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 #194: Because I get to answer snarky letters
Here’s a recent letter to me via this site: Another one bites the dust, ha ha. :) Anyhow, I think it\’s sad that you allowed Dan\’s love for you to also infect your faith. I didn\’t see anything new here or in your books — basically a rehash of the faded blue jean arguments of the Tanners, who, like so many others, have left Mormonism but just can\’t seem to leave it alone. In all sincerity, I hope you find peace because there doesn\’t seem to be much of it here. Heck, there\’s more turmoil here than in the spin cycle of my washing machine. :) Best regards, Alan My response: Thank you for your interest. I found it remarkable — in every sense of the word — that you referred to what you found...
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...
Reason #192: Romney’s Candidacy Highlights the Role of LDS Secrecy
”That aspects of the religion of a devout president of the United States should be concealed from all but 2 percent of us may be a legitimate question that merits pondering.” Quote from a provocative article in The New York Times: Everyone is asking this question. Will This Election Be the Mormon Breakthrough? www.nytimes.com . ”That aspects of the religion of a devout president of the United States should be concealed from all but 2 percent of us may be a legitimate question that merits pondering.” Quote from this provocative article in The New York Times. . What is going on in those secret temple ceremonies? For more information, see The Mormon Mirage 3rd Edition: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church...
Reason #191: What would a Christian Church have to Change to Become Mormon?
A VERY big unspoken assumption Mormons operate on is that all blessings (except the most general ones of having life itself and “rain on the just and the unjust” and Romans 1:18-20 type things) are only available through the LDS Church organization and priesthood as gatekeepers. I can’t emphasize enough how tied together the idea of eventual reward in heaven, is to membership in the LDS church. A very insightful question was asked by another ex-Mormon to a Mormon once: “What would my congregation have to change in order to be a Mormon congregation?” The answer is, almost everything they believe about salvation, the identity of God, and what practices are necessary, both in corporate worship and individual lives. LDS believers would...
