NOM

Yeah, agreed. When I was TBM there was very small difference in my mind between what a prophet says and what the apostles said. I believed that the prophet talked directly with God and Jesus Christ, just like is implied in Joseph Smith's first vision. There HAD to be a reason why God and Jesus chose ...

Even as hopeful as this dissidence has made me, it doesn't set the right precedence for the independent thought needed to truly leave the church. There is nothing inherently wrong with an apostle telling people that wearing a mask is Christlike and shows consideration and duty to your fellow humans ...

I am shocked. John Dehlin? Really? What has he done to be considered such a target? He's always seemed very even handed, respectful, and mellow, to me. I watched him do an interview with Sandra Tanner(I adore her) and he kinda went hard on her in the third part of he interview. I remember thinking ...

The temple is one of those sad things for me. Because I tried so hard in attending the temple and doing "work" there to try to get the most out of it. To get some spiritual experience out of it. And I never did. It was the worst place I've ever been as a TBM. My grandfather told me that every time ...

One thing that in particular bothers me about the church now is realizing how American-centric it all is. It's another one of those small problems that prevents me from ever falling back into belief. I just cannot get on board with an organization that claims to be the only true way to God giving ...

There's holes in it that Mormons admit to but cannot see because of cognitive dissonance. This is what drives me the most nuts, even years later in my apostasy. I can go months without giving the church any processing time, thanks to COVID (#givethanksbutnotreally). But when something occurs as ...

I agree with what others have said about the lack of practicality or authenticity in this campaign. One of the biggest cautions we hear about social media is the war of perception vs. reality that goes on, and the insecurity this can breed. I don't like rants about how evil and toxic social media is ...

Second, according to this passage, the Nephites did write more of Jesus' words on another set of plates, but that was not passed down to us, even though the BoM is written specifically for our day? They wrote it down and then just buried it somewhere, never to be seen again? Talk about hiding your ...

I HATE how the church communicates like this: they sort of insinuate and craft the message so that you can read into it whatever you want but they don't have to be accountable for taking a stand either way. I always thought that was an amazing effect of the Spirit. I remember listening to a Sheri ...

And therefore may not be concerned about political turmoil because he would consider it a sign that the end is getting near. If fact, the worse things get the more validated 2nd Coming watchers feel in their end times expectations. Which raises all sorts of ethical questions, if the end of the ...

This was one of those shelf items back in 2017. I remember reading the scriptures daily and coming to this part in Ether describing the vessels. Not a part of me suspected that it was untrue. But I inquired with my devout uncle about the terminology, "like a dish" because I was having trouble ...

This is it. He's gonna surprise us all. 2020 truly is the "end" of the world. "The brethren and I have long thought it over what the right course of action should be for the church and its members moving forward. I say think because none of us, from the time of Brigham have had any direct contact ...

I debated making an entirely different topic. I have been quietly troubled by this discussion ever since I first learned of the ban on the Priesthood during my shelf break back in August. Because I had no idea, not even a little inkling until I read the Gospel Topics Essay and then the CES letter ...

Very good breakdown of the lesson. In the terms of this question regarding DNA evidence, I am less invested or interested in the actual data or studying up on genetics or research. Because the church leaders and the book itself state one thing, and now, the "prophets, seers, and revelators" who talk ...

Put very aptly. Always, no matter what evidence, the church is always true. I was reading back through old threads on this forum today and thought of another question regarding this. It's not quite the same topic but rather than make a new thread, I'll bring it up here, if it's alright. Why would ...

Thank you for understanding and acknowledging these struggles. That, more than anything, gives me a soothed feeling, like I can get through this. Also, I can see what each of you has said is true, that there is a process, and some moments will make me feel like bursting but eventually I will come to ...

Do Jack Mormons still pay tithing? I can see that being the assumption crossed, "Hey, I might be having adulterous relationships and drinking coffee like it's going out of style. But since tithing can buy you into God's special country club, then surely a few token payments will absolve me of any ...

I don't know whether to curse or thank Mormonism for this, but little things like this definitely have me taking a much harsher magnifying glass to Bible prophets. I know BoA was written by Joseph Smith but the problems you bring up about what we should expect God's relationship with prophets IS ...

Thank you, Hagoth! I knew I had heard it said somewhere by the prophets and apostles(and actually, you succinctly hit all of the bullet quotes that I could remember; I incorrectly thought bits and pieces of these things were said by the same person). That is exactly the axle the contradiction ...

I thank you for your kind words of encouragement and support. It hasn't really gotten any easier to resist telling my family about these things. I mean, the urge is still very present anytime I read or watch something new. My mother, who I haven't spoken to about anything religious since my brief ...