MD dot net - Comparing Christianity to Mormonism
A Former Mormon and Returned Missionary* on Why Mormons Participate in
Online Dialog and the Effect of the Internet on LDS
Proselytizing
by Tom Donofrio - contact
Former LDS, especially returned missionaries and others who held positions
of authority, were privy to the inner workings of the propaganda machine.
As missionaries we were trained to keep control of the discussion at all
times. We learned techniques, not unlike salesmen, on how to keep the
investigator on the path we wanted.
We were told there was nothing we could learn from the investigator. No
matter how much more education the potential convert may have had WE had the
truth and WE were going to give it to them. (At 19 years of age the
missionaries really didn't have anything beyond their "testimonies" anyway.)
I know what we said behind their backs. "Nice guy, too bad he smokes." "Man,
that dude is too hooked on his Bible to see the truth." "That lady said our
temple ordinances came from the Masonic Lodge! She's nuts!"
We were the chosen generation. We had more than the Pope!
Thoughts like that made it easy to smile at people all the while thinking
what poor schlubs they were for being blinded by the world.
On the visceral level that sense of superiority was a comforting shield from
the awful reality that it was we who were wrong. As I grew older (and now
with more reluctant admissions from the Church) it became obvious that some
of those investigators were right and it was I in error.
Mormonism has built in checks against anyone daring to look too deep. The
church touts love but fear rules the day. Mormons know intuitively that if
they push the first domino the last one to fall will be rejection by their
wife, children and friends, and even business associates in certain
communities.
Former LDS know what is said behind closed doors in Bishop offices and
leadership meetings.
True
Believing Mormons (TBM) have a different fear of former LDS than they do of evangelical
Christians; arguably the most outspoken critics of LDS theology.
Joseph Smith
trashed the press of The Expositor for the same reason.
Former LDS know the selling points and techniques. They know the methods of
dealing with objections by non-members.
Former LDS know the PR machine loves to tout 13 million members world wide.
Contrary to the LDS love of positive numbers former LDS are not bashful to
point out the abysmal retention rates of those new converts and that in
reality less than half of those 13 million actually show up, much less pay
tithing and go to the temple.
Former LDS know how the game is played. When a Mormon can no longer in good
conscience play along they are labeled "sinner". If not publicly then
behind closed doors.
Since any thought that the Church might not be true is verboten there must
be some other explanation for their "apostasy." Sin or the inability to live
the Mormon commandments is assumed to be the reason for their "failure" to
believe in and live according to LDS ways.
And because former LDS know what is said behind closed doors this is one of
the last hurdles they must overcome in their exit.
Simply put, a Mormon leaves in spite of the pejoratives because it is
actually easier to live with the rejection than to continue living a fraud.
Some consolation. This "family church" breaks up families.
"The glory of God is intelligence." Really? If a Mormon uses his
intelligence and leaves the church over it...... well we know what his REAL
problem is..... some kind of sin.
I know the two faces of the church. The behind closed doors face and the
public face.
An amplified version of this is seen in the faces of the
FLDS women on the
news when they "lie for the Lord." A more watered down version exists in Salt
Lake City, Utah (LDS Mecca)
but remains the same.
Self-appointed LDS defenders will show up on Internet discussion boards
swatting at the pestering flies of anti-Mormonism. In times past they would have been
disciplined by the Bishop. Now Bishops and Seminary teachers are
participating in online dialogs in hopes of ceasing the hemorrhage.
The rise of the Internet will take more out of Mormonism than bring them in.
The numbers and trends are related.
Of course, those who are influenced by the supposed "lies" on the Internet
are assumed by Mormons to have weak
testimonies or "sin" in their lives.
In the mind of the faithful Mormon it can NEVER be that Joseph Smith was a
fraud.
I know what was said in Bishop's Council. Behind closed doors.
-Tom Donofrio
*Editor's comment: A returned missionary is a Mormon man or woman who successfully completes a two-year mission (18 months for females). Returned missionaries are highly favored in LDS culture. They are considered "faithful" to have completed their assigned task without having been sent home (released) for various infractions, e.g. ignoring any of 167 missionary rules, such as watching television, reading newspapers or playing full-court basketball. A personal favorite is rule #1: Learn and obey all missionary rules. I naturally assume it goes without saying.
Links added by editor
with author's permission.
Jesus Saves
Mormon Testimonies Turned to Christ
Updated 5.08
That’s my King! (S M Lockridge) – free video
"Jesus' blood on the altar was the ultimate payment. He made us worthy permanently. When Jesus died on the cross the veil covering the Holy of Holies tore in half. The mercy seat lay exposed to mankind. There is no veil, anymore, between God and man. Jesus ripped it down. But Mormonism has hung up a new one." -Kathleen Baldwin
"When I was LDS (not that long
ago) I saw a lot of things that made me question my membership in the LDS
church, but I sure wouldn't admit it for a long time (not even to myself). I
just knew there had to be good explanations for all of those silly criticisms,
if I just looked in the right place...or prayed about it long enough. I was
wrong." - Former Mormon, Marsha Bette
More...
Editor's note:
If the quote above describes you, please know that God loves you and has a
wonderful plan for your life. Visit Testimonies Turned to Christ at
the top of this section to understand that you're not alone in your feelings.