Biblical Reasons Ministry
How much Mormon frustration is projection against the LDS church itself?
Does This Describe You? You're Not Alone....
I asked a question on an internet discussion board. (CARM)
I sometimes wonder if Mormons who get the most upset at LDS critics are genuinely and subconsciously upset at the "system" because they know that they're just not measuring up {to LDS standards}?
I don't expect true-believing Mormons to respond with friendly tone because they have wives and kids to think about. For them to say anything negative about the "church" might be tantamount to divorce or losing a job.
What about ex-Mormons?
When you were still LDS, what happened when you were met with "anti-Mormon" tracts? Why did you get mad? What happened that caused you to feel upset... even when you knew that what the "anti" was saying was true?
(Hey, I'm no psychiatrist nor sociologist. I've been thinking lately that the ones who get the most angry might be closer to God than they think. Just musing... or molting.)
Libs responds:
You're molting? Ewww, messy.
You know, Russ, when I first came to CARM, I was really angry at the things I read, because I thought they were out and out lies. Now, I still think there are things that come up, fairly often, that are not exactly accurate, but for the most part, not lies. After I did some looking around on my own and discovered a LOT of the claims against the church and the prophets were true... then, I really got upset. Angry, fearful, distressed, and finally, very sad.Still makes me sad, at times. And angry, at times.
Sounds to me as if Libs got upset because she found out she was being lied to by her own "church." Who can blame such a one? Sorry for molting on your computer monitor. :-)
Magdalena responds:
I think I got angry because at least a part of it rang true, and that put me in a tough spot. You're supposed to defend the church with everything you have. I was angry at having to defend things that I was doubting on some level. And when you've been taught that your eternal salvation hangs in the balance, that can be crazy-making.
The more I learned, the less I could defend. And I was angry at the Mormon church for putting me and other people in that position.
How ridiculous is it to expect people to defend someone who chased young girls, married already married women and lied to his own wife about it? This was supposed to be a prophet? I don't think so.
The list of ridiculous things you're supposed to defend is very long. If you don't, you're accused of not having enough faith. Well you need to be smart about where you put your faith. I wasted a lot of time and energy defending things that weren't from God. And that did make me upset.
Sounds to me as if Magdalena was upset that she could no longer defend the indefensible. Sounds like she was frustrated at being lied to... and finally... enough is enough.
Justjo responds:
I was angry because I thought the "anti's" were just lying, the more I found what they said was true, the angrier I got because of fear... fear as Magdalena said, loosing one's salvation, loosing the progression one has already made and having to start over again if I left and I was wrong in doing so and had to go back. Angry that the org's best answers at the time was people who have question lack faith, and Mormons know what God thinks of those who lack faith! Then, to actually leave and hear rumors that you left because of some great sin, you couldn't live the high standards of the org (who the heck really can!?), or I was angry with someone in the org (as if that would be a reason to leave "the only true church")... that was what made me angry the most!
As Shawn McCraney said... they were right! "I am a sinner, probably the lowest of the low!" But, name me one Mormon who isn't. HELLOOOOO!!! I live a higher standard being away from the org than I did in it. Why? Because I am not trying to be something I am not.... perfect. Last but not least... who hasn't been angry at someone else? Do you leave your faith because of that? SERIOUSLY....
Boy Russ... you must have hit a sore spot in me... LOL.... here... let me vent... tell you what I really think and how I really feel about it...
Yes, the more of God's truth I found, the angrier I got, and the louder I spewed against those who spoke out against my Mormon religion...
Oh my heck! Sounds to me like Justjo was angry at being guilt-tripped into thinking she'd loose her salvation if she dared to question "Joseph."
MistyAnn0414 responds:
I think I was upset because I felt I was being "picked on". I was taught that this was the only true church, and the so called "persecution" was proof of it. I can remember going to the Hill Cumorah pageant, seeing the protesters and thinking very unChristian thoughts about them. I never once thought that maybe there was someone there who just wanted to share Jesus Christ with me. I thought I knew it all, that I had the whole truth. I believed that the people who spoke out against the church were only going on the limited knowledge they had, believing the lies they read in books, and heard from their pastors. You know to this day I have never been in a church where the pastor even mentioned Mormonism. It all came down to fear. I was afraid to go there, to take that step. I knew things didn't feel right or add up. I just didn't know what I would do without the church.
Sounds to me that MistyAnn found out that it's okay to question Joseph and that Christians aren't necessarily out to merely attack Mormons, but are rather asking Mormons to seriously examine what their "church" is asking them to believe.
Mishamari responds:
I was angry at the institution's methods because I had been lied to. Milk before meat y'know. I was angry at myself because I was so naive' and trusting, angry because I was out so much money... I overpaid tithing and when tax time came around I couldn't get it back. I was sad too, that my loved ones bought into a lie as well and I was the first convert in the family.
I wasn't presented with any "Tracts" and I don't recall being upset with any "antis". I only ran into a few "antis"; one was a roommate and we just agreed to disagree. And another was a gal I met at the library, she belonged to a campus Christian cult (college newspaper warned us about them) and approached me about a Bible study. WE got to talking about church and she said "You do realize your church teaches my people have the Mark of Cain, right?" I was a new convert and wasn't familiar with such a teaching. She started stalking me around campus and I had to say "If you want to be friends, that's great. You have to give me some space. If I'm only a project to you then I don't want anymore contact." I never heard from her again.Y'know Russ... now, years later... I think the thing I am most upset about is the misrepresentation of God. This issue is what initially led me out of the church but wasn't the source of my anger. I'm over the "lie" thing and now I'm angry about how God is defined.
Sounds like Mishamari got fed up with being lied to. Again, who can blame such a one?
The courage of these five women inspire me.
Jesus inspired them.
Jesus inspired them to take a close look at what the Mormon "church" was asking them (telling them) to believe and, more importantly, Jesus inspired them to take a real, close look at who He claims to be.
May Jesus also inspire you to look deeply into his life and then compare that to what Joseph Smith said about Jesus. Can such a person really be the brother of Satan? Or is he who he said, i.e. God in the flesh? (John 1:1 and 1:14) The very God of all creation. (Col. 2)
Jesus asks, "Who do you say I am?"
Just a good guy? A special prophet? Lunatic? Liar? Offspring of God
and Mother God? Brother of Satan who proposed a better plan?
Or God.
Choose this day whom you'll serve.
Jesus or Joseph.
Mormon Testimonies Turned to Christ
Updated 5.08
Why Mormonism?
Mormon Temples
Secret or Sacred?
What Happens In There?
The Mormon Miracle Pageant
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
"I found myself buried under a mountain of doubt, after really investigating church doctrine and church history...and getting myself more familiar with the Bible. It was too much. I finally came out from under all of that and embraced Jesus Christ alone, which is all we really need. I was sad to leave the church. Very sad...but, relieved and happy to find my Savior in the process." More...
Editor's note: He Gave You Jesus
- by Justjo
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.
"Counterfeit, fake, bogus, imitation, forgery, fraud, copy.... We all recognize these words, as well as understand their meaning. There are many counterfeits out there. If they were easy to detect, they would not be called counterfeits. God gave us these wonderful books in the Bible to test these counterfeits. This is where we find our markers to detect them. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Gods word...." More...