Interview on Moody Radio South Florida, Week of March 12
You may listen to this short interview here.
Reason #198: Simon Southerton’s Treatment as a Doubting Mormon
Many people suppose that leaving Mormonism is at first a liberating experience, throwing off the shackles of error, going into the light of truth. But it didn’t feel that way to me, and apparently it doesn’t feel that way to a lot of thinking Mormons who struggle with the cognitive dissonance of their heartfelt “testimonies” that clash with information they acquire that proves the LDS Church is wrong. Simon Southerton is most famous for his groundbreaking book, Losing a Lost Tribe, in which he used his scientific training to show that DNA testings prove that the American Indian, known as the “Lamanite” in the Book of Mormon, could not possibly have the Jewish ancestry that Mormonism claims. He struggled with his findings, and...
Reason #197: Count up the Book of Mormon Changes for Yourself
I’ve seen estimates as high as over 5,000, describing the number of changes in the Book of Mormon from its first “inspired wording” to recent editions. But don’t take my word, or anyone else’s for that. Look on this site and compare multiple digital versions for yourself: Facsimilies of Historic Book of Mormon Editions Very interesting! For more information, see The Mormon Mirage 3rd Edition: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today (Zondervan, 2009). Also available as an audiobook and as an expanded-text E-book for Nook, Kindle and other reading devices. Also available by Latayne C. Scott, Latter-day Cipher: A...
Reason #196: Because It Goes Beyond Tallying Risks
I’ve often heard Christians express frustration with non-believers, offering this argument: If Christianity is true, you should believe it to benefit from its advantages, not the least of which is eternal life. And if it’s not true and there is no eternal reward, they reason, what does one have to lose by living the Christian life? However, the same argument is used by Mormons — and has been used on me. If Mormonism is true, I (unlike the average “never-Mo” or someone who was never a Mormon) risk eternal damnation by continuing to reject Mormonism. The reasoning is this: Just return to Mormonism. If it’s not true, what would I lose as compared to such a catastrophic loss? The issue is truth. This business of the gain and...
Reason #195: Incredible LDS Missionary Attrition Rates [edited for clarity]
One of the most knowledgeable ex-Mormons I know is Richard Packham. He is not the kind of person who makes extravagant statements about Mormonism (true, it’s usually not necessary to embellish it, right?) He has these very interesting insights about how many Mormon missionaries leave the LDS church after serving full-time missions. Here are Packham’s words (reprinted with his permission): I first heard that 40% [of LDS missionaries eventually leave Mormonism] . . . from a post on an Internet discussion group dealing with Mormonism a few years ago by someone who had a relative working at the MTC [Missionary Training Center.] This relative told the poster that the staff at the MTC had been urged to do nothing to damage the new missionaries’...
Reason # 193: “Doctrines That Are Going Away”
I am a “lurker” on an Internet message board where LDS historians and others speak about “doctrines that are going away” (their words, not mine.) Q: How can a DOCTRINE go away? A practice, yes. But a definition of God shouldn’t “go away,” right? Here’s another quote (which I assume is tongue in cheek, but telling): “Mormons, we used to be peculiar, but ever since 1995 we have been just as normal as you!” For more information, see The Mormon Mirage 3rd Edition: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today (Zondervan, 2009). Also available as an audiobook and as an expanded-text E-book for Nook, Kindle and other reading...
