5903]

@@mellie4174 me too

[@leonshargo]

The best (and most successful, by far) marketing study in the world to date: the LDS church. Thank you for your sober and unbiased analysis.

[@On3man]

While this analysis is not all bad there are enough snide remarks and digs in it to eliminate it as unbiased.

[@coffeecake8835]

I’ve come to the conclusion that the Mormon church is the original MLM.

[@brendendavis8596]

Unbiased? Lol

[@csluau5913]

Actually, I kind of think it sounded a little biased. Just saying.

[@fa_engineer3687]

When Dr. Grande said: "I wasn't there in the mid-1800's although I sometimes feel that old." I laughed so hard that my diet Pepsi came out my nose and all over my computer screen!

[@Lavieestbelle04]

Lmfaooooo

[@egrace3738]

Bahaha!!

[@billhildebrand5053]

Your not a good Morman, drinking Pepsi......🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐

[@n3k0rrrb]

Really tho?

[@fa_engineer3687]

@@billhildebrand5053 Nope! Not a good Catholic for that matter either. ;-)

[@Kangaroojack1986]

I was baptized into the Church, not active anymore, it just wasn't for me. All the members I knew personally were really cool and down to earth, and non judgmental, they didn't harass me when I stopped coming to church, I don't know why they get so much hate, do they really bother people that bad?

[@marygonzalez5907]

My personal opinion about this particular point you brought up is this; Because the LDS is SO 'intertwined' (for lack of a better word) with organized Christianity, and SO OBVIOUSLY a complete and utter fraud, it brings its odiousness to bear on the more established,(and thus, REAL) religions. In other words...if LDS is fake, so is EVERY OTHER FAITH-BASED RELIGIOUS ENTITY, Christianity in particular

[@Kangaroojack1986]

@@marygonzalez5907 just because people have beliefs you don't share doesn't make it ok to discriminate against them or treat them poorly. That's like human decency 101. That's what I was pointing out in my comment.

[@cellogirl11rw55]

It's the polygamous cults within the Mormon Church that bring on the hate.

[@frankpaya690]

These same hypocrites who join the crowd in trashing anybody associated with Christians, don't say a thing against Muslims and Muslims aren't known for their "tolerance" and "non-judgmentalism".

[@Kangaroojack1986]

@@frankpaya690 Well said, people and Religions should all treat tolerance as a virtue

[@TheOnlyKateslate]

Thank you for this analysis. So grateful for the straight talk with logic and science behind it. I spent 15 years in Salt Lake City after traveling in Europe and around the states growing up. This was around the time a 'revelation' allowed 'the blacks' to 'achieve' the priesthood. It was a different culture altogether, very closed to 'outsiders' and 'gentiles,' as we were called. It did feel cultish. As I became an adult and then had children, I had to move away. I could not raise children having to work around this cult that has an accepted presence in public schools. They ARE very clique-ish and controlling. They are also all up in peoples' business - sending church people to your house every week to make sure you're toeing the line. I could tell you stories - from a guy who asked me to marry him on a second date (they're programmed to marry young) to having a frustrated mother of eight throw her child at me in a department store. I also worked in the field of rape crisis in my time there. Incest and child sex abuse is rampant in this cult, as it is in so many patriarchal religions. The logic I encountered from some of the abusers was so twisted. As a young adult, it took me a while to figure out just how sick the whole system is.

[@gowdsake7103]

I hope you escaped from the whole christianity cult

[@benjigirl1971]

@@gowdsake7103 You’re mistaking a demonic counterfeit (Mormonism) for Christianity. Jesus is gentle, kind, self-sacrificing and good. He is the Saviour of men, and “there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved”. He promises that if you seek Him with your whole heart, He will be found by you.

[@69eddieD]

@@benjigirl1971 PS Demons aren't real. Grow up!

[@jamesn5595]

@@69eddieD cracked me up, thanks, i needed it. lol.

[@dakrontu]

@@benjigirl1971 Yeah that's great that Jesus is so good. But why then are US Evangelical churches so bad? Why do they hold up Trump as a saviour? Why do they preach far-right politics? Why do they instruct people to vote for Trump? Why do they follow Prosperity Theology? It's kind of moot if Jesus is a good guy, if the practical outcome of the religion completely ignores everything he stood for. What kind of a God would be so incompetent as to let that happen? Or is he not so omniscient as people want to believe?

[@severiusbrandusa1413]

I've studied plenty of Ol' Joe, and this quote is most revealing: “What a strange people these Mormons are. They are like a flock of sheep; if I should jump into hell, I believe they would follow me!” - Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., on the block-voting of Mormons, Macomb Journal, January 25, 1877, p. 2, “Politics and Mormons”

[@LovlyHorror]

I've heard plenty of quotes about religion to that effect. I just can't recall a religious leader openly saying something like that.

[@severiusbrandusa1413]

@@LovlyHorror All the Televangelists say shit like this.

[@emiliadavis8247]

Wow. That's awdul. I remember reading several statements from Brigham Young and Joseph Smith, when I was leaving the Mormon church. It was astonishing at how prideful, self righteous and blasphemous they were!!

