About two months ago I sat at a restaurant with a college student who had grown up Mormon as she recounted to me her growing doubts about Mormonism. I shared that when I was an LDS college student, I also had to make some decisions about Mormonism. But things were very different, because the Church’s doctrines had changed so much – what with the ban on black men in the priesthood, the fact that all American Indians were no longer considered Lamanites…
Her face went completely blank. “What do you mean, about blacks and priesthood?”
She had grown up her whole life a Mormon and never knew.
Her skepticism of my account was patent, even when I told her, “I was there. I believed.” (from 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.
Many young (under 40 years of age) Mormons also have trouble believing that the LDS temple ceremony once contained bloody oaths. Here's a New York Times article that reports on the changes that were made in 1990.
Being a Christian author means being a proxy - for the benefit of another and…
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Wow, you take this very seriously. I find it interesting and extremely unproductive all at the same time. My Mormon friends are nothing how you portray them. I try to look on the heart. This website gives me a bad feeling, so something must be wrong. Why can't Christians be friends?
Andy, in what way have I portrayed Mormons other than as I was -- well intentioned, clean-living, but deceived?
You are breaking down their religion, which I think many of them would agree, defines much of their life. You can't separate the religion and its people. You can't trash what they consider sacred, and in the next breath say they are well-intentioned, clean-living people. I don't know, it just seems nit-picky and fanatical. You can paint a good and bad picture of anything. My friend's actions speak louder than your words, that's all.
I appreciate your honesty, your time in commenting, and for your love and concern -- which I share -- for the Mormon people.
I also would like to say, Andy, as someone concerned for the eternal salvation of the LDS people, that I realize that at times the truth is offensive, however, everyone that I have talked to who did investigate the claims such as Latayne has made have found them to be truth. I have seen many of them myself as I have studied LDS literature and history for myself. I was not LDS nor will I become LDS, but I have a heart to share the truth of grace with this people group that my LORD has placed me in the middle of.
Jenny, thank you for your comment and your insights.