Uh oh! Mormonism!

[popeyespappy]

Just have to share this :

So I wanted to read a little in the official LDS forum, saw a relatively interesting thread

"Invited the missionaries now what?"

A christian asks at the mormon forum what he may ask the mormon missionaries when they come to his house. The mormons state rightly that he should rather not ask too deep going questions about church history or so.

Then a catholic makes a really decent post to advise and is banned for that - Because this is his only one post in this forum :

" I would ask you my friend to please research a bit about the church's history by other sources then the church itself. That is not something extravagant at all to ask, for a simple job interview for example they require different sources of people who might know important facts about you, they won't only listen to family members for example.
Please use the many different tools we now have, the internet, libraries, read and ask the uncomfortable questions to the missionaries. It's not real investigation if all you are listening to is one side. "

Read for yourself :
http://www.lds.net/forums/learn-about-mo...-what.html

Too bad the Catholic can't do the same for the RCC.

[Bad Writer]

Update: SHE'S ALIVE!! She finally wrote me back confirming this fact, basically saying that she's been too busy to write because she's been so busy with her church which seems like a very convenient excuse (am I being cynical?? It's probably true since, you know, she is a Mormon.)

If you think she's blowing you off, then she just might be. It can't hurt to lay a fire under her at this point, so definitely continue that discussion. All she can do is decide to either respond or not respond, and it's no skin off your back. That's how I would proceed, anyway.

I guarantee you that the Mormon Church is probably keeping her busy, so I would still assume positive intent on that one instead of trying to call her out for neglecting to respond. It's a convenient excuse, sure, and it's one that's not going away for awhile

[Minimalist]

she's been too busy to write because she's been so busy with her church which seems like a very convenient excuse

She's probably out going door-to-door annoying the piss out of perfect strangers.

[Bad Writer]

she's been too busy to write because she's been so busy with her church which seems like a very convenient excuse

She's probably out going door-to-door annoying the piss out of perfect strangers.

And if this is the case, then she's gotta be on her mission, which means she really does not have time for you.

[fr0d0]

@BWS
I've always wondered what motivated Smith (same with the JWs). I can see that the system works in that people are "persuaded" to stay/participate.

What's your take?

[Bad Writer]

@BWS
I've always wondered what motivated Smith (same with the JWs). I can see that the system works in that people are "persuaded" to stay/participate.

What's your take?

Smith's motivation came from many different places, but I think my wife and I were able to boil down a lot of his work to simply trying to find a Church that his entire family could be a part of. This is how his mother, the true leader of his family, viewed the creation of the Mormon Church, and his father, Joseph Smith Sr., was just happy to have a religion that his entire family could agree on.

The fact remains that Joseph Jr. was not always honest in how he brought about the Church, such as fabricating tales of ministry of angels and ancient texts, but the evidence points to the fact that he probably believed he was a prophet. The greatest con from this conman was actually conning himself.

This, of course, was all nearly 200 years ago, so even though these are all interesting stories, they're not nearly as relevant today as what actually happens to keep people happy and interested in Mormon services. I'd say that most converts usually drop out of activity in their respective ward after only a few months of going. The ones that stay usually do so because they are given obligations and duties to attend to within the lay clergy of the Church. Whether they becomes teachers, bookkeepers, or hymn accompanists, they feel a sense of belonging because of these "callings", and they form lasting fellowships within their new community.

This is only the surface. After a year of being in the Church, the real test begins when they are permitted to attend the Temple Endowment ceremony. Their Ward Bishops hope that they have weaned these people off the "milk" in order to be ready for the "meat" of the Church. There's also an interview process, so members who fail are encouraged to try again and again, which can make them either feel frustrated, or more determined to learn the secrets of the Mormon Temple.

Once what has been revealed in the Temple is accepted, Mormonism is all downhill from there for that member.

[Minimalist]

I've always wondered what motivated Smith

Religion is a lucrative scam.

[Lucanus]

I've always wondered what motivated Smith

Religion is a lucrative scam.

I've always liked minimalism.

[fr0d0]

Thanks for that party

the evidence points to the fact that he probably believed he was a prophet. The greatest con from this conman was actually conning himself.

That makes sense. I can see how adulation could corrupt a person that much

---

Once what has been revealed in the Temple is accepted, Mormonism is all downhill from there for that member.

So you were well down this road then? Do you get hounded for your desertion?

[Bad Writer]

Once what has been revealed in the Temple is accepted, Mormonism is all downhill from there for that member.

So you were well down this road then? Do you get hounded for your desertion?

I had done everything except for the Temple Marriage. I convinced my ex-wife that she wouldn't want to go through with it. I think the Temple Endowment Ceremony actually had the opposite effect on me that it normally has on members.

I don't get hounded as much as some do. My family doesn't understand why I left, but they leave me to my own devices pretty much.