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adamhovey1988
Guest
When you were LDS, if you don’t mind me asking, how often did you see lifelong Mormons leave the LDS church? I know there’s an entire Mormon culture
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Marie5890
Guest
I was LDS thru the 80’s and early 90’s. The advent of the internet was just beginning and so the heading to the exit doors in any great numbers had not happened yet.
Plus, I spent most of that time in what is known as the “Morridor”…Mormon Corridor…(Idaho, UT and AZ)…and BYU at that, a very transient university culture.
When I resigned, there was only one person in the LDS church’s membership office that handled the resignaitons. Now, there is a whole unit for it because of the resignations that they have to handle, and even then, they try to punt it down to the local level (ie bishop, which is the equivient of a pastor).
The internet is the biggest reason for people leaving as it’s so easy to find, and to verify, whatever it is that may be bothering those who are LDS
Also, DNA has had a serious impact on the claims on the origins of the Book of Mormon. And the discovery of exactly where the Book of Abraham came from…
I personally left Mormonism in '91, but didnt officially resign until '98
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adamhovey1988
Guest
Okay, so how does the resignation work? Do they take your name off a roll?
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Marie5890
Guest
Oh I doubt that actually and completey remove your name. It probably goes from one list to another list.
When I resigned, I sent a letter to the stake president of my area telling them that I resigned my membership, that I understood that, according to their believe system, that all the ordinances I had undergone were no longer in affect etc etc.
That I waived the 30 waiting period and that I didnt want any contact.
I told them that I understood, legally, that upon the receipt of my resignation, it was in effect immediately at that moment.
For me, resigning was very simple and very easy. That is not true for many others, however. It really does depend on the attitude of the local leadership.
I was fortunate. The local stake president quickly sent acknowledgement of my resignation and was very cordial.
My formal resignation was very easy and painless. And I have never been contacted by any member since.
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adamhovey1988
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You make them sound more like a business than a religious organisation. Maybe I am just tired.
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Marie5890
Guest
Oh, that observation is actually very astute. Many would say just that.
That they run the church more like the corporation that it is. (Yes it is incorporated. Not sure if that is true of other denominations)
At least the 1st Presidency is? (the highest governing body). But yes, a business.
(I checked, yes both there is a ‘Corporation of the President of…’ and the ‘Corporation of the Presiding Bishop…’ (which refers to the general presiding Bishopric of the LDS church. Not one of the 1st presidnecy or a member of the 12 Apostles or a member of the 2 quorum of the 70. It’s another entity)
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LivingWaters7
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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation_sole
Apparently this is also found in the Catholic Church. It seems to be the means by which religious organizations can function in civil law.
bostoncatholic.org/Offices-And-Services/Office-Detail.aspx?id=14458&pid=508
Apparently this is also found in the Catholic Church. It seems to be the means by which religious organizations can function in civil law.
bostoncatholic.org/Offices-And-Services/Office-Detail.aspx?id=14458&pid=508
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Marie5890
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That is what I figured. That has to be a way of dealing within the laws of a cutlure
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iepuras
Guest
Yes, Mormonism definitely appeals to emotion over reason. There are LDS on this forum who know all the issues and know the character of Joseph Smith yet they still believe because an emotional experience. I certainly had my emotional experiences that kept me there, but eventually when I learned the truth, reason overwhelmed any emotional ties I had to Mormonism.
My father was born and raised LDS. My mom was a convert from a protestant denomination (not sure which one). There are a fair number of former Catholics who joined. The Mormons who stay tend to be born and raised Mormon or a convert who married a born in the covenant Mormon.
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esieffe
Guest
The only LDS evangelization I have run across are these teenaged boys with rosy cheeks on bicycles who try to strike up conversations, always when I am walking the dogs. I finally suggested they expand their territory.
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iepuras
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When I was Mormon, I never heard anything that made that specific claim. It sounds like a reasonable theory for a Mormon to believe. The LDS church has never really pinned down exactly how or even when the great apostasy occurred.
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iepuras
Guest
Yep. Eve is held in very high esteem by Mormons, especially the women. She is seen as brave and courageous who chose to fall to move the plan of salvation forward. The Blessed Virgin Mary is an afterthought. In all my years as a woman in the LDS church, I was never taught that Mary is a model for righteousness. It was always Eve.
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Marie5890
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(bold is mine)
If she was/is thought of at all. I really dont ever remember discussing her much. Much more discussion on Eve. And Eve is even portrayed in the temple endowment. There is nothing about Mary. Nothing.
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St_Redemption
Guest
I was born in Kewannee Illinois!! LOL
To everyone else, it’s a funny coincidence because its a very tiny town.
Anyway, sorry for thread hijack
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iepuras
Guest
I found this talk linked below that Jeffrey Holland, one of the LDS apostles, gave this past Sunday. Go to about minute 50:00. He essentially says that no historical evidence or doctrinal issues can not go against any emotional experiences. Basically, if someone has an issue with polygamy or the multiple accounts of the first vision or the Book of Abraham, it is his/her own fault for putting that above “spiritual” or emotional experiences.
lds.org/broadcasts/watch/evening-with-a-general-authority/2015/02?lang=eng&vid=4037636726001
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iepuras
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True. I wonder if Mary is never discussed because LDS leaders do not want Sunday School teachers to dig into the Journal of Discourses and other sources and find out what early Mormon prophets and apostles have said about her. Some of the young folk may find it shocking.
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gazelam
Guest
Joseph Smith once said this:
The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.
There are a few ways to find what you’re looking for from an LDS point of view.
The LDS church’s website is www.lds.org.
www.mormon.org is meant to be something of an introduction to the faith and church.
The Encyclopedia of Mormonism is found at eom.byu.edu/
The scripture topical guide is found at lds.org/scriptures/tg?lang=eng
The LDS Bible dictionary is found at lds.org/scriptures/bd?lang=eng
Joseph Smith was asked what Mormons believe and he responded with thirteen sentences that have come to be known at the “Articles of Faith”. They are:
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
I hope this helps.
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adamhovey1988
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I was actually born in Davenport, but I did live in Kewanee as a child. I have lived in the southeast a more than half my life. There are some ways I am very midwestern, and some ways I am very southern. Mormons still there?
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adamhovey1988
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Thanks! As I (believe) I stated at the beginning I am interested in hearing from both mormons and former. I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut.
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adamhovey1988
Guest
If I am not mistaken, Jesus was conceived (according to the LDS) through carnal relations with the Virgin Mary, which would, by definition mean should would not be a virgin (I do recall that Mormons believe the Father is Flesh and bone)True. I wonder if Mary is never discussed because LDS leaders do not want Sunday School teachers to dig into the Journal of Discourses and other sources and find out what early Mormon prophets and apostles have said about her. Some of the young folk may find it shocking.
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