[@severiusbrandusa1413]

@@emiliadavis8247 May the LORD God of Israel and Father of the Lord Christ Jesus know you and protect you from harm for your understanding. Brigham Young was an absolute madman and even thought to create his own alphabet while in Deseret as a way to further brainwash the people under his rule and hide his wicked messages under a secret code.

[@ger5956]

He was a con man who started a cult that is sadly still going today.

[@Smilesremember2Smile]

There are different sects of the religion some are cults with polygamy and then there is the mainstream church that does not practice polygamy and is not a cult.

[@udowannun7780]

Being interested in criminal psychology, I cannot help but notice that there have been what seems an inordinate number of high-profile murder cases/suspects involving followers of this sect. Daybell/Vallow being the more recent.

[@emh7956]

Daybell/Vallow had both been excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[@hellepost1439]

Mountain Medowes Massacre 1857 ‼️

[@bradsanders6954]

There is indeed a yit load of current or non current LDS members involved in horrific crimes. Cults bring out the best in people, and they draw in people who are maybe more than a "half bubble off".

[@udowannun7780]

@@emh7956 Yes, but that is where they both began.

[@stugrant01]

@@emh7956 The Mormon Bishop refused to remove Lori Vallow's Temple Recommend when her late husband informed him of Lori's blasphemous ways. They may have excommunicated her later, after her kids were found burried in her new husband's back-yard.

[@PunkProfess0r]

I’m a neuroscience PhD student and have based my thesis around the neurological basis for Joseph smith. There have been several studies done on the possible diagnosis of Joseph smith. Joseph does not qualify for any cluster b personality disorders, he had profound empathy and formed countless lifelong bonds and close friendships with people. Not any schizoid disorders like you said, he was far too organized. The only thing that explains smith is psychoneuroticism evaluated under the theoretical framework of Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration and also Adler. There are also several inaccuracies in your video on smith.

[@bobbyologun1517]

like what? the only one i noticed was about misplacing the books. South Park made the same mistake :D

[@PunkProfess0r]

@@KA-in6sx nope.

[@PunkProfess0r]

@@bobbyologun1517 his age at the first vision, that he died months after his martyrdom at Carthage, the books, ... there were a couple of others...but these are basic facts that any basic scholar would know. Even most children know this stuff.

[@bobbyologun1517]

@@PunkProfess0r ahh. not familiar with that one. is it fair to say you have concerns about the presenters conclusions? I found them to be modest.

[@PunkProfess0r]

@@bobbyologun1517 there’s lots of things about Joseph smith any serious scholar or researcher MUST acknowledge. 1. He is one of the most complex historical figures in American history. 2. Whether you are an insider or outsider, the study of Joseph smith will inevitably bring you into the equation making it very dangerous to not allow personal emotions and perceptions cloud with bias 3. There are things that we know, things we kinda know, and then things we don’t know anything about 4. He was a figure that was very polarizing, he was loved by tens of thousands and he was hated by many more thousands...he was powerful and influential and therefore it is inevitable that people would make up stories, exaggerate, or deny things about Joseph smith both positive and negative. 5. The LDS church has revised his history, and so have the anti-LDS. 6. Considering all these things and then adding to the equation that it took place over 200 years ago makes it very difficult to verify sources. 7. It is important to keep in mind the sphere or realm of the person you are evaluating. Joseph was a religious innovator first. When you look at other religious innovators, you find several commonalities that explain the temperament and personality of those types of historical figures. And finally: considering all these things, every scholar I’ve worked with universally agrees that making conclusions about Joseph smith is a very difficult thing to do because so much of his life was somewhat counterintuitive. For instance, it would be tempting to assume that he was a narcissist...but the other traits completely refute that idea. I would say it’s fair that he had some narcissistic traits but there is no way he had pathological narcissism. His ability to form close bonds and friendships with people is literally unprecedented. Another example. It would be tempting to conclude that he invented a religion to satisfy his sex drive. But then you realize that he was over 6 feet tall (when the average height of a full grown man at that time was 5’6” and over 200 lbs of solid muscle, extremely athletic and attractive, very very intelligent, charismatic, and desirable. If he wanted to have sex with women, he could have done it without the religion thing complicating his main objective. It would also make sense if they were all young beautiful women...but he married women in their 60’s. They were primarily spiritual unions, the sexual aspect is something we don’t know a lot about. Then there is the fact that he was an early pioneer in ending slavery. The principal reason they were exterminated from Missouri was because Joseph gave negroes free and equal place in their society (this is all documented, go read the extermination order...it was all about the Mormons inclusion of blacks)...yet for some reason because Brigham young banned blacks from the priesthood, we are also supposed to believe that Joseph was also a racist...this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you read his presidential candidate platform (google General Smiths Views) he was clearly an abolitionist, and his philosophy and views were some of the most liberal and progressive I’ve seen before Abraham Lincoln. I could go on...but I need to run...point is...yes I have a problem with his conclusion because it’s clear that he didn’t do any serious research. He spewed an obviously biased opinion. He didn’t add anything new. This is what’s been said of him for 200+ years. Yet, serious scholars have all concluded that he did not have any delusional or personality disorders. He was a psychoneurotic and probably ADHD. That’s it